This ‘Geek’ Is A Phreak: Actor Samm Levine Weighs In On His Phish Fandom

Phish-focused Instagram page @phishonphilm recently published a post compiling Phish, Goose and jam community-themed memes featuring scenes from the cult classic television show Freaks and Geeks. Actor Samm Levine, who portrayed Neal Schweiber on the teen comedy-drama, responded with a comment in appreciation of the post. Levine then shared a comment noting he’s “casual phan” that has attended “many” Phish concerts.

Freaks and Geeks had an 12-episode run on NBC from September 25, 1999 through March 20, 2000. Eighteen installments were made in total with the three remaining unseen until Fox Family picked up the show later in the year and the final three premiering at the Museum of Television and Radio. The full set was released on DVD and streaming video. Additionally, a few networks have aired repeats of the complete series over the years. While Freaks and Geeks was ahead of its time, the program finally found an audience after the initial run.

Executive producer Judd Apatow has since produced and directed a number of commercially and critically successful films including Anchorman, Superbad, 40 Year Old Virgin, This Is 50, Bridesmaids and The King Of Staten Island. Levine and his Freaks and Geeks co-stars Seth Rogen, James Franco, Linda Cardellini, Busy Philipps and Jason Segel each went on to achieve fame.

“Phantastic,” Levine wrote in response to @phishonphilm’s Freaks and Geeks meme collection. Another commentor asked the actor if he was a “phan of the band.” Samm replied, “I am a casual phan. Many years ago I dated a gal who was very into them and I took her to many shows. Never ONCE did they play Sample In a Jar!” The actor is a casualty of bad luck as “Sample In A Jar” has been played, on average, once every 4.1 shows since its debut on February 4, 1993 as per Phish.net’s stats.

Samm Levine’s fandom is far from the only Freaks And Geeks connection to the jam world. The 18th and final episode, “Disco and Dragons,” has a Grateful Dead theme running throughout. Linda Cardellini’s Lindsay Weir (no relation to Bobby) is introduced to the band’s music by her guidance counselor Mr. Rosso (portrayed by Dave Allen). Lindsay spins “Box Of Rain” and after inital hesitation starts dancing and is entranced. The episode and series ends with Lindsay heading off on Dead tour with her friends while “Ripple” plays as she turns down a summer program at the University of Michigan.

Check out the Instagram posts followed by scenes from “Disco and Dragons” below: