‘Still Bringing Joy’: Seth Rogen, Samm Levine, Paul Feig Celebrate ‘Freaks and Geeks’ 25th Anniversary

To mark the 25th anniversary of Freaks and Geeks, the beloved NBC comedy about high school outcasts in the suburbs of Michigan, cast members Seth Rogen and Samm Levine, along with the show’s creator Paul Feig, reflected on the show’s lasting impact.

“This show changed my life in many ways, I’m still close friends with many of the people involved. They’re like family in a lot of ways,” said Rogen in a social media post shared on Wednesday. “It’s rare to get to be a part of something so heartfelt and resonant, and I’m very grateful it was my first experience as an actor, and I’m honored to be amongst its cast.”

“Twenty-five years,” Levine wrote in a separate post. “Some days I can’t believe it’s been that long. Other days, it sure feels like a lifetime ago. But a quarter century later, I’m truly humbled at how ‘Freaks and Geeks’ is still being talked about, still finding new fans, and still bringing joy to so many people.”

Set during the 1980 – 1981 school year, Freaks and Geeks focuses on the 16-year-old mathlete Lindsay Weir, played by Linda Cardellini, who joins a crew of burnouts Ken (Seth Rogen), Kim (Busy Philipps), Daniel (James Franco), and Nick (Jason Segel). Meanwhile, her 14-year-old brother Sam Weir, played by John Francis Daley, is entering high school and finds his own crew of outsiders.

Levine starred as the buttoned-up high school geek Neal and friend to fellow nerds Sam and Bill Haverchuck, played by Martin Starr. Levine went on to thank Feig and the show’s directors Judd Apatow and Jake Kasdan in his post for “giving an awkward, overconfident, comedy loving teenage nerd that kind of opportunity. I’m eternally grateful.”

Feig also shared a tribute looking back at the show’s legacy, calling it “one of the most rewarding experiences of my life and changed everything for me.” He added, “Eternally grateful to @juddapatow for taking a chance on my little spec script about growing up in Michigan and making it happen with @dreamworks as well as to our stellar cast, writers, directors and crew for bringing it to life. I truly love you all.

Freaks and Geeks, released in 1999, ran for a single season, and NBC canceled the comedy while in post-production for its final episodes. The show has appeared on several Best Of television lists with Rolling Stone ranking the series at Number 24 as it “put a spotlight on all their mortifying adolescent awkwardness” that’s all too familiar. Rolling Stone also ranked all of its 18 episodes.

In Levine’s tribute post, he thanked his costars, crew members, and finally the fans who supported the gone-too-soon show.

“If I could, I’d give each of you a hug,” Levine wrote. “(Actually, by now I probably have met everyone who watched the show back in ‘99. All 300 of you. You’re like family to me.)”

This article was updated on Sept. 25 at 7:20 p.m. ET to include social media statements from Seth Rogen and Paul Feig.

From Rolling Stone US.