What Counts as “The 90s”?
Because a lot of these shows had particularly long lifespans, some of them ran into the early 2000s before they ultimately left television.
For the purposes of this article, I’m going to consider any TV show that had at least half of its run between 1990 and 1999 or ran through more than half of the decade.
With that guideline, I should be able to get all of the shows that dominated TV during the 1990s while ignoring shows that are predominately thought of as 1980s or 2000s shows.
Additionally, I’m not going to include any animated shows, as they’re a different beast entirely and they deserve their own list.
Related:Why Is 90s TV So Popular Again?
15. Saved By the Bell (1989)
Saved By the Bellis a goofy show that screams 90s. Zach Morris and his friends grow up before our very eyes. There’s romance, hijinks, and Mr. Belding. What more could you want from a sitcom?
The success of the show is truly undeniable that it led to many spinoffs, including a reboot. And never forget the Funny or Die videos that tookSaved by the Bell(and other sitcoms) into dark and unusual places.
Related:The Best Nerdy TV Characters of All Time
14. Boy Meets World (1993)
Boy Meets Worldstars Ben Savage, the brother of Fred Savage (the star ofThe Wonder Years). The show follows Ben’s character Cory and his friends as they grow up and experience the world.
The show is actually quite similar in structure toThe Wonder Years—which had a five-year run that ended whenBoy Meets Worldstarted—but, in the end, I think it’s a more effective story overall.
13. Home Improvement (1991)
Probably the most iconic line from Tim Allen’sHome Improvementisn’t a line at all. Instead, the show is known for his iconic grunt.
The clumsy Tim “The Toolman” Taylor hosts his own home improvement show while raising a family. His ineptitude is what makes the show hilarious, and the interesting dynamic with his family and friends really rounds out the classic sitcom.
12. NewsRadio (1995)
The 90s had its fair share of zany showbiz workplace sitcoms, but one of the best and most underrated of them wasNewsRadio. The series starsKids in the Hallmember Dave Foley as a by-the-books news radio director who has to keep his ragtag news team organized.
The series is packed with workplace antics, done by unforgettable comics, including Vicki Lewis as eccentric secretary Beth and Phil Hartman as brash news co-anchor Bill. Give it a watch if you haven’t!
11. The Nanny (1993)
The Nannyis the brainchild and signature project of comedienne Fran Drescher, so much so that it’s impossible to think of her without recognizing her character of Fran Fine and her iconic laugh.
The trope of the out-of-shape caretaker is nothing new for sitcoms, butThe Nannymade it fresh, largely thanks to Drescher’s charm and her camaraderie with her cast of colorful characters. To this day, it’s a classic sitcom that’s worth revisiting.
10. Everybody Loves Raymond (1996)
Ray Romano became a household name largely thanks to the success ofEverybody Loves Raymond, the sitcom where everything that happens in the Barone residence is tinged with dysfunction.
Ray has nowhere to go and no other option than to coddle his family, especially his demanding parents Marie (played by Doris Roberts) and Frank Barone (played by Peter Boyle).
Other characters are equally memorable, with the standout being doofus brother Robert (played by Brad Garrett). As a comedy series about middle-class life and everyman scenarios, it really is timeless.
Related:The Most Dysfunctional TV Show Families
9. Married With Children (1987)
Married With Childrenis a show that would probably never fly in today’s culture, but at the time it was hilarious in its own offensive way. The interactions between Al Bundy and his wife and children—and even complete strangers—are absurdly great.
Ed O’Neill is the MVP of the show, taking Bundy as the prototypical husband to over-the-top places that surpass even the most obnoxious animated sitcom dads. The raunchy, tongue-in-cheek humor has madeMarried With Childrena long-time favorite.
8. Family Matters (1989)
What started as a show about a black Chicago family quickly evolved into the Steve Urkel show. The iconic nerd took the world by storm with his clumsy antics and his undying love for Laura Winslow.
He causes more problems for the Winslow family than anything else, but they keep coming back for more—and even though the show jumps the shark in latter seasons, it’s still entertaining to the end.
7. Mr. Bean (1990)
Slapstick is the foundation of all comedy. That’s why the physical comedy and wacky gags of Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and The Three Stooges remain timeless to this day. Oh, and don’t forget Mr. Bean!
As Rowan Atkinson’s most popular character, Mr. Bean gave him the liberty to break norms and act out his man-child antics. Despite only running for 14 half-hour episodes,Mr. Beanmade him into one of the most recognizable funnymen on the planet.
Related:The Best Silent TV Characters Who Don’t Speak
6. The Larry Sanders Show (1992)
As satire of late-night talk shows and sitcoms,The Larry Sanders Showwas a unique sell. It stars Garry Shandling as the titular talk show host: a humble presenter on camera, but a frantic person behind the scenes.
Despite its well-deserved praise, the unconventional format can be a lot to take for sitcom fans. Nowadays,The Larry Sanders Showis regarded as the show that changed the sitcom formula—and it’s still funny!
Related:What’s an Anti-Sitcom? Explained (With Great Examples)
5. Murphy Brown (1989)
Candice Bergen is one of TV’s most reliable comediennes who can easily land a punchline, but she more than stretched her witty talents with the highly successfulMurphy Brown. She stars as the titular journalist, who keeps overcoming her challenges to advance her career.
One of the charms of this groundbreaking sitcom is its balance between lighter moments and hard-hitting issues. All it takes is a well-grounded lead who can beat the odds, much like Bergen herself.
4. Frasier (1993)
Frasieris the perfect example of how good a spinoff TV series can be. In fact, it stands on its own so well that a lot of fans might forget that Dr. Frasier Crane originally came fromCheers(which would definitely be on this list if it came out at the right time).
What separatesFrasierfromCheersis the endless clever banter and comic tension in Frasier’s apartment and his radio show. Truly a classic.
Related:The Best TV Sitcoms of the 2000s
3. Friends (1994)
Friendsis one of the most beloved sitcoms of all time. The crew of Rachel, Ross, Monica, Chandler, Joey, and Phoebe make up some of the most recognizable characters in television history. Even people who haven’t really seenFriendsknow who they are.
Their story unfolded over the course of 10 seasons and managed to keep fans glued through its entire run. The show is funny, heartwarming, willing to push the limits, and gets so much right.
Related:Who Is the Best Friends Character? The Main Cast, Ranked
2. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990)
I had a really hard time ordering the top three shows on the list.Friends,The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and the number one show on this list all have some incredible aspects…
…and in the end, I feel good calling Will Smith’s comedy about a kid from Philly who moves to ritzy Bel-Air the second-best sitcom of the 90s.
And it’s not just because it was groundbreaking!The Fresh Prince of Bel-Airwill make you laugh, cry, and wonder how Will Smith is able to get in so much trouble without getting kicked out!
Related:The Best Butler Characters in Movies and TV Shows, Ranked
1. Seinfeld (1989)
The answer to which show should be number one was in front of me the whole time: of course, it’sSeinfeld. Jerry Seinfeld and his hilarious friends come together for a nearly perfect television show about nothing.
Each episode is a nicely contained little story that’s enjoyable for everyone, andSeinfeldpioneered all kinds of tropes and storylines that would eventually become sitcom clichés. It even ends with a fantastic episode, which is more than most shows can say.
Related:The Funniest Seinfeld Scenes and Moments, Ranked
