What is it? Freaks and Geeks, Complete Series Collector's Edition, 18 episodes on nine discs from Shout! Factory
How much? $119
When? Now
Is this about a circus sideshow? Well, not exactly, though you're close. It's about high school.
To be specific, William McKinley High School in suburban Michigan circa 1980.
Lindsay Weir (Linda Cardellini) has always been a model student -- a religious, responsible good girl and star mathlete. But the death of her grandmother has sent her into an emotional spiral and she moves away from her best friend Millie (Sarah Hagan) and instead starts trying to fit in with the "freaks" like Daniel Desario (James Franco), Ken Miller (Seth Rogan), Nick Andopolis (Jason Segel) and "mean girl" Kim Kelly (Busy Philipps).
Meanwhile, Lindsay's younger brother, Sam (John Francis Daley), and his "geek" friends just want to be accepted by the popular crowd. But Neal Schweiber (Samm Levine) and Bill Haverchuck (Martin Starr) are far too earnest and nerdy to be part of that crowd.
The geeks' attempts to fit in and Lindsay's emotional tug of war between her old and new personas lead to a lot of heartbreak and comedy as the Weirs' bewildered parents (Joe Flaherty and Becky Ann Baker) just try to make sense of it all and keep a bond with their growing children.
How is it? Funny, painful, sweet, sad. The characters are three-dimensional, even the ones who, on a lesser show, would be simple caricatures. All the acting and writing are spot-on, the production values are great and the music is practically another character.
Basically, it's one of the television's most insightful, honest and poignant examinations of teen years and while it was low-rated, it was a critical success and has become a cult classic.
If you like The Wonder Years you'll probably enjoy this one too.
Also, viewers may note that some of the names involved, like producer Judd Apatow and stars Segel, Franco and Rogan, have become much bigger in the years since.
Extras? For starters, in a way, you get two shows for one. There's the original broadcast version (4x3) and then an enhanced widescreen version with expanded footage (most of the series was filmed in widescreen but aired in the old 4x3 format). Both versions are included in the set. Though it should be noted that since the pilot episode wasn't shot in widescreen, the picture has been stretched out to fit the widescreen and it looks a little odd.
For bonus features, the set is packed full. There are commentaries for every episode and a long list of deleted and extended scenes as well as raw footage and audition videos. Add to that extensive behind-the-scenes videos, an on-set graduation ceremony, the original NBC promos and press kit, a blooper reel, a karaoke version of the song "Lady L" and a goodbye video. For more substantive content, there's a 45-minute conversation with producers Apatow and Paul Feig and an 80-minute Q&A with cast and creators from 2000.
Basically, there's enough to keep the most devoted fan busy for quite a while.
There's also a reproduction of the booklet from the 2004 DVD release. Other than a brief introduction, it's an exact copy so, yes, some of the information, particularly about the cast members, is out of date.
New this week: Family Matters, Season 6; Finding Your Roots, Season 3; Grace and Frankie, Season 1; Heroes Reborn, miniseries; Jackie Robinson, series; Prisoners Wives, complete series; Sisters, Season 4; Welcome to Sweden, Season 2.
Next week: And Then There Were None, miniseries; Haven, complete series; Little House on the Prairie, Season 9; Pretty Little Liars, Season 6; Silicon Valley, Season 2; Veep, Season 4.
Style on 04/10/2016