The Mortified Sessions

Sassy actress Busy Philipps (Cougar Town) laughs about the misadventures of growing up on the outside looking in. She shares her mortifying experiences with skateboarder crushes, an inspired prom dress, and a curiously autobiographical play.

Two stars share their strange but true childhoods. Comedian Marc Maron reflects on using humor to deal with a depressive dad, and Community's Gillian Jacobs reveals some unusual childhood tastes more suited to her mom than a kid in need of friends.

Actor and filmmaker Mark Duplass traces the roots of his creativity back to his childhood. Sharing some cheesy song lyrics, photos and his inseparable bond with his brother, Mark tells how he beat depression to get back in touch with his happy youth.

Comic, Tig Notaro, recently announced that she has cancer live on stage. How did her childhood prepare her to handle tough issues with such unflappable humor? And actor Jason Ritter (Parenthood) recounts his journey through the grunge years.

Actor Adam Goldberg (Saving Private Ryan) goes out of his way to share some of the most mortifying memories of his childhood. It just may be that the anxious, neurotic characters he portrays are expressions of the awkward kid he used to be.

Kristin Bauer attributes her ability to play a dangerous outsider on HBO's True Blood to a childhood of rebellion. Matt Walsh (Veep, Upright Citizens Brigade) explains his penchant for comedy stems from a youthful urge to do anything for a laugh.