Judd Apatow Says R-Rated Comedies Can Come Back to Theaters: ‘Something as Funny’ as ‘The Hangover’ Would ‘Make a Billion Dollars’ Today

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Judd Apatow, known for his significant influence in comedy films over a period of more than ten years, with popular productions such as “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” “Superbad,” “Step Brothers” and “Bridesmaids,” has shared his thoughts on the declining presence of R-rated comedies in cinemas.

The leader behind the screenplay, direction, and production shared with EbMaster on the “SNL50” red carpet that just one individual with a brilliant concept can rejuvenate the genre in box office success. Apatow explained that once another comedy smash is released, there will be a surge of interest to recreate it. “These trends tend to oscillate,” Apatow said. “If someone were to create something as amusing as ‘The Hangover’ today, it would rake in billions, and everyone would strive to replicate it. It goes through periods of highs and lows, and I hope it picks up soon.

In agreement with his regular partner in comedy, Seth Rogen, Apatow expressed the view that comedy today isn’t inherently more challenging than it was previously, despite concerns about political correctness.

Apatow suggested that the issue might not lie with the content itself, but rather with studios and film financiers who prefer to produce visually striking projects aimed at having the widest appeal.

Apatow noted that their creations often cater well to Asian audiences, but he wonders if they’d resonate in Bulgaria as well. He emphasizes that humor, particularly American comedy, is deeply rooted in its local culture. The challenge lies in producing content that must appeal globally while still being the biggest production out there. However, comedy doesn’t always need to follow this grand formula; it can be different from an action movie.

Even in today’s streaming era, Apatow finds joy in the unpredictable revival of content. For instance, “Girls,” a series he co-produced with Lena Dunham, experienced such an unexpected comeback. He also mentioned his movie, “The Treasure of Foggy Mountain,” which initially appeared on Peacock before moving to Amazon, then returning to Peacock and reaching the top of their chart.

Apatow stated that various platforms and channels see everything surge in popularity. Shows thought long gone, such as ‘Walk Hard’, are now incredibly trendy. ‘Freaks and Geeks’ continues to be highly popular, even years later… ‘The Cable Guy’. That’s the charm of producing these pieces – they don’t truly fade away.

In a conversation with EbMaster, Apatow also responded to rumors about potentially taking over from Lorne Michaels as the head of “Saturday Night Live,” should Michaels choose to retire at some point.

I’m not involved in it; this is news to me. No one has contacted me about it. I believe there are many more experienced individuals who are deeply immersed in the production process. Creating this show is incredibly demanding, keeping people up all night and pushing them to their limits. I’ve only observed it from afar. Given my age, I’m not sure if I have the necessary energy. Perhaps they need a younger, more energetic individual instead.

Jokes aside: “There’s no call yet. If it comes in, we’ll talk about it, but it’s not coming in.”

Watch Apatow’s full red carpet interview above.

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2025-02-18 22:46