Judd Apatow's cult high school comedy "Freaks And Geeks" and its college spinoff "Undeclared" are getting new life.
IFC has bought the rights to the complete runs of both series, as well as and a previously unaired episode of "Undeclared" that will make its television debut on IFC.
Dina Vangelisti, senior vice president for Paramount Worldwide Television Distribution, U.S. and Canada, and Christian Vesper, senior vice president of Acquisitions, for IFC brokered the deal.
"Freaks and Geeks" starred Seth Rogen, James Franco and Jason Segel as 1980's high school outcasts. It ran for 12 episodes on NBC from 1999-2000 before being canceled with six episodes still unaired. Those episodes were shown when Fox Family aired the series starting in late 2000.
The aborted season won an Emmy and earned a cult following, but it was a ratings failure that ranked 93 for the season. All 18 of the "Freaks And Geeks" episodes that were shot eventually were released on DVD.
"Undeclared" also featured Rogen and Segel along with appearances from "The Office's" Jenna Fischer and "Sons of Anarchy" star Charlie Hunnam. The show aired for one season on Fox. "Undeclared" ranked 93 for the 2001-02 TV season.
Hal Richardson, president of paramount worldwide television distribution, said, “We believe that IFC is the perfect home to give them renewed life as well as introduce them to a new fan base who can watch the series that helped launch the careers of some of today’s brightest comedic talents.”
