Fate of Fox’s college drama ‘Undeclared.’
If Fox cancels the college sitcom “Undeclared” after the show’s first season, don’t blame Timm Sharp.
As the frazzled introvert Marshall Nesbitt on the Tuesday-night sitcom, Sharp provides more than his fair share of comic relief to the young program. Between gigs as a trash-mouthing dishwasher in the university cafeteria and bouts with pimples from hell, Marshall can’t seem to catch a break.
Sharp’s portrayal of the much-beleaguered Marshall is subtle and wry, coercing an offbeat pathos that has made him possibly the show’s most intriguing and sympathetic character.
“Every other character on the show, even the dad, has gotten some sort of action but me,” Sharp admitted over the phone last Tuesday, “but last week I got the first of the action, know what I’m sayin’?”
Ever the optimist, Sharp has heard encouraging rumors about Marshall’s future in the co-ed department.
“I think there’s an episode coming up where I actually get a girlfriend who doesn’t speak any English ‘cuz she’s Japanese,” Sharp said. “We communicate through these translating devices.”
Prospects like those are enough to keep Sharp smiling through his ever-present five o’clock shadow, even as “Undeclared” bows in to contend for a potential second season. Despite his efforts, Fox has yet to decide on the show’s future.
“We did the initial 13 episodes and then we were in limbo for a while. Then finally Fox ordered nine more to complete the season to make it 22 episodes,” he said.
“We were all excited,” he said. “Then, we started shooting the third episode of the nine and then Fox cancelled five episodes. They held back on their order, I’m thinking, because they lost a lot of money from the whole 9/11 business. So that was kind of discouraging, but we’re still on the air, which is neat. But as far as a second season, we have no idea. And I don’t think we’ll find out until May.”
That second season has proved an elusive one for “Undeclared” series creator Judd Apatow. His 1999 NBC dramedy “Freaks and Geeks” was cancelled after its rookie season despite a slew of critical praise.
“I loved it [“Freaks and Geeks”],” Sharp said. “I thought it was one of the best and most well-written television shows ever to come out. Ever.”
While “Freaks and Geeks” failed as a series, Apatow managed to retain several of the show’s creative elements when he made the move from NBC to Fox for “Undeclared.” “Freaks and Geeks” actor Seth Rogen, who now portrays the sarcastic brain Ron Garner, also joins Apatow’s writing team for “Undeclared.”
“The writing on ‘Undeclared’ is so well done. It’s so realistic, and I think a lot of people can relate to the characters because we’re not beautiful Barbies and Kens, you know what I mean?” Sharp said.
“A lot of people like high-schoolers are looking forward to college so when they see a show about college they’re like ‘hmm’ cause that’s where they’re gonna be, and then people who are in college are at the same time going, ‘Oh my God, that’s so true,’ whatever that may be. Then the people who are out of college can relate as well because it’s kind of reminiscent,” he continued.
“I think the humor is high brow, if that makes any sense,” he said. “‘Undeclared’ is geared towards a, I don’t want to say, a more intelligent crowd, but it’s like you kinda have to get it, whatever it may be.”
Sharp, Apatow, and the rest of the crew from “Undeclared” sure hope Fox CEO Rupert Murdock gets it.
“Undeclared” airs Tuesdays at 7:30 on Fox.
Grant Widmer