Franco fond of 'Freaks' experience

NEW YORK, Aug. 5 (UPI) -- U.S. actor James Franco says he didn't realize just what an unusual creative environment his show "Freaks and Geeks" offered until he worked on other projects.

The celebrated, but short-lived series ran from 1999 to 2000 and helped establish the careers of Franco, actor-writers Seth Rogen, Jason Segel and Mike White, and writer-director-producer Judd Apatow.

Franco, Rogen and Apatow reunited recently to work on the new big-screen comedy, "Pineapple Express."

Asked if he realized at the time what a special experience co-starring on "Freaks" was, Franco told UPI: "I think it was Seth's first professional job and the first good thing I did.

"At the time, we had a feeling it was good and we had a good response, but it was only subsequent to that, when I had done projects that weren't as good as that, that I realized how special that group of people was -- from the writers and actors to the directors they got. ... so it really was a unique experience."