"Freaks and Geeks" (1999) TV series 1999-2000

User Rating:

9.5/10   

Creator:

Paul Feig

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

25 September 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Tagline:

It's 1980 and this is what high school was like for the rest of us.

Plot:

A television show about two unique groups of teenagers dealing with life in high school during the 80's.

Plot Keywords:

Drugs | 1980s | Geek | High School | Sporting Goods Store

Awards:

Won Primetime Emmy. Another 2 wins & 13 nominations

Cast

Linda Cardellini	...	Lindsay Weir (18 episodes, 1999-2000)
John Francis Daley	...	Sam Weir (18 episodes, 1999-2000)
James Franco	...	Daniel Desario (18 episodes, 1999-2000)
Samm Levine	...	Neal Schweiber (18 episodes, 1999-2000)
Seth Rogen	...	Ken Miller (18 episodes, 1999-2000)
Jason Segel	...	Nick Andopolis (18 episodes, 1999-2000)
Martin Starr	...	Bill Haverchuck (18 episodes, 1999-2000)
Becky Ann Baker	...	Jean Weir (18 episodes, 1999-2000)
Joe Flaherty	...	Harold Weir (18 episodes, 1999-2000)
Busy Philipps	...	Kim Kelly (18 episodes, 1999-2000)
Michael Beardsley	...	Humphries (14 episodes, 1999-2000)
Shawn Soong	...	Stroker (14 episodes, 1999-2000)
Steve Bannos	...	Frank Kowchevski / ... (13 episodes, 1999-2000)
Sarah Hagan	...	Millie Kentner (12 episodes, 1999-2000)
Jerry Messing	...	Gordon Crisp (11 episodes, 1999-2000)
Dave Allen	...	Jeff Rosso (10 episodes, 1999-2000)
Natasha Melnick	...	Cindy Sanders (10 episodes, 1999-2000)
Chauncey Leopardi	...	Alan White (9 episodes, 1999-2000)
Stephen Lea Sheppard	...	Harris Trinsky (9 episodes, 1999-2000)

Runtime:

60 min (18 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:M | Australia:PG (some episodes) | Singapore:NC-16 (DVD rating)

Filming Locations:

City of Industry, California, USA

Company:

Apatow Productions

Trivia:

The smoking patio where the freaks hung out was actually filmed at several different locations.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: At the end of "Discos and Dragons" when Lindsay takes off with Kim and some Grateful Dead groupies, their VW bus turns the corner, and passes by a modern-day White Ford van.

Quotes:

Neal Schweiber: Friday night, always a good night for some Sabbath.
[Lindsay looks at him]
Neal Schweiber: ... 'cause, you know, Friday? is the the Sabbath... for the Jews.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Make 'Em Laugh: The Funny Business of America: Would Ya Hit a Guy with Glasses?: Nerds, Jerks & Oddballs (#1.1)" (2009)

Soundtrack:

Bad Reputation

Best show about young people in a long time.

"Freaks and Geeks" is about as good of a television show as tv can be. I'm only two years out of high school, and although the show is set in 1980, it effectively captures the life of high schoolers. Nowadays, with this huge surge in teen movies and television, I feel that young people are misrepresented by television shows like Dawson's Creek and movies like "Varsity Blues." Simply put, beautiful people were rare at my high school. Nobody I ever knew engaged in sexual relations with a teacher as a freshman, and I was never approached by women wearing only whipped cream (and I was a three-year varsity athlete). My high school life exactly resembles what the kids in "Freaks and Geeks" do: talk about sci-fi movies, get high, feel alienated by my parents, had confusing talks with guidance counselors, etc. And these kids look like teens, with big glasses, young faces, and zits. From watching "Dawson's" or all the other teen movies out there (although some of those films are admitteldly entertaining I liked "She's All That" and "10 Things I Hate About You) one would glean that all teenagers are young Adonises. "Freaks and Geeks" thankfully corrects that error.

Most importantly though, "F&G" is a great show. Hopefully NBC finds an audience for this show. It is definitely different, slower paced, and doesn't play the latest hit music at full volume, but it IS clever, funny, and warm. It also deftfully balances comedy and drama, without ever being cloying, manipulative, or condescending to its audience. I hope this show stays around for a long time. If NBC drops it, please, some other network, give "Freaks and Geeks" it's very well-earned chance.