#SPOTTED: JUDD APATOW & LESLIE MANN IN TORONTO FOR “THIS IS 40” | SIGNED PHOTO GIVEAWAY

Knocked Up, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Girls, Bridesmaids, Freaks and Geeks, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Superbad.  These are just some of the many culturally-impacting Titles which just wouldn’t have been without the talents of Judd Apatow.  Toronto was extremely fortunate last night to have welcomed the brilliant Director/Producer/Writer and fantastically-funny Actress and Wife, Leslie Mann.  Although their Oscar-contending Comedy This is 40 which  re-teams the Duo once again, isn’t in theatres just yet, Apatow and Mann came to create a bit of buzz for the Film which is being touted not so much as a Sequel, but more a Continuation to 2007’s Knocked Up, where we first were introduced to the Characters of Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie (Mann).

With Opening Remarks from Canadian Comedy Legend Eugene Levy and the Evening hosted by Author/Critic and Television Personality Richard Crouse, the Canadian Film Centre‘s An Evening with Judd Apatow & Leslie Mann took place at the TIFF Bell Lightbox – an Invite-Only Affair where we got to witness in-person the charming romantic and working Chemistry between Husband and Wife.  Crouse asked the Couple how they first met and apparently it wasn’t love at first sight between the two.

Watch them tell their Story below:

Hilariously, Apatow was unable to suppress his iPhone-obsession, repeatedly checking it and even taking a Call onstage from his Daughter Maude (who stars in This is 40), bringing her great embarrassment after she was told that we could all hear her amplified through the Speakers.  Finally, Mann addressed the matter by telling Apatow that he was being rude, prompting him to put-away his phone.

We learned that despite the outcome being humorous usually with Apatow‘s Work, rarely does he approach filming thinking a particular scene is going to be funny.  His Motto always is to present the truth and in doing so can we see the real humour in things, praising Mann especially for her uncanny ability to dig-deep  in her performances.

Interestingly, the topic of Music was brought-up with it being revealed that Crouse at the age of 16 had written a Book about The Rolling Stones.  Apatow told the Audience that at one point both Ben Stiller and himself had been close to collaborating with the Band on a Film and while Fanboy-ing with Stiller over their records in one room during their rehearsals here in Toronto, Mick Jagger had walked-in on them in an unforgettable moment asking, “Are you alright? Would you like some Water or anything?”.  We learned also that Mann rather dislikes Live Versions of songs and is a huge Fan of Pop Music including the likes of Lady Gaga and Aretha Franklin.

Earlier in the evening, I was lucky enough to get a Snap with both Apatow and Mann who were extremely gracious.  To enter to win a Signed Photo from Apatow, simply click “like” on this Post at Mr. Will Wong on Facebook before January 1, 2013. Good luck.

Universal Pictures releases This is 40 on December 21, 2012.  Although I only had the chance to see a couple Clips, I can say that I was dying of laughter already!  Cannot wait.

(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#TORONTOBOUND: ALLISON WILLIAMS IN TORONTO FOR “GIRLS”

Girls! Girls! Girls!  Toronto cannot get enough of them! Star of HBO’s Breakout Hit Girls, Allison Williams, will be visitng Toronto on December 4, 2012 to promote both the upcoming second Season of the Lena Dunham-created Series, and also the release of its first Season on DVD on December 11, 2012.  Judd Apatow who also serves as Executive Producer on that Series, coincidentally will be in the City next Monday to promote his Oscar Contender, This is 40 along with Wife and Star, Leslie Mann.

Williams who is the Daughter of NBC Anchor, Brian Williams and also a Graduate of Yale and former Miss West Virginia, stars as Marnie in the Series and is scheduled to do a variety of Press and also an In-Conversation-With hosted by our beloved Friend Shinan Govani, in the east-end of the City during her Visit.  I definitely will be there to bring Highlights of the Evening and couldn’t be more thrilled with the Series rapidly becoming a personal Fave!

 

(Photo credit: HBO)

#TORONTOBOUND: JUDD APATOW & LESLIE MANN TO VISIT FOR “THIS IS 40”

In supporting of their upcoming Oscar-contending Comedy This is 40, brilliant Comedy Powerhouse Judd Apatow and amazingly-talented Actress/Wife Leslie Mann will be making a Visit to Toronto on Monday, November 26, 2012.  The Power-Couple will be appearing at an Evening of Conversation organized by the Canadian Film Centre, along with Partners Variety, Telefilm Canada, Just for Laughs and Universal Pictures.

This is 40 follows the lives of Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie (Mann), whom we got to know and love in Knocked Up.  Also starring in the eagerly-awaited Comedy is a superb Supporting Cast which includes: Lena Dunham, Melissa McCarthy, Chris O’Dowd, Albert Brooks, Megan Fox, Jason Segel and John Lithgow.

Watch the Trailer in full below:

 

Universal Pictures releases This is 40 on December 21, 2012.

(Photo/video credit: Universal Pictures)