‘Freaks and Geeks’. NBC, 1999
This has to be the most underrated comedy series of all time. It is quite simply phenomenal. Entrenched in American high school culture this program is smart, funny and seductively deep. By far the most enjoyable US comedy I have seen in a long, long while – and that’s saying something considering the sheer number of triple A titles that have been released since the happy days of 99.Cont...
posted by Benjamin Nakizo at 12:07 PM
1 Comments:
As far as I can tell this show has never aired in the UK and this is something of a catastrophe since I think it would have been very, very well received. According to my Canadian flatmate (whom I borrowed the box set from) it was cancelled after its first series simply because it was far too clever and subtle for the American audience. I suspect her view is heavily influenced by the usual North American rivalry but I have to think she might be right since I can’t see any other reason why there wouldn’t have been a second, third or even fourth series. I suspect the writers couldn’t have refused a lucrative offer from one of the networks – that this offer doesn’t seem to have been forthcoming is a complete mystery to me. Or perhaps they just had integrity.
A more likely explanation is that it occasionally touches on some very real social issues like domestic abuse and you do get to witness drug taking, all things that would put off many Christian states. But the beautiful thing about America is that a television series doesn’t have to appeal to the whole country, and if your product only sells well in the blue states – then so what? You’re still minted.
Whatever the reason it is one heck of a shame, but I suppose the lack of a second series only adds to the value of the first. On the flip side the actors in this show, all of whom are very young, have mostly gone on to some notable acting successes. So it’s not all bad. I suppose.
If you get the chance to see this show you really shouldn’t miss out on it. I have ordered a copy from the states and it should be arriving shortly, so you can always borrow it from me.
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