I don't think it could possibly be Judd Apatow.
Exhibit A)
-"Who is the least talented successful writer I have ever worked with?"
Has Tom really ever worked with him? I've heard him mention on older episodes that he'd love to work with him, and I know Tom's a fan of his work.
Exhibit B)
-"This writer has been associated with some REALLY respectable things and gets credit for things that he stood next to. He's crafty but AWFUL."
Apatow isn't "associated" with respectable things. He's EXECUTIVE PRODUCED AND DIRECTED really respectable things. That doesn't count as having "stood next to." That is "grabbed the bull by the horns and wrangled it to the dirt."
Exhibit C)
-"He's a comedy guy but NEVER said one funny thing in the dozen-plus times I've spent with him. Did PLENTY of name dropping though."
Why would Apatow need to drop any names? He's been a name since 2005 and was already writing and producing stuff that is now turning out to be legendary. He's deciding who gets to be a name these days. Also, Apatow is an extremely busy man. I can't imagine Tom got to spend a "dozen-plus times" with him, and is now throwing him under the bus. Chances are, if you're working on a project with that guy and it goes beyond three or four meetings, things are probably going pretty good for you.
Exhibit D)
-"Remember the talentless writer I was talking about yesterday? I forgot to mention that hes a SNOB and treats those 'beneath him' like trash!"
I have been in the same room with Apatow several times and I can assure you, he's no snob. He was amazed that I even knew who he was and was very shy and polite ... and that was on a project that he was executive-producing well after becoming a household name, so he was basically the biggest deal in the room.
Exhibit E)
-"And the guy is a 'legend'. But trust me - he made sure he was next to the right people. Major league ass kisser."
Apatow is definitely a legend and can pretty much greenlight anything he wants, but that's after YEARS of hard work and due diligence. A lot of people don't realize that he's been behind some of the funniest stuff going all the way back to the early 90s, possibly earlier. He's paid his dues.
Plus, Tom seems to only refer to the guy as a writer and comedian. Apatow is more well known for being a producer and director. Of course he does write and has dabbled in stand-up, but I have a feeling that whoever Tom is talking about here is either someone a lot older, or someone quite a bit newer but really making a name for himself.
I wonder if Tom will ever spill the beans.
Also ... I really enjoyed The Invention of Lying, but mostly for the fact that it was very quietly funny, and the scene when Gervais is telling his mom about heaven was very moving. But I do agree that Ricky deserves a spanking after the Golden Globes, and he could stand to take it easy on Karl Pilkington... But that guy sure does set himself up for Gervais' attacks.
Finally, Guy Whitey Corngood is a terrific name. If I'm not mistaken, was he the one giving out Mississippi Fun Bucks?
