My So-Called Life
Theme from My So-Called Life
This page is a tribute to my all-time favorite TV show, My So-Called Life, which aired from August 1994 to January 1995. Even though I am a middle-aged mother of two and the show was about a 15-year-old girl, I could relate to ALL the characters on this show (both the parents AND the teenagers) so much, that it was almost painful to watch! MTV had been running the original 19 episodes of this show every night at 7, but have stopped because of their heavy summer programming. Hopefully MSCL will return in the Fall, so check it out!
Here is an adorable picture of the star of the show, Claire Danes. Claire's portrayal of Angela Chase was nothing short of brilliant, capturing the incredible highs and lows of teenage life. My favorite scene is in "Self Esteem" or more commonly known as the "Kissing" episode when Jordan FINALLY holds her hand in public (while walking down the halls of their high school) and the look of absolute joy on her face is amazing. The little ballet dance she does after their first kiss is also memorable. Claire has blossomed into a beautiful young woman and you can see her talents in Romeo and Juliet, Little Women, To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday,Les Miserables, The Rainmaker and U-Turn. She will also appear in several new movies due this year or next such as Polish Wedding, Monterey Pop, Brokedown Palace and Star Quality. My other favorites from the cast are:
Jared Leto plays Angela's sometime boyfriend Jordan Catalano. His portrayal of Jordan, a moody non-communicative teenager, brought depth to a character that could easily have been uninteresting. He allowed you the see the person behind the blank stare, and the inner intelligence masked by dyslexia. Jared had the title role in Prefontaine and appeared with Claire Danes in How to Make an American Quilt. He also had roles in The Cool and The Crazy and Summer Fling. And look for him in American Psycho and Urban Legend in 1999.
Wilson Cruz is Rickie Vasquez, friend of Rayanne and Angela. Rickie is confused about his sexuality--he is gay but can't seem to admit it even to himself, although he wears eyeliner to school and hangs out in the girl's bathroom. Wilson's acting talents were particularly showcased during several shows in which he was homeless and trying to cope with his abandonment by his aunt and uncle. He was also regular cast member in the Fox TV series Great Scott and has appeared on Ally McBeal and Sister, Sister. He has had extensive experience in theatre including performing with the Young Americans and roles in Cradle of Fire, Supporting Cast, Becoming Memories, Roar of the Greasepaint, and Wedding Band. His films include Nixon, Joyride, Johns, All Over Me and for 1998, Super Nova.
Devon Gummersall is Brian Krakow, Angela's nerdy neighbor who is secretly in love with her, but she doesn't have a clue. Probably the top student in his high school, Jordan calls him "Brain" (because of dyslexia rather than an attempt at humor). Devon has been in films like My Girl II, It's My Party and Beethoven's 2nd. He has also guest-starred on various TV shows such as Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, Step By Step, Peaceable Kingdom, Dream On and Blossom as well as being a regular cast member (playing Leo Roth's younger brother Jake)in the also brilliant and short-lived Relativity. He also appeared in Independence Day and two films in 1998, When Trumpets Fade(a cable movie) and Lured Innocence. He is currently appearing on Felicity and hopefully will become a regular cast member.
A. J. Langer is Rayanne Graff, a rebellious teenager who drinks too much, is promiscuous, and is given way too much freedom by her mother. It is exactly her vast differences from Angela that make her so attractive as a friend. While she probably wouldn't admit it, part of her craves the stability of Angela's family life. She has appeared extensively in television including guest-starring parts in The Wonder Years, Hangin' With Mr. Cooper, In the Heat of the Night, Blossom, Beverly Hills 90210, Baywatch and Coach. her films include: Escape from L.A., Arcade, The Killing Box, Lightning in a Bottle, Drexel's Class and The People Under the Stairs.
Devon Odessa portrays Sharon Chersky, Angela's former best friend until Rayanne Graff came along. Sharon is hurt at being "dumped" by her best friend and doesn't approve of the wild Rayanne. However after Sharon writes a torrid love poem for the Liberty Lit (the school literary magazine) about her boyfriend Kyle, she and Rayanne start to see each other in a different light. As time goes on she an Angela become friendly with each other and learn to appreciate their differences. Devon has appeared in several TV movies including Her Last Chance, The Price of Love, Trial by Fire, Extreme Close-Up and Girl of the Limberlost. She has also had roles in many TV shows, including Pacific Blue, The Wonder Years, The Facts of Life, and The Commish.
Angela's little sister, Danielle, is played by young actressLisa Wilhoit. Patty and Graham are always so preoccupied with the teenage problems of Angela that poor Danielle seems to feel very neglected at times. She will do anything to try to get her parents' attention, including standing on her head (literally) in the first episode. Even that barely gets her father to take notice for more an a few seconds. When Angela no longer wants to do the annual Mother/Daughter Fashion Show, Patty is so upset that she is blind to the fact that Danielle is just dying to be in the show with her mother. Lisa has appeared in two TV series The Tom Show andSocial Studies as well as a guest appearance on Walker, Texas Ranger. She has also been in two movies Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves and Live Nude Girls.
Tom Irwin plays Graham Chase, Angela's father. He is a great Dad, caring and committed to his children, however, he does have a wandering eye and barely avoids falling into liaisons with two different women during the short run of this show. Graham seems to have never "found himself" as far as a career or definite goals in life are concerned. Cooking turns out to be the talent that transforms him when he is offered a job as a chef, however, it nearly costs him his marriage because of his collaboration with the flirtatious Hallie Lowenthal in the restaurant business. Tom has appeared in Mr. Jones, Deceived, Men Don't Leave, Midnight Run, and Light of Day. His TV movies ironically include When Husbands Cheat and Ladykiller as well as My Very Best Friend, Without Consent, and To My Daughter.
Bess Armstrong as Patti Chase has a difficult time of things. Being the sensible partner in the marriage, she usually feels like the bad guy when it comes to making hard decisions and disciplining her children. Being a former prom queen/cheerleader in school, she finds it hard to relate to Angela's very different personality; and as an adopted child, she also has to deal with lots of issues related to her own parents and childhood. While she and Angela appear to have a strained relationship, it is Patti who Angela calls when Rayanne OD's on drugs, because she knows her Mom will know what to do. Bess was a regular on the TV series Married People and has appeared in numerous TV movies as well as That Darn Cat, The Skateboard Kid, Second Sight, Jaws 3-D and The Four Seasons.
1. "Pilot" - Angela starts hanging out with Rayanne Graf
2. "Dancing in the Dark" - parents take dance lessons; Angela gets a fake I.D.
3. "Guns and Gossip" - someone fires a gun a school; rumors about Angela
4. "Father Figures" - Issues about fathers affect Patty, Angela and Rayanne
5. "The Zit" - Mother/Daughter Fashion Show
6. "The Substitute" - a new teacher captivates his class
7. "Why Jordan Can't Read" - Patty thinks she's pregnant; Angela discovers Jordan's secret
8. "Strangers in the House" - Sharon's Dad has a heart attack
9. "Halloween" - Angela sees ghosts
10. "Other People's Mothers" - Rayanne's party and Patty's party cause conflicts
11. "Life of Brian" - World Happiness Dance causes misery for all
12. "Self-Esteem" - Angela spends more time kissing than studying
13. "Pressure" - Jordan pressures Angela to have sex
14. "On the Wagon" - Rayanne wants to be a singer in Jordan's band
15. "So-Called Angels" - Christmas episode
16. "Resolutions" - New Year's Eve inspires people to make changes
17. "Betrayal" - Rayanne & Jordan are caught on videotape
18. "Weekend" - Patty & Graham go away for the weekend, leaving Angela and home (but not alone).
19. "In Dreams Begin Responsibilities" - Brian reluctantly helps Jordan win Angela back
Sign My Guestbook
View My Guestbook
