As a Gen-Xer, I believe that the 1990s featured excellent sitcoms thriving on both cable and network TV.While many gained widespread popularity and stole the spotlight, there are countless worthy sitcoms that have since fallen into complete obscurity and deserve some attention.We’ve selected nine forgotten 1990s sitcoms still worth watching, and our top pick is a must-see comedic gem from 1998 that is led by one of Hollywood's most beloved icons.
9 Get A Life America’s most lovable man child Comedian Chris Elliott () co-created and starred in , a two-season sitcom about a 30-year-old man who still lives at home and works his teenage paper route.Chris Peterson (Elliott) refuses to grow up.He’s excessively bone-headed, lacks ambition, and is perfectly content living above his parents’ garage, working as a paperboy.
While he interacts with his family and friends, hilarity ensues as he tries to avoid as much responsibility as he possibly can.With a bizarre dark sense of humor, the show pushed boundaries for American network television, rethinking what was possible for the sitcom format.is available to stream on Prime Video with a Shout!TV subscription and for free on Tubi.
8 The Critic Not all movie reviews are positive is an animated sitcom about a TV movie critic living and working in New York City.Jon Lovitz stars in the two-season show, which ran from 1994 to 1995.When his tyrannical media mogul boss forces him to write positive reviews of the most pathetic films, Jay Sherman (Lovitz) instead offers withering, mean-spirited critiques like, “It stinks.” In between his televised reviews, he contends with life as a divorced, single father, punctuated with plenty of slice-of-life humor from living in the Big Apple.
Despite its brief run, built up a cult classic following craving its own pop-culture-oriented animated fun.It’s also, arguably, a career-best performance from Lovitz.is available to stream on Tubi.
The Critic TV-PG Animation Comedy Drama Release Date 1994 - 2001-00-00 Network ABC, FOX Directors Bret Haaland, Lauren MacMullan, Alan Smart, Rich Moore, Dan Jeup, Brian Sheesley, David Cutler, Steven Dean Moore, Susie Dietter, Chuck Sheetz Cast Jon Lovitz, Christine Cavanaugh, Charles Napier, Judith Ivey, Gerrit Graham, Nancy Cartwright, Doris Grau, Maurice LaMarche, Billy Crystal, Judd Apatow, Kath Soucie, Park Overall, Russi Taylor, Nick Jameson, Tress MacNeille, Rhea Perlman, Morwenna Banks, Jennifer Lien, Rex Reed, June Lockhart, Rod McKuen, Geraldo Rivera, Pamela Reed, Rod Steiger, Bob Costas Writers Jon Vitti, Steve Tompkins, Ken Keeler, Patric M.Verrone, Tom Brady, Jennifer Ventimilia, Joshua Sternin, Steven Levitan, Max Pross, Nell Scovell Main Genre Animation Creator(s) Mike Reiss, Al Jean Producers Al Jean, James L.Brooks, Mike Reiss Seasons 2 Powered by Expand Collapse 7 Malcolm & Eddie Polar opposite roommates land a big payday Premiering in 1996 on UPN, is a four-season sitcom headlined by comedian Eddie Griffin and the late Malcolm-Jamal Warner.
Malcolm McGee (Warner) is a considerate, reserved young man living in Kansas City.His roommate, tow truck business owner Eddie Sherman (Griffin), is much more energetic and impulsive.After winning a large sum of money, the two decide to buy their entire apartment building, including the bar beneath it.
The premise isn’t original, but the lead duo share rib-tickling chemistry and make it work.Stream on Tubi.Malcolm & Eddie TV-PG Comedy Release Date 1996 - 2000-00-00 Network UPN Directors Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Mark Cendrowski, John Tracy, Ken Whittingham, Amanda Bearse, Joel Zwick, David W.
Duclon, Jim Drake Cast Carl Gordon, Carmen Electra, Christopher Daniel Barnes, David Anthony Higgins, Eddie Griffin, Jazz Raycole, Kelly Hu, Kurt Rambis, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Natashia Williams, Tommy Lister Jr., Valarie Rae Miller, Debi Gutierrez, Jason Olive, Paulette Braxton, Karen Malina White, Jaime Cardriche, Miriam Flynn, Ron Pearson, Tommy Davidson, Arnetia Walker, Meta Golding, Alexia Robinson, Michelle Hurd, Cindy Herron Writers Joel Madison, J.Elvis Weinstein, Preston A.Whitmore II, Richard Dubin, Andrew Gottlieb, Eddie Griffin, Doug McIntyre Producers George Jackson, Jeff Franklin Seasons 4 Powered by Expand Collapse Apple TV 4K Operating System tvOS Resolution 4K Immerse yourself in stunning 4K HDR with Apple TV 4K.
Stream your favorite content with exceptional clarity and color, powered by the A15 Bionic chip.Enjoy seamless access to apps, games, and Apple Originals, all with the convenience of Siri voice control and personalized recommendations.Audio codecs Dolby Atmos RAM/storage 64GB or 128GB Connectivity Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi and Ethernet $129 at Apple $135 at Amazon $130 at Best Buy Expand Collapse 6 Dharma & Greg A reliably funny relationship sitcom Co-created by Chuck Lorre, the 1997 sitcom takes the tried-and-true domestic dynamic and repositions it as a marriage between its leads, Jenna Elfman and Thomas Gibson.
Despite their clear differences, free-spirited Dharma Finkelstein (Elfman) and tight-laced Greg Montgomery (Gibson) impulsively decide to tie the knot on their first date.Their relationship is continuously tested as they actually get to know each other and work to overcome their contentious perspectives.Elfman’s effervescent charm carries most of the show’s humor, which yielded five entertaining seasons.
is available for purchase on Amazon.Dharma & Greg Sitcom Romance Comedy Release Date 1997 - 2002-00-00 Cast Jenna Elfman, Thomas Gibson, Susan Sullivan, Mitchell Ryan, Mimi Kennedy, Alan Rachins, Shae D'lyn, Joel Murray Main Genre Sitcom Creator(s) Chuck Lorre, Dottie Dartland Zicklin Seasons 5 Powered by Expand Collapse 5 Smart Guy Before Sheldon, there was T.J.was practically a staple of 1990s television.
The show followed twin sisters Tia and Tamera Mowry.1997's stars Tahj Mowry, the younger brother of Tia and Tamera.is less remembered than but it deserves just as much recognition.
T.J.Henderson is a boy genius whose intelligence allows him to skip several grades and go straight to high school.The brainy and vulnerable T.J.tries hard to fit in with his older classmates, including his older brother Marcus, with whom he has a complex relationship.
Mowry proves himself as much of a comedic natural as his sisters and keeps the show’s flow running for three solid seasons.Stream on Disney+.Smart Guy TV-G Comedy Drama Kids Release Date 1997 - 1999-00-00 Where to watch Close WHERE TO WATCH Streaming Network The WB Cast Arvie Lowe, Jr., Bryton James, Essence Atkins, Haylie Johnson, John Marshall Jones, Kim Johnston Ulrich, Sarah Lilly, Tahj Mowry, Tamera Mowry-Housley, Tia Mowry, Fred Applegate, Jason Weaver, Omar Gooding, La'Myia Good, Reagan Gomez-Preston, Monica McSwain, J.D.
Walsh, Natashia Williams, Bianca Lawson, Cory Hardrict, Roxanne Beckford, Shawn Michael Howard, Yeardley Smith, Coby Bell, V.P.Oliver Directors Ted Wass, James Hampton, Mark Cendrowski, Joe Regalbuto, Sheldon Epps, Terri McCoy, David Kendall, Jeff McCracken Writers Douglas Tuber, Tim Maile, Adam I.Lapidus, Frank Dungan Producers Bob Young, Danny Kallis Seasons 3 Powered by Expand Collapse 4 Damon 13 episodes of silly brotherly love As the 1990s arrived, comedian Damon Wayans and his family redefined television comedy with In Living Color on Fox.
By the end of the decade, he returned to headline his own sitcom, .Wayans stars as Damon Thomas, a smooth, single undercover police detective in Chicago who is always coming up with hilarious schemes to aid his investigations.Damon is joined by his married older brother Bernard (David Alan Grier).
The show explores the differences between the two brothers and their places in their personal lives and careers.is available to stream on Plex.3 Stark Raving Mad A literary twist on an dynamic Neil Patrick Harris () and Tony Shalhoub ()star in , a 1999 sitcom about an eccentric horror novelist and his new editor.
Ian Stark (Shalhoub) is a best-selling novelist who enjoys pulling pranks.His new editor, Henry McNeeley (Harris), is riddled with visible anxieties, a wide range of fears, and obsessive-compulsive disorder, making him the perfect target for Stark’s antics.As Stark prepares his next book, the two must learn to work together to be successful.
Their rapport deepens across its 22 episodes, and the show exhibited great potential before meeting an untimely end.It’s a perfect example of why not to ignore a canceled show.is available to stream on Plex.
2 Spaced An overlooked British classic with a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score It’s difficult to believe, but filmmaker Edgar Wright’s first major collaboration with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost was not for .It was for , a 1999 British sitcom about two strangers who pose as a couple to qualify for a cheap apartment rental.As Tim Bisley (Pegg) and Daisy Steiner (Shaun of the Dead's Jessica Stevenson) get used to living together, they experience oddly surreal adventures, often accompanied by their friends, including Mike Watt (Frost).
As the duo try to maintain their ruse, they find their dynamic strained and their combined friend group affected.Though it only ran for 14 episodes, Spaced makes for an excellent quick binge of pop culture references informing its gags, justifying its perfect Rotten Tomatoes score.Stream on Prime Video.
Spaced TV-14 Comedy Release Date 1999 - 2001-00-00 Where to watch Close WHERE TO WATCH Streaming Powered by Expand Collapse 1 Two Guys and a Girl A story of friendship and adulting ...and pizza Before he was Deadpool, Ryan Reynolds starred in the long-forgotten 1990s sitcom in 1998.The oringal title was, and the show was set at and around a Boston pizza parlor.
Berg (Reynolds) is a perpetual slacker who works at the same restaurant and attends the same college with his roommate Pete (Richard Ruccolo).Sharon (Traylor Howard) also lives with them while she completes her college studies.Once she starts her professional career, she becomes their upstairs neighbor and helps keep them in line and gives them perspective.
Reynolds brings his usual wry charm to the narrative, which is enhanced in season two when Nathan Fillion () joins as Sharon’s love interest.The show is a must-watch for fans of its lead actors.is available for purchase on Amazon.
Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place TV-14 Comedy Romance Release Date 1998 - 2001-00-00 Network ABC Directors Michael Lembeck, Leonard R.Garner, Jr., Gail Mancuso, John Fortenberry, Ted Wass, Robby Benson, Wil Shriner, Gil Junger, Amanda Bearse, Brian K.Roberts, Gordon Hunt, James Widdoes Powered by Expand Collapse Still worth watching From family-driven comedies to coming-of-age hilarity, there’s an obscure 1990s sitcom for everyone out there.
These forgotten sitcoms are easy to binge over a lazy weekend, making them well worth watching and fully deserving of modern reappraisal.
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