An Undeniable Cult Classic
Welcome back to The Rewind Podcast!
This week Keeks discusses the ups and many downs that led to the fall of the one-season, NBC, teen series with an all-star cast, Freaks & Geeks, while Jonah sits back to listen to the messy drama.
Freaks and Geeks gained cult status when the series was picked up for syndication on Fox Family. The show explores themes of identity, adolescence, and the struggles of fitting in–all with humor and raw emotion. Although it lasted only one season, its sharp writing, authentic characters, and breakout cast earned it critical acclaim and a lasting fanbase.
Watch the video below to learn how NBC failed Freaks & Geeks at every turn. And yes, there is a Buffy the Vampire Slayer connection.
**TRIGGER WARNING** Keeks and Jonah acknowledge James Franco’s fall from grace due to his problematic behavior.
Things to Know about Freaks and Geeks
Freaks and Geeks was created by Paul Feig (Bridesmaids, Ghostbusters) and executive produced by Judd Apatow (The 40-Year-Old-Virgin). The series star Linda Cardellini (Lindsay Weir), James Franco (Daniel Desario), Seth Rogen (Ken Miller), Jason Segel (Nick Andopolis), Busy Phillipps (Kim Kelly), John Francis Daley (Sam Weir), Samm Levine (Neal Schreiber), Martin Starr (Bill Haverchuck), Becky Ann Baker (Jean Weir), and Joe Flaherty (Harold Weir). Sarah Hogan was Lindsey’s former best friend, Mille. You will remember Hogan as the potential slayer, Amanda,
This American TV series aired from September 25, 1999, to October 17, 2000, on NBC. At the time of the recording, the series had a Tomatometer score of 100 percent and a Popcorn Meter rating of 96 percent.
Freaks and Geeks Synopsis
Freaks and Geeks is a coming-of-age story set in a suburban Michigan high school during the 1980-81 school year. It follows Lindsay Weir, a bright student who begins hanging out with a group of slacker “freaks,” and her younger brother Sam, who navigates life with his group of nerdy “geek” friends.
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