Freaks and Geeks
Quite a while back sis introdced me to Freaks and Geeks and over break I finally was able to watch the entire series (naturally only one season) over break. This is, yet another, a wonderful show that was cancelled before its time.
The show centers on a brother (a geek) and a sister (a freak) who are just trying to get through the daily grind of high school and all that comes with it.
I think the reason this (and other series) failed is because it actually has character development and is clever… it seems most television watchers can’t handle that. People would rather have the same old packaged stuff with the same jokes and same characters just with different scenery. If people were willing to invest in quality programming and had an attention span longer than 5 minutes, these shows might actually last. Firefly, Freaks and Geeks, and (probably) Arrested Development: three shows that are far better than probably 85% of shows ever produced and yet they were not allowed to survive because they don’t make the networks enough cash. It’s a shame. Wake up to reality people! Most of the shows you watch are just pre-packaged garbage that you have already seen in one form or another, when an original show comes along that has some cleverness and wit to it, WATCH IT! Support it! Don’t watch non-sense like American Idol (they sure as hell ain’t my idol), Skating with Celebrities, The War at Home, Stacked and whatever other silly shows are out now, they just aren’t worth it.
Freaks has taken real life struggles and without exaggerating them or reducing them to something insignificant have made them clever and original and relatable. The characters work well together and their problems feel real. It isn’t a show for kids that just says “stay in school because it is the right thing to do” but it takes a look at issues that high schoolers, and yes, even adults, might have dealt with or are dealing with. And aside from that, the show is just funny and well worth the watch. Check it out! My favorite character is Ken, he is just a dumb guy who kinda tries… sometimes… but has a lot of heart.
Has anyone seen Undeclared?It was creaded by Judd Apatow, who also had a big hand in Freaks, and is apparently somewhat similar to that style (and also only lasted a season). Anyone heard about this show? Any good?
Resources
Wikipedia - Freaks and Geeks
Wikipedia - Undeclared
Freaks and Geeks Official Website
Undeclared Official Website
Buy.com - Freaks and Geeks: $52.48 (free shipping): feel free to pick one up for me!
Cheers!
-Matt Jones
Man, I miss Undeclared, so much, Undeclared was awesome.
As for the whole fact that people don’t watch new stuff it’s as Fry put it on Futurama:
Unexpected twists make people feel scared and if a show’s clever it makes them feel stupid.
And that is why people watch the same shit over and over again, it’s safe, it’s reliable, and they don’t have to think to get the joke.
I guess I will have to check it out then! Yeah, I agree. The safeness and reliability allows people not to think, and that is a very sad statement. I don’t mind feeling stupid as long as it makes me laugh.
Fry is a genius… of sorts.
I feel your pain. People always talk about how funny Everybody Loves Raymond is. It’s just a bunch of people sitting around insulting each other with pre-canned jokes.
I was actually think that exact same things as I was browsing the channels last night. That was definitely one show that I never got into. It was so hugely popular but just seemed like all the other shows out there to me. I guess, if anything, it just helps to turn the tv off!
See my blog, My Real Life Freaks And Geeks:
http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=35518269&blogID=95634191&MyToken=68e1ac48-48d6-4b79-98d3-2f44bdaf6994
I wish Freaks and Geeks was still around too and I can’t believe it was taken off.
I feel your pain!
Peace Love with a little bit of Rock ‘n’ Roll!