As sequels go, this second collection of interviews with creative artists, featuring a diverse lineup and wide-ranging conversations about life and comedy, is more The Godfather Part II than Jaws: The Revenge ... A more inclusive mix of subjects than the first book ... The interviews in Sicker in the Head go well beyond origin stories to fruitful discussions about the mysterious creative process ... Apatow’s movies are funny, and in times as dark and divided as these, funny is never ridiculous.
Coming in at a nerdily detailed 500 pages, it is a lifetime's labour of love for the artform ... As with a perfect stand-up set, it's hard to pick out highlights, though the sheer size and relentless Q&A style means it's more suited to dipping in and out of. There are jaw-dropping anecdotes aplenty ... It's the whys and wherefores of comedy that make this a Bible for all aspiring comics and their fans.
Scintillating interviews ... While the yuks abound, there’s some serious existential digging, too ... Apatow’s empathetic questioning and his interlocutors’ keen wit make for a fascinating chorus of showbiz lore.
The humorist presents interviews with another wide-ranging set of performers who have made laughter their life’s work ... Apatow admits that because of the vulnerable, raw space the pandemic created, the conversations became more personal and honest. This impression conveys across a variety of interviews in which the humor is plentiful and supplemented with intimate anecdotes that provide rare glimpses into the comedians’ lives and work ... More hilarity and heart courtesy of a distinguished collection of seasoned performers.
