by Jon Partridge
Freaks and Geeks has always been an oversight on my part; having grown up in the UK I have a few blind spots in my viewing history. Thankfully this was rectified recently, and in the best possible manner as Shout Factory have put together one of the most impressive home releases I’ve seen in a long time. Not content with releasing the (newly remastered) original episodes that lit a fire under the careers of Paul Feig and Judd Apatow, as well as cast members Linda Cardellini, Seth Rogen, James Franco, and Jason Segel, Shout Factory have packed in a host of extras sure to please even the most ardent fan.
FREAKS AND GEEKS
Set in 1980 at the fictional McKinley High in Detroit, Freaks and Geeks focused on two groups of outsiders: the stoners, tough kids, and bad girls; and the brains, nerds, and squares. Although this Emmy award-winning series ran for only one season, it has remained a cult favorite and a benchmark of quality television.
A funny and authentic portrait of high school life with all of its horrors and triumphs, Freaks And Geeks resonates with anybody who has ever felt like they don’t quite fit in. The series’ legacy — including the ongoing success of many of its key personnel, from creator Paul Feig (Bridesmaids), to executive producer Judd Apatow (The 40-Year Old Virgin), to cast members such as Linda Cardellini, Seth Rogen, James Franco, and Jason Segel — is undoubtedly secure in the hearts and minds of its passionate (and ever-growing) fanbase.
The show revolves around the Weir siblings, sophomore Lindsay (Linda Cardellini) and her freshman brother, Sam (John Daley), the “Freak and Geek” of the title. As you’d expect with a high school dramedy, the show looks at the lives of these kids, social structure, and matters of growing up that should be familiar to us all. Lindsay is a studious type, but having recently lost her grandmother finds herself going through something of an identity crisis — rebelling (somewhat), attempting to stretch herself socially, moving beyond her reputation as a maths freak. Sam and his friends Neal (Samm Levine) and Bill (Martin Starr) are somewhat more clueless as to what is happening in the world, more befuddled than angsty. Being kids from a good family, a loving home, they form a decent, sweet core to the show as more crazed characters and happenings unfold around them.
There’s nothing revolutionary about the show, but it provides one of the best insights into high-school life in America, infused with a lot of genuine humor and heart. Less whiny than Dawson’s Creek, less sentimental that The Wonder Years, and containing far less Screech than Saved By the Bell. (OK, so it contains no Screech. Win!) It’s a nuanced look at teenage life aided by a stellar cast, familiar names that back then were just fresh faces including Cardellini, Rogen, Franco, Segel, Starr and Daley, not to mention a host of minor roles for Rashida Jones, Ben Stiller, Jason Schwartzman, Lizzy Caplan, and Tom Wilson. It’s sharply written, such that a 60 minute episode feels like it’s half that, and it impressively captures the ’80s era with its production design, aided by a pitch perfect period-specific soundtrack. There is a lot to love here; it’s a show tinged with with a warmth that has fed into nostalgia, solidifying it’s place in TV history.
THE PACKAGEThe release includes all 18 episodes of the show, remastered from 4K scans the original film negatives. A set is present for two versions of the show, the first preserving the original broadcast ratio (1.33:1) and the second in a widescreen presentation (1.78:1). The only exception is the pilot, which wasn’t filmed in widescreen. It’s an impressive effort, and inclusion of the original format shows extra consideration for the fans. Check the bottom of this article for some videos showing the difference in quality and you’ll see the show is given a new lease of life.
A separate disc is included which contains the following:
- Museum of Television & Radio Panel Discussion
- Complete Script for a Never-Shot Episode
- Three Full-Episode Table Reads
- Deleted Scenes
- Original Cast Audition Footage
- Raw Footage
- Mr. Rosso Live in Concert
- Sober Students Improv Players
- Tales of the Secret Service
- NBC Promos and EPK
- Behind the Scenes
- Seven Minutes in Heaven
- Graduation
- Thanks, Goodbye
You can spend the better part of a day trawling through these features. Some may be familiar to fans who have bought previous releases, including The Complete Series DVD set (2004) and The Yearbook Edition set (2008). Interesting insights are married to good humor, with the cast and crew showing their appreciation and love for the show. There’s also a small booklet included which contains a new letter from creators Paul Feig and Judd Apatow, and notes for each episode including behind the scenes information about musical insights.
The release is quality; there is an attention to detail and genuine respect for the material. Shout Factory frankly have set a new benchmark, not just for themselves but for every company out there.
THE BOTTOM LINEFreaks and Geeks delivers on its reputation even after all this time. For newcomers and life long fans alike, this is a package to truly impress. A cherished show given the release treatment it deserves. Shout Factory truly schools the competition with a stellar Blu-ray release.
McKinley High forever!
Freaks and Geeks — Collector’s Edition is available on March 22nd from Shout Factory.