When Freaks and Geeks aired on NBC from 1999 to 2000, it quickly became popular and is since considered a cult classic. However, the show managed just one season.
It was created by Paul Feig, with Judd Apatow serving as a producer on set. The cast members include Linda Cardellini, John Francis Daley, James Franco, Seth Rogen, Jason Segel, and Busy Philipps. Set in the 1980s, it follows a group of high school students as they face the struggles of growing up, including friendships, peer pressure, and relationships.
Despite the show’s critical acclaim and devoted fanbase, Freaks and Geeks struggled in the ratings, leading to its untimely cancellation.
However, the beloved series is still remembered to this day and has launched the careers of many of its cast members including Seth Rogan and James Franco, among others.
In this blog post, we’ll delve into 15 behind-the-scenes facts about Freaks and Geeks that you might not know, from cast members who almost didn’t make the cut to secrets about the show’s set. Let’s take a closer look at the fascinating details from the hit series.
Judd Apatow’s Continued Love for the Characters
Producer Judd Apatow wants to keep the Freaks and Geeks universe alive.
In a previous interview, he admitted that hiring some of the show’s actors in his later movies is a way to keep the series alive today. Apatow has since produced and directed several blockbusters including – “Knocked Up,” “This is 40,” “Funny People,” and Trainwreck.”
Another interesting fact about the show is that John Francis Daley, who portrayed the awkward and lovable Sam Weir, was the only cast member who was the same age as his character during filming. He was just 14 when he played his iconic role!
Did the cast improvise any lines?
Did some of the lines from Freaks and Geeks just seem so real? Well, that’s because some of the actors were encouraged to improvise lines in many scenes. Some of my favorite quotes from the show:
“I just wanna be treated like a normal person.”
— Lindsay Weir
“I guess I’m lucky that I’m not one of the cool kids, ‘cause if I was, I’d have to talk to jerks like you.”
— Sam, standing up to a bully.
“I’m allergic to sports.”
— Neal Schweiber
“Why do we have to label ourselves? Can’t we just be ourselves?”
— Lindsay
Did Linda Cardellini keep her iconic jacket?
Remember how Lindsay always used to wear the same green denim jacket? What fans might not know is that the actress who played our beloved character, Linda Cardellini, actually got to keep the clothing piece after the series. Love that!
What was the fate of the show?
The main reason why Freaks and Geeks was canceled was it was struggling in the ratings. The producers were left with no choice but to put the remaining episodes on hold while they wrote and filmed the final episode.
This finale was intentionally meant to serve as both a season and series finale, in case the show was canceled prematurely, and ultimately was after just 18 episodes.
Busy Philipps Almost Played Lindsay Weir
Busy Philipps first auditioned to play Lindsay Weir on Freaks and Geeks. Producers felt she wasn’t right for the role. However, they loved her audition. They cast her as Kim Kelly instead.
Teen Actors Were Actually Teenagers
While many teen shows feature older actors playing younger characters, the cast was remarkably young. Sarah Hagan and Natasha Melnick, who played the geeks’ love interests Millie and Cindy, were only 15 when filming began. Linda Cardellini, who was 24, was one of the older cast members, but she convincingly portrayed a high schooler as Lindsay Weir.
Real School, Fake Hallways
Those hallways and classrooms? Yep, the show was filmed at a real California high school. But once the show picked up the team built sets that copied the school, making sure it matched the original.
The hallway set was a cheat, literally just a “T” shape. The crew constantly redressed it to look like a larger school. And you won’t believe this but the extras often piled up at the end since there was nowhere else to go.
On-Screen Romance Became Real-Life Romance
Some of the cast members dated in real life including none other than Linda Cardellini (Lindsay) and Jason Segel (Nick). The two actors dated for five years after the show ended.
Shia LaBeouf Auditioned for Neil
He may have started his career on Evens Stevens and went on to star in the hugely popular Transformers films. But Shia LaBeouf once auditioned for the role of Neil Schweiber, one of the “geeks” on the show. Although LaBeouf didn’t get the part – his career still continues to thrive to this day.
What was the backup plan for Sam Weir?
So this is interesting. Many of you may be familiar with Jesse Eisenberg. He has starred in huge movies including The Social Network and Zombieland.
But did you know that he was the second choice for the role of Sam Weir? Yep, I can’t believe it either. John Francis Daley ultimately landed the part.
Ben Stiller’s Last-Minute Appearance
Ben Stiller made a cameo in the 17th episode. It wasn’t just for fun. His casting was a favor to Judd Apatow. Apatow hoped Stiller’s appearance would save the show. Despite this, the show was still canceled just three episodes before his cameo aired.
Lauren Ambrose Almost Played Lindsay Weir
Before Linda Cardellini landed the role of Lindsay Weir, actress Lauren Ambrose, best known for her role in Six Feet Under, was considered for the part.
Kaley Cuoco Audition
Before her role as Penny on The Big Bang Theory, Kaley Cuoco auditioned for Cindy Sanders, a popular girl. She didn’t get the part. Many actors from the show later found stardom in other projects.
Before she became known as Pam on The Office, Jenna Fischer auditioned for a small guest role on Freaks and Geeks. Unfortunately for Fischer, she didn’t get the part, but the casting director’s decision proved to be a happy accident — Fischer’s later role as Pam would go on to make her a household name.
Legacy of Freaks and Geeks
Despite its short run, the show is still loved by viewers today – and it’s easy to see why the show has continued to resonate with fans long after its cancellation.