The 1990s were definitely one of the most iconic decades in recent memory. From the weird fashion to the hip music it was probably the time to be alive (don't blame this author, he was born in '96.) What made the decade probably the most memorable was the wide variety of programming on television. So here is yet another ranking of the best 90s shows that television had to offer based on the opinions of this author.
10. Rugrats (1991-2003)
Before Rugrats arrived, our only other option on television about little rascals was The Little Rascals (shrug.) Seeing a cartoon character screw up and get into a whole bunch of shenanigans is one thing, but when these characters are only infants it is more interesting. As one of the very first Nicktoons, Rugrats truly changed how we wonder what babies do when we aren't watching. Suspenseful indeed.
9. Hey Arnold! (1996-2004)
While the "older people" had Seinfeld as their "show about nothing," the younger people had something better: a show about nothing featuring a boy with a football-shaped head living in the city. It's diverse cast of characters, interesting story lines, and dealing of relatable issues made this one of my favorite classic Nickelodeon shows.
8. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990-1996)
Believe it or not kids, there was a time when Will Smith was just "some actor on a television show." That television show starring Will Smith was a television show about a guy named Will Smith (oh wow!) who gets sent to live with his rich relatives in Bel-Air, California in their fancy mansion (definitely not a set on a sound stage). Will's ghetto uprising and lifestyle clashes with his relatives' wealthy lifestyle. Sounds very realistic. Yet it was truly hilarious and if you haven't seen it, you should, because it is constantly on repeats every day.
7. Bill Nye the Science Guy (1993-1998)
Chances are you have probably watched at least one episode of this classic in your high school science class. Bill Nye made science so much fun, it made your real science teacher seem like a real, boring, uninteresting person. Bill Nye (Bill! Bill! Bill! Bill!) knew practically every scientific concept there is and did it in a way that your science teacher in school struggled to do. And that theme song though......
6. Full House (1987-1995)
Okay, yes. Technically this is an 80s show but it just seems so 90s to me. The fashion. The music. The pop culture references. The Olsen twins. Everything just seemed so 1990s. Yet why does it matter when it is still so popular today? Like Hey Arnold above, this show dealt with many relative issues in serious but also very comedic ways and gave birth to some of the greatest one-liners in modern television history including "Have Mercy!," "Cut it Out!," and "You Got it Dude!" Fine I will cut it out now.
5. Arthur (1996-Present)
Having fun really isn't hard when you've got a television show about school-aged animals dealing with the same issues we would face, and that is exactly what Arthur has accomplished during it's (still) ongoing 20 year run. I mean, other than Washington D.C., where else can you see a city full of animals trying to "make things better by working together" (as the theme song states) ?
4. Blue's Clues (1996-2004)
Before Dora and her magical friends arrived, the most popular show on Nick Jr was this show about a man, Steve (and then Joe) and his puppy (no the puppy didn't talk or have super powers, although she finally did speak towards the end of the series' run). All of the early skills I learned in life I cite Blue's Clues for teaching me. Nothing felt more exciting than helping Steve find a clue and then figuring out Blue's Clues at the end of each episode. The deductive reasoning skills used in each episode truly have nothing on Sherlock.
3. Family Guy (1999-Present)
Family Guy is probably one of the greatest shows about a bumbling idiot fat-ass, stereotypical housewife, gay baby, pretentious, liberal dog, and 2 nerdy teenagers in television history. Week after week I can't wait to see what stupid antics the Griffins will get into. The pop-culture references and cutaways are pure comedy gold, the situations are over-the-top and bizare, and the show overall is just freakin' sweet.
2. South Park (1997-Present)
No other show on television has been more shocking, offensive, outrageous, crude, politically incorrect, relevant, smart, hilarious, and up to date, all at the same time, than Comedy Central's South Park. Nothing is off limits for this show about four fowl-mouthed fourth graders. Jews. Canadians. Gingers. AIDS. Scientology. Gentrification. Political Correctness. Drugs. Whatever terribly offensive thing you can think off, South Park has made fun of it. Hilariously. I can't wait to see how they will treat Hilary and Trump this fall.
1. SpongeBob SquarePants (1999-Present)
If one didn't think the last remaining Nickelodeon show from the 90s decade wouldn't make it to this countdown, then drop on the deck and flop like a fish. An animated show about a sea sponge who cooks burgers for a living and is best friends with an unintelligent star fish. Brilliant. Sorry Pretty Patties, sequin milkshakes, bow-tie french fries, invisible spray, Krabby Patties, Krabby Patties with jellyfish jelly, Grandma's cookies and sweaters with love in every stitch, canned bread, clarinet trios, squeeky boots, ripped pants, and so on, this is the best idea ever.
