Thursday, August 5, 2010

Flashback Friday: Great Teenage Dramas of the Past: My So Called Life

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Welcome to Week Sixteen of Flashback Fridays where the old and new collide on everything from books to movies to first loves to favorite vacations. This week on Flashback Friday we're looking at one of the best teen dramas from back in the day. The early 90's was a time before Gossip Girl, Secret Life of the American Teen and Vampire Diaries. Sure there was Beverly Hills 90210, but for those who longed for a more realistic view of teenage life, a show finally came around to fill the void.

My So Called Life
It would be hard to put into mere words how groundbreaking this show was. First of all, it wasn't a show about pretty people with pretty problems. These were your everyday run of the mill teens dealing with serious issues. While most shows of the time period dealt with tough issues through a one time "special episode", My So Called Life barreled on through on a weekly basis with teenage alcoholism and drug use, homophobia, physical abuse, and school violence. You couldn't get any more realistic than how the main character, Angela Chase, perceived herself and the world around her. Angela forever felt like a social outcast, but she found solace in her friendship with wild and rebellious, Rayann Graff, and sweet, openly gay, Rickie Vasquez. Angela's love life was always throwing her curve balls. While nerdy but kind, Brian, crushed on her, she pined for the school heartthrob, Jordan Catalano. Finally, Angela and Jordan became a couple, and she had to deal with the ups and downs of the relationship. With Angela's voice over narration, the audience truly connected with her. Claire Danes was just sixteen herself when she was playing sixteen year old Angela. Even though critics and audiences praised the show, it was canceled after one season.

Even though a decade has passed, the angst and the issues are still the same. I would highly recommend this show to anyone writing Contemporary YA.

I leave you with one of the most popular scenes in the show. This is when Jordan finally makes it known the world, or the Liberty High School population, that he and Angela are an item.





And here's a tribute video of the show






****************ARCS OF AUGUST CONTEST TIME**************


Did you guess what ARC was up for grabs this week? Yep, that's right it's Personal Demons by the very fabulous Lisa Desrochers. I loved, loved, the book, and I know you will too! There's three things you need to do to win.


(1). Be a follower


(2). Tweet the contest


(3). Leave a comment


Pretty easy huh? And don't forget Leah's Awesome Mad Libs Contest or Sarah's Mockingjay Preorder Contest. It's a contestapalooza up in here!

54 comments:

Rachael said...

Wonderful post :) I'm definitely going to have to check out the show! Though I hate it when amazing shows are canceled too soon.

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/RKirkendall/statuses/20440922874

Sarah said...

No fair. I wish I could enter. ;)

John Smith said...

Hi Got YA,

Great post! I've started following your blog and I think that it's great. I'm an aspiring writer. I write horror, fantasy, scifi,... just anything that interests me. Anyway, check out my blog: http://johnsmithbooks.blogspot.com/

You could follow me too if you like it.

Warmest regards,
John Smith (pen name)

Miranda Hardy said...

Another great giveaway and post!

Here is my tweet:
http://twitter.com/YourJenJackson/status/20458747035

Crystal said...

Your post reminded me of high school, when my friends and I would get together and watch the episodes when they came out. There was much oohing and ahhing over Jared Leto's brooding looks and we called Rayanne every name in the book. We loved that show, because the characters looked and acted like us. That's one of the reasons I write YA, to try to capture that spirit of reality, and maybe to give some other girl that feeling that my characters are like her. Anyway, just wanted to say that you inspired me to go to itunes and buy the series. Thanks.

Unknown said...

OMG--My So Called Life was such a fantastic show. I think I'll have to find it on NetFlix and rewatch it. LOVE!

Mel said...

There's no better way to start the morning than with Jared Leto. I'm still upset that they cancelled the show. It was one of my favorites.

Bidisha said...

I've never seen this show. I was into Full House and Small Wonder then, lol. But I'm gonna go hunt for this, 'cause it sounds wow-ish.

Also, I tweeted: http://twitter.com/bee_muses/status/20466945070

And obviously, I've been following you since you started GotYA.

And you guys are freaking awesome and so is this contest!

Sarah N Fisk said...

I was in middle school when My So Called Life was on, and I wasn't allowed to watch it but I did anyway! In secret! Love that show.

http://twitter.com/SarahNFisk/status/20470731639

Dorothy Dreyer said...

Great post. I loved My So Called Life.

Been following for ages, and here's my tweet: http://twitter.com/DorothyDreyer/status/20475513791

Happy weekend! :)

~M.A.CHASE said...

I loved your post :D I just clicked follow right now :D

Have a nice day and I hope I can talk to you soon :D

~M.A.CHASE♥
m.a.chasebooks[at]gmail[dot]com

I tweeted: http://twitter.com/faith250/status/20475657411

Jessica B said...

Ooooooh I SO want to win this.

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/Pinkhair/status/20476876610

shutupjessicasreading @ gmaildotcom

starrpower said...

that post was awesome, I loved that show! Favorite episode is when she found out that her neighbor bryan actually wrote the letter that Jordan gave to her! Oh man I loved that show, wish they would show reruns!

tweeted:https://twitter.com/starrgirl26/status/20477327476

stacedog01@yahoo.com

Shell said...

I'm a new follower and I really hope I win (crosses fingers)!

I tweeted here: http://twitter.com/WulfLuva93

Thanx for the contest!

DforDarla said...

Great post! I hit that follow button way at the bottom too! Tweeted.

https://twitter.com/DforDarla/status/20478480297


Ddoogg04@aol.com

hannah moskowitz said...

My next YA is based on My So-Called Life.

stephanie kuehn said...

Oh, how I loved "My So-Called Life." We watched it every week when I was in college. The show had great adult moments as well; the parents were perfect with slacker dad and type-A mom.

Jordan Catalano...mmm....

J.S. Wood said...

Hey, ummm, can I quit for like 24 hours so I have a shot at the book? No? Oh well.

This made me want to watch My So Called Life.

Tom M Franklin said...

my so called life was a great, great show.

i was bummed when it was cancelled. (still am)

...

Jill Wheeler said...

Best. Show. Ever.

Jodan is my boyfriend.

Lisa B. said...

Great post. I'm feeling all nostalgic now :)

I'm a follower
I tweeted: http://twitter.com/LisaMBasso/statuses/20560634295

Katie Ashley said...

HR, you totally need to check it out. It so still resonates today and shouldn't feel dataed.

Thanks for following us, John! Congrats on your writing.

Crystal, I never really liked Rayann myself. I would've been right with you guys wanting to slap her, lol. And thanks for the awesome comments.

Katie Ashley said...

HAHA, you sound like me sneaking MTV when I was really little.

Mel, Steph, and Jill: Jordan/Jared Leto still does it for me all these years later I kinda liked him better when he let his hair grow out. Soooo hott!!!

Mary, Dorothy, Steph K, and Tom it was an awesome show, wasn't it?

Bee, you totally need to check it out. And thanks for the awesome comments! :)

OOH, Hannah, that has to be an awesome idea! Can wait to read that.

Katie Ashley said...

Sorry Jen and Sarah, lol

Thanks JL, Wulflova, MA Chase, Jessica, and D for Darla

Raven M said...

Hadn't heard of the show before now. I'll have to check it out. Great post!

I tweeted: http://twitter.com/ravenamo/status/20568041070

*crosses fingers*

I've had my eye on this book for a while and I can't wait til it comes out.

Speech Delay Mamma said...

Yay! Cant wait to read this book. And tweeted here: http://twitter.com/ChanelleGray/statuses/20578159858

Annie McElfresh said...

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh Jordan!!!!! I Soooooooooooooooooo Heart Him!!

Unknown said...

I want that book!it looks awsome!, great post i never saw that show but it looks good.

Unknown said...

oooops, sorry forgot to say i tweeted.

Diana said...

Hi!
I'm a new folloer and your contest is awesome.
Please count me in if it's International (I'm from Mexico) if not, thanks anyway! ^^ (sorry, but it doesn't say)

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/diana_LDV1/status/20669244873

librosdevida1@hotmail.com

Kisses!!

Heather Dougherty said...

Amen. My So Called Life figured prominently in my life - I so miss those days.

sigh....

Loved that scene. both of them...

Erin said...

I'm a new follower and I really like your blog. My So Called Life was a fantastic show. I miss it!

I tweeted here:http://twitter.com/SongSirenErin/status/20765197057

Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

Leigherin@comcast.net

Erin =)

Maxi said...

What a amazing post cool blog i'm a follower. I'm dying to read it i read some awesome teasers and heard nothing but awesome things about it:D

shadowcat456@hotmail.com

Sara said...

Wonderful blog! I'm not a writer, but I definitely enjoy the posts - and the contests are a plus!

Tweet: http://twitter.com/thehidingspot/status/20796200956

Sara @ The Hiding Spot
thehidingspotATliveDOTcom

Melissa said...

Awesome post and contest. I'd love to win!

Tweet: http://twitter.com/YABookShelf/status/20796437394

Melissa said...

Oops forgot to leave my email address:

melissa {at} yabookshelf {dot} com

~The Book Pixie said...

This is a great giveaway! I've really been wanting to read this book.

I'm a follower! :D

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/thebookpixie/statuses/20796378132

~Briana
thebookpixie[at]yahoo[dot]com

Erika Powell said...

Pure awesome! I tweeted and I follow
https://twitter.com/Erika_Lynn_C/status/20796991523

sportsDOTerikalynnATgmailDOTcom

RoseCBR said...

Im a Follower
This is the link to my tweet of the giveaway
http://bit.ly/aM4Uyk

Cool giveaway!! thanks for the chance!!

RoseCBR

My Life With Books - Jennifer K Jovus said...

Follower:
I have not thought about my so called life in so long. This post made me smile.
kjovus(at)gmail(dot)com

Rachel498 said...

Awesome post. I'll have to look up My So Called Life.

Follower
Tweet: http://twitter.com/Rachel498

zara said...

I never heard of My so called of life, I'm more caught up with the shows of today.

already a follower

tweeted https://twitter.com/Personafied/status/20907514476

Anonymous said...

I never watched My So-Called Life but I've heard a lot about it. =D

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/MireyahWolfe/status/20931791141

Follower! XD

Tahereh said...

I WANT TO ENTER :( :(

Maidenveil said...

I haven't seen this My So Called Life but it's interesting! :D

I'm a follower!

retweeted: http://twitter.com/LisaDez/status/20931687241 (@maidenveil)

Thanks for the contest!

-Len-
maidenveil(at)gmail(dot)com

Alex said...

Great post! Tweeted and follower! @Book_Girl2010

Alex @ http://morethanjustabook.blogspot.com

Candace said...

Follow, Tweet: http://twitter.com/candacemom2two/status/20991850806

email: candace_redinger at yahoo dot com

Been trying to get my hands on a copy of Personal Demons! Thanks for the giveaway!

Michikit said...

I really really really want that book. (yeah I know, just a little bit obsessed)
I'm following you and I tweeted here: http://twitter.com/AminaBlack/status/21004284287

And now I'm waiting.
E-mail: kaguya2000[at]gmail[dot]com

Sharli said...

Hi! Thank you for the giveaway!! I'm a follower and I tweeted here: http://twitter.com/Entre_Libros/status/21040084488

entrelibros_blog at hotmail.com

Ashley said...

Thanks so much for this giveaway! :) I've been dying to read the book.

I'm a new follower and I tweeted here: http://twitter.com/booksobsession/status/21081433361

booksobsession(at)gmail(dot)com

Sherry said...

Loved the tribute videos! I've never seen My So Called Life but it is on Netflix so maybe I will watch it!

I am a follower and I tweeted!
http://twitter.com/ssalach21/status/21081969517

Thanks for the awesome giveaway! I can't wait to read this! :)

ferretvamp14 said...

Loved My So Called Life!

Tweeted: http://twitter.com/ferretvamp14/status/21124912570

latishajean said...

I so remember that show it was good. great post by the by the way :) great giveaway thank you for the chance!
tishajean@charter.net

Llehn said...

I've love to play please!

I follow.

lesly7ch(at)yahoo(dot)com