There’s just something about television. Try as you might, there’s a show out there you just can’t get enough of. You might be one of those people who simply enjoys an hour of laughing at a comedy once in a while. Or maybe you’re like me, screaming at your tv for the last 5 minutes of the Vampire Diaries season finale, wondering how you let yourself get hooked on yet another show. Either way, television is addictive. But sometimes in the heyday of cable and satellite and the many other ways to watch new shows, we forget about some of the great shows of the past. Summer was here and that meant a break from our regular obsessions, but we here at Portrait still can’t get enough of our favorite tv shows. Check them out and you might just fall in love!

My SoCalled Life
1994
Cast:
Claire Danes, Bess Armstrong, Jared Leto, Tom Irwin, Lisa Wilhoit, A.J. Langer, Wilson Cruz, Devon Odessa, and Devon Gummersall.

Why It’s Great:
Like so many other cult favorites (Firefly, Freaks & Geeks) My So Called Life was a life too short. Like many mid-nineties shows, it was set in high school but rather than a happy outlook considered high school to be meaningless. The realism may have been a factor in its not being well received but it also was never really given a chance. The show tells the story of several teenagers at Liberty High School. It ended with quite the cliff hanger expecting another season but was instead canceled. Critics called it an instant classic and girls everywhere found someone to relate to anti-heroine Angela Chase. Still, My So Called Life launched, in many ways, the now so familiar youth and teen programming. In fact both The WB and UPN started 2 weeks after My So-Called Life ended.

Where They Are Now

Claire Danes was declared a brilliant actress when cast and has continued to show that through multiple film roles and numerous awards. Jared Leto had a few other film roles but found more success through his band 30 Seconds to Mars. Despite being a significant film and stage actress/actor, Bess Armstrong & Tom Irwin are still most famous for their roles as Angela’s parents. Lisa Wilhoit voices Connie on “Family Guy”, Wilson Cruz continues in small roles as did Devon Odessa and Devon Gummersmall. A.J. Langer never found success beyond My So-Called Life.

21 Jump Street
1987-1991
Cast
Johnny Depp, Holly Robinson, Peter Deluise, Dustin Nguyen, and Steven Williams

Why Its Great:
The show was a twist on serialized crime dramas. 21 Jump Street took police officers who were younger looking and put them into high school and occasionally college in order to better solve crimes. Each episode focused on a single crime and solved it over the course of the episode. The show was the kick off for Johnny Depp’s career. Depp hated the teen heartthrob status it brought but has been gracious enough to agree to cameo in the film version due out in a few years.

Where Are They Now:
Johnny Depp obviously took the biggest success from the show and starred in a multitude of movies. He will soon be reprising his role as Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean series. Holly Robinson has continued with a significant tv prescence with shows including “Hangin with Mr Cooper”, “For Your Love”, and “Like Family”. Peter DeLuise took a behind the scenes role for his future but certainly wasn’t quiet back there. He was a producer, writer, and director for “Stargate SG-1” then executive produced “Stargate Atlantis” and appeared as an extra in every single episode. Dustin Nguyen has had primarily guest star roles on other shows and Steven Williams followed a similar career path.

Daria
1997-2002
Cast
The cast was voiced by writers and staff members at MTV throughout its run. Tracy Grandstaff voiced Daria specifically.

Why Its Great
Daria started and ended with my high school years so it holds a special place in my heart. The animated MTV show was started to provide a smart girl as a foil to the stupidity of “Beavis and Butthead”. Daria could easily have been an influence on the future writers of “Veronica Mars” and “Juno” with her whip smart commentary on school and pop culture. Daria was one of the most acclaimed shows ever to air on MTV.

Where Are They Now:
Most of those who voiced characters remain on staff at MTV and have continued to be a vital part of MTV pop culture.

Veronica Mars
2004-2007
Cast
Kristen Bell, Teddy Dunn, Jason Dohring, Percy Daggs III, Francis Capra, Enrico Colatoni, Ryan Hansen, Kyle Gallner, Tina Majorino, and Chris Lowell. Creator Rob Thomas.

Why It Was Great:
I know Veronica Mars didn’t end that long ago but it was a small cult hit then and still deserves some attention. Veronica Mars took Nancy Drew and stuck her in a gritty noir style town in the heart of California. The show was about a young intrepid high school detective named Veronica Mars (Kristen Bell). Veronica’s father had been the local sheriff but due to a supposedly botched murder investigation lost his job. Now he works as a private investigator while Veronica helps. The first season saw Veronica solving small cases each episode while the season arc was uncovering her best friend’s (Lilly Kane-Amanda Seyfried) true murderer. The 2nd season lost it a bit as they tried splitting up the season into several smaller mysteries. The third season recovered by bringing Veronica and crew to college and focusing on a larger mystery. It was a show beloved by critics and fans and well worth revisiting.

Where Are They Now:
Kristen Bell has gone on to decent film fame but most of us are still hoping she’ll return to the small screen where she can trade wits and steal our hearts every week. Percy Daggs, Teddy Dunn, and Francis Capra have only had small or guest roles here and there unfortunately. Jason Dohring was on Moonlight, Ryan Hansen continues his success as a douchebag on “Party Down”, and Kyle Gallner has found numerous movie roles and significant fame as the Flash on “Smallville”. Enrico Colatoni stars on “Flashpoint”, Tina Majorino on “Big Love” and Chris Lowell just ended his run on “Private Practice.”

Honorable Mention: Degrassi

I have to mention Degrassi here. Because the show is still running, it doesn’t get the full markup. But rarely has a teen show been so real, honest, and heartwarming. The original show started as “The Kids of Degrassi Street” in 1979 and ran until 1986. It was followed by “Degrassi Jr High”, “Degrassi High”, and “Degrassi: The Next Generation” which was recently renamed simply “Degrassi”. The show has differentiated itself from other teen shows on many levels. It has survived numerous reboots and changes while growing stronger. It stars genuine teens not adults in their 20s. Critics love it. Sure it’s a cult favorite for many but most television critics understand that Degrassi has dealt with many issues in realistic ways.
That realism is its primary difference from most shows. Many teen shows may bring up harsh issues but don’t resolve them the way reality does. Take a suicidal kid who the popular guy is able to reach at the last minute. In Degrassi, that kid dies and everyone has to deal with the loss. Characters have sex, become parents, experiment, fight with friends, and still have to turn in their homework. It’s a show well worth watching.
A few notable cast alumni include: Aubrey Graham, who you know as hip-hop star Drake, Lauren Collins (Take the Lead, Charlie Bartlett, Life with Derek), Shenae Grimes (90210), Jake Epstein (Spring Awakening), and Nina Dobrev (The Vampire Diaries).
Most of these shows are available on Hulu, Netflix and Youtube for free as well as Itunes. Take a look at some of these and be sure to check out past issues "here" and "here" for more great television of the past.

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