[My Kind Of Crazy]

Why Claire Danes Was Lucky That ‘My So-Called Life’ Was Short

In some respects, Claire Danes is lucky that her breakthrough role, in the ABC drama “My So-Called Life,” was at least a decade ahead of its time.

Danes was in her mid-teens when the series premiered in 1994, earning critical acclaim but, by the standards of the time, relatively low ratings. The program wasn’t renewed (questions about Danes’ eagerness to continue were said to have complicated the decision), and the actress proceeded to embark on an extremely busy film career before the road circled back to television in the pay space, with Emmy-winning work in the HBO movie “Temple Grandin” and Showtime series “Homeland.”

Although “My So-Called Life” generated a mere 19 episodes, it showcased the talents that Danes — who played the thoughtful teenager Angela Chase — has displayed ever since. For starters, she was age-appropriate and disarmingly real, hardly a description that applied to many teens patrolling mid-’90s primetime. Perhaps that’s why the New York Times review noted that Danes “is refreshingly playing her age, and, unlike most youthful television stars, is far less adorable than skilled.”

Had the show premiered today, it almost surely would have hung around longer, with another network or streaming service swooping in when ABC canceled it. Indeed, the WB and UPN — which catered to precisely the show’s demographic – didn’t even make their debuts until after the program departed.

Danes would have heard the siren song of movies even had the series aired several more years. But the time constraints of working as a minor likely would have put something of a crimp in those plans.

Fans have always lamented not getting to see more of what life had in store for Angela. For Danes, the “what-ifs” can likely be limited to how the arc of her career might have been rewritten, or at least amended, by more of that wonderful “Life.”

Walk of Fame Honor: Claire Danes was lucky that ‘Life’ was short | Variety

[i never learn]

um, from what wilson cruz said, abc wanted to do another season, but it was claire that declined.

[LightYears]

Originally Posted by LightYears (View Post) The show is streaming for free on Hulu and the official ABC website. Watch My So-Called Life TV Show - ABC.com

Reposting this from The 90s board.

[Mi||iê Måë]

Thanks for the news/articles and link!

[My Kind Of Crazy]

[Ruby_Slippers]

Claire Danes on Kissing Jared Leto on “My So-Called Life”

[Mi||iê Måë]

Thanks for that!

[fly me to the moon]

I never saw this show, but it's def on my watchlist..

[My Kind Of Crazy]

you never saw this show? omg
i grew up watching this. this is actually one of the few shows i actually own the complete series of. i love it so much

[My Kind Of Crazy]

you never saw this show? omg
i grew up watching this. this is actually one of the few shows i actually own the complete series of. i love it so much

[fly me to the moon]

I know, I know.. I suppose to watch it, but I never did..

[Mi||iê Måë]

Originally Posted by My Kind Of Crazy (View Post) you never saw this show? omg i grew up watching this. this is actually one of the few shows i actually own the complete series of. i love it so much

Also one of the more realistic teen dramas out there and was cancelled WAY too soon!

[fly me to the moon]

Did they ever explain on why the show cancelled?

[Mi||iê Måë]

^^^

The main reason was low ratings and the rumour that Claire Danes didn't want to reprise her role. But mostly it was up against shows like "Friends" so ratings were hard to come by.

[My Kind Of Crazy]

yes it was canceled way too soon. i wanted more. shame it didnt have better ratings. but like you said, how can you compete against shows like friends ?