Seth Rogen has a blunt response for those still hoping for a Freaks and Geeks revival. Freaks and Geeks marked a rare occasion in which a TV series that was canceled after just one season retained a strong cult following. The show initially premiered in 1999 and was a teen dramedy created by Paul Feig and produced by Judd Apatow. Freaks and Geeks follows two siblings, Lindsay (Linda Cardellini) and Sam Weir (John Francis Daley), who exist on different planes of the social hierarchy in high school. The show is a hilarious and candid portrayal of adolescence, as it follows Lindsay and the "freaks", and Sam and the "geeks" navigating high school life.
In an interview with People, Rogen responds to the question of whether a Freaks and Geeks revival would be possible. While Rogen is now a prominent actor in Hollywood, Freaks and Geeks was actually Rogen's very first acting role. He starred as Ken Miller, a fellow student at William McKinley High, known for his smart mouth and sarcasm. Despite Freaks and Geeks' impact on his Hollywood career, Rogen has a brutally honest response to the show's possible revival. Check out his statement below:
I don't think anyone would do it. It's so rare that you do something in your career that is actually just viewed as good. I know enough now not to f— with that, to just let it be good and not try to go revisit it. And just let it exist.
Does Freaks & Geeks Need A Revival?
Rogen seems to believe that Freaks and Geeks doesn't need a revival. However, the fact that he has been pressed about such a thing shows that there is interest in one. It is easy to see why viewers would yearn for more of the show. Freaks and Geeks didn't get a fair chance during its run. It had a stellar cast, the talents of Apatow behind the scenes, and a surprisingly relatable and realistic portrayal of high school life. Unfortunately, that wasn't enough to save it.
Freaks and Geeks' demise ultimately came from its release schedule. NBC chose to air new episodes of the series on Saturday evening. The time slot is already a disadvantage, considering viewers may have plans on weekend nights. To make matters worse, Freaks and Geeks went on multiple hiatuses due to the World Series and holidays. NBC also wasn't very open to the ideas and themes of Freaks and Geeks. Since its cancelation, viewers and critics alike have recognized its value. Many consider its merit as a TV series and its rather frustrating cancelation when citing the need for a revival.
However, some may ignore the technicalities that would go into a Freaks and Geeks revival. While some films and TV series have experienced impressive reunions years after the original premiere, not every production can pull this off, especially Freaks and Geeks, which kicked off the high-profile careers of numerous stars, including Rogen, Daley, Cardellini, Busy Phillips, Jason Segel, and James Franco. In addition to the difficulty in getting all these prominent Hollywood names on board, a revival may not be as good as the original. Rogen makes a fair point in that, sometimes, it is best to leave a highly praised project alone. Few critically acclaimed stories can pull off a revival, sequel, or reboot that lives up to everything the original was. In just one season, Freaks and Geeks gained a cult following and created an impressive legacy, and it may be best not to risk tarnishing that.
Source: People