Summary

One in a series of evenings and special screenings presented as part of The Paley Center for Media's William S. Paley Television Festival in Los Angeles. Held this year at the Cinerama Dome at the Arclight, the festival celebrates the excellence and diversity of American television and is dedicated to television's creative community. This evening celebrates producer/director/writer Judd Apatow, acknowledging his work for the big screen ("The Forty-Year-Old Virgin," "Knocked Up," "Super Bad," "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," and "Pineapple Express") as well as television.

Pat Mitchell (President and CEO of The Paley Center) offers opening remarks about Apatow's eclectic resume, having been a creative force on TV's "The Larry Sanders Show," "The Ben Stiller Show," "Freaks and Geeks," "Undeclared," and "Roseanne," among others. She then acknowledges William C. Paley, son of the festival's namesake, in the audience. Next, Mitchell brings the guest of honor to the stage, noting that he will also serve as the evening's moderator. Apatow tells about his former participation in Paley seminars before explaining that nine of his colleagues will join him throughout the evening.

Apatow then screens a segment from the series finale of "The Larry Sanders Show" in which Larry (Garry Shandling) is serenaded by Jim Carrey, singing "And I am Telling You I'm Not Going." Shandling then takes the stage, after which he discusses topics which include: recollections of "The Larry Sanders Show"; Carrey's increasing energy during rehearsals; guest appearances on "Larry Sanders" by Sean Penn, Jerry Seinfeld, and Tom Petty; being interviewed by Charlie Rose; the current political scene; first meeting Apatow; trying to "save the night" as host of the 1994 Grammys after producers cut off honoree Frank Sinatra's speech; and what happened when he visited Apatow in the hospital following back surgery.

Tom Arnold joins the panel to discuss topics which include: working with Apatow as a writer on "Tom Arnold: The Naked Truth"; what happened when Apatow sought out Roseanne and Arnold (who were then married) on the set of "Roseanne"; getting Apatow to write "all the "fat jokes" on "Roseanne"; and making Apatow referee an Arnold-Roseanne argument about her pending "date" with Jesse Jackson.

"Freaks and Geeks" veterans Busy Phillips, Paul Feig, Jason Segel, and Seth Rogen then join the panel. Following the screening of a "Freaks and Geeks" segment from the episode "Kim Kelly Is My Friend," the panelists discuss topics which include: memories of making "Freaks and Geeks"; network executives censoring "Freaks" for containing too much profanity and violence; "Freaks" being ahead of its time; and why producers nixed the concept of either Segel or Rogen becoming the lead of "Undeclared."

Following a clip from the feature film "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," actors Jonah Hill and Paul Rudd join the panel to discuss topics which include: why Segel agreed to a lengthy nude scene in the movie; how the nude scene was actually based on an incident in Segel's life; improvising on the set; Rudd's work in "The Forty-Year-Old Virgin"; Rudd and Apatow's memories of experimenting with mushrooms; Hill's recent hosting gig on "Saturday Night Live"; and Hill's experiences working with "SNL" musical guest Mariah Carey.

Next, a clip of Rogen and Rudd in "Knocked Up" is screened, followed by a "Knocked Up" clip that features a debate on abortion. Next, Andy Dick joins the panel and introduces a segment from a skit on "The Ben Stiller Show" in which Dick parodies Woody Allen. The panelists then discuss topics which include: Feig often being mistaken for Dick; Dick's disagreements with staff members on "The Ben Stiller Show"; Arnold's history with Dick; and Dick's suggestions for improving the nude scene in "Sarah Marshall." Following a car chase scene from "Pineapple Express," Rogen tells about the film's origins and why he surrendered "the movie's best role" to co-star James Franco.

Questions from the audience then lead to a discussion of the following topics: how much of Apatow's voice is heard when he produces a project; Apatow serving as a mentor to his colleagues; Apatow's ability to "recognize talent"; Apatow's forays into acting; and what's behind Apatow's unflagging loyalty to his co-workers.