This may be the first TV show since Pee-wee's Playhouse to treasure youth even as it embodies all of its contradictions, craziness, hopes, and fears (and I'd like to point out that Freaks is the only hour-long sitcom I've ever seen that sustains funniness for its full 60 minutes).

The new fall season's best show...Here's how good: It will make you like a Styx song. Yes. It may even make you love it. It will definitely make you hum Come Sail Away, that awful anthem from one of corporate rock's biggest hack acts. Why? Because it is the dead solid perfect choice for the first episode's closing scene, a scene so painfully perfect you'll wish you were 16 again. [25 Sept 1999, p.1D]

A frisky little triumph of real spirit and a collaboration between creator-writer-supervising producer Paul Feig ("Life Sold Separately") and executive producer Judd Apatow ("The Larry Sanders Show"). You'll feel better about yourself, and television - if only you'll stay home on Saturdays to watch it. [25 Sept 1999, p.53]

It is, with only a couple of exceptions, sharply observed, poignant and original, and even worthy of getting the family together to watch. [24 Sept 1999, p.Tempo 3]

In its own affectionate way, Freaks and Geeks puts a pimple into the TV-ized approach to adolescence. This delightfully observed 1980s-set dramedy is high school as many of us remember it, with Twinkie-pounding bullies and Army-jacket wearing druggies and pale nerds with speech impediments and "Star Trek" fixations. It's high school unplugged, a sort of "Dazed and Confused" for the small screen, and it is one of the fall season's most likable new shows. That NBC has thrown "Freaks and Geeks" into the wilds of Saturday night - it premieres tonight at 8 on Ch. 7 - is only further evidence of network nitwitness. [25 Sept 1999, p.C1]

Freaks and Geeks is tapping into something primal: adolescents' hunger to begin to understand themselves and their world. Freaks and Geeks is too honest to offer answers. But it affirms the value and the universality of asking the questions. [24 Sept 1999, p.140]

Color me confused on the concept. Are 20-somethings supposed to like this show? Good luck with those archaic pop culture references (Molly Hatchet, Carter/Mondale). Teen-agers? Sure - let them see that high school was just as vicious 20 years ago...Freaks and Geeks recalls a time a lot of viewers would rather forget. [25 Sept 1999, p.E1]

A wonderful cast of characters bring joy and life to this high school drama/comedy. The first season does such a wonderful job exploring the problems and joys of misfits and ill-adjusted adolescents that you can forgive its hokier or more cliched moments (which, thankfully, are few and far between). The cancellation of the show after the first season remains one of the biggest mistakes in television history, but the survival of the entire first season on Netflix and other places makes sure that future generations will be able to revisit this stellar ensemble cast, whether you are young or young at heart.

A nostalgic work, wonderful take on the high school experience with an honest perspective. Freaks and Geeks uses the cliches we're all used to and puts an introspective take on them. It's funny and endearing, dramatic and familiar. The brilliant writing doesn't come from shocking plot devices, but from a place that you know the creators couldn't have put any other way.

Created by two of the most noticeable comedy directors of modern times Paul Feig and Judd Apatow Freaks and Geeks is one of the most realistic portrayals of high school to ever grace the screen and unfortunately it only lasted for one season (the show was actually cancelled before the season finale ever aired). Freaks and Geeks works so well because the characters were so well crafted and loveable. The cast really brought their characters to life and the scripts gave each character and opportunity to shine. The show is now famous for launching the careers of James Franco, Seth Rogen and Jason Segel, but the stand outs of the show were actually the Weir children played Linda Cardellini and John Francis Daley. Both Lindsay and Sam and their respective groups of friends were able to make us connect with their experiences with themes like finding your first love, doing drugs for the first time, finding yourself and there are actually a few dramatic episodes that cover the adulterous actions of one of the children's father. Sam Levine and Martin Starr may not have made big waves after the show ended but they were both very loveable in their roles as two of Sam's fellow freaks. Most supporting characters got a least one episode to show what was happening with some the characters that took a backseat. Even the guidance counsellor Mr Rosso (played by Dave Allen) gets a bit more attention in one episode to have him evolve into a bit more than just an authority figure. All the characters are loveable and the storylines never get old. One great thing about Freaks and Geeks was it really didn't run for long enough to do anything wrong.

WATCH THIS SHOW!!! One of the most amazing top notch shows to ever get cancelled. But, I think that if this show hadda taken off(and it DEFINITELY would have) the 3 freaks who went on to become HUGE stars, may have never gotten as big as they did, because they may have become typecast as moronic stoner types(completely ruining Franco's career).

I had never heard of this show before I actually started watching it on Netflix a few weeks ago. as soon as i started watching it, I instantly became a fan after a few **** show is very good and every episode is just as interesting as the last. Its characters are extremely realistic and relatable and not just cardboard cutouts that you see in TV shows today. This is one of those shows I wish I could have seen more of, I wish it had lasted more than 1 season.