A Year in the Life

This was a mini-series that became a television show. It was a great series that I felt was not given a fair shake by the network. I loved watching it, but the time slot changed about three times during a six-month period which made it difficult for even faithful watchers to keep up with.

It was a warm, well-written dramatic series that also had it's funny moments. It was about a family and their daily lives. I am a big fan of the series "Family" and felt that same sort of warmth toward this show. It was so well done and it seemed criminal that it really wasn't given a chance to gain a following.

I was so sad when it was canceled. I remember there was a campaign in Seattle to keep it going. I would love to see the mini-series again. It was very realistic without being depressing. Sarah Jessica Parker was wonderful as Kay. David Oliver was adorable and I loved Amanda Peterson as Sunny.

It's hard for me to remember this show - I only saw that one season the one time, some sixteen years ago - and I can't be sure it's as good as I think it was. But with Brand and Falsey at the helm I have to assume my memory serves me. This was one of the better shows of its era - fine writing, storylines and terrific acting. It was small scale, nothing briliant, but just good quality. It was also occasionally very funny (I remember the mother getting aversion therapy to quit smoking). I guess it's lying in a vault somewhere and is never repeated (certainly not where I am in New Zealand). But if you ever get the chance to see the show, do watch it, it was nice.

A Year in the Life was, in my opinion, a good solid representation of the values and tribulations of the American family. I was very upset when it was discontinued. I loved watching the family play football in their yard and I loved Richard Kiley as the Dad. He was such a strong character. I also loved the way he would "talk" to his dog. I have always wondered,in all the articles I've read on Sarah J. Parker, why I have never seen a mention of her acting in this show. I thought she was beautiful and I would think it would be a credit to her list of accomplishments. It was sad to see it canceled. Is there a way it could ever be brought back as a mini-series? I think the folks in TV land would love it.

This show was an instant hit with me when it first aired. It had a quality that is rarely seen on network TV anymore. Even though the show was in the upper echelon of quality, I knew it wasn't gonna last. It was too different, too smart for the general population. It was kind of like 30-something which appeared a year or two later in that it made you feel and think more than maybe the average American suburbanite wants to when they plop themselves down on their living room couch.

The show will probably never be aired again since it only lasted 1 year--unfortunately the title foreshadowed it's own life span. What may be even sadder is that it could've been the start of a nice acting career for Amanda Peterson who had just done "Can't Buy Me Love" a short time earlier. Once the show cancelled, her career went on a tailspin she never recovered from.

I managed to only tape 1/2 of an episode so if someone has the season on tape, please get in contact with me so we can do business.