Apatow Nerd with Ethan Yeshaya

Clayton Townsend is a film producer who has worked with Judd Apatow on The 40 Year Old Virgin, Superbad, Funny People, Year One, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, Bridesmaids, This Is 40, and more. He also produced Natural Born Killers, JFK, Nixon, Fast & Furious 6, and so many others!

My brilliant friend Mikaela Jensen joins me to discuss Girls, Season 3 Episode 7, "The Beach House". This absolutely hilarious episode of television was written by Lena Dunham, Jenni Konner, and Judd Apatow. Mikaela helps me sort through some ideas and themes of the show, particularly a very interesting theory she has about certain characters acting as parallels of each other. A smart co...

Dan Piering (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway) joins me to discuss the 2007 film Superbad, written by Seth, Rogan and Evan Goldberg, produced by Judd Apatow, and starring Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, Seth Rogen, Emma, Stone, and Bill Hader.

Chris Witaske (actor on Judd Apatow's Love, The Bear, Free Bert, Lady Bird, New Girl, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Second City, and more) joins me to discuss working with Judd Apatow on Love (Netflix)

Timm Sharp (actor on Undeclared, 'Til Death, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Six Feet Under, M3GAN 2.0 + more) joins me to discuss working with Judd Apatow and Seth Rogen on the 2001 comedy series Undeclared.

Comedian and improvisor, MJ Matheson joins me to discuss the 2012 film Wanderlust! Directed by: David Wain Written by: David Wain and Ken Marino Produced by Judd Apatow, Ken Marino, Paul Rudd, & David Wain The Cast: Paul Rudd Jennifer Aniston Justin Theroux Malin Åkerman Kathryn Hahn Lauren Ambrose Alan Alda Keegan Michael Key Jordan Peele

How do we separate the art from the artist? How do we reconcile years of loving pieces of art with the new knowledge that the people who brought us years of joy caused harm to other people? How do you talk about a movie starring Russell Brand and Diddy? You ask two hilarious standup comedians, Comrade Tripp and Devohn Bland to join you. Listening back to this recording was painful because I heard...

I was a guest on the most recent episode of the podcast No Brains, No Lightbulbs, a podcast created by founder of Trivia Mafia, a popular trivia events company in Minnesota. I had the most fun I’ve had in a while answering Judd Apatow trivia questions and wanted to share it with you!

Beth Stiller (my Mom) joins me to talk Freaks and Geeks S1E1, The Pilot episode! Directed by Jake Kasdan Written by Paul Feig Executive Produced by Judd Apatow The Cast: Linda Cardellini as Lindsay Weir John Francis Daley as Sam Weir James Franco as Daniel Desario Samm Levine as Neal Schweiber Seth Rogen as Ken Miller Jason Segel as Nick Andopolis Martin Starr as Bill Haverchuck Becky Ann Baker as...

Jarrett Lennon Kaufman (Freaks and Geeks, Gilmore Girls, Hey Arnold) joins me to discuss working with Judd Apatow on my favorite series of all time, Freaks and Geeks!

Standup comedian Rudy Pavich (Adam Carolla Show) and his funny partner MJ Garbers join me to discuss Judd Apatow's directorial feature Funny People from 2009. Starring Seth Rogen, Adam Sandler, and Leslie Mann, this film gets into the beauty and ugliness in comedy and life. Directed by Judd Apatow Written by Judd Apatow Produced by Judd Apatow, Clayton Townsend and Barry Mendel The Cast: Adam Sand...

On this three-episode arc of Apatow Nerd, I'm talking about what I call the Holy Trinity of Judd Apatow-Directed Films (or HTOJADF) Frank Merchlewitz (Minneapolis-based keyboardist and videographer) joins me to discuss how this amazing comedy holds up both in today's eyes, and through the eyes of a more mature married man. Directed by Judd Apatow Written by Judd Apatow Produced by Judd Apatow, Sha...

Coming up on Apatow Nerd, we're focusing on what I called the "Holy Trinity of Judd Apatow-Directed Films" During the period between 2005-2009, Judd Apatow wrote and directed three iconic comedies that changed the comedy landscape, also including Knocked Up (2007) and Funny People (2009). But The 40-Year-Old Virgin, starring Steve Carell is one of the most iconic and hilarious movies of all time....

Kai Brewster (Minneapolis-based musician) joins me to discuss the 2006 Judd Apatow-Produced film Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby! Directed by Adam McKay Written by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay Produced by Jimmy Miller and Judd Apatow The Cast: Will Ferrell as Ricky Bobby Jake Johnson as 5-year-old Ricky. Luke Bigham as 10-year-old Ricky. John C. Reilly as Cal Naughton Jr. Austin Crim as...

Freaks and Geeks is a television show from 1999-2000, created by Paul Feig and executive produced by Judd Apatow. It’s my favorite TV show of all time. Musician John Guari and I bonded over our shared favorite episode of the series, “Carded and Discarded.” This episode of television includes fake IDs, big feelings for the new girl in school, the music of Billy Joel, a card game called “pit”, a roc...

Pineapple Express is a 2008 film starring Seth Rogen, James Franco, Craig Robinson, Kevin Corrigan, and Danny McBride. It was written by Seth Rogen and his writing partner Evan Goldberg, and produced by Judd Apatow. My dear friend Joey Hays (Minneapolis-based drummer) joins me to discuss Pineapple Express , which turned out to be a very formative film from his youth. Our conversation heavily tied...

Singer-songwriter Nick Costa joins me to discuss one of his all-time favorite films, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story . I hadn't seen the film since middle school and I was absolutely blown away with its level of jokes, musicianship, and artistry. Nick has seen it enough to basically quote the whole thing. We discuss our early associations to Judd Apatow's work, being a session musician in real life...

Mo Collins (Mad TV, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Arrested Development, The 40 Year Old Virgin, Knocked Up, Fear The Walking Dead, Parks and Recreation, and SO much more) joins me to discuss Judd Apatow, being a character actor, being famous to some people and unknown to others, the ups and downs of being an actor, and more! If you have a Judd Apatow-related story or a way to connect me with someone who's...

On the first episode of Apatow Nerd, I'm talking about Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004). Joining me is my old, dear friend Morgan Gray (@mmmmalright on social media). We get into our Anchorman origin stories, our connection to Judd Apatow movies, the strangely specific stores at the Mall of America, and so much more. If you have a way to connect me with people who have worked with Judd...

Hi, I’m Ethan Yeshaya. I’m a musician based in Minneapolis and since I was a kid, I’ve been obsessed with the works of Judd Apatow. This podcast is an opportunity to rewatch his shows and movies with friends of mine, as well as interviewing people who have worked with him! If you have a Judd Apatow-related story, idea, or a way to help me get in touch with anyone who worked with him, shoot me an e...