>As each week goes by, I remain amazed at the lack of commercial success and
>critical attention given _My So-Called Life_, the ABC drama (Thursdays, 8-9
>pm). Last week, according to _Entertainment Weekly_, the show finished
>next-to-last in the ratings, which I find absolutely astonishing. I
>personally haven't felt this committed to a show in years, yet, save for a
>few friends who are similarly enthralled, it seems no one else in the
>country is watching.
>
>This is a great show for many, many reasons: great writing, great
>direction, great characters (including the only gay teen you'll ever see on
>a weekly drama series, btw), great everything. I'd be happy to extoll its
>virtues at some other time. Right now, what I want to know is, do any of
>y'all watch? Why is this show dying such an unpleasant death? Is anyone out
>there writing about this show?
>
>Feeling worried about the ABC axe,
>
>Chris Amirault
 
As an otherwise in many ways unimpressed short-time (1 year sabbatical)
immigrant to the US, I am *very* impressed by "My So-called Life" and like
Chris I worry about the future of the show. The splendid low-key acting
and direction really makes it stand out compared to the motley mainfare of
the cable menu. (50 channels and nothing on.)
        For my family, with a 16-year old daughter meeting the US high
school, system for the first time,it has furthermore been an excellent
introduction
to norms, problems and situations in "real life" school. (In fact Thursday
night, the fight for the zapper is postponed for an hour!)
        One of the reasons for the poor ratings (the reviews I have read
have all been laudatory) could be the time slot. Here in Texas it starts at
7PM.
I sincerely hope that more people become of aware of this excellent show.
 
Bjorn Sorenssen
University of Trondheim, Norway, p.t. University of Texas, Austin
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