Les journaux zen de Garry Shandling

Judd Apatow does this four hour biography of his friend and mentor Garry Shandling. One can really sense the love on the screen. In some ways, it needs the cruelty of a non-fan editor. That's not to say that it indulged in too much filler. Even squeezing it under four hours would be helpful. For example, Garry's written notes are a big part of the show. They are often hard to read and the show stops to let the audience read it. It would speed things up simply by typing out the notes into quotes and place them on screen as Garry does his stand-ups or his other recordings. It's also a little odd to have somebody else reading out his notes. Nevertheless, this is a fully realized telling of a comedic genius. I didn't know about his brother, his lawsuit, or his house. I heard something about his health and assumed that to be the reason for his absence in the later years. Quite frankly, I saw his appearance on Conan and thought he must be suffering from some difficulties. This is a fine biography from friends and the man obviously had many friends in life.

Great documentary of an amazing man - never knew how troubled he was - made me cry

The late comedian Garry Shandling was, without a doubt, funny. Sometimes falling-down funny, sometimes cringeworthy-funny. But always engaging. This documentary produced by his friend and writer Judd Apatow is outstanding. It's not fawning. But it gives a touching, honest inside view of the creative process. It's in 2 parts and it's long but not at all boring. I can always tell when a show is dragging because my butt starts to hurt. This didn't hurt my butt one bit.

Career driven good guy keeps his soul clean. Worthy subject; worthy tribute. And, no, not too long.

Apatow paints a finely woven, richly detailed journey of Garry Shandling's state of being. As a documentarian Apatow makes a most impressive debut, it is the best I've seen in a very long time. HBO has chosen the right subject and the right person to tell this deeply intimate fully formed biography of a brilliant comedian.