2005feb13. After reading all of the good reviews, I was kicked out of my seat by just how dull “Freaks & Geeks” was after finally renting one of the DVDs. On top of all the dreadly simple plotlines, the whole thing is supposed to be taking place in Michigan, 1980 ... and at one point the main characters are walking through subdivision on a brightly-lit Halloween day, all in costume after finishing their trick-or-treating rounds, and some “girls” from Hot Dog On A Stick drive by and laugh at them. They also get to watch other classmates putting on a “designated driver” skit.
Oh, also, Farmer Jack is name checked twice within the first three episodes. “Farmer Jack.” Now everyone in Michigan knows it’s “Farmer Jacks,” just like it’s “Fords” and “Chryslers.” “Where do you work?” “Fords.” So some PA got a phone book out and started riffling through the grocery store names, good for him.1) There was no “Hot Dog On A Stick” in Michigan in 1980. There is no “Hot Dog On A Stick” in Michigan in 2005. Sometimes, Michigan makes the right choices.
2) You didn’t go out during the day on Halloween back then. You waited until nightfall to start trick-or-treating. You kids today? You’re scared pansies. Just sayin'. At one point one of the characters uses the term “Devil’s Day” which ... again ... if you know anything about Detroit in the 1980’s ... is ... nuts. NIGHT! NIGHT NIGHT NIGHT
3) No one cared about designated drivers in 1980. Designated drivers did not exist in 1980.
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