Freaks and Geeks is a teen-comedy drama that aired during 1999-2000. The TV series was created by Paul Fieg and produced by Jude Apatow, and is set in a suburban Detroit high school during the 1980s. Because it has so many enthusiasts and fans, many people have asked me whether I could add some Freaks and Geeks merchandise to the site. I’ve looked everywhere, and I have to say: It’s not easy to find! This was surprising, considering how many people (me included) love this series. But I’ve managed to find a few things that might interest you if you’re a Freaks and Geeks fan yourself, so let’s take a look, shall we?
Is There Any Official Freaks and Geeks Merch Our There?
The short answer is: Unfortunately, no. NBC never reelased much in terms of Freaks and Geeks merchandise, so we’re left with just the DVDs and some more hand-made crafty creations from fans of the show. But this doesn’t mean you have no options if you’re looking for Freaks and Geeks gift ideas or items to celebrate your enthusiasm for the series. So, let me show you what I’ve found and see if you also think these might be an okay merch replacement.
So, the first merch item you will have come across if you were looking for Freaks and Geeks stuff is probably the series. I know, a little disappointing since nowadays you can watch almost anything you want in stream format. However, if you love the series, it’s worth considering getting it in an actual physical format – this way, you’re actually supporting the creators, too!
Freaks and Geeks - The Complete Series
You can get the original TV series in a variety of formats. Luckily, you’re not limited to the quality you would have had when watching this on your TV – back in 1999. Many companies have produced different sets. So, if you’re looking for a physical copy of the TV series, here are some good options:
- Freaks and Geeks – Prime Video TV Series: This format is probably the easiest way to watch the series, but it’s just an online option. You can purchase episodes for $1.99 each (for SD. HD will be $2.99 a piece), the first season for $24.99, or watch the whole thing for free if you have Paramount+.
- Freaks and Geeks – DVD: You can get the complete series on DVD for about $20.90. The first DVD was released in 2004 and includes multiple formats. It’s just one disk, and you can also find it used for $5.50 or so.
- Freaks and Geeks – BLU-RAY: The third option is to get the TV series in Blu-ray format. However, keep in mind that the recorded quality will be closer to a DVD. Still, the Freaks and Geeks Blu-Ray costs around $26 and has a runtime of 13 hours and 30 minutes.
Freaks and Geeks - Special Editions
Luckily, there’s more to streaming, DVD, and Blu-rays. The creators of Freaks and Geeks have also released a few special editions that are worth looking at because they include additional items and scenes.
- Freaks and Geeks – Blue-Ray Collectors Edition (2016): This edition of the series in Blu-ray costs around $99. So, what makes this set different? Well, it’s actually packed with a trove of extras. On top of the eighteen original episodes in both original broadcast aspect ratio and widescreen presentation, you also get tons of bonus materials. For example, you will be able to see 28 commentaries and deleted scenes, lots of conversations between creators, table reads, auditions, NBC promos, a booklet, and MUCH MORE. So, definitely worth the price if you’re a Freaks and Geeks fan.
- Freaks and Geeks – DVD Yearbook Edition (2008): This multiple DVD set (eight discs in total) was released in 2008 and costs about $58 today. Like the Blu-ray version we just saw, it also includes a lot of bonus materials gathered into two extra discs. These include table reads, deleted scenes, original cast auditions, photo galleries, raw footage, NBC promos, and some behind-the-scenes footage.
If I had to pick one of these two, I’d go for the Blue-Ray – it includes more formats and a lot of extra bonus materials. However, if you don’t have a Blu-ray reader, the Freaks and Geeks Yearbook Edition is an excellent alternative.
Freaks and Geeks - Merch and Memorabilia
Now, let’s talk about Freaks and Geek merchandise. As I mentioned, there wasn’t much to begin with; however, there are a few interesting items you can get online – for instance, on eBay. These change frequently, but here are some ideas based on Freaks and Geeks products that were available at the time of writing this article:
- Autographed Pictures: Many of the actors featured in Freaks and Geeks went on to star in different successful series and movies. Their autographs are, therefore, not difficult to find – and many of them are on pictures of the series. For example, you can get a photo of the entire cast with autographs for about $300. A single Jason Siegel or James Franco signed framed pictures go for about $125.
- TV Series Scripts: There are still some copies of the script going around the interwebs. A signed copy of the Freaks and Geeks scripts goes for about $85 to $100, depending on the episode and the number of signatures or autographs.
- TV Show Photos: The series produced many original photos you can still find today. These are much more accessible, selling for about $10 apiece. Some of them feature individual characters, but others include the whole cast – and they all tend to cost the same.
- Freaks and Geeks Magazine Ads: Lastly, you will find many listings for clippings and ads from magazines and TV guides. These are probably pricier ($20 onwards) but are also quit a nice piece of memorabilia if you love the show.
So, we’ve gone through a few ideas and places to look for Freaks and Geeks merch and products. I hope these have inspired ideas to surprise yourself or your loved ones! Good hunting!
