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Paris-based shingle Mediatoon Intl. Distribution, has acquired intl. rights to 52 episodes of ``The Garfield Show,'' a TV animated series based on the popular ``Garfield'' comic strip about the lazy, highly opinionated and sarcastic cat.

Budgeted at e8 million ($12.7 million) and helmed by Philippe Vidal, the first four episodes will be unveiled at the Mipcom TV mart, which runs Oct. 13-17 in Cannes. The series will be completed in May.

American cartoonist Jim Davis, who created the comic strip 30 years ago, is executive producer.

``This cartoon character is grounded in American popular culture,'' said series producer Robert Rea. ``But we bring the French touch to it. After all, Garfield is a rebel.''

The show has already been sold to the Cartoon Network for certain territories, France's France 3 and Europe's Boomerang.