Some things are just doomed for failure. Like New Coke, Jamaican bobsledding or any movie where Rob Schneider is above 5th billed; they’re pretty easy to spot. “Freaks and Geeks” is an entirely different animal. Here we have a show rolled out by NBC in 1999, the same year “That 70’s Show” debuted no less. Set in 1980’s suburban Michigan, “Freaks and Geeks” takes a harder line and a more serious approach to a different time. Creators and producers Paul Feig and Judd Apatow weave together beautifully the aching pains of being an oddball as a teen and managing to hold it together thanks to very few people who get it. As a fellow latch key kid I can appreciate both of these men funneling all of their energy into 18 episodes of fantastic television.
Quit fawning and get on with it
This leads us back to failure. This program seemed like it should have succeeded. It had the nostalgia factor, enough drama to reel in the teen girls, enough dorky humor for the boys and a cast mixed with future and past stars. So how does this fail? Let’s look at the pilot and see.
OH IT WAS ON FREE TV HAROLD!
Our first shot in the show is of a typical high school motif; the football star and cheerleader. Then we dive under the bleachers to find our “freaks” talking about wearing gory shirts to church. Having been escorted out of a church by police as a teen, I totally get this. Prime time should be able to handle this? The problems start when we lead into the first commercial break is led into by the mentally challenged Eli falling off the same bleachers and breaking his arm. Not a crowd pleaser to say the least. We get some funny “geek” fighting but that is quickly stifled by talking about a dying grandmother confirming eternity is pointless. They try to save it with Styx but I think most of America had “sailed away” at that point.
Our cast is centered on the Weir family. Lindsay is the intelligent good girl who’s falling into the wrong crowd. Her grandmother’s death sets this series into motion and Lindsay decides being perfect and being unhappy isn’t what life should be. She starts hanging out with the “freaks” as a result.
Seems legit
Even better.
Her brother Sam is our male lead. He’s a freshman in high school and looks like he’s 8 years old. He loves “Star Wars”, Bill Murray and “Dungeons and Dragons”. It’s mildly hinted at that his geek fate may be bothering him as he yearns to be accepted, but we see for now he’s more than willing to stick with his hapless friends over even a cheerleader.
And why wouldn't you?
Sam dates a cheerleader named Cindy Sanders. She ends up being bonkers. He dumps her. That and the fact his bully is about as small as him doesn’t help him out of geek status. His best pals Neil and Bill also hinder his attempts. Neil not only performs ventriloquism, he dresses like one of the dummies. Bill is just one of those….
Get out of here! Differnet nerd following!
Hey, stay out of this. Bill likes Gary Shandling and grilled cheese. No harm, no foul. They have a giant smelly friend Gordon too. He’s adorable. The same thing can’t be said for the ever popular Harris (pictured above with a knife in his head).
This has nothing do with this part. I just felt like some Kim Kelly.
Linds doesn’t have much better luck with friends. Her old best friend is Millie, and I’ve always been weirdly attracted to her. Lindsey and her new best friend Kim kill Millie’s dog so that pretty much cements that relationship. Kelly is dating Daniel….it’s James Franco. Even at as a pot smoking idiot teen he was adorable. Millie was still cuter.
Another freak is Lindsey’s short lived boyfriend Nick Andopolis. He was on the basketball team but likes getting high more. Make it to the NBA buddy, you can do both. He’s creepy into her though and freaks her out.
I don't see why.
Oh right
They are also pals with Ken and his tuba playing, penis having girlfriend. Watch the show. If I don’t explain that I feel like you have to. Who else is there? Those last two main characters were played by Seth Rogen and Jason Segal. Other cameos include: Joanna Garcia, Jarrett Lennon, Sam McMurray, Ron Lester, Tom Virtue, Samaire Armstrong, Ben Foster, Shia LeBouf, Rashida Jones, Dave Krumholtz and disco dancing Lizzy Caplan. She had to quit dancing disco though. Because we all know what disco dancing hippies do when they get all drugged up and boogey….
no, that’s not it. Lindsay’s dad knew a guy who loved disco.
That saintly man is Harold Weir. He’s loving, caring and is not above scare tactics to help his kids. His wife Jeanie is a very sweet naïve woman. The adults in this show are almost better than the kids sometimes, but I’m running long here. I’ll just profess my love for Mr. Kowchevski, Mr. Rosso and gym teacher freakin’ Biff.
teaching sex ed. no less.
I’ve outgrown this show a little since I first watched it. So maybe I get a little why adults weren’t gung ho about this. It’s still absolutely amazing, just a little less awe inspiring with age. It’s 18 (ish) hours of skipping school, fake beer, pot, mathletes, watching “The Jerk” and egging your little brother when he’s dressed like a robot. I certainly can’t beat that.
And here is a reunion picture of the cast for good measure.
and some year book pictures. Thanks for the two years people:
