Examiner – August 12, 2009

Anyone addicted to the angst-ridden lives of Angela Chase, Jordan Catalano, Rayanne Graff and Rickie Vasquez can now rest happily behind their computer screens. Hulu, the popular website that streams television episodes for free, has now picked up “My So-Called Life.”

The television show debuted in August of 1994, but sadly only lasted 19 episodes despite winning a Golden Globe for best actress and gathered a huge fan following. This also rocketed a previously unknown Jared Leto into the hearts of teenage girls everywhere.

The show focused on the regular trials and tribulations almost any teenager faces in high school. Claire Danes, in the lead role as Angela Chase, pulled anyone watching into her issues along with her two best friends, Rickie and Rayanne. Throw in two overbearing parents and teens throughout the country were glued to their television set for one solid hour. None of us (oh yes, I include myself… Jordan Catalano might still have a piece of my heart…) could get enough of Angela’s awkward moments with the first boy she’d ever loved and the debate about whether or not she was ready for sex, Rickie’s struggle to come out of the closet and Rayanne’s drug problem (This was no Jessie Spano OD’ing on caffeine pills to study for a test. Pretty sure Rayanne’s problem involved a trip to the hospital for a stomach pumping…) These problems didn’t come off quite as “fluffy” as other teen shows and finally, the intended audience was given something they could relate to.

And now? We can all live through it again thanks to Hulu. In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever been so excited to be tormented a second time around.

Watch My So-Called Life