FREAKS AND GEEKS, "PILOT" PT. 2: COOL TEACHER

The thing that turned my head about FREAKS AND GEEKS is a really small moment that happens about halfway through the pilot.

Lindsay's guidance counselor Mr. Rosso is trying to get her to open up about what she's going through. When nothing works, we get this: 

ROSSO: Okay, I see the problem here. Let's just rap as people, okay? No pressure. From now on, I'm not Mr. Rosso, guidance counselor.

LINDSAY: You're not?

ROSSO: No. I'm just Jeff, your friend who cares.

LINDSAY: Jeff.

ROSSO: Exactly. And you're not Miss Weir, high school student. You're Lindsay, a girl who seems like she needs a friend. So, come on, Lins. Talk to your buddy, Jeff. 

I've seen scenes like this a million times, and so have you. It's the set up for pretty much every sketch or teen movie comedic scene about adults trying to relate to their kids.

But that is not how Paul Feig writes it. In fact this moment comes at the end of the scene. Lindsay stares at Rosso, then shuts him down. "Jeff, I never felt better in all my life." Rosso lets it go with just a quip: "Well, then maybe someone should tell your face." 

In part, the scene offers a signal or code key as to the nature of this world I'm entering. Yes, it's 1980, and high school, so I can expect amazing music and a lot of foolishness. But this isn't a High School is Crazy sketch show. It's going for something more grounded and real. 

But I also love it for the way it uses the audience's awareness of the genre to grab us. Adults being dumb is a sweet spot for teen stories. And going for that laugh is normally a means of engagement. We lean in precisely because of how foolish the adults behave, or the obstacles their cluelessness create.

But here instead Feig and Allen grab out attention by not going for that laugh, by setting up but then defying our expectation. Wait, what is this thing that I'm watching?  I want to see more.

Dave Allen's performance as Rosso is another key part of the scene's success. He's definitely a little ridiculous; but he does not give off the John Hughes Adult-as-Buffoon vibe.  And Feig gives the character a nice callback at the end. While trying to comfort Lindsay about being stuck working at the dance, Rosso inadvertently says exactly the thing she's most needed to hear all episode, that life is okay. 

And that's the show--awkward people who often look silly but mean well and help each other even when they don't know it. 

TOMORROW: LINDSAY AND THE QUEST TO DISCOVER HER QUEST 

UPDATED: With the release of JUSTICE LEAGUE tomorrow I'm going to post about MAN OF STEEL and BATMAN VS. SUPERMAN Thursday and Friday, and we'll save Lindsay for the weekend.