Television is much more difficult because at every moment the network can force you to change things based on their belief about what would make it popular. You’re in a constant debate with a gun...

Undeclared: The Complete Series

There are only so many hilarious actors so when they cross-pollinate, people assume it’s always the same actors and directors.

Eventually, the nerds and the geeks will have their day.

My first thought when ‘Wedding Crashers’ ended was, ‘Oh, my God. We are so much dirtier than they are,’

The thing that is incredibly helpful is that we screen the movies and we ask the audience if they like it or not and we ask a lot of questions and do testing on the...

What became clear very early is that people wanted the story, … They didn’t want a joke fest. All the notes were: You can cut the jokes.

There was definitely a period when I just felt out of sync with earth.

Well, every movie is an experiment. And the only way you can grow at what you’re doing is to take chances. You can’t try to stick with what worked last time.

Virgin

I’ve had movies bomb with terrible reviews, I’ve had movies make a lot of money with terrible reviews, I’ve had movies get good reviews and make money. And I like it best when the movies...

It was obvious while shooting ‘Anchorman’ that Steve was stealing many a scene. So being a wily producer, I asked him if he had any ideas for movies that he could star in.

I think a lot of studios today are run by women, and we are entering a time when a lot of women have evolved in Second City and Upright Citizens Brigade and wanted to become...

All of my jokes were about not being able to meet anybody. I didn’t have any insight into anything – even my own insecurities.

I’ve worked with him since he was 16 on ‘Freaks and Geeks’ and always thought he could be a big comedy star, … The nice thing about ‘Virgin’ is that it shows the studios that...

I don’t know if you can be a born-again virgin.

I like letting people in on the process. When we did a speed-dating scene, we hired all these hilarious women … and let them go off on Steve. … If something’s funny, I hate for...

There’s something honorable about holding out for love and not breaking up for the sake of the baby. I see people get divorced, and there is a part of me that thinks, I wonder how...

I think a lot of Hollywood is in retreat right now trying to figure out how to make money and make the safest bets.

I’ve worked with him since he was 16 on `Freaks and Geeks’ and always thought he could be a big comedy star, … The nice thing about `Virgin’ is that it shows the studios that...

I always see other people as predecessors and admire them.

Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Bergundy.

Up until ‘Bridesmaids’, the general consensus was that women preferred comedy a bit softer.

To me, I’ve never understood why there is any question about are women as funny as men.

[But audiences seemed to like Andy from the beginning.] I’m so happy we didn’t have to sell out … They didn’t tell me anything I disagreed with.

I put on a big show when I write something I think is funny.

We wanted to show how over his head he is, … We were always terrified of that scene. The audience is so uncomfortable.

I’ve worked with him since he was 16 on Freaks and Geeks and always thought he could be a big comedy star.

I love magazines and film critics, so I eat it up. I’m not one of those people who says ‘I never read anything.’ I generally read all of it.

Ultimately, it’s about a guy who’s afraid to take a risk. Our hope is that Andy will be an inspiration to others. He’s like the Lance Armstrong of virgins.

I still feel like a nerd.

I’ve … always thought he could be a big comedy star. The nice thing about ‘Virgin’ is that it shows the studios that if the premise is a strong one, you can take a chance...

It just frees you to be more honest.

I’m the guy who gets uncomfortable. That’s why I was able to write ‘The 40-Year-Old Virgin’ and ‘Knocked Up.’ I believe in those guys.

If you find someone who’s funny, of course you want to work with them again. It’s like a good dance partner – you know their moves. Plus you’re spending months on set, so why not...

I wanted to see how funny I could be without making the choice that every 10 minutes something big and visual had to happen.

I always felt as a kid that I was underappreciated, invisible or weird, but I’ve always secretly thought people would one day appreciate what is different about me. I’m always putting that message out there.

And I have achieved everything I have ever wanted to do. You don’t need a better situation when you’re doing very well. I’ve chosen to stay with the agency, not the agent.

It’s so difficult to shock America these days.

Anchorman.

I’m making a movie about relationships, and I’m surrounded by guys scared of talking to girls.

For me, until I know that the audience really gets what I’m trying to communicate I’m not done.

The idea makes you laugh, and you’re instantly sympathetic. We’ve all lived through that moment where we had sex for the first time. You’re terrified, so the idea of a guy so scared he let...

The moment you think of a joke is the best moment.

[But audiences seemed to like Carell’s character from the beginning.] I’m so happy we didn’t have to sell out … They didn’t tell me anything I disagreed with.

If you look at who drives the box office numbers at these films, it’s men.

College is the reward for surviving high school. Most people have great fun stories from college and nightmare stories from high school.

My first thought when `Wedding Crashers’ ended was, `Oh, my God. We are so much dirtier than they are,’

My way of dealing with the world has always been to make fun of it and observe it but not take part in it. That’s how I became a writer. But when you have kids,...

The 40-Year-Old Virgin