As the Beatles hit song Obla Di Obla Da opened Life Goes On with said lyric, it opened on a family show where people looked real and acted real. It was a groundbreaking show in so many ways, not the least of which it had a high functioning Down's Syndrome cast member.
Obviously Chris Burke was limited in his casting potential nevertheless a whole group of people suddenly became visible for America. That in and of itself would have made the show landmark.
But Life Goes On also had the first person with AIDS as a regular. Chad Lowe younger brother of Brat Pack stalwart Rob Lowe played a kid with AIDS and he was shown firstly as a heterosexual kid who caught the virus. That went a long way in dispelling the myth it was a 'gay disease'. Lowe had as normal life as possible under the circumstances.
One aspect of Lowe's character that was not handled well, but quite frankly who knew how to handle it then. In those days it was pretty much of a death sentence eventually. Now with a lot of the advances made in medicine that is no longer the case. But when the series ended somewhat abruptly it was with gloom and foreboding for Chad Lowe's character.
The center of the show was Kellie Martin typical American teen who carried a statue of liberty size torch for the high school hunk Tommy Puett. It sadly was never to be for them as Puett's character was killed off in the 3rd season.
Reading here that parents Bill Smitrovich and Patty Lupone couldn't stand each other. I suspect that had a lot to do with canceling Life Goes On.
But it was good while it lasted.
Obviously Chris Burke was limited in his casting potential nevertheless a whole group of people suddenly became visible for America. That in and of itself would have made the show landmark.
But Life Goes On also had the first person with AIDS as a regular. Chad Lowe younger brother of Brat Pack stalwart Rob Lowe played a kid with AIDS and he was shown firstly as a heterosexual kid who caught the virus. That went a long way in dispelling the myth it was a 'gay disease'. Lowe had as normal life as possible under the circumstances.
One aspect of Lowe's character that was not handled well, but quite frankly who knew how to handle it then. In those days it was pretty much of a death sentence eventually. Now with a lot of the advances made in medicine that is no longer the case. But when the series ended somewhat abruptly it was with gloom and foreboding for Chad Lowe's character.
The center of the show was Kellie Martin typical American teen who carried a statue of liberty size torch for the high school hunk Tommy Puett. It sadly was never to be for them as Puett's character was killed off in the 3rd season.
Reading here that parents Bill Smitrovich and Patty Lupone couldn't stand each other. I suspect that had a lot to do with canceling Life Goes On.
But it was good while it lasted.