I was pretty much of a square peg in high school. I wasn’t cool enough to be in the popular clique, but I didn’t really fit in with the geeks, either. So, I was a die-hard fan of Square Pegs before the first opening credits were over.
The show was a gem, even though it lasted only one season. But if you missed it, take heart. On May 20 — finally — Square Pegs will be released on DVD.
The show had a simple enough premise. Two freshmen girls, Lauren and Patty, wanted to be popular. Desperately.
Oh, did I mention that Sarah Jessica Parker played Patty? That’s why Sony is releasing Square Pegs now — to coincide with Sex and the City: the Movie. This is one case in which crass commercialism makes the world a better place.
I think Square Pegs died young because it was ahead of its time. Anne Beatts, one of the original Saturday Night Live writers, created the show and gave it an edge via topical humor and alternative music. (The Waitresses, of “I Know What Boys Like” fame, did the theme song.)
My favorite character was Muffy Tepperman (I didn’t even have to look up the name), played by Jami Gertz. Muffy was captain of the pep squad, science fair organizer, head of the Morals Club, member of Future Nurses of America and the official fundraiser for Weemawee High School’s Guatemalan child.
Devo played at her bat mitzvah. Don’t you miss Devo?
The Square Pegs DVD will be a 3-disc set with a new interview with Parker, behind-the-scenes footage and other “extras” like French subtitles. I don’t know why, either. I hope the show is as good as I remember. Because sometimes I still feel like a square peg.
