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

User Rating:

9.5/10   

Creator:

Paul Feig
(more)

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)
Sarah Hagan	...	Millie Kentner (12 episodes, 1999-2000)
Steve Bannos	...	Frank Kowchevski / ... (12 episodes, 1999-2000)
Jerry Messing	...	Gordon Crisp (11 episodes, 1999-2000)
Stephen Lea Sheppard	...	Harris Trinsky (10 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)

(more)

Series Directed by
Jake Kasdan		(5 episodes, 1999-2000)
Judd Apatow		(3 episodes, 1999-2000)
Bryan Gordon		(2 episodes, 1999-2000)
Ken Kwapis		(2 episodes, 1999-2000)
Lesli Linka Glatter		(2 episodes, 2000)

Series Writing credits
Paul Feig		(18 episodes, 1999-2000)
Judd Apatow		(5 episodes, 1999-2000)
Mike White		(3 episodes, 2000)
Jeff Judah		(2 episodes, 1999-2000)
Bob Nickman		(2 episodes, 1999-2000)
Gabe Sachs		(2 episodes, 1999-2000)
J. Elvis Weinstein		(2 episodes, 1999-2000)
Patty Lin		(2 episodes, 2000)

Series Produced by
Judd Apatow	....	executive producer (18 episodes, 1999-2000)
Paul Feig	....	co-executive producer / supervising producer (18 episodes, 1999-2000)
Terri Potts	....	associate producer (18 episodes, 1999-2000)
Victor Hsu	....	producer (17 episodes, 1999-2000)
Jeff Judah	....	supervising producer (17 episodes, 1999-2000)
Bob Nickman	....	supervising producer (17 episodes, 1999-2000)
Gabe Sachs	....	supervising producer (17 episodes, 1999-2000)
J. Elvis Weinstein	....	producer (17 episodes, 1999-2000)
Mike White	....	supervising producer (17 episodes, 1999-2000)
Jake Kasdan	....	consulting producer (15 episodes, 1999-2000)

Series Original Music by
Michael Andrews		(11 episodes, 1999-2000)

Series Cinematography by
Russ T. Alsobrook		(10 episodes, 1999-2000)

Series Film Editing by
Tara Timpone		(8 episodes, 1999-2000)
Sean K. Lambert		(5 episodes, 1999-2000)
Brent White		(2 episodes, 2000)

Series Casting by
Allison Jones		(11 episodes, 1999-2000)

Series Production Design by
Jefferson Sage		(10 episodes, 1999-2000)

Series Set Decoration by
Sarah Burdick Stone		(9 episodes, 1999-2000)
Chris L. Spellman		(3 episodes, 1999-2000)

Series Costume Design by
Debra McGuire		(11 episodes, 1999-2000)

Series Makeup Department
Lisa Layman	....	key makeup artist / key makeup (18 episodes, 1999-2000)
Laverne Caracuzzi	....	key makeup artist / makeup artist (12 episodes, 1999-2000)
Lisa Meyers	....	key hair stylist (10 episodes, 1999-2000)
Peggy Hannaman	....	hair stylist (unknown episodes)
Camille Henderson	....	makeup artist (unknown episodes)
Tim Phoenix	....	makeup artist (unknown episodes)
K.G. Ramsey	....	hair stylist (unknown episodes)
Elaina P. Schulman	....	hair stylist (unknown episodes)
David Syner	....	key makeup artist (unknown episodes)
Cheryl Voss	....	makeup artist (unknown episodes)

Series Production Management
Christopher Campbell	....	post-production supervisor (10 episodes, 1999-2000)
Andrew Stone	....	unit production manager (10 episodes, 1999-2000)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Tony Schwartz	....	second assistant director (15 episodes, 1999-2000)
Liz Ryan	....	first assistant director (5 episodes, 1999-2000)
Douglas E. Wise	....	first assistant director (5 episodes, 1999-2000)
Pip Gilmour	....	dga trainee (unknown episodes)
Stephanie Kime	....	second second assistant director (unknown episodes)
Kimberly Sizemore	....	second second assistant director (unknown episodes)

Series Art Department
Chuck McSorley	....	property master (17 episodes, 1999-2000)
Melissa McSorley	....	prop food stylist (13 episodes, 1999-2000)
John Stone	....	construction coordinator (10 episodes, 1999-2000)
Erik Carlson	....	assistant art director (unknown episodes)
Carl Denooyer	....	swing gang (unknown episodes)
Bart C. Hubenthal	....	set dresser / swing gang (unknown episodes)
Todd Jacques	....	swing gang (unknown episodes)
Chris Marneus	....	construction foreman (unknown episodes)
Glenn Matayoshi	....	assistant props (unknown episodes)
Caty Maxey	....	assistant art director (unknown episodes)
John Naehrlich	....	leadman (unknown episodes)
David P. Newell	....	swing gang (unknown episodes)
Beth Norton	....	painter foreman (unknown episodes)
Amy Reynolds	....	art department coordinator (unknown episodes)
Gary Rizzo	....	lead man (unknown episodes)
Clare Scarpulla	....	set designer (unknown episodes)
Saul Solache	....	swing gang (unknown episodes)
Aaron Sternlicht	....	swing gang (unknown episodes)
Jeffry C. Voorhees	....	assistant property master (unknown episodes)
Cole Young	....	carpenter (unknown episodes)

Series Sound Department
Catt LeBaigue	....	supervising sound editor (17 episodes, 1999-2000)
Brendan Beebe	....	boom operator (14 episodes, 1999-2000)
Bruce M. Honda	....	dialogue editor (14 episodes, 1999-2000)
Troy Porter	....	adr mixer (14 episodes, 1999-2000)
Deron Street	....	assistant sound editor (14 episodes, 1999-2000)
Thomas Brandau	....	production sound mixer / sound mixer (11 episodes, 1999-2000)
Neil Brody	....	re-recording mixer / sound re-recording mixer (10 episodes, 1999-2000)
Joseph D. Citarella	....	re-recording mixer / sound re-recording mixer (10 episodes, 1999-2000)
Dale Chaloukian	....	sound editor (unknown episodes)
James Eric	....	utilities (unknown episodes)
Will Gethen-Jones	....	boom operator (unknown episodes)

Series Special Effects by
Eddie Surkin	....	special effects coordinator (unknown episodes)

Series Stunts
Donna Evans	....	stunt coordinator (8 episodes, 1999-2000)
Brian Avery	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Chris Blackwood	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Debbie Evans	....	stunt driver (unknown episodes)
Diana R. Lupo	....	stunts (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
John Joyce	....	camera operator: "b" camera & Steadicam operator (17 episodes, 1999-2000)
Curtis Bradford	....	chief lighting technician (10 episodes, 1999-2000)
Eyal Gordin	....	camera operator (10 episodes, 1999-2000)
Tom Harjo	....	key grip (10 episodes, 1999-2000)
Michael Albala	....	lamp operator (unknown episodes)
Steven Aquilino	....	second assistant camera: "a" camera (unknown episodes)
Anthony Lee Beverly	....	best boy grip (unknown episodes)
James Boniface	....	generator operator (unknown episodes)
Jason Campbell	....	lamp operator (unknown episodes)
Kevin Cook	....	company grip (unknown episodes)
Eric Alan Donaldson	....	company grip (unknown episodes)
Timothy Hedgecock	....	lamp operator (unknown episodes)
Kurt Iswarienko	....	lamp operator (unknown episodes)
Greg Luntzel	....	assistant camera (unknown episodes)
Calese Russell	....	company grip (unknown episodes)
Lee Schmicker	....	assistant chief lighting technician (unknown episodes)
Eric Stapelfeldt	....	second assistant camera: "b" camera (unknown episodes)
Ric Urbauer	....	key rigging grip (unknown episodes)
Naomi Villanueva	....	camera loader (unknown episodes)
Glenn Wade	....	dolly grip (unknown episodes)
Steve Wagner	....	first assistant camera: "b" camera (unknown episodes)
Jon Yirak	....	first assistant camera: "a" camera (unknown episodes)

Series Casting Department
Sasha Adkinson	....	extras casting (17 episodes, 1999-2000)
Alison Franck	....	casting assistant (unknown episodes)
Sara Getzkin	....	casting associate (unknown episodes)
Jennifer Saxon	....	extras casting (unknown episodes)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Anthony Franco	....	key costumer (16 episodes, 1999-2000)
Bob Squire	....	costume supervisor (5 episodes, 2000)
Gina Trikonis	....	costume supervisor (5 episodes, 2000)
Joe Franco	....	set costumer (unknown episodes)
Jennifer Kouba	....	set costumer (unknown episodes)
Joseph T. Mastrolia	....	set costumer (unknown episodes)
Katrina Mastrolia	....	set costumer (unknown episodes)
Hector Morales	....	set costumer (unknown episodes)

Series Editorial Department
Larry Field	....	final colorist (14 episodes, 1999-2000)
Shawni Modrell	....	assistant editor (11 episodes, 1999-2000)
Ron Shaw	....	assistant editor (9 episodes, 1999-2000)
Christopher Campbell	....	post-production (unknown episodes)
Bryan Wood	....	post-production assistant (unknown episodes)

Series Music Department
Joan Jett	....	composer: main title song / composer: theme music (10 episodes, 1999-2000)
Jonathan Karp	....	music editor (10 episodes, 1999-2000)
Buck Damon	....	music supervisor (9 episodes, 1999-2000)
Amanda Scheer-Demme	....	music supervisor (9 episodes, 1999-2000)

Series Transportation Department
Michael Sean Ryan	....	transportation coordinator (16 episodes, 1999-2000)
Michael Bangs	....	transportation captain (unknown episodes)
James Boniface	....	driver (unknown episodes)
Richard Burch	....	driver (unknown episodes)
Tom Lyons	....	transportation captain (unknown episodes)
Mike Storc	....	transportation (unknown episodes)

Series Other crew
Amy D'Alessandro	....	titles (18 episodes, 1999-2000)
Gary Michael Clark	....	payroll accountant (15 episodes, 1999-2000)
Michelle Axelrod	....	production coordinator (11 episodes, 1999-2000)
Jacqueline R. Clay	....	script supervisor (11 episodes, 1999-2000)
Maureen Jennings	....	assistant to producers (10 episodes, 1999-2000)
Patty Lin	....	story editor (10 episodes, 1999-2000)
Richard Lorenzana	....	production accountant (10 episodes, 1999-2000)
Marisa Tambornini	....	assistant to producers (10 episodes, 1999-2000)
Deborah Laub	....	location manager (7 episodes, 1999-2000)
Bruce Lawhead	....	location manager (3 episodes, 2000)
Josh Assael	....	production intern (unknown episodes)
Julie Brill	....	assistant to writers (unknown episodes)
Grace Bustos	....	stand-in (unknown episodes)
Oscar Casillas	....	production assistant to writer (unknown episodes)
Almarie Clifford	....	studio teacher (unknown episodes)
Rich Delabio	....	assistant location manager (unknown episodes)
Hope Diamond	....	publicist (unknown episodes)
Kenneth England	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Lannie Franklin	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Maurice 'Moe' Freeman	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Greg Gabel	....	office production assistant (unknown episodes)
Rebecca Gross	....	accounting production assistant (unknown episodes)
Jason King	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Susan M. Lorenzana	....	assistant accountant (unknown episodes)
Jennifer Lucene	....	assistant production coordinator (unknown episodes)
Pedro Mata	....	assistant location manager (unknown episodes)
Lucas Moore	....	studio teacher (unknown episodes)
Mark Palmer	....	craft service (unknown episodes)
Wayne Rich	....	assistant production coordinator (unknown episodes)
George A. Romero	....	set medic (unknown episodes)
Jason K. Smith	....	production assistant (unknown episodes)
Sarah Stokes	....	script coordinator (unknown episodes)
Phil Trocki	....	studio teacher (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• Apatow Productions
• DreamWorks Television

Distributors

• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1999-2000) (USA) (TV)
• Nelonen (200?) (Finland) (TV)
• Net5 (200?) (Netherlands) (TV)
• Shout! Factory (2004) (USA) (DVD) (complete series)
• Österreichischer Rundfunk (ORF) (2002) (Austria) (TV) (ORF1)

Other Companies

• Four Media Company  post-production video services
• Movie Movers  production trailers

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) | Canada:G (Quebec) (DVD rating) | USA:TV-14

Filming Locations:

City of Industry, California, USA

Company:

Apatow Productions

Trivia:

The creators were determined not to end each show with a typical "happy ending". One notable exception is the pilot episode, which the creators purposely wrote as a self-contained story, in case the show was never picked up for production.

Goofs:

Incorrectly regarded as goofs: Nick asks if anyone wants to see Pink Floyd's "The Wall" with him. While the movie was not released until 1982, he was probably referring to the laser show.

Quotes:

Kim Kelly: My aunt Cathy was so rad. She lived in L.A. She was on Kojak. She doinked Ryan O'Neal once at a party.
Lindsay Weir: Wow, she sounds awesome.
Kim Kelly: Yeah, well, she's dead. She OD'd on coke.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Popular: Baby, Don't Do It! (#2.2)" (2000)

Soundtrack:

Bad Reputation

Excellent acting, great music and good storylines.

Why is it that all the best teen shows get cancelled way before their time? Maybe because the show is set in the 80's (where teenagers won't relate to some of the stuff back then). Or maybe because people don't look for smart acting anymore. Even if you were born after all that hippie - disco stuff, you should still be able to enjoy the show.

Personally, I don't think the show stood a chance. First, it was hardly advertised by NBC. Second, it was placed on a Saturday night. And third, it was taken off the air for a month or so and then brought back. You couldn't have any worse luck. Then when it came back on the air, they only showed a couple of episodes and decided to cancel it for good.

To sum it up - it was a good little show with terrific acting, excellent music, good clothes, great storylines, and a hell of a good try to stay on the air. Unfortunately, it didn't even survive one season. All I know is that I loved it and thank goodness I recorded most of the episodes.

Anybody who missed this show, you lost a chance to see what real television is about.