Monday, July 05, 2010
IFC Acquires Freaks and Geeks and Undeclared; Final 2 Episodes of happy town on ABC.com
Continuing to build on its strategy of showcasing "slightly off" comedies that appeal to its young male audience, IFC (Independent Film Channel) announced it has acquired the complete series of Judd Apatow's Emmy®-winning high school comedy Freaks and Geeks (18 episodes) and college spinoff Undeclared (17 episodes) from Paramount Pictures Corporation. These two cult TV short-lived series helped launch the careers of Jay Baruchel, Jenna Fischer, James Franco, Seth Rogen and Jason Segel, among other young stars. Freaks and Geeks airs on IFC on Fridays at 11:00pm, et/pt, and encore on Mondays (so tonight!) at 11:00pm and Sundays at 10:00pm. Undeclared will debut on IFC this fall. A previously unaired episode of Undeclared will make its U.S. television debut on IFC.
Freaks and Geeks is set in the 1980s at McKinley High where there are two different groups of teenagers: the Freaks with cool and charismatic Daniel Desario (James Franco) and tomboy Lindsay Weir (Linda Cardellini, ER), and the Geeks with Lindsay's shy younger brother Sam (John Francis Daley, Bones), gentle Bill Haverchuck (Martin Starr), and self-proclaimed ladies' man Neal Schweiber (Samm Levine). The series was executive produced by Judd Apatow; series writers include Paul Feig (The Office) and series directors include Jake Kasdan. It was produced by Apatow Productions in association with DreamWorks Television and aired for one season on NBC (1999-2000) and also starred Seth Rogen and Jason Segel in supporting roles.
Undeclared paired creator and executive producer Apatow with directors such as Kasdan together again along with stars Seth Rogen and Jason Segel. The series, which was also produced by Apatow Productions in association with DreamWorks Television, aired on Fox for one season (2001-2002). The comedy series follows an eclectic group of college freshmen as they experience their first year at the University of North Eastern California (UNEC). College life is seen through the eyes of the new and improved Steven Karp (Jay Baruchel), who goes from scrawny high school nerd to potentially handsome college guy over the course of one summer. The series also features Jenna Fischer (The Office), Carla Gallo and Charlie Hunnam (Sons of Anarchy).
As we wait for the final 2 episodes of canceled series Better Off Ted, Romantically Challenged and Eastwick to be scheduled, the final two episodes of ABC's canceled happy town are now available on abc.com. The series was pulled from the Wednesday schedule after its June 16 airing due to low ratings. The two episodes are "Dallas Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore" and "Blame It On Rio Bravo." These will not air on TV, so it will be your only shot of watching it. I suggest you watch it if you were watching the show, so you have an ending because there is an actual ending to the show. Click below to watch the final 2 episodes of this mystery drama!
Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows
Friday, August 1
Happy's Place - "Ladies Night'" (NBC, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
After Gabby's latest heartbreak, Bobbie and Isabella throw a Ladies' Night at the tavern to show Gabby she doesn't need a man to be happy, but things don't go as planned; Steve and Takoda tease Emmett about his sudden interest in dating apps.
Happy's Place - "Tapped Out" (NBC, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Isabella starts trying to make changes to the tavern, Bobbie worries that this new partnership may not work out; Bobbie offers to take Isabella under her wing so she can learn about the tavern, but Happy's lawyer fumbles Bobbie's plan.
Electric Bloom - "How to (Not) Make a Music Video" (Disney Channel, 8:00PM ET/PT)
While planning Electric Bloom's first music video, Jade and Posey overlook Tulip as a potential leader of the band, causing her alter ego 'Trixie' to emerge and wreak havoc.
Electric Bloom - "How We Danced the Night Away" (Disney Channel, 8:30PM ET/PT)
Posey, Jade, and Tulip's pact to not let a boy come between them is tested when it comes to finding dates for the school dance.
Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of July 28)
Friday, August 1
- Chris Distefano (Benders) - Chris guest hosts a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Julie Bowen (Modern Family/Ed) - Watch Julie on a repeat of Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
- Owen Wilson (Stick) - Owen takes "The Colbert Questionert" on a repeat of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert at 11:35pm on CBS.
- Mary Beth Barone (Overcompensating) - Mary appears on a repeat of Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
- Thomas Lennon (The Odd Couple/Sean Saves the World/Reno 911!) - Thomas is a guest on a repeat of After Midnight at 12:37am on CBS.
- Pamela Anderson (Stacked/Home Improvement) - Pamela talks about The Naked Gun on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your local listings.
- Nicole Ari Parker (And Just Like That.../Second Time Around) - NBC's Today catches up with Nicole in the 10am hour.
- Sheryl Lee Ralph (Abbott Elementary/Fam/Instant Mom/Moesha/It's a Living) - Sheryl and her husband, Pennsylvania State Senator Vincent Hughes, sit down for an EXCLUSIVE conversation about their choice to live in separate cities, which set off the internet on a repeat of Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
- Brooke Shields (Suddenly Susan) - Brooke is sharing the secrets behind her shiny and bouncy hair and why she decided to create he own haircare line in her 50s on a repeat of The Drew Barrymore Show, so check your local listings.
- Michael Jai White (Tyler Perry's For Better or Worse) - Michael is a guest on a repeat of Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
New on DVD and Blu-ray
01/28 - Wait Till Your Father Gets Home - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
02/04 - The Wayans Bros. - The Complete Series
03/11 - Frasier (2023) - Season Two
04/01 - Abbott Elementary - The Complete Third Season
05/13 - The Drew Carey Show - The Complete Series* (missing 4 episodes and some music has been replaced or altered)
06/06 - Shoresy - Season 2
06/17 - Looney Tunes - Collector's Vault - Volume 1 (Blu-ray)
07/22 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD and Blu-ray Releases / TV Shows on DVD, Blu-ray and Prime Video / DVD Reviews Archive
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