Though perhaps not a classic (yet), Freaks and Geeks is a great YA show, and in spite of its short lifespan (the series only lasted 18 episodes from 1999-2000) it has gone on to achieve notoriety after its demise.
Set in 1980 in Michigan, Freaks and Geeks is the story of the Weirs – ‘freak’ and former brainiac and ‘mathlete’ Lindsey; her Star Wars-obsessed ‘geek’ brother Sam; and their respective group of friends consisting of both ‘freaks’ and ‘geeks’ trying to navigate through high school.
I watched this show briefly when it was first on, but later discovered it on DVD and loved it. Not only is it funny, but the show’s depictions of high school are so real and absurd at the same time (witness Sam walking through school in a powder-blue leisure suit in attempts to impress his crush – popular girl, Cindy Sanders).
Freaks and Geeks is charmingly dated with its love of all things 1980 and shows that YA with time-specific references can still be popular and enjoyed after its era has passed as long as their stories are true and relevant to YA experiences today.
But, to better describe the show, here is a clip of Sam braving school in his powder-blue belted leisure suit….
