Sometimes when I’m doing something while watching a TV show, my memory has a way of tying those two things together. Like, if I’m folding laundry while watching Desperate Housewives, the next time I think about folding laundry, the memory of the D.H. episode might pop into my mind, if ever so briefly. The same applies to shows that took place during certain times in my life. There is no show that can trigger memories of my adolescence better than My So Called Life.
Most teenage girls struggling through adolescence would’ve been able to identify with Angela Chase. Angela was a sophomore in high school and unlike in shows like Beverly Hills, 90210, where teen issues were dramatized and glamorized far beyond the realm of reality, Angela’s world mirrored real life as close as any drama series could. Teen alcoholism, the loss of one’s virginity, homosexuality, parental infidelity, guns in schools and quite a few other issues were addressed during the season-long series.
The story was told almost entirely from Angela’s perspective. Through the use of an voice-over monologue, a tool that is frequently used in television today (Grey’s Anatomy, Veronica Mars, Scrubs), Angela talked about herself, her friends and her family as they dealt with everyday problems. She wasn’t rich. She had no super powers. She was pretty but hardly the Kelly Taylor at her school. She was willing to make out with Jordan Catalano in the boiler room but not slutty enough to go all the way with him in an abandoned house. She’d occasionally sneak out and party with Rayanne and Ricky but not so reckless that she’d drink during school (like Rayanne often did).
In short, Angela was a normal girl who seemed to want to surround herself with people whom she looked up to in some way or another. They had problems but in a way, I think she envied them for having a life far less dull than she perceived her own to be. And in return, her friends envied her for her occasional naivety, innocence and balanced home life. Whether it was Rayanne (the party girl), Ricky (the sweet gay guy), Brian (the nerdy nice-guy), Jordan (the hot guy whose inability to read or treat Angela well made him as appealing as a lost puppy) or Sharon (the girl Angela sort of used to be or almost was before she started hanging out with Rayanne), she helped each of her friends shoulder their burdens. In addition to that, Angela was really just trying to find her place in the world like most teenagers are.
Pretty much everything about My So Called Life contradicted what you could find in any given episode of Beverly Hills, 90210. Sure, 90210 dealt with drinking, homosexuality and other real-life issues but they were almost always hyped up beyond what was normal and frequently wrapped up by the end of the hour. Whereas in MSCL, these story-arcs were grittier and usually drawn out over the course of multiple episodes.
Every time I rewatch this show, one of the things I appreciate most is something that was completely ignored on Beverly Hills, 90210. Grunge. Both shows took place in the 90’s yet only MSCL managed to acknowledge the huge grunge craze that had swept the nation for at least a couple of years. In 90210, the students all wore brightly colored clothing and listened to hip-hop. While I did own a Color Me Badd tape when I was in 8th grade, high school was all about alt-rock. I guess Aaron Spelling missed the memo. The MSCL gang frequently wore things like ill-fitting dresses, flannel and corduroys. The episodes featured music from bands like Buffalo Tom and Sonic Youth. The series seemed to celebrate the age we were living in at the time rather than pretending the teenaged-world was all bubbly and colorful.
While Angela’s problems were pretty universal for teens in any decade, the fashion, vernacular and music has definitely dated the show but I have no complaints there. In fact, it’s one of the reasons I enjoy firing up the DVD player and doing a MSCL marathon once in a while. This was the show that most closely represents my own years in high school.
People might say that the series was ahead of its time and I agree with that. In many respects, it was but I’m not sure there will ever be a time when a drama series can cling that close to reality and not push viewers away. Its unfortunate because while the series did dig into a lot of uncomfortable issues, good writing and acting made My So Called Life a lot more warm and inviting than one would expect, given the subject matter.
The “official” release of the My So Called Life DVD set (due out October 30th) will include some special features, which means that despite the fact that I already own the original MSCL DVD set, I’m definitely going to have to wish-list this item.
Some day I’ll use these DVDs to show my kids a sample of what life was like when I was a teenager. Sure, Angela’s life wasn’t my life but it’s the closest any TV series ever came to the world I was living in at the time. They’ll probably laugh at the hideously drab clothing, excessive use of the word “like” and moody music but I have a feeling, beyond all of that, they’ll see that Angela Chase is a true representation of the American teenager in any decade. The world around us changes all the time but growing up is a constant and I doubt its ever going to be an easy process. For that reason, I believe kids will always be able to relate to My So Called Life to some degree or another.
Nature of the Beast (ABC Family) 8:00 pm
(New!) – As part of ABC Family’s 13 Nights of Halloween, this original movie stars Ugly Betty’s Eric Mabius. It looks like a spooky comedy and centers on a guy who’s about to get married but his fiancé finds out he’s a werewolf.
Life is Wild (The CW) 8:00 pm
Open For Business - (New!) While Danny works with a bunch of sick zebras and wildebeests, Jo and Art open up the Blue Antelope. Meanwhile, Jesse is lying about his age to work at the Ant Hill ad Katie auditions for “Spring Sing Fling,” which as you’ve probably guessed, involves singing.
Desperate Housewives (ABC) 9:00 pm
If There’s Anything I Can’t Stand - (New!) A gay couple moves onto Wisteria Lane. Meanwhile, Edie gets some “news” at the gynecologist office and a visitor finds out that Bree’s pregnancy is a hoax.
Chuck (NBC) 8:00 pm
Chuck Versus the Sizzling Shrimp (New!) – Morgan gets involved in an intense sales competition at work. Meanwhile, Chuck considers defying Sarah and Casey while working an a case involving Chinese agent.
How I Met Your Mother (CBS) 8:00 pm
How I Met Everyone Else (New!) – Ted’s new girlfriend gets jealous because the story of how Ted met everyone else isn’t nearly as exciting as how he met her.
Heroes (NBC) 9:00 pm
Fight or Flight (New!) – Kristen Bell! Kristen Bell! Kristen Bell! I’m still not over Veronica Mars being cancelled so I’m seriously excited to see our girl back in action, Heroes-style. She shows up in Heroes as a mysterious girl searching for Peter. Also, Matt goes to Philly to search for Molly’s attacker, Monica adjusts to her new powers and Ando traces Hiro through history (cool!).
Journeyman (NBC) 10:00 pm
The Legend of Dylan McCleen (New!) – Katie deals with the cops who are investigating a robbery that took place at her gala. Dan tracks a soldier who was accused of stealing money.
House (Fox) 9:00 pm
Guardian Angels (new!) – House and his team work on a patient who sees dead people.
Reaper (CW) 9:00 pm
What About Blob (new!) – Sam sees his contract but unfortunately, its in latin and thousands of pages long (nice on, Satan!). His latest escaped soul is a slippery guy who has something to do with toxic waste.
Phenomenon (NBC) 8:00 pm
Debut (New Series!) – In this new reality competition, Criss Angel and Uri Geller mentor ten aspiring mentalists who are competing for $250,000. In this first episode, four contestants show of their skills.
Pushing Daisies (ABC) 8:00 pm
Pigeon (New!) – Ned and Emerson investigate a plan crash to find out if the pilot meant to crash the plane intentionally. And to explain the title of the episode, Olive cares for an hurt messenger pigeon.
Kid Nation (CBS) 8:00 pm
Bonanza Is Disgusting (New!) – The town starts to get gross and dirty, drawing bugs, rats and pigs to the town. One of the kids receives a punishment.
Bionic Woman (NBC) 9:00 pm
The Education of Jaime Sommers (new!) – Jaime poses as a college student to find out if a professor is linked to terrorists and finds herself falling for the prof’s assistant.
Dirty Sexy Money (ABC) 10:00 pm
The Bridge (new!) – Jeremy and Juliet are still on the outs and decide to try and top each other when they throw separate birthday parties.
My Name Is Earl (NBC) 8:00 pm
Frank’s Girl (New!) – Alyssa Milano guest stars as the girlfriend of Earl’s fellow inmate, Frank (Michael Rapaport). When she dumps Frank, Earl tries to get them back together.
30 Rock (NBC) 8:30 pm
Rosemary’s Baby (New!) – Carrie Fisher guest stars as Rosemary Howard, Liz’s Idol. When Rosemary is brought on as a guest writer, her crazy ideas begin to cause problems.
Ugly Betty (ABC) 8:00 pm
A League of Their Own (New!) – Betty gets into online dating, which doesn’t please Henry. Daniel and Alexis have dinner with Wilhelmina. Marc falls for a photographer.
The Office (NBC) 9:00 pm
Local Ad (New!) The Office is back to 30 minute episodes (yay!). the Scranton crew is going to appear in a commercial, which prompts Michael to go into show-off mode.
Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) 9:00 pm
Haunt You Every Day (New!) Ava/Rebecca/amnesia-chick returns to see Alex. And on the Halloweeny side, Meredith thinks her mother’s ashes are haunting her. Meanwhile, Callie tells everyone about George and Izzie’s affair (Nice!).
Friday Night Lights(NBC) 9:00 p.m.
Are You Ready For Friday Night? (New!) Smash and Matt cant put their differences aside during the first game of the season. Jason deals with his options with regards to his paralysis and Riggins finds support in an unusual place.
Moonlight (CBS) 9:00 p.m.
Arrested Development (New!) Things get awkward for Beth and Mick. Also, Mick searches for a teen vamp who’s targeting escorts.
Men in Trees (ABC) 10:00 p.m.
No Man Is an Iceland (New!) Mai’s famous ice-skater cousin blows into town and decides to stay. Marin is the last to learn that Jack broke up with Lynn. George scouts locations for a new fat camp.
Stephen King’s It (ABCFam) 8:00 p.m.
Pop the popcorn and curl up on the couch to watch this creepy miniseries based on Stephen King’s “It.” It centers on a bunch of kids in a small town and their battle with an evil being (who sometimes poses as a scary clown) that dwells in the sewers.
__________________________________________
