The New Hampshire

Issue date: 4/18/08 Section: Arts & Living

Media Credit: Courtesy photo The cast of Freaks and Geeks includes Linda Cardelini, James Franco, Seth Rogan and Joe Flaherty.

Media Credit: Courtesy photo The cast of Undeclared includes various Freaks and Geeks alum, such as Seth Rogan and Martin Starr, along with Apatow crew member Jason Segel.

Thumbing through the pages of TV Guide over recent years, one observes a mass of unrealistic dramas about implausible situations, in which schools are dissimilar to any with which we would actually be familiar. There are, however, some television shows which break the mold, and offer moving, perceptive scripts that capture the essence of a generation and the actual events of adolescence. This week, Film Underground is proud to present two shows, which avoid the norm, and have interesting comments to make as well as humor to share: Freaks and Geeks and Undeclared.

Freaks and Geeks was created by Paul Fieg, and produced by Judd Apatow (of Knocked Up and Superbad fame). It stars a variety of now well-known actors such as Linda Cardellini (ER), James Franco (Spider-Man), Seth Rogen (Knocked Up), and Joe Flaherty (Happy Gilmore). The show chronicles the lives of a group of nerdy geeks and a group of sex and drug experimenting freaks. It revolves around a brother and sister: Sam and Lyndsay Weir. Sam Weir is the quintessential geek; he plays Dungeons and Dragons, is a member of the AV Club, and has seen Star Wars more times than one can imagine. Lyndsay Weir-a former mathlete-has started hanging out with the "wrong" sort of kids, and is unsure where she belongs in the spectrum of kids at her school.

Set in the small town of Whitehall, Michigan in 1980, the show delivers a shockingly accurate view of the fun times and difficult situations which characterize high school life. Set to an incredible soundtrack, the show presents moments where the audience will reminisce, "Oh, I remember when something like that happened to me." Through the show, the viewer re-experiences the world of first dates, daunting tests, fake IDs, misguided bullies, and striving to "fit in." Freaks and Geeks creates a perfect blend of comedy and drama; it gives the show its remarkable substance, honesty, and enjoyable character.

Created and produced by Judd Apatow, Undeclared is a comedic and dramatic telling of the experiences of a group of college freshmen. Starring and guest starring many Freaks and Geeks alum such as Seth Rogen and Martin Starr (also from Knocked Up), the cast also includes many other staples of the "Judd Apatow Crew" such as Jason Segel (Forgetting Sarah Marshall). The series picks up just before the first day of the new college school year (at a fictional California college), and humorously recounts the fears of new roommates, making friends, and finding a niche in the community.

From the first episode, the viewer is immersed in a familiar environment that could easily be any college. We are plopped in the middle of the most unlikely group of roommates (which seems to be a similar circumstance for many actual college students). There is the inexperienced guy who wants to test out his new freedom, the overly sarcastic character for comic relief, the quirky guy for whom you feel obligated to root, and a sure-of-himself exchange-student who leads the way. Not only are the characters extremely realistic, but the scenarios are those which all of us can experience by simply walking down the hallway. We meet the girl who has problems with her boyfriend from home, the kids who cram for their exams the night before, the roommates who live in the lounge because they have been "sexiled," and the well-meaning RA who tries to reach out to the kids.

Both shows were critically acclaimed, and Freaks and Geeks was nominated for several Emmy awards for writing, and won an Emmy for Outstanding Casting. Despite the acclaim, the show only survived through 18 episodes. Since its original release, it has enjoyed popularity in syndication on the Fox Family network. The show, which Rolling Stone calls "stunningly funny and moving," and which TV Guide declares "funny, tender, and achingly real," has been elevated to cult status. Similarly, Undeclared received much acclaim but was pulled after only 15 episodes aired. The New York Times called it "a warm, perceptive, extremely funny show about college freshmen," but despite its acclaim and cult following, it was still cancelled.

Film Underground is pleased to present some selections from these two ground-breaking series. The screenings will be on Thursday, April 24, at 7:00 p.m. in Mub Theatre I. Join us for the shows, some delicious candy, and a post-viewing discussion.

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