Freaks and Geeks is an
AmericanThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
comedy-dramaComedy-drama, also called dramedy or seriocomedy, is a style of television, theatre and film in which there is an equal or nearly equal balance of humor and serious content.-Theatre:...
television series, created by
Paul FeigPaul S. Feig is an American director, actor and author. Feig is best known for creating the critical acclaimed show, Freaks and Geeks and directing several episodes of The Office...
and
producedThe primary role of a television producer is to control all aspects of production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking...
by
Judd ApatowJudd Apatow is an American film producer, director, and screenwriter. He is well-known for making a distinct series of critically and commercially successful comedy films, including The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, and Funny People...
, that aired on
NBCThe National Broadcasting Company is an American television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices in Burbank,California...
during the 1999–2000 television season. Eighteen episodes were completed, but the series was canceled after only twelve had aired.
A
fanA fan, aficionado, or supporter is someone who has an intense, occasionally overwhelming liking and enthusiasm for a sporting club, person , group of persons, company, product, activity, work of art, idea, or trend. Fans of a particular thing or person constitute its fanbase or fandom...
-led campaign caused NBC to broadcast three more episodes in July 2000; the last three would not be seen until September of that year, when the cable network Fox Family Channel aired them in
syndicationIn broadcasting, syndication is the sale of the right to broadcast radio shows and television shows to multiple individual stations, without going through a broadcast network. It is common in countries where television is scheduled by networks with local affiliates, particularly in the United States...
. The complete series was later released on DVD.
Despite a quick cancellation and only one season with 18 episodes,
Freaks and Geeks developed a devoted cult following. The series appeared on
TimeTime is an American newsmagazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong. As of 2009, Time no longer publishes a Canadian advertiser edition...
magazine's 2007 "100 Greatest Shows of All Time" list, and in 2008
Entertainment WeeklyEntertainment Weekly is an American magazine, published by the Time division of Time Warner, that covers film, television, music, Broadway theatre, books and popular culture. Unlike celebrity-focused publications US Weekly, People, and In Touch Weekly, EWs primary concentration is on entertainment...
ranked it the 13th-best series of the past 25 years.
Plot
The show centered on a
teenageAdolescence Adolescence Adolescence (lat adolescere, (to grow) is a transitional stage of physical and mental human development that occurs between childhood and adulthood. This transition involves biological (i.e. pubertal), social, and psychological changes, though the biological or...
girl, Lindsay Weir (
Linda CardelliniLinda Edna Cardellini is an American television and film actress. She is perhaps best known for her roles as high school student Lindsay Weir on Freaks and Geeks, as Velma Dinkley in the live-action Scooby-Doo films, and as Samantha Taggart on ER.-Early life:Cardellini was born in Redwood City,...
), and her brother, Sam (
John Francis DaleyJohn Francis Daley is an American television and film actor and director. He plays Lance Sweets on the Fox series Bones and played Sam Weir on the NBC comedy-drama Freaks and Geeks.-Background:...
), both attending William McKinley
High SchoolHigh school is the name used in some parts of the world, particularly in Scotland, Northern America and Oceania, to describe an institution that provides all or part of secondary education...
during the 1980–1981 school year in the town of Chippewa, Michigan, a fictional suburb of Detroit.
Their friends, respectively, constituted the "
freakIn contemporary usage, the word "freak" is commonly used to refer to a person with something unusual about their appearance or behaviour. This usage dates from the so-called freak scene of the 1960s and 1970s. "Freak" in this sense may be used either as a pejorative, a term of admiration, or a...
s" — Daniel Desario (
James FrancoJames Edward Franco is an American actor, director, screenwriter, film producer, and artist. He began acting during the late 1990s, appearing on the short-lived television series Freaks and Geeks and starring in several teen films...
), Ken Miller (
Seth RogenSeth Rogen is a Canadian actor, comedian, writer and film producer. Rogen began his career doing stand-up comedy for four years during his teens, coming in second place in the Vancouver Amateur Comedy Contest when he was 16. While still living in his native Canada, he landed a supporting role in...
), Nick Andopolis (
Jason SegelJason Jordan Segel is an American television and film actor, screenwriter and musician, known for his work with producer Judd Apatow on the short-lived television series Freaks and Geeks and Undeclared, the movies Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Knocked Up, and I Love You, Man, and also for his role as...
), Kim Kelly (
Busy PhilippsElizabeth Jean "Busy" Philipps is an American film actress, perhaps best known for her supporting roles on the TV series Freaks and Geeks and Dawson's Creek.-Career:...
) — and the "
geekThe word geek is a slang term, noting individuals as "a peculiar or otherwise odd person, especially one who is perceived to be overly obsessed with one or more things including those of intellectuality, electronics, etc." Formerly, the term referred to a carnival performer often billed as a wild...
s" — Neal Schweiber (
Samm LevineSamuel Franklin "Samm" Levine is an American television and film actor. He is known for his portrayal of Neal Schweiber on NBC's short-lived Freaks and Geeks and PFC Hirschberg in the hit 2009 film Inglourious Basterds...
) and Bill Haverchuck (
Martin StarrMartin Starr is an American television and film actor. He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Bill Haverchuck on the short-lived NBC comedy-drama Freaks and Geeks and Joel on the 2009 comedy-drama movie Adventureland.-Life and career:Starr was born Martin James Pflieger Schienle in Santa...
) — of the title. The Weirs' parents, Harold (
Joe FlahertyJoe Flaherty is an American-Canadian comedian. He is best known for his work on the Canadian sketch comedy SCTV, from 1976 to 1984...
) and Jean (
Becky Ann BakerBecky Ann Baker is an American actress who is perhaps best known for her portrayal of Jean Weir on NBC's Emmy Award-winning Freaks and Geeks.-Career:...
), were featured in every episode. Millie Kentner (
Sarah HaganSarah Margaret Hagan is an American television and movie actress.-Biography:Hagan was born in Austin, Texas. She has been acting since the age of six, when her mother first signed her up for musical theater...
), Lindsay's nerdy, highly religious former best friend, was a recurring character, as was Cindy Sanders (
Natasha MelnickNatasha Melnick is an American television and film actress. She may be best known for her portrayal of Cindy Sanders on the short-lived NBC dramedy Freaks and Geeks.Melnick was born in Los Angeles, California...
), the pretty, popular cheerleader on whom Sam had a crush.
The show's starting point was Lindsay's transition from her life as an academically proficient student, star
mathleteA mathlete is a person who competes in mathematics competitions at any level or any age. The term is a portmanteau of the words math and athlete.Top mathletes in the United States compete on the AIME, USAMO, and ARML...
, and proper young girl, with Millie as her like-minded best friend, to an Army-jacket-wearing teenager who hangs out with troubled slackers. Her relationships with her new friends, and the friction they cause with her parents and with her own self-image, form one central strand of the show; the other follows Sam and his group of geeky friends as they navigate a very different part of the social universe trying to fit in.
Weir family
- Linda Cardellini
Linda Edna Cardellini is an American television and film actress. She is perhaps best known for her roles as high school student Lindsay Weir on Freaks and Geeks, as Velma Dinkley in the live-action Scooby-Doo films, and as Samantha Taggart on ER.-Early life:Cardellini was born in Redwood City,...
as Lindsay Weir
- John Francis Daley
John Francis Daley is an American television and film actor and director. He plays Lance Sweets on the Fox series Bones and played Sam Weir on the NBC comedy-drama Freaks and Geeks.-Background:...
as Sam Weir
- Joe Flaherty
Joe Flaherty is an American-Canadian comedian. He is best known for his work on the Canadian sketch comedy SCTV, from 1976 to 1984...
as Harold Weir
- Becky Ann Baker
Becky Ann Baker is an American actress who is perhaps best known for her portrayal of Jean Weir on NBC's Emmy Award-winning Freaks and Geeks.-Career:...
as Jean Weir
Geeks
- Samm Levine
Samuel Franklin "Samm" Levine is an American television and film actor. He is known for his portrayal of Neal Schweiber on NBC's short-lived Freaks and Geeks and PFC Hirschberg in the hit 2009 film Inglourious Basterds...
as Neal Schweiber
- Martin Starr
Martin Starr is an American television and film actor. He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Bill Haverchuck on the short-lived NBC comedy-drama Freaks and Geeks and Joel on the 2009 comedy-drama movie Adventureland.-Life and career:Starr was born Martin James Pflieger Schienle in Santa...
as Bill Haverchuck
- Sarah Hagan
Sarah Margaret Hagan is an American television and movie actress.-Biography:Hagan was born in Austin, Texas. She has been acting since the age of six, when her mother first signed her up for musical theater...
as Millie Kentner
- Jerry Messing
Jerry Messing , is an American television and film actor.He played Pugsley Addams in the 1998 film Addams Family Reunion, and had a noteworthy part on the short-lived NBC dramedy Freaks and Geeks, as secondary geek Gordon Crisp, who suffered from Trimethylaminuria. Messing also appeared in four...
as Gordon Crisp
- Stephen Lea Sheppard
Stephen Lea Sheppard is a Canadian television and film actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Dudley Heinsbergen in the 2001 Wes Anderson film The Royal Tenenbaums...
as Harris Trinsky
Freaks
- James Franco
James Edward Franco is an American actor, director, screenwriter, film producer, and artist. He began acting during the late 1990s, appearing on the short-lived television series Freaks and Geeks and starring in several teen films...
as Daniel Desario
- Busy Philipps
Elizabeth Jean "Busy" Philipps is an American film actress, perhaps best known for her supporting roles on the TV series Freaks and Geeks and Dawson's Creek.-Career:...
as Kim Kelly
- Jason Segel
Jason Jordan Segel is an American television and film actor, screenwriter and musician, known for his work with producer Judd Apatow on the short-lived television series Freaks and Geeks and Undeclared, the movies Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Knocked Up, and I Love You, Man, and also for his role as...
as Nick Andopolis
- Seth Rogen
Seth Rogen is a Canadian actor, comedian, writer and film producer. Rogen began his career doing stand-up comedy for four years during his teens, coming in second place in the Vancouver Amateur Comedy Contest when he was 16. While still living in his native Canada, he landed a supporting role in...
as Ken Miller
Teachers
- Dave Allen as Mr. Rosso
- Steve Bannos
Steve Bannos is an American television and film actor and writer. As an actor, he may be best known for his portrayal of Frank Kowchevski on the short-lived NBC dramedy Freaks and Geeks....
as Mr. Kowchevski
- Thomas F. Wilson
Thomas Francis Wilson, Jr. is an American actor, writer, musician, painter, voice-over artist and stand up comedian. He is best known for playing Biff Tannen in the Back to the Future trilogy and Coach Ben Fredricks on NBC's Freaks and Geeks.-Early life:Wilson was born in Philadelphia,...
as Coach Fredricks
- Trace Beaulieu
Trace Beaulieu is an American puppeteer, writer, and actor. He is best known for his roles on Mystery Science Theater 3000 .-Mystery Science Theater 3000:...
as Mr. Lacovara
- Steve Higgins as Mr. Fleck
- Leslie Mann
Leslie Mann is an American actress best known for her roles in various comedic films, mainly of her husband, Judd Apatow's films.-Life and career:...
as Ms. Foote
Guest stars and cameo appearances
Early on, the creators of the show were not open to the idea of having guest stars on the show. A denied suggestion from NBC was to have a pop icon like
Britney SpearsBritney Jean Spears is an American singer and entertainer. Born in Mississippi and raised in Louisiana, Spears first appeared on national television in 1992 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The New Mickey Mouse Club from 1993 to...
to appear as a waitress in one episode. Many of the program's crew, including producer
Judd ApatowJudd Apatow is an American film producer, director, and screenwriter. He is well-known for making a distinct series of critically and commercially successful comedy films, including The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, and Funny People...
, thought that such guest-star appearances would greatly detract from the show's quality and realism. However, lesser-known "guest stars" would make occasional unhyped appearances on the show. As the producers began to fear an imminent cancellation, Apatow's old friend
Ben StillerBenjamin Edward "Ben" Stiller is an American comedian, actor, writer, film director, and producer. He is the son of veteran comedians and actors Jerry Stiller and Anne Meara....
made an appearance as a
Secret ServiceThe United States Secret Service is a United States federal law enforcement agency that falls under the United States Department of Homeland Security. The sworn members are divided among the Special Agents and the Uniformed Division. Until March 1, 2003, the Service was part of the United States...
agent in the second-to-last episode of the program, but the appearance only aired after the series had been cancelled.
Other notable guest appearances were made by
Thomas F. WilsonThomas Francis Wilson, Jr. is an American actor, writer, musician, painter, voice-over artist and stand up comedian. He is best known for playing Biff Tannen in the Back to the Future trilogy and Coach Ben Fredricks on NBC's Freaks and Geeks.-Early life:Wilson was born in Philadelphia,...
(in the recurring role of Coach Fredericks),
Joel HodgsonJoel Gordon Hodgson is an American writer, comedian and television actor. He is best known for creating Mystery Science Theater 3000 and starring in it as the character Joel Robinson. In 2007 MST3K was listed as "one of the top 100 television shows of all time" by Time.com...
(in the recurring role of a salesman who loves disco),
David KoechnerDavid Koechner is an American character actor , comedian and musician.Koechner began studying improvisational comedy in Chicago at the ImprovOlympic, under the teachings of Del Close, before moving on to joining the Second City Northwest...
(as a waiter),
Kevin CorriganKevin Fitzgerald Corrigan is an American actor who has appeared mostly in independent films and television since the 1990s.-Biography:...
(as Millie's delinquent cousin),
Jason SchwartzmanJason Francesco Schwartzman is an American actor and musician. He is perhaps best known for his starring roles in the films Rushmore, Spun, I ♥ Huckabees, Shopgirl, Marie Antoinette, The Darjeeling Limited, and Funny People. He is currently in the band Coconut Records; formerly, he was a member of...
(as a student dealing in fake IDs),
Allen CovertAllen Covert is an American comedian and actor.Covert was born in West Palm Beach, Florida and educated at New York University, where he was a classmate of Adam Sandler. Now a longtime friend of Sandler, Covert frequently writes for Sandler's comedy albums and films...
(as the liquor store clerk),
Matt CzuchryMatthew Charles "Matt" Czuchry is an American actor.-Early life:Czuchry was born in Manchester, New Hampshire and grew up in Johnson City, Tennessee. His father, Andy, is a professor at East Tennessee State University and his mother, Sandra, is a homemaker. He has two brothers, Mike and AJ, and a...
(as a student from rival Lincoln High),
Claudia ChristianClaudia Ann Christian is an American actress, writer, singer, musician, and director.-Biography:Christian was born in Glendale, California. Her first role on television was a guest appearance on Dallas, followed by a series regular role as Melody Hughes on the short-lived drama, Berrenger's...
(as Bill's mother),
Shia LaBeoufShia Saide LaBeouf is an American actor, voice actor, and comedian.LaBeouf began his comedy career when he was 10 years old, and then launched his acting career in 1998 at the age of 12. He became known among younger audiences for his part in the Disney Channel series Even Stevens, also appearing...
(as the school mascot that gets hurt),
Samaire ArmstrongSamaire Rhys Armstrong is an American actress. She is recognised for her offbeat and often quirky nature and rose to fame after appearing in the television series The O.C. and Dirty Sexy Money...
(as "Deadhead" Laurie), and Ben Foster (who appeared as the mentally handicapped student Eli, and often hyped the show while promoting the film
Liberty HeightsLiberty Heights is a 1999 comedy-drama film by writer-director Barry Levinson. It is a semi-autobiographical account of his childhood growing up in Baltimore in the 1950s....
),
Alexander GouldAlexander Jerome Gould is an American child and voice actor. He voiced the titular character Nemo in Finding Nemo and has starred on Weeds as Shane Botwin in all seasons.-Biography:...
as Ronnie, the boy Lindsay babysits while high. Veteran character actor
Kevin TigheKevin Tighe is an American actor known for his role as Randolph Mantooth's firefighting/paramedic partner Roy DeSoto on the NBC-Universal TV series Emergency!, from 1972 to 1977. He and Mantooth have remained close friends since that time.- Biography :Tighe was born in Los Angeles, California, the...
also appeared in two episodes as Nick's father.
Many of the writers appeared on the show at one point or another. Mike White, for instance, played Kim Kelly's oft-discussed injured brother, first appearing in the fourth episode "Kim Kelly is My Friend".
Paul FeigPaul S. Feig is an American director, actor and author. Feig is best known for creating the critical acclaimed show, Freaks and Geeks and directing several episodes of The Office...
and
Gabe SachsGabe Sachs has been a writer/producer for a number of primetime television shows including Freaks & Geeks, Just Shoot Me, Undeclared, Life As We Know It and What About Brian.- Biography :...
appear uncredited as members of the fictional band "Dimension" in "I'm With the Band".
Michael AndrewsMichael Andrews is an American musician and film score composer. He is best known for a cover version of the Tears for Fears song "Mad World", which he recorded with Gary Jules for the Donnie Darko soundtrack, and which became a number one single in the UK in Christmas 2003.-Soundtrack...
, the original score composer for the series, plays the role of Dimension's lead singer.
Steve BannosSteve Bannos is an American television and film actor and writer. As an actor, he may be best known for his portrayal of Frank Kowchevski on the short-lived NBC dramedy Freaks and Geeks....
played the recurring role of the math teacher Mr. Kowchevski.
Other notable guest stars include
David KrumholtzDavid Krumholtz is an American actor best known for his work on the CBS television show Numb3rs.-Early life:Krumholtz was born in Queens, New York, the son of Judy, a dental assistant, and Michael Krumholtz, a postal worker. He grew up in a "very working-class, almost poor" Jewish family. His...
as Neal's brother Barry,
Lizzy CaplanElizabeth Anne "Lizzy" Caplan is an American actress. She is best known for her roles in the CBS show The Class, in the 2004 film Mean Girls, and the 2008 film Cloverfield...
as Sara, and
Rashida JonesRashida Leah Jones is an American actress, model, and musician, best-known for her portrayal of Louisa Fenn on Boston Public, Karen Filippelli on The Office and Zooey Rice in I Love You, Man...
as Karen Scarfoli, first appearing in the fourth episode, "Kim Kelly is My Friend".
Punk rock band
Diesel BoyDiesel Boy are an American punk rock band from Santa Rosa, California, who are signed to indie punk label Honest Don's, a sub-division of Fat Wreck Chords...
appears and performs in the "Noshing and Moshing" episode.
Opening sequence
The series's opening sequence depicts each of the main characters having their high school yearbook photo taken as the song "
Bad Reputation"Bad Reputation" is a rock song performed by Joan Jett.-Features:It was the theme song for the short-lived yet critically acclaimed TV show Freaks and Geeks, as well as hit show American Chopper. It was also featured in the music video games Rock Band 2 and Rock Revolution as a playable track...
" by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts plays.
Episodes
The show ran in twelve episodes on TV, in late 2000;
ABC FamilyABC Family is an American cable television network currently owned by ABC Family Worldwide Inc., a division of The Walt Disney Company. ABC Family offers contemporary and inclusive programming, including series, movies, events, and enhanced ABC encore presentations...
(then Fox Family) showed the next three episodes in syndication; and the last three episodes were found on the DVD. In the summer of 2000, the final three episodes were premiered at the
Museum of the Moving ImageThe Museum of the Moving Image was a museum of the history of technology and media, including cinema and its forerunners. MOMI was opened on 15 September 1988 by Prince Charles and became an instant international hit and winning 18 awards.The museum was sited below Waterloo Bridge and forming part...
prior to being broadcast on television. Most episodes on the DVD set have two commentaries each and deleted scenes with optional commentaries by creator
Paul FeigPaul S. Feig is an American director, actor and author. Feig is best known for creating the critical acclaimed show, Freaks and Geeks and directing several episodes of The Office...
and chosen cast and crew members.
DVD, CD and book releases
On April 6, 2004, a six-
DVDDVD, also known as Digital Versatile Disc or Digital Video Disc,is an optical disc storage media format, and was founded in 1995. Its main uses are video and data storage...
Freaks and Geeks box set was released through
Shout! FactoryShout! Factory is an entertainment company founded in 2002 that was started by Richard Foos , Bob Emmer and Garson Foos initially as a specialty music label...
. A limited "yearbook edition" set including two additional discs was also available through the official website for the show. Fans who had signed an online petition to get the show on DVD got priority in purchasing the special set. A CD
soundtrackA soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the synchronized...
was released on September 14, 2004.
In November 2004, two
Freaks and Geeks books were released, titled
Freaks and Geeks: The Complete Scripts, Volume 1 and
Freaks and Geeks: The Complete Scripts, Volume 2. Both published by
Newmarket PressNewmarket Publishing and Communications Company, and its publishing arm Newmarket Press, was founded in 1981 by President and Publisher Esther Margolis. Now in its 25th year with more than 300 books published, Newmarket Press is one of the few mainstream, trade publishing houses in New York City...
, each book covers nine scripts from the series as compiled by
Paul FeigPaul S. Feig is an American director, actor and author. Feig is best known for creating the critical acclaimed show, Freaks and Geeks and directing several episodes of The Office...
and
Judd ApatowJudd Apatow is an American film producer, director, and screenwriter. He is well-known for making a distinct series of critically and commercially successful comedy films, including The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, and Funny People...
themselves. Extra content includes behind-the-scenes memos and notes, photos, additional plotlines and excerpts from the
Freaks and Geeks series bibles.
On November 25, 2008, the deluxe "Yearbook Edition" boxed set was re-released. The set features all of the episodes, commentaries, and special features of the "Complete Series" six-DVD set, plus two extra discs and deluxe packaging. It is packaged as a 80-page color yearbook with essays, pictures, and episode synopses.
| Freaks and Geeks: The Complete Series |
| Set details |
Special features |
- Studio: Shout! Factory
- 18 episodes
- 1.33:1 aspect ratio
- English (Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround)
- Subtitles: None
|
29 audio commentaries by the actors, writers, directors, network executives, parents of cast members, teachers in character and dedicated fans of the show
Over 60 deleted scenes and outtakes with commentary
28-page booklet with an essay by series creator Paul Feig, and a Q&A with producer/writer Judd Apatow.
Cast auditions |
| Release date |
North AmericaNorth America is the northern continent of the Americas, situated in the Earth's northern hemisphere and in the western hemisphere. It is bordered on the north by the Arctic Ocean, on the east by the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southeast by the Caribbean Sea, and on the west by the North Pacific...
|
April 6, 2004 |
Soundtrack
One of the distinguishing characteristics that separated
Freaks and Geeks from similar television series at the time was its authentic soundtrack. The creators made it a priority to feature genuine, period-specific music that would help to create the tone of the show. Clearing such names as
The WhoThe Who are an English rock band formed in 1964. The primary lineup consisted of guitarist Pete Townshend, vocalist Roger Daltrey, bassist John Entwistle, and drummer Keith Moon. They became known for energetic live performances including the pioneering spectacle of instrument destruction...
, the
Grateful DeadThe Grateful Dead were an American rock band formed in 1965 in the San Francisco Bay Area. The band was known for its unique and eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, folk, bluegrass, blues, reggae, country, jazz, psychedelia, and space rock—and for live performances of long musical...
, the Moody Blues, and
Billy JoelBilly Joel is an American rock musician, singer-songwriter, and classical composer. Since releasing his first hit song, "Piano Man", in 1973, Joel has become the sixth best-selling recording artist in the United States, according to the RIAA....
would prove to require much of the show's budget. Eventually, this would become an obstacle in releasing the show on DVD due to the difficulty and expense of clearing all of the music rights for the series. Many television shows (such as
Dawson's CreekDawson's Creek is an American primetime television drama which initially aired from January 20, 1998, to May 14, 2003, on The WB Television Network. The lead production company was Sony Pictures Television. The show was set in the fictional town of Capeside, Massachusetts and in Boston,...
and
WKRP in CincinnatiWKRP in Cincinnati is an American situation comedy that featured the misadventures of the staff of a struggling fictional radio station in Cincinnati, Ohio. The show was created by Hugh Wilson and was based upon his experiences working in advertising as a client of a classic album-oriented rock...
) had music cues changed or removed in order to facilitate relatively inexpensive DVD releases. The creators of
Freaks and Geeks, however, chose to wait to release the DVD until they could find a company up to the challenge of gaining clearance for the music, as not to upset the fans of the show.
Shout! FactoryShout! Factory is an entertainment company founded in 2002 that was started by Richard Foos , Bob Emmer and Garson Foos initially as a specialty music label...
, a music and video company specializing in comprehensive reissues and compilations of classic and sometimes obscure pop culture eventually brought
Freaks and Geeks to DVD with all of its music intact.
Awards
The show was nominated for two Emmy Awards in 2000: one for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series (Paul Feig, "Pilot") and one for Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series (
Allison JonesAllison Jones is a popular casting director who is credited for helping to bring together realistic ensemble casts for such television shows as Freaks and Geeks , Curb Your Enthusiasm and Arrested Development , and the US version of The Office.She has also cast several successful films,...
, Coreen Mayrs and Jill Greenberg). The show won the Emmy for Outstanding Casting.
The show was nominated for an Emmy once again in 2001 for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series (Paul Feig, "Discos and Dragons").
In addition to the Emmys, the show has been nominated for and won numerous awards for writing, directing and acting.
Detroit/Michigan references
The show is set in the fictional town of Chippewa, Michigan, although the town is unnamed until the fifteenth episode, "Noshing and Moshing". The series was partly based on creator Feig's experiences at Chippewa Valley High School – located in
Clinton Township, MichiganClinton Township is the name of some places in the U.S. state of Michigan:*Clinton Charter Township, Michigan in Macomb County*Clinton Township, Lenawee County, Michigan*Clinton Township, Oscoda County, Michigan...
– from which he graduated in 1980. Though the town's geography is never clearly established, in the episode "Looks and Books" Harold Weir mentions that they live near Detroit.
There are many other references to the
Metro DetroitThe Detroit metropolitan area, often referred to as Metro Detroit, is the metropolitan area located in Southeast Michigan centered on the city of Detroit. As the home of the "Big Three" American automakers , it is the world's traditional automotive center and a key pillar of the U.S...
area, including mentions of institutions specific to the Detroit area, such as
FaygoFaygo or Faygo Pop is a soft drink brand headquartered in Detroit, Michigan. It is distributed in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Central Southern regions of the United States...
, Cobo Arena,
Detroit LionsThe Detroit Lions are an American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in downtown Detroit....
,
Pontiac SilverdomeThe Pontiac Silverdome is a domed stadium located in the city of Pontiac, Michigan. It hosted the Detroit Lions of the NFL from 1975–2001, the Detroit Pistons of the NBA from 1978–1988, the Michigan Panthers of the USFL from 1983–1984, the college football Cherry Bowl in 1984 and 1985 and Motor...
,
Farmer JackFarmer Jack was a supermarket chain based in Detroit, Michigan. At its peak, it operated more than 100 stores, primarily in the Detroit metropolitan area. In its final years the chain operated as a subsidiary of New Jersey-based A&P corporation...
,
party storesA convenience store is a small store or shop that sells items such as candy, ice-cream, soft drinks, lottery tickets, newspapers and magazines, along with a selection of processed food and perhaps some groceries. Stores that are part of gas stations may also sell motor oil, windshield washer fluid,...
,
General MotorsGeneral Motors Company, often known as simply GM, is a United States based automaker with headquarters in Detroit, Michigan. GM was the world's 18th largest corporate entity and third largest automaker as ranked by 2008 revenues on the Fortune Global 500. Ranked by global unit sales for 2008, it...
, the
Mile Road SystemThe Mile Road System in Southeast Michigan was established as a way to delineate east-west roads through the Detroit area and the surrounding rural rim.-History:...
, and the
North American International Auto ShowThe North American International Auto Show , is an annual auto show held in Detroit, Michigan at Cobo Center. It is among the largest auto shows in North America.-History:...
.
Undeclared and beyond
In 2001, several of the actors featured in
Freaks and Geeks appeared in a new
Judd ApatowJudd Apatow is an American film producer, director, and screenwriter. He is well-known for making a distinct series of critically and commercially successful comedy films, including The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, and Funny People...
college half-hour comedy called
UndeclaredUndeclared is an American comedy television series that aired on Fox during the 2001–2002 season.-Premise:The half-hour comedy-drama/sitcom was Judd Apatow's follow-up to the TV cult classic Freaks and Geeks, which also lasted for one season. Undeclared centered on a group of college freshmen at...
, which aired on Fox Network. Apatow fought with the network to include
Freaks and Geeks actors, but only picked up
Seth RogenSeth Rogen is a Canadian actor, comedian, writer and film producer. Rogen began his career doing stand-up comedy for four years during his teens, coming in second place in the Vancouver Amateur Comedy Contest when he was 16. While still living in his native Canada, he landed a supporting role in...
(who was already committed to the show as a writer) as a regular cast member. However,
Jason SegelJason Jordan Segel is an American television and film actor, screenwriter and musician, known for his work with producer Judd Apatow on the short-lived television series Freaks and Geeks and Undeclared, the movies Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Knocked Up, and I Love You, Man, and also for his role as...
became a recurring character, and
Samm LevineSamuel Franklin "Samm" Levine is an American television and film actor. He is known for his portrayal of Neal Schweiber on NBC's short-lived Freaks and Geeks and PFC Hirschberg in the hit 2009 film Inglourious Basterds...
,
Busy PhilippsElizabeth Jean "Busy" Philipps is an American film actress, perhaps best known for her supporting roles on the TV series Freaks and Geeks and Dawson's Creek.-Career:...
, and
Natasha MelnickNatasha Melnick is an American television and film actress. She may be best known for her portrayal of Cindy Sanders on the short-lived NBC dramedy Freaks and Geeks.Melnick was born in Los Angeles, California...
guest-starred in multi-episode arcs, as did prominent
Freaks and Geeks guest stars
Steve BannosSteve Bannos is an American television and film actor and writer. As an actor, he may be best known for his portrayal of Frank Kowchevski on the short-lived NBC dramedy Freaks and Geeks....
and
David KrumholtzDavid Krumholtz is an American actor best known for his work on the CBS television show Numb3rs.-Early life:Krumholtz was born in Queens, New York, the son of Judy, a dental assistant, and Michael Krumholtz, a postal worker. He grew up in a "very working-class, almost poor" Jewish family. His...
.
Martin StarrMartin Starr is an American television and film actor. He is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Bill Haverchuck on the short-lived NBC comedy-drama Freaks and Geeks and Joel on the 2009 comedy-drama movie Adventureland.-Life and career:Starr was born Martin James Pflieger Schienle in Santa...
was prominent in another episode, and a scene with
Sarah HaganSarah Margaret Hagan is an American television and movie actress.-Biography:Hagan was born in Austin, Texas. She has been acting since the age of six, when her mother first signed her up for musical theater...
was shot, although it was cut for television broadcast. Despite garnering a cult following, the show was also canceled abruptly during its first season.
Six years later, actors from the two shows comprised the bulk of the starring cast of Apatow's film,
Knocked UpKnocked Up is a 2007 American comedy film, co-produced, written and directed by Judd Apatow. Starring Seth Rogen, Katherine Heigl, Paul Rudd, and Leslie Mann, the film follows the repercussions of a drunken one-night stand between Rogen's slacker character and Heigl's just-promoted media...
, with
James FrancoJames Edward Franco is an American actor, director, screenwriter, film producer, and artist. He began acting during the late 1990s, appearing on the short-lived television series Freaks and Geeks and starring in several teen films...
making a brief cameo appearance as himself. In addition, many of the extras starred as teachers and principal tertiary characters from both shows. Martin Starr, Steve Bannos, and David Krumholtz all appeared as extras in
Superbad, which was produced by Apatow and co-written by Rogen (who also has a supporting role in the film).
Walk Hard featured Bannos, Krumholtz and Starr in minor or cameo roles.
In 2008, Rogen and Franco co-starred in the Judd Apatow-produced comedy film
Pineapple ExpressPineapple Express is a 2008 American comedy film directed by David Gordon Green, written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg and starring Rogen and James Franco with cameo appearances by Ed Begley, Jr. and James Remar...
.
External links
- Freaks and Geeks at Shout! Factory
Shout! Factory is an entertainment company founded in 2002 that was started by Richard Foos , Bob Emmer and Garson Foos initially as a specialty music label...