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stephee's review against another edition
3.0
An interesting glimpse into the minds of many well known comedians. I wanted to love this but its length has made me hesitant about giving it four stars. That said, I did enjoy all of the interviews - even those comedians I was not previously familiar with.
pennsnape's review
4.0
I won this book as a part of Goodreads First Reads.
This book fell into my life at the perfect time. I've never been into comedy, except for TV sitcoms and movies. When the show @midnight started, I found that I'd been missing the hilarious world of stand up. This book is a great look into the whole world of comedy, from comics to producers to writers. For anyone who loves comedy or wants to work in comedy, this is definitely a must read. I also recommend it to anyone that enjoys any kind of comedy.
This was not a quick read for me, but I don't mean that in a bad way. You need time to digest each interview and all the different personalities. Each interview gives a lot of food for thought and the end of each interview is a natural break. (which made it impossible for me to put the book down in the middle of one). Also, I think interview is not necessarily the proper word. The early ones free before Judd was in the business, yes, but the later interviews read more like conversations between important people in comedy.
I learned a lot of things from this book. I never realized how much thought and hard work goes into comedy of all kinds. I definitely don't watch enough of Amy Schumer, I'm currently working on that. And most surprising, Jay Leno is perhaps not a complete asshole.
carolynschaf's review against another edition
3.0
karak's review against another edition
4.0
jagfinke's review against another edition
3.0
It has conversations, not interviews.
It has a back and forth between author and comedians, so you get as much, even more, from Apatow than from the comedians.
It is interesting to glimpse the mind of your favorite comedians and for that it is worth the read.
I found myself skipping the interviews of the people I did not know.
jonid's review against another edition
3.0
mountie9's review against another edition
4.0
Amazed (but really not surprised) that he was so young when he got access to such famous comedians and was so very articulate and got them to talk. That my friends, takes balls and is so very impressive
Learned a lot,about the comedy world
Interviews some of my personal favorites
Some incredible raw and very personal stories
This is a perfect gift for the comedy nerd or those interested in working in the field
Have a sudden urge to watch Freaks and Geeks again
Albert Brooks is a fascinating man
Very wise conversation with Eddie Vedder regarding children and technology
Favorite interview was with the very insightful Harold Ramis
Impressed with how the interviewees had been very helpful and kind to such a young man who they had no reason to - gives me faith in humanity
Have a new found respect for Steve Allen and his originality
Understand why HBO gets to make the brilliant shows they do
The Not So Good Stuff
Would have liked more information about Judd himself (though you do get a good idea from what he lets out in the interviews)
Expected it to be a lot more funny, but hey that is my problem
He gets to work with Steve Carrell and I don't
Favorite Quotes
"Judd: As I said to someone recently, I'm trying to fuck my kids up just enough so they'll want a job."
"This blew my mind. Wait, so we could actually interview people we admired? They would talk to you if you asked nicely? It suddenly occurred to me that maybe I could do this with comedians."
"I didn't understand that what I liked about them was seeing normal people with their daily struggles, trying to be good people in spite of all of the obstacles that are in their way, trying to find connection. That's what I enjoyed the most, but I didn't understand how it was made and I didn't understand how I would get there, until I worked with you at The Larry Sanders Show."
"I can almost feel people forgetting their troubles and laughing, and for a moment I feel like there is a God or a higher purpose and I am truly happy. God gave me that dick joke. It all makes sense"
"When are girls going to figure out that the jocks become used car salesmen and the nerds become, you know, Judd Apatow and Bill Gates? Why aren't they on to that by now?"
4 Dewey's
I received this from Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review