Critic Reviews

The most extraordinary show of the new TV season. ... It is a blessed relief that Life portrays things that have become 'issues' -- teenage drinking, unwanted sexual advances -- without turning them into moments of preachment. ... And I haven't even made it clear that this is also a really funny show. Just watch this thing, will you?

Holzman's writing is brilliant. [25 Aug 1994]

My So-Called Life is about a teen-ager, but it's the quality adult drama of the TV year. It's also one of the finest family dramas in many years and the best girls' coming-of-age show the medium has ever done. [25 Aug 1994, p.1E]

Teenagers will be fascinated by the show's intimate knowledge of high school hallways, where a whisper can ruin a reputation, an ardent glance can start a romance and the threat of guns and AIDS have become as real as playground bullies. But My So-Called Life is also a show for parents, who may see -- for a change -- an uncomfortably real reflection of themselves. [25 Aug 1994, p.35]

Easily the best new series coming to TV...With enough rich characters to fill several series, Life could become the latest show to shake up network television. [25 Aug 1994, p.1C]

Easily the best show about the teen experience TV has yet produced.[25 Aug 1994]

Stick-to-your-ribs television, the sort of weekly program that instantly wins your heart and your allegiance. [25 Aug 1994]

Marshall Hershkovitz and Ed Zwick, the team that brought us "thirtysomething," have a grasp of adolescence that's so real you can smell the Clearasil. [25 Aug 1994, p.45]

Poignant, provocative, insightful, thoughtful, penetrating, compelling, illuminating, surprising, literate, stimulating, inspiring, profound, visually impressive and sublimely entertaining. [25 Aug 1994, p.E01]

There is a certain pretentious artiness to the new series, as there was to "thirtysomething," but the characters have life and authenticity; they seem really to live and breathe, at least for one vital hour each week -- especially Angela, a fully dimensional being in contrast to all the stereotyped teenagers that dominate prime time...Controversial or not, My So-Called Life is even better than first-rate.