Freaks and Geeks (1999–2000)

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

Creator:

Paul Feig

Stars:

Linda Cardellini, John Francis Daley, James Franco

Won 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 2 wins & 14 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
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)
Sarah Hagan	...	Millie Kentner (12 episodes, 1999-2000)
Steve Bannos	...	Frank Kowchevski (12 episodes, 1999-2000)
Jerry Messing	...	Gordon Crisp (11 episodes, 1999-2000)
Natasha Melnick	...	Cindy Sanders (10 episodes, 1999-2000)
Dave Allen	...	Jeff Rosso (10 episodes, 1999-2000)
Stephen Lea Sheppard	...	Harris Trinsky (10 episodes, 1999-2000)
Chauncey Leopardi	...	Alan White (8 episodes, 1999-2000)

Storyline

It's the 1980s and at McKinley High, there's two different groups of teenagers, the Freaks with cool and charismatic Daniel Desario and tomboy Lindsay Weir and the Geeks with Lindsay's shy younger brother Sam, gentle Bill Haverchuck, and self-proclaimed ladies' man Neal Schweiber. The show chronicles the normal teen/adolescence problems any teenager goes through including acceptance, drugs, drinking, and bullying.

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Plot Keywords:

geek | high school | 1980s | high school student | teacher | 

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Taglines:

Everything you remember from high school... that you choose to forget. [Fox Family tagline]

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

TV-14

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 September 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Freaks & Geeks

Filming Locations:

City of Industry, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Apatow Productions, DreamWorks Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 60 min (18 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The bottom "leaf" on Mr. Rosso's tree says "Peter Warrick FSU", who was a wide receiver Florida State, for now playing for the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL

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Goofs

When Lindsay first enters the school in "Tricks and Treats", we see the same girl walking behind her, then walking towards her, then behind her again.

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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.

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Connections

Referenced in Jeopardy!: Episode #26.55 (2009)

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Soundtracks

"Bad Reputation"
(Main Title Song)
Written by Joan Jett, Kenny Laguna, Ritchie Cordell, Marty Kupersmith
Performed by Joan Jett
Courtesy of Blackheart Records

User Reviews

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.