Judd Apatow To Be Honored At Just For Laughs Festival
The legendary Just For Laughs comedy festival has branched out to include an industry conference. Judd Apatow is set to receive an award at the inaugural event; we get wind of this news thanks to the legendary caves of Yahoo:
Judd Apatow, whose fingerprints as writer, producer or director have been on a string of recent hits such as “Knocked Up” and “Superbad,” will be honored as Comedy Person of the Year at Montreal’s Just for Laughs comedy festival (July 10-20), organizers said.
Apatow will receive the award at Just Comedy, JFL’s first-ever industry conference on comedy and entertainment. Just for Laughs in the past has featured industry panels and addresses as part of its comedy festival. The inaugural Just Comedy event will go beyond that, offering networking sessions with decision makers, panel discussions, master classes, and “In Conversation With…” sessions.
I have watched footage from the Just For Laughs festival my entire life. Footage from events past and present are on Canadian television almost daily; the festival has become an institution in Canada and is beloved by all. An award from the festival is akin to being knighted by the gods of hilarity and Apatow should be honored to receive it.
It makes sense for the festival to include an industry conference. So many movers and shakers in the comedy industry are already at the festival - so it makes sense to organize an event that will facilitate networking. It’s also an excellent opportunity for those in the funny business to share their knowledge with up and coming artists that seek to break into the industry - so they can eat.
3 Comments, Comment or Ping
Kristina
It seems that every few years, some comedy impressario emerges, eveyone declares him to be the next big thing, and then he/she/they proceed to fade off into oblivion as their product gradually decreases in quality. The Apatow name is already starting to wear on me a little bit. When I see that name attached, I expect a certain kind of comedy, but lately, it seems like his name is attached to some pretty mediocre shit. I didn’t even bother with Drillbit Taylor, and Forgetting Sarah Marshall, while funny, is, well, FORGETTABLE. I hope this isn’t a sign of things to come for Apatow. And if you think I’m being melodramatic, tell me the last time the Farrelly Brothers were relevant. They were the next big thing not too long ago, too.
Apr 9th, 2008
chris (the real one)
i agree with u on some points kristina but i think apatow will survive being the next big thing.
hell, if ben stiller can still be out here making shit then i can give apatow a while longer. his production team are similar to the team that did anchorman, as soon as one or two of them sign on to a flick its “from the guys that brought u talledega nights and anchorman”. apatow’s flicks are appealing (to me at least) is that they all have stories and characters i can relate to, all the characters are flawed.
the farrelly brothers were mostly gross out humor imo, and could never reach the something about mary peak again. but judd and co has been shelling out hits (except drillbit) for a strong amount of time. i hope they keep going
Apr 9th, 2008
Drew
I love the just for laughs tv show, really funny stuff. Apatow will survive , after all he is only the producer on these films, the 2 movies he actually directed were great.
Apr 9th, 2008
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