My So-Called Life is part of my Holy Trinity of teen TV shows, along with The Wonder Years and Freaks and Geeks. I only wish that MSCL and Freaks & Geeks lasted as many seasons as The Wonder Years did.
My So-Called Life
Started by
Softee
, Jan 04 2004 07:35 PM
1015 replies to this topic
#1
Posted Jan 4, 2004 @ 7:35 PM
#2
Posted Jan 7, 2004 @ 6:32 PM
I've never seen the series in full as it didn't get screened on free to air here in Australia. It was, however, screened over Christmas in full on cable a couple of years ago. I loved it then but didn't have the foresight to tape it and kept wishing I had.
However, about a month ago I stumbled across the DVD box set in a store near my house and had to have it. Santa came to the party and I brought it home just after Christmas. Unfortunately, my DVD player died and I haven't been able to watch it yet. Pet project this weekend is to buy a new player and spend all of Sunday watching the whole series in one go. Reading all your posts has made me so excited about seeing this great series in its entirety again. I can't wait!!
Oh and word to the person above who said the actor who played Graham was in "Without a Trace". Knew I'd seen him somewhere but couldn't place him. Now I know!
However, about a month ago I stumbled across the DVD box set in a store near my house and had to have it. Santa came to the party and I brought it home just after Christmas. Unfortunately, my DVD player died and I haven't been able to watch it yet. Pet project this weekend is to buy a new player and spend all of Sunday watching the whole series in one go. Reading all your posts has made me so excited about seeing this great series in its entirety again. I can't wait!!
Oh and word to the person above who said the actor who played Graham was in "Without a Trace". Knew I'd seen him somewhere but couldn't place him. Now I know!
Edited by hejjie1, Jan 7, 2004 @ 6:33 PM.
#3
Posted Jan 9, 2004 @ 2:40 PM
I love the ambiguous ending. Love that they finally let us see that Jordan might be more than an empty-headed pretty boy. Love that Brian finally owns up to his feelings for Angela, and that look of longing she gives him right up until the end. Love how it doesn't feel certain that she made the wrong decision. And seeing it again, years later, I love how the writers seemed to know they were torturing us, leaving us in anguish, all while smiling at us over their shoulders, "This is your fault, you know...if only you'd appreciated what you had before it was too late." Even if it didn't happen that way, and they didn't know the show was going to be cancelled, it still feels as if they did this on purpose. The perfect end to a near-perfect show.
#4
Posted Jan 9, 2004 @ 6:29 PM
It's amazing how every time I watch In Dreams Begin Responsibilities (and seeing how it's possibly my favorite of the whole series, in an already beloved series, that ALOT) I always think differently of what Angela felt at the end, where she was really drawn. Sometimes it's a look of real love at last and a realization of what she's been missing, sometimes it's a look that expresses sympathy for his feelings but no real attraction on her end, sometimes she's hungry. It's probably for the best that we'll never know. If by best I mean 'torturous'.
#5
Posted Jan 10, 2004 @ 5:45 AM
I just finished watching the entire DVD set and forgot how wonderful this show was/is. I was surprised how many times it made me cry, but more importantly how many times it made me LOL. Jordan calling Brian, Brain made me laugh EVERY time he said it.
#6
Posted Jan 23, 2004 @ 2:39 AM
I just went on a DVD-watching blitz of MSCL, and I'm glad I did. It was just what I needed. Maybe all of us who have it on tape/dvd should arrange a "weekly viewing schedule" and try to relive the antics of our favourite high schoolers the way they were meant to be seen?
What always amazes me about this show, in addition to the stellar acting (okay, how many times do I tear up during this show? Like, a million?), the great direction and casting and everything is that it gets the season-long arc right. I ended up having to pause halfway through the series (sometime around the Rayanne and Jordan fiasco) because I was struck by how everyone's relationships had changed. It happened so gradually, but so effectively, that I realized that I wasn't watching the same show as I had been at the beginning of the season, that these people had changed and grown. Damn good plotting and writing there.
I, too, see the ambivalence in Angela's final decision (even though when I first watched it, experiencing grade 12 as they experienced grade 11, I was firmly identified as the "Brian" component of our group of friends, and so I was kinda hoping for that 'ship to sail), and I like and respect that ambivalence. I don't think an Angela-Brian relationship would have worked any better than an Angela-Jordan 'ship would. I think that her ideal mate would fall somewhere between those extremes. She would need someone who was smart, like Brian, but she also would need someone who was more sensitive, like (I believe) Jordan was (he did hurtful things, but not to be hurtful, I think...whereas Brian acted selfishly and even kind of meanly at times, IMHO).
Incidently, was "In My Humble Opinion" used much before MSCL? "IMHO" has become an internet staple, and I'm sure the phrase had to be around long before MSCL, but I can't really recall anyone using it all that much before Angela.
What always amazes me about this show, in addition to the stellar acting (okay, how many times do I tear up during this show? Like, a million?), the great direction and casting and everything is that it gets the season-long arc right. I ended up having to pause halfway through the series (sometime around the Rayanne and Jordan fiasco) because I was struck by how everyone's relationships had changed. It happened so gradually, but so effectively, that I realized that I wasn't watching the same show as I had been at the beginning of the season, that these people had changed and grown. Damn good plotting and writing there.
I, too, see the ambivalence in Angela's final decision (even though when I first watched it, experiencing grade 12 as they experienced grade 11, I was firmly identified as the "Brian" component of our group of friends, and so I was kinda hoping for that 'ship to sail), and I like and respect that ambivalence. I don't think an Angela-Brian relationship would have worked any better than an Angela-Jordan 'ship would. I think that her ideal mate would fall somewhere between those extremes. She would need someone who was smart, like Brian, but she also would need someone who was more sensitive, like (I believe) Jordan was (he did hurtful things, but not to be hurtful, I think...whereas Brian acted selfishly and even kind of meanly at times, IMHO).
Incidently, was "In My Humble Opinion" used much before MSCL? "IMHO" has become an internet staple, and I'm sure the phrase had to be around long before MSCL, but I can't really recall anyone using it all that much before Angela.
#7
Posted Jan 28, 2004 @ 4:35 AM
Hee, I always credit Angela with the prevalence of IMHO online. I have not done any research to prove this theory, but I like to think that's what happened. For those of you who have the N channel (that's noggin), good news! Noggin will begin airing MSCL this April. You can read the entire article here.
#8
Posted Jan 28, 2004 @ 11:17 AM
I haven't watched anything on N besides part of a Degrassi TNG episode. Does anyone know if they will be editing things out of the show for either content or time reasons?
#9
Posted Jan 30, 2004 @ 5:30 AM
The MSCL bonus disc contains an interview with Marshall, Winnie, and Ed that addresses some of the questions posed here.
When asked why BF continues its relationship with ABC, a channel that has cancelled Once and Again, Relativity, and MSCL, they said it's because ABC gives them complete creative control over their shows which is a rare freedom. Marshall said that means they (BF) alone are responsible for the quality of the shows, and they don't have network executives breathing down their necks saying this character can't be gay or that is going to piss off the advertisers. What he is annoyed about in terms of ABC is that they didn't promote the shows properly or moved the show around too much (O&A). ABC saw that the ratings were low and claimed (incorrectly) that only teenage girls were watching the show. Remember this was when 90210 was considered the teen show and that Party of Five premiered the same season as MSCL. This was before Dawson's Creek, Felicity, Buffy, and shows that were marketed specifically towards teenage girls. Marshall also points out that even if ABC didn't promote the show because they didn't really understand how to go about it, no one else would have taken the chance and aired it.
Lizardcub addressed Operation Life Support upthread, and BF acknowledges the huge online effort by the fans to get the show renewed. They raised money to buy ads in Daily Variety and the Hollywood Reporter. What the fans didn't realize is that Claire Danes and her parents went to BF and said that she didn't want to do a second season. Marshall says that it's not a secret but it wasn't well known by the public at the time. BF understood that she wanted to move on (she spent almost two years - from March 1993 until December 1994 - working on this show) and at 15 years old she wanted to pursue a movie career. Marshall said they always felt the show was "on a precipice" from the very beginning - they shot the pilot which didn't get picked up, once the show was in production ABC only ordered six episodes at a time so they didn't know if they would make it through the entire season - and when the show was on the renewal bubble at the end of the first season, ABC didn't want to get into a huge contract dispute with a 15 year old actress. The ratings were already low, so they decided not to renew the show.
If MSCL had been on the WB, would it have survived to give us several seasons, or would it have sucked, or lost its charm?
I think if it had been on the WB, it certainly would've lasted longer and would only have lost its charm if the network had butted in where they didn't belong which, let's face it, they would have.
When asked why BF continues its relationship with ABC, a channel that has cancelled Once and Again, Relativity, and MSCL, they said it's because ABC gives them complete creative control over their shows which is a rare freedom. Marshall said that means they (BF) alone are responsible for the quality of the shows, and they don't have network executives breathing down their necks saying this character can't be gay or that is going to piss off the advertisers. What he is annoyed about in terms of ABC is that they didn't promote the shows properly or moved the show around too much (O&A). ABC saw that the ratings were low and claimed (incorrectly) that only teenage girls were watching the show. Remember this was when 90210 was considered the teen show and that Party of Five premiered the same season as MSCL. This was before Dawson's Creek, Felicity, Buffy, and shows that were marketed specifically towards teenage girls. Marshall also points out that even if ABC didn't promote the show because they didn't really understand how to go about it, no one else would have taken the chance and aired it.
I don't know about what would have happened if it was on another network, but I do know there would have been a huge internet campaign to save it if it premiered this year & was in trouble, or if the internet was as big back then as it is now.
I remember reading not too long ago that the network wanted to bring MSCL back for a second season but that Clare Danes didn't want to commit to a television series again and instead wanted to concentrate on movies.
Lizardcub addressed Operation Life Support upthread, and BF acknowledges the huge online effort by the fans to get the show renewed. They raised money to buy ads in Daily Variety and the Hollywood Reporter. What the fans didn't realize is that Claire Danes and her parents went to BF and said that she didn't want to do a second season. Marshall says that it's not a secret but it wasn't well known by the public at the time. BF understood that she wanted to move on (she spent almost two years - from March 1993 until December 1994 - working on this show) and at 15 years old she wanted to pursue a movie career. Marshall said they always felt the show was "on a precipice" from the very beginning - they shot the pilot which didn't get picked up, once the show was in production ABC only ordered six episodes at a time so they didn't know if they would make it through the entire season - and when the show was on the renewal bubble at the end of the first season, ABC didn't want to get into a huge contract dispute with a 15 year old actress. The ratings were already low, so they decided not to renew the show.
#10
Posted Jan 30, 2004 @ 5:31 AM
Ack! Accidental double post!
Edited by ElectricBoogalo, Jan 30, 2004 @ 5:38 AM.
#11
Posted Jan 30, 2004 @ 5:48 AM
This was before Dawson's Creek, Felicity, Buffy, and shows that were marketed specifically towards teenage girls. Marshall also points out that even if ABC didn't promote the show because they didn't really understand how to go about it, no one else would have taken the chance and aired it.
This suggests that MSCL was very much ahead of its time. I believe that if it were offered to the WB today (though perhaps not to ABC), it would be very eagerly picked up and would survive many seasons. That is, if its lead actress didn't decide that she wanted to pursue a movie career instead. Which is a decision I hope she regrets. :)
#12
Posted Jan 30, 2004 @ 2:42 PM
ITA - although they did not feel they are the godparents to today's teencentric crop of shows, Marshall admitted that the show was ahead of its time in terms of target demographics since there has been such a big boom in networks wanting to appeal to young girls now.
Other miscellaneous stuff culled from the interview:
They state that they didn't know if they would get picked up for sure but they really believed that they would be renewed for a second season. Winnie says that is why the final episode leaves you guessing - they assumed they would be able to answer that question. They didn't specifically address Weekend, but it was filmed in late November 1994 and ABC didn't officially cancel the show until May 1995. In another interview, Winnie said that Weekend was her least favorite episode because it didn't turn out the way that she wanted.
Alicia Silverstone was the first girl they saw and they liked her, but she was very self-confident. They wanted Angela to be a little more self-doubting and internally messy. Claire Danes was the second person who auditioned for them, and they wanted her right away, but TPTB were reluctant to have to deal with the child labor laws for someone so young. The fact that she was so young is why the show became more of an ensemble piece - they had to have two scenes per section (there are four sections in each episode) that did not have Claire in them. This forced them to flesh out the other characters more.
Unlike some writers who plan huge story arcs way in advance, Winnie said she wrote based on what she saw happening with the cast in accordance with how many episodes ABC asked for. In other words, when they asked for six episodes she wrote six episodes. They only intended to use Jordan in the pilot but then ended up wanting to use Jared Leto more because he was a great find. In a Q&A session at UC Berkeley last spring, Winnie threw out some ideas that she had for the second season: Patty and Graham would get a divorce, leaving Angela and Danielle to fend for themselves while Patty sank into a deep depression. She also said that Sharon would become pregnant. The answer to the age old Brian vs. Jordan question: Angela would stay with Jordan because that is what would happen in real life since Angela was still so in awe of him BUT Winnie also said she hadn't fully decided what would happen between them.
Other miscellaneous stuff culled from the interview:
But it seemed to boil down to resenting wasted time -- to not understanding why, when the show got the axe in the end, the creators chose to burn off an episode with wackiness.
They state that they didn't know if they would get picked up for sure but they really believed that they would be renewed for a second season. Winnie says that is why the final episode leaves you guessing - they assumed they would be able to answer that question. They didn't specifically address Weekend, but it was filmed in late November 1994 and ABC didn't officially cancel the show until May 1995. In another interview, Winnie said that Weekend was her least favorite episode because it didn't turn out the way that she wanted.
I've heard that the second choice for the role was Alicia Silverstone, and I'm so glad they went with Claire Danes instead.
Alicia Silverstone was the first girl they saw and they liked her, but she was very self-confident. They wanted Angela to be a little more self-doubting and internally messy. Claire Danes was the second person who auditioned for them, and they wanted her right away, but TPTB were reluctant to have to deal with the child labor laws for someone so young. The fact that she was so young is why the show became more of an ensemble piece - they had to have two scenes per section (there are four sections in each episode) that did not have Claire in them. This forced them to flesh out the other characters more.
Sometimes I wonder if ONCE AND AGAIN is an indication of where MY SO-CALLED LIFE would have gone if it were allowed to continue. Patti and Graham would have had a divorce because Hallie and Graham would have had their restaurant together and eventually their relationship.
Unlike some writers who plan huge story arcs way in advance, Winnie said she wrote based on what she saw happening with the cast in accordance with how many episodes ABC asked for. In other words, when they asked for six episodes she wrote six episodes. They only intended to use Jordan in the pilot but then ended up wanting to use Jared Leto more because he was a great find. In a Q&A session at UC Berkeley last spring, Winnie threw out some ideas that she had for the second season: Patty and Graham would get a divorce, leaving Angela and Danielle to fend for themselves while Patty sank into a deep depression. She also said that Sharon would become pregnant. The answer to the age old Brian vs. Jordan question: Angela would stay with Jordan because that is what would happen in real life since Angela was still so in awe of him BUT Winnie also said she hadn't fully decided what would happen between them.
#13
Posted Jan 30, 2004 @ 5:54 PM
#14
Posted Jan 30, 2004 @ 6:25 PM
The answer to the age old Brian vs. Jordan question: Angela would stay with Jordan because that is what would happen in real life since Angela was still so in awe of him BUT Winnie also said she hadn't fully decided what would happen between them.
I'm glad. I honestly believe that this is what would have happened in real life, because I would have done the exact same thing. I'm not necessarily saying it was the best decision, but it was definitely the most real decision. (In my humble opinion)
I got the DVDs as a gift and recently watched them all. I love this show. Just...love it.
#15
Posted Jan 30, 2004 @ 7:15 PM
The fact that she was so young is why the show became more of an ensemble piece - they had to have two scenes per section (there are four sections in each episode) that did not have Claire in them. This forced them to flesh out the other characters more.
That's incredible. I guess it's true that restrictions, not freedom, are the key to creativity.
#16
Posted Feb 9, 2004 @ 11:11 AM
I read somewhere that the character of Angela was uninhibited by cliques and such that it made it impossible for viewers to categorize her and identify with her, WTF! she was very relatable. Has anyone else read something like this about Angela?
Word!
Hee, I always credit Angela with the prevalence of IMHO online.
Word!
Edited by Gracelessly, Feb 9, 2004 @ 3:28 PM.
#17
Posted Feb 11, 2004 @ 5:10 PM
I credit Patty with it, since Angela steals, or appropriates the expression from her mother and then uses it with abandon.
#18
Posted Feb 12, 2004 @ 2:20 PM
Jordan Catalano has been chosen as the "Worst Idea" for a boyfriend in this MSNBC article. Scroll to the bottom. The writer admits it's a controversial choice 'cause of Jordan's popularity amongst women who were teenage girls when they watched the show.
#19
Posted Feb 12, 2004 @ 3:29 PM
The writer is our own Miss Alli, FYI.
#20
Posted Feb 12, 2004 @ 3:54 PM
My God, you guys are everywhere.
That's a good article, but it's missing Jess from Gilmore Girls on the bad boyfriend list.
That's a good article, but it's missing Jess from Gilmore Girls on the bad boyfriend list.
#21
Posted Feb 14, 2004 @ 5:25 AM
Loved this show! It so reminded me of my long gone high school days. Ok, perhaps that's because it was filmed at my old high school, but still. It reminded me of all those little things that seemed so important at the time. Old friends who've outgrown each other. New friends who you're convinced will make your life better even though they're making it much worse. Huge crushes on the wrong boy. I guess school can seem like a battlefield if you haven't had a chance to compare it to WORK yet. ***sigh***
My favorite episode was the one with the dance where nobody was with who they wanted to be with. I'm glad Ricki and that little curly haired girl (sorry, forgot her name) got together for a dance at the end. They were the only two who didn't really try to manipulate anyone. It was so adorable I could almost forgive the hellish "night at the roxbury" song they were dancing to.
My favorite episode was the one with the dance where nobody was with who they wanted to be with. I'm glad Ricki and that little curly haired girl (sorry, forgot her name) got together for a dance at the end. They were the only two who didn't really try to manipulate anyone. It was so adorable I could almost forgive the hellish "night at the roxbury" song they were dancing to.
#22
Posted Feb 14, 2004 @ 8:36 PM
I could almost forgive the hellish "night at the roxbury" song they were dancing to.
To be fair, that song didn't become the Eurotrash Night at the Roxbury song until May 1996, and the dance episode (Life of Brian) aired in November 1994. I love that episode too. It reminded of that episode of the Wonder Years where Winnie and Kevin are walking around looking for each other.
Edited because you need BOTH brackets for the quote function to work properly!
Edited by ElectricBoogalo, Feb 15, 2004 @ 3:24 AM.
#23
Posted Feb 14, 2004 @ 9:05 PM
So I guess it was just the song I hated in 1994, and Roxbury I used as a reference in 2004.
Yes, that must be it.
Yes, that must be it.
#24
Posted Feb 15, 2004 @ 2:54 PM
To be fair, that song didn't become the Eurotrash Night at the Roxbury song until May 1996, and the dance episode (Life of Brian) aired in November 1994.
After that episode that song became one of my favorites. Seventh grade field trip all my pals had that on their walkmen.
#25
Posted Feb 17, 2004 @ 2:42 PM
I'm excited that my daughter is going to get to see MSCL when it begins airing on "The N" in April. I hope they don't edit it to death like they do Daria, but, hey, I'm just happy it's going to reach a whole new generation.
#26
Posted Feb 17, 2004 @ 7:01 PM
I was a freshman in high school in 1994, and I own the DVDs.
I watch them, like every couple months.
And everytime I do, I ALWAYS find myself saying "Like" wayyyy too much!!
Loved how they always referred to each other in full names; like, Jordan was never "Jordan" he was "Jordan Catalano" or Brian Crackow (Krakow?) Rayenne Graff
Enrique Vasquez (Si, and I love to be een Amereekah)
My fav ep is The Zit. I cry Everytime when they show the fashion show!!
Am I the only one who hates Danielle?? :)
I watch them, like every couple months.
And everytime I do, I ALWAYS find myself saying "Like" wayyyy too much!!
Loved how they always referred to each other in full names; like, Jordan was never "Jordan" he was "Jordan Catalano" or Brian Crackow (Krakow?) Rayenne Graff
Enrique Vasquez (Si, and I love to be een Amereekah)
My fav ep is The Zit. I cry Everytime when they show the fashion show!!
Am I the only one who hates Danielle?? :)
#27
Posted Feb 17, 2004 @ 7:03 PM
Am I the only one who hates Danielle?? :)
Have a talk with Sars sometime.
#28
Posted Feb 17, 2004 @ 8:34 PM
Perhaps if the show lasted longer they would have found some damn thing for Danielle to do. From what I could see, she was only in the way.
There was only one Danielle scene that I enjoyed (to the point of repeated rewindings). The whole family was arguing about something, and Danielle interjected some unsolicited remark to which her father turned and replied "SHUT UP!!" Maybe not the sweetest daddy/daughter exchange, but it sure had me rolling.
By the way. I read the recaps to this show, and they were magnificent.
There was only one Danielle scene that I enjoyed (to the point of repeated rewindings). The whole family was arguing about something, and Danielle interjected some unsolicited remark to which her father turned and replied "SHUT UP!!" Maybe not the sweetest daddy/daughter exchange, but it sure had me rolling.
By the way. I read the recaps to this show, and they were magnificent.
#29
Posted Feb 18, 2004 @ 1:27 PM
I was always just non-feeling towards Danielle. She wasn't enough of a character to be hated or loved anyway. But I love how she emphasized how self-involved Angela was and how Angela-involved everyone else was.
I did love however when she VOs at the end of Weekend (yes, I did enjoy the episode, what of it?) that it was the coolest weekend ever. First off, it was, and secondly it was so little-sistery, very fitting and sweet.
I did love however when she VOs at the end of Weekend (yes, I did enjoy the episode, what of it?) that it was the coolest weekend ever. First off, it was, and secondly it was so little-sistery, very fitting and sweet.
#30
Posted Feb 18, 2004 @ 2:00 PM
The MSCL bonus disc contains an interview with Marshall, Winnie, and Ed that addresses some of the questions posed here.
Can I ask where you got a bonus disk? Was it from AnotherUniverse.com because after all the drama that came from the site I just assumed we'd never get the disk so haven't contacted them about not receiving it.
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