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

4.0

I adored this book—it brought me immense joy! The author’s passion for pop culture resonated deeply with me, and I felt a strong connection to their writing style. The book explores the narratives behind seven groundbreaking teenage television series: “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” “My So-Called Life,” “Dawson’s Creek,” “Freaks and Geeks,” “The O.C.,” “Friday Night Lights,” and “Glee.” These shows transformed television and left a lasting impact on our cultural landscape.

It perfectly balances an enjoyable, light summer read and a thought-provoking analysis of these teen-focused series’ pivotal role in shaping teen and adult television drama. Despite airing on network television, the book emphasizes how these shows significantly influenced today's diverse streaming content. It’s meticulously researched, written engagingly, and offers insightful and respectful perspectives.

Reading this book was a delightful experience. Its engaging and conversational tone provided a welcome escape from my reading slump. Although I haven’t watched "Dawson’s Creek," I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all the other shows mentioned, with "The O.C." holding a particularly special place in my heart. I’ve even revisited all four seasons every few years.

Discovering new behind-the-scenes stories about these shows was indeed a treat! I recommend this book to pop culture and television history fans.