The Greatest Coming Of Age Series Ever Is On Hulu
Freaks and Geeks is the greatest coming-of-age comedy in TV history, and it’s conveniently available to watch on Hulu. Part teen drama, part 80s period piece, and part prestige comedy, it’s a show that manages to juggle diverse tones. It’s also the ultimate cult hit, gaining most of its fans years after its cancellation, as its stars and creators went on to define a generation of comedies.
Freaks and Geeks On Hulu
Set in 1980, Freaks and Geeks brings a straightforward plot with plenty of heart and memorable characters to Hulu. It follows siblings Linsey and Sam Weir, along with their respective friend groups, through a year of their lives. Those experiences include parties, dances, romances, fights, and disappointments in a classic coming-of-age style.
Many of the coming-of-age themes in Freaks and Geeks are universal, giving the Hulu show a timeless quality. Sam and Linsey are both concerned with acceptance, Sam struggling not to be seen as a nerd for his interests while Lindsey wants to be accepted by her new stoner friends. Even as the trappings and styles of popularity have changed, the central tension between authenticity and longing for acceptance has remained relevant.
1980s Culture
The outsider status of the titular friend groups in Freaks and Geeks and its 1980s period lend a sense of specificity to the show on Hulu.
It’s a show that’s invested in giving viewers a window into the lives of teens growing up in 1980, addressing pop culture phenomena like Dungeons and Dragons, the rise of Raegan-era conservatism, and late 70s rock.
By making the central characters nerds and rock-obsessed stoners, the show can explore those subjects in depth through naturalistic, funny, dialogue that doesn’t feel contrived.
The Best Characters
It’s that combination of universality and specificity that makes Freaks and Geeks one of the best shows on Hulu.
Moments like Nick embarrassing himself during a drumming audition are relatable on an emotional level, while his obsession with Rush’s Geddy Lee roots him in the show’s period and his particular tastes.
The characters, even most of the less developed adults, manage to thread that needle, feeling like fleshed-out characters despite being clear archetypes.
An Amazing Cast
One of the biggest reasons to watch Freaks and Geeks on Hulu is its incredible cast, which includes many household names years before they blew up.
The older teen stoners are played by Linda Cardellini, James Franco, Seth Rogen, Jason Segel, and Busy Phillips. John Francis Daley, Samm Levine, and Martin Starr round out the show’s talented young cast.
Judd Apatow And Paul Feig
Freaks and Geeks also features a pair of major names behind the scenes, giving comedy fans another reason to stream it on Hulu.
The show was created by Paul Feig, who would work on other notable TV comedies like Arrested Development, The Office, Parks and Recreations, and 30 Rock before directing the movies Bridesmaids and Spy.
Judd Apatow was also heavily involved in the 1999 show, going on to define 2000s comedy with movies like The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, Walk Hard, and Pineapple Express.
Streaming Freaks And Geeks
Fans of modern dramedies like Ted Lasso and The Bear should check out the older show which has a similar mix of introspection, interpersonal drama, and comedy. It’s a show that captures the heartbreak, awkwardness, passion, and fun of adolescence all in equal measure. With only one 18-episode season, Freaks and Geeks is the perfect hidden gem to binge on Hulu.
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