My Life and Times

I know of only a handful of people who actually saw or remember this show. Some remember it fondly, others get it confused with "My So-Called Life" (which ironically stars the same actor, Tom Irwin). This was one of the most creative shows I had ever seen, with a concept that could have led to an almost endless number of episodes and ideas. The "Jessie" episode stands out as the most poignant 30 minutes of television I can remember. Watching how they handled a time-period/event that had already happened (i.e. the 1989 S.F. Earthquake in the pilot) and then seeing how they handled the future in '91 (i.e. New Year's Eve 1999) kept this show entertaining and original in it's brief run. It would have been a classic by now had it been allowed more time to find an audience than the six-episodes ABC gave it.

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.

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.

Perhaps my all-time favorite show. I still remember the earthquake which prohibited Ben from seeing the birth of his child. It truly showed how things which are so important to us can be overshadowed by other events. We should not place too much value on anything.

Maybe what ended up making this show so great, fresh and well-written was the fact that it didn't have a chance to become redundant or stale. The show which stated that the only constant in life is change was, in fact, a victim of itself. In this day and age when shows are just thrown together it was so well written that every event was tied together - nothing was left hanging. I just wish I had taped the show so I could relive those shining moments of true literature on TV.

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?