For the first time since the show aired in 2000, the entire cast of Freaks and Geeks reunited for a photoshoot featured in the new comedy issue of Vanity Fair, guest edited by Hollywood mogul Judd Apatow, who was an executive producer on the series. Although it was cancelled after just 18 episodes, the brilliant and brutally funny coming-of-age drama still holds up as one of television’s most critically-adored series (of all time?) and continues to live on, both on Netflix and on DVD as well as in our hearts. If you loved the series – and what’s not to love – scrolling through these photos is sure to reignite the passion and spark a marathon viewing. There’s also an Oral History of Freaks and Geeks and a feature from creator Paul Feig on what would have happened to every character if there had been a second season.

Looking at the now-famous faces gathered for the reunion reveals what a strong impression the series made on Hollywood’s casting agents. Some of the the nerds and burnouts of McKinley High have become legitimate movie stars, like Seth Rogen, James Franco and Jason Segal, while others are television mainstays: Linda Cardellini (E.R.), Busy Phillips (Cougartown), John Francis Daley (Bones). It makes you think that having a juicy part on a ‘cancelled-too-soon’ series with a cult following could actually be better for an actor’s career in the long run (see: Nathan Fillion, cast of Arrested Development) than starring in a huge cultural juggernaut and becoming forever associated with one character (see: Jason Alexander, cast of Friends).

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Michael Kolberg is The Sprawl Editor at Toronto Standard. Follow him on Twitter for jokes @mikeykolberg.

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