How to Get Through High School

How did you identify yourself in high school? Were you a nerd, jock, geek, loner, or prep? In the comedy TV show "Freaks and Geeks" only two groups roam the halls of McKinley High: the freaks and the geeks. "Freaks and Geeks" tells the story of Lindsay Weir, a former geek who tries to fit in with the stoner freaks, and her little brother Sam, a nerd trying to find his place in high school. The TV show was released in the 1990s, but focuses on high school in the 1980s. There are 18 episodes of the TV show, but only 12 were aired before it was cancelled. Due to its cult following, the other episodes were eventually broadcast and are now available on Netflix.

The show follows Lindsay (Cardellini), a former "Mathlete" and A student who decides she wants to befriend the "Freaks:" Daniel (Franco), Ken (Rogen), Nick (Segel), and Kim (Philipps). Throughout the series, Lindsay struggles to prove that she belongs with the freaks without breaking too many rules. Meanwhile, her brother, Sam, and his friends try to survive high school.

What I like best about Freaks and Geeks is that it captures high school in an exaggerated, but accurate way. Everyone is trying to find themselves and fit in while maintaining their basic principles. For example, in one episode, Lindsay decides to throw a party while her parents are away. Sam nervously agrees, but he and his friends swap out the beer with nonalcoholic beer, so they won't get in trouble. The partiers don't notice and act drunk anyway. During the party, Sam and his friends are the only ones getting tipsy. It's quirky plot lines like these that make Freaks and Geeks so funny and also so relatable.

Freaks and Geeks kickstarted the careers of many famous actors and actresses including James Franco, Seth Rogen, Linda Cardellini, Jason Segel, John Francis Daley, Busy Philipps, and Martin Starr. It also received three Emmy nominations and is consistently ranked as one of the best TV comedies.

I highly recommend you watch at least one episode of this classic show. It's on Netflix, so go check it out!

In the meantime, here are some of the best lines:

Sam's friend: Wait a minute. If I think I’m cool then people will think I’m cool too? But I already think I’m cool. But nobody else does.

Sam's friend: If you don’t care about high school, you won’t get into a good college, and no future and you’ll wind up dead or in jail.

Teacher: Last one to class, first one on welfare. Your choice.

Mr. Weir: Who the hell did this to you, Sam?
Sam: Some freaks.
Mrs. Weir: Freaks? Like circus freaks?
Mr. Weir: Jean, I don’t think there’s bearded ladies running around throwing eggs at kids.

Mr. Weir: You know who used to cut class? Jimi Hendrix. Know what happened to him? He died.

And my personal favorite...

Mr. Weir: You know, everyone’s a Democrat until they get a little money. Then they come to their senses.

Enjoy!

Photo courtesy of Flickr