How has Judd Apatow changed your life?

Judd’s been the patron saint of my career. I met him when I was 17 for Freaks And Geeks and over 10 years when people were not knocking down my door to do projects, Judd tried to force me into everything he was doing with varying degrees of success.

He never gave up on me – he’s the most loyal person I’ve ever met. And he taught me how to write.

How did he do that?

He came up to me and said, “Jason, you’re a strange dude, the only way you’re going to make it in the business is if you learn how to write,” and he literally took me to his house and taught me.

He also came up to me once and said, “I’ve zeroed in on what you do well and this is what you should focus on: You are able to get really really close to the creepy line whilst still being likeable”.

Talking of strange – we hear you’re writing the Muppet movie?

It’s my dream come true. I’m trying to bring it back to the early ’80s Muppet movies, The Muppets Take Manhattan-style, when it was all about laughter and love and friendship and all that.

You’re a big fan then?

They were my first comic influence, for sure. And Kermit inspired me to do the full frontal – I’ve never seen Kermit wearing pants.

Though he also doesn’t have a penis...

Good point.

Anything you can tell us about the Muppet storyline?

I can’t – I’m legally obligated not to. But I will. It’s about the Muppets having to get together to put on a show to help each other out for reasons I can’t let on. It’s a very simple story where you get reacquainted with the Muppets – no smoke and mirrors.