Now that "Parenthood" is ending, I recall how much I loved this show and how sad I was to see it canceled. It seems like the best series don't survive the ratings but it probably says less about the viewers and more about who dictates what we watch. Perhaps networks just don't give the public credit for having the consciousness to value anything more than sex and violence. One of the reasons this show didn't get a following is because the network kept moving the air date to different days and times during the week. Family dramas like, "A year in the Life," "Once and Again" and "Parenthood" seem to suffer the same fate. They reflect real life experiences... & that's my kind of "reality TV!"

I just got copies of the mini series and the majority of the first and only season, and wow..does it take me back.This series really stuck with me, and although it's been over 20 years now, I, like various other people that commented here, didn't forget it obviously.I loooovved Amanda Peterson back in the day, that was the big draw for me initially, but it was all about excellent writing and a terrific ensemble of actors.I'm just amazed that I'm actually able to see it again...all thanks to this wacky internet! Great to see that I'm not the only one who loved this series and didn't forget it either.

The original "A Year in the Life," mini-series aired on NBC during the evenings of December 15, 16, and 17, 1986. This is one of the most heart warming and well produced movies that has ever been broadcast. Very few movies impact me the way that this one did. I simply can't understand why it was never released on either VHS or DVD. The musical score, composed by Elizabeth Swados is every bit as moving as the storyline. The writers of this mini-series did an exceptional job and the acting was superb. I was very sad to learn that David Oliver, who plays the role of Sam Gardner, died of AIDS in 1992. Richard Kiley, who died in 1999 does an outstanding job as the father and the overall emotional up and downs portrayed by the rest of the cast reminds me of very real life situations. I originally recorded the movie on VHS, EP mode, so the quality is marginal at best. If anyone learns that this exceptional mini-series becomes available on DVD or if the musical score becomes available on CD, please contact me at [email protected]. If you are reading this but have never seen the original mini-series, try to get your hands on a rare copy that was recorded on VHS and may be available on eBay or from some other source. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

I have been trying to locate this movie for viewing for over a decade. Please help! I saw this movie back in 1986 and thought it was one of the best movies I seen. I would definitely reccommend this movie to be played again on TV or on LIFETIME.