Finished watching all of "Freaks and Geeks" last night and wow -- just wow. If you haven't seen it, do yourself a favor and start tonight. It's the first time a show exceeded the hype associated with it, and I don't think I'm just saying that because it's about teenagers set in suburban Detroit in the early '80s. The entire cast is terrific -- Becky Ann Baker as mom Jean, John Francis Daley as little brother Sam; Martin Starr as friend Bill; and Busy Phillips as burnout Kim -- but make no mistake, Linda Cardellini -- as good girl gone burnout-wanna be Lindsay -- is the real star here. If Emmy awards were given out for facial expressions alone, Cardellini would have cleaned up back in 2000, when this short-lived gem was unceremoniously canceled. Cardellini is so believable -- and so beautiful -- as Lindsay Weir that I might even considering given the Grateful Dead a chance, even if I am completely disappointed in her life choices! (Cardellini was great in "Bloodline" too, also available on Netflix now.)
