UNDECLARED

It was the fall of 2001 and I was excited about a new show on TV. Why? It was a new show by Judd Apatow, who was responsible for one of my favorite shows of (then) recent memory, the cancelled-way-too-soon "Freeks and Geeks." One of the cast members from that show, Seth Rogen, was not only one of the main characters on the new one but he was also a writer. I couldn't wait. And once we got past the aftermath of 9/11, I was ready to laugh at a TV show. "Undeclared" fit the bill. Unfortunately, it followed it the footsteps of "Freeks" and was cancelled after only 17 episodes (one less than "Freeks"). Now it has once again followed its predecessor to DVD.

The show was a half hour comedy on Fox and the title might tip you off to the subject: college. The focus was on a group of freshman. Roommates Steven, Lloyd, Ron, and Marshall (Jay Baruchel, Charlie Hunnam, Seth Rogen, and Timm Sharp) lived across the hall from Lizzie, Rachel, and eventaully Tina (Carla Gallo, Monica Keena, and Christina Payano). Also along for the ride was Steven's newly separated father, Hal (played by folk singer Loudon Wainwright). Episodes dealt with typical college stuff - the freshman 15, relationships, parties, reinvention, pledging a frat, and so forth. An ongoing plot was the relationship between Steven and Lizzie; they sleep together early on but she has a boyfriend...eventually that changes and they start dating. Now, I say typical college stuff but this was not a typical sitcom. No laugh track and it was a two camera show. Many of the scenes were improved as well. It all worked to make it a funny show and one that still holds up. It's that mixture of smart and dumb humor that appeals to me. Nor were they afraid to do a bit of drama in between. It helps that they had quality actors who were genuinely funny.

Actually, that's a hallmark of a Judd Apatow TV show. It's not just the main characters either. You can have good people in main roles but it can fail if the world isn't believeable. On "Undeclared" they fleshed out the dorm and campus with many great performers, allowing them to expand the cast as needed. Jason Segel of "Freeks and Geeks" fame is the prime example of this; he played Lizzie's older boyfriend Eric as the perfect mixture of sweet and creepy. He's just the tip of the iceberg of regular players and guest stars - Samm Levine (another "Freeks" alum) as a sadistic pledge master; Will Ferrell as a "townie" who writes papers for students; Kyle Gass and David Krumholtz as Eric's buddies at Kopy Town; Jarrett Grode as the deadpan Perry; Ben Stiller; Adam Sandler (as himself); Martin Starr (another...you guessed it!). The show had a whole world to be explored and I'm sad we never really got to explore it.

Obviously I highly recommend this DVD. Shows like this are why I watch TV. I'll leave you with a line that sums up the show for me...

Steven is talking to his father about Lizzie. The two have slept together but Steven has just found out about Eric and is trying to sort through his feelings. He tells Hal that Lizzie is exploring her options. Hal's response? "Then let her date Magellan! Vasco de Gama."