I was on the cusp of teenage-hood (just turned 13) when My So Called Life first aired on ABC in 1994. The show quickly became one of my favorites and while the show received rave reviews by those who watched it, it really didn’t pick up a following until after it was cancelled and reruns started airing on MTV. I never watched the show on MTV though I was a loyal fan who watched every episode during its first run on ABC.
I was sad when it was cancelled because, at the time, I didn’t feel they had anything like it on television. It was raw, real, and unapologetic. In one episode, the protagonist of the show, Angela (Claire Danes) says she envies Anne Frank, an unrealistic, but self-absorbed teenage-esque response. When her horrified teacher asks how Angela could even think Frank was “lucky” Angela goes on to say something about how Frank got to spend three years in an attic with a boy she liked. It is such a trivial answer, and yet very much understood by those in generation X.
My So Called Life was real because it portrayed our generation accurately. We were the first generation not jaded by the things previous generations had to face. We had no Vietnam to protest, no World War to fear. As Angela was so quick to emphasize, our biggest problem was finding the courage to talk to the boy/girl we liked and choosing to give into peer pressure or not.
Of course, there was so much more to My So Called Life then just that. It was the first time on television we saw a teenager realistically struggling with her identity in a way that was at times self-destructive, at other times soothing. In the pilot, Angela mentioned how people have preconceived notions of what your personality is supposed to be and what if that isn’t who a person is? Danes, as Angela, spends the entire season doing just that. During the series, she makes drastic changes to her life such as pushing away from her longtime best friend, Sharon (Devon Odessa), dying her hair a putrid shade of red, hanging out with bad girl Rayanne (AJ Langer) and one of the first openly gay teens on television, Rickie (Wilson Cruz), and chasing after the bad boy, grade repeating day dreamer, Jordan Catalano (Jared Leto).
Release Information:
My So Called Life first debuted on U.S. television on August 25, 1994. It lasted for just one season of 19 episodes. My So Called Life’s last episode aired on ABC on January 26, 1995 before fading into obscurity until MTV picked up reruns of the show. This is when My So Called Life developed a following as a young audience, who had either missed the show on ABC or had been too young to enjoy it at the time it first aired tuned in faithfully to watch episodes of the show.
Today, the show remains one of the highest ranked television series on IMDB by a vast audience that spans locations and generations. The first DVD release of the show was in November of 2002. Shout Factory has re-released the entire series on DVD, which was available October 30, 2007. This five disc set is being released with a 36-page full sized book with original photographs of the show, cast, and crew members.
The My So Called Life Plot:
My So Called Life was the brainchild of Emmy-Award winning director (and producer), Scott Winant (Californication, Huff, Carnivale, Dead Like Me, Get Real, thirtysomething) and writer, Winnie Holzman (Once and Again, thirtysomething). The show has been hailed as the first show to portray what teenagers go through in a realistic fashion. It has inspired countless other television shows on teenagers and teenage angst.
The show revolves around a 15 year old girl, Angela Chase (this role catapulted Danes to stardom and gave her international recognition) who lives with her father, Graham (Tom Irwin), mother, Patty (Bess Armstrong), and younger sister, Danielle (Lisa Wilholt). The show explores Angela’s relationship with Graham, who lets her do pretty much what she wants, her willful and rebellious attitude against Patty’s rules, and her sibling rivalry/fighting with Danielle. Angela is at the age where she doesn’t wish to share anything with her parents and Patty has a very hard time accepting this. Patty also has trouble dealing with the fact that she has become the parent she couldn’t stand and rebelled against when she was Angela’s age.
To add more drama, Angela, who has realized they have grown apart, spends less time with her long time best friend, Sharon. While Sharon is interested in the same things she once enjoyed with Angela, Angela has moved on and wants to try something new with her life. She goes through something many teenagers go through, an identity crisis of sorts, where she tries to figure out who she is and where she fits in. To add insult to injury, Angela blows off Sharon to spend time with her new friend, out of control, wild child Rayanne. With no parental supervision, it is easy to see how Rayanne got her bad reputation and ended up with a drinking problem.
Angela also hangs out with Rickie, who is originally portrayed as bisexual (to which Angela’s mother throws a fit – he’s just a confused kid she says) though throughout the series it is pretty obvious that Rickie is gay. Of course, Rayanne and Rickie are bent on hooking Angela up with her crush, Jordan Catalano (Jared Leto). Jordan has been held back twice, and is a bit of a slacker, but Angela is mesmerized by his existence. Of course, Angela has someone who is interested in her, as well. It is her geeky neighbor, Brian (Devon Gummersall), who covers for her in class and helps her out with her parents and even the cops.
My So Called Life explores many of the biggest troubles, joys, and worries teenagers of this generation faced (and some the current generation are still facing). Issues explored in these 19 episodes include teenage alcoholism, peer pressure, underage drinking and drug use, pressure to have sex, other teenage relationship issues, illiteracy, homosexuality, effects of teenage gossip, trouble with the police, envy, rumors, and relationship problems with parents. The show takes a no-nonsense look at the issues and tackles them head on without pause.
Storyline/Plot: 
Replayability:
Acting:
Directing: 
Audio/Visual:
I remember My So Called Life looked dark and dreary on television. This DVD reflects that. Unfortunately, it also means the visual quality of the DVD isn’t as good as it could be. You will see a lot of shadowy movement. Still, I remember the show being just as dark when it first aired and the content is so superb it is worth watching despite this flaw.
The hope of fans and reviewers is that future releases will provide some lightness that fixes the problem and makes the show easier to see. However, I feel too much perfection would take away from the entire point of the show as the lighting was overly dark for a reason. The video was transferred at an aspect ratio of 1.33:1.
The audio is easy to hear. It’s clear, crisp Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound. The original audio from the show can also be used, if you prefer. Just switch over the sound when you’re at the main menu. There are subtitles available for My So Called Life, in English. I have no complaints with the audio whatsoever.
Visual: 
Audio:
Special Features:
There are some special features on this disc though at this time we do not have a list of those up. The movie is being sold through Shout Factory and several other retailers with a special, My So Called Life book. The book is 36 pages and offers full size, color pictures of the cast, amongst other things.
Bonus Features:
Bottom Line:
My So Called Life is one of those shows you need to see to realize how excellent it truly is. This is the show that made the careers of Danes, Cruz, Leto, and Langer, making them household names around the world. The reason this show has developed a cult following is because people of all ages can relate to the characters. The acting is on par and just adds to the intensity of each role the actors are playing. The majority of them are not likeable at times. They are flawed, human, and make mistakes many of us have made ourselves. My So Called Life is a reflection of reality for both teenagers and their parents. This one comes highly recommended.
Overall Rating:
Technorati Tags: My So Called Life, 90s, Claire Danes, Jared Leto, A.J. Langer, Wilson Cruz, Bess Armstrong, Tom Irwin, Teen, Drama, TV Show
