Apple TV has a five-part docuseries that looks so good, I started crying during the trailer. It’s called Visible: Out on Television Ut “explore(s) the history of the LGBTQ movement through the lens of TV.” One of the pioneers interviewed for the series is Wilson Cruz, who played Ricky Vasquez on My So-Called Life in 1994. In an episode titled So-Called Angels that just celebrated its 25th anniversary, Ricky was kicked out if his home for being gay. In this case, it was art imitating life because Wilson’s own father had kicked him out for the same reason and showrunners used Wilson’s story as inspiration for the episode. However, as the docuseries hopes to show, LGBTQ visibility on TV helped Wilson because right after So-Called Angels aired, his father reached out to him.
Wilson Cruz is looking back on the groundbreaking television series that changed his life forever.
In Apple TV+’s upcoming documentary series, Visible: Out on Television, the openly gay actor, 46, recalls how his role as Rickie Vasquez on the beloved 1994 ABC drama My So-Called Life helped him come to terms with his sexuality.
Cruz tells PEOPLE in this week’s issue that My So-Called Life, which ran for just one season despite critical acclaim, managed to inspire his father to reconcile with him.
“It was through his watching of the series that he was able to understand what my life was really like,” says Cruz, 46. “And we were able to have a conversation a year later because of the story that he was able to watch. And so you look at this man who was incredibly conservative. Growing up, I never thought he would ever accept my sexuality, but because of a TV show, he was able to change his mind.”
“My character Rickie Vasquez gets kicked out of his home on the show and there’s a whole episode about it,” he says. “And I got kicked out of my house at Christmas just like Rickie did. And my father watched that episode. And when the credits rolled, and about 10, 15 minutes later, my phone rings and he said, ‘Hey, I think we need to talk.’ “
“And it was because of his watching the show. And so I went home and we had a conversation that we probably couldn’t have had unless he had sat down and watched,” Cruz says.
This isn’t the first time Wilson has told this story but darn it if I don’t get choked up every time. Obviously, our hope is that any parent who comes to understand their child is LGBTQ reacts as Dwyane Wade and embraces their child and their truth from the outset. However, we also know that is not always the case. In light of that, it is touching to hear when a parent and child reconcile, especially if it is the parent who reaches out because no child wants to be rejected – not at any age and not for any reason. I’m getting choked up writing about this all over again. I’m sure it was Wilson’s mom who got his dad to watch the show in the first place, but still, thank goodness his father agreed.
Wilson’s story is a beautiful example of why visibility is so important. I just started watching Pose (I know!) and it’s gutting me, especially Damon on that park bench. I have no doubt Visible: Out on Television will as well, but I also plan to be inspired by those interviewed. I am posting the link to Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors United Fund again, in case anyone is inspired to help homeless LGBTQ teens.
Watch the revolution. #VisibleOutOnTV premieres February 14, only on Apple TV+. https://t.co/2g5NSZFiTi pic.twitter.com/aMD8HLSLPo
— Apple TV (@AppleTV) January 19, 2020
Photo credit: WENN/Avalon and Twitter
Aww I’m going to have to watch this! What a great story.
I remember my so called life, I was 15 when it came out just like the main character. I was so bummed when it was cancelled. I wonder why they didn’t do a second season if it was successful?
IIRC, the problem was that it wasn’t very successful numbers wise. Critics loved it, preteens and teens loved it, but it was a primetime show that was trying to capture a larger audience, and not getting those adult eyeballs killed it. I remember that Seventeen Magazine announced a letter writing campaign after it was cancelled, and not even that saved it. 😔
Pose is amazing. I loved my so called life. I thought it was So brave at the time to talk about LGBTQ back then.
I just realized I forgot to go back and watch Pose. I stopped cause I got so mad at Patti LuPone’s character and the Salon story! Lol.
(Patti LuPone is my theatre idol.)
I feel season one is better then two. For whatever reason, one seemed to have more substance. Maybe because I’m a child of the 80’s, but the music, fashion, environment all struck a cord with me.
I loved that show. I was a newlywed when it came out and had said when I had kids, if I had a girl I would name it Rayanne. My sister hated that name and joked She hopes I have all boys which is exactly what happened.
Whatever gets people to accept others’ sexuality is a plus in my book. There’s been as so much hate and rejection from older generations. I’m glad he can forgive his dad too!
So if his dad hadn’t watched the show, he would still be shunning his son….kicking him out to fend for himself on Christmas Day; a heartless and cruel thing to do. Dad doesn’t deserve any awards here. I’ve heard this story far too often where the parents don’t accept their gay or transgender child and kick them out onto the streets to become homeless and destitute. It gets more sickening every time I hear it. These are not good Christians, in any sense of the word.
I remember that episode so clearly. It just ripped your heart out. There was a teen runaway (kind of a ghost who appeared to Angela’s mom), and she had frozen to death after being thrown out of her home.
I was four years older than the kids on that show, and had just been through some of those adolescent crises (not being thrown out, thankfully), and wow, that show spoke to me. I could see my relationship with my mom, right up there on the screen.
And yeah, Ricky was a big deal to my generation.
Me too. I am remember when the girl is talking to Angela’s mom and there’s no pause or anything before she asks if she has an another question and Mrs Chase says « how did you die? »
MSCL exists through reruns but with today’s social media it would have carried on. I always wondered what would have happened between Angela and Jordan because the show was pretty clear that it was Angela’s story and, though they gave a bit of depth to Catalano with his learning disability, there’s no way he is good boyfriend material. He slept with her best friend! I wonder if they would have chosen the path of forgiveness or the path of self-assertion and self-worth. He was a dreamboat for sure but the show was trying to be deeper your typical « girl gets popular boy »