Freaks, Gleeks, and Dawson's Creek: How Seven Teen Shows Transformed Television by Thea Glassman

3.88 AVERAGE

jwade0730's review against another edition

5.0
I really enjoyed this audiobook. I was an avid viewer of Glee while it was on air and My So-Called Life years after. Loved Fresh Prince. The other shows I passed on while they were on. Regardless I really enjoyed hearing about the shows and the impact they had during after their times. I also liked learning about the development of the shows. I don’t know if I’ll go and watch the other shows mentioned, but maybe now I’ll consider it. Well. Other than Dawson’s Creek. That’s just not my jam.
acfacci's profile picture

acfacci's review

4.0
informative medium-paced

mary_garcia's review against another edition

Loved the chapters on Freeks and Geeks and the OC.

lolukoko's review

4.5
informative reflective medium-paced
longbeachyreads's profile picture

longbeachyreads's review

5.0
fast-paced
Having grown up on all seven of these shows, I am exactly this book's target audience. It's crazy that some of these great shows had such short runs, but this book explains why (money -- there was a time at which teenagers were not considered to have lucrative purchasing powers). 

Also, lots of tea about casting decisions, relationships, etc. 

I don't know how Buffy the Vampire Slayer didn't make the list (teens saving the world! the worst morning after! sapphic storyline!) but I still enjoyed the examination of the shows included:

  1. Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
  2. My So-Called Life
  3. Dawson's Creek
  4. Freaks & Geeks
  5. The OC
  6. Friday Night Lights 
  7. Glee
melissawgaffney's profile picture

melissawgaffney's review against another edition

3.0
Really wanted to love this book (nostalgia!) but it read pretty flat. Some interesting details and behind-the-scenes info but just kind of meh.

maggiemaybereading's review against another edition

2.0
Meh. Well-written but shallow.

vimavi's review against another edition

2.0
After hearing so much about this book, I had hoped to like more. But the only chapters I was able to complete in their entirety were the ones on My So Called Life, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Friday Night Lights. I think I was hoping for more gossip than just a telling of how they were made, which probably says more about me than anything else.

apthatsme's review against another edition

5.0
This was such a great listen!
I've seen 4ish of the 7 shows mentioned in this book, but enjoyed learning about all of them.
lostinabookishworld's profile picture

lostinabookishworld's review against another edition

4.0
funny informative lighthearted medium-paced
I really enjoyed this one. I loved the majority of the shows covered here; Dawson's Creek, The O.C., Friday Night Lights, and Glee so it was interesting getting a deeper look into the show's beginnings and the impact they've had on pop culture.