This summer, check out these finest underappreciated 90s television shows.
You may have noticed that, in recent months, viewers on digital platforms have been revisiting some of the old classic TV series from the 1980s and 1990s, which is surprising given that there are so many new series coming out every month. Still, these classic series are somehow dominating the streaming series. We imagine that people have been longing to relive these excellent narrative lines and characters, which are sometimes absent in today’s shows.
There were a lot of notable, award-winning, and pioneering shows on television throughout the 1990s. Friends, Big Bang Theory, Law & Order, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air would characterize a decade marked by the advent of cable television and shows that drew ardent cult followings while achieving niche audience figures. While they and a slew of other series are warmly recalled and rewatched on streaming sites today, countless more have been mostly forgotten.
We’ve compiled a list to help you discover some of the classic television programs that have been overshadowed by the noise around other great shows from the time period. These programs are wonderful to watch if you want to see how much television and its genres have evolved throughout time, and they certainly deserve to be viewed and discussed with other well-known shows by people worldwide.
Here are the top 5 underrated TV series from the 1990s and where you can watch them online.
Twin Peaks (1990-1991)
If you like the concept of a series with a plot that relies on parts of detective fiction but also pays tribute to American soap opera and horror cliches with its unsettling tone, supernatural undertones, and campy, melodramatic portrayal of quirky individuals, this is the series for you.
- Where to stream it today: Hulu, Paramount+, Showtime
- Creators: Mark Frost and David Lynch
- Stars: Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean, and Mädchen Amick
- IMDb Rating: 8.8 / 10
Synopsis
An idiosyncratic FBI agent investigates the murder of a young woman in the even more idiosyncratic town of Twin Peaks.
Check out the trailer below:
Parker Lewis Can’t Lose (1990-1993)
Back in the early to mid-1990s, there was a comedy series that had the ability to be both weird and exquisite, it was this series that had the potential to be something special. Unfortunately, any subsequent installments were cut short.
- Where to stream it today: You can stream Parker Lewis Can’t Lose for free on Crackle or Plex.
- Creators: Lon Diamond and Clyde Phillips
- Stars: Corin Nemec, Billy Jayne, and Troy W. Slaten
- IMDb Rating: 7.9 / 10
Synopsis
Parker Lewis (played by Corin Nemec) is a Santo Domingo High School student who believes that nothing is impossible. In terms of his perspective and things he tends to be inspired by, the feature film Ferris Bueller’s Day Off had a significant impact on him.
The show is centered on adolescent life and has a living-cartoon feel. Many episodes feature subtle references to movies, politics, and celebrities, and clever camera angles and filming techniques (dissolves from one scene to the next were done using ever-larger pixels). In the series last season, the surrealism was toned down.
Check out the trailer below:
The Critic (1994-1995)
An adult cartoon sitcom that takes a critical look at Hollywood’s bad mistakes. It’s a fantastic series that will have you laughing throughout the episodes.
- Where to stream it today: You can stream The Critic for free on Crackle.
- Creators: Al Jean and Mike Reiss
- Stars: Jon Lovitz, Nick Jameson, and Maurice LaMarche
- IMDb Rating: 7.9 / 10
Synopsis
The sitcom covers the life of Jay Prescott Sherman, a 36-year-old film reviewer from New York. Coming Attractions, his TV review show, airs on the Philips Broadcasting cable network. After witnessing a bad movie, his hallmark phrase is, “It stinks!” Every episode is jam-packed with movie allusions and parodies. Jay meets Alice Tompkins in the second season, who would eventually become his long-term girlfriend.
Check out the pilot episode below:
Living Single (1993-1998)
Who doesn’t want to experience their lives as being single? The series is a must-watch as it journeys through the ups and downs of the life of three ladies navigating their way through life. Their other female friend, a lawyer, and the two long-time male pals who live on the level above them pay them regular visits.
- Where to stream it today: Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, and Vudu
- Creator: Yvette Lee Bowser
- Stars: Queen Latifah, Kim Coles, and Erika Alexander
- IMDb Rating: 7.5 / 10
Synopsis
Living Single is an American television sitcom created by Yvette Lee Bowser that aired for five seasons on the Fox network from August 22, 1993, to January 1, 1998. The show centered on the lives of six friends who shared personal and professional experiences while living in a Brooklyn brownstone.
Check out the trailer below:
Frasier (1993-2004)
This series is genuinely underestimated in recent times and deserves more recognition like Friends, Seinfield, and other shows on this list. It has a fantastic plot arc and adored characters. Frasier was a critical and commercial success, winning 37 Primetime Emmy Awards for the series and its cast, a record for a scripted series at the time.
- Where to stream it today: Hulu, Peacock, Apple TV, and Paramount+
- Creators: David Angell, Peter Casey, and David Lee
- Stars: Kelsey Grammer, Jane Leeves, and David Hyde Pierce
- IMDb Rating: 8.2 / 10
Synopsis:
Dr. Frasier Crane, a prominent Boston therapist, relocates to Seattle in search of a fresh start. He has a radio talk program where he shares his humor and wisdom with others, but he also has his issues with his down-to-earth father, his pompous brother, and his friends and coworkers.
Check out this TV Reunion with the cast of Fraiser below:
Check out the series mentioned above and tell us which one you liked in the comment section.