studioAT Surprisingly only lasting one series way back in 1994, this show continues to be loved by many who watched it first time around, and those who are discovering it online and on DVD.I can't say it's the best show I've watched in my life, but it has charm, and a good central performance from a very young looking Claire Danes.It's a fairly accurate account of life as a teenager, and the scripts are by and large sharp and real.I can't believe it only ran for just the one year. It goes to show that the people in TV land don't know what they're doing sometimes.

Pippi Långstrump My so called life wanted to be freaks and geeks but what it truly was is Beverly Hills 90210. No matter how hard it tried to be cool and edgy and alternative the result was always tacky kitschy and melodramatic. God I cringed so hard every time. Everybody is a big fat cliché. From the shy introverted lead who "breaks bad" to the outcast burnout best friend to the handsome-but-stupid love interest. Do not get me wrong. It is a coming of age story, you cannot always avoid clichés. But at least give your characters some depth, some realism. Instead they were paper-thin, pretentious and annoying to an insufferable level. The only positive point is that it was so bad that it turns funny.

SnoopyStyle Angela Chase (Claire Danes) is a nice girl with a nice family. She has nice friends like Sharon Cherski (Devon Odessa) and Brian Krakow (Devon Gummersall) who has a crush on her. That is until she makes a new friend, Rayanne Graff (A.J. Langer). Rayanne has a troubled home, and gay best friend Rickie Vasquez (Wilson Cruz). Angela is drawn to mysterious Jordan Catalano (Jared Leto). Her former seemingly nice life starts to turn into something far more interesting.This is the definition of a cult hit, and the folly of TV execs who don't understand demographics. Although it was low rated (for its times), it's young audience would have today's TV execs drooling. For its times and on network TV, it was a realistic teen drama. The show wasn't flashy. Things didn't wrap up nicely with a lesson at the end of its show. It broke TV grounds. It was angst teen drama ahead of its time. It didn't hurt to have a great Claire Danes to lead it. Even then, her star power was undeniable.

bryanjbear2004-1 In the history of television, this goes down as the greatest tragedy of commerce ever seen. This show was brilliant from start to finish. Why it was ever canceled is beyond me. I hope the executives who pulled the plug on this one were all fired. There are many great shows who started out their first season at the bottom of the ratings, but the networks gave them another chance and they developed a large audience...i.e. Cheers, Hill Street Blues, Seinfeld.From the first episode, My So-Called Life pulls you into this normal family and turns you inside out emotionally. If you have never seen this series, shame on you! I would put it up against The Sopranos or any other show ever televised. This is perfect television.... period. Brilliant writing, direction, and acting. This is classic television. Do yourself a favor and buy the season....you will thank me later.