Summary
The affection for many ’90s sitcoms persisted into the subsequent decades, but a few series have been neglected. Certain sitcoms likeThe Fresh Prince of Bel-AirandFriendshave become synonymous with the decade andthe legacy of such shows has overshadowed some overlooked gems. While a few of theforgotten ’90s showsonly lasted for a few episodes, others have multiple seasons to their names. Shows likeNewsRadioandGrace Under Firelasted for a few years, but aren’t widely discussed anymore.
Unfortunately, when airing on television networks, the possibility of a poor time slot led to many series getting canceled after receiving low ratings. Additionally, with as many sitcoms as there were in the ’90s,new TV shows in the genre needed more than likable characters to stand outand prove to audiences why their show was worthy among the best sitcoms concurrently on air. Regardless of a well-written script or star power in the cast, many ’90s sitcoms have slipped from the public’s memory.
30 Best ’90s Sitcoms Ranked
The 1990s were a golden age for sitcoms, and from Friends to Seinfeld to The Fresh Prince the best 90s sitcoms are among the best sitcoms.
Townies
Cast
Townies is a 1996 sitcom centered around the daily lives and friendships of three young women, played by Molly Ringwald, Jenna Elfman, and Lauren Graham, residing in a small Massachusetts town. The series humorously explores their romantic and career aspirations while dealing with their close-knit community’s quirks and challenges. Despite its short-lived run, Townies highlights the dynamics of small-town living and the bonds of enduring friendship.
Many sitcoms from the 90s ran into a similar problem. Even if the characters are likable and the storyline is well-written and entertaining, there isn’t always enough to differentiate the series from other popular sitcoms at the time — especially those that revolve around a group of friends. The 1996 sitcomTownieshas a similar issue. It centers around three women in their 20s (Jenna Elfman, Lauren Graham, and Molly Ringwald) living in a small town. The sitcom has a cozy feeling and a decent amount of humor.
Ringwald had already been a well-known face after her association as aBrat Pack member, but Elfman and Graham were fairly new to the industry at the time. With fresh talent and a hopeful concept,Townieshad the potential to grow into something bigger. However, its similarities to great sitcoms before it and an unfortunate time slot on ABC led to the series being canceled after 15 episodes, five of which never aired.
Grace Under Fire
Grace Under Fire follows Grace Kelly, a single mother and recovering alcoholic, as she navigates the struggles of raising her three children alone while working as a blue-collar oil refinery laborer in the fictional town of Victory, Missouri. The show explores themes of resilience, humor, and personal growth against the backdrop of working-class America.
A behind-the-scenes controversy had a hand in the cancelation of the family sitcomGrace Under Fire. Starring comedian Brett Butler as the titular mother,Grace Under Firesaw the character starting a new life after leaving her ex-husband. The sitcom’s characters and tone drew many comparisons toRoseanne, but it still managed to last for five seasons. Butler was a strong lead and was well-supported by actors playing her family and colleagues.
Grace Under Firewas only canceled for reasons surrounding Butler’s behavior on set. As a result of the bad press and an inconsistent filming schedule, the series' ratings declined drastically. Today,Grace Under Fireisn’t widely remembered. Instead,those who do recall the series' name, are more likely to remember the real-life dramarather than the fictional life of Grace’s that was shaping up nice.
Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place
Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place is a television series centered on three friends, Berg, Pete, and Sharon, whose interconnected lives explore friendship, relationships, and personal growth. Set primarily in a pizza parlor, the show chronicles their humorous and heartfelt experiences.
Known today as the title character ofDeadpool, one of Ryan Reynold’s first major roles was in the sitcomTwo Guys and a Girl. TitledTwo Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Placeduring its first two seasons, the sitcom revolved around the three characters (Ryan Reynolds, Richard Ruccolo, and Traylor Howard), as they form relationships during their college years.Two Guys and a Girlfollows a formula established in many sitcomswith similar antics played out and contrasting traits in its lead characters (a mischievous friend (Reynolds) dragging his anxious friend into trouble (Ruccolo)).
However, the expected storylines are well-written, making the series feel fresh and entertaining. The humor inTwo Guys and a Girlisn’t lazy and additional characters in later seasons help round out the show. One of the added characters in season 2 is Nathan Fillion as Johnny Donnelly, one of the actor’s earliest roles. Eventually,Two Guys and a Girlwas canceled due to low ratings.
Sports Night
Sports Night is a television series created by Aaron Sorkin, which aired from 1998 to 2000. The show follows the behind-the-scenes operations of a fictional sports news program, focusing on the personal and professional lives of its staff. Key characters include co-anchors Casey McCall (Peter Krause) and Dan Rydell (Josh Charles), as well as producer Dana Whitaker (Felicity Huffman). The series combines elements of drama and comedy.
Aaron Sorkin is the writer and creator behind acclaimed dramas such asThe West WingandThe Social Network, but in the late ’90s, he created his first TV show, a sitcom titledSports Night. The comedy series follows a group of producers and anchors of the titular sports news program. Although there is plenty of humor inSports Night, much of it is dry and there isn’t any absurd humor or one-liners that are typically associated with the genre.
Balancing the humor ofSports Nightis a digestible amount of drama — neither element overpowers the other. Wanting to have an equal mix of the two genres, Sorkin originally asked that the series' laugh track be removed, but ABC felt the show would work better with one. Though the laugh track was gone by season 2, it was clear there were two conflicting ideas about what the show was. As a result,Sports Nightnever accumulated a strong enough audience and Sorkin moved on to other projectsthat overshadowed the sitcom as the years went by.
NewsRadio
NewsRadio is a sitcom set in a fictional New York City AM news radio station, WNYX. Premiering in 1995, the series stars Dave Foley as the station’s news director and features a diverse cast including Phil Hartman, Stephen Root, and Maura Tierney. The show humorously explores the dynamics among the eclectic team of news anchors, producers, and office staff, blending workplace comedy with character-driven humor.
Just as many sitcoms do,NewsRadiofollows the lives of a group of employees. The sitcom is centered around a news radio station in particular and has an impressive ensemble cast.TheNewsRadiocasthas gone on to have successful careers, but the ’90s series isn’t often brought up in general pop culture discussions. During its five seasons,NewsRadioimplemented a great deal of physical and absurd humor.
The level of such comedy was dialed up, but never in a way that was displeasing.NewsRadio’s earned laughter can be credited to the many comedians on the show, including Andy Dick and Phil Hartman.NewsRadioonly began to decline in quality when Hartman’s death caused the actor to be replaced. Following the replacement of Hartman’s character, the original essence ofNewsRadiowent missing and the sitcom faded in popularity.
Hangin' with Mr. Cooper
Hangin' with Mr. Cooper is a sitcom starring Mark Curry as Mark Cooper, a former NBA player turned substitute teacher navigating life, friendships, and humorous situations in Oakland, California.
Mark Curry starred inHangin' with Mr. Cooperas the titular character. Curry’s character has a few similarities to LL Cool J’s character in another ’90s sitcom. Both men are former athletes, a basketball player and a football player. However,Hangin' with Mr. Cooperstill felt like something new and aired successfullyas part of ABC’s TGIF Friday night lineup.
After his basketball career came to an end, Mark Cooper began working as a teacher and basketball coach and started a relationship with his roommate Vanessa (Holly Robinson). Robinson, of21 Jump Streetfame, and Curry have compelling on-screen chemistry and their relationship is an endearing part of the show. Additionally, Raven-Symoné stars in the series in one of her earliest major TV roles. Raven-Symoné’s character is Nicole Lee, Mark’s younger cousin.
Two sisters open up a beauty salon
New Attitudeis based on Shelly Garrett’s playBeauty Shop
New Attitudeaired on ABC but lasted for only six episodes, with two additional episodes that never aired. The series follows two sisters, Vicki (Sheryl Lee Ralph) and Yvonne (Phyllis Yvonne Stickney), after they open up a beauty salon.New Attitudeis based on Shelly Garrett’s playBeauty Shopand was strongly led by Ralph and Stickney. It’s difficult to know whatNew Attitudecould have turned into, but the sisters' contrasting personalities were entertaining to watch as they navigated their way out of comical scenarios.
New Attitudewasn’t a revolutionary sitcom, butits unfortunate cancelation has led many to forget about the show. Luckily, the stars from the short-lived ’90s sitcom have gone on to have successful careers. Throughout the ’90s, Stickney found success in films likeMalcolm XandHow Stella Got Her Groove Back, and, in recent years, Ralph has become known for her award-winning role ofBarbara Howard inAbbott Elementary.
3The Single Guy (1995-1997)
The daily adventures of a single guy in New York City
Critics and audiences were split on the ’90s sitcomThe Single Guy. Audiences regularly tuned in to early episodes ofThe Single Guyto see what Jonathan Eliot (Jonathan Silverman) was getting up to next. However,critics felt the show was too similar to popular sitcoms at the time, such asFriendsandSeinfeld— two shows the public has a better time remembering thanThe Single Guy. Ratings eventually dropped and the sitcom was canceled after two seasons.
It’s difficult to ignore the similarities that critics pointed out whenThe Single Guyfeatured a café where Jonathan and his friends hung around, much like the one inFriends. Julia Louis-Dreyfus and David Schwimmer also acted as guest stars in the series, with the latter appearing as his character fromFriends, Ross Geller. Still, Silverman was a charming lead, proving he had a knack for comedy and was fit to carry a sitcom likeThe Single Guy, had the show been able to continue.
2My Brother And Me (1994-1995)
The shenanigans of two brothers
FromSister, SistertoFull House,sibling relationships play a big part in many sitcoms. However, a pair of siblings that are often forgotten are brothers Alfie and Dee-Dee Parker fromMy Brother and Me. Alfie and Dee-Dee are an underratedduo from Nickelodeon, and that’s because the sitcom only lasted for 13 episodes.My Brother and Mewas centered around the Parker family’s everyday life, particularly following the brother duo and their friend Goo.
My Brother and Mewas an important show for Nickelodeon as it was one of the first by the network to feature a predominately Black cast. Despite this, the series' creators had opposing views on how the show would continue andMy Brother and Mewound up getting canceled. Still, for audiences who caughtMy Brother and Mewhile it was on the air, the amusing performances from the young cast and the famous “Goo Punch"song are likely the biggest takeaways from the series.
On the Air
On the Air (1992) is a comedy television series created by David Lynch and Mark Frost that follows the chaotic behind-the-scenes antics at a fictional 1950s television network. The show stars Ian Buchanan, Marla Rubinoff, and Miguel Ferrer, and captures the absurdities and challenges faced by the cast and crew as they produce a live weekly variety show.
Created by David Lynch and Mark Frost,Twin Peaksis often regarded as one of the best TV shows. Shortly afterTwin Peaksended, the duo worked on another series — a sitcom calledOn the Air. The ’90s sitcom is set in the ’50s and follows the staff of a fictional TV network. Much likeTwin Peaks,there was plenty of absurdism inOn the Air.
Of the series' seven filmed episodes, only three aired in the United States
The surrealism in each of Lynch’s projects isn’t for everyone, butTwin Peakshad an upper hand with its core mystery that invited audiences to regularly tune in. As a sitcom,On the Airneeded laughs from its audience, but the series' particular brand of humor didn’t connect with viewers and high ratings were never earned. Of the series' seven filmed episodes, only three aired in the United States, andOn the Aircontinues to be generally forgotten by audiences.
