Freaks and Geeks

NBC couldn't be more stupid after canceling Freaks and Geeks after only one season. The cast was great, with a lot of up and coming stars like Jason Segel, James Franco, and Seth Rogen. The cast was so great, I believe if anyone other than the original cast of "That '70s Show", this cast of teens should of played the kids in "That '80s Show" with the season taking place in 1980-1981.



The story revolves around the Weir family, with fresh meat Sam being part of the "Geeks" and elder sister Lindsay trying to fit in with the "Freaks" after trying to shed all her memories of being a mathlete and what not.



Sam was a innocent character, although he always created awkward situations for himself and I kinda got annoyed as his childishness. His main friends are Neal Schwieber, a kinda funny guy with a rich dad and thoughts that he isn't as geeky as the rest of his friends, and Bill Haverchuck, is tall for his age, kinda slow and talks emotionless, but really I thought he was one of the funniest, if not, funniest characters on the show. They are sometimes rounded out by the overweight Gordon Crisp and also somewhat emotionless, but nonetheless hilarious, Harris Trinsky.



The "freaks" are Jason Segel as Nick, a stoner, (who quits later on in the series to impress Lindsay) and an owned of a 29-piece drum set, something he wants to become famous for one day. There's James Franco as Daniel, a funny, cool guy who has an on-and-off again relationship with Kim, a sort of "tomboy" with crazy parents. There's also sidekick Seth Rogen as Ken, who's unbelievably sarcastic but eventually finds love in the school band's tuba player. Lindsay, trying to fit in, tries to fit in with the crowd but pulling things off such as stealing her parents' car, and causing destruction on Halloween.



Anyhow, I really love most of the characters, (I don't know about Sam) and even Mr. & Mrs. Weir - Harold and Jean, are pretty funny and enjoyable. Freaks and Geeks was a wonderful show and it was a shame it only lasted a season.

Lol for being melodramatic, anyway to the show. Freaks and Geeks is about main character Lindsay Weir and brother Sam Weir. Lindsay is becoming a sophomore, and Sam is becoming a freshman. Lindsay is a shy, very intelligent girl who's life changes dramatically. Her grandmother dies and she starts questioning morals and everything, she turns over to a new side, the Freaks. The Freaks are a gang of big under-achievers and spend most of their time rebelling, smoking, and causing trouble. One of the main themes of the show is how her life changes when she turns to this new clique.



Sam is a small, shy, nerdy, confused boy who is somewhat of an outcast to the most of kids instead of his friends. He starts out with a big crush, the sweet cheerleader Cindy Sanders. He has many problems throughout the series, trying to get a date with Cindy and his cold hearted bully who picks on him and the rest of the geeks.



The Geeks are part of Sam's clique. The Geeks are 3 (later 4-5) kids who do work, are outcasts, don't have many friends, and play D & D. Friendly to each other and others, they don't get in much trouble and try to follow the rules as much as they can. The 2 other main geeks are Neal and Bill, Sam's best friends. The 4 other main freaks are Daniel, Ken, Nick, and Kim. Daniel is a burnout, Nick is a striving artist, Ken is a sarcastic underachiever, and finally Kim is Daniels girlfriend, spends most time having sex and fighting with Daniel.



Now that I've explained all the main characters, let me tell you more about the show and its themes until it's cancellation. I'll try not to spoil it as much.



Contrary to it's high school theme, it's actually realistic! Surprise, huh? There are barely any realistic high school comedy-dramas, and this might actually be the only one. Each episode of it is a realistic view of high school back in 80's, themes are peer pressure, drugs, education, and so on. Every main character has their very own episode, focused on just them. We learn about each main characters more personal life every step of the way. Not every episode is just about the central character, Lindsay.



Characters change and learn lessons throughout the series, it explores and deals with serious issues.



Not only does it have a great plot and story, it also has a rockin' soundtrack too. Mostly classic rock, songs played on there were released when the time takes place, or are big hits by that time. At least 2 songs are played within every episode, it really is a nice addition.



I loved pretty much every aspect of the show, so much spot-on realism, and a great ability to balance out the drama and comedy. I will never forget about this show, as it is one of my biggest favorites.

I never caught “Freaks and Geeks” when it aired, despite raves from family and friends. I caught part of an episode and was suddenly intrigued. I borrowed the DVD collection and began watching it obsessively. “Freaks and Geeks” appeared to be one of those rare cult-classic, cancelled-before-its-time shows that actually deserved real attention. The whole team had really captured the discomfort and awkwardness of high school. Clearly the show’s demise was premature and unfortunate.



As I watched the DVDs I delved through all the extra features and read the DVD booklet. I came to a short section where creator Judd Apatow answered questions he received from fans. One question was what was going to happen to the characters. They set up a great cast, and since it’s really the characters that drive a show (as opposed to the premise), it was the characters that the fans were interested in. Apatow’s reply was “anything you want to happen would happen.” This comment wasn’t wry or ironic; it was rude, callus, and frankly just plain stupid. This killed my love of the show.



Why would Apatow say this? Why would he insult the intelligence of all the fans of the show? His response might as well have been, “Who cares?” Or rather, “Why do you care?” A writer or producer with any real love of their medium would have eagerly told fans all the secrets they’d never get to or explained where they wanted the series to go. I suggest this because other producers of other cult shows canceled “before their time” love talking about their shows in interviews, on blogs, and especially on DVD sets. This was the place to share the love with F&G fans, and Apatow screwed up.

This show failed to capture my imagination. It lacked the quality to grip me to my screen. Whilst there were some funny moments, this show didn’t make me wonder what happens next or keep me glued to the screen.



The show did, however, touch on the teenage issues we all go through, and it handled them well. A viewer could easily relate to issues brought up in the show, but would get more spending the time watching a couple of episodes of Saved By The Bell instead.



To some viewers, this show might be a much needed piece of entertainment and to others it would be a waste of an hour. Like the old saying goes; One mans trash is another mans treasure.

After all the hype I heard about Freaks and Geeks, I decided to check it out, long after it had been taken off the air. I wanted so badly for this to be a great show, even for me to lament the fact that it had been cancelled.



I just didn't. Something wasn't comfortable about the show - it could be that I hated most of the characters on it except for Lindsey and Sam and no matter how good the writing is, a show will never last if the characters are not likeable. That, and I never wanted to see Busy Phillips/Kim Kelly's sneering face again. Ugh.



Generally, the show was okay, something I'm glad that I've seen just so I know what it was, but something that the hype seems overrated for.

Seth Rogen, Jason Segel, James Franco and co in their early days. This is without a doubt the show that made them. It`s a teen show but not just another one, I think many things makes it way better that the others. The cast very very talented. Most of the leads, the supporting cast and also the guests (Ben Stiller appears in one) are great. The stories are pretty good(brings some good ole memories) with some great characters (except perhaps Sam Weir who is beyond annoying). The show centers around Linda Weir played but the talented Linda Cardellini. Judd Apatow is the producer. It`s great that now that he is one of the leading producers of the comedy genre, he still works with some of the cast of Freaks and Geeks(The movie Knock up is literally a reunion).The show also had a great soundtrack. I`ll never forget the finale as it got me into the Grateful Dead who without a shout of a doubt is one of the best band ever.

Freaks and geeks got canceled after a season as it was against who want to be millionaire. That`s another win for the reality/game shows over good TV.

Yes I do believe that Freaks and Geeks is a must see comedy. It has it all, great actors, great scripts, just an hour of pure enjoyment. Just take a look at all the actors and how much success they are all enjoying. Linda Cardellini was a perfect cast here. A great lead character, a geek/freak. I loved the way she struggled between the two. Jason Segel had so many awkward moments that were just brilliantly acted. Run out and buy this DVD set. An absolute shame we only got 18 episodes! Thanks Judd for a real gem that I will watch over and over again.

Anyone who has read my other reviews know that I say this alot, but this series was incredible. Freaks and Geeks was a high school drama that you can relate to. Freaks and Geeks deals with problems that face the everyday high school student, unlike other shows of the same genre (I mean who the hell can relate to the OC, or 90210?). An amazing cast including Linda Cardellini (ER, Scooby Doo), James Franco (Milk, The Pineapple Express), Jason Segal (How I Met Your Mother, I Love You, Man), and Seth Rogan (Superbad, The Pineapple Express). The only thing I disliked about the series was Sam Weir (played by John Francis Daley), not only was he not a good actor, I absolutely hated his hair. Anyways, I strongly recomend everyone watch this series.

so... I´ve just downloaded and watched the whole thing and I´m now wondering how this gets cancelled after only 1 season?



It is true that its a lot of ground is covered and since the show depends mostly on freshmen and seniors it started with its days counted (similar to friday night lights), since when you don´t have all your characters on the same environment a lot is lost and any show usually becomes poor (like one tree hill or the old beverly hills) but still... i dunno. It´s just too good to be cancelled after only a single season. The show really benefits from its cast, most of the main cast are now successful actors in big productions. Anyway, its a good season and I recommend it. I don´t have much to add to the other reviews, but I just felt I could drop a good word so maybe we get more shows like this one in the future.

I absolutely love this episode. We are introduced to some truly amazing characters: Bill, Neil, and Sam the geeks, Daniel, Ken, Kim, and Nick the freaks; Lindsey the ex-mathlete trying to become part of the freaks. We meet Lindsey and Sam's parents Mr. and Mrs. Weir, who have to be the most realistic parents ever shown on TV. In this episode Sam and Lindsey don't want to go to the homecoming dance. Their parents insist they do, with the reason that high school is about socializing. How they end up going is classic. When the geeks beat up the school bully was also brilliant too. In the end this is a great start to an amazing, albeit short lived series

first, everything in this show is perfect. the acting, the writing, the directing. all of the characters feel real. it's 98% accurate to high school life. the relationships between the characters feel genuine. every episode is fantastic. i believe everyone can relate to at least one of the characters in the show. even the music they play on the show feels just right in each scene. I really wanted to see this show go on for at least a second season. i also love the way it focuses on the outcasts in high school instead of it being a typical high school comedy/drama

My alltime favorite show. Though I grew up in the sixties in a small town, this show is a frighteningly accurate picture of life in school. It was hell. This show helps me laugh at what was so painful then. I remember the agony of gym class, the tightly knit cliques, the idiotic adults that taught us and were very much like children themselves. Everything was so confusing then. Friendships changed overnight so you never knew who you could count on. It was very frightening and lonely. My favorite people were the freaks because they didn't give a damn and seemed to be having fun. They were much more interesting anyway. Great show!

Looking back I saw all these episodes. It may of been alittle out of order but who cares. I really wished to hell this tv show would of made it to maybe a second or third season. They had a great cast of stars on here. They also did a great job of makeing the show look and feel like it was done in the early 1980s. This was a great time to be alive and there were freaks and geeks not to mention disco was almost dead. And Rock and Roll was coming fast and furious. In so many ways I wanna blame Nbc. I could be wrong. But they never should of played with the different time slots. They had a great show on there hands. And I still wonder to this day if something else was involved on why it got canned so early when it was on.

It makes me angry that this show was canceled. It was and is brilliant! Each episode was written well and kept me anticipating what would happen next. In the 18 episodes that made up freaks and geeks there were twists and turns a long the way. It depicted what high school was and is really like. It was geeky and funny, but not cheesy and lame. It made me smile and feel light hearted. The characters developed over the short time and it would have been fantastic to have seen them develop more. To see what eventually happened to Lindsey and Nick. Would they eventually realise that they are in love with each other? Would Lindsey stay in school? It was great seeing Daniel and Kim finally happy. Kim with Lindsey going for a trip out of town, and Daniel with the geeks playing a game with people who he could be himself around. That goes with Sam, Bill and Neil. It was great seeing them happy. They were finally cool and they didn't have to pretend to be someone else to do it. Fantastic show! I wish this show had not been canceled.

Though it only ran 18 episodes, "Freaks And Geeks" is possibly one of the most original, classic, and priceless shows of all time. Each episode is filled with golden moments of classic humor that will leave you quoting the show time and time again. Many who watch this show can't help but be a fan of it. There is something in at least one of the characters in this show, that each of us can relate to- making it a show that viewers can connect to. It is a timeless portrayal of the "high school experience"; the bullies, the insecurities, the awkward moments, the first crush, wanting to fit in- and then realizing it doesn't matter so much, and finally- finding your own place. Each character brings something special to the show, and with early performances from actors like James Franco, Seth Rogen, and Jason Segel- who have all broke out into bigger films and comedy roles, this show is a perfect package- one that you won't regret watching, and one that will stick with you for a very long time.

When i first heard about this show it was airing on comedy central. I checked it out and i was not a fan. It felt like i was watching nick at nite again. I grew up in the 90's so it was hard for me to relate to this and thats the best part of this show, seeing yourself in some of the freaks and geeks. Now im 18 and out of highschool. I have been looking into all of Judd apatows movies and in the middle of his imdb page was freaks and geeks. Everything judd has done I have been a fan of. So i decided to revisit this show. Glad i did. I watched episode 1 at a friends house and as soon as the credits rolled i went out to buy the DVD. I may not be able to relate to this as much as my parents but no matter when you grew up, every highschool has freaks and geeks. I've had my geeky days. Ive had my freaky days. I love this show just for the fact that each character on the show is like one of my friends in real life. Seth rogans character reminds me of my friend robby, doesnt talk much but always has an oppinion. I can do that with each character. I relate to the chacters even though I grew up in the 90's. There will always be freaks and geeks. This show is perfect. I can pop it in my dvd player any day and I am automatically in a good mood. I held off on watching the last episode for about a month because I always wanted to have something to look forward to. This did not get the views it deserved because it did not get the air time it deserved. Buy the DVD. You won't regret it.

Freaks And Geeks was one the best TV shows around i never got to see this when it was on TV as i think that was for alot of people thats why it was canceled but just because it was canceled after one season don't let that stop you from watching this amazing TV show just think of it as the best 18 hour teen movie you will ever see.



This show was too good for its time and really shame that was canceled so soon it would have only gotten better with age but this is a must watch for any real tv/movie fan you will not be disappointed. You will even see some guest appearances from todays biggest stars for example Ben Stiller and up and coming Shia LaBeouf.

The show centered on a teenage girl, Lindsay Weir (Linda Cardellini), and her brother, Sam (John Francis Daley), both attending McKinley High School during the 1980–1981 school year in the town of Chippewa, Michigan, a fictional suburb of Detroit. You have your geeks: John Daley, Samm Levine, and Martin Starr. And your freaks: James Franco, Linda Cardellini, Seth Rogen, Jason Segel, and Busy Phillips. I remember watching this show when it was on, but not understanding it. Now 14, and watching show, it was a shame this got cancelled, but if it didn't, it wouldn't be as good of a show.

The show centered on a teenage girl, Lindsay Weir (Linda Cardellini), and her brother, Sam (John Francis Daley), both attending McKinley High School during the 1980–1981 school year in the town of Chippewa, Michigan, a fictional suburb of Detroit. I remember watching this when it came on even though I was like 5 years old lmao. Now that I watch it as a 14 year old, I like the show even more. Even though it only lasted one season that's what makes it great, and the show recieved massive cult status with DVD sales and what not. That's really it.

I was born in '85 so I never got to experience the 70's unfortunately, but my parents never grew up since the 70's. So with them I was able to understand this show and absolutely loved it.



Freaks and Geeks is a story with really two main characters, Lindsay and Sam, who are brother and sister. Sam is a "geek" with his two friends Neil and Bill, who are absolutely hilarious and trust me you won't stop laughing. Then there is Lindsay, who seems lost being in high school, and starts to hang out with the "freaks" who do drugs, drink, listen to rock, and go against pretty much everything her family believes.



The acting is incredible and so believable. The music is the best part of the whole show. Styx, Zep, Rush, Van Halen, The Grateful Dead, and a lot more. I own to Season 1 box set and I make my friends watch it and now they realize how great of a show it is, but it sucks it's canceled. Even though it is canceled I will never stop watching my Season 1 of Freaks and Geeks and everyone should watch this show!!

Freaks and Geeks is one of my favourite TV Shows of All Time along with Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, South Park, 7th heaven, One Tree Hill, Malcolm in the middle, Dark Angel, Friends and Doug Funny . The Show is really funny. My favorite character is Daniel because he is really cool. But I also like Lindsay, Sam, Bill, Neal, Nick and Ken and the other Geeks. I think the Show was cancelled to early, only 18 episodes. But the Least Episode: Discos and Dragons was very great. Please vote on my Freaks and Geeks poll on www.misterpoll.com/polls/340570



Thank you

This was one of the first shows I got hooked on as a teen!!! It's an absolutely terrific show in everyway. The writing and the actors were great and the entire feel of the show was much more life-like than most other shows for teens. I was so upset when it was cancelled and immediately bought the dvd when it was released. I"m happy that judd apatow and that whole crew is making a huge comeback in hollywood. I just tell any of my friends that like superbad or knocked up to watch freaks and geeks because they'll love it.

It's kind of annoying, that there's so much bad tv and so much money spent on some of the shows that are being produced, but the great shows that really should have made it gotten bigger and gotten a few more seasons, didn't the chance to. Freaks and Geeks is really one of those shows that didn't the chance. For whatever reason, it didn't continue, but it was really a great a show. One of my favorite, it starts a bit slow at first, but once you meet the characters, it's a show you'll want to continue to know more. Watch it on DVD

One of the things that really pulled me into the show was the ingenious story and scriptwriting that remained consistently excellent during the entire span of 18 episodes. I like how the show focuses on different point of views from both the "Freaks" and the "Geeks" within the cast, sometimes revealing an ambiguous line between the two labels as the characters begin to expose themselves as human beings. Seth Rogen's deadpan humor in the show was a treat despite only getting a slight attention to character development due to the show's early demise. There are also many other characters in the crew of the show that had the potential of being more dynamic had Freaks and Geeks continued broadcasting. Fortunately, many of the actors that made their debut on the show used it as a launching pad for their careers, several continuing their work with Judd Apatow or remain in the industry, such as James Franco and Linda Cardellini.



Had Freaks and Geeks been aired more recently, I'm sure the show would've been a major hit that quite possibly could've went on for more than two seasons. With the major success Apatow is experiencing from his comedy hits such as Knocked Up and Superbad, it'd be wishful thinking to see him and Paul Feig get together again one last time for a Freaks and Geeks film.

This is my all time favorite show, From the brilliant cast to the realistic plots.

Anyone reading this wondering if they should get it, Do it, You wont regret it.



It takes place in high school where you get to follow the struggle of two totally different types of characters with their respective type of friends.

Lindsey who was one of the smart kids recently lost her grandmother wich made her reflect on her life and changing it, She now tries to fit in with the cool gangs who's lives mostly revolves around drugs and booze.

And her younger brother who is a real Geek trying desperatly to keep his sister out of trouble while having a bunch of them on his own.



The highpoints of this show is definetly the cast and the realism, I definetly feel this is how high school was, And you are bound to symphatize and recognize some of it.

I just finished watching the complete series of Freaks and Geeks and it left me wanting more. Sadly, I am unable to watch more episodes of Freaks and Geeks as NBC executives cancelled just over halfway into the series due to low ratings. Low ratings came as a result of placing a series on Saturday nights.



The series focuses on Lindsay Weir (Linda Cardellini) and her brother Sam (John Francis Daley) during the year of 1980-81.



They are joined in the cast by the Freaks: Daniel Desario (James Franco), Ken Miller (Seth Rogen), Nick Andopolis (Jason Segel), and Kim Kelly (Busy Philipps). The Geeks include: Neal Schweiber (Samm Levine) and Bill Haverchuck (Martin Starr). The Weir parents were Harold and Jean, played by Joe Flaherty and Becky Ann Baker.



The series starts as Lindsay wants a change in her life. She's tired of being just the smart mathlete and starts hanging out with the freaks. Sam and his friends are tired of being geeks and want to fit in.



There were notable guest appearances on this show, often going unhyped, with the likes of Ben Stiller, Shia LaBeouf, Rashida Jones, Allan Covert, Ben Foster, Jason Schwartzmann, David Koechner etc.



It's evident from the get go that Sam likes Cindy Sanders, a cheerleader, who likes Sam because he's nice. However, we don't find out til later on that she likes Todd, a jock. Towards the end of the series, Cindy starts dating Sam but they have nothing in common as evidenced by the fact that she doesn't find anything funny about The Jerk while the theater is laughing up a storm.



Bill's mom is dating Mr. Ben Fredericks (played by Thomas F. Wilson of Back to the Future fame), the gym teacher. Bill is upset at first but then they start to get to know each other better. Towards the end of the series, he and Vicki, the head cheerleader actually make out during "7 minutes in heaven."



Other great casting choices included Dave "Gruber" Allen as the guidance counselor and David Krumholtz as Neal's older brother, barry.



All in all, this was a great series. The casting played a huge role--Allison Jones, Coreen Mayrs and Jill Greenberg won an Emmy award for Outstanding casting. Two episodes were nominated for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series (Pilot, Discoes and Dragons).



Judd Apatow and Paul Feig should be commended for their work on this series. Despite low ratings, it has become a cult classic.

In this short-lived, but highly influential television show, the stories of "freaks", Led Zeppelin idolizing, pot smoking, fake id pursuing teenagers, and "geeks", Star Wars obsessing, Bill Murray quoting, never had a date in their life teens come together in a highly realistic way, complete with not just laughs, but also all the heartache, pain and social issues of high school. A lot of the cast has since been more famous, James Franco, for example, now playing Harry Osborn in the Spider-Man movies, and Seth Rogen, starring in such hit comedies The 40 Year Old Virgin and Knocked Up, both directed by series producer Judd Apatow. The DVD is definitely worth with its almost unhealthily obsessive plethora of extras. R.I.P. Freaks and Geeks. You died before your time.

Time to review this show, sitting here with my own Sam Weir on my lap. His name wasn't intentional, by the way...originally. I liked the name Sam, and he just LOOKED more like a Sam than any of my other name options when he was born, but then when I thought about it, well, I'm proud of his Freaks and Geeks connection now. (Ironically, though, I HAD considered naming him Lindsay if he was a girl, and that WAS on purpose). Is this dooming my son to a life of geekitude? And is that so bad? Surely his genes have already doomed him, with two geek parents (his dad was actually freak AND geek at once). But this show offers him, and all of us, hope that we REALLY AREN'T ALONE. Why do so many shows MISS that concept? Why do the creators of most high school shows make the freak or geek of the school a stereotype and a loner, instead of the real, well-rounded people with real lives (freaky or geeky as those lives may be) portrayed in this show? You start to wonder about the actual lives of people you knew only by reputation-- or even just vaguely by sight-- in your own school. You wonder about their own particular uniqueness beyond whatever clique (or lack thereof) they seemed to belong to. What was going on with them? What brilliance, kindness, or hilarity did you completely miss out on for only seeing their standing in the social hierarchy? Keep in mind this wondering, in this review, is being done by someone who was a nuance-less geek to her own classmates, someone who you'd think would be better about seeing through stereotypes than most people. Imagine what the in-crowd could learn from an honest portrayal of high school's underbelly! Maybe that's why this show got cancelled, and the countless sappy high school dramas about the popular kids and the token nerd live on. Maybe the truth is too uncomfortable for people. Well, that's because it WAS uncomfortable -- high school, that is. But it was also full of priceless moments of growth-- figuring out who you are and who everyone else is, figuring out the world and your place, figuring out how to be yourself and yet belong in a group. And sometimes it was just plain funny.



I consider this show an extended miniseries. Buy the whole thing, rent it, borrow it, whatever-- watch it again and again as a whole.

Caught a couple of episodes on late night tv when it aired in australia. The only bad thing about the show was the cancellation. Ending on the disco episodes was a huge let down 'DISCO SUCKS', but the great actors, real scripts (not focused on the cheery chearleaders) and style had me hooked

It was a show not about the decade it represented, nor the decade in which it aired. It was a show that took place in 1980 but was not about the eighties but rather about the end of the seventies, much like American Graffiti is not about the 60s but the end of the fifties. Freaks and Geeks was a show that did not last a full season, in spite of the fact that it was wildly funny, and at the same time full of all of the drama and angst that any true high school show should have. A friend of mine once said that this was comedy that was built around drama, instead of drama built around comedy. This is what make Freaks and Geeks the brilliant show that it was. High School, both in retrospect, and from the outside looking in is extremely funny, especially two decades removed. Yet one cannot remove the drama that surrounds high school, the drama that transcends every high school. Although it was brilliantly written and acted, and had the universal themes that transcend, many high school experiences, Freaks and Geeks failed to ever attract an audience. The shows outline is divided into three environments or groups, the older kids, consisting of the main character Lindsay Weir, and her interactions with her friends. Lindsay is trying to break out of her straight A “math-lete” image, and is played by Linda Cardellini. Her friends are considered the “freaks” of the school, because the often cut class, do drugs and are in a rock band. The underlying message that Lindsay puts across to these people is that they will eventually have to do something with their lives and they should start now. They begin to see their full potential thought not with out resistance to their old ways. The “freaks” include James Dean like, angst filled, “devil may care” attitude, Daniel, played by James Fanco (who would ironically go on to play Dean in a biographical TV movie). Dan’s girlfriend Kim who is the epitome of female independence, played by Busy Philipps. The lovable drummer but often misguided, confused, and over controlled by his military father Nick, played by Jason Segel. Finally the “freaks” are rounded out by laid back, rock loving Ken, played by Seth Rogen. The second group are the “geeks” this group is led by Sam Weir, Lindsay’s younger brother. Sam is a 107 pound freshman boy with all such problems such as girls, bullies, and friends. Sam is played by John Francis Daley. His best friends are Neil, and Bill. Neil, played by Samm Levine, is the typical neurotic Jew, who though he never has had a girlfriend thinks he knows exactly what a relationship should consist of. Bill doesn’t know much about anything but is the classic lanky geek with glasses, and is an excellent straight man to Sam and Neil, played by Martin Starr. The third environment, is everything outside these two groups, and where these two environments come together, This is often, around the Weir’s dinner table. This is where the parents try, and usually fail, to offer their sage advise to their children. The parents do not have all the answers, and are often out of touch with their children, and their children’s culture. They make mistakes while always meaning well. The parents love their children and the children love their parents, but they never see quite eye to eye. The father, in the pilot episode constantly talks about people like Jimi Hendrix and Janice Jopplin, and the why they are dead, but he does not relate their causes of death to drugs or alcohol but rather to cutting class. The rest of this environment is the other groups outside of the freaks and geeks who don’t quite understand them. In many ways this show is about two stories on people’s place, the first is Lindsay’s trying to work her way into being to accepted by the group she desires to be in, the freaks. She constantly is torn between her old life and her new. She eventually will settle some where in the middle, this comes to a climax in the final episode when Lindsay makes a surprising choice, that contributes to the freaks breaking up. The other story is Sam’s trying to break out of the geeks and yet constantly being thrown back, and eventually accepting his place, and being proud of it. The real charm of the show is in its setting. Set at the start of the eighties it centers around much of the pop culture that was fading from the seventies. The constantly references to the hard/experimental rock music, like bands Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and the Who; while also dropping names like the Sex Pistols, Ramones, and Clash obvious allusions to the punk movement. These are countered with the more bubble gum references like the disco movement. Characters are dealing with a change in culture, a time where members of their favorite bands are dying (John Bonham of Led Zeppelin) and their favorite pop culture icons are not where they are supposed to be (Bill Murray of SNL). It is set in such a time that it can naively examine issues like drugs, sex, and identity issues. Drugs while they are a big part of the show are in many ways simply a cultural symbol, not glorified, but usually background. It makes no apologies for its stances on drugs, alcohol, and sex, but merely tries to represent what was the outlook by high schoolers at this time. Freaks and Geeks offered an answer to the typical jock view of high school. Freaks and Geeks in many ways, was an update to The Wonder Years, which had ten years earlier tried much of the same angle, and been very successful. This show was not like shows, with a more family geared audience like Family Ties, or 7th Heaven. In Freaks and Geeks the children are disconnected from their parents, they disagree with their parents, and their parents feel this distance and in many ways respect the gap. The show also is not like Beverly Hills 90201, Dawson’s Creek, or The O.C. in that it does not take itself so seriously and takes a humorous approach to high school. The drama is not heightened merely by the fact that there is drama (like as in many of the other shows that I have mentioned), but rather, the situations are handled with the attitude “This is what is happening and I have to deal with it.” In the same way it is not a Saved by the Bell approach which, though it tried to tackle serious issues could not do so effectively because of of the silliness of the overall show. Freaks and Geeks rather takes a more realistic approach in which the audience laughs at things because of the seriousness with which the characters look at the world and situations. Their outlooks are funny because they are genuine, they are actually what many of us may have thought like in high school. The situations are seem more real than many sitcoms or drama on television. Though many story lines are predictable, new spins are often put on old situations. For example, in the second episode the main characters’ parents are going out of town and decide to leave the children at home alone. This is the obvious situation for a party and in a typical show the main character would throw a party with lots of beer, drunk friends that they do not know, and trash the house, and get caught or come close. While in Freaks and Geeks Lindsay’s younger brother exchanges the real beer, for non-alcoholic beer. The cast who unknowingly drinks the non-alcoholic beer, believes that they are drunk, many who have never had been drunk before. The humor is in the idea that so many people think that they need alcohol to have a good time and yet when offered as a placebo they will have the same amount of fun. It offers the ability for adults to look back on their times in high school, and examine why things were fun. The character development that occurs is outstanding and rarely occurs in modern comedy. Daniel is one of the best examples of such character development, in the beginning of the series he is comfortable in his environment, it is one that is safe, one in which he is king. He does not need to try hard in school because his friends don’t see that as important. He does not need to try at anything else because that is what he is good at and that is what his friends find cool about him. Here comes Lindsay, some one who cares about school, though she doesn’t want to, and she shakes up his entire environment. She begins as someone who has a crush on him but his lack of interest, which attracts other women eventually turns her off, something Daniel is not used to but this is certainly not earth shattering for him. She eventually begins to date Nick. During her time with Nick she persuades him to become serious about his music, and he eventually because of Lindsay's influence kick drugs. She becomes the portal for Ken to meet his girlfriend. She encourages Kim to become a better person, who cares about school and where she is going with her life. Suddenly Daniel doesn’t seem so cool in the midst of all of this change, and yet he suddenly tries to find his place. He tries to be a member of the punk movement but that doesn’t suit him. He is forced to become a part of the school AV club and finds a place with the geeks, learning that their way of life may not be as bad as he originally thought. On the flip side of the coin there is Sam who is this character who is in a way the leader of the geeks. He is someone who does not like being at the top of his circle and wants to movie up the high school ladder of popularity. He desperately wants to date Cindy, a cheerleader. Eventually he does date Cindy and he moves up in the social ladder. He realizes that that is not the life he really wants, he comes to the idea that the “grass is not always greener on the other side”. He is bored with his new friends, they do not share the same ideas that his old friends did, nor the same humor, which is deeply disturbing to him. He eventually breaks up with his Cindy and goes back to his own friends. He learns to accept where he is and that where he is now, is often times better than other alternatives. In the end Freaks and Geeks though short lived, did a good job of representing not only high school in 1980, but also high school in general. It deserves to be placed on the same plane as great shows like The Wonder Years and great films like American Graffiti. It’s drama is realistic, and original. Its comedy is well timed and tasteful. It makes for a great study of the results of the seventies, as well as a study of characters. It’s short, though influential run on television, is one to be admired. We can only wish that more of television were as smart, funny, and as original as this.