My Life and Times

This was a low rated by critically acclaimed show. It was original clever and well acted. It up a lump in my throat each time I watched it. I loved the one where the old man is tells his grandson what life was like in the 1980's. This is a show that deserved more of a chance to build an audience. This show was probably ahead of it's time, since most baby-boombers would have to imagine themselves living at a retirement home. In a few years, they probably will be better able to imagine it.

I cannot recall how I first discovered this little gem, I just recall falling in love with it almost immediately. I watched it religiously. I had to hunt for it, since in San Diego it seemed like they moved its time slot every single week... it was on Wednesday at 8pm, then Saturday at 9pm, then I had to locate it at almost 1am... but I found it, and I watched it, and I loved it. Then it was gone.

Why? Was the acting sub-par? Hardly. It was some of the finest performances on television.

Was the writing bad? Not a chance. It was witty, intelligent, tender, and amazing. It was written as a story of a man that was telling his own life story, of what it was to live and learn in the 1980s. And it was told in such a way that, each time you thought you knew him, you learned something else to make you appreciate all that he had gone through.

So what was it? I haven't the faintest. It did, however, begin a trend -- each time I have really begun liking a television show, it gets canceled almost immediately. From "My Life and Times" all the way up to "Firefly" -- I just cannot seem to win.

I was so disappointed when this was canceled. I was immediately drawn in to this show.

Why was it canceled? The 30-min drama format has never been successful, except for daily soaps . . . before 1980. Sports Night did better but that was a witty drama. This show was a straight half-hour drama. And at the end of each episode I was frustrated it was over. For me, I couldn't wait for the next episode, but most viewers were just frustrated, I guess.

Tom Irwin was just on 24. Dead in one episode--this guy's such a good actor; will we ever really see him in something again?

The series was created by the same guy who gave us the emotionally powerfully "Beauty and the Beast" TV series.

I loved the way that, no matter how sad the events in Ben's life would be, you knew that as an old man he would be able to look back at it with peace. Hopefully, we all will be able to share what we've learned in life with our grandchildren.

It was really able to put life's events in perspective. Like one of the previous comments said: It was just too good for TV. I can only hope that the series will be made available to view again through some means.

This was an awesome show. I guess I am one of the few who did see it, and, fortunately, taped 5 of the 6 episodes. "Jessie" was so well written, acted and edited I've watched it a number of times to just enjoy something done so well.

That episode was the first thing I saw Claudia Christian in, and have been a fan of hers ever since. Met her once (lucky me!) and got to tell her that also! She said she really enjoyed working on that and was quite proud of it.

Ditto for Helen Hunt, that's where she first came to my awareness too, and I followed her happily to "Mad About You".

My second favorite episode (close behind "Jessie") is "Fare on Park Avenue" -- SO well done. Like too many exceptional quality shows that don't fit a preconceived formula, it didn't get a chance to build an audience.