Freaks and Geeks/I'm with the Band

I'm with the Band
Season 1, Episode 6
Airdate	November 13, 1999
Production Number	105
Written by	Gabe Sachs, Jeff Judah
Directed by	Judd Apatow
← 1x05 Tests and Breasts	1x07 → Carded and Discarded
Freaks and Geeks — Season One

I'm with the Band is the sixth episode of the first season of Freaks and Geeks. Nick's dream of becoming a drummer is on the verge of being dashed, so Lindsay tries to get him to hold on to it. Sam has to contend with new rules that require all students to shower after gym class.

Guest Stars: Tom Wilson (Coach Fredricks), Steve Bannos (Mr. Kowchevski), Kevin Tighe (Mr. Andopolis), Shaun Weiss (Sean), Chauncey Leopardi (Alan White), Natasha Melnick (Cindy Sanders), Sarah Hagan (Millie Kentner), Jerry Messing (Gordon Crisp), Stephen Lea Sheppard (Harris), Jarrett Lennon (Colin), Mike Andrews (Scott), Denise Askew (Student Gym Teacher), Mark Allan Staubach (Mark), Jason Lansing (Bully #1)

Plot Overview

The Geeks, and Sam in particular, are horrified to learn that they are now required to shower after gym class. Sam, embarrassed and revulsed by the idea, refuses to go along with it and convinces the others to skip the showers with him. Coach Fredricks catches them and insists that they shower next time.

Meanwhile, Lindsay gets her first taste of Nick's as yet unnamed band that plays out of his garage and comprises him, Daniel, Ken, and Sean. She realizes that they're terrible. After their practice session, Nick's dad tells him to either stop playing and improve his grades or join the army. Lindsay attempts to cheer him up and convinces him to pursue his dream of becoming a professional drummer. She persuades Nick to take charge of the band and practice harder. When Nick does this, the rest of the Freaks get fed up of his demands and leave the band, angry at both him and Lindsay.

After the following day's gym class, Neal and Bill decide to give in and go for a shower (and get towel whipped by Alan and his fellow bullies), but Sam manages to narrowly avoid it yet again. After skipping the next gym class, he has a talk with his parents, who try unsuccessfully to bolster his confidence. Lindsay manages to get Nick enthused by telling him about an audition being held by a local band for a new drummer. The audition is a disaster and Lindsay attempts to console a devastated Nick by spontaneously kissing him.

Sam finally musters the courage to take a shower, but his perennial tormentor Alan pounces on the opportunity by throwing him out of the changing rooms without his towel moments before the bell rings. Lindsay is disturbed to learn that their kiss had a big impact on Nick, especially when she discovers that the Freaks' falling out was only temporary. Things are back to normal, and Nick is once again cheerful.

Notes

Featured Music

• "The Spirit of Radio" by Rush
• "Sunshine of Your Love" (Cream), 'performed' by Seth Rogen and Creation
• "Crossroads" (Cream), performed by Dimension
• "White Room" by Cream
• "One Step Beyond" by Madness

Arc Advancement

Happenings

• The Band Breakup: The Freaks have a major falling out, with their band coming to its end (for a brief period). Their ultimate reunion indicates that altercations of this type are normal amongst the Freaks.

• Maturing Geeks: The Geeks continue to deal with the travails of growing up - on this occasion, by dealing with the dangers of communal showers.

Characters

• Sam: Overcomes his fear and shyness, and gains notoriety after his brief turn as a streaker (to Alan's annoyance).

• Nick: May be doomed to join the army. Comes to the realization that he lacks talent as a drummer. Believes that he and Lindsay may have a relationship.

• Lindsay: Gets herself labelled a 'slut' by Kelly because of the way she kissed Nick. She also inadvertently gains the (unwanted) affections of Nick.

Referbacks

• Nick's Drumming: Lindsay reminds Nick that he once told her his reason for living was drumming - this happened in the Pilot.

Trivia

The Show

• Cameos
  • Writer Gabe Sachs cameos as the drummer who auditions before Nick.
  • Writer Jeff Judah cameos as the sound mixer present at the audition.
  • Series producer and creator Paul Feig cameos as the bass player for Dimension.

• The series was off the air for nearly two months after this episode, and was rescheduled to a different slot (from Saturday to Monday) on its return.

Allusions and References

• Wonder Woman: Sam tells Bill to "keep climbing, Wonder Woman" as he climbs a rope during gym class - Wonder Woman was famous for her 'golden lasso', and in the 1970s TV series she sometimes used it for climbing.

Memorable Moments

• Nick's audition with Dimension.

• Sam's nude dash through the school hallways.