High-school shows tend to veer dangerously close to after-school special territory, getting preachy or offering contrived romances and happy endings. But Freaks and Geeks has an impressive realism to it. Maybe it’s because nearly all of the primary cast members were actually teenagers at the time of filming, or maybe it’s director Paul Feig’s insistence that everyone on the Michigan-based show refer to soft drinks as “pop” instead of “soda.” The universal experiences shared in teenage years are perfectly summed up in the 1999 comedy-drama. The series lasted just 18 episodes, then was canceled due to dropped ratings. The iconic cast included James Franco, Seth Rogan, Jason Segal, Linda Cardellini and many more actors who later became known for much bigger roles in their careers. The single season can be found on Netflix and YouTube. Fans of The Breakfast Cub and Stranger Things would appreciate the witty dynamic that Freaks and Geeks has to offer. No matter who you are in high school—freak, geek, jock, or someone with feet in a few different camps—there’s someone for you to identify with in Freaks and Geeks. The story lines often dealt with run-of-the-mill adolescent issues like dealing with crushes, being picked last in gym class, cheating on tests, etc., but it never feels formulaic.