MSCL was not a great show. It was, however, a good show, but I could see why it got canceled. The characters were always inconsistent with themselves...most of them had no defining character traits, with the exception of the mom who was annoyingly neurotic to the point where it was often painful to watch her. The episodes drag and the plot lines with the parents are contrived and dull.
On the flip side, the show was definitely more true to life than most high school dramas. The characters all spoke like real teenagers and had realistic dialog. The acting was great too. Jared Leto had the teenage burnout thing down pat and Claire Dane's awkward-pouty face captured how many high schoolers felt.
"Freaks & Geeks" is a better example of a realistic high school show.
On the flip side, the show was definitely more true to life than most high school dramas. The characters all spoke like real teenagers and had realistic dialog. The acting was great too. Jared Leto had the teenage burnout thing down pat and Claire Dane's awkward-pouty face captured how many high schoolers felt.
"Freaks & Geeks" is a better example of a realistic high school show.