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It's Garry Shandling's Book
From Judd Apatow comes an intimate portrait of his mentor, the legendary stand-up comic and star of The Larry Sanders Show, with never-before-seen journal entries and photos, as well as new contributions by fellow comedians and writers.
Garry Shandling was a singular trailblazer in the comedy world. His two hit shows, It's Garry Shandling's Show and The Larry Sanders Show, broke new ground and influenced future sitcoms like 30 Rock and Curb Your Enthusiasm, and his stand-up laid the foundation for a whole new generation of comics. There's no one better to tell Shandling's story than Judd Apatow--Shandling gave Apatow one of his first jobs on The Larry Sanders Show and remained his mentor for the rest of his life--and the book expands on Apatow's brilliant HBO documentary, The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling, which won the 2018 Emmy Award for Best Documentary.
Here, Apatow has gathered journal entries, photographs, and essays for a close-up look at the artist who turned his gaze back onto the world of show business to create a new language of comedy writing. Beyond his success, though, Shandling struggled with fame, the industry of art, and the childhood loss of his brother, which forever affected his personal and professional lives. A heart-wrenching letter to his brother--written in his journal as an adult--is the emotional center of this book that runs the gamut from hilarious observations to deep spiritual inquiry. His diaries show Shandling to be very self-aware and insightful, revealing a lesser known philosophical and spiritual side. Contributions by comedians and other leading lights of the industry, as well as people who grew up with Shandling and many who owe their careers to him, along with never-before-seen pieces of scripts that never made it to production and bits of stand-up from Shandling's writing that he never performed, shed new light on every facet of his life and work. This book is a testament to the lasting impact of the great Garry Shandling.
Garry Shandling was a singular trailblazer in the comedy world. His two hit shows, It's Garry Shandling's Show and The Larry Sanders Show, broke new ground and influenced future sitcoms like 30 Rock and Curb Your Enthusiasm, and his stand-up laid the foundation for a whole new generation of comics. There's no one better to tell Shandling's story than Judd Apatow--Shandling gave Apatow one of his first jobs on The Larry Sanders Show and remained his mentor for the rest of his life--and the book expands on Apatow's brilliant HBO documentary, The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling, which won the 2018 Emmy Award for Best Documentary.
Here, Apatow has gathered journal entries, photographs, and essays for a close-up look at the artist who turned his gaze back onto the world of show business to create a new language of comedy writing. Beyond his success, though, Shandling struggled with fame, the industry of art, and the childhood loss of his brother, which forever affected his personal and professional lives. A heart-wrenching letter to his brother--written in his journal as an adult--is the emotional center of this book that runs the gamut from hilarious observations to deep spiritual inquiry. His diaries show Shandling to be very self-aware and insightful, revealing a lesser known philosophical and spiritual side. Contributions by comedians and other leading lights of the industry, as well as people who grew up with Shandling and many who owe their careers to him, along with never-before-seen pieces of scripts that never made it to production and bits of stand-up from Shandling's writing that he never performed, shed new light on every facet of his life and work. This book is a testament to the lasting impact of the great Garry Shandling.
472 pages, Hardcover
First published November 12, 2019
162 people are currently reading
1452 people want to read
About the author
Judd Apatow
22 books285 followersJudd Apatow is an Emmy Award-winning American film producer, screenwriter, director and former stand-up comedian. He is best known for producing a distinct series of critically and commercially successful comedy-style films, including Anchorman, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Talladega Nights, Knocked Up, Superbad, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Step Brothers, Pineapple Express, and Funny People. He is the founder of Apatow Productions, a film production company that also developed the critically acclaimed cult television series Freaks and Geeks and Undeclared.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
December 3, 2019
Judd Apatow has done a great honor to Garry Shandling and given a gift to his fans with both this book and the accompanying documentary. This is a massive 400+ pages of personal reflections, diary entries, letters, jokes, scripts, and other documents that chronologically present Shandling’s personal life and career. We get full color photos and scans of many writings in Shandling’s own handwriting, as well as remembrances from some of Shandling’s family and friends. It is at once a tribute, memoir, biography, autobiography, scrap book, and oral history all rolled into one.
The book ultimately reveals a brilliant, sensitive, empathetic, self-reflective man whose private struggles informed both his comedy and his worldview. Rather than allowing his mistakes and set-backs to hold him down or to become fatal flaws (like so many entertainers -- especially comedians) Shandling turned these moments into ways to improve his life and generate the wisdom needed to adapt and grow. There are so many pieces of learned insight and philosophical musing in this book that surpass anything you might read in a self-help book, mostly because these reflections were meant for an audience of one; but such personal epiphanies are precisely those that can be universal and lasting when shared with others. We are lucky enough to share in Shandling’s life experiences through this book. It’s a rare instance when a deep look into the life of one of your favorite performers reveals a better person than what you saw in public -- and that’s saying a lot, since Shandling’s public persona was always wonderful and highly regarded to begin with.
The book ultimately reveals a brilliant, sensitive, empathetic, self-reflective man whose private struggles informed both his comedy and his worldview. Rather than allowing his mistakes and set-backs to hold him down or to become fatal flaws (like so many entertainers -- especially comedians) Shandling turned these moments into ways to improve his life and generate the wisdom needed to adapt and grow. There are so many pieces of learned insight and philosophical musing in this book that surpass anything you might read in a self-help book, mostly because these reflections were meant for an audience of one; but such personal epiphanies are precisely those that can be universal and lasting when shared with others. We are lucky enough to share in Shandling’s life experiences through this book. It’s a rare instance when a deep look into the life of one of your favorite performers reveals a better person than what you saw in public -- and that’s saying a lot, since Shandling’s public persona was always wonderful and highly regarded to begin with.
August 7, 2025
The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling, directed by Judd Apatow
The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling is a warm, sensitive, entertaining documentary about the life of the late, regretted, intelligent, spiritual- perhaps Zen- comedian, writer, actor and producer…Gary Shandling.
Judd Apatow directs this feature, conducts interviews with personalities, performers, comedians who have been part of the life of the hero, inserts various materials, a few lines from a discussion with Ram Dass, recollections from Conan O’Brien, Sacha Baron Cohen, Jay Leno, Jim Carrey and others.
The childhood of the protagonist has been marked by the death of his brother, a tragedy about which the family would never speak in the aftermath, probably in an attempt to protect the surviving brother from the Post Traumatic stress disorder that is likely to be experienced after such an event.
Late in his life, the comedian writes a touching letter to his departed brother, expressing a wish that they meet on the other side and regret that they did not have more time together, appreciation for what the sibling has brought into his life, the joy, the bliss and happiness, which were so glorious, the proof being that he kept thinking about the brother, who in the end has marked, changed all his life.
In opposition with so many stars – if not the overwhelming majority- this superior human being is not vain, superficial, arrogant, self-absorbed, even if the friends in the film emphasize what he was difficult, even at the last rites for the deceased actor, Kevin Nealon talks about this, using humor and wiping a few tears.
Garry Shandling has reached a zenith when he had the opportunity to host the coveted Late Night Show and have his own “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show” at the same time- that is not on the air or recorded simultaneously, but produced and filmed separately, taking a toll on the actor and writer.
The hero has to abandon the Late Night Show, because he cannot cope with the two challenging activities and to some extent, perhaps because he had achieved the peak he desired, he had written in his diaries that hosting this appreciated program would be something that cannot be topped:
Nec Plus Ultra
Jim Carrey is one of the charming, amusing presences in this documentary feature, talking about common experiences, including the fact that he has married a waitress with whom Carrey has a child and who had had a relationship with Gary Shandling, speaking in laudatory terms about his prowess as a sex partner.
Sacha Baron Cohen is one of the younger actors who have been inspired, guided and mentored by the remarkable protagonist of this movie and there are others, including Sarah Silverman, who insist on the fact that the hero has had such a tremendous success, not just in his own roles, creations, but through the many people he had advised, protected, inspired, taught.
Conan O’Brien talks about the low – a nadir maybe- point in his career, when he finds that Gary Shandling can offer so much support, as the latter called and the two spent so much time together that O’Brien laughs on his show about it, with photographs of the two men together and reference to the record “romantic” time they had enjoyed, which was probably more of a session destined to help the showman get more positive energy and grit to get back and pass the difficult period.
Since this aspect was mentioned, it is interesting that at the funeral service, one of the speakers – was it Judd Apatow or Kevin Nealon?-refers to the confused sexuality of the deceased and one can wonder what that meant, for reference to this is not repeated throughout the two parts, broadcasted on HBO.
One of the comedies with Gary Shandling, who was also one of the writers of the script, is the amusing, if rather ignored, What Planet Are You From? In which the actor plays opposite the wondrous Annette Benning and he is a visitor from a different galaxy, with some funny features, including a strange penis, interested in having a baby that he would then take to his planet…at least that is the initial plan.
In the documentary, we have footage from shows where the hero has been invited, or he hosted, facing Conan O’Brien, David Letterman and others, with a rather late appearance on the more recent Jerry Seinfeld creation- Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.
A large part of the documentary is sad, in spite of the fact that the star, the subject was a man who worked so much- the diaries attest the habit of making efforts, thinking about the career, the way to approach television appearances- be relaxed, do not overdo it, enjoy and so many more insightful thoughts addressed to…self.
The comedian becomes very ill and friends remember the fact that he looked and was so tired, exhausted actually, problems having been detected with the pancreas and surgical interventions recommended.
On the one hand, the hero uses this situation as material on his last stand up appearances- a friend record him on the hospital bed- and on the other hand, the very spiritual artist insists on the need to enjoy whatever time is left, writing something like – if there are three weeks left, enjoy them, if there are a few years, be glad with them.
One can think of Dostoyevsky who has been through a somewhat similar spiritual experience, as he faced execution and then wrote about the last few minutes in the life of a prisoner condemned to death- for that matter, it is universally applicable- and the revelation that life is so extraordinary, we need to enjoy it, sublime chapters that you can find in Crime and Punishment and some of the other masterpieces of the genius author.
The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling work as a very good film, but this is also educational, the hero was a role model for many of those he has met and we can look up at his persona, qualities, decency, kindness, generosity, forget some of the natural human flaws, and celebrate this departed, great man.
The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling is a warm, sensitive, entertaining documentary about the life of the late, regretted, intelligent, spiritual- perhaps Zen- comedian, writer, actor and producer…Gary Shandling.
Judd Apatow directs this feature, conducts interviews with personalities, performers, comedians who have been part of the life of the hero, inserts various materials, a few lines from a discussion with Ram Dass, recollections from Conan O’Brien, Sacha Baron Cohen, Jay Leno, Jim Carrey and others.
The childhood of the protagonist has been marked by the death of his brother, a tragedy about which the family would never speak in the aftermath, probably in an attempt to protect the surviving brother from the Post Traumatic stress disorder that is likely to be experienced after such an event.
Late in his life, the comedian writes a touching letter to his departed brother, expressing a wish that they meet on the other side and regret that they did not have more time together, appreciation for what the sibling has brought into his life, the joy, the bliss and happiness, which were so glorious, the proof being that he kept thinking about the brother, who in the end has marked, changed all his life.
In opposition with so many stars – if not the overwhelming majority- this superior human being is not vain, superficial, arrogant, self-absorbed, even if the friends in the film emphasize what he was difficult, even at the last rites for the deceased actor, Kevin Nealon talks about this, using humor and wiping a few tears.
Garry Shandling has reached a zenith when he had the opportunity to host the coveted Late Night Show and have his own “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show” at the same time- that is not on the air or recorded simultaneously, but produced and filmed separately, taking a toll on the actor and writer.
The hero has to abandon the Late Night Show, because he cannot cope with the two challenging activities and to some extent, perhaps because he had achieved the peak he desired, he had written in his diaries that hosting this appreciated program would be something that cannot be topped:
Nec Plus Ultra
Jim Carrey is one of the charming, amusing presences in this documentary feature, talking about common experiences, including the fact that he has married a waitress with whom Carrey has a child and who had had a relationship with Gary Shandling, speaking in laudatory terms about his prowess as a sex partner.
Sacha Baron Cohen is one of the younger actors who have been inspired, guided and mentored by the remarkable protagonist of this movie and there are others, including Sarah Silverman, who insist on the fact that the hero has had such a tremendous success, not just in his own roles, creations, but through the many people he had advised, protected, inspired, taught.
Conan O’Brien talks about the low – a nadir maybe- point in his career, when he finds that Gary Shandling can offer so much support, as the latter called and the two spent so much time together that O’Brien laughs on his show about it, with photographs of the two men together and reference to the record “romantic” time they had enjoyed, which was probably more of a session destined to help the showman get more positive energy and grit to get back and pass the difficult period.
Since this aspect was mentioned, it is interesting that at the funeral service, one of the speakers – was it Judd Apatow or Kevin Nealon?-refers to the confused sexuality of the deceased and one can wonder what that meant, for reference to this is not repeated throughout the two parts, broadcasted on HBO.
One of the comedies with Gary Shandling, who was also one of the writers of the script, is the amusing, if rather ignored, What Planet Are You From? In which the actor plays opposite the wondrous Annette Benning and he is a visitor from a different galaxy, with some funny features, including a strange penis, interested in having a baby that he would then take to his planet…at least that is the initial plan.
In the documentary, we have footage from shows where the hero has been invited, or he hosted, facing Conan O’Brien, David Letterman and others, with a rather late appearance on the more recent Jerry Seinfeld creation- Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.
A large part of the documentary is sad, in spite of the fact that the star, the subject was a man who worked so much- the diaries attest the habit of making efforts, thinking about the career, the way to approach television appearances- be relaxed, do not overdo it, enjoy and so many more insightful thoughts addressed to…self.
The comedian becomes very ill and friends remember the fact that he looked and was so tired, exhausted actually, problems having been detected with the pancreas and surgical interventions recommended.
On the one hand, the hero uses this situation as material on his last stand up appearances- a friend record him on the hospital bed- and on the other hand, the very spiritual artist insists on the need to enjoy whatever time is left, writing something like – if there are three weeks left, enjoy them, if there are a few years, be glad with them.
One can think of Dostoyevsky who has been through a somewhat similar spiritual experience, as he faced execution and then wrote about the last few minutes in the life of a prisoner condemned to death- for that matter, it is universally applicable- and the revelation that life is so extraordinary, we need to enjoy it, sublime chapters that you can find in Crime and Punishment and some of the other masterpieces of the genius author.
The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling work as a very good film, but this is also educational, the hero was a role model for many of those he has met and we can look up at his persona, qualities, decency, kindness, generosity, forget some of the natural human flaws, and celebrate this departed, great man.
January 25, 2020
Through the use of photos, interviews, script excerpts, and dozens of pages from Shandling’s own journals, Judd Apatow creates an intimate portrait of the famous comedian. I found the book fascinating, and will definitely be checking out more of Shandling’s work in the future.
Because I actually haven't seen much of it. Garry Shandling is one of those comedians I know more by reputation than actual experience. I’ve never been a big watcher of late night talk shows. And I’ve never been interested in subscribing to any premium cable channels, so I missed out on his TV shows and stand-up specials as well. But I have seen him in a couple of things, and I’ve heard enough other comedians talk about his work to have a good idea what to expect. Just haven't gotten around to checking it out yet. I'll have to see if I can get my hands on either of his two TV series. Seems like they shouldn't be too hard to find, as good as they’re reputed to be.
Anyway, a fascinating portrait of a fascinating man. Recommended!
Because I actually haven't seen much of it. Garry Shandling is one of those comedians I know more by reputation than actual experience. I’ve never been a big watcher of late night talk shows. And I’ve never been interested in subscribing to any premium cable channels, so I missed out on his TV shows and stand-up specials as well. But I have seen him in a couple of things, and I’ve heard enough other comedians talk about his work to have a good idea what to expect. Just haven't gotten around to checking it out yet. I'll have to see if I can get my hands on either of his two TV series. Seems like they shouldn't be too hard to find, as good as they’re reputed to be.
Anyway, a fascinating portrait of a fascinating man. Recommended!
January 15, 2020
There are a few authentic, original thinkers who could not be anything but their quirky selves. Garry Shandling was one of them. Judd Apatow has honored his friend and mentor with this insight into Garry’s life and delivered the goods to his many fans. I miss Gary. I miss Gary’s sense of humor. I was so happy to take this peek into Garry and sad, all over again, that he is gone. I think many would agree that we witnessed greatness in this man. I might add that Gary was a practicing Zen Buddhist and was always striving to improve himself on his journey through life. He never married or had children-some may think he was too self-absorbed. Maybe. But, I like to think he marched to a different drumbeat and had a higher calling.
January 5, 2020
I would literally give this 10 stars, ALL the stars, if I could. It captures the genius and the complexities that made Garry Shandling so funny, so philosophical, so layered, so unique. I could go on but there aren’t enough words to praise Judd Apatow for this thing of beauty. I was devastated when Garry died and I will treasure this book always. It was a gift from my son, who tried to understand my deep mourning for a man I never met, yet cared so much about. Truly a masterpiece.
November 26, 2021
Great life. And I loved the ending with that eulogy by Sarah Silverman was great.
February 5, 2020
Enjoyable tribute to Garry Shandling full of bits of his own notes, scripts and photos from his life. I enjoyed learning about his career arc: from writing ads and then to writing for television, into standup and then the late-night show world. The Larry Sanders Show fused the late-night talk show with a sitcom and aired on HBO from 1992-1998. He was a major contributor to comedy in America during my childhood and adolescence.
March 30, 2023
An intimate look at the life of the comic genius that was Garry Shandling. This book does his life and career such an honor by sharing personal handwritten notes about his act and moments in his life, marked up scripts from It’s Garry Shandling’s Show and The Larry Sanders Show, interviews with friends and colleagues, and a plethora of photographs from throughout his life.
December 29, 2019
Absolutely fantastic
January 25, 2020
An intimate memoir hides inside this revealing archive of photos, joke-drafts, script excerpts and general miscellany. A wonderful tribute to an amazing comic.
January 4, 2020
What a lovely valentine to a funny, flawed, brilliant man.
August 15, 2021
Garry Shandling was a formative personality in my teenage years.
He helped normalize being awkward and nervous and neurotic at a time when I was trying to figure out why I didn’t have the confidence of so many of my high school classmates. But not only that, his series, It’s Garry Shandling’s Show, was one of the first (along with Monty Python’s Flying Circus and George Carlin’s standup) to show me how subversive comedy could be.
There’s part of my identity now, even in my 40s, that I owe to him.
Which is why it came as such a relief to see that Judd Apatow’s tribute to his late friend and mentor is every bit the love letter I hoped it would be. Poring through the journals and photos Shandling left behind after his death in 2016, Apatow has compiled a roughly chronological account of the comedian’s life in images and words (Shandling’s own, as well as excerpts from interviews conducted with his many friends and colleagues).
The real highlight, though, is the reproduction of Shandling’s journals. A prolific writer throughout his life, these entries – presented in Shandling’s own hand – offer an unvarnished look at the comedian’s evolution from a child in Arizona to one of the most influential voices in comedy.
And the candid nature of these journals is what really gives this book much of its heft. It’s easy to see that Shandling was often deeply unhappy, but this is leavened with his relentless quest to be GOOD. Not necessarily as a comedian or an actor as a writer; but as a person. Refusing to settle for merely being a funny guy, Shandling was heavily influenced by Zen philosophy and saw his life’s goal as a journey toward love and leaving his ego behind.
I love this book, and it makes me love Shandling even more. The best thing I can say about it is that it’s caused me to reevaluate my own life, my insecurity and anxiety, what I find important, and to try – after 25 years – to finally appreciate what I do well professionally.
I’ll exit with Shandling’s own words:
“You don’t need to be successful. You don’t need to be funny or a good actor or writer. You don’t need to be ANYTHING. You can just be.”
He helped normalize being awkward and nervous and neurotic at a time when I was trying to figure out why I didn’t have the confidence of so many of my high school classmates. But not only that, his series, It’s Garry Shandling’s Show, was one of the first (along with Monty Python’s Flying Circus and George Carlin’s standup) to show me how subversive comedy could be.
There’s part of my identity now, even in my 40s, that I owe to him.
Which is why it came as such a relief to see that Judd Apatow’s tribute to his late friend and mentor is every bit the love letter I hoped it would be. Poring through the journals and photos Shandling left behind after his death in 2016, Apatow has compiled a roughly chronological account of the comedian’s life in images and words (Shandling’s own, as well as excerpts from interviews conducted with his many friends and colleagues).
The real highlight, though, is the reproduction of Shandling’s journals. A prolific writer throughout his life, these entries – presented in Shandling’s own hand – offer an unvarnished look at the comedian’s evolution from a child in Arizona to one of the most influential voices in comedy.
And the candid nature of these journals is what really gives this book much of its heft. It’s easy to see that Shandling was often deeply unhappy, but this is leavened with his relentless quest to be GOOD. Not necessarily as a comedian or an actor as a writer; but as a person. Refusing to settle for merely being a funny guy, Shandling was heavily influenced by Zen philosophy and saw his life’s goal as a journey toward love and leaving his ego behind.
I love this book, and it makes me love Shandling even more. The best thing I can say about it is that it’s caused me to reevaluate my own life, my insecurity and anxiety, what I find important, and to try – after 25 years – to finally appreciate what I do well professionally.
I’ll exit with Shandling’s own words:
“You don’t need to be successful. You don’t need to be funny or a good actor or writer. You don’t need to be ANYTHING. You can just be.”
December 5, 2019
Great book but not a must read if you already saw the documentary. Which i loved. It was nice to see all the clever jokes and word play all written out. You really see the craftmanship and the effort to create those classic Garry lines.
April 20, 2020
It’s seems cliche but Gary Shandling is the funniest person who has ever made me cry.
February 5, 2024
I did love this book despite my 3 star review. I will say, I can't see anybody but true Garry fans enjoying it the way it is laid out.
I'll start with the good. This is a wonderful overview of Garry's life from birth to untimely death. Thanks to the fact his journal pages are included you get a glimpse into his thoughts in a way no other biography I have ever read (on anyone) does. It is clearly a labour of love put together by his friend and co-worker (on Larry Sanders) Judd Apatow. It looks great - it is an enjoyable read and it made me sad all over again that we lost Garry. From the It's the Garry Shandling Show - a truly innovative fourth wall breaking comedy in the 80's, to the Larry Sanders show - one of the finest comedies on TV period - you see what a creative force Garry was. He was a paradox of both being an overly anxious perfectionist to being a person who strove to be an egoless Buddhist.
The "less good". While I loved the journal pages from Garry I found them very hard to read and wish Judd had taken the time to include a text box that translated them. It wouldn't have taken much space and it would have reduced my frustration fifty-fold.
Also - while you get an overview of his life, because of the format it isn't written with a lot of detail. I loved the mini interviews from Garry's friends and co-workers but I needed more of those or more of a narrator explaining some details. So, as a biography, it is both thorough and needs more.
Overall though - I am really happy I read it. I think any Garry Shandling fan will love it. But if you don't know who he is I am not sure this is the book for you. Although...if you don't know who he is - please get you hands on all 6 seasons of Larry Sanders and watch them. I remember when they came out they were so realistic and groundbreaking I actually thought it was a reality show at first. 30 years later they hold up AND I don't think any other show has matched them but many have been inspired by them.
I'll start with the good. This is a wonderful overview of Garry's life from birth to untimely death. Thanks to the fact his journal pages are included you get a glimpse into his thoughts in a way no other biography I have ever read (on anyone) does. It is clearly a labour of love put together by his friend and co-worker (on Larry Sanders) Judd Apatow. It looks great - it is an enjoyable read and it made me sad all over again that we lost Garry. From the It's the Garry Shandling Show - a truly innovative fourth wall breaking comedy in the 80's, to the Larry Sanders show - one of the finest comedies on TV period - you see what a creative force Garry was. He was a paradox of both being an overly anxious perfectionist to being a person who strove to be an egoless Buddhist.
The "less good". While I loved the journal pages from Garry I found them very hard to read and wish Judd had taken the time to include a text box that translated them. It wouldn't have taken much space and it would have reduced my frustration fifty-fold.
Also - while you get an overview of his life, because of the format it isn't written with a lot of detail. I loved the mini interviews from Garry's friends and co-workers but I needed more of those or more of a narrator explaining some details. So, as a biography, it is both thorough and needs more.
Overall though - I am really happy I read it. I think any Garry Shandling fan will love it. But if you don't know who he is I am not sure this is the book for you. Although...if you don't know who he is - please get you hands on all 6 seasons of Larry Sanders and watch them. I remember when they came out they were so realistic and groundbreaking I actually thought it was a reality show at first. 30 years later they hold up AND I don't think any other show has matched them but many have been inspired by them.
January 13, 2021
The term genius is batted around quite a bit, but perhaps it lands here. This is someone who fit into a transitory period in Comedy bridging the 70s sitcom and Johnny's Tonight Show to the start of Cable Freedom of expression, giving posterity two groundbreaking shows. But with the notes he seems to be another tortured comedian. But even with whatever his art created and cost him, his legend was concurrently made with his Sunday Basketball games with A through D listers, highly competitive but a two decade cathartic experience which bound together a generation of actors. The book manages to capture slices of Garry (in his own word and pictures), which I suppose is more than we could expect, but perhaps less than we should ask.
August 11, 2022
This was a somewhat difficult read for me.
I have followed Gary since the 80s. Watched him on the Tonight Show. Letterman. His own show in the 80s. Larry Sanders. Saw him live in 1990. Obviously I was a fan and found him very funny.
That being said, I had no idea how he struggled. From the death of his brother when they were kids to his struggle with his career (or what he wanted to do for a career). I certainly could relate. Constantly having to tell himself that he could do comedy/acting. Having to retreat to Hawaii between work. Buddhism to help. Like I said, through this book, I saw his life as a struggle.
Great insight to his inner thoughts, but somewhat sad for me.
I have followed Gary since the 80s. Watched him on the Tonight Show. Letterman. His own show in the 80s. Larry Sanders. Saw him live in 1990. Obviously I was a fan and found him very funny.
That being said, I had no idea how he struggled. From the death of his brother when they were kids to his struggle with his career (or what he wanted to do for a career). I certainly could relate. Constantly having to tell himself that he could do comedy/acting. Having to retreat to Hawaii between work. Buddhism to help. Like I said, through this book, I saw his life as a struggle.
Great insight to his inner thoughts, but somewhat sad for me.
January 15, 2023
Readers have complained about the Kindle version. That’s what I bought. It took me a while after owning a Kindle to realize you can make pictures (and Garry’s journal pages) larger by tapping them and zooming or spreading your fingers like on a phone. (Though Garry’s handwriting is still hard to read.) The book has large fonts, smaller fonts, journal and script pages, and lots of photos and interviews. This is a wonderful tribute to a great comedian. It seems it was never about fame or material things. He strove to challenge himself and grow as a person and performer. I loved his first series and went to a taping. It was so different and clever. I never got into his second series as much but was always a fan. After reading this I like Garry even more as a person.
January 6, 2020
I was really excited when I first heard about this book, but it far transcends my expectations or even my hopes. It’s intimate, very funny and very moving. It’s not a conventional narrative of Garry Shandling’s life. Instead, the book includes a collection of Shandling’s handwritten notes—jokes, acting prompts scribbled on scripts, spiritual and inspirational thoughts and memos to himself written in notebooks—supplemented by news clippings and friends’ observations. The book’s format offers insight into Shandling’s creative process and his nonstop drive to be a success not only as an artist but also as a good human being. For us fans of Garry Shandling, this book is a treasure.
August 20, 2020
If you've seen the Zen Diaries documentary by Apatow, there's little in this book that you won't already know. I was hoping that this would be more focused on Garry's journals. While it does include journal excerpts, they constitute roughly one third of the material and are at times hard to decipher. This book appears to have had a hefty budget: glossy pages, large font, and plenty of pictures. Where's the beef!?
One funny thing I don't remember from the documentary: a "Happy Holidays from the Shandling Family" card with a picture of Garry sitting alone on a lounge chair, surrounded by empty chairs.
One funny thing I don't remember from the documentary: a "Happy Holidays from the Shandling Family" card with a picture of Garry sitting alone on a lounge chair, surrounded by empty chairs.
November 18, 2019
Absolutely awesome book and a great companion piece to Apatow's incredible documentary about Garry on HBO. Garry was a complicated guy and reading his journals and interviews really goes to show you how much he truly cared about his work but also, and perhaps more importantly, how much he cared about what his work said about himself. (Minor spoiler) The final part of the book, Garry's letter to his long-deceased brother, was truly a gut punch and a fitting window into what made Garry Shandling Garry Shandling.
March 15, 2022
Once again, a Judd Apatow project goes on longer than it should. This book, after the amazing Zen Diaries documentary is almost too much and weirdly Inessential. There’s nothing here that wasn’t better expressed in that movie and lots of the scribbles are either hard to read, repetitive, or the kind of things that I doubt Shandling wanted people to see. That said, you can tell this was put together out of love, but maybe a misguided one. Some nice photos and remembrances but overall it’s just the same stuff or extraneous info from the documentary. Honestly just watch that and skip this book.
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October 31, 2019My genuine thanks to Random House for sending me "It's Garry Shandling's Book" in a Goodreads giveaway.
It will take a while to go through it thoroughly, because it is so thoroughly researched and beautifully presented. I was a huge fan of It's Garry Shandling's Show because it broke all the rules about television, primarily in how it broke down the 4th wall. The home audience was part of the show. This book reads the same way, breaking down the wall between public and private persona. We hear from all the industry greats who worked with Garry, and see through countless pictures, what led to the creative genius behind that show and The Larry Sanders Show. For example, I didn't realize that Garry wanted The Tonight Show when Carson left. And when Garry didn't get it, it spurred the creation of The Larry Sanders Show - a show about a guy with a talk show.
Most of the pages are supplemented with examples of Garry's handwritten notes, showing his thought process. We often think that because someone is publicly "on" whenever we see them, that they are instantly and automatically that way all the time. I love these notes, for telling the story himself. Seems like the book is built around them, and it's perfect.
It will take a while to go through it thoroughly, because it is so thoroughly researched and beautifully presented. I was a huge fan of It's Garry Shandling's Show because it broke all the rules about television, primarily in how it broke down the 4th wall. The home audience was part of the show. This book reads the same way, breaking down the wall between public and private persona. We hear from all the industry greats who worked with Garry, and see through countless pictures, what led to the creative genius behind that show and The Larry Sanders Show. For example, I didn't realize that Garry wanted The Tonight Show when Carson left. And when Garry didn't get it, it spurred the creation of The Larry Sanders Show - a show about a guy with a talk show.
Most of the pages are supplemented with examples of Garry's handwritten notes, showing his thought process. We often think that because someone is publicly "on" whenever we see them, that they are instantly and automatically that way all the time. I love these notes, for telling the story himself. Seems like the book is built around them, and it's perfect.
March 27, 2023
The only reason I'm giving this book 2 stars is because I couldn't read it on my eReader. Well, I could read about 40% of it, since most of it was composed of type-written letters and hand-written notes composed by Garry through his life.
A book like this should never be made available for an eReader. It's a waste of our money and time. I would have purchased the physical book, had I known I'd only get a fraction of it it.
A book like this should never be made available for an eReader. It's a waste of our money and time. I would have purchased the physical book, had I known I'd only get a fraction of it it.
December 13, 2019
Wow what a fascinating book! It was awesome to get an up-close-and-personal look at the mind of Garry Shandling. He was always inquisitive and the book dives into what makes him tick. I loved the handwritten letters sprinkled throughout and the great insight into what makes comedy work.
This was one of the highlights of my year. Definitely near the top of the books I read in 2019.
This was one of the highlights of my year. Definitely near the top of the books I read in 2019.
December 26, 2019
Judd Apatow’s final love letter to Garry Shandling, told (mostly) in Garry’s own words. This was a gorgeous looking book and a bittersweet read. But holy hell is Shandling’s handwriting painful to read—there were times when I literally groaned out loud after turning the page to find yet another spread of Garry’s handwritten notes.
January 8, 2020
A very intimate look at one of the greatest comedic minds. Well put together and attractive, this book evokes emotion as you see into Garry's most private thoughts with his journals written during the height of his career. Highly recommended for fans and even more so for anyone interested in a career in show business.
February 23, 2020
12-2020. This is the companion book to the very great documentary on Garry Shandling. Not much really new here, if you saw that doc. Everything here sure lets you know Shandling’s particular comedic genius, as well as his reputation as a Buddhist practitioner who freely advised so many comedians and writers.
May 18, 2020
Thank You Judd Apatow
This peak into Garry Shandling's heart and soul felt both intrusive and gratifying. A privilege at the very least, I have a deeper affection and appreciation for the joy he evoked despite the agony it took to create his well-deserved legacy.
Always one of my favourites, may he rest in peace.
This peak into Garry Shandling's heart and soul felt both intrusive and gratifying. A privilege at the very least, I have a deeper affection and appreciation for the joy he evoked despite the agony it took to create his well-deserved legacy.
Always one of my favourites, may he rest in peace.
September 8, 2020
What a wonderful way to remember a brilliant comedian who influenced so many. I laughed out loud so many times reading Garry's jokes thinking of him delivering them in his deadpan style. He is sorely missed but we are fortunate to have the material he gave us. I hope that he finally realized his dream to just be himself & not ask anything else of himself.
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