WHEN WE THOUGHT of writing a review for this LIFE GOES ON Series, we didn't realize that it had been on for a total of four years. Looking it up in IMDb records refreshed our memory. With all due respect, working on the Police Department, afternoon shift with rotating days off, preempted us from being home every Sunday, when it aired.THE SERIES DELIVERED in the area that it promised. Being a far cry from depictions of "typical" American families from previous times, this story of the Thatcher family; who, like every family, have their share of bumps in the road of life.THE CAST WAS particularly well chosen; as everyone in the "Thatcher family" has both convincing attitude and appearance. The cast consisted of: Bill Mitovich (Drew Thatcher, Father), Patty LuPone, (Libby Thatcher, Mother), Chris Burke, son Corky), Kellie Martin (Becca Thatcher, Daughter) and Tracey Needham (Paige Thatcher, daughter).THE ONGOING STORYLINE chronicled the day to day struggles of the family at all levels. E.G., Father's construction business goes under and he regroups his energies into operating a restaurant. The Mother faces up to the inevitable changes in life as one ages. Becca struggles with the trials of an adolescent's coming of age.BUT THE MOST groundbreaking and innovative element was introduced in the character of Corky. It is that the younger Mr. Thatcher is a Son; who just happens to be a Down Syndrome teen. Actor Chris Burke, who portrayed Corky, is in real life, so afflicted.THERE COULD WELL have been a tendency for the production team to gravitate toward being preachy and maudlin. This they tastefully avoided and instead they gave us a straightforward, bold and realistic dramatization of a family whose love and devotion for each other, holds them together; all the while they were weathering economic chaos, social set backs and coming to grips with with the cold, cruel treatment that some gave to Corky.WHEN ALL IS considered and LIFE GOES ON is evaluated as a complete series, it surely will be rated as an all time top dramatic series! AND TO THINK, it was on ABC, not on that pretentious tax glutton, PBS.Now, what would Newton Minow say?* NOTE * Newton Minow (1926-) a politically active Chicago lawyer, was appointed as Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission in the Kennedy Administration. In a speech before the National Associatoion of Broadcasters in 1961, he referred to commercial TV as a "vast wasteland."

Life Goes On reminds me of those movies of the week but made for a television series. It's one of those feel-good dramas starring the wonderful Patti LuPone who plays mother to Becca played by the annoying Kellie Martin, (sorry but I avoid her whenever possible!) She's just too perky for me, and Corky played by the wonderful Christopher Burke who really has a down syndrome. The first episode has him getting ready for his first day at the same high school as Becca. She falls for Tyler, the cute good-looking guy who treats Corky like another student. Also Becca has a relationship with Chad Lowe's character who has AIDS. I guess it was groundbreaking at the time and he won an Emmy for it. It's one of those dramas and there is comedy too. Of course, Patti plays the second wife and is stepmother to an older daughter who we never see.

Growing up I used to watch this show, nearly every Sunday night. I still remember trying to finish up last-minute stuff, have my shower and get ready for school the next day in time to watch "Life Goes On" (and on many occasions, "America's Funniest Home Videos" after that) Often I would be running late, and would watch "Life Goes On" in my parents bedroom, practically still dripping wet, wearing a bathrobe, with my hair wrapped up turban-style in a towel to air-dry as my dad ironed his work clothes, and I watched the show.I have LOVED "Life Goes On" for its entire run! It is a poignant and touching family drama, starring Bill Smitrovich and Patti LuPone as "Drew" (Smitrovich) and "Libby" (LuPone) Thatcher, a middle working-class couple, who are dealing with the issue of "mainstreaming" their 18 year old son, Charles "Corky" who has Downs Syndrome into a regular, public high school as a freshman, and all the challenges and trials, tribulations, and triumphs that go along with it.Drew and Libby have their hands full, raising Corky and their 2 other children, twenty-something Paige (Monique Lanier in Season 1, Tracey Needham in Season 2-4) who is Drew's child from a previous marriage, and 14 or 15 year old Rebecca "Becca" while trying to make ends meet on Drew's construction worker salary, and Libby's income as a secretary/clerical worker in an advertising agency.Towards the end of the first season, Drew buys a diner, and quits his back-breaking construction work to run the restaurant, and things start looking up for the Thatchers.Growing up I LOVED watching "Life Goes On", especially because of Kellie Martin, and Monique Lanier. Though I liked Tracey Needham, I was IMMENSELY disappointed when Monique left, and the role of Paige was recast with Tracey. Because up until then, I LOVED Paige best, and then Becca. After Monique left and Tracey assumed the role, it changed and I LOVED Becca best.This is a BEAUTIFUL series, and one of the many nostalgic highlights of my childhood and adolescence.When I think of my childhood and preteen years, I think of shows like "Punky Brewster", "Life Goes On", "Perfect Strangers", "Who's the Boss?", "Head of the Class" and many more! But "Life Goes On" (and a few very select others), had and still does have a very special place in my heart! I CAN'T WAIT until the other 3 seasons are released on DVD! BRING ON SEASONS 2, 3 & 4!!!!!!!!!

Life Goes On was a wonderful show. It never failed to make me cry or laugh. The relationships between the family were heartwarming. I wish it had run longer. I'll never forget the time that Corky rescued a pig and was hiding it in the house! I wish they'd do a reunion show.