Description

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY THE A.V. CLUB • Includes new interviews!

From the creator and director of Knocked Up and the manufacturer of Freaks and Geeks comes a choice of intimate, hilarious conversations with the largest names in comedy from the previous thirty years—together with Mel Brooks, Jerry Seinfeld, Jon Stewart, Sarah Silverman, Harold Ramis, Seth Rogen, Chris Rock, and Lena Dunham.

Earlier than turning into some of the a hit filmmakers in Hollywood, Judd Apatow was once the unique comedy nerd. At fifteen, he took a role washing dishes in an area comedy membership—in order that he may watch unending stand-up free of charge. At 16, he was once internet hosting a display for his native highschool radio station in Syosset, Lengthy Island—a display that consisted of Q&As along with his comedy heroes, from Garry Shandling to Jerry Seinfeld. They mentioned their careers, the technological know-how of a excellent funny story, and their goals of long run glory (seems, Shandling was once concerned with having his personal TV display at some point and Steve Allen had already invented the whole lot).

Thirty years later, Apatow remains to be that very same comedy nerd—and he’s nonetheless interviewing humorous folks approximately why they do what they do.

Sick within the Head gathers Apatow’s such a lot memorable and revealing conversations into one hilarious, huge-ranging, and extremely candid assortment that spans no longer handiest his profession however his complete grownup lifestyles. Listed here are the comedy legends who impressed and formed him, from Mel Brooks to Steve Martin. Listed here are the contemporaries he grew up with in Hollywood, from Spike Jonze to Sarah Silverman. And right here, in any case, are the brightest stars in comedy nowadays, a lot of whom Apatow has been lucky to paintings with, from Seth Rogen to Amy Schumer. And alongside the best way, one thing more or less magical occurs: What began as a life-time’s price of conversations approximately comedy turns into one thing else solely. It turns into an exploration of creativity, ambition, neediness, generosity, spirituality, and the enjoyment that comes from making folks chuckle.

Loaded with the type of again-of-the-membership tales that comics inform one some other whilst nobody else is gazing, this Attention-grabbing, non-public (and borderline-obsessive) guide is Judd Apatow’s present to comedy nerds all over.

Praise for In poor health within the Head

“I will’t prevent studying it. . . . I don’t need this guide to finish.”—Jimmy Fallon

“An crucial for any comedy geek.”—Entertainment Weekly

“Attention-grabbing . . . a choice of interviews with most of the nice figures of comedy within the latter part of the 20 th century.”—The Washington Post

“Open this guide any place, and also you’re sure to search out a few attention-grabbing nugget from any individual who has had you in stitches many, repeatedly.”—Janet Maslin, The New York Times

“A great learn, filled with insights and connections each ingenious and interpersonal.”—The New Yorker

“Attention-grabbing and revelatory.”—Chicago Tribune

“Any individual even remotely concerned with comedy or humanity must personal this guide.”—Will Ferrell