Is “Knocked Up” Star the Next Dustin Hoffman? “Fresh Air” Interviews Judd Apatow and Seth Rogen

Is Knocked Up’s Seth Rogen the Next Dustin Hoffman?

On NPR’s “Fresh Air”, Knocked Up writer-director Judd Apatow and actor Seth Rogen gave one of the funnier promotional interviews this year.

It began with a quote from Newsweek’s David Ansen, who called casting the pudgy, scruffy Rogen as “against the grain as Dustin Hoffman seemed back in the day of The Graduate.”

Apatow gave a typically funny reply: “The fact that people are saying nice things about Seth, comparing him to another unconventionally handsome Jew, is wonderful.”

Rogan’s response: “Exactly!”

PREVIEW: Rogen’s next film: Superbad, a comedy he co-wrote, directed by Greg Mottola (from Apatow’s “Undeclared”).

GEEK NOTE: Both Hoffman and Rogen, appearing in their breakthrough roles, play confused guys named Ben.

TODAY’S QUESTION: With The 40 Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up, Is Judd Apatow the new top voice for movie comedies? COMMENT

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June 3rd, 2007
Categories: Interviews, Comedies . Author: Norm Schrager

12 Comments

  1. Comment by Nathan on June 7, 2007 4:35 pm

    Farrelly Bros. used to get the press that Apatow gets today.

  2. Comment by norm on June 7, 2007 4:43 pm

    Hey Nathan-

    Yeah, I was thinking the same thing when we posted that question. Seems like both Apatow and The Farrellys have infused a lot of heart into their movies lately (see: Fever Pitch). Maybe Apatow does it more naturally…

    -Norm

  3. Comment by Nathan on June 8, 2007 11:17 am

    Yes, more naturally and more likeable. I’m a fan of both, but to compare, I think Farrellys have great momemts but Apatow has more heart - or tries for more.

  4. Comment by Norm on June 8, 2007 9:54 pm

    I agree — the Farrellys have become known for their “talk about it” moments, especially in Dumb and Dumber and There’s Something About Mary. I think Apatow’s life experiences drive him to write with more warmth.

    -Norm

  5. Comment by Ben Harper on June 10, 2007 10:14 pm

    Just saw this movie with my wife. Really enjoyed most of it. I didn’t enjoy the excessive drug references, but in general I thought it had a really raw, honesty to it that I appreciated.

  6. Comment by Norm S. on June 11, 2007 7:10 am

    Hey Ben-

    Going back to Freaks and Geeks, that’s something Judd Apatow’s work has always been — honest. Even when it’s goofy or a little ridiculous.

    -Norm

  7. Comment by rofovnifo on July 4, 2007 6:46 pm

    Hi all!

    Looks good! Very useful, good stuff. Good resources here. Thanks much!

    G’night

  8. Comment by Norm S. on July 5, 2007 8:50 am

    Thanks! Feel free to set us in your RSS reader or simply bookmark.

    Hope to see you again.

    -Norm S.

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