Exploring the Minds of Comedy Legends: An Inside Look at Life and Humor with 'Sick in the Head' Conversations

Steve Schwartz, Greenville: A series of interviews with standups, comedy writers, and comedy directors. Apatow was a kid comedy nerd who began interviewing comedians in high school in the hope that they could tell him how to become a comedian, but the interviews are way too short for that, and it was probably not a very smart wish. Apatow *was* funny but more importantly had drive and stamina. The interviews are more a flyover than an excavation, but still interesting. What engaged me most were the variety of sensibilities and approaches to comedy and of psyches. Some are damaged, some not. What remains constant is a capacity for disciplined hard work.

United States on May 06, 2023

Suneet K. Bhatt: Great conversations. Apatow’s commitment to comedy going back to his teenage years is inspiring. I always saw him as a Producer and Director, but I see him as so much more now. And then … he featured some of not all of my favorite comic minds.

United States on Mar 04, 2023

Michael: I am a White Jewish Male that loves making f****ed up jokes and is addicted to all comedy, now it all makes sense to why I grew up on Judd's ingenious entertainment. I did not know who he was until I read this book that has brought me so much clarity to life and happiness. I remember while I was reading this book over this Winter Break I would snort and cry and even let silence muffle my head when the book would take a very personal turn and I loved all those feelings that took over. I love learning about people I don't know very well; however, this particular person, Judd Apatow, happen to be very immersed in my circle of life. Some of my favorite movies such as Funny People was written by Judd and I got to learn the movie was loosely based on his own experience! I went to Jerry Seinfeld's "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee" and there was only three or four episodes I did not watch, cause I didn't know the guest, and what do you know, I see an episode with Judd Apatow. I was so surprised so watch the way Judd spoke in the episode cause he does not act in any way I imagined. He is a little goofy and still very shy, but isn't afraid to show is personality. This surprised me cause I...

United States on Jan 17, 2022

Luki D: Interesting information about many of the comedians you’ll likely know. Quite remarkable at how honing their craft and looking to improve is part of almost all of their narratives.

Canada on Mar 30, 2021

JohnD: I was expecting something more long form, but was pleasantly surprised with the variety and changes over time. This was a great read and the insight in to many comedians' approach and state of mind at the time of the interviews was really interesting.

Canada on Feb 02, 2021

Chingy: My husband bought this for himself, and he says, “I can’t wait to finish this book so I can pick it up and start reading it again and highlight and take notes of all the great stories and advice... it’s not just funny, there are a lot of profound things in there, too.”

Canada on Oct 28, 2020

Jose Araujo: Great read so far (50 pages in). Full of interviews with tons of comedians by one of my favourite comedic directors (out side Wes Anderson). If your a comedy chronic like me you will enjoy this, and if you do..check out ‘I Killed’; it’s similar in that it’s filled with tons of hilarious stories from comics on the road.

Canada on Dec 04, 2017

N G-J: I was a little sceptical when I bought this - my toddler had recently become scared of the dark and I needed a nightlight with a yellow hue. I thought I'd probably end up buying this and use it once and never use it again. I couldn't have been more wrong. The carry strap alone has won me over as we have suffered black outs and carrying this thing whole holding my daughter was so easy. It doesn't run on batteries so once you've paid for it, its paid for. It's also cable free so you can put it almost everywhere. My daughter loves this nightlight, she sleeps well with it on as it has various settings to ensure its not too bright and its also easy to turn off. It goes from extremely dim to being able to light up several rooms from the corridor. I bought this about 3 weeks ago and after the initial charge it's still going strong (it's on for about 4 hours a night every night) I'm seriously considering buying this for my mum for when she goes 'back home' to visit relatives and experiences frequent black outs. Buy it, you won't regret it. I feel that every home should have one. The only thing I wish it had was a sleep timer, so I wouldn't have to creep in and out of my daughter's room!

United Kingdom on Mar 01, 2017

Jason A. Miller: While I'm not the biggest fan of Judd Apatow's movies -- my style of humor is a bit more retro than his cutting-edge raunchy comedies -- I think we can all agree that this book is a must-read.

In a surprisingly personal introduction, Apatow describes growing up on Long Island, in the New York City suburbs, as a small kid and somewhat of an outsider, who finds his place in the world as a student of comedy, and as a teenage radio host at his low-wattage high school radio station, whose signal, he tells us, barely reached the school parking lot. He embarks on a quest to interview his favorite comedians, both old and new, and thus was born his career as a comedy writer and A-list (or at least high B-list) movie director.

"Sick in the Head" is a self-described labor of love, the result of 30 years' worth of Apatow interviewing, or being interviewed alongside, the great comics from across all eras. He starts off with a transcript of his 1983 interview with a ridiculously young Jerry Seinfeld, who even back then is musing about what a transition from stand-up comedy to sitcom acting might do to his career. Seinfeld also describes routines of his own favorite comics of that...

United States on Jun 18, 2015