Before there was 'Pinapple Express" they were "Freaks and Geeks"

Seeing Seth Rogan and James Franco reunited at last in the stoner comedy 'Pineapple Express', made me reminisce about the first time I saw the pair together, or for that matter the first time I saw them period, in the brilliant single season of 'Freaks and Geeks'.

For those of you who don’t know (and there are many of you), Freaks and Geeks aired on NBC during the 1999-2000 season and starred not only Rogan and Franco but also Jason Segel (Forgetting Sarah Marshall), Linda Cardellini (Grandma’s Boy) and John Francis Daley (Bones). It was created by Paul Feig and produced by none other than Judd Apatow. The show centered on the life of a teenage girl, Lindsey (Cardellini), and her younger brother Sam (Daley) in an early 1980s Detroit suburb. The show is a study in the everyday fears, humiliations and little triumphs of regular adolescents.

Jolted out of her regular life by the death of her grandmother, the straight A mathlete Lindsey begins wearing an army jacket to school and hanging out with the “freaks,” played by Rogan, Franco, Segel and Busy Phillips. Meanwhile, Sam and his group of “geeks” try to navigate high school as freshmen outsiders. The show was probably the most realistic portrayal of high school I have ever seen on TV and actually starred actors who were high school aged, not 35 (I’m looking at you, 90210).  

Despite the great casting, realistic storylines and authentic period-specific soundtrack, the show never made it off the ground because it’s time slot was constantly changed to make room for other shows. In total 18 episodes were shot but the show was cancelled after only 12 had aired due to poor ratings and despite critical acclaim.

Since that time, the show has garnered a massive cult following since it was released on DVD in 2004 because every person I introduce it to becomes a fan. And now, it is you, dear reader who will be introduced to the awkward and painfully realistic, yet hilariously entertaining world of 'Freaks and Geeks'. I swear, if there were more than 18 episodes, this thing could have become a new religion, like being a Jedi…only cooler.

I could really go on and on, but if you haven’t seen it, you won’t get it. So, courtesy of YouTube, I present my personal favorite Freaks and Geeks clips for your general amusement.

In this scene from Beers and Weirs, religious Millie decides to provide some entertainment at a keg party the "freaks" throw when Lindsay's parents go out of town. This is perhaps one of my favorite scenes from the show. I always get the song stuck in my head and end up singing it all day.

 Here wa can catch a glimpse of a young Shia Lebeouf as the injured school mascot that Sam is replacing.

In this episode, Daniel is punished with having to work in AV and becomes friends with the "geeks" who invite him to play dungeons and dragons with them. Meanwhile Nick is going to be taking part in a disco dancing contest. Great clip featuring James Franco in all his hotness as Carlos the Dwarf and Jason Segel disco dancing.

This next clip is the end of the episode Carded and Discarded in which the "freaks" try to get fake IDs to see the band Feedback play in a local bar. Watch for Seth Rogan as Jesus H. Garcia. Hilarious.