Summary

• The 1990s was a time of major social change, and TV shows like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air tackled deep issues around gender, family structures, and race.
• Major TV series like Twin Peaks pushed the boundaries of serialized television and had a lasting impact on the way stories are told on TV.
• The 1990s was a strong decade for television and shows like Full House, Boy Meets World, and Buffy The Vampire Slayer were essential in understanding the cultural landscape of that time.

There are some television series that have become associated with the time in which they were produced, and in the 1990s, several TV shows were essential to understanding that decade. Some shows challenged societal expectations and led to changes in the way that audiences viewed and perceived the world. Other TV shows developed strong and unique characters who became iconic representations of the decade they were on the air. There were also shows that pushed the boundaries of what was possible on television and had a lasting impact on the way media is produced and majorly influenced the subsequent development of the modern television landscape.

The 1990s was a time of major social change and shifting attitudes towards everything, including gender, family structures, and race. Television shows such as The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air tackled deep issues around these subjects, influencing audience perception. Majorly important television series like Twin Peaks pushed the boundaries of what could be achieved with serialized television and had a strong influence on the type of stories that would be told in the future. The 1990s was a strong decade for television, and there are so many shows that are essential to understanding that time.

10 Full House (1987 – 1995)

Full House helped subvert social expectations of traditional family structures

Full House was the most successful family-orientated sitcom of its time, dealing with a widowed father raising his three daughters with his brother-in-law and best friend. The show was a weekly staple that helped shape pop culture in the 1990s. By subverting the traditional family, Full House portrayed the challenges of raising children and navigating complex family relationships. Full House was the first role for 1990s icons, the Olsen twins, Mary-Kate and Ashley, who were cast when they were just six months old. The fashion, catchphrases, and wholesome nature of Full House paved the way for later family sitcoms like Boy Meets World and 7th Heaven.

9 Boy Meets World (1993 – 2000)

Boy Meets World delivered important moral lessons for young people during the 1990s

The coming-of-age story Boy Meets World followed Cory Matthews journey from childhood into adulthood and delivered powerful messages about the difficulties of being an adolescent in the 1990s. With an overall theme of discovering one’s identity, Boy Meets World provided key moral lessons and guidance for young people navigating life’s challenges. The character Angela’s interracial relationship with Shawn broke down boundaries for major television series targeted at young people. Boy Meet World continually addressed important cultural issues like child abuse, sexual harassment, and underage drinking.

8 Baywatch (1989 – 2001)

Baywatch captured the light easy-going nature of the 1990s

Baywatch was a global success in the 1990s due to its iconic slow-motion running sequences, beautiful beachside setting, and attractive cast of characters. At its peak, Baywatch was the most-watched TV series in the world (via Guinness World Records) and made stars out of cast David Hasselhoff and Pamela Anderson. Often the subject of parody, such as a running gag in Friends where Chandler and Joey watched the show religiously, Baywatch captured the easy-going spirit of the 1990s and represented escapist entertainment categorized by light-hearted drama.

7 Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997 – 2003)

Buffy The Vampire Slayer demonstrated the advancement of feminism in the 1990s

Buffy Summers, the butt-kicking protagonist of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, challenged traditional gender roles and turned the damsel-in-distress trope entirely on its head. Featuring a strong female lead, Buffy represented the changing attitudes towards women in the 1990s. Much of the show's cultural impact came from Buffy the Vampire Slayer's LGBTQ+ representation, and that deeply resonated with high schoolers in the 1990s. Buffy the Vampire Slayer was more than a teenage supernatural drama series as it mirrored societal shifts, embraced diversity, and empowered an entire generation of young women.

6 The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air (1990 – 1996)

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air tackled deeply relevant themes of class, discrimination, and racism in the 1990s

Featuring a mix of humor, representation, and social commentary, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was a cultural touchstone of the 1990s and made a star out of its lead actor, Will Smith. Bringing its street-smart main character into with the world of his upper-class relatives, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air highlighted issues of class, identity, and race that were particularly relevant throughout the 1990s. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air often had episodes that tackled deep issues of discrimination, racism, and stereotyping and promoted open discussion around these issues in a way that never felt preachy and always kept the light and funny tone of the show intact.

5 Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990 - 2000)

Beverly Hill, 90210 tackled important topics and represented the fashion trends of the 1990s

Beverly Hills, 90210 followed a group of young people living in the wealthiest part of California. As an aspirational cultural phenomenon, the show had a major impact on fashion trends and was a glimpse into the cultural zeitgeist of the 1990s. However, despite Beverly Hill, 90210 characters’ affluent life circumstances, they were not without their issues, and the show addressed important topics for teenagers like bullying, eating disorders, and sexual assault. Through its portrayal of being a teenager and the problems that come with it, Beverly Hills, 90210 was an essential part of the cultural landscape of the 1990s.

4 Sister, Sister (1994 – 1999)

Sister, Sister reflected shifts in family structures during the 1990s

Featuring an entirely African American main cast and an unconventional family structure, Sister, Sister helped contribute to increased diversity and representation on television in the 1990s. Staring Tia and Tamera Mowry as identical sisters separated at birth, Sister, Sister explored themes of blended families and sisterhood in a heartfelt and unique way and was one of the best sitcoms aimed at young people in the 1990s. The fashion that was on display in Sister, Sister gave great insight into the trends of the 1990s as Tia and Tamera were often seen sporting double denim, tartan tops, and outrageous vests that could not come from any other era.

3 Twin Peaks (1990 - 1991)

Twin Peaks showcases the move towards more serialized storytelling on television in the 1990s

The influence of David Lynch and Mark Frost’s Twin Peaks cannot be understated as it revolutionized TV in the 1990s. With a unique blend of mystery, surrealism, and character-driven narratives, Twin Peaks pushed the boundaries of television and set new standards for serialized shows. The central mystery of who killed Laura Palmer was a major talking point when the show aired, and audiences were required to tune in each week as Special Agent Dale Cooper uncovered clues through interactions with the inhabitants of Twin Peaks. The show required audiences to pay close attention, and while intricate storytelling has become common in today’s television landscape, during the 1990s, it was revolutionary.

2 The Simpsons (1989 – Present)

The Simpsons was an essential part of the cultural landscape of the 1990s

The Simpsons was an unescapable cultural phenomenon throughout the 1990s. As one of the most popular shows on TV, its impact was seen across merchandising, video games, books, posters, and magazines. However, The Simpsons animated series itself is also an integral part of understanding the 1990s due to its incessant cultural references, homages to popular media, and parodies of the news and trends of the 1990s. The Simpsons was at its peak both commercially and creatively throughout the 1990s, and for anyone wishing to get a glimpse into that decade, all they need to do is rewatch the iconic seasons of The Simpsons that were released in the 1990s.

1 Friends (1994 – 2004)

Friends was the quintessential insight into young urban professionals in the 1990s

More than any other sitcom, Friends encapsulated the lifestyle, relationships, and outlook of young urban professionals in the 1990s. Despite justified criticism about Friends' lack of diversity, the show had a major impact on popular culture and made stars out of its six main cast . Friends influence reached into the world of fashion with Jennifer Aniston’s “The Rachel” hairstyle becoming an iconic look for young women throughout the 1990s. Friends addressed important issues of the time, such as LGBTQ+ relationships, infertility issues, and adoption. Friends' impact on the 1990s really cannot be understated, and its reach can be seen in later sitcoms like How I Met Your Mother.

Sources: Guinness World Records