Freaks and Geeks, Apatow, Rogen, Segel

From left to right name and characters names respectively: Martin Starr as Bill, John Francis Daley as Sam, Samm Levine as Neil, Linda Cardinelli as Lindsay, Seth Rogen as Kenny, James Franco as Daniel, Busy Phillips as Kim, and Jason Siegel as Nick.

Freaks and Geeks was a short-lived show created by Paul Feig and produced by Judd Apatow.  The focus is a Michigan middle-class family and the hilarious antics that occur in high school.  Its main look is the everyday life of the Weir family but mainly the children Lindsay & Sam.  At school the two groups the geeks: Sam, Bill, and Neal and the freaks: Lindsay, Kim, Daniel, Nick, & Kenny.  Throughout the course of the show many hilarious guest stars often appear such as: Ben Foster, Rashida Jones, Jason Schwartzman, and Shia LeBeouf. Judd Apatow is no stranger to comedy today.  Not only is he the hottest thing named Judd since the Judd Nelson, but Apatow is the man behind comedies such as Anchorman (2004), Knocked Up (2007), and Pineapple Express (2008).   He is very successful and has a great eye for talent to put in his crazy roles.  He develops his actors just like a sports franchise would nurture a glorified prospect.  Here I would like to explore some of Judd's so called prospects.

Rogen Present Day

                                 Seth Rogen

Seth circa "Freaks and Geeks"
portraying  Kenny Miller

Judd and Seth Rogen are no strangers look at their history.  Obviously Freaks and Geeks launched their relationship but there are other obvious works of genius.  Present day, Rogen, has blossomed into a pure comedy symbol.  In Freaks and Geeks he plays a more of a secondary role but for some reason Apatow made his a center-piece for his future comedic phenoms.

•  Freaks and Geeks (1999 TV Series)   
• North Hollywood (2001 TV Movie) 
• Undeclared (2001 TV Series)  
• Anchorman: (2004)   
• The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005) 
• Superbad (2007) 
• Knocked Up (2007) 
• Step Brothers (2008) 
• Pineapple Express (2008) 
• Drillbit Taylor (2008) 
• Funny People (2009) 
• Adventureland (2009) 
  (Note: This only includes films and television series...shorts and guest appearances are not included.)

Segel in Freaks and Geeks
portraying Nick Andropolis

A more recent Segel

Jason Segel

Another one of Apatow's prospects is Jason Segel who played the role of Nick Andropolis. Although i loved Segel in Slackers (2002) he didn't really bloom until 2008. Segel didn't have as early of success as Rogen but has really proven himself since Forgetting Sarah Marshall.  At first, i saw him as the friend of Seth Rogen in the film Knocked Up. Then it seemed that Judd wanted to give Segel a lead of his own, Forgetting Sarah Marshall.

Segel and Apatow

• Freaks and Geeks (1999 TV Series)
• North Hollywood (2001 TV Movie)
• Undeclared (2001 TV Series)
• Knocked Up (2007)
• Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)
• Get Him to the Greek (2010)
• Five-Year Engagement (2012)

(Note: This only includes films and television series...shorts and guest appearances are not included.)

All three of these men work together in Undeclared (2001) which I am currently watching and so far is hilarious.  Will leave feedback.