THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 22, 1995 TAG: 9502220036
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: LARRY BONKO
LENGTH: Medium: 82 lines
I AM HERE TODAY as promised to tell you what happened in the next- to-the-last episode of ``My So-Called Life,'' the puberty-as-it-really-is series that ABC may or may not renew.
The answer will come in May.
The hard-hearted ABC affiliate in Hampton Roads, WVEC, pre-empted episode No. 18 in January. Same story with episode No. 19, which Channel 13 ran on a delayed basis at 1:51 a.m. on Jan. 26.
Nobody in this market saw the next-to-the-last episode and few viewers except insomniacs and nursing mothers caught the season's finale. In a previous column, I went over the plot of the last episode.
Today I'll fill you in on the show that preceded it.
The mail and phone calls supporting ``My So-Called Life'' continue to come in. In Virginia Beach, 14-year-old Gayle Hermoso and nine of her classmates in Kempsville wrote to say they are ``absolute fanatics'' about the series. ``It's what we are all about,'' wrote Gayle. ``Shows such as `Saved by the Bell' and `Beverly Hills 90210' are not into the reality of being in high school.''
Brianne Young, an eighth-grader who lives in Virginia Beach, writes, `` `My So-Called Life' is my life. I relate to it so well. How can ABC consider taking off such a great show?''
Deborah Edwards in Norfolk wrote to say that ``My So-Called Life'' is a show that she and her 18-year-old daughter happily watch together, never leaving the TV, even when commercials come on, ``for fear we might miss something.''
Other readers, such as Beth and Gary Heaton of Virginia Beach, have written to ask what they can do about urging ABC to keep ``My So-Called Life'' on the fall schedule. Contrary to what some people think, the series has not been canceled. It is on hiatus.
When I interviewed the show's creators, Marshall Herskovitz and Ed Zwick, in Los Angeles recently, they said they are prepared to resume filming ``My So-Called Life'' as soon as ABC gives the word. Co-executive producer Winnie Holzman was bubbling over when she said, ``I've got a ton of ideas for our second season.''
Let's hope there will be a second season if not on ABC, perhaps on cable. Lifetime is interested. I can't think of five shows on prime time television better than ``My So-Called Life.''
The man you want to write to about saving ``My So-Called Life'' is Ted Harbert, president of ABC Entertainment, at 77 West 66th St., New York, N.Y. 10023. ``I have resigned myself to the fact I will never see the series again,'' writes Janene Graham of Virginia Beach
Do not give up hope, Janene.
Now to the story of Lost Episode No. 18. It was a good one. In this hour, the producers reminded viewers that Bess Armstrong, who plays Angela's mother, Patty, has top billing. Lost Episode No. 18 is mostly a show about the adults in the cast with a smashing performance by Armstrong.
As for the kids, there is a funny segment in which the unpredictable Rayanne visits Angela, hoping to resume their friendship, and then handcuffs herself to the bed in Angela's parents' bedroom. The key isn't anywhere to be found, so Rayanne has to spend the night.
Why handcuffs in Patty and Graham's bedroom? There's a bit about the couple looking for ways to put zest into their marriage. Accompanied by another couple, Patty and Graham go off for the weekend to a country inn where Patty gets tipsy on ginger-flavored brandy.
She's a riot.
Also in this episode, the producers finally give a good hunk of exposure to Lisa Wilhoit, who plays Angela's younger sister, Danielle. She's a delight in several scenes with the handcuffed Rayanne forever asking tough questions. Mature questions.
The kids race the clock to free Rayanne before Angela's parents arrive home.
Cool show.
The people at ABC in Hollywood were nice enough to send me tapes of the last two shows. They arrived at the same time a letter from Nora M. Gehrmann of Norfolk reached my desk.
She asks, ``How about arranging a public showing of the lost episodes?'' That's a thought. Maybe I could set it up with a library here. Or have you all over to my house.
What do you think? My Infoline number is 640-5555, press 2486. by CNB