That's Life

"That's Life" (CBS Saturdays) is one of the best television shows I've seen for sometime. Heather Paige Kent is great as the lead actor "Lydia". She is also one of the prettiest women on primetime.

The working-class Italian-American characters portrayed on this show and the storylines are very believable. They grow on you, not in a corny endearing manner, but one where the viewer can immediately relate to all of the great characters and the storylines of this well written and well made show.

Ellen Burstyn and Paul Sorvino as Lydia's Mom and Dad do not look out of place on this show and they both play convincing roles.

"That's Life" will not leave you feeling like you've been pandered to the way some other new show about a genetically enhanced superwoman does. I think that show (Dark Angel) is just cheap thrills on TV. If you want that, go to a movie on Tuesday night.

"That's Life" is an excellent combination of both drama and comedy. The only thing working against it is that it is scheduled for Saturdays on CBS. So, it's worth the effort to program your machine if you have to go out next Saturday night.

It was a really good show and I miss it. It's really too bad that good shows like this end up on the short end of the stick while crap remains on the air. I guess reality show will take over every channel and we will have to watch cable reruns to see good old sitcoms and dramas.

I came to this website to see if I could find out what happened to this show...I haven't seen it in the listings for awhile and hope it has survived. I didn't watch the pilot, but tuned in a week or so later while channel surfing. I was impressed with what I saw. The characters are very real, and situations are quirky and interesting. The character interaction particularly interests me. In one episode, Lydia is having financial difficulties but doesn't want to ask her father for help, even though she knows he would give it to her. She's fighting to remain independent. Towards the end of the show she takes her laundry to her parents house, telling her mom not to do it...she'll take care of it.

Mom complains about all the money she's always finding in with Lydia's clothes. After Lydia goes upstairs w/her mom, dad sneaks into the laundry room and adds some bills to the clothes in the dryer. A simple thing, but made quite poignant in the way its acted out. There's alot said in this show that's "between the lines", but done in such a way that you can't miss it. Special show.

I felt this was an excellent show. It had a very strong cast who played a close knit Italian American family with, like all families, both good and bad qualities. This was the backdrop for the main story of their daughter, Lydia, who was trying to be her own person, and discovering just who that was by going to college. It was inspiring and empowering. It was entertaining and had heart. What more do people want? It was quite sad to see it go, especially Heather Paige Kent, who played the lead role of Lydia so well. There must be other great roles out there for her, hopefully soon. Kevin Dillan went on to do well in Entourage, but I liked his role as Lydia's annoying but endearing brother even more.

Most of the so called "dramas" that the local television networks post on their new season are not the least bit interesting, in fact I find them dull. Though I admit I'm a T.V. addict the majority of the shows (such as the lame and unrealistic "Boston Public") don't catch my attention as I flip through channels during primetime any day of the week. However, the new and eye-catching series "That's life" proves to be different.

They don't use young models like in "Dawson's Creek" and isn't at all about young people. It is about a thirtysomething year old Italian woman who wants a college degree in...she doesn't even know yet. The hour is packed with colourful characters, situations and great performances (including some favourites such as Paul Sorvino, Kevin Dillon and the always wonderful Ellen Burstyn). Heather Kent is perfectly cast as Lydia DeLucca, whom the show is based on. The show is also a great piece of filmmaking as it looks like a movie shortend to an hour. A good show, in my opinion, should capture a viewers attention in just one single scene, especially if that show is on television. That's easier said that done, of course. I never usually catch a brand new show during the pilot run but rather about mid season--and that's if it's interesting enough to hook me. Not only is the show fun to watch but it focuses around a practical and possible situation in an entertaning and realistic way. Hopefully, the network won't can the show--like most outstanding shows like the late "Freaks and Geeks"--and will develop a faithful audience. I can't express the shows' originality and intelligence in just words--you have to tune in and see it for yourself. **** out of ****