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Freaks and Geeks
S1.E1
All episodesAll
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

Pilot

  • Episode aired Sep 25, 1999
  • TV-14
  • 48m
IMDb RATING
8.6/10
3.1K
YOUR RATING
Linda Cardellini in Freaks and Geeks (1999)
ComedyDrama

In 1980, a group of high school students face various social struggles. Wealthy "brain" Lindsay wants to rebel. Her geeky freshman brother Sam and his two friends are targeted by a bully.In 1980, a group of high school students face various social struggles. Wealthy "brain" Lindsay wants to rebel. Her geeky freshman brother Sam and his two friends are targeted by a bully.In 1980, a group of high school students face various social struggles. Wealthy "brain" Lindsay wants to rebel. Her geeky freshman brother Sam and his two friends are targeted by a bully.

  • Director
    • Jake Kasdan
  • Writer
    • Paul Feig
  • Stars
    • Linda Cardellini
    • John Francis Daley
    • James Franco
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.6/10
    3.1K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Jake Kasdan
    • Writer
      • Paul Feig
    • Stars
      • Linda Cardellini
      • John Francis Daley
      • James Franco
    • 5User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos25

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    Top cast40

    Edit
    Linda Cardellini
    Linda Cardellini
    • Lindsay Weir
    John Francis Daley
    John Francis Daley
    • Sam Weir
    James Franco
    James Franco
    • Daniel Desario
    Samm Levine
    Samm Levine
    • Neal Schweiber
    Seth Rogen
    Seth Rogen
    • Ken Miller
    Jason Segel
    Jason Segel
    • Nick Andopolis
    Martin Starr
    Martin Starr
    • Bill Haverchuck
    Becky Ann Baker
    Becky Ann Baker
    • Jean Weir
    Joe Flaherty
    Joe Flaherty
    • Harold Weir
    Dave Allen
    Dave Allen
    • Jeff Rosso
    • (as Dave 'Gruber' Allen)
    Ben Foster
    Ben Foster
    • Eli
    Chauncey Leopardi
    Chauncey Leopardi
    • Alan White
    Tom Wilson
    Tom Wilson
    • Coach Ben Fredricks
    Steve Bannos
    Steve Bannos
    • Frank Kowchevski
    Brianna Brown
    Brianna Brown
    • The Cheerleader
    Lizzy Caplan
    Lizzy Caplan
    • Sara
    Gabriel Carpenter
    Gabriel Carpenter
    • Brett - The Football Player
    David Gangler
    • Don
    • (as David Michael Gangler Jr.)
    • Director
      • Jake Kasdan
    • Writer
      • Paul Feig
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews5

    8.63K
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    Featured reviews

    8Mr-Fusion

    "Man, I hate high school"

    Pretty much everything there is to love about "Freaks and Geeks" is right here in the pilot. The production design, the cast, the soundtrack, all working in harmony. But it's not the focus on 1980 that brings you back every week, it's the characters, all somehow relatable and well-drawn. And not many TV shows are this welcoming . . . or tremendously rewarding.

    A textbook no-lose situation.

    8/10
    10weibowil

    Good Stuff

    Loved it! I just watched the Pilot episode today, after hearing Seth Rogen and James Franco mention it repeatedly during interviews :) Halfway into this Pilot episode, I already grasped the concept of the title 'Freaks & Geeks' and saw that Lindsay is the center of the show. Good writing too! The show captures the angst of one's teenage years well - a time of undergoing changes in our personality, which ultimately manifest via our external interaction and dynamics, as we face new situations sometimes seemingly beyond our coping :) Well made! Seth had sort of a John Travolta vibe back then (!) and great to see Jason Segel too! So glad to have this Judd Appatow brand of humour in Hollywood and see the Freaks & Geeks alumni doing well in cinema because they stayed true to themselves!
    10maniajack

    Great start

    For a pilot, this is as good as it gets. Quickly gets past a plodding first act and once the action really begins it is so enjoyable to watch. What an ending. Soundtrack for this episode (especially the song in final scene) was amazing.

    Related interests

    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Cindy's homecoming dress is actually being worn backwards because the front was deemed too revealing.
    • Goofs
      When Lindsay meets Daniel in the cafeteria, the sign behind them reads: "Do not place silverware in the trass". This could be intended to show that the lunch staffer was a poor speller or that a student messed with the sign's removable letters.
    • Quotes

      Nick Andopolis: Hey, I believe in god, man. I've seen him, I've felt his power! He plays drums for Led Zeppelin and his name is John Bonham, baby!

    • Connections
      Featured in The 52nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (2000)
    • Soundtracks
      Runnin' With the Devil
      Written by Michael Anthony, David Lee Roth, Edward Van Halen and Alex Van Halen

      Performed by Van Halen

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 25, 1999 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Production companies
      • Apatow Productions
      • DreamWorks Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 48m
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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