Freaks and Geeks: Season 1

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Universal acclaim based on 26 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 171 Ratings

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8.8

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8.8	User Score Universal acclaim based on 171 Ratings

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Freaks And Geeks

Now Playing: Freaks And Geeks

Season Details & Credits

NBC | Season Premiere Date: September 25, 1999

Starring: John Francis Daley, Linda Cardellini, Joe Flaherty

Summary: The universal experience of teenagehood as lived by the regular old freaks and geeks in a Michigan high school, circa 1980, is the subject of this wistful comedy-drama executive-produced by Emmy-winner Judd Apatow and series creator Paul Feig. Revolving around the lives of freak and geek siblings Lindsay and Sam Weir (Linda Cardellini, JohnThe universal experience of teenagehood as lived by the regular old freaks and geeks in a Michigan high school, circa 1980, is the subject of this wistful comedy-drama executive-produced by Emmy-winner Judd Apatow and series creator Paul Feig. Revolving around the lives of freak and geek siblings Lindsay and Sam Weir (Linda Cardellini, John Daley), the show includes the everyday fears, humiliations and little triumphs of adolescents past, present and, no doubt, future,too. For sophomore Lindsay, life is getting difficult. Jolted by the death of her grandmother, she dons her dad's old Army jacket and fights the one-girl battle of McKinley High. The allure of being a champion "mathlete" is losing its appeal, and her goals of college and career feel somehow irrelevant. She's alienated. Luckily, though, she's not really alone. Drifting away from her studious friends, she finds herself increasingly drawn to others like her, the "freaks" who ' refuse to accept the status quo. Among them are Daniel (James Franco), a friendly but also a dangerous guy who seems to like Lindsay, as does his bud Nick (Jason Segel), who dreams of stardom as a rock-and-roll drummer a la Led Zeppelin's Jon Bonham. Then there's Ken (Seth Rogen), an acerbic rebel, and Kim (Busy Philipps), a tough girl who doesn't go easy on Lindsay. Meanwhile, Lindsay's freshman brother Sam navigates high school like a mouse in a maze. Threatened at every turn, and attracted to an unattainable cheerleader, Sam faces his own set of obstacles. But he has good friends. Sure, they're "geeks," but so is Sam. There's Neal (Samm Levine), a wise-acre, sci-fi loving geek, and bespectacled Bill (Martin Starr), a classic looking nerd who's unfortunately not as brainy as he appears. On the homefront, Lindsay and Sam suffer through the good intentions of their overbearing mom (Becky Ann Baker) and their hardwired dad Joe Flaherty), who turns every teen issue into a matter of life and death. Unfortunately the show was canceled after only 12 episodes had aired, this was due to the poor ratings obtained. A fan-led campaign caused NBC to broadcast three more episodes in July 2000, but these would not be seen until September of that year when the cable channel Fox Family aired them in syndication.… Expand

Genre(s): Comedy, Drama

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Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E18. Discos and Dragons
Air Date: July 8, 2000
tbd
S1:E17. The Little Things
Air Date: July 8, 2000
tbd
S1:E16. Smooching and Mooching
Air Date: July 8, 2000

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Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

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Critic Reviews

100

Ken Tucker

Jun 13, 2013

Season 1 Review: This may be the first TV show since Pee-wee's Playhouse to treasure youth even as it embodies all of its contradictions, craziness, hopes, and fears (and I'd like to point out that Freaks is the only hour-long sitcom I've ever seen that sustains funniness for its full 60 minutes). Read full review

100

Hal Boedeker

Feb 20, 2013

Season 1 Review: This quirky comedy-drama stands out as one of the real pleasures among the 35 new series...It is funny, but also tender and nostalgic. This is one homecoming dance you don't want to miss. [25 Sept 1999, p.E1]

100

Scott D. Pierce

Feb 27, 2013

Season 1 Review: In addition to fresh, sharp writing, the casting in Freaks and Geeks is exceptional. [25 Sept 1999, p.E05]

Tom Shales

Feb 17, 2013

Season 1 Review: So much in the Freaks and Geeks premiere is shrewdly, tenderly and sagaciously observed that one wonders whether there'll be enough material left for additional episodes. Probably. [25 Sept 1999, p.C01]

Steve Johnson

Feb 17, 2013

Season 1 Review: It is, with only a couple of exceptions, sharply observed, poignant and original, and even worthy of getting the family together to watch. [24 Sept 1999, p.Tempo 3]

Robert Bianco

Feb 17, 2013

Season 1 Review: In mere minutes and with a few instantly evocative images, Freaks draws its characters more precisely than some shows do in a season. [24 Sept 1999, p.11E]

Aaron Barnhart

Feb 17, 2013

Season 1 Review: Color me confused on the concept. Are 20-somethings supposed to like this show? Good luck with those archaic pop culture references (Molly Hatchet, Carter/Mondale). Teen-agers? Sure - let them see that high school was just as vicious 20 years ago...Freaks and Geeks recalls a time a lot of viewers would rather forget. [25 Sept 1999, p.E1]

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User Score

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8.8

User Reviews

maisie

Oct 9, 2013

Freaks and Geeks was so great. Lovable, awkward, funny, underrated when airing; a cult hit. One of the best teenage shows because it is realistic and comical at the same time.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

justbeme

Dec 3, 2010

This is just am amazing tv show. Honestly, it is the best school-based tv show. The characters are realistic but at the same time un-boring and lovable. The show is just simply extremely funny. This show cant compare to any shows these day (for example glee). Not saying glee is bad, justThis is just am amazing tv show. Honestly, it is the best school-based tv show. The characters are realistic but at the same time un-boring and lovable. The show is just simply extremely funny. This show cant compare to any shows these day (for example glee). Not saying glee is bad, just that Freaks And Geeks is a lot easier to follow, a lot more comedic and is not overdone.… Expand

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

bfoore90

May 29, 2015

I had never heard of this show before I actually started watching it on Netflix a few weeks ago. as soon as i started watching it, I instantly became a fan after a few episodes.The show is very good and every episode is just as interesting as the last. Its characters are extremely realisticI had never heard of this show before I actually started watching it on Netflix a few weeks ago. as soon as i started watching it, I instantly became a fan after a few episodes.The show is very good and every episode is just as interesting as the last. Its characters are extremely realistic and relatable and not just cardboard cutouts that you see in TV shows today. This is one of those shows I wish I could have seen more of, I wish it had lasted more than 1 season.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

LetzTalkMoveez

Nov 20, 2012

A strong contender for the best show about teenagers ever made.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

ydnar4

Aug 7, 2016

Created by two of the most noticeable comedy directors of modern times Paul Feig and Judd Apatow Freaks and Geeks is one of the most realistic portrayals of high school to ever grace the screen and unfortunately it only lasted for one season (the show was actually cancelled before the seasonCreated by two of the most noticeable comedy directors of modern times Paul Feig and Judd Apatow Freaks and Geeks is one of the most realistic portrayals of high school to ever grace the screen and unfortunately it only lasted for one season (the show was actually cancelled before the season finale ever aired). Freaks and Geeks works so well because the characters were so well crafted and loveable. The cast really brought their characters to life and the scripts gave each character and opportunity to shine. The show is now famous for launching the careers of James Franco, Seth Rogen and Jason Segel, but the stand outs of the show were actually the Weir children played Linda Cardellini and John Francis Daley. Both Lindsay and Sam and their respective groups of friends were able to make us connect with their experiences with themes like finding your first love, doing drugs for the first time, finding yourself and there are actually a few dramatic episodes that cover the adulterous actions of one of the children's father. Sam Levine and Martin Starr may not have made big waves after the show ended but they were both very loveable in their roles as two of Sam's fellow freaks. Most supporting characters got a least one episode to show what was happening with some the characters that took a backseat. Even the guidance counsellor Mr Rosso (played by Dave Allen) gets a bit more attention in one episode to have him evolve into a bit more than just an authority figure. All the characters are loveable and the storylines never get old. One great thing about Freaks and Geeks was it really didn't run for long enough to do anything wrong.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

fairfieldkara

May 27, 2018

On oldie but a goodie. I loved seeing all the story lines of the characters! Every character i liked for different reasons. They don't make shows like these anymore and that is too bad! So sad that there was only one season I would have loved to see more character development. One of theOn oldie but a goodie. I loved seeing all the story lines of the characters! Every character i liked for different reasons. They don't make shows like these anymore and that is too bad! So sad that there was only one season I would have loved to see more character development. One of the best school-based shows on Netflix… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

heromoder

May 6, 2015

Some decent writing and good acting makes this little Apatow engine that couldn't a surprise hit. A few dud episodes here and there, but ultimately a funny little show about fitting in and standing out.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEE ALL 22 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

88

Series Overview
Season 1

88
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: September 25, 1999
- tbd
  S1:E18. Discos and Dragons
  Air Date: July 8, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E17. The Little Things
  Air Date: July 8, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E16. Smooching and Mooching
  Air Date: July 8, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E15. Noshing and Moshing
  Air Date: October 17, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E14. Dead Dogs And Gym Teachers
  Air Date: October 10, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E13. Chokin' and Tokin'
  Air Date: March 20, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E12. The Garage Door
  Air Date: March 13, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E11. Looks and Books
  Air Date: February 7, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E10. The Diary
  Air Date: January 31, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E9. We've Got Spirit
  Air Date: January 24, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E8. Girlfriends and Boyfriends
  Air Date: January 17, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E7. Carded and Discarded
  Air Date: January 10, 2000
- tbd
  S1:E6. I'm With The Band
  Air Date: November 13, 1999
- tbd
  S1:E5. Tests and Breasts
  Air Date: November 6, 1999
- tbd
  S1:E4. Kim Kelly Is My Friend
  Air Date: unknown
- tbd
  S1:E3. Tricks and Treats
  Air Date: October 30, 1999
- tbd
  S1:E2. Beers and Weirs
  Air Date: October 2, 1999
- tbd
  S1:E1. Pilot
  Air Date: September 25, 1999