Most Popular

Recent Articles

Recent Articles by Dan Strachota

National Features >

  • Houston Press

    The Passion of Victoria Osteen

    A flight attendant's smackdown with the wife of mega-preacher Joel Osteen inspires a whole new set of commandments.

    By Rich Connelly

  • City Pages

    Your Field Guide to the RNC

    Today Denver, tomorrow the Twin Cities.

    By Matt Snyders and Bradley Campbell

  • The Pitch

    Star Power

    A country musician rescues Waylon Jennings' tour bus from the scrap heap.

    By C.J. Janovy

  • Village Voice

    Serrano's Second Movement

    The provocateur who brought you "Piss Christ" pinches off a new concept.

    By Lynn Yaeger

The Name Said It All

By Dan Strachota

Published on January 16, 2008

Created by Paul Feig and Judd Apatow, the 1999 TV series Freaks and Geeks offered a painfully realistic look at high school, told from the perspective of a bunch of lovable nerds and burnouts. Perhaps the show was too realistic, however, as NBC canceled it after 15 episodes (three of which were slipped on the air when no one was looking). The few people who did watch it, loved it — hell, even TV Guide listed it in its Top 25 Cult Shows Ever — and the series' reputation was only boosted with the release of a DVD collecting all 18 filmed episodes, as well as by the later success of Apatow projects like The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, and Superbad. Now, new and old fans of the show can return to 1980 and revisit Chippewa's McKinley High at Freaks and Geeks Speak!, a panel discussion with main writer Feig and various cast members. Actors James Franco and Seth Rogan may be too famous these days to attend, but aficionados will be thrilled to hear from Martin Starr (the hilariously geeky Bill), Busy Philipps (the tough-as-nails Kim), Dave "Gruber" Allen (the out-of-touch guidance counselor), and Linda Cardellini (the adorable Lindsey), among others. Maybe a film reunion is next? Freaks and Geeks Speak! is part of SF Sketchfest.
Sun., Jan. 20, 2 p.m., 2008



SF Weekly Insiders

  • Local food, music and news blasts
  • Free Stuff
Backpage.com