I thought Freaks and Geeks was a much more accurate portrayal of the kids I knew in high school - Lindsey is the ONLY character I've ever actually felt any kinship toward in any TV show I've ever watched.
I graduated high school in 1979 so was just a few years ahead of the kids in Square Pegs. I didn't watch it when it came out, but I rented it recently thinking it was harmless entertainment for a teen or tween. My daughter had already watched a few episodes when I passed by and realized in horror that almost every other laugh-track explosion was approbation to all the "fat" jokes about a pretty little teen built like a padded toothpick. How many girls watched this show and judged their bodies based on Sarah Jessica Parker and Tracy Nelson? Really. It's sickening to think anyone ever thought that kind of mean-spirited humor was funny or appropriate. That's not quirky - and if you think it's funny, maybe you're not as witty as you imagine yourself to be.
Basically well-acted, but the script is trite and the laugh track makes me want to drill my eardrums out with a skewer - if only I could do that BEFORE the theme song starts up. If I had to choose between a slow agonizing death and watching Square Pegs again, I'd take Square Pegs if they threw in some earplugs. But... I'd have to think it over.
I graduated high school in 1979 so was just a few years ahead of the kids in Square Pegs. I didn't watch it when it came out, but I rented it recently thinking it was harmless entertainment for a teen or tween. My daughter had already watched a few episodes when I passed by and realized in horror that almost every other laugh-track explosion was approbation to all the "fat" jokes about a pretty little teen built like a padded toothpick. How many girls watched this show and judged their bodies based on Sarah Jessica Parker and Tracy Nelson? Really. It's sickening to think anyone ever thought that kind of mean-spirited humor was funny or appropriate. That's not quirky - and if you think it's funny, maybe you're not as witty as you imagine yourself to be.
Basically well-acted, but the script is trite and the laugh track makes me want to drill my eardrums out with a skewer - if only I could do that BEFORE the theme song starts up. If I had to choose between a slow agonizing death and watching Square Pegs again, I'd take Square Pegs if they threw in some earplugs. But... I'd have to think it over.