Over the weekend, Judd Apatow moderated a panel at PaleyFest — AKA “Comic Con for TV Nerds” — that reunited the cast of “Freaks and Geeks,” the critically acclaimed (but quickly canceled) NBC show that helped launch the careers of Seth Rogen, James Franco, and Busy Phillips. Franco was the only notable actor to miss the reunion, as he was previously engaged with writing his doctoral thesis, undergoing firefighting training for his next movie role, and making a film about his most recent performance art project, a 35-hour sojourn in Hoboken during which he walked barefoot through the streets and yelled, “My feet are menstruating!” And as everyone knows, James Franco can only be in two places at the same time.
After the panel concluded, hundreds of fans bum-rushed the stage to get autographs from the cast, who lingered for nearly an hour to accommodate all the requests. There was such an outpouring of affection for the show in the theater Saturday that it was almost difficult to remember what a flop it was for NBC when it aired from 1999 to 2000. [ShowTracker]
Don’t get me wrong, I’m pissed that Linda Cardellini never became a bigger star (see slideshow), but “Freaks and Geeks” is wildly overrated as a comedy (as a drama, it captures the crappy awkwardness of high school all too well). I have a hard time believing that HUNDREDS of people bum-rushed a stage for a show that aired for one season over a decade ago. Those people are holding on a just liiiiiiittle too tight. I mean, at least Star Wars geeks have the excuse of wearing costumes.
Completely unnecessary Linda Cardellini gallery? Completely unnecessary Linda Cardellini gallery.