A Year in the Life

The original "A Year in the Life," mini-series aired on NBC during the evenings of December 15, 16, and 17, 1986. This is one of the most heart warming and well produced movies that has ever been broadcast. Very few movies impact me the way that this one did. I simply can't understand why it was never released on either VHS or DVD. The musical score, composed by Elizabeth Swados is every bit as moving as the storyline. The writers of this mini-series did an exceptional job and the acting was superb. I was very sad to learn that David Oliver, who plays the role of Sam Gardner, died of AIDS in 1992. Richard Kiley, who died in 1999 does an outstanding job as the father and the overall emotional up and downs portrayed by the rest of the cast reminds me of very real life situations. I originally recorded the movie on VHS, EP mode, so the quality is marginal at best. If anyone learns that this exceptional mini-series becomes available on DVD or if the musical score becomes available on CD, please contact me at mr0370307@aol.com. If you are reading this but have never seen the original mini-series, try to get your hands on a rare copy that was recorded on VHS and may be available on eBay or from some other source. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

Now that "Parenthood" is ending, I recall how much I loved this show and how sad I was to see it canceled. It seems like the best series don't survive the ratings but it probably says less about the viewers and more about who dictates what we watch. Perhaps networks just don't give the public credit for having the consciousness to value anything more than sex and violence. One of the reasons this show didn't get a following is because the network kept moving the air date to different days and times during the week. Family dramas like, "A year in the Life," "Once and Again" and "Parenthood" seem to suffer the same fate. They reflect real life experiences... & that's my kind of "reality TV!"

I loved this movie and was thrilled when it was made into a series. It didn't last more than one season. I can remember watching the movie during Thanksgiving break from college. I was hooked. I loved Sarah Jessica Parker's "Kay" and her romance with Sam. I would LOVE a copy of this movie and any of the subsequent television episodes. Even though it's been over 20 years (I can't believe that), I can still remember some of the most minute details of this amazing show. Acting was excellent, plots were relevant to the times, and the music used was perfect. I'm sure if it were on today they'd sell, "A Year in the Life" soundtracks similar to Grey's Anatomy. I was so sad to see that David Oliver (Sam) died several years ago. I really loved his character. Trey Ames was great as young David and I liked Adam Arkin's character and his wife, Jayne Atkinson. Great, great show. Came on same year as Thirtysomething and I think was overshadowed by the hype of that show.

This started out as a mini-series and then ran as a regular series for a short time. I would like to see it again in either reruns, or it should be remade. As I recall, much of the music that was a part of each episode was popular at the time, so that may be one of the reasons why we do not see it in reruns. Never-the-less, the storyline was very good and the cast of characters were a good blend. Fans of Sarah Jessica Parker would enjoy seeing her in her role as a free-spirited young woman involved with a rather conservative young man. If it is being shown as a re-run somewhere, please tell me when and where. Thank you.

I saw the whole series during Christmas in 1988. I taped it and watched it over and over... I simply loved it! It's funny and sad at the same time. What that family goes through in one year is something that could happen to a lot of people. The actors, especially Adam Arkin and Sarah Jessica Parker is doing a good job. I remember I felt sad for the father in the house...

If someone ever reads this please send me an E-MAIL. My friend borrowed the tapes a year after, and destroyed it by accident... I was, and still are, very sad.

I would very much like to watch this movie again! If you know where to get/buy it please let me know!

Have a nice summer :o)