Freaks and Geeks: The Complete Series

This is an excellent binge watcher set. I enjoyed watching 1-2 episodes a night after work for a week. It follows a handful of high school students through their mundane and crazy adventures. Soundtrack is period correct and AWESOME. Lots of stars got their start on this series that ended far too early.DVD set itself quality is fine, no issues.

Where to begin? Well, I guess it's safe to say that "Freaks and Geeks" far surpassed any comedy-laced drama I've seen in many moons.I had originally heard about the show during its original run on NBC during the 1999-2000 TV season. I even managed to catch a few episodes. However, I didn't watch it often enough to get to know the characters very well. Still, as a bit of a geek myself, I could relate to what Sam Weir (John Francis Daley), Bill Haverchuck (Martin Starr) and Neal Schweiber (Samm Levine) were going through, as awkward high school freshman. In fact, I can recall some similar painful experiences while attending Robinson Junior High and East High in Wichita, Kansas circa 1987-90.So, when I heard online that this slice of Americana was being cancelled, I chalked it up to another example of bonedheaded decisionmaking by the shortsighted suits who wouldn't know a good TV show if it bit 'em square on the tuckus.Look what befell quirky and interesting shows like "Twin Peaks" and more recently, "Wonderfalls." I could go on but I think most people reading this review know EXACTLY what I'm talking about.So, when Apatow's new show, "Undeclared," came on a season or so later, I began taping the episodes. And during the short reruns of "Freaks and Geeks" on Fox Family, I was happily reintroduced to the Weir clan and all the complex and interesting characters inhabiting early 1980's-era Chippewa, Michigan.There was the beautiful and smart Lindsay Weir (Linda Cardellini), the dry-witted, Nuge-loving Ken Miller (Seth Rogen), the stern and outta touch Harold Weir (Joe Flaherty), the sage hippie school guidance counselor (Dave "Gruber" Allen), and one of my all-time favorites -- Harris Trinsky, played by the amazing Canadian actor Stephen Lea Sheppard. Casting director Allison Jones was incredibly astute in choosing Sheppard for that role. In fact, I knew guys (and similar D&D dungeon masters) just like Harris when I was growing up. All these characters, with their very human thoughts, desires and shortcomings, were reminiscent of the characters on "Northern Exposure," albeit a little more down to earth. (And as much as I loved it on NX, FnG didn't have any odd dream sequences featuring rabbis in rowboats or shape-shifting bear people).And after Fox Family stopped airing the show, I was afraid I'd never see it again.But I was (thankfully) wrong!And now ... the amazing creators of "Freaks and Geeks," Judd Apatow and Paul Feig have lovingly put together a most excellent DVD collection featuring all 18 episodes of "Freaks and Geeks." Not only that, but deleted scenes, commentary, and all sorts of other stuff that makes fans like me jump for joy.Watching these episodes -- each disc features three episodes -- over the course of the past two weeks, has put me in a nostalgic frame of mind. Watching it, I felt like I had gone back to the 1980s. The pop culture references are dead on and the music selections -- Styx, the Grateful Dead, XTC, Journey, etc. -- are perfect. And the episodes -- my faves are "Tricks and Treats," "Discos and Dragons" and "Beers and Weirs" -- couldn't be more fun and heartfelt. And the special guest stars -- Ben Stiller, Joel Hodgson, Jason Schwartzman, etc., etc. -- well, they were totally appropriate for us TV and movie nerds.And while I enjoyed the lovelorn, pot-smokin', drummer wannabe Nick Andopolis (Jason Segel) and the rebel without a cause Daniel Desario (James Franco), it was the underrated Martin Starr that always stole the show for me.Seeing Martin Starr getting drunk while watching "Dallas" is an absolute scream! Starr deserves far more attention as an actor, as does Levine, whose comic timing is dead-on. Look at Starr's face when dressed as Jamie Summers (The Bionic Woman) for Halloween, a spaced-out hippie gives him and the gang some homemade carob candy. This, in the midst of the 'razorblade-in-the-candy' hysteria of this era. His expression is priceless!Then there is the episode where Ken finds out the truth about his girlfriend Amy (the always terrific Jessica Campbell). Another example of television gold!As for the actors, well, five years later I'm still stunned that Apatow and Feig were able to pull all these amazing talents together. Shame on those NBC knuckleheads for deep-sixing the show just as it was finding its audience. I guess for now I'll just have to get my "Freak" on by sitting down with a bowl of Count Chocula and a bottle of pop and spend some more time watching my "Freaks and Geeks" DVDs while anxiously awaiting that oft-promised "Freaks and Geeks" soundtrack. Please guys, don't forget to include Jean Weir (Becky Ann Baker) singing "The Monster Mash" or Nick (Segel) and Millie (Sarah Hagan) singing "Jesus is Just All Right". That'd be all right.

I don't know if you'll like this show. I loved it. Everyone who has seen more than 1 episode seems to love it. If you have 80's nostalgia or can identify with the "geeks" mentioned, you will too. If not? You'll probably still like this show, but I won't guarantee it. One thing to note: although this show is billed as a comedy/drama, I would put it in solidly in the "drama" camp. Most episodes are simply too poignant to be considered comedies. Freaks and Geeks has some hilarious moments, but they are rarely of the farcical sitcom kind. The comedy that can be found in the show is the kind that comes out of real life.I caught a snippet of one episode when it aired on NBC. The little piece that I saw (involving a bully nearly accompanying his typical victims to a science fiction convention) was enough to intrigue me. I tried to find the show again, but I was never able to. This, it turns out, was due to some awful schedule shifting that was imposed on Freaks and Geeks due to low ratings and the World Series. The brief clip, along with other rave reviews I read on a few sites convinced me to buy this DVD. With 18 hourlong episodes, I figured I was getting my money's worth. I was, and more. The first show had me hooked, and subsequent episodes rarely let me down. Out of 18 episodes, only 2 or 3 didn't leave me with the feeling that I had just seen great television. While I was about 10 years younger than the main characters, I found the 1980's references amusing. And while the backdrop of the early 80's figures prominently in Freaks and Geeks, some facets of the show are applicable to any generation. For example, one thing which the show did a fantastic job of portraying is the very tight friendships that result from being in an outcast group. The "geek" interactions with each other rang true, in my experience. While the "freak" group was more exaggerated -- they were far too pretty to be freaks, in my opinion -- their interactions were still believable. The point is, these groups are visible at any high school today. The clothes may have changed, but the behaviors are unchanged, which makes it impossible not to identify with these misfit kids.The acting was spectacular, given the youth of the cast. Samm Levine, playing Neal Schweiber, was an astounding casting choice. Ditto for Stephen Lea Sheppard, who playes Harris. The writing was also much better than I expected from a high school drama. Characters developed -- but slowly and logically. The show paced itself well. Although there was plenty of action in each episode, the writers were in no hurry to deliver spectacular plotlines. The show became especially poignant towards the end. Reading through the writers notes, it turns out that they were very aware of their impending cancellation, and they wanted to make each of the last few episodes really matter. The last 2 episodes of Freaks and Geeks were among my favorite television moments _ever_. I watched the final episode with a knot in my stomach. I still have a slight one, a day later. I can't believe the ignorance of NBC executives who cancelled this show. Frankly, I think that if it was given one more season -- enough time for the freaks crew to graduate high school -- it could have sailed off into the sunset as one of the best shows ever televised with no argument. Although it wasn't given that chance, the 18 episodes are good enough to at least stir a debate.The actual DVDs, as other reviewers have pointed out, are everything you'd expect. A neat "liner notes" package with an episode guide + brief notes is included. Each disc contains 3 episodes with & without full commentary, as well as deleted scenes with and without commentary. The commentary includes cast, crew, NBC executives and even fans! Be sure to check out the official website (freaksandgeeks.com) for other tidbits.While each episode is reasonably self-contained, in my opinion this series needs to be judged as one long story. And like most stories -- even the great ones -- it has a moment or two where it drags. But on the whole, this is some of the finest writing TV has seen in a long time. And judging by the shows that survived where Freaks and Geeks failed, it will be a long time before we see a show of this quality again.

The series was amazing. I had heard about it from a few friends who told me that it was really good and that it had Seth Rogan and Jason Segal, which was all I needed. I watched the whole series in one weekend and could not have enjoyed it more.The characters were so well written and realistic. It felt like I was watching people I knew from my own high school. Also, the storylines they came up with weren't the cookie cutter plotlines that seem to emerge with every other teenage show nowadays(not that I don't enjoy those shows too). This show just seemed to show all different perspectives of high school personalities, not just the freaks and the geeks but also the popular crowd as well as the teachers and parents take on things.Also, There was not a single character in the show that at one point or another I wasn't empathizing with, Even allan the bully and Vicki the cheerleader had their moments.Ken and Nick both were cute in their own awkward ways. Daniel was just so likable then even thought he never seemed to do anything right you always wanted him to suceed. Kim was so rude that I couldn't help but laugh. Her rant about "on The Road" had me in tears. Neil and Lindsay both had their moments as well. Sam, I never really connected with but I guess I can't really complain because he still was a great character.After I'd finished, I had wished the show had lasted longer, but that might have taken away from what it was. A brief bright light in the otherwise dark and bland television universe. If it had gone on longer who's to say it would've maintained the quality that everyone seems to love so much.To sum up, If you are looking for a TV show that will not only entertain you but also make you laugh and relive your own high school experience(as good or bad as that may be) then this is the show for you. If you don't like or appreciate this show, I feel sorry for you.

海外のはハイスクールドラマが好きな人は好きだと思います。フリーク（不良）、ギーク（おたく）の対比、その間にいる主人公の葛藤が面白いです

I got this TV series in March this year and have watched the whole of it about three times since then. It is absolutely brilliant, if you have no experience in the period that it is set (the 80's) it makes no difference because the characters, storylines, and script are all put together so well.The characters never get tiresome, although some of them are a little annoying this is just part of the brilliance of the show as it reflects real life. Plus the actors are great; it was an open-audition for the show so professional actors as well as amateurs will have auditioned, and so they got the best of what was out there.The storylines in the series are very creative but not too outlandish (but I have to say the one disappointing episode for me was the school mascot/Lindsay and Nick breakup)and so, although it is just set in everyday school life, you never get bored with what's going on.Finally, of course the script just makes the show. Each character is consistent, and if you re-watch the series you realise just how much they grow throughout. Although it is not described as a comedy series, it is funnier than many of the sitcoms around today, with some hilarious (sometimes subtle, sometimes outrageous) moments.A perfect TV show, definately buy it!

無ケーカクの命中男、４０歳の童貞男ですっかりジャド・アパトーとセス・ローゲンが好きになってしまったので、ふたりが出会うきっかけになったコレを見なくてどうするんだ、と勢いのまま買ってしまいました。10年以上も前のアメリカのドラマで、私とは世代も文化も違う世界の話なのに、どうしてこんなに楽しめるのか。ホントに文句なしにおもしろい！英語もそこまで難しくないし（ていうか大したこと話してないから？笑）、英語に自信がなくても充分楽しめました。オススメです！

To state that Freaks & Geeks meant a lot to those of us who loved the show would still be an understatement. This show delivered to the believers something we all felt was/is sorely lacking on primetime TV; quality. Freaks had an abundance of positive traits, from excellent writing, cinematography, direction and, most importantly, a stellar cast (from leads to second-tier characters to well-chosen extras, the casting was simply superb). For those of us old enough to get all of the pop cultural references an added level of enjoyment could also be found (for me the rock n roll content totally spoke to me, esp. all the Neil Peart/John Bonham/Pink Floyd stuff). This show made me laugh and tugged the heartstrings, it also brought me back to the early 80's high school reality (which I've been trying to forget for many years now, but instead of being only painful it has also reminded me of much of the good of those bygone days). This DVD is a must for those who've already experienced the pleasures of the show (my VHS copies are beginning to disintegrate from way too much viewing) and is a treat waiting to be savoured by those who have yet to be touched by the greatness that is Freaks & Geeks. Thank you Paul Feig and Judd Apatow for giving the discerning TV viewers of the world a classic show that we can now treasure for years. You guys (and everyone else responsible for the DVD's release) did a heck of a job. Long Live Freaks & Geeks!!