My So-Called Life

ABC (ended 1995)
EDIT

Show Summary

  • Ended
My So-Called Life started in 1994 on ABC. It was very popular. It was a show that many could relate to and came off as more realistic than many other high school shows. Unfortunately, ABC cancelled it after one season. It has remained a favorite for long after. There are many questions left unresolved. If there was a season 2, would Rayanne and Angela be friends? Would Graham overcome his fidelity issues? Would Angela ditch dreamboat Jordan Catalano and go with geeky Brian Krakow? We'll never know.moreless
8.6
out of 10
Avg Rating: Great
969 votes
  • Your Rating: 10
    "Perfect"
  • Your Rating: 9.5
    "Superb"
  • Your Rating: 9
    "Superb"
  • Your Rating: 8.5
    "Great"
  • Your Rating: 8
    "Great"
  • Your Rating: 7.5
    "Good"
  • Your Rating: 7
    "Good"
  • Your Rating: 6.5
    "Fair"
  • Your Rating: 6
    "Fair"
  • Your Rating: 5.5
    "Mediocre"
  • Your Rating: 5
    "Mediocre"
  • Your Rating: 4.5
    "Poor"
  • Your Rating: 4
    "Poor"
  • Your Rating: 3.5
    "Bad"
  • Your Rating: 3
    "Bad"
  • Your Rating: 2.5
    "Terrible"
  • Your Rating: 2
    "Terrible"
  • Your Rating: 1.5
    "Abysmal"
  • Your Rating: 1
    "Abysmal"
Rate Now!
  • Great teen drama of the 90's!

    10
    "Perfect"


    My So Called Life was a great 90's drama that only lasted one season. Angela was the lead character, much a the show revolved around her obsession with Jordan, and her struggle to be an individual while having very involved parents. Angela has a set of old friends who she use to be close to, but are really the cool image that she now wants to project. She starts hanging out with a cooler and more troubled crowd including Rae Anne, and Ricky. Angela has a younger sister Danielle, who at times feels left out. Danielle admires Angela very much.
    One of the greatest things about this show is that the characters talk the way teens actually talk, as well as get involved with some of the schemes kids were actually doing at that time. Raves, abandon house for make out parties, drugs and alcohol, rock bands, hair dye, flannel shirts etc. It was a 90's show for 90's teens, very in the moment.
    Although at times irritating the parents on this show were a good balance. They wanted to be their for their kids but also wanted to give them their space. We often saw some of their problems and how those problems also effected the kids instead of always vise versa.Adultery, spicing up a marriage, health problems, death are just some of the problems tackled by the adult relationships.
    I greatly enjoyed this show when it was on and still enjoy watching the dvds today. I wish it could of had a longer run, other than that it is perfect. Long live the 90's!
    moreless
  • Possibly the best drama on tv ever.

    10
    "Perfect"
    I feel like I am actually observing the life of a teenager when I am watching this show. When I watch this show on dvd, I feel like I am right in the room with them. That is exactly how realistic this show is. Most teen shows these days are all about kids just playing silly jokes on each other. It was nice to go back to a time when teens did not have cell phones glued to their ears, or a computer in every room of their house. Yet this show seems so modern. It seems like this show was filed very recently. If you had never seen the show, you probably would not notice that it is about 14 years old. And I remember going through most of what every character on that show went through. The awkwardness of the school dance, the comparison of school to a battleground. No other show truly portrayed teen life as what it truly is. Difficult, confusing and scary.moreless
  • A show about teens growing in fast paced world. Moreover, the story of their understading of knowing what place they have in this world.

    10
    "Perfect"
    I remember to this day the joy it brought to my life watching that show. I felt as I was apart of the show, going thru the same tribulations as the characters. They weren't even characters they were like my friends. I was one of those who signed a petition to save the show, "my show." Little did I know tht Claire Danes had a hand in the desmise of the show, very disappointing. Well, it what it is and I still love her. But I wish they consider in bringing the show back. There are, I am sure so many unknown stars in the world tht can make this show great again. Someone should hold like a world wide talent search. I mean even look at shows like, it doesn't even compare, but like 90210 they are making it work. So please bring it back!moreless
  • This show was made before it's time. As stated if it had gone on for one more season it would have had a long life. A show that came out when I needed it most.moreless

    10
    "Perfect"
    This was a show about life from a time in our lives when things are changing and confusing. A time when angst is expected and sulleness is overwhelming. I was a preteen when this show came out and compared to other "high school dramas" such as Saved by the Bell, this one seemed so much more raw and real. Albeit this was what set it apart making it a favorite, I beleive ultimatly it was why it failed. Before it's time, at least on prime time television, it exposed the world to the life people didn't want to know about the seedy under belly of high school. Drugs, sex, and rock and roll, not to sound to cliche. Now I am quite a bit older and just bought the complete series on DVD. Revisiting this show from the percpective of a mother, wife and general adult has made me only more fond. Now instead of anticpation of a life I'm waiting to have, I feel nostalgic for a life I used to live. I was reading the book that came with my new DVD's and according to the creator, Winnie Holzman, she say's someone wouold've become prego, Sharon being the obvious choice. Patty and Graham would've split, sending Patty into a deep depression. Angela would turn to Brian when Jordon and her relationship ultimatly failed. Rickie would've moved in with Mr. Katimsky leading to his dismissal as a teacher, in turn forcing Patty out of depression to defend him. That would have been great!! I wish it had happened, but at the same time am greatful for the time I had. I loved this show and it will always hold a place in my heart. A timeless piece of television that will live on through syndication, and hopefully for a long time. I hope that all who haven't seen it get a chance to and those who have, I can only hope you love it like I do.moreless
  • Guilty as charged

    9.0
    "Superb"
    I really liked this show. They don't make shows like these anymore, and it's a real shame. This show was going on when I was in high school and I have to say that it got me through the bad days. Now the current high school kids are stuck with shows like My super sweet 16!!! I mean seriously how many kids/teenagers does that show reflect even the possibility of normalness in this day and age. I mean I went to highschool with a good portion of the student population being snobs but that really takes it to another level. Hopefully they can at least do some type of spin off of this show because it was really good.moreless
WRITE A REVIEW
More
Less

More Info About This Show

Categories

Drama

Themes

gay and lesbian relationships, growing up too fast, pressures of high school, short lived series, social commentary