From Tamagotchi pets to board games like Hungry Hungry Hippos to pagers that were larger-than-life, the ’90s were a whole mood. The era also produced stellar shows like Friends, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, The Simpsons, and more.
Simply put, the ’90s was an undefeated era. Television back then was memorable, producing many iconic moments still talked about today. It was nearly impossible to resist parking in front of the TV for “TGIF” Fridays when all your favorite shows were on.
Admittedly, I still throw on episodes of shows I’ve seen dozens of times to cackle hysterically like I’ve never seen them. It’s peak washed behavior, but I make no apologies.
It got me thinking that there must be other people who do this as well and could use a list of highly underrated shows to add to their binge-watch shenanigans.
Grab your favorite comfort food and a spot on the couch, and live your best ’90s life with this (totally biased, but also correct) list.
10
Step By Step
Aside from singing the show’s theme song at obnoxiously loud levels, Step by Step must be in your rotation. Dude. Cody Lambert deserves justice. Enough said.
Where to watch: HBO Max
9
Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper
Hangin with Mr. Cooper makes the list at number nine because Raven-Symoné was ahead of her time. From her deadpan humor and dry wit to her brutal honesty, her character Nicole kept it real with Mark, Vanessa and Robin.
Leave it to your own people to tell you when you fail at life.
Where to watch: Prime Video and HBO Max
8
Smart Guy
Tahj Mowry made Smart Guy believable as a 10-year-old whiz kid bussin’ high school, but it’s Mowry’s on-screen brother, Jason Weaver, and his best friend, played by Omar Gooding, that make the show side-splittingly funny.
Marcus and Mo constantly got T.J. into things he rarely requested to be in and then asked for his help to bail the whole group out of trouble — pure chaos in the best way possible.
Where to watch: Disney+
7
Clarissa Explains It All
Speaking of reoccurring characters that make the show, somebody should have given Sam from Clarissa Explains It All a raise. With his impeccable timing and obviously genius mind, Clarissa’s best friend always seemed to find a way to climb the proverbial ladder out of anything she mischievously created.
In his words, “What’s the worst that can happen?”
Where to watch: Prime Video and Paramount Plus
6
Sabrina the Teenage Witch
Sabrina the Teenage Witch, was guaranteed to make the list from Sabrina’s cat Salem’s antics alone. However, the interactions between Sabrina and her aunts, Hilda and Zelda, were chaotic-as-hell and rarely produced good results.
At any rate, this is a 10-out-of-10, five-star worthy show that should not be questioned.
Where to watch: Hulu and Prime Video
5
Martin
Wazzup, Wazzup, Wazzuuup! Martin had some profound one-liners. It’s hard not to hear, “You go, girl!” and not want to run through a brick wall.
Also, Shenenneh was dropping gems like “Oh my goodness!” and “I’m a laaaady.” that needed a conversation. Until that talk happens, somebody should figure out what Tommy does for a living. It’s still unclear.
Where to watch: Prime Video and HBO Max
4
The Nanny
Oh, Mr. Sheffield! You talk about The Nanny, and you’re automatically hearing that iconic phrase in Fran Drescher’s voice. It’s also probably just as hard not to randomly break out in public singing the theme song.
Besides that, I would have paid good Monopoly money to figure out what secrets Niles, the butler, knew. Somebody still needs to answer for this.
Where to watch: HBO Max
3
Moesha
Mo to the E to the, Mo to the E to the… excuse me while I vibe out here. Besides a star-studded cast, Moesha had storylines for days. Viewers can likely remember where they were when Moesha realized that her dad, Frank, had been hiding her cousin/brother Dorian in plain sight — completely unhinged drama.
Where to watch: Prime Video or Paramount Plus
2
Sister, Sister
Go home, Roger! Sister, Sister captured the hearts of millions with real-life twins Tia and Tamera Mowry figuring out life one oops at a time. Their neighbor, Roger, was there to witness it all as other entertainers and actors seemed to find a way into their adventures.
From the late Kobe Bryant to Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell to another set of twins, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, viewers never knew who would appear next. You loved to see it.
Where to watch: Hulu and Prime Video
1
Living Single
Living Single was the original torch bearer for single friends all living together (or nearby) trying to figure out life and the awful ’90s dating scene one day at a time.
Khadijah “Don’t need ya” James, Synclaire James “in technicolor and sound,” Overton Wakefield Jones, Regine Hunter, Kyle Barker, and Maxine Shaw, “Attorney at Law” were the best mix of inadvertently hilarious moments that a viewer could ask for.
They dealt with it all: comically bad dates, messy relationships, children, careers, etc. Yet, they never lost the ability to roast each other savagely.
Poetic justice.
Where to watch: Hulu and HBO Max
