With almost every age group represented in successful television shows, it’s a mystery why no current sitcom or drama has been able to accurately depict college life. Established series with characters in high school attempted the transition, but most failed; studio heads might blame the demise of “Beverly Hills 90210,” “Saved By the Bell” or “That ’70’s Show” on fans not accepting the new surroundings for the characters, but it’s the shows’ unrealistic depictions of college that were their biggest failures.

Coming off the cancellation of his critically acclaimed “Freaks and Geeks,” Judd Apatow created “Undeclared,” which essentially became “Freaks and Geeks Go to College.” Although it stands as one of the funniest sitcoms in recent memory and as the most realistic portrayal of college life, “Undeclared,” like “Freaks and Geeks” before it, aired for only one season. With the release of “Undeclared: The Complete Series,” old fans have the chance to revisit the show, and new viewers have the chance to discover this inexplicably overlooked gem.

The series follows the life of Steven Karp (Jay Baruchel, “Million Dollar Baby”) and his three screwy suitemates: Ron’s (Seth Rogen, “The 40-Year-Old Virgin”) sarcastic nature and off-color comments make him a perfect foil for level-headed British charmer Lloyd (Charlie Hunnam, “Cold Mountain”) and the geeky music-major Marshall (Timm Sharp, “Six Feet Under”). Rachel (Monica Keena, “Entourage”) and Lizzie (Carla Gallo, “Carnivale”) are the girls across the hall and the boys’ best friends.

The pilot episode introduces the characters on their first day at the fictional University of North Eastern California, during which Steven loses his virginity to Lizzie. Rather than following clichéd drunken parties and random hookups evident in so many college movies, the show perfectly nails the small details of dorm life and the absurd situations kids manage to get themselves involved in. Being “sexiled,” having to work a crappy job and gaining the “freshman 15” all get treated as major plotlines and none of them fall short of genius.

Aside from the show’s main stars, “Undeclared” features an assortment of off-kilter characters. Former folk-singer Loudan Wainwright III shines as Steven’s father, Hal. Following his divorce, which he tells Steven about during his first night at college, Hal avoids becoming a stereotypical TV dad and instead regresses to his youth, getting drunk at a hall party, watching “Girls Gone Wild” videos with Steven’s roommates and eventually dating Steven’s RA (Amy Poehler, “Saturday Night Live”). Elsewhere, Jason Segal (“Freaks and Geeks”) perfectly nails the role of Lizzie’s insanely obsessive long-distance boyfriend, Eric. Within five minutes of dropping her off, he’s crying on the phone, telling her how much he misses her. A running joke in the series is the creepy photo tributes he makes to her using his copy-shop job, which only gets funnier as his presents get more and more over the top.

Apatow’s experience on “The Ben Stiller Show,” “Anchorman” and with other comedians leads to a full slate of memorable guest appearances. Will Ferrell is hilarious as usual as a speed-riddled townie who writes papers for students. Ben Stiller plays Eric’s overly macho stepfather in what seems to be the inspiration for his “Dodgeball” character. Adam Sandler, Fred Willard and Tenacious D’s Kyle Gass also make appearances that, while big draws for nonviewers, were unable to save the show from cancellation.