Un anno nella vita

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.

I too thought the series was well done and I believe it was gathering steam until the Sarajevo Winter Olympics started on ABC. It lost viewership to the Games for those couple weeks causing NBC to move it a less desirable time slot further causing a slide. It's a shame but all the major networks make the same business decision - appealing to the masses to sell more soap instead of finding and keeping niche audiences with quality programming (such as Byrds of Paradise (ABC) and Now and Again (CBS)). However, with the advent of niche cable channels (Lifetime, Oxygen, BET, etc...), more diverse programming can be aired. That trend could be accelerated if the FCC will allow us to choose only those cable channels we wish to subscribe. Then the market could work and quality programming may get a chance. Until then, the lowest common denominator will win out (Fox's recipe for success).

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.

I think about this show often and wish so much I could watch it again!

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.