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TV Diary

 "Freaks and Geeks" is remarkable for so many reasons. 


The sequence where one boy discovers that his father is having an affair--and he seeks revenge via "ventriloquist act." The attempt to talk about an intersex character (remember this was 1999). The passage where a mother reads her little girl's diary--and the ensuing discomfort leads to marital changes.

We're all used to kids making bad choices, but "F and G" points out that stupidity is just part of the human condition; the guidance counselor is too full of self-regard, the adult party guest is too transparently rude, the intolerant dad is too impatient and dismissive when his son wants to discuss the music industry.

For this reason, a more accurate title for the show could be: "Freaks and Geeks and the Adults Who Mistreat Them."

I appreciate the NYTimes for putting a spotlight on the role of parents and teachers in this show; it's often overlooked, and it's part of the charm. The essay is "I Don't Give a Damn About My Dad Reputation," and the artist is Mike Dawson.















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