The history of television is rife with unjustly canceled programming. These days, everyone likes to rant on about the loss of "Arrested Development," and rightfully so. Before that, the cancellation of "Family Guy" caused an uproar that led to the series being revived a few years later. And before that there was "Freaks and Geeks," an early effort from Hollywood goldenboy Judd Apatow. Together with creator Paul Feig, the two put out a critically acclaimed series that NBC nonetheless canceled before even the first season order of 18 episodes had aired.
There was no second life for "Freaks" as there was for "Family Guy," but perhaps there will be one in spirit. Today brings the news that Feig and Apatow will reunite for an untitled Universal comedy starring Kristen Wiig. The story comes from a script by Wiig and Annie Mumolo, a relative newcomer whose only prior writing credit is for an episode of TV's "In the Motherhood."
Few details are given in The Hollywood Reporter story, but the basic setup at least sounds perfectly suited to the sensibilities of Apatow and Feig. The story involves two women who are at odds over the planning of their friend's wedding party. Wiig will star and, with Mumolo, co-produce. Apatow will also produce, under his own banner, and Feig will direct.
I'm a fan of Apatow's, but nothing from him has bowled me over from him since "Superbad" in 2007. He's extremely talented and clearly into what he's doing, so I suspect any perceived dips in quality can be blamed on an overfull plate. The lull only makes today's news more exciting; the prospect of seeing what fruits another Feig/Apatow partnership will bear should make any "Freaks and Geeks" fan sit up and pay attention.
Did you watch "Freaks and Geeks"? What do you think of this upcoming project?
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