Common Sense Media Review
By Jill Murphy
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Memorable teen drama with complex, angsty characters.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
My So-Called Life
What's the Story?
For teens Angela Chase (Claire Danes), Jordan Catalano (Jared Leto), Rickie Vasquez (Wilson Cruz), Brian Krakow (Devon Gummersall), Sharon Cherski (Devon Odessa), and Rayanne Graff (A.J. Langer), MY SO-CALLED LIFE in high school is, like, hard—or whatever. Angela's story follows the transition of a suburban girl from a middle-class family as she breaks off from her best friend from junior high (Sharon) and the geek next door (Brian) and starts to discover herself in high school. Angela dyes her hair, befriends a girl with a wild reputation (Rayanne) who has a gay best friend (Rickie), and falls for the epitome of the hot, if not especially bright, upperclassman, Jordan Catalano (his first name is rarely spoken without his last name following).
Is It Any Good?
This show handles standard high school woes with delicate insight. My So-Called Life covers everything from zits, a gun at school, and the cool kid who isn't good at learning to censorship in the classroom, best friends' betrayal, coming out, and situations that run the sexual gamut.
My So-Called Life made TV history by being the first show to include "like" and "ya know" in its teen characters' dialogue. That makes it more accessible for the average American teen; My So-Called Life is a show that actually speaks their language. Also, the series' topics (and the maturity with which they were handled) put My So-Called Life ahead of its time—which ultimately may have been part of the reason for its quick demise. But it has rarely left the airwaves since, airing over and over in repeats, a fact that speaks to its lasting quality and ability to deliver both entertainment and conversation for teens and their parents.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the wide range of issues raised by My So-Called Life, including fitting in at school, first crushes, drugs, parties, drinking, and dating. What aspects of teen life have changed since the 1990s? Which parts remain the same?
What are some reasonable ground rules about curfew, sneaking out, and dating?
Does making new friends mean losing your old ones? What are some unexpected things your teen has experienced in high school?
How do the characters in My So-Called Life demonstrate integrity, humility, and empathy? Why are these important character strengths?
TV Details
- Premiere date : August 25, 1994
- Cast : Claire Danes , Devon Odessa , Jared Leto
- Network : TeenNick
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Friendship , School ( High School )
- Character Strengths : Empathy , Humility , Integrity
- TV rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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