The Reason DVD’s Were Invented…
Freaks and Geeks
The Complete Series
(Dreamworks/Shout)
Freaks and Geeks lasted for a total of 18 episodes during the 1999-2000 television season. Not many other shows in history have received such overwhelming critical praise out of the box (the show’s pilot episode was nominated for an Emmy for writing after the show was cancelled, as was the last episode, a year and a half after the show left the air), and if NBC had aired the show in a decent and consistent time slot, we might very well still be watching new episodes today. Alas, the network didn’t have enough patience to let the ratings develop, and all we are left with is this 6-DVD collection, which, despite a bittersweet sense of incompleteness, might be the most impressive presentation of a TV show on DVD, period.
Freaks and Geeks followed a lovable bunch of outsiders as they struggled through high school life in Michigan in 1980. And while the show was set in 1980, the situations are ones that anyone who ever went to high school can somehow relate to: getting picked last in gym, mustering up the courage to tell the fat kid that he smelled, discovering that your parent is having an affair, having a friend who was deathly allergic to peanuts, your parents not liking your friends, realizing that you are too old to trick or treat anymore, getting pelted in dodgeball, trying pot for the first time, and, well, putting up with a friend’s annoying ventriloquism.
In addition to all 18 extraordinary, hour-long episodes of the show, this collection features an exhaustive amount of extra material. Most episodes have two separate commentaries from the show’s producers, studio executives, cast members, crew and fans. The set also features two hours of new show material including audition footage and deleted scenes from every episode; outtakes, bloopers and alternate takes from every episode; behind-the-scenes footage, and original show promotional footage. The packaging is classy, too, and includes a 28-page accompanying booklet complete with interviews with the show’s creators, Judd Apatow and Paul Feig.
There’s something about this show that makes you want to watch it over and over and over again. And thanks to the petitions of over 30,000 fans, you can.
I totally agree. I got this set a couple of weeks ago & have been going through all of the episodes & commentaries since then. It is a crime that it never got a second season.
The 6 disc set (which I have) is great..I wish I could have justified getting the 8 disc set...
By the way...I've always thought you reminded me a bit of Ken...just saying.
Posted by: that chris at April 21, 2004 09:05 AMKen is more like my friend Pat from Atlanta...
I don't think I would fit on that show, though, I would have to say that there is a little Ken in me, too...
Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your perspective), I would have fit in perfectly on that show. I would have been at the geek table with Bill, Sam & Neal hanging out & letting my geek flag fly!
Posted by: that chris at April 22, 2004 07:51 AMAs great as this show was, it was doomed from the beginning because all shows about kids have to deal with the fact that the actors are constantly changing. There's nothing worse than Ron Howard at age 29 playing Ritchie Cunningham at 19 and we all still remember him as Opie at 9. An what's with dragging out "That 70s Show." Stick a fork in it already..
Posted by: cmwillis at April 26, 2004 10:55 AMI agree on all counts, though I wish they could've squeaked one more season out of it -- if for no other reason than to see more of the brilliance that was Bill Haverchuck.
I think The Wonder Years handled this kind of period/coming of age show as best as it can be handled, considering the fact that Fred Savage had doubled in age by the time the show went off the air.
Yeah, the '70s Show is getting quite expendable. I still laugh at Fez, though.
Posted by: billl colrus at April 26, 2004 12:59 PM