In an American society where sex considered taboo and ultimately “hush hush” compared to folks across the pond, we should all be so grateful to have one man revolutionizing comedy in Hollywood films – Judd Apatow.

If you don’t know him by name yet, you surely know him from his work; Apatow is a writer, director and producer whose film credits include Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, The 40 Year-Old Virgin, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Knocked Up, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Stepbrothers, Pineapple Express, and my personal favorite, Superbad.

Apatow, who has been taking the box office by storm consistently for the past five years, has even proclaimed his ultimate goal in an interview. He’s going to make sex mainstream and funny.

“America fears the penis, and that’s something I’m going to help them get over.” Yes, Yes, Yes! That’s exactly what America needs- more laughter at flaccid body parts!

He has also brought us a fresh, front-running comedy assembly, which includes actors Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, Paul Rudd, Jason Segel, Craig Robinson, Martin Starr, Jay Baruchel, cutie Michael Cerra and Leslie Mann, his wife who notoriously played the drunk who puked shellfish all over Steve Carrell in The 40 Year-Old Virgin.

This eclectic crew is the reminiscent of the Adam Sandler gang – Rob Schneider, Steve Buschemi, Allen Covert, and Peter Dante – which is brilliant, because I feel like viewers grow some sort of long-term relationship with the actors.  Apatow may have even taken the buddy system cue from Sandler, considering they were once roommates. 

The takeaways from Apatow movies are also top-notch. I know in my house, these movies’ raunchy one liners manage to surface at least a few times a day. My absolute favorite is when my dog, a.k.a. the sweetest pup in all the land, barks at me and I get all Ron Burgundy on him and say, “You know I don’t speak Spanish!” 

What’s also great about Apatow’s films next to the crude sexual humor is how the storylines take you back to memories past. A lot of the movies are based on fond milestone moments that everyone can relate to; a kick-ass high school party you once had, getting in major trouble with your best friend and those regrettable one-night stands (keep it real, you’ve been there.)   

Lucky for us, Apatow is on target with some films this coming out this summer to help fight that pestering sex stigma and just plain make us laugh.

Year One will be released in a couple weeks on Friday, June 19. Starring Cerra and usually entertaining Jack Black, this duo will star as exiled cavemen that embark on a grand journey through the ancient world. I’m excited to see Cerra and Apatow together again after Superbad, so I think this movie should deliver some offbeat laughs with Cerra’s naïve, passive-aggressive delivery.  

On July 31, Funny People will hit theaters, this time starring Apatow’s old roommate, Sandler, along with Rogen, Hill, Mann, Rudd, Eric Bana and Norm MacDonald, just to name a few. The storyline will feature Sandler as a comedian who is diagnosed with a terminal disease and with only one year left to live, takes a young comedian under his wing and shows him the ropes. By watching the trailer, this definitely looks like a feel-good drama with a lot of comedic relief.  

The Week Ahead

New Theater Pick: The Hangover, in theaters Friday, June 5.

Rental Recommendation: Forgetting Sarah Marshall on DVD now.

Tune-in to:  The Tony Awards, Sunday, June 7 at 7:00 PM on CBS.