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SINGAPORE - Knock, knock. Who's there? Judd Apatow. Judd Apatow who? Judd Apatow, the director of serious movies.
Cue canned laughter.
Actually that wasn't the punchline. The punchline is that it's true.
After helming movies about a 40-year-old virgin and a hot blonde getting knocked up by Seth Rogen, and producing a slew of films like that one about forgetting Sarah-something and another one that's soooo superbad, Apatow now wants us to laugh about a comedian ... who's dying.
Funny People zooms in on celebrity comedian George Simmons (played by Apatow's ex-room-mate and, well, celebrity comedian Adam Sandler). Diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, a despondent Simmons hires stand-up comic noob Ira (Apatow regular Seth Rogen) to be his Man Friday as he pines for his ex-girl Laura (Apatow's wife Leslie Mann), who's married to Eric Bana.
Heavy, heavy stuff, man. Except that it's from Judd Apatow. And it's a comedy.
We recently caught up with the 41-year-old Juddmeister when he was in Australia promoting the film ... and perhaps convincing Russell Crowe to do a comedy?
"Exactly," said Apatow. "I'll try and make him do a funny version of Gladiator!"
Funny People is more sober than your previous works - but the penis jokes have also been upped to 11. What's up with that?
(Laughs) Well, the thing with hanging out with comedians is that they're so desensitised that most of the jokes are really gross. It takes so much to shock a comedian and make them laugh. And an enormous amount of their jokes are about their penises or things going up their butts ...
It's not a tenth of how it would be if I was actually truthful about what comedians actually say to each other.
What about the darker theme of death that the movie tackles?
I set out to make a movie about an incredibly successful, unhappy person who was on some sort of journey to figuring out what was wrong with his life. We see all these comedians and we assume that they're happy people. But, you know, the reason why a lot of people want to entertain others is because they need approval because they're so miserable.
Like the whole 'sad clown' stereotype?
Yeah, I think the whole sad clown idea is true. Most people spend their entire lives trying to avoid public speaking. You have to be pretty demented to seek it out desperately ...
Well, we know you're speaking for experience as a former stand-up comic yourself. What was the experience like?
I was a stand-up comic for seven years from the time I was 17 till I was 24 ... It would've been more fun if I was funnier!
This is your first time directing your former room-mate Adam Sandler. What took you guys so long to team up?
Over the years he had asked me to direct a few times but I've always wanted to direct him in something that I wrote that was personal. It took me forever to think of something and I didn't want to direct him unless I was a really good director. I didn't want to learn how to direct on his time. Adam is a very talented person and I wanted to be fully prepared for it.
There sure are a lot of cameos in this film. Was it like being in a candy store getting to pick who to invite?
Yes! It was really fun to try to get people I admired. That's why we had Sarah Silverman and Ray Romano and Dave Attell and Norm Macdonald (from Saturday Night Live). These are the people I think are the best right now.
And also, celebrities have odd friends. So I just thought it'd be funny to get a quick view of who George Simmons' friends are. Only in Hollywood will you get George palling around and eating dinner with Eminem - who screams at Ray Romano for taking his picture!
Do you ever fear not being funny anymore?
I always try to think: Is there a way for me to be a comedian and be a sane normal person. It's a lifelong quest to see if it's possible to do this in a healthy manner. (Laughs)
What's your greatest fear?
I have death fears. I've always tried to figure out a good religion that would make me more comfortable but I still can't. Someone's gotta give me a good one that helps me sleep better at night. I'm open to it though. It may be some ancient Egyptian religion that has been lost for thousands of years.
One final question: How do you feel about your wife getting it on with Adam Sandler and Eric Bana?
I'm all for that! Anything that puts a smile on her face makes me happy.
Funny People is in cinemas now - TODAY/ar
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