Apparently someone actually searched for the “Judd Apatow effect” today, so they made it super easy for us. That’s the project that launched this blog (and nothing we’ve done since, or likely will do, will surpass it). So, we proudly, once again, present the Judd Apatow Effect (although, it’s in major need of an update. Maybe that’s a job for the intern (still us)):
click the image to see the whole effect
Thanks for the alley-oop, whoever you are out there in cyberspace!
Filed under Count Bleh, Gratuitous Search Term Bait, Judd Apatow
The Greatest Muppet Movie Ever Made casting news just doesn’t seem to stop. Last week were ecstatic to report that Paul Rudd is on board (along with Jon Krasinksi, Ed Helms and Jack Black among others), now comes word that Billy Crystal, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Alan Arkin have agreed to cameo (although, if we had our choice of Alans we’d prefer Alan Alda. Actually, our first pick would be Bill Hader as Alan Alda. But with Hader’s Apatow/Segel ties – roles in Knocked Up, Superbad, Pineapple Express and Forgetting Sarah Marshall – it’s probably only a matter of time before he’s on board).
But with the deluge of casting news – it seems like nearly all of young Hollywood is going to pop up in the film – there remains one name we’ve yet to see, one actor who would truly make The Greatest Muppet Movie Ever Made the greatest Muppet Movie Ever Made. We’re talking, of course, of…
Charles Grodin, DUH!
Before all is said and done, Will Ferrell, Seth Rogen, Kristen Wiig, Michael Cera, Jack McBrayer, Tony Danza, Chi McBride, Michael J. Fox, Johnny Knoxville, Scott Wolf, Tom Hanks, Tina Yothers, Alan Thicke Jason Bateman, Bobby DeNiro and a host of others might pop up in the film. But, Grodin, that would be the big get, and he’d really bring this thing full circle.
Charlie, thoughts?
Vodpod videos no longer available.Filed under Judd Apatow, Muppets, The Big Screen
It’s official! As we, and everyone else on the Internet, predicted, Paul Rudd is joining his Knocked Up, Forgetting Sarah Marshall and I Love You Man co-star Jason Segel in The Greatest Muppet Movie Ever Made (but we maintain we called it first). As soon as word leaked the Segel was writing the movie with his Sarah Marshall director Nicholas Stoller, we began speculating which members of the Apatow-verse would be joining in, and Rudd was at the top of the wish list. When we learned that Apatow-charter Rashida Jones and comedian of the moment Zach Galifiniakis were also slated to appear, Rudd seemed like an inevitability. And, now, according to Production Weekly, it’s a reality, with Rudd on board to voice the new “anything Muppet” Walter, who, as we previously noted, will portray Segel’s roommate in the movie. And this, even without any direct Judd Apatow involvement, cements The Greatest Muppet Movie Ever Made‘s status on the Judd Apatow Chart.
But that’s not all! Production Weekly also reports that fellow Apatow-charters Jack Black and Jane Lynch are in, as is Rashida Jones’ former TV flame John Krasinksi (who we suggested over a year ago might make for a great Muppet), Krasinki’s Office co-star (as well as Galifiniakis’ Hangover castmate) Ed Helms, Krasinski and Helm’s NBC Thursday night comedy brother Donald Glover, and Danny Trejo, who cameo’d in the Apatow-produced Anchorman (and Modern Family’s Eric Stonestreet, whom we’re having trouble connecting to the rest of the cast). So in a word: WOW.
Oh, and Lady Gaga, apparently. Whatevs.
Here’s a preview of what the Muppet-Rudd collaboration might look like:
Around this time last year Fresh Air host Terry Gross interviewed directors Judd Apatow and Wes Anderson, asserting her place on the Judd Apatow Chart. Last week she welcome Jason Schwartzman, who appeared in both films the directors discussed with Gross last fall, those being Funny People and The Fantastic Mr. Fox respectively. Now that Gross has interviewed all three talents it’s clear now that she’s really angling to be included on our Apatow web. Well, Terry, you keep at it, and next time we do an update we’ll see what we can do. If you could somehow finagle an appearance in one of their movies that would certainly be a big boost to your chances.
In addition to discussing his roles in Apatow and Anderson’s films, Schwartzman also talks about Bored to Death, as well as what it was like growing up in the Coppola family, so if you have 45 minutes, it’s worth a listen.
And to stimulate your visual cortex, here’s a couple of our favorite Schwartzman moments:
Filed under Flashback!, Judd Apatow, Marconi & Cheese, Team Zissou
Okay, not quite (as far as we know, Fozzie is NOT holding out), but the word from Mr. Galifianakis himself is that he will be popping up in The Greatest Muppet Movie Ever Made. This comes on the heels of the news that Rashida Jones, Amy Adams and Chris Cooper are joining the cast of the Jason Segel/Nicholas Stoller penned film. Still waiting on Paul Rudd, but we can only imagine it’s only a matter of time. And now that Galifiankis is on board, this opens up the whole Todd Phillips corner of the Judd Apatow Chart. Will Ferrell, Owen Wilson, Tom Green, they are all now in play.
But, just in case Fozzie does decide to play same hardball, what do you think?
Filed under Judd Apatow, Muppets, The Big Screen
In things-that-I-love-meeting-other-things-that-I-love news, reports indicate that Rashida Jones is close to joining Jason Segel and Nicholas Stoller’s forthcoming Muppet motion picture, The Greatest Muppet Movie Ever Made (in addition, the adorable Amy Adams and the cute Chris Cooper are also in talks to come on board). Now that Jones appears to be in, we can only assume that Paul Rudd will not be far behind. And when you have Paul Rudd and Rashida Jones there’s a pretty good chance that you’re eventually going to see Judd Apatow and at least one member of The State. Rudd, we all know, is one of the key faces of Apatowian comedy, as well as frequent a collaborator with State members David Wain and Ken Marino (see: Role Models, Diggers). Jones, in addition to appearing in the Apatow-esque I Love You Man with Segel and Rudd (plus State member Tom Lennon), had a small role in Apatow’s masterwork Freaks and Geeks, and has shown up in State related productions Stella, The Ten and Wainy Days. So from there it’s only a matter of time before Jones, Rudd, Segel, Apatow, The State and the Muppets all team up. We already know that The State and the Muppets have a history together:
Vodpod videos no longer available.One complaint: Sources say that Jones would portray an ABC exec in the movie. Between her roles on The Office and The Social Network, we think we’ve seen enough of her in business attire. No more blazers!
For further information, please consult the Judd Apatow Chart
Hey, remember this classic blog post? One year ago today!
Many years ago I started plotting the connections between Judd Apatow, his frequent collaborators, and emerging comic talents. Well, I talked about that chart for a while, and never really did anything about it. However, after getting laid off I decided it was time to do it. And I’m happy to say it’s finally ready! Check out the thumbnails below and read more about it on the Judd Apatow Effect page. With several films featuring actors and directors from the Apatow family tree released in the last few weeks, ( I Love You, Man, Adventureland, and Observe and Report), the time seems right to look at the scope of his reach and his effect on modern comedy.
Please take a look and let me know if you have any thoughts, comments or suggestions. Also, don’t hesitate to relate any errors or omissions. It’s still a work in progress, and I plan to keep updating it. I already have a list of actors and projects to be added to the Third Level, and it doesn’t look like the Apatow factory is going to slow anytime soon, so keep checking back.
See you later, Joben!
First Level of the Judd Apatow Effect
Filed under Count Bleh, Judd Apatow, Nostalgia Corner
Some people said it couldn’t be done. Others asked specifically that it not be done. Most have no idea this even exists. But, despite all the doubters and naysayers and initiated, we’ve defied expectations and reached our one year anniversary. It was just a year ago today (or “was it only a year ago?”) that Jumped The Snark launched with the unveiling of the Judd Apatow Effect. Full disclosure: we felt pretty confident that our thoroughly researched and elaborately detailed chart was going to rocket us into the blogosphere, but the truth is that it’s a year later and readership hasn’t grown since that first week and we’ve still yet to be linked to on Pop Candy. But, despite Whitney’s constant rejection and a plateau in daily views, we’re committed delivering unneeded thoughts on SNL and unsolicited commentary on The Office and irrelevant Growing Pains videos and cheap shots at Guy Fieri and news on the Muppets that’s of no interest to anyone but me. That’s a Jumped The Snark guarantee.
If you’ve joined us thus far, we do humbly thank you for spending a few minutes patronizing this little site. If, for some odd reason, you googled “Jumped The Snark one year anniversary” and ended up on this blog for the first time, welcome. We’re happy to have you, even if we question the logic of your search terms.
It’s been a great first year. But we’re looking forward to bigger and better things in year two and beyond. As long as there are videos of TGIF sitcoms on YouTube we’ll be around. Now, let’s have some cake!
See you in the future!
Filed under Count Bleh, Interweb, Judd Apatow, Muppets, Saturday Night Live, Tex Wasabi's, TGIF, Virulent, Yvonne Hudson
Very delayed but very exciting Muppet news: while most of our Muppet Monday posts have focused on the recent rise of Muppet visibility in Disneyland and on TV, as well as a few classic clips, we finally have some Muppet movie news!
Vulture reports that Flight of the Conchords co-creator James Bobin has been offered to direct a new Muppet movie in the works for Walt Disney Pictures. However, there might be a snag, as Bobin has apparently also been asked to helm Bridesmaids, a Kristen Wiig penned (and we’re assuming starring) comedy produced by Jumped The Snark legend Judd Apatow. But really, do you think Bobin should attach himself to a movie described as “two women battling to plan their friend’s wedding party?” I think the Casey Wilson-penned Bride Wars kinda covered this ground, and between that and 27 Dresses, I’m not sure that the discerning comedy masses are clamoring for another slapstick/rom-com wedding flick (although, if it’s more like Baby Mama, then maybe I’ll revise that statement). Plus, would you choose to work with a bunch of petulant divas* over the seasoned professionals that are the Muppets?
But maybe you’re thinking to yourself that Bobin should choose Bridesmaids for the chance to become part of the Judd Apatow fraternity and secure on a place on my chart. Okay, fair. However, this Muppet movie will be based on the script penned by Jason Segel and his Forgetting Sarah Marshall director Nicholas Stoller. Both men have several ties to Apatow, so Bobin can join team Apatow either way, and if this movie is produced it’s definitely going on the chart. So, James Bobin, if the main factor in deciding which movie to direct is earning a spot on the Judd Apatow chart, then I can assure you that if you take the reins to the Muppet movie you’ll get your due. Plus, you have about an equal chance of working with Paul Rudd on either movie (actually, with this in mind, the odds might actually be a little better with the Muppets)
And with that out of the way, you can make a measured, smart decision.
Fozzie Bear or Gilly?
I think the choice is easy.
*Just assuming. Cause that’s what I imagine Katherine Heigl is like and I’m assuming she will be in this movie.
Vulture Exclusive: Flight of the Conchords Co-Creator May Direct the New Muppet Movie
Filed under Judd Apatow, Muppet Mondays, Muppets, The Big Screen
What a roll Terry Gross is on! First, last Friday she had on Judd Apatow, and today she welcomed another auteur, Mr. Wes Anderson. Now I can connect Apatow, Gross and Anderson on the 2nd Level of the Judd Apatow Chart!
Anderson joined Gross of Fresh Air to talk about his new stop-motion masterpiece Fantastic Mr. Fox (when I say masterpiece it sounds sarcastic, but it’s not intended to be. The film is truly excellent). The Texan native talks about what drew him to the Roald Dahl book, how he unknowingly based some characters on himself and his older brother, and how they turned to Bob Fosse for inspiration. Terry Gross talks about cat postcards.
Say what you want about Wes Anderson (and a lot has already been said), but he is one of the true visionary geniuses working today. He gets a lot of criticism for his obsessive devotion to the most minute details. But it’s one thing have an obsessive devotion to the most minute details, and it’s another thing to have an obsessive devotion to the most minute details and create these unbelievably vivid, unique, and charming worlds. He has begun to reuse the same tropes and devices, but they are his tropes and devices, and how many directors have created such a distinct style with such a small sample of work? Not many.
And if you still want more Anderson and details on Fox, here’s a behind the scenes featurette:
Unfortunately, Gross will not be hosting one of our favorite writer-directors tomorrow. Well, you can’t hit a home run everyday.
Filed under Judd Apatow, Marconi & Cheese, Team Zissou
Jumped The Snark 