Judd Apatow made his name in television, working on “The Ben Stiller Show,” “The Larry Sanders Show,” "The Critic,” and co-creating “Freaks & Geeks” (which is a cultural touchstone now, though ignored at the time), and while “Undeclared” didn’t have the same impact, it still launched the careers of many young actors.
READ MORE: Judd Apatow Produced ‘Pee-Wee’s Big Holiday’ Headed To Netflix
Since those TV days, Apatow has dived hard into world of movies in a big way, but he hasn’t forgotten either his TV or mentoring roots (he’s an executive producer on the HBO hit "Girls," for example). And in February he’s back on the small screen with his new Netflix show, “Love.” And while most of Apatow’s old crew, Seth Rogen, Jason Segel, James Franco, etc. have found their own way, producing, writing and starring in their own created movies, in his no-child-left-behind way, Apatow hasn’t given up on one younger comedian still lagging somewhat behind.
Circa 2008/2009, Apatow was pushing Paul Rust, then a Upright Citizens Brigade Theater sketch comedian, in a big way. And while nothing ever really came of their collaborations, Rust did feature in the “Yo Teach" fake TV show that was featured in 2009’s “Funny People.” Rust has continued on in the comedy world ("Arrested Development," “Bob’s Burgers," "Parks and Recreation,” "The Sarah Silverman Program,” “Funny Or Die”), Apatow stuck with him and eventually helped him develop “Love” for Netflix which co-stars Gillian Jacobs (who featured on "Girls," and is no comedy slouch herself thanks to "Community"). Here’s the official synopsis:
Created, written and executive produced by Judd Apatow, Paul Rust and Lesley Arfin, Love follows nice guy Gus (Rust) and brazen wild-child Mickey (Gillian Jacobs) as they navigate the exhilarations and humiliations of intimacy, commitment, love and other things they were hoping to avoid. Love is an unflinching, hilarious and excruciatingly honest take on modern relationships. Brent Forrester and Dean Holland also serve as executive producers of Love.
In addition, Rust co-wrote “Pee-Wee’s Big Holiday,” the Pee Wee Herman movie which is expecting to hit in Netflix in March. Meanwhile, “Love” debuts on Netflix on February 19th. A down-to-earth look at dating, all 10 episodes will be available right after Valentine’s Day. Watch the new teaser below.