31 Years Ago Today, One of the Most Important ‘90s TV Shows Ended (And Gave a Controversial Actor Got His Start)

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Many people think the 2000s were the best time for television, an era known as “Peak TV.” However, that period actually built upon the foundation laid by the 1990s. That decade gave us memorable shows like Friends, ER, Dawson’s Creek, and The West Wing, which greatly shaped entertainment and set the stage for the amazing series that followed in the 2000s. And though it ended 31 years ago today, one particularly important show, despite its brief run, stands out as a key influence.

The TV show My So-Called Life ended after just one season with its final episode, “In Dreams Begin Responsibilities,” airing on January 26, 1995. The show, set in a made-up suburb of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, realistically portrayed the life of 15-year-old Angela Chase as she navigated the challenges of high school and friendships. It received widespread praise and several awards, tackling important social issues and launching the careers of stars like Claire Danes and Jared Leto, who became well-known for his role as Jordan Catalano.

My So-Called Life Was a Series Way Ahead of Its Time

It’s hard to imagine now, but teen dramas were uncommon on television in the mid-1990s. That’s what made My So-Called Life, created by Winnie Holzman, so groundbreaking – and risky. The show stood out by focusing on a teenage girl’s life and tackling serious issues like homophobia, homelessness, and school violence not as isolated incidents, but as ongoing parts of the story. Like real life, the characters faced challenges that continued from week to week, making their experiences relatable to teen viewers. There simply wasn’t anything else like it on television, which is likely why its cancellation felt so premature.

Even though critics loved My So-Called Life, it never attracted a large audience. Being the only drama of its kind on network TV likely played a part, but it also faced tough competition. The show aired on Thursday nights at 8 p.m. Eastern, going up against incredibly popular shows like Mad About You and Friends. Before people could record shows or stream them online, viewers had to choose what to watch each week – and they usually didn’t choose My So-Called Life. Despite the low ratings, the series gained a dedicated following, and fans even launched one of the first online campaigns to try and save it. Sadly, the show was officially cancelled on May 15, 1995, because its appeal was considered too specific to attract a broader audience.

It’s a bit surprising that right after My So-Called Life ended, television changed dramatically and teen shows became incredibly popular. The WB network, which started just before the final episode of My So-Called Life, launched Buffy the Vampire Slayer in 1997. Its success led to more teen dramas like Dawson’s Creek, Felicity, and Charmed, proving there was a real audience for this type of show. This trend continued into the 2000s and beyond, and teen dramas became a significant part of popular culture – it’s hard to picture television without them now. However, none of these shows, or the entire teen drama genre, would likely exist as we know it without the groundwork laid by My So-Called Life, which is now considered one of the greatest shows ever made.

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2026-01-26 22:46