Conversations About Life and Comedy - Sick in the Head

Loved the timespan and perspectives-amazing how Judd, even at a young age, was able to engage in such a personal way. His interviews remind me of why Howard Stern's interviews really work-personal and engaging -they are both truly interested in what makes people tick. Thanks for a great read!

The book is a patchwork collection of interviews (many "re-purposed" from other sources) that begins to read like an extended version of People magazine and often seems like a collection of interviews of Judd Apatow. If Judd or a merciful editor had removed the redundant references to his personal story or his resume or excised his fawning introductions, the book would have been two-thirds the length... and much more readable. If Judd had more curiosity about the craft (which he constantly claims he has) and had taken the interviews in different directions instead of frequently chasing down the same worn trail, I would have had a much more satisfied feeling when I finished. Yes, I finished. Why? Well, the interviews are with a who's who of comedy, so they're good, frothy celebrity gazing. And (looking past my complaints) some of the interviews and many of the people prove to be really interesting!

This collection of interviews is absolutely hilarious and Judd gets the best out the people featured. If you enjoy reading about life stories and/or if you're a fan of comedy, buy this book immediately.

I was most impressed by the or through's interview with Steve Allen. He was a creator I'm not an imitator on Late-night television. Jare late-night television. Judd's stylet interviewing was due so morning and brought out true reaction from Hughes guess. I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

Reading this book is like being invited to the best party ever. Only the earlier entries (chronologically) are technically interviews: the rest are conversations among friends, collaborators, masters of their craft, in which they try out outdo and one-up each-other not just in how funny they are but how revealing they can be about their work, their hopes, their fears, their pasts, and their personal screw-ups. This book has kept me up two nights now, as I had to read "just one more." Its alphabetical arrangement by first name is inspired: you never know who or what the next subject will be. There is dazzling variety here and lots of food for thought and oodles of magic and charm. A classic.

Wanted to like it more. Three is being generous, I think. I was disappointed in the repetition. Mainly, by Judd discussing the same elements in his background, with each person he interviewed. I respect him greatly, and from where he came. But the monotony within each interview had me rushing through many of the interviews to see if the next one was better. And some were. Mel Brooks. Jay Leno and Jerry Seinfeld to name a few. The benchmark of excellence he has achieved with his movies probably set the bar too high for me in relation to the book. It was Ok.