When a show gets canceled, it’s not necessarily because it was bad. Sometimes it might actually be pretty darn good, but still struggle to find an audience or win over a network. That’s why one particular series that was axed after just a single season also managed to earn the top spot on a new list of the best teen dramas of all time.
‘Freaks and Geeks’ Was Named the Best Teen Drama
While ranking teen dramas that stood out among the rest, The Hollywood Reporter (THR) chose “Freaks and Geeks” as the number one show. Airing on NBC in 1999 to 2000, the series starred Linda Cardellini, John Francis Daley, Jason Segel, Seth Rogen, Busy Philipps, James Franco, Samm Levine, Martin Starr, Becky Ann Baker and Joe Flaherty. Fans of the show will know that it focuses on a “high school mathlete” who “starts hanging out with a group of burnouts while her younger brother navigates his freshman year,” according to IMDb.
THR explained its decision to give “Freaks and Geeks” the #1 spot on its list, saying that “[w]hether you classify Paul Feig’s ’80s-set series as a drama, as we are, or a comedy, as the Emmys did for its two writing nominations and a deserved casting win for the great Allison Jones, Freaks and Geeks is funnier than any teen show ever made and also more deeply relatable and emotionally resonant.”
Despite only getting 18 episodes to tell its story before being taken off the air, THR notes that “Freaks and Geeks” introduced viewers to “cringeworthy heroes and empathy-worthy villains” as well as “a world as impeccably realized as anything achieved on the big or small screen.” And although it ended earlier than many fans would have liked, it did offer them “a flawless series finale” that brilliantly wrapped up the show that went on to become a beloved cult classic.
When THR put “Freaks and Geeks” at the top of its list of the best teen dramas, Feig took to Instagram to acknowledge the honor, writing, “26 years later, we’re still going strong. Huge congrats and thanks to everyone who worked on this show all those years ago and made it work and to everyone who watched and who has continued to watch and spread the word. Freaks & Geeks will always be my pride and joy. 🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️”
Check Out the Other Shows On the List of 15 Best Teen Dramas
Although it might seem strange that a show that only had one season earned the top spot on The Hollywood Reporter’s list of the best TV teen dramas that have ever graced our screens, it turns out that more than half of the series included “aired fewer than 20 episodes.” Of course, others lasted quite a bit longer. On top of that, many shows ended up launching the careers of actors and actresses who ended up being major stars and went on to appear in various popular series and movies.
So, what other shows made the list? You can check them out below:
#2: “Friday Night Lights” (2006-2011)
#3: “My So-Called Life” (1994-1995)
#4: “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (1997-2003)
#5: “America to Me” (2018)
#6: “The O.C.” (2003-2007)
#7: “High School” (2022)
#8: “The Baby-Sitters Club” (2020-2021)
#9: “Veronica Mars” (2004-2007)
#10: “Beverly Hills, 90210” (1990-2000)
#11: “Betty” (2020-2021)
#12: “Skins” (2007-2013)
#13: “Swagger” (2021-2023)
#14: “Bunheads” (2012-2013)
#15: “Glee” (2009-2015)
