FOT Canon - #1 Nominee - Freaks and Geeks

[Matthew_S]

I'm curious as to what the FOTs think.   Explains this thread:

http://www.friendsoftom.com/forum/index.php/topic,3573.0.html

In this case, let's expand the FOT canon, let's gauge the collective cultural consciousness of the Friends and fans of Tom.  So, please vote your own thoughts (and explain below), not your take of Tom's view.

First candidate -- Freaks and Geeks.

And if you're curious, in this case I think canon means: a list of artistic works considered to be permanently established as being of the highest quality.

[jbissell]

For a variety of reasons, this is my all time favorite show.  It aired right as I was starting high school and was totally dead on for me.  I was more or less Seth Rogan's Ken, minus the girlfriend born with both parts. I've watched the series all the way through at least 5 times and it never fails to hold up every time.  It struck a great balance between comedy and drama and I would definitely deem it canon worthy.

[Matthew_S]

So far, this is a landslide in favor.  Any dissenters care to voice their concerns?

[yesno]

This is one of the many things I've never seen and barely know anything about.  I'm worried if I go to watch it now it won't live up to its hype.

[Matthew_S]

This is one of the many things I've never seen and barely know anything about.  I'm worried if I go to watch it now it won't live up to its hype.

Don't people often say something similar about the Wire?  Yes, I personally think of Freaks and Geeks that favorably.

[yesno]

Well, I'll check it out.  I don't exactly want to relive high school, but it comes recommended.  Generally people that are a few years younger than I am really seem to be into it.  You crazy kids.

[Days of Se7en]

It's a good show, but in my opinion it's kind of obsolete now that we have features like Superbad, Knocked Up, etc...these carry the same themes as F&G but take 'em farther, and funnier.  F&G is still worth watching, but Apatow and his crew went on to greater heights.

[Jouster]

I feel the complete opposite.  I think F & G is more authentic, or real, or whatever word you want to use, than anything Apatow's been involved in since.  With better characters.  And funnier, too.

[jbissell]

I feel the complete opposite.  I think F & G is more authentic, or real, or whatever word you want to use, than anything Apatow's been involved in since.  With better characters.  And funnier, too.

Exactly, because for the most part it doesn't rely on cheap gags or resort to filthy humor.  But really, shouldn't Paul Feig be getting all the credit for this one? Especially if you've read any of his books, a lot of the Sam related stories seem to have come from his experiences.

[Days of Se7en]

Yeah, I know that Paul Feig was more of the voice behind F&G, but it's still hard for me not to view it as "phase one" of the Apatow ascension.

I don't know, my feelings on this have faded somewhat, but I remember walking out of Superbad and thinking "wow, people who pine over the cancellation of Freaks & Geeks really have nothing to be sad about anymore!"

[jbissell]

but it's still hard for me not to view it as "phase one" of the Apatow ascension.

Nope, you're thinking of Heavyweights, which I just watched today on the Hallmark channel. DON'T JUDGE!

[Sarah]

I have never seen Freaks and Geeks.

[Amplituden]

Freaks and Geeks was a great series.

The Bill Haverchuck character is my favorite.  I really dug the younger brother and his friends more then the stuff about Lindsey and the older kids.

Its kind of cool that they knew it wasn't going to be renewed so they made a semi-logical ending to the series.

[courtney]

The Bill Haverchuck character is my favorite.

Agreed. Totally. Especially when dressed as the Bionic Woman.

Finally got around to watching the show about a month ago. I remember seeing commercials for it when it was on TV and thinking it looked good but I had night classes at the time so I never got to watch it. I was surprised by how much I liked it because I'm not a huge fan of the Apatow stuff I've seen.

Yeah. Thumbs up.

[jamesp]

Yesno, this show is definitely very easy to get into and it only ran for like 16 episodes. Get the first disc off Netflix and give it a try, it's great.

I too feel like everybody calls it Apatow's show but it really was Feig's.