Undeclared - TV Show Close But Misses The Mark
Judd Apatow's First Major TV Comedy Foray Falls Short Of His Genius
In 2001 Undeclared lasted a measly 17 episodes, making Apatow's first leap into TV comedy more of a miss than a hit. Anyone who loves Apatow will, of course, watch Undeclared with baited breath hoping to see the beginnings of Apatow's creative genius. Coupled with a great cast, most of which have gone on to great careers, this show would appear to be a perfect combination of talent and wit. However, what Apatow does so well now, honesty in relationships, was missing from Undeclared.
Ahh, Freshmen
Anyone who's ever been to college remembers what it's like to be a freshman. Memories, and horrors, from freshman year never seem to fade, but solace can be found in the great friends that were made along the way. Being a freshman forces college students to reach out, to almost anyone, to make friends in a new and scary environment. Especially if a dorm setting is involved, roommates, and often floormates, become your new best friends.
Classes are a whole other beast, since most of the time roommates aren't in the same first semester classes with one another. Then a whole other group of friends must be created so one doesn't feel so alone in each and every class. This prepares everyone for the possibility of partnering up for class projects, papers, teams, primarily anything that would feel like being picked for dodgeball teams in Jr. High. If a friend can be made in class, it makes the fear of being the loser searching for companionship greatly diminish. Even that is tricky since if that friend has another friend in the class, almost all bets are off.
These are the major challenges college freshmen contend with in dealing with new and necessary relationships. It is specifically that fear and necessity that Undeclared fails to show. It creates a group of dorm and floor friends that pretty much stick together, but the bond of those 18 year old kids, that desire to not be alone, is missing.
Apatow's Entering Class
Jay Baruchel, plays Steven Karp, essentially the centerpiece of the show. When he arrives at college, he is lucky enough to get a suite with roommates Lloyd Haythe, played by Charlie Hunnam, Ron Garner, a younger Seth Rogen, and Marshall Nesbitt, played by Timm Sharp.
Steven is a quintessential geek, determined to change his brand to a cool guy who can get anyone and anything he wants. Lloyd is the British ladies man, known for his beauty and skill, and is happy playing a very large field. Ron is the awkward neither impressive or unimpressive kid who seems to be looking for someone to think he's awesome. Marshall is odd and in love with his floormate Rachel, Monica Keena, who sees him as just a friend surprisingly enough. They are amusing and each character is fun to watch and funny, but each are great as single characters, and not much new comes to the table when they're together as a group.
The girls in the mix are the previously stated Rachel, who Marshall met at the opening night party while she was having a panic attack, and her roommate Lizzie, Carla Gallo. Lizzie had sex with Steven their first night there, which means now he's in love with her, and she's cheating on her boyfriend. Rachel and Lizzie are both funny characters as well, and embody characteristics of a type of girl everyone knows, but again, they're funny as single characters and not much changes or plays off one another when they're together.
The Wild Cards For Steven And Lizzie
Steven's dad Hal, Loudon Wainwriht III (Knocked Up), is going through a divorce which causes him to take a deeper look at his life. This deeper look lands him in a janky apartment, a new job as a waiter, and more time to spend with his son. This is a bit distressing for Steven, as the last thing you want upon arriving to college is for your dad to start hanging out with your friends, and have your friends like it.
Lizzie's boyfriend Eric, Jason Segel (I Love You, Man), works at a copy shop and uses his skills to make Lizzie multiple weird items of affection, including pillowcases. It leaves her torn between a possible relationship with Steven and her 2 year one with her long distance boyfriend. He's a little insane, but she sticks with him for most of the show, until he finds out about her and Steven.
The Real Problems In Undeclared
Relationships. It all comes down to that.
All 6 of the main characters seem to have fun together, but there is no bond, no sticking loyalty and need for one another present. Yes, they are a group of people that happened in to one another, but most relationships are, and once any sort of bond is formed, some open care and concern for one another is visible. This was missing. The honest caring. The bond, or need that they all should have, and state to have, needs to be shown. A freshman cannot make it on their own. They need the people around them and the people around them need them.
Once a freshman feels like they fit with someone, or a group of someones, they stick to those people and care for those people until they find somewhere else they also fit. They need someone to feel like they can be themselves around and tell things to. It's a give and take and everyone feels the connections formed as fears and feelings are expressed between them.
Maybe it's picky, wanting to see a group of people who found each other and say they care about one another to actually display that. People need people. College freshman need friends and lifelines. Once those are found, it's obvious who they are. Make sure the audience believes that, especially if it's the cornerstone of the show. Undeclared leaves these real connections out.
Jay Baruchel
|
What do you think about this article?
More in Film & TV
Latest Articles