COMEDY CENTRAL� TAKES TWO INSIDE LOOKS AT THE NEW JUDD APATOW FILM FUNNY PEOPLE MONDAY, JULY 20 AND FRIDAY JULY 24

"Inside Funny People" World Premieres Monday, July 20 At Midnight The All-New Stand-Up Special "Funny People: Live" World Premieres Friday, July 24 At 11:00 P.M.

NEW YORK, July 20, 2009 -- Sit down for stand-up! COMEDY CENTRAL presents two original specials from acclaimed director Judd Apatow ("Knocked Up," "The 40-Year-Old Virgin") timed to coincide with the release of his new film "Funny People," which opens in theaters nationwide on July 31. The one-hour, behind-the-scenes special, "Inside Funny People," world premieres on COMEDY CENTRAL on Monday, July 20 at midnight. Then, on Friday, July 24 at 11:00 p.m., Apatow, Seth Rogen and Adam Sandler host "Funny People: Live," an up-close-and-personal look at the instrumental role stand-up comedy played in their new film.

In his third time directing a film, Apatow finds humor in one of the biggest struggles of a person's lifetime. He directs Adam Sandler ("I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry," "Anger Management"), Seth Rogen ("Knocked Up," "Pineapple Express") and Leslie Mann ("Knocked Up," "The 40-Year-Old Virgin") in "Funny People," the story of a famous comedian who has a near-death experience and what he does with a second chance. On Monday, July 20, "Inside Funny People" follows director Apatow's video diaries on the set of the movie, taking an in-depth look at exclusive writer meetings and cast rehearsals with stars Sandler, Rogen, Jonah Hill, Mann, Aziz Ansari, Aubrey Plaza and more, as well as special stand-up performances by the actors and their friends in preparation for the shoot.

On Friday, July 24, get ready for "Funny People: Live," hosted by Apatow, Rogen and Sandler. Not only does this special take another detailed look at the making of "Funny People," it focuses closely on the pursuit of stand-up comedy and how actors such as Rogen and Sandler got in touch with their stand-up roots in order to prepare for the film. In addition, "Funny People: Live" showcases live stand-up sets from "real-life funny people" Sarah Silverman, Patton Oswalt, Russell Brand, Brian Posehn, Greg Giraldo and Maria Bamford as well as sets from the film's cast members. Fans of comedy, get ready to learn and laugh at the fear and fun that comes with performing stand-up!

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