‘Freaks & Geeks’ Ultimate Episode Guide To Celebrate the 25th Anniversary
What is Freaks and Geeks about?
NBC/Courtesy: Everett Collection
Freaks and Geeks is a witty and clever ensemble comedy/drama series that revolves around a bunch of teenagers living in a fictional suburb of Detroit. Most of the series follows them as they struggle their way through adolescence and high school, generally falling into one of the two categories specified in the show’s title. Although produced in 1999, the series is set in 1980-81 – a time when hand-held calculators and 8-Track tapes were practically the only high-tech things around.
Original TV Home:
NBC
Number Of Seasons: 1
(1999-2000)
Total Episodes / Time Table:
18 Episodes (44-46 minutes each) = 13 hours, 14 minutes.
Viewing Strategy:
You can complete the series in less than a week by watching 3 episodes (approx: 2 hours, 12 minutes) per day.
Who s in Freaks & Geeks?
Linda Cardellini, John Francis Daley, James Franco, Samm Levine, Seth Rogen, Jason Segel, Martin Starr, Becky Ann Baker, Joe Flaherty, Busy Philipps. There’s an interesting parade of recurring and guest stars as well. Among the pack: JoAnna Garcia, Shia LaBeouf, Rashida Jones, Lizzy Caplan, David Krumholtz, Ben Stiller.
NBC/Courtesy: Everett Collection
Where to Watch Freaks & Geeks?
Netflix, YouTube. A boxed set is also available on DVD and Blu-ray.
Why is Freaks & Geeks Binge-Worthy?
Freaks and Geeks is a show that was really too good for its time. And, as shows set in high schools go, this one hits all the marks, tackling issues that really strike a chord with most viewers. Unfortunately, not enough viewers tuned in when the show first aired on TV. It was canceled after one season.
It wasn’t even a full season, in fact. The series premiered in September 1999 and, even though 18 episodes were produced, only 12 of them actually made it to the air during the show’s original run on NBC. After the series was pulled from the air, a viewer campaign convinced NBC to air three more episodes in July 2000. The final three installments ended up airing a couple of months after that, on a cable channel then known as the Fox Family Channel.
As illustrated in the cast list, Freaks and Geeks was also notable for being a significant career launchpad for many of its young stars. The most prominent among the pack are James Franco, Seth Rogen and Jason Segel. But there are plenty of other young (and sometimes barely recognizable) faces who showed up on the series and would also rise to greater prominence afterward.
On the other side of the camera, meanwhile, the show’s creative team was also noteworthy, particularly executive producer Judd Apatow, who has since given TV viewers such series as HBO’s Girls and, but is most notable for movies like 40-Year Old Virgin, Step Brothers and many more.
NBC/Courtesy: Everett Collection
At the core of the Freaks and Geeks cast is Linda Cardellini as Lindsay Weir, an academic whiz who is desperately trying to shake her “mathlete” image by hanging out with the “cool” and rebellious gang of “freaks” at her school. They include Daniel Desario (James Franco), Ken Miller (Seth Rogen), Nick Andopolis (Jason Segel) and Kim Kelly (Busy Philipps).
Meanwhile, John Francis Daley plays Lindsay’s younger brother, Sam, who is trying to shed his nerdy image as well. But Sam’s circle of close pals is made up of two of the school’s biggest “geeks” – Neal Schweiber (Samm Levine) and Bill Haverchuck (Martin Starr).
An extensive ensemble of characters features a number of older familiar faces, including Joe Flaherty and Becky Ann Baker as Lindsay and Sam’s parents, Dave “Gruber” Allen as the school’s guidance counselor and Thomas F. Wilson as the school’s gym teacher.
There are a lot of 1980s references in Freaks and Geeks, particularly to TV shows (Welcome Back Kotter, Three’s Company, The Muppet Show, Charlie’s Angels, Dallas, M*A*S*H) and other prominent entertainment and celebrity fixtures (disco music, Bill Murray, Garry Shandling, Steve Martin, The Who, Star Wars, Caddyshack, Airplane!) of that era. Music is often a significant “character” throughout the series as well, ranging from the show’s theme song (Bad Reputation by Joan Jett) to a number of other tunes from the 1980s and beyond.
Must see Freaks & Geeks Episodes
This is a series where EVERY episode is really a must-see – basically because every episode has something worth laughing at. Still, there are some that do stand out …
Pilot (Episode 1): The first episode sets the stage for the premise and introduces the handful of young actors who went on to become big stars. Among them: Seth Rogan, Jason Segel, Busy Philipps and James Franco.
Tricks and Treats (Episode 3): The show’s Halloween episode is filled with clever retro bits, including one where Lindsay and Sam’s dad (Joe Flaherty) dons a vampire cape. It’s a comical little salute to Count Floyd, one of the characters that Flaherty played on a sketch-comedy show called SCTV.
I’m With the Band (Episode 6): Lindsay (Linda Cardellini) helps Nick (Jason Segel) grapple with his aspirations for the future. Meanwhile, Sam (John Francis Daley) is freaked out when the school’s gym teacher, Mr. Fredericks (Thomas F. Wilson), tells the boys they all have to take a shower after gym class. This is the first episode of the series that was directed by Judd Apatow.
Carded and Discarded (Episode 7): Sam (John Francis Daley), Neal (Samm Levine) and Bill (Martin Starr) have a group crush on a new girl in class.
We’ve Got Spirit (Episode 9): A very young (and totally unrecognizable) Shia LaBeouf guest stars as Herbert, a kid who has been the high-school basketball team’s mascot.
Discos and Dragons (Episode 18): Disco takes center stage in this, the final installment of the series. It was also the highest-rated episode. And no wonder. With the school year coming to a close, the twist in the final final scene brings the entire series to a fitting conclusion.
Most Shocking Freaks & Geeks episodes
There aren’t really any shocking episodes in this series. But there are some that have a few revealing or jaw-dropping (yet still hilarious) storylines that do stand out …
Kim Kelly Is My Friend (Episode 4): A young Rashida Jones guest stars as Karen Scarfoli, a bad-ass girl who bullies and humiliates Sam (John Francis Daley). The big storyline, though, involves Kim (Busy Philipps) and her abusive parents.
The Diary (Episode 10): Lindsay (Linda Cardellini) runs into trouble with her friends, which prompts Lindsay’s parents (Joe Flaherty, Becky Ann Baker) to sneak into her room and read her diary, which leads to some eye-opening revelations – and some big changes around the Weir household.
Looks and Books (Episode 11): Lindsay (Linda Cardellini) gives her friends a ride in her family’s car. Of course, things go wrong – which prompts Lindsay to rethink her entire life.
The Garage Door (Episode 12): Sam (John Francis Daley) makes an interesting discovery about Neal’s father, Dr. Schweiber (Sam McMurray).
Chokin’ and Tokin’ (Episode 13): Dimwitted bully Alan White (Chauncy Leopardi) tries to prove that Bill (Martin Starr) is lying about being allergic to peanuts. Meanwhile, Lindsay (Linda Cardellini) smokes pot for the first time.
Dead Dogs and Gym Teachers (Episode 14): Millie (Sarah Hagan) struggles with the death of her dog. Meanwhile, Bill (Martin Starr) receives some disturbing news from his mother (Claudia Christian).
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