Unleash Your '90s Nostalgia with These Must-Watch TV Shows

Summary

The 1990s was a golden era for TV shows, with a mix of dramas, sitcoms, and sketch comedies that are still beloved today.

In the 1990s, popular TV shows such as "Friends," "Dawson's Creek," and "Beverly Hills, 90210" addressed significant social issues, while "The Nanny" and "Clarissa Explains It All" provided comedic relief. The inclusion of a diverse cast in "All That" and the trailblazing female-led "Clarissa Explains It All" set the stage for future television shows, creating a sense of nostalgia for the decade.

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The 1990s was a memorable decade for TV shows, with a special sense of nostalgia attached to it. It was known for its dramas like ER, which blended with other genres like sci-fi (The X-Files) and horror (Buffy the Vampire Slayer). However, sitcoms also played a significant role in this era, with many becoming timeless classics and regarded as some of the best TV shows ever made. Besides sitcoms, the 1990s also brought a variety of other TV content. It was a peak period for popular TV networks like Nickelodeon and MTV, which housed successful and unforgettable shows. The decade catered to viewers of all ages and tastes, offering a wide range of shows that can evoke a strong sense of nostalgia. Here are 13 TV shows from the 1990s that are sure to bring back memories and ignite a wave of nostalgia.

13 Moesha

Moesha is a well-known sitcom that originally aired on UPN from 1996 to 2001, running for a total of six seasons. The show revolves around the life of Moesha, portrayed by Brandy Norwood, who is a teenager belonging to an upper-middle-class family residing in Los Angeles. With its relatable content, the series tackles significant issues faced by teenagers, including teen pregnancy, drug use, and the loss of a parent. Moreover, Moesha also incorporates intriguing family drama by unveiling shocking family secrets.

12 Smart Guy

Smart Guy Disney

Smart Guy, a popular sitcom that aired on The WB from 1997 to 1999, revolved around the life of T.J. Henderson (Tahj Mowry), a remarkably intelligent young boy who entered high school at the tender age of 10. However, his extraordinary intellect did not alleviate the challenges he faced in fitting in with his older peers. The show focused on T.J.'s relentless endeavors to adapt to the high school environment while still being a small child, all the while highlighting the contrasting dynamics between his exceptional intelligence and his brother's underachievement. Additionally, Smart Guy occasionally delved into more serious subjects, including an episode that shed light on the dangers of online strangers and predators.

11 All That

All That, a television series, was likened to Saturday Night Live but tailored for children. It was broadcasted on Nickelodeon for ten seasons from 1994 to 2005. Similar to SNL, it consisted of brief comedic sketches and featured a musical guest every week while maintaining an age-appropriate tone for its young audience. The show received acclaim for its diverse cast, comedic style, and impact on children's television. Moreover, it served as a launching pad for numerous Nickelodeon stars like Amanda Bynes, Nick Cannon, Kel Mitchell, Jamie Spears, and Kenan Thompson.

10 Blossom

Blossom, an NBC sitcom that aired from 1991 to 1995, follows the life of an Italian-American teenager named Blossom, portrayed by Mayim Bialik. She lives with her single father, Nick (Ted Wass), and her older brothers Tony (Michael Stoyanov) and Joey (Joey Lawrence). The family is navigating the challenges of their mother, Maddy, choosing to pursue her own career. Additionally, Tony is recovering from addiction while Nick works as a session musician.

Meanwhile, with the assistance of her closest companion, Six LeMeure, Blossom maneuvered through life while often fantasizing about famous individuals offering her guidance. The fashion sense of Blossom, the overall tone of the series, and the presence of Joey Lawrence are sufficient to elicit a strong sense of 1990s nostalgia.

9 Clarissa Explains It All

Clarissa Explains It All aired on Nickelodeon for four seasons, from 1991 to 1994. Starring Melissa Joan Hart as Clarissa Darling, the show revolved around the adventures and misadventures of a teenage girl. Rather uniquely, Clarissa would break the fourth wall and address the audience directly, sharing her thoughts and experiences. From the usual teenage concerns like school, pimples, and getting a driver's license, to dealing with the nuisance of her younger brother Ferguson, Clarissa Explains It All offered a relatable and entertaining perspective on teenage life.

8 The Nanny

Clarissa Explains It All paved the way for other female-led shows on Nickelodeon, being the first TV series on the network to feature a female lead. Just like Blossom, her fashion choices and the slang she and her best friend Sam used are reminiscent of the 1990s.

Airing on CBS from 1993 to 1999, The Nanny is a beloved sitcom. Fran Drescher stars as Fran Fine, a woman who unexpectedly becomes the nanny for Maxwell Sheffield's three children after being fired by her ex-fiancé. Joining in on the comedic chaos at the Sheffield household are the butler, Niles, and Maxwell's business partner, C.C. Babcock. Known for its distinct comedy style, memorable characters, and Fran's fashionable wardrobe, The Nanny stands out as one of the most iconic TV shows of the 1990s.

7 The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

6 Boy Meets World

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, which aired on NBC from 1990 to 1996, is a highly acclaimed sitcom. Starring Will Smith as a fictionalized version of himself, the show revolves around a street-smart teenager from West Philadelphia who is relocated to live with his wealthy uncle and aunt in Bel-Air. While depicting Will's humorous attempts to adapt to a new lifestyle, The Fresh Prince also addresses significant issues from time to time. The show's iconic theme song is bound to stay stuck in the heads of viewers long after they've watched it.

Boy Meets World was an ABC sitcom that aired from 1993 to 2000. Following the journey of Cory Matthews (played by Ben Savage), the show also featured his friends Topanga Lawrence (Danielle Fishel) and Shawn Hunter (Rider Strong) as they grew from childhood to college. Through different ages and stages, Boy Meets World tackled a wide range of topics, starting from innocent themes and delving into more serious ones like substance abuse, child abuse, and cults. This beloved TV show from the 1990s is renowned for its success.

5 Friends

Friends, an NBC sitcom that aired from 1994 to 2004, continues to be hailed as one of the greatest TV shows of all time. Set in New York City, this beloved series revolves around a tight-knit group of six friends – Phoebe, Monica, Joey, Chandler, Rachel, and Ross – as they navigate the challenges of adulthood and strive to maintain balance in all aspects of their lives. Friends not only captures the essence of the 1990s through its fashion, hairstyles (such as the iconic "The Rachel" haircut), and pop culture references, but it also tackles relevant social issues of that era.

4 Dawson’s Creek

Dawson's Creek, an influential teen drama series that aired on The WB from 1998 to 2003, took place in the small town of Capeside, Massachusetts. The show revolved around Dawson Leery (played by James Van Der Beek), an aspiring filmmaker, his childhood friend Joey Potter (Katie Holmes), his best friend Pacey Witter (Joshua Jackson), and the introduction of new girl Jen Lindley (Michelle Williams). Together, they navigated the joys and challenges of their teenage years and early adulthood, incorporating themes such as death, mental health, divorce, and homophobia. Dawson's Creek is often credited with kickstarting the surge of teen TV shows in the late 90s and early 2000s.

3 Beverly Hills, 90210

Beverly Hills, 90210 is an iconic teen drama that originally aired on Fox from 1990 to 2000. Set in the glamorous city of Beverly Hills, the show chronicles the lives of a tight-knit group of friends: Brandon and Brenda Walsh, Kelly, Steve, Andrea, Dylan, David, and Donna. Spanning their journey from high school through college and into adulthood, the series delves into mature themes such as domestic violence, sexual abuse, AIDS, and eating disorders. Widely acclaimed, Beverly Hills, 90210 is indisputably one of the greatest television shows ever created.

2 Daria

From 1997 to 2002, MTV aired Daria, an adult animated sitcom. The show revolved around Daria Morgendorffer (voiced by Tracy Grandstaff), an intelligent and cynical teenage girl residing in the suburban town of Lawndale, Texas. She lived with her parents and her sister, Quinn, who was her polar opposite. Alongside her best friend, Jane Lane, Daria observed and critiqued the world around her, fearlessly addressing real-life social issues while also navigating the challenges of adolescence. Daria, both the character and the show, has since become an iconic representation of the angst prevalent in the 1990s.

1 My So-Called Life

My So-Called Life, a teen drama that aired on ABC from 1994 to 1995, depicts the life of 15-year-old high school student Angela Chase (played by Claire Danes) in the fictional suburban town of Three Rivers. The series centers around Angela's challenges and experiences with her friends, parents, school, and relationships with boys. Renowned for its authentic portrayal of adolescence, My So-Called Life is recognized for its significant contribution to the rise of teen angst-oriented TV dramas. It has achieved the status of a beloved classic from the 1990s and a cult favorite.