Freaks and Geeks
By Emily Ashby,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Stellar teen dramedy explores angst, experimentation.
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Freaks and Geeks
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Based on 10 parent reviews
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What's the Story?
FREAKS AND GEEKS is a dramedy series set in the early ‘80s that centers on two groups of students at a fictional Michigan high school. Former model student Lindsay Weir (Linda Cardellini) has found a new niche among the school's burnouts -- Kim (Busy Phillips), Daniel (James Franco), Ken (Seth Rogen), and Nick (Jason Segel) -- a move that confounds her parents and teachers, who fear she's risking her future hanging out with the slacker crowd. Lindsay's younger brother, Sam (John Francis Daley), and his friends, Bill (Martin Starr) and Neil (Samm Levine), constitute the show's "geeks," and their opposing social status results in a vastly different high school experience from that of the "freaks." Other recurring characters include the Weirs' conservative parents, Harold (Joe Flaherty) and Jean (Becky Ann Baker); Sam's love interest and popular cheerleader, Cindy (Natasha Melnick); and Lindsay's former best friend and all-around good girl, Millie (Sarah Hagan).
Is It Any Good?
Despite consisting of just 18 episodes, this series earned accolades among fans for its sharp writing and comical, but honest portrayal of the uncertainties of teen life. All of the characters struggle to identify themselves within the context of their social environment, and anyone who's lived through those formative years will relate to their feelings of uncertainty and angst. Freaks and Geeks boasts an extremely talented cast, evident by the fact that most of the members have gone on to notable careers in television and film.
Not surprisingly, though, this teen-centered show has a lot of content that's not meant for kids. There's underage drinking and smoking, some drug use (marijuana in small doses), a fair amount of language, references to sexual relationships among teens, and plenty of negative role models among Lindsay's friends. Those taking in this content from beyond the teen years can afford to chuckle over it, and the show does make a conscious effort to present some realistic consequences for unsavory behavior. In the end, though, tweens will absorb the wrong messages from what they see, so it's best to keep this one for yourself and your mature teens.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about stereotyping. What instances of stereotyping exist in Freaks and Geeks? Do the characters reflect the groups you see among your peers? To what degree is stereotyping necessary for the comedy to be effective?
Can you relate to the characters' troubles in this show? If so, how? Would the show be any more effective if it were set more recently? What, if any, messages is the show attempting to send to viewers?
Families can discuss the issues raised in each episode. How do your observations of drinking, smoking, and other adult behavior differ between your peer set and the characters in this show? How are the issues you face and those on the show similar? Can you relate to their struggles with self-awareness and direction?
How do the characters in Freaks and Geeks learn and demonstrate empathy and self-control? Why are those important character strengths?
TV Details
- Premiere date: September 25, 1999
- Cast: Busy Philipps , James Franco , Linda Cardellini
- Network: Syndicated
- Genre: Drama
- Character Strengths: Empathy , Self-control
- TV rating: NR
- Last updated: June 1, 2023
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