Atari on the "Freaks And Geeks" TV Show

[godzillajoe]

So I just got this series from Netflix and in one episode Sam is over looking at "Ataris" and they have 5200 games on display which is cool but the show is set in 1980 and the system wasn't released until 1982 right?

 

And later when they show the kids playing Asteroids on a sixer, the screen is in vector graphics.

 

OK that's my dork rant of the day.

 

Now let's play Dungeons and Dragons and discuss why Kirk is better than Picard.

[Shawn]

 

 

Now let's play Dungeons and Dragons and discuss why Kirk is better than Picard.

 

Umm, we all know Pike was the only "real captian" j/k Kirk is the man, He is played by King Shatner and all

[Foxsolo2000]

So I just got this series from Netflix and in one episode Sam is over looking at "Ataris" and they have 5200 games on display which is cool but the show is set in 1980 and the system wasn't released until 1982 right?

 

And later when they show the kids playing Asteroids on a sixer, the screen is in vector graphics.

 

OK that's my dork rant of the day.

 

Now let's play Dungeons and Dragons and discuss why Kirk is better than Picard.

 

That isn't the first time I witnessed tv shows showing the wrong game on the tv screen. There was an American series who's name eludes me but on it they were playing a 2600 but the picture on the wasn't visible for they had put it in back to front and yet could still play the game for the sounds could be clearly heard

[Gregory DG]

TAT's Atari on TV page

[nester]

Wow, that's an old one. I remember noticing that at the time. I still point it out every time I watch it. Even when I'm alone. I haven't watched the audio commentary for that episode so I don't know what they say about it. I'm sure they had the usual television reasons for not having the actual 2600 version on the screen.

[mos6507]

The normal television reason being stupidity, of course.

[godzillajoe]

Maybe there's some issue with the flickering in the 2600 game and how it looks when filmed, is that possible?

[mos6507]

Then they should have chosen Space Invaders, which doesn't flicker much at all, and is what sold most consoles during that time period.

[tiggerthehun]

Just got into this series a few weeks ago, and I must say, it IS one of the best shows I've ever seen! It should be required viewing for any child of the 80's.

Anyway, my geek rant... (Yes, I actually paused the show when Sam walked by the boxed atari display rack)

 

Old gatefold boxes were next to red boxes, which were next to silver boxes which were next to intellivision boxes, which were next to 5200 boxes...

(The Horror!)

 

O.K., I'm done now... and that episode was so incredibly moving that they could have taken a dump on the atari, and I STILL would wholeheartedly approve of the show. So what are you waiting for? Go rent the series!!!

[Retro Rogue]

All that stuff in the scene was provided by Curt. From what was said on the newsgroups at the time:

 

He had two separate talks with the set dresser

about what would have been available in 1980. Apparently, they

decided to ignore his advice. They also decided, shortly before

filming, to set it in "Sears Brand Central," which Curt doesn't

believe existed yet in 1980. And if it was Sears, all those boxes should have been the Sears

versions, which Curt says he would have sent them if he'd known. And

lastly, he sent them three boxed VCS units, but they didn't use the

boxes for unknown reasons.

Edited September 15, 2008 by wgungfu

[yuppicide]

1st: I have been a fan of Freaks & Geeks ever since I saw it years ago. I have the box set. I've watched every episode many times. Many of them have a "special" place in my heart because I can relate to them: being picked on, trick or treating with those little plastic masks where the rubber band thing makes the mask dig into your neck, etc.

 

My favorite episode has to be the one where Bill gets partnered up with Cindy Sanders and they're at her place doing an assignment and she farts. She blames it on the chair and Bill tries to recreate the sound. The other guys say girls don't fart, but Bill says it was the sound of cheese being cut.

 

2nd: Wonder if they have a website for CD's and music videos that have Atari's in them? I have a CD by The Donnas, "Spend The Night" and on the inside of the booklet is a 2600 in their room.

[mos6507]

I have a CD by The Donnas, "Spend The Night" and on the inside of the booklet is a 2600 in their room.

 

Hah, I have that CD also.

[S1500]

I analyzed that episode when it first aired almost 10 years ago. on rec.games.video.classic, there was some guy who provided the boxes for it. Anachronisms all around. Their Atari 2600 was playing the vector arcade version for some bizarre reason.

[Retro Rogue]

on rec.games.video.classic, there was some guy who provided the boxes for it.

 

 

Umm....yah, read a few posts above.

[tcv]

on rec.games.video.classic, there was some guy who provided the boxes for it.

 

 

Umm....yah, read a few posts above.

 

I heard some guy on rec.games.video.classic provided the boxes for it. That true?!??!?!1

[S1500]

on rec.games.video.classic, there was some guy who provided the boxes for it.

 

 

Umm....yah, read a few posts above.

 

Ah there he is. With so many posts on here, I can only skim so much and miss a few.