The problem with The Cable Guy was really more of a timing issue than anything else. In the 1990’s, people were not ready for the type of dark comedy that Apatow presented. Comedies were distinguished from other genres by their lack of a poignant storyline. The Cable Guy was crossing genre boundaries, which may have led to its monumental disaster.

Apatow continued working and attempting to write films that would be successes. His big chance came when he wrote The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005). His timing was perfect. Film studios had been getting lazy. Instead of trying to create new ideas, comedic writers were settling for regurgitating the same old jokes under different packaging (i.e. Epic Movie).

The film was an outstanding success, making millions of dollars worldwide. Apatow’s writing style, once believed to be too quirky, proved to be a template to a new type of comedy. Seth Rogan’s Superbad (2007) followed the Apatow template and made over $100 million dollars. The template, which uses moralistic messages mixed with humorous antidotes and raunchy sight gags, have projected the comedy genre into a whole different field. In this field, comedic
films are not restricted by their genre. They can incorporate seriously dramatic elements, horror and romance in a way that touches peoples’ hearts as well as their funny bones.

Some screenwriters are beyond their time and will not be appreciated until later in life. This should not stop them from writing though. Screenwriters will do themselves a favor by learning from Apatow and refusing to give up on their ideas or toss them aside as “unmarketable.” A few years from now, who knows what the public will be attracted to?

Filmography

1. (2012) This is 40
2. (2009) Funny People Script
3. (2008) Pineapple Express Script
4. (2008) You Don’t Mess with the Zohan Script
5. (2007) Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story Script
6. (2007) Knocked Up Script
7. (2005) Fun with Dick and Jane  [Transcript]
8. (2005) The 40 Year Old Virgin Script
9. (1995) Heavyweights Script ($)

Judd Apatow, the writer of the 40 Year Old Virgin, reaped enormous fame and success following this film, and continued to work with Rogan in other features such as Pineapple Express (2008) and Knocked Up (2007). The repeated film successes gave Rogan the fame and reputation that he needed to start his own career as a writer.

Following the success of Knocked Up, Rogan wrote a film that became a national sensation, spurring on the careers of even more film actors including Jonah Hill and Michael Cera. That film was called Superbad (2007). Since this film, Rogan has become a household name. On IMDB.com, he is on the top 500 list of celebrities and he is only climbing upwards from there.

Screenwriters may have noticed the types of comedic trends that have been brewing in Hollywood lately, spurred on since the release of the nearly-moral yet raunchy 40 Year Old Virgin. Despite the dirty humor that occurs, popular comedic films have also added on a sentimentalism that is downright endearing. Behind the crude humor are deeper issues that many people deal with in their lives.

By employing moralistic elements and endearing characters, comedic films have been able to bridge the gap that has forever divided them from classic dramas and romances. Long gone are the tasteless, ill-prepared lobotomies that once cursed the comedy genre. Now there is realism and sentimentality that could just make comedy a respectable genre… perhaps even an Oscar winner!

Filmography

1. (2013) The Apocalypse
2. (2012) The Guilt Trip
3. (2012) For a Good Time, Call…
4. (2011) 50/50 Script
5. (2011) Take This Waltz
6. (2011) Kung Fu Panda 2
7. (2011) Paul
8. (2011) The Green Hornet Script
9. (2009) Funny People Script
10. (2009) Monsters vs Aliens
11. (2009) Observe and Report
12. (2009) Fanboys
13. (2008) Zack and Miri Make a Porno
14. (2008) Pineapple Express Script  
15. (2008) Step Brothers [Transcript]
16. (2008) Kung Fu Panda [Transcript]
17. (2008) Horton Hears a Who!
18. (2008) The Spiderwick Chronicles [Transcript]
19. (2007) Superbad Script
20. (2007) Shrek the Third Script
21. (2007) Knocked Up Script
22. (2006) You, Me and Dupree
23. (2005) The 40 Year Old Virgin Script
24. (2004) Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
25. (2001) Donnie Darko Script