I thought Freaks and Geeks was a much more accurate portrayal of the kids I knew in high school - Lindsey is the ONLY character I've ever actually felt any kinship toward in any TV show I've ever watched.I graduated high school in 1979 so was just a few years ahead of the kids in Square Pegs. I didn't watch it when it came out, but I rented it recently thinking it was harmless entertainment for a teen or tween. My daughter had already watched a few episodes when I passed by and realized in horror that almost every other laugh-track explosion was approbation to all the "fat" jokes about a pretty little teen built like a padded toothpick. How many girls watched this show and judged their bodies based on Sarah Jessica Parker and Tracy Nelson? Really. It's sickening to think anyone ever thought that kind of mean-spirited humor was funny or appropriate. That's not quirky - and if you think it's funny, maybe you're not as witty as you imagine yourself to be.Basically well-acted, but the script is trite and the laugh track makes me want to drill my eardrums out with a skewer - if only I could do that BEFORE the theme song starts up. If I had to choose between a slow agonizing death and watching Square Pegs again, I'd take Square Pegs if they threw in some earplugs. But... I'd have to think it over.

When Square pegs premiered on CBS fall 1982, it was the hippest show on TV. It defined the pains, and joys of teenage life in the early 80's. The show featured the appearances of Bill Murray, The Doors drummer John Densmore, as well as rock groups The Waitress, Devo and others. Even though the show lasted only one season and 19 episodes, it ranked as the top show of the 14-30 age demographics, and was a critics darling, CBS canceled the series after just one year. Why? Network shows had much larger audiences at the time, and overall ratings mattered more than the now coveted younger age demographics. It boasted a dedicated 12 million viewers which a network would now consider a hit. Ask anybody from that era, and they will still remember the show, which aired in repeats for several years in syndication. How many shows get syndicated after a mere 19 episodes? And are fondly remembered 25 years later? Sarah Jessica Parker, Jamie Gertz, and Tracy Nelson all launched their careers here. If the show's ratings were judged on the now advertiser desired younger audience demos, it certainly would have lasted longer as it's fan base was huge(it's ratings far exceeded todays definition of a hit). Thankfully it's now on DVD.

One episode featured the drummer from The Doors. I've said it before and I'll say it again, there are never enough TV shows with drummers on them. Square Pegs also made a comical visual reference to Citizen Kane. No wonder it only lasted one season. The biggest weakness of the show was the premise. Every week Patty and Lauren aspired to join the popular crowd. It should have been apparent after their first attempt that a). The popular kids would never accept them, and that, b). Hanging out with Johnny Slash was way more cooler because he knew the drummer from The Doors. One final note: I thought SJP did well at finding her inner nerd.

As good as it was, Square Pegs, Sarah Jessica Parker's firstseries, was a good show. Unfortunately, it was cancelled after onlyone season. Why? Low ratings? The fact that by the 1982-83television season they were writing the obituary of sitcom?Probably all three. By the time the 1982-83 season began, itshowed such promise. However, the only sitcoms to survive that disastrous season were Diff'rent Strokes, The Facts Of Life,Benson, Webster, and I'm A Big Girl Now. The television sit comwas on its way out. Fortunately, it lasted only one season. I'd love to see this show on DVD.