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. NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NEW YORK 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 and remained his mentor for the rest of his life—and the book expands on Apatow’s Emmy Award-winning HBO documentary, The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling. 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. 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. His diaries show Shandling to be self-aware and insightful, revealing a deep philosophical and spiritual side. Contributions by comedians and other leading lights of the industry, as well as people who grew up with Shandling, along with never-before-seen pieces of scripts and brilliant jokes that he never performed, shed new light on every facet of his life and work. This book is the final word on the lasting impact of the great Garry Shandling.

本作は、希代の喜劇人が抱えた深遠な葛藤と精神性を解剖した魂の記録です。ジャド・アパトーが編纂した日記や未公開の言葉からは、華やかなショービジネスの裏側で、孤独や喪失と向き合いながら「真実」を希求し続けた一人の求道者の姿が、圧倒的な熱量とともに浮かび上がります。 ドキュメンタリー『禅・ダイアリー』との相乗効果も見事です。映像が彼の生きた躍動を伝えるのに対し、本書は行間から溢れる思索や文字に刻まれた静寂を直に読者へ手渡します。テキストならではの密度で描かれる、笑いと悟りが交錯する奇跡のような軌跡は、表現に生きる全ての者の魂を激しく揺さぶるでしょう。