40 Year Old Virgin: Why Steve Carell Screams Kelly Clarkson’s Name

 The 40-Year-Old Virgin director Judd Apatow reveals why Steve Carell screams Kelly Clarkson’s name during the chest waxing scene. Today, Apatow’s The 40-Year-Old Virgin seems like so many raunchy comedies that can be found by scrolling through titles on Netflix or any other streaming service. But back in 2005, the film not only helped to raise the profile of the likes of Carell, Seth Rogen, and Paul Rudd, but it also upped the ante on what a film in this sort of genre could be.

Past gross-out, raunchy films like Dumb and Dumber or American Pie were comedic hits in their own right, but The 40-Year-Old Virgin added a strange sort of maturity alongside its hilarity. Through numerous hilarious scenes, audiences watched 40-year-old virgin Andy (Carell) desperately attempt to navigate his way through the world of dating. One scene in particular, however, in which Andy is convinced by his friends to have his chest waxed, is one of the film’s highlights. In addition to yelling a whole list of expletives as his chest hair is torn out, Carell also blurted out a stream of what sounds like random names. One of those names happens to be Clarkson's.

Related: Steve Carell's 40-Year-Old Virgin Waxing Scene Was Painfully Real

Recently, Apatow appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show, and the host did not miss the opportunity to ask just how her name ended up in that scene. According to Apatow, Rogen is the culprit. Apatow explained that off-camera, they had a board with explicit and clean lines that Carell could choose from, and "Kelly Clarkson" was written in Rogen's handwriting. Apatow's full explanation of the scene can be seen in the video below:

Thinking of Rogen writing Clarkson's name on the board is funny enough, but being able to see the actual list that the cast and crew collaborated on is a real treat for fans. Part of Apatow’s success as a comedic director has arguably been due to his connection with his actors and fellow comedians. There doesn’t seem to be any ego on Apatow's productions, and this could be one of the big reasons why his films often seem to go over so well with moviegoers.

Though Apatow’s latest film, The King of Staten Island is a much different affair from the likes of The 40 Year-Old Virgin or Knocked Up, it still shows off that same concept of an outsider trying to find his way in a confusing world. Carell’s wince-inducing experience with chest waxing may have seemed random on-screen, but it’s clear that it came about as the result of several talented comedians working together. Apatow’s insistence on making comedies with characters that we can laugh at while feeling bad for is often a trait that is most beloved about his films.

Next: Judd Apatow & Pete Davidson Interview: The King of Staten Island

Source: The Kelly Clarkson Show

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