I felt this was an excellent show. It had a very strong cast who played a close knit Italian American family with, like all families, both good and bad qualities. This was the backdrop for the main story of their daughter, Lydia, who was trying to be her own person, and discovering just who that was by going to college. It was inspiring and empowering. It was entertaining and had heart. What more do people want? It was quite sad to see it go, especially Heather Paige Kent, who played the lead role of Lydia so well. There must be other great roles out there for her, hopefully soon. Kevin Dillan went on to do well in Entourage, but I liked his role as Lydia's annoying but endearing brother even more.

I highly recommend viewing this show for anyone who is able to find the reruns, bootlegs, and so forth. It was one of that last shows on television that I could actually stand to watch, and did so enthusiastically, thanks to a fantastic cast and writing that never tried to grab attention with extreme, unbelievable sensationalism (as most American TV shows do).This was the story of the Delucca family, an Italian American family living in New Jersey. My favorites, Paul Sorvino and Ellen Burstyn headed up the cast as the parents of the DeLucca family, Frank and Dolly. They were a genuinely sweet pair, and really a pleasant performance to see. Initially, the show started out with Frank DeLucca working as a toll booth collector, then moved on to the DeLucca parents opening a successful restaurant in the city, then changed once more to Dolly winning the election as a city commissioner. Their grown children were Lydia (Heather Paige Kent) and Paulie (Kevin Dillon), though Lydia was initially the primary star of the show in that sort of 20-someting-narrative-of-my-kooky-family kind of way who got divorced and moved back home. Eventually however, the stories began to embrace all characters in more of an equal spot. Add to the mix, one cool Debi Mazar, playing the witty family friend, Jackie. And of course, more people moved into the show as it went along. It looked like the people on the show had a lot of fun working together, and that chemistry was really brought out on the show. The stories were often funny and involved enough subplots to keep these moving along most of the time. The writers were even brave enough to address controversial, political issues once in a great while. Despite being a great show, those idiots at CBS could never help but to put them in poor time slots like Friday and Saturday nights, which isn't such a hot place to be if you're trying to find a niche at least among older audiences (especially late 20 and 30 old females) and you're still a relatively new show. Damn you CBS!

All day today I have phoned tv stations to find out what has happened to this wonderful,quirky show! Alas like all the good shows it has been cut. The talent in this show from Heather Paige Kent to Ellen Burstyn and Paul Sovrino is unreal. No wonder it was so good! But as usual who listens to the viewers!! I know it's 2003 but down here in Australia we have just seen the second series!

Most of the so called "dramas" that the local television networks post on their new season are not the least bit interesting, in fact I find them dull. Though I admit I'm a T.V. addict the majority of the shows (such as the lame and unrealistic "Boston Public") don't catch my attention as I flip through channels during primetime any day of the week. However, the new and eye-catching series "That's life" proves to be different.They don't use young models like in "Dawson's Creek" and isn't at all about young people. It is about a thirtysomething year old Italian woman who wants a college degree in...she doesn't even know yet. The hour is packed with colourful characters, situations and great performances (including some favourites such as Paul Sorvino, Kevin Dillon and the always wonderful Ellen Burstyn). Heather Kent is perfectly cast as Lydia DeLucca, whom the show is based on. The show is also a great piece of filmmaking as it looks like a movie shortend to an hour. A good show, in my opinion, should capture a viewers attention in just one single scene, especially if that show is on television. That's easier said that done, of course. I never usually catch a brand new show during the pilot run but rather about mid season--and that's if it's interesting enough to hook me. Not only is the show fun to watch but it focuses around a practical and possible situation in an entertaning and realistic way. Hopefully, the network won't can the show--like most outstanding shows like the late "Freaks and Geeks"--and will develop a faithful audience. I can't express the shows' originality and intelligence in just words--you have to tune in and see it for yourself. **** out of ****