Freaks and Geeks

About Freaks and Geeks

Freaks and Geeks is a critically acclaimed American teen comedy-drama television series, created by Paul Feig and executive-produced by Judd Apatow. Premiered in 1999, the show is set in the 1980s and primarily focuses on the lives and experiences of high school students in a Michigan suburb. However, the series received more universal praise after being cancelled prematurely, being noted for its honest and sensitive portrayal of teenage life and zeroing in on the timeless awkwardness that comes with adolescence.

Making / Production

Freaks and Geeks was produced by Apatow Productions and DreamWorks Television. Despite its short run, the series is credited for launching the careers of several big-name Hollywood actors and behind-the-scenes personnel, as well as having a profound influence on the style of television comedy over the next decade.

Actors

• Linda Cardellini (Lindsay Weir): Cardellini played Lindsay Weir, who was portrayed as an intelligent, compassionate but uncertain teenager explorating her own identity.
• John Francis Daley (Sam Weir): Daley played Sam Weir, Lindsay’s younger brother. His character was a Star Wars-loving, 99-pound freshman dealing with bullies and first love.
• James Franco (Daniel Desario): Franco’s character, Daniel, is a conflicted character trying to reconcile his reputation as a cool slacker with his more complex emotions.
• Seth Rogen (Ken Miller): Rogen played Ken, whose sarcastic nature hides a thoughtful and sensitive side.
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Trivia / Interesting Facts

• 'Freaks and Geeks' was named the #2 Best Show of All Time by Time magazine in 2007.
• The show launched the acting careers of Seth Rogen, James Franco and Jason Segel, all of whom have gone on to be big names in Hollywood.
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Awards

Despite its premature end, Freaks and Geeks was recognized with several award nominations during its run, including three Emmy Awards. In 2000, Paul Feig was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series. Remarking a great success, all the shortcomings!

Quotes

• "I don't need to see that. I lived it." - Lindsay Weir
• "You cut me off mid-funk." - Daniel Desario
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Music, Soundtrack

• “Bad Reputation” by Joan Jett (theme song)
• Various hits of the time period including The Who, Styx, and Van Halen composed the rest of the soundtrack.
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