I always hated high-school shows and high-school movies, because they were always about the cool kids. It was always about dating and sex, and all the popular kids, and the good-looking kids. And the nerds were super-nerdy cartoons, with tape on their glasses. I never saw 'my people' portrayed accurately.

In this quote, Paul Feig expresses his frustration with the portrayal of high school life in shows and movies, particularly how they often focus on the lives of the cool kids. Feig notes that these portrayals are typically centered around themes of dating, sex, and popularity, where the main characters are good-looking and fit into traditional stereotypes of high school success. He critiques how the nerds or less popular students are often reduced to exaggerated, one-dimensional characters, such as those with tape on their glasses, reinforcing negative stereotypes.

Feig's frustration comes from the fact that he never saw a true representation of his own high school experience, particularly for those who didn’t fit into the "cool kid" mold. By saying that he didn’t see "my people" portrayed accurately, he emphasizes how media depictions often ignored or misrepresented the experiences of students who were more introverted, intelligent, or socially awkward. These types of characters, according to Feig, were typically caricatured or minimized, lacking depth or genuine representation.

The quote also speaks to the broader issue of representation in media. Feig, who later went on to create the TV show Freaks and Geeks, focused on portraying a more authentic view of high school life, showing the complexities of being an outsider or someone who didn’t fit into the traditional social groups. His work aimed to give voice to characters who were often overlooked, allowing for more nuanced depictions of adolescence.

Ultimately, Paul Feig's quote reflects his desire for more authentic portrayals of high school life in media. It critiques the reliance on stereotypes and clichés, calling for stories that represent the full spectrum of high school experiences, especially those of students who may not be deemed "cool" by traditional standards. Feig’s frustration ultimately inspired him to create work that better represents the diversity and complexity of adolescent life.