Tegan, The show is AMAZING!!! I kept saying " That's in the book " and OMG " That's in the book too". Everyone involved in this project did an outstanding job. Clea and Laura did a fantastic job incorporating your awesome book with the additional story telling it takes to make a wonderful show like this. Can't wait for more episodes!!! Love you guys
Hi Karen! Yes, I think Laura and Clea did an excellent job of keeping a lot of the key stuff from the book in there, but also bringing in ideas of their own to make great TV. I think the essence of the family and the twins and the time is all spot on! And I am relieved to see so many comments from people who read the book saying they approve of the show!
Re: romanticizing high school/college - This reminded me of something my world history teacher told us in 9th grade. (With the US doing 4 years for both.) He said, "If you go to college, those will be the best 4 years of your life. If you don't, these will be the best 4 years of your life." He tried, but I doubt a single one of us little 14 year olds in that room truly understood.
My college experience was disjointed and spanned over 2 decades, so my high school experience is definitely the one romanticized, even as much as I remember how horrible being a teenager was.
Thank you for giving us the book and the show that you and we so desperately needed back then. I heard before that "healing your inner child" needs to include your inner teenager, as so many of us forget that even as old as we felt, we were still just children. I think having this representation that has been so painfully missing will help at least some of us heal our inner teenagers a bit. And for the ones still in their teens, hopefully it will help a small corner of life not need to be healed in the first place.
Loved the post! Trying not to be too pissed off that Australia won’t see it until the 28th, but I keep reminding myself neither will Canada which, hello, yours and Sara’s country! So much worse than Aus not seeing it first!
I’m hoping to keep this brief (cause it’s 1am as I start writing this) but you know how this goes.
I love your book. It took me a while to connect to it, I was 14 when I first listened to your book and I couldn’t understand the drug part, I was raised not to even think about it, I’d still describe myself as like Spencer’s character in the book, uptight and anxious. I’d never do drugs (I don’t have issues with other people using them I just don’t want them for myself for my own reasons.) Having said that, I get now why you did drugs, I didn’t get it cause (as crazy as it sounds, it’s only been a year and a bit since I first read your book) I didn’t have the life experience I did a few months ago to get it. It was also making me face things that I wasn’t ready to know or face yet about myself. But I really like it now! I think we would’ve been friends in high school. I’m happy having you as role model’s now instead though. Can’t wait to see the show! I’ve lost count on the amount of times I’ve read/listened to the book since the first time! I also loved the interview at the end!
Very excited for the show to make its way to Australia. I know it sucks you all have to wait. But at least it's coming out there! I feel so sad about all the places it isn't. But maybe one day.
I'm glad you enjoyed the book. And it resonated. We did think a lot about young people when we were writing it. We wanted to be sure we weren't glorifying our drug use, but that we also didn't pretend it didn't happen. I hope we struck a balance.
“The way people romanticize their college experience, we romanticize our high school experience.” This is absolutely true! While I hated my hs experience, my college one was the most vital part of my life and career; discovering myself, my sexuality, my passions and living new and wild experiences all happened during that time that I just romanticize the place to, dare I say, an unhealthy extent. I went back there for my Masters, graduated again, and went back to teach there. All this happened in the span of 10 years. It’s like I can’t leave, and I would write a book about it or even make a show. It’s truly amazing how a place can define our lives!
As for HS, GOD, I loved it so much. The first four episodes were different from anything I’ve seen. I honestly didn’t expect such good acting, but it was just wonderful. Clea’s directing is excellent. The soundtrack is AMAZING. I can’t wait for the the other 4 eps, and I really hope it gets renewed, because, otherwise, I will cry.
Thanks for sharing Maryam! I sometimes feel like I missed out on something important by not going to college as a young person, but I am grateful for high school. I know so many people hated high school. I hope we give voice to the worst parts of it too. It wasn't all great. But by going back and reflecting and reprocessing it all, I feel like we were able to heal and find the best parts to focus on. Which is good in it's own way. ha.
I just finished watching all 4 episodes and WOW I'm speechless, it's amazing. I was thinking about Degrassi, and suddenly she mentioned it :) . Anyway it's so good, and every time I had finished 1 episode, I was like : ohh no, too short, need more, WHY?? With all the music that's been played all along every episodes, it makes the show even better. Thank you guys for this masterpiece.
Thanks Kat! The music really is so great. I am so happy with all the song selections and what we were able to clear for the show! And I am so glad you enjoyed it. It does feel too short! But sometimes it's good to leave em wanting more!
I love the TV show so much! My high school experience was very boring and non eventful compared to yours but I still relate to the story and emotions so much. I still can't believe that my favourite band has a show about their lives directed by Clea Duvall and with Cobie Smulders! It feels like something I've dreamed up in my head but it's real haha! I was so excited watching it and can't wait for the next instalment next week!
I watched episodes 1-3 last night and then decided I needed to adult and go to bed.
I recommended your book to one of my students. I just had a feeling that I might speak to them like it spoke to me. Thank you for being so open about your life and also creating a tv show that talks about queer life and finding yourself. I wish that there had been media like this when I was in high school.
I also think my student is a new fan of your music too 🌈
It was so good. I watched it after school yesterday, and when my mom got home from work I watched it with her because she wanted to watch it too. She was super nostalgic lol, as she was in high school in the 90's. I couldn't help but roll my eyes as she sung along to some of the songs (of course she mentioned the nirvana concert she went to once) . I'm glad she likes the show too though. I added songs to a Spotify playlist as I watched, and I've found I really like "kiss off" by the violent femmes. Also, here's the playlist if anyone's interested https://open.spotify.com/playlist/68URFlNOLXqRXq0Or9W2DV?si=_KtYb5HkRUmtHKBAbkwbuQ&utm_source=copy-link . You guys were so cool in high school, from what it seems (and now I know I never want to do acid) . I hate admitting this, but this is the first time I have watched a show with queer characters and haven't felt an almost...sad feeling . I can't explain it, but maybe those feelings were internalized homophobia. I'm super excited to watch the new episodes next week and I'm Really hoping lots of people discover the show.
LOL I love that you watched with your mom. And that you were rolling your eyes. We did the same thing to our mom when she would sing along with Sinead O'Conner in the van with our friends or play us movies from the 70s and tell us about when her and our dad smoked weed. BUT NOW I think it's so cool she was connecting with us! I think it's really awesome you and your mom got to have that experience together! HA!
I love that this show didn't make you feel sad. I know EXACTLY (or I think I do) what you mean. We tried not to glaze over the awkwardness of queerness and the homophobia (both internal and external) we faced in the 90s without making it traumatizing. I think the beauty and longing and fun and excitement of figuring out your queer deserves to live in that space too!
I love that this is titled "The Queer My So-Called Life". Every time I see a preview for your show, I imagine Claire Danes walking down the hall in that plaid flannel shirt! I can't wait to watch the first four episodes tonight, and hope it isn't robbed from us after one season like My So-Called Life was!
I just watched all four episodes in one sitting. The show is brilliantly done. I love how it is shown from different perspectives just like the book. I can’t wait for the next episode! Great job 👏
Ha yeah same for me in the UK, no complaining either, just shock at the time. Took me awhile to get my head in gear so I could watch it, I’d got so prepared for it being tomorrow. 😂😊
Congratulations! Super excited to see the show when it premieres in Canada and just super excited for you two in general. A lot of hard work but so worth it and important to put these stories out in the world! You two have never been afraid to put yourselves out there, or maybe you have been scared but just say fuck it and do it anyways? Badass and inspiring. I’m just so glad you exist and share so much of yourselves and your life experiences with the world. You make the world a better place to be in. ❤️
I love this post and the slurpee/death hill story. I laughed so hard just picturing it.
Reminds me of alot of similar times back home as a kid. Thanks again for being you, CONGRATULATIONS! And keep enjoying the ride! 🙂
Thanks Cas! Glad the story made you laugh. I wasn't sure if it would translate. HA!
And we appreciate very much how much we are supported by all of you. It's exciting to do new things and we don't take for granted how lucky we are that we keep getting these new opportunities to try new stuff. I really hope people love the show and we get to work on it longer! But either way it was a fun experience!
I'm loving the show so much so far!! The High School memoir released when I was a freshman in college and at a time where I was dealing with my own inner-turmoil and confusion. The memoir helped me to not feel alone in what I was feeling and that made me have hope that it will get better, especially since I was barely getting a grasp at who I was. I binged all of the new episodes and felt so many emotions while watching. I'm so proud of the both of you and that this show is reaching so many new people. I love the representation within these characters and that your story is being told. I can't wait for more episodes! Love you both ❤️
Ashlyn. It's nice to hear that the book made you feel less alone. I hoped for that when we were writing it. And I am even more excited to think this show might find a similar audience of people who needed to see this kind of representation at some point in their life and didn't and now they can. Thanks for sharing!
Tegan, The show is AMAZING!!! I kept saying " That's in the book " and OMG " That's in the book too". Everyone involved in this project did an outstanding job. Clea and Laura did a fantastic job incorporating your awesome book with the additional story telling it takes to make a wonderful show like this. Can't wait for more episodes!!! Love you guys
Hi Karen! Yes, I think Laura and Clea did an excellent job of keeping a lot of the key stuff from the book in there, but also bringing in ideas of their own to make great TV. I think the essence of the family and the twins and the time is all spot on! And I am relieved to see so many comments from people who read the book saying they approve of the show!
Thanks for the reply. This makes me happy!!!! Lol
Re: romanticizing high school/college - This reminded me of something my world history teacher told us in 9th grade. (With the US doing 4 years for both.) He said, "If you go to college, those will be the best 4 years of your life. If you don't, these will be the best 4 years of your life." He tried, but I doubt a single one of us little 14 year olds in that room truly understood.
My college experience was disjointed and spanned over 2 decades, so my high school experience is definitely the one romanticized, even as much as I remember how horrible being a teenager was.
Thank you for giving us the book and the show that you and we so desperately needed back then. I heard before that "healing your inner child" needs to include your inner teenager, as so many of us forget that even as old as we felt, we were still just children. I think having this representation that has been so painfully missing will help at least some of us heal our inner teenagers a bit. And for the ones still in their teens, hopefully it will help a small corner of life not need to be healed in the first place.
Such a good point! Healing our embracing your inner child INCLUDES your adolescent years! And you're right that too many people forget that!
Your history teacher sounds rad! LOL!
Hey Tegan,
Loved the post! Trying not to be too pissed off that Australia won’t see it until the 28th, but I keep reminding myself neither will Canada which, hello, yours and Sara’s country! So much worse than Aus not seeing it first!
I’m hoping to keep this brief (cause it’s 1am as I start writing this) but you know how this goes.
I love your book. It took me a while to connect to it, I was 14 when I first listened to your book and I couldn’t understand the drug part, I was raised not to even think about it, I’d still describe myself as like Spencer’s character in the book, uptight and anxious. I’d never do drugs (I don’t have issues with other people using them I just don’t want them for myself for my own reasons.) Having said that, I get now why you did drugs, I didn’t get it cause (as crazy as it sounds, it’s only been a year and a bit since I first read your book) I didn’t have the life experience I did a few months ago to get it. It was also making me face things that I wasn’t ready to know or face yet about myself. But I really like it now! I think we would’ve been friends in high school. I’m happy having you as role model’s now instead though. Can’t wait to see the show! I’ve lost count on the amount of times I’ve read/listened to the book since the first time! I also loved the interview at the end!
Phoenix, he/they/ri/it, 15, Australia
Very excited for the show to make its way to Australia. I know it sucks you all have to wait. But at least it's coming out there! I feel so sad about all the places it isn't. But maybe one day.
I'm glad you enjoyed the book. And it resonated. We did think a lot about young people when we were writing it. We wanted to be sure we weren't glorifying our drug use, but that we also didn't pretend it didn't happen. I hope we struck a balance.
Yeah I think you struck a really good balance!
“The way people romanticize their college experience, we romanticize our high school experience.” This is absolutely true! While I hated my hs experience, my college one was the most vital part of my life and career; discovering myself, my sexuality, my passions and living new and wild experiences all happened during that time that I just romanticize the place to, dare I say, an unhealthy extent. I went back there for my Masters, graduated again, and went back to teach there. All this happened in the span of 10 years. It’s like I can’t leave, and I would write a book about it or even make a show. It’s truly amazing how a place can define our lives!
As for HS, GOD, I loved it so much. The first four episodes were different from anything I’ve seen. I honestly didn’t expect such good acting, but it was just wonderful. Clea’s directing is excellent. The soundtrack is AMAZING. I can’t wait for the the other 4 eps, and I really hope it gets renewed, because, otherwise, I will cry.
Thanks for sharing Maryam! I sometimes feel like I missed out on something important by not going to college as a young person, but I am grateful for high school. I know so many people hated high school. I hope we give voice to the worst parts of it too. It wasn't all great. But by going back and reflecting and reprocessing it all, I feel like we were able to heal and find the best parts to focus on. Which is good in it's own way. ha.
I binged all 4 episodes while “working” today. It’s amazing. Congratulations to you All!
Thanks Nicki! It's fun that so many people are watching it right now and so many seem to like it. What a relief!!!
I just finished watching all 4 episodes and WOW I'm speechless, it's amazing. I was thinking about Degrassi, and suddenly she mentioned it :) . Anyway it's so good, and every time I had finished 1 episode, I was like : ohh no, too short, need more, WHY?? With all the music that's been played all along every episodes, it makes the show even better. Thank you guys for this masterpiece.
Thanks Kat! The music really is so great. I am so happy with all the song selections and what we were able to clear for the show! And I am so glad you enjoyed it. It does feel too short! But sometimes it's good to leave em wanting more!
I love the TV show so much! My high school experience was very boring and non eventful compared to yours but I still relate to the story and emotions so much. I still can't believe that my favourite band has a show about their lives directed by Clea Duvall and with Cobie Smulders! It feels like something I've dreamed up in my head but it's real haha! I was so excited watching it and can't wait for the next instalment next week!
HAHAHAHHA SAME!
I watched episodes 1-3 last night and then decided I needed to adult and go to bed.
I recommended your book to one of my students. I just had a feeling that I might speak to them like it spoke to me. Thank you for being so open about your life and also creating a tv show that talks about queer life and finding yourself. I wish that there had been media like this when I was in high school.
I also think my student is a new fan of your music too 🌈
Thanks so cool Rachel! I love this!
It was so good. I watched it after school yesterday, and when my mom got home from work I watched it with her because she wanted to watch it too. She was super nostalgic lol, as she was in high school in the 90's. I couldn't help but roll my eyes as she sung along to some of the songs (of course she mentioned the nirvana concert she went to once) . I'm glad she likes the show too though. I added songs to a Spotify playlist as I watched, and I've found I really like "kiss off" by the violent femmes. Also, here's the playlist if anyone's interested https://open.spotify.com/playlist/68URFlNOLXqRXq0Or9W2DV?si=_KtYb5HkRUmtHKBAbkwbuQ&utm_source=copy-link . You guys were so cool in high school, from what it seems (and now I know I never want to do acid) . I hate admitting this, but this is the first time I have watched a show with queer characters and haven't felt an almost...sad feeling . I can't explain it, but maybe those feelings were internalized homophobia. I'm super excited to watch the new episodes next week and I'm Really hoping lots of people discover the show.
LOL I love that you watched with your mom. And that you were rolling your eyes. We did the same thing to our mom when she would sing along with Sinead O'Conner in the van with our friends or play us movies from the 70s and tell us about when her and our dad smoked weed. BUT NOW I think it's so cool she was connecting with us! I think it's really awesome you and your mom got to have that experience together! HA!
I love that this show didn't make you feel sad. I know EXACTLY (or I think I do) what you mean. We tried not to glaze over the awkwardness of queerness and the homophobia (both internal and external) we faced in the 90s without making it traumatizing. I think the beauty and longing and fun and excitement of figuring out your queer deserves to live in that space too!
I think you did a great job with that, seriously thank you for being the queer icons I needed in my life.
I love that this is titled "The Queer My So-Called Life". Every time I see a preview for your show, I imagine Claire Danes walking down the hall in that plaid flannel shirt! I can't wait to watch the first four episodes tonight, and hope it isn't robbed from us after one season like My So-Called Life was!
LETS HOPE IT DOES NOT FOLLOW THE SAME PATH AS MY SO CALLED LIFE! HA!
I was thinking the same thing when I started seeing the reviews. Ha.
ENJOY THE SHOW!
I just watched all four episodes in one sitting. The show is brilliantly done. I love how it is shown from different perspectives just like the book. I can’t wait for the next episode! Great job 👏
Watched the first two episodes! They were available yesterday (the 13th) for me for some reason. I’m in Chicago. Time zones I suppose??
Anyway, loving it! Loving the soundtrack!!!!!!! Railey & Seazynn and all of you are ace!!!!👌👌👌
Thanks Rae! I did see that it came out early in some places! I love that with all this technology everything is still so random! The chaos!
Huh! Yeah, I was so confused. Not that I’m complaining 😉😉
But it was my 9 (your 7) on the 13, 🤷🏻 But hey! I’ve watched them all now! Episode 4 is my fav!🙌
Ha yeah same for me in the UK, no complaining either, just shock at the time. Took me awhile to get my head in gear so I could watch it, I’d got so prepared for it being tomorrow. 😂😊
Love the show so far!
Thanks Mario! So glad!
I *adore* the show.
Thanks Tara!
Congratulations! Super excited to see the show when it premieres in Canada and just super excited for you two in general. A lot of hard work but so worth it and important to put these stories out in the world! You two have never been afraid to put yourselves out there, or maybe you have been scared but just say fuck it and do it anyways? Badass and inspiring. I’m just so glad you exist and share so much of yourselves and your life experiences with the world. You make the world a better place to be in. ❤️
I love this post and the slurpee/death hill story. I laughed so hard just picturing it.
Reminds me of alot of similar times back home as a kid. Thanks again for being you, CONGRATULATIONS! And keep enjoying the ride! 🙂
Thanks Cas! Glad the story made you laugh. I wasn't sure if it would translate. HA!
And we appreciate very much how much we are supported by all of you. It's exciting to do new things and we don't take for granted how lucky we are that we keep getting these new opportunities to try new stuff. I really hope people love the show and we get to work on it longer! But either way it was a fun experience!
I'm loving the show so much so far!! The High School memoir released when I was a freshman in college and at a time where I was dealing with my own inner-turmoil and confusion. The memoir helped me to not feel alone in what I was feeling and that made me have hope that it will get better, especially since I was barely getting a grasp at who I was. I binged all of the new episodes and felt so many emotions while watching. I'm so proud of the both of you and that this show is reaching so many new people. I love the representation within these characters and that your story is being told. I can't wait for more episodes! Love you both ❤️
Ashlyn. It's nice to hear that the book made you feel less alone. I hoped for that when we were writing it. And I am even more excited to think this show might find a similar audience of people who needed to see this kind of representation at some point in their life and didn't and now they can. Thanks for sharing!
I love the first 4 episodes! It’s a very special show, I haven’t seen anything like it. I really hope there will be many more seasons
Thanks Romana! I agree. It is special. Lets all keep sharing about the show, and keep our fingers crossed it gets picked up for another season!