Apatow Nerd with Ethan Yeshaya

Since I was ten years old, I’ve been obsessed with Judd Apatow. You know him from Freaks and Geeks, HBO’s Girls, Pineapple Express, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Anchorman: The Legendy of Ron Burgundy, The Larry Sanders Show, Funny People, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Walk Hard, Netflix’s Love, The 40 Year Old Virgin, Superbad, Bridesmaids, and endless more pieces of entertainment. What is that magic, that special sauce behind Apatow’s work? I set out to find the answers on this podcast! On this show, I rewatch films and episodes of television from the Apatow Universe with friends, as well as interview people who worked with Judd! If you have a Judd Apatow-related story or have a way to connect me with someone who has worked with him, please email me at apatownerd@gmail.com

Last refreshed: April 27th, 2026 at 11:09 AM ⓘ

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Episodes

Jarrett Lennon Kaufman (Actor on Freaks and Geeks)

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!

Apr 21, 2026•1 hr 16 min

Funny People (with Rudy Pavich & MJ Garbers)

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. The Cast: Adam Sandler as George Simmons, a retired comedian turned actor. Seth Rogen as Ira Wright, an aspiring comedian. Leslie Mann as Laura, George's ex-fiancée. Eric Bana as Clarke, Laura's husband. Jonah Hill as Leo Koe...

Apr 14, 2026•1 hr 35 min•Ep. 9

Knocked Up (with Frank Merchlewitz)

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. The Cast: Seth Rogen as Ben Stone Katherine Heigl as Allison Scott Paul Rudd as Pete, Debbie's Husband and Allison's Brother-In-Law Leslie Mann as Debbie, Allison's Older Sist...

Apr 07, 2026•1 hr 36 min•Ep. 8

The 40-Year-Old Virgin (with LA Buckner)

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. I sit down with one of the world's greatest drummers, Arthur "L.A." Buckner to discuss HIS favorite ...

Mar 31, 2026•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 7

Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (with Kai Brewster)

Kai Brewster (Minneapolis-based musician) joins me to discuss the 2006 Judd Apatow-Produced film Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby! 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 10-year-old Cal. Sacha Baron Cohen as Jean Girard Gary Cole as Reese Bobby, Ricky's father. Michael Clarke Duncan Leslie Bibb as Carley Bobby/Naughton Jane Lynch as Lucy Bobby, Ricky's mother. Amy Adams...

Mar 24, 2026•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 6

Freaks and Geeks S1E7: “Carded and Discarded” with John Guari

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 rocking guidance counselor, and so much more. My conversation with John about this episode was incredib...

Mar 17, 2026•1 hr 44 min•Ep. 5

Pineapple Express (with Joey Hays)

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 into the theme of complicated male friendships within Pineapple Express , and actually led me to bri...

Mar 10, 2026•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 4

Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (with Nick Costa)

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 and seeing it portrayed comedically, a bizarre story from my childhood regarding my mom and Blink 1...

Mar 03, 2026•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 3

Mo Collins: America's Auntie

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 worked with him, please send me an email at apatownerd@gmail.com Mo’s Credits: Jingle All the Way a...

Feb 24, 2026•58 min•Ep. 2

Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (with Morgan Gray)

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 Apatow, please shoot me an email at apatownerd@gmail.com The Cast: Will Ferrell as Ron Burgundy – A...

Feb 17, 2026•1 hr 40 min•Ep. 1

My Apatow Origin Story

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 email at apatownerd@gmail.com This podcast is hosted, recorded, edited, mixed, and produced by me, Et...

Feb 01, 2026•6 min

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