For those of you who aren’t familiar with it, "Freaks and Geeks" was a TV show that aired between 1999 and 2000 back in the day. Like many other shows, Netflix brought it back into the light and now we all get to experience it. Unfortunately, the show only lasted one season before it was cancelled (12 episodes aired on TV and Netflix has the full 18). Being almost done with it already, I realized that this show had everything going for it, so why cancel it? Apparently it was because of low ratings, but after reading up on it, it now has achieved cult status. Maybe it wasn’t marketed as well as it could have been in 1999, but that’s the beauty of streaming now. Shows are becoming popular again that maybe weren’t at the time they were released. When I really sat down to think, I realized there aren’t enough shows out there like "Freaks and Geeks" anymore. Here’s why we need them more than ever.
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In a world where networks either broadcast shows aimed toward children or dark, thriller/crime shows, we don’t really have any shows solely for teenagers and college kids anymore. Those middle-of-the-road shows don’t exist anymore, and they seem to have run their course, which is sad. It’s fun to watch a show like "Freaks and Geeks" that feature relatable situations, characters seem familiar from when we were in high school and funny banter. I’m not saying a high school chemistry teacher turning to cooking industrial amounts of crystal meth with his former student and becoming the biggest name in the drug industry isn’t realistic either, but it’s just slightly not as relatable as a show like "Freaks and Geeks" if I say so myself (shout out to "Breaking Bad" which is amazing anyway).
Finding that balance of comedy and drama in TV shows and movies can be a challenge, but "Freaks and Geeks" handles it really well. We need more shows like that—ones that can combine two genres and make them work. Sure, we have characters insulting one another and getting themselves into insane and hilarious situations, but we also have issues handled in the show like parents, affairs, drugs, labels, friendships and much more. It has everything, and I can’t really see anyone not liking this show, which is why we should have other shows just like it.
I also love how the show is split half and half between the viewpoints of the freaks and the geeks. A lot of times in TV shows, you follow a certain number of characters (usually friends) and the audience only really gets one side of the story or insight into one reality. However, "Freaks and Geeks" follows two polar-opposite groups and what they each deal with, as well as situations when both groups cross over. It definitely makes for some great entertainment.
Another incredible thing about "Freaks and Geeks" is the amount of hugely famous actors and actresses that got their start on the show, such as James Franco, Jason Segel, Seth Rogan, Linda Cardellini, Shia LaBeouf, Leslie Mann, Ben Stiller and so many more. Going off of that, it would be great to see a show like "Freaks and Geeks," or just TV shows in general, that feature a new set of talent. Just showing how successful these no-named actors at the time were in "Freaks and Geeks," think of the talent out there still that can be just as successful as all of them.
If you have never seen it, I highly recommend checking out "Freaks and Geeks" for everything I just mentioned, as well as the fact it passes the time extremely well.
