Ahh, the 90s. The decade of super models, Madonna's infamous cone bra, Courtney Love and Kurt Cobain. And let's not forget Pamela Anderson's strategically cut bathing suit. It was the decade of fashion at its finest (and most simple), but it was also the decade that launched some of TVs greatest hits -- The Fresh Prince, Friends, Beverly Hills 90210, The Rugrats, Hey Arnold, and Seinfeld.
Whenever I'm in need of a good 'pick me up,' I find myself searching Netflix or Hulu for some of my favorite 90s TV shows. Where times were simpler, teenage angst was all the rage, and shows had actual theme songs. What's great about these shows is that life was portrayed realistically. No one was absolutely perfect, and content was more relatable then than it is now (with the exception of a few shows).
Here are five of my favorite 90s TV shows that will never go out of style.
1. Dawson's Creek (1998-2003)
Thank God for OnDemand. I binge watched the entire series in about eight weeks...nine years after it was over. My favorite thing about this show is the female leads. Strong, powerful women saving the world one mortal being at a time from the faces of evil, while also trying to maintain their lives.
3. Buffy The Vampire Slayer
Thirteen years later I finally decided to jump on the Buffy bandwagon. Sarah Michelle Gellar took on the role of Buffy Summers in the TV version, based off the film of the same title, originally starring Kristy Swanson. If you haven't watched the movie, please don't. It's terrible. No offense to the cast and obviously, it was good enough to warrant a TV series, but all in all the movie was horrible so save yourself the trouble. Buffy is known as the 'Slayer,' and comes from a long line of women chosen for one specific purpose: seek and destroy forces of darkness -- vampires, demons, witches, etc. But unlike previous Slayers, Buffy finds herself battling evil with a group of supportive individuals: plain Jane Willow, nerdy yet hilarious Xander, obnoxious Cordelia, and of course let's not forget Mr. Rupert Giles, school librarian and Buffy's guardian angel, if you will. We also get a glimpse of a very young, yet still very handsome David Boreanaz (Bones) as the devilishly good looking vampire, Angel.
4. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990-1996)
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was pop culture at its finest. And it gave us the infamous 'The Carlton.' Does anyone else break out Alfonso Ribeiro's smooth moves when "It's Not Unusual" starts playing?
5. Full House (1987-1995)
"You got it dude!"
"Have mercy!"
"How rude!"
Simple. Cheesy. Heartfelt. Hilarious. Family oriented. This show was everything a sitcom needed to be, and so popular that there is now a spin-off series on Netflix: Fuller House. Set San Francisco, Danny Tanner gets support in the form of two new roommates: best friend and stand-up comedic, Joey and his brother-in-law/party boy, Jesse, after his wife dies and he's left to raise his three daughters: D.J., Stephanie, and Michelle. This show ran for eight years and brought us laughter, music, fashion trends, and most of all, it brought viewers the importance of family and taught us that life might be rough at times, but with family and surrounding yourself with people who love and care about you, you will get through it.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going home to Bel-Air because I don't want to wait for my life to be over and everywhere you look, there is The Slayer and The Charmed Ones to hold on to.
What are your favorite 90s TV shows?
