Man I hate high school
Stephen King once said that he didn’t trust anyone who enjoyed high school, and I have to agree. I mean, obviously, there are certain things that you might enjoy. Maybe you had a favorite teacher or an amazing class where you were lucky enough to learn something that really stuck with you. Maybe you found true love during high school, or struck up a friendship with someone who still has your back to this day. In general though, what do I really like? weirdos and nerds It covers everything you’ve tried hard to forget: being picked on in the locker room, awkward first relationships, even more awkward first breakups, your parents giving you a hard time by ruining your good times, but seeing it is so much better (and so much more). fun) than relive it.
I never saw weirdos and nerds while on the air. Critically acclaimed but plagued by low ratings, this smart and witty show didn’t even make it past its first season on NBC. It is set in the early ’80s and focuses on the Weir family (and more specifically the Weir children). Lindsay, a 16-year-old outstanding math athlete, starts hanging out with a different crowd. Smokers, drinkers, class breakers: your standard bad bananas of hers. On the other hand, Sam, who is only a couple of years younger than Lindsay, is a freshman at the same high school. He and his best friends like to date Star Wars and the lout. They enjoy science fiction conventions, with costumes and makeup. Their closest interaction with the opposite sex is when a girl accidentally bumps into them in the hallway. They are your standard nerds.
Judd Apatow spearheaded the show, writing and directing many of the episodes, but the cast he acquired would make any casting director weep with jealousy. Well, not back then, obviously, because no one knew who James Franco, Seth Rogen, and Jason Segel were back in 1999. Apatow even got Jason Schwartzman, Shia LaBeouf, and Ben Stiller to guest-star in multiple episodes. None of this was enough to save the show from cancellation. Fortunately, you can watch all 13 episodes of the series on DVD and relive—and wince at—some of the episodes that might touch you up close. Here are my top three episodes:
“Tricks and Treats”
Sam and his friends decide to go trick-or-treating one last time when the young adults look them square in the eye and say, “Aren’t you a little old for this?” Meanwhile, Lindsay goes out with her friends to make a row on Halloween, despite the fact that she promised her mother that she would help deliver cookies to trick-or-treaters. The two nights of the Weir kids collide with each other (in a way, literally) and both are left with a bad taste in their mouths (not from those gross caramel peanuts, either). The standout scene in this episode is the montage of Sam, Bill, and Neal (the original geek squad) donning their costumes. Bill dressed as Bionic Woman talking to himself in the mirror is funny and kind of sad at the same time. Be sure to check out the special features on the DVD to see an extended take of that scene.
Mr. Weir: Sam, what are you doing? You’re too old to go trick-or-treating.
Lady. Weir: Oh, Harold. Arrest.
Mr. Weir: Well, it’s true. There was a boy in my neighborhood growing up. Scott Byron. He kept trick-or-treating well into his 20s. Do you know where he lives now? At home! With his 90-year-old mother. She is the laughingstock of the community. He never took a wife, either.
“The newspaper”
One of the stories in this episode is about the geeks who play baseball at the gym. Bill thinks he could be a good player, but due to his lanky and nerdy physique, his abilities are constantly overlooked. Bill gets back at his gym teacher by doing what adults do: Bill jokingly calls him. The other story has Lindsay’s parents reading her diary and learning exactly what Lindsay thinks about them. A warning to parents who are considering reading their children’s newspaper: be prepared to be insulted. A warning to children who have a diary: hide it better.
Sam: Do you think they can arrest us for making prank calls?
Neal: Yeah, and then they’re going to send us to phone prison.
“Dead Dogs and Gym Teachers”
The same gym teacher Bill jokingly calls starts dating his mom. Oh. And uwww. The gym teacher (played by Tom Wilson, better known as Biff in the Back to the Future movies) tries hard to befriend Bill, but is of little use. There are two scenes in this episode that I particularly like. The first is a very simple scene where Bill arrives from school to an empty apartment. He makes himself a toasted cheese sandwich, cuts a huge piece of chocolate cake, and pours himself a tall glass of cold milk. He turns on the TV and sees a stand-up routine by Garry Shandling, while “I’m One” by The Who plays in the background. Don’t ask me why I like that scene so much because I couldn’t give you a good enough answer. Maybe because sometimes it’s the little things in life (a piece of cake, a well-told joke, etc.) that can really make someone happy, even for a brief moment. The second scene is when Nick (Jason Segel) performs a song he has written about Lindsay for Ken (Seth Rogen). “Lady L” perfectly captures teenage love and loss mixed with a heavy dose of mediocrity.
Nick: (I just finished playing “Lady L” for Ken) What did you think?
Ken: You know, I thought I would hate it, but I liked it.
Nick: Really?
Ken: No, man. That was terrifying. “Mrs. L”?
Ken: You shouldn’t use your real name, writing that stuff.
Nick: Well, I guess as long as he’s using real emotions that’s… that’s all that matters.
Ken: A lot of kooks use their real emotions.
Go to your local Slackers and pick up this show. If you look at all the weirdos and nerds episodes and I can’t relate to any of the characters, then you’re a liar and I’m going to challenge you to a fight. I’ll be in the smoking patio after third period. To be there.
