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I'm talking about "Freaks and Geeks," which returns to NBC March 13 for what could be its last stand. Watch this transcendent one-hour comedy about high school kids trying to figure out where they fit in and you will experience the painful laughter of recognition. And you will fall in love with the show's motley crew of nerds, stoners, brainiacs and confused souls and you will say, "How come nobody told me this was so awesome?" And I will gently remind you that I (and every other TV critic in the country) have been telling you exactly that since September. You could have listened. But, no.

Created by Judd Apatow and Paul Feig (both were writers for "The Larry Sanders Show"), "Freaks and Geeks" is set in a suburban Michigan high school circa 1980 and focuses on two groups of fringe kids -- the dope-smoking, class-cutting, disco-sucks freaks and the "Star Wars"-crazy, picked-on, hopelessly uncool geeks. If you think you've seen this all before, you haven't.

"Freaks and Geeks" (8 p.m. Mondays, beginning March 13, NBC) Joyce Millman Joyce Millman's column appears every other Monday in Salon Arts & Entertainment. + Biography + Archives

"Freaks and Geeks" is a voiceover-free zone; there's no wistful "Wonder Years" philosophizing or moony "My So-Called Life" introspection. Nor do the kids mouth slick and dirty Fox-type punch lines or pose like WB pinups. "Freaks and Geeks" is a rare (and probably suicidal) combination of low hype and high IQ. The show revolves around situations that get away from the characters and it's very, very funny. But sometimes it can break your heart, too, like in the episode where one of the freshman geek boys comes to school wearing a ridiculous new jumpsuit and he thinks he looks so cool walking down the corridor, but then he slowly realizes that everyone is laughing at him and his eyes start to register panic.

But what's so special about "Freaks and Geeks" is its understated tone of quiet absurdity and the natural, unforced way its remarkable cast conveys the inner turmoil of the worst, most exhilarating years of their characters' lives. If you haven't been watching, you're going to need to know who these characters are, so here goes. And there will be a pop quiz on this later.

The Freaks

Lindsay Weir (Linda Cardellini) Sophomore Lindsay is at an emotional crossroads. She's bored with being the good little straight-A "mathlete" (she was the star of McKinley High's competitive math team) and wants to walk on the wild side with the freaks. But their lack of ambition and direction scares her. A born rebel, Lindsay hates the idea that her parents have her whole life mapped out for her. And she kind of enjoys it when she hears rumors about how she supposedly "did it" with her freak (ex-)boyfriend, Nick. But she's also been brought up to be kind, hard-working and honest, and old habits die hard.

Daniel Desario (James Franco) Imagine the Fonz crossed with Jordan Catalano from "My So-Called Life." Dumb as a post, but a leather-jacketed fox, Daniel is the source of endless schemes having to do with party crashing and the procurement of beer. They always backfire.

Kim Kelly (Busy Phillips) Daniel Desario's tough girlfriend, from a dysfunctional home. She gives Lindsay a hard time, but she secretly admires her for being so smart and nice. The subject of countless rumors, Kim wears her scarlet "S" (for slut) with (slightly wounded) pride.

Nick Andopolis (Jason Segel) Lindsay's extremely mellow ex. Nick used to be on the basketball team, but was kicked off when he got caught with a bag of dope in his locker. Plays drums in the Freaks' group Creation and worships John Bonham. He wooed Lindsay by sending her a single red rose and inviting her over when his parents were out of town. She assumed he was going to want to have sex; instead, he took the opportunity to pledge his love by serenading her with Styx's "Lady." They never did it.

Ken Miller (Seth Rogan) The deadpan freak with the mutton-chop sideburns and disgusting lack of manners. Ken is known for his vicious sarcasm and his disdain for, well, everyone and everything. Has never had a girlfriend. What a surprise.

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