Written by I came to a startling realization the other night while watching an episode of RuPaul’s Drag U on the very “new to us” Logo channel (our cable provider did not begin to carry it until late last month). My realization was that it’s been ages since, for good or ill, I’ve reviewed any television series for this blog. The last time was in October.
Now, I admit, I’m not a big TV watcher. It does not bother me to not turn a set on all day/evening/weekend. I do have a couple of shows I like and if I am in front of the set, I’ll watch one if it’s on but I gravitate toward movies more than anything. I’m more apt to choose to watch a movie that I like that I’ve seen several times than to watch a new episode of a TV show that I like equally…unless the show is The Big Bang Theory but, I digress!
I do enjoy watching videos online and, now, on my smartphone. One internet television series that I always tried to catch the new episodes of when it was running was “Anyone But Me”. The show had 3 “seasons” starting in 2008 and a series finale in 2011. Each show in the series ran about 10-15 minutes, on average.
Anyone But Me started out as the story of lesbian New York high school student Vivian (played by the award winning Rachael Hip-Flores) who moved with her father to suburban Westchester County and to a new school from the Manhattan school where she was out and happily coupled. Vivian attempted to retain her relationship with her girlfriend Aster (Nicole Pacent) while hiding who she really was in her new location. You can imagine the consequences and the story lines that came as a result.
The series developed and grew as the actors – who were all in their early 20s to begin with – did. New characters came and went. New story lines emerged. Crisis were averted and worked through. There was a lot there.
I would like to note that this was very well acted. These 20 somethings playing teenage high school students were convincing, talented actors and the recent “real TV” acting credits for Hip-Flores and others speaks volumes. It ended because high school ends and people become adults and try and find their way. Is this a series for teens? Yes. Is it just for teens? Heavens no!
All three seasons and the finale are available to watch online, free of charge, anytime. Season one of Anyone But Me was released on DVD in 2010. If you just have to own it then click the season one link or the graphic below. Hopefully, plans are in the works to release the entire series to DVD.
