From Britney to Beanie Babies, and from Titanic to Tomagotchi (man those things were always hungry), the 1990s had so many things that shaped us, but few things did that job better than television. The decade was the heyday of some hella good TV — and the folks at TV Guide Magazine and TV Insider are celebrating it here with the 90 Best Shows of the 1990s.
After countless hours studying and rewatching incredible television (hey, someone had to do it), we compiled the list below. Don’t be shy about sharing your opinions in the comments. You don’t like our choices? Talk to the hand! We’re kidding — we love hearing from you!
How did we make our picks? Series with only one season in the decade were out (sorry, West Wing and Sopranos), unless the show only ran one season. Longer-running shows that quintessentially belonged to either the 1980s or the 2000s also got the boot. What you see below is pure ‘ 90s.
And it’s also pure gold. From sitcoms to dramas, kid and teen shows to adult animation classics, quirky to just plain odd, this proves the variety of that decade’s creative minds.
So enjoy. And don’t have a cow, man.
Why It Made the Cut: AMC’s first original scripted series (yes, before Mad Men) took us on an incomparably sweet, sentimental and screwball-funny journey to the 1930s and ’40s.
The Thumbnail: A colorful radio station staff — including a fresh-faced writer (Amanda Naughton), a diva (Melinda Mullins) and the “Man of a Thousand Voices” (Christopher Murney) — keep Pittsburgh’s WENN (barely) going during wartime.
Secret Weapon: From Wee Mary McGregor, Veterinarian to Lost Is My Valley, WENN’s shows-within-the-show always bring the laughs.
Classic Episode: Guest Patti Lupone delivers a memorable torch-song version of the series’ instrumental theme in “There But for the Grace.”
Fun Fact: Series creator Rupert Holmes is also the songwriter-vocalist for 1979’s “Escape (The Piña Colada Song).”
Why It Made the Cut: Canceled after only two seasons, Homefront was a rare network period piece, and a juicy primetime soap as well.
The Thumbnail: Set in the immediate aftermath of World War II, the drama depicts the impact of returning soldiers — and a few war brides — on small-town River Run, Ohio.
A Star Is Born: In his first lead TV role, Kyle Chandler turned heads as pro baseball player Jeff Metcalf, who had an affair with his older brother’s fiancée (Tammy Lauren) while his sibling was away at war.
Name That Tune: The catchy theme song was a fresh version of the 1944 standard “Accentuate the Positive.”
Famous Fan: “Dear Abby” advice columnist Abigail Van Buren unsuccessfully lobbied ABC to renew Homefront.
Why it made the cut: R&B singing star Brandy Norwood became a charming double threat thanks to this family sitcom that tackled multiple social issues and became one of the biggest-ever hits on UPN.
Thumbnail: The young daughter in an upper-middle-class African-American family in Los Angeles opens up — to her diary and viewers — about the challenges of growing up.
Classic Episode: In Season 5’s “Secrets & Lies,” it’s revealed that Moesha’s father Frank (William Allen Young) is not Dorian’s (Ray J) uncle; he’s his biological father.
Ultimate cliffhanger: In the final episode, it comes out that Moesha may be pregnant and her younger brother is missing… and with the series not renewed, viewers never found out what happened.
Fun Fact: The series is currently streaming on Netflix — and there has been talk of a reboot.
Why It Made the Cut: Late Night with David Letterman writer Chris Elliott found a home for two seasons of his quirky, odd, often off-putting sense of humor.
The Thumbnail: Chris Peterson (Elliott) is a 30-year-old paperboy living with his parents and doesn’t want to grow up. Weird hilarity ensues.
Classic Episode: Any episode where Chris dies. Which actually happens in twelve episodes. (Yes, it’s that weird.)
Notable Quotable: “Hello? Breaker, breaker one-two-three, breaker uh… this is Tightpants anybody got their ears on?… I need a good buddy to come to my twenty and lend assistance to Tightpants Senior and myself.” —Chris’ CB call in a Season 1 episode — only he’s talking into a plastic toy.
Fun Fact: Chris’ dad was played by real-life pop Bob Elliott, half of classic comedy duo Bob and Ray.
Why It Made the Cut: More than a jokey sitcom, this Fox dramedy about a working-class African-American family brought authenticity whether dealing with marital spats or drug dealers.
The Thumbnail: Baltimore sanitation man Roc Emerson (Charles Dutton) and his wife Eleanor (Ella Joyce) try to do right by their clan and community, including his brother, played by Rocky Carroll (of NCIS fame).
Classic Episode: “Roc’s Secret Past,” from Season 2, which made Eleanor question whether her husband really loved her when they married.
Fun Facts: The entire second season was broadcast live; each episode opened with a cast member talking to the home audience. It was the first time such a thing occurred since the 1950s.
Why It Made the Cut: Who doesn’t want to talk back to the screen when you’ve paid good money to watch a horrible movie? This show made a profession out of it.
The Thumbnail: Joel, a janitor in a spaceship, watches hilariously bad B-movies with robots Tom Servo, Crow T. Robot and Gypsy. Their commentary is much funnier than the unintentional laughs.
Classic Episode: So many bad movies to choose from! “Hobgoblins” (Season 9) is a great mix of really, really bad movie and really, really good comedy bits.
Notable Quotable: Also too many to choose from but here’s a fave from The Giant Spider Invasion: “It’s a giant spider invasion of savings at Menards!”
Fun Fact: Manos: The Hands of Fate, which MST3000 rescued from oblivion, is often considered the worst movie ever made.
Why It Made the Cut: Who doesn’t love seeing the world from an animated baby’s point of view?
The Thumbnail: It followed the adventures of toddlers (Tommy, Chuck, Angelica, twins Phil and Lil) from their perspectives; their parents were oblivious (as TV parents all too often are).
Classic Episode: “Mother’s Day,” in which the babies made gifts for their moms and Chuckie, whose mom had died years earlier, managed the day without his or any memories of her. Looking for a mom made him realize how much his his dad meant to him.
Notable Quotable: “A baby’s gotta do what a baby’s gotta do” — a determined Tommy, who’s lost his ball over a fence.
Fun Fact: They’re back — voiced by some of the original stars — in a Paramount+ series that really makes us nostalgic!
Why It Made the Cut: Roswell was one of the classic YA shows on The WB. Based on Melinda Metz’s Roswell High novels, the series was short-lived, but still had avid fans.
The Thumbnail: Three young alien/human hybrids with extraordinary gifts live in Roswell, New Mexico. The survival of their secret universe is threatened when one of them forms a bond with a human classmate.
Memorable Moments: Any time aliens Max Evans (Jason Behr), Isabel Evans (Katherine Heigl) and Michael Guerin (Brendan Fehr) swigged their beloved Tabasco sauce — with anything sweet.
Fun Fact: Fearing cancellation, fans sent tiny bottles of Tabasco to the WB network in hopes of saving the show, and it worked! Roswell was renewed for Season 2 and moved to a new night.
Why It Made the Cut: Its surreal bits and impressive supporting cast and writers like Sarah Silverman and Jack Black make it a cult classic.
The Thumbnail: Brilliant sketch comedy from Bob Odenkirk (future Saul Goodman on Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul) and David Cross (future Tobias on Arrested Development), heavily influenced by Monty Python.
Classic Sketch: In “The Story of Everest” from Season 4, about how an explorer who climbs a mountain, becomes a tale of how many times he falls down doing so. (The answer: many.)
Notable Quotable: “Bob missed his first day of school, and he never really caught up, so he thinks there are only 5 states… and that one of them is named Chim-Cham.”
Fun Fact: Odenkirk and Cross first worked together on another top ’90s sketch comedy series, The Ben Stiller Show.
I’ve gotta go with my own show and say Good Eats was my favorite show.... But I will tell you that I was a huge X-Files fan. It was just the cup of hemlock that I needed during that time.
Why It Made the Cut: The chemistry between leads Kevin James and Leah Remini in the CBS sitcom — a spin on The Honeymooners — is unmatched.
The Thumbnail: Delivery driver Doug and his short-tempered wife Carrie Heffernan (James and Remini) bicker about everything from Carrie’s live-in dad Arthur (Jerry Stiller) to Doug’s junk food habits in their NYC home.
Classic Episode: In “Lush Life,” Doug and Arthur prep cocktails for Carrie when she gets home from work when they realize she’s less mean to them when she’s drinking. Neighbor Lou Ferrigno (as himself) spoils the plot.
Notable Quotable: “Once again I humiliate myself by assuming I’m a member of this family.” —Stiller’s Arthur at his passive-aggressive best.
Fun Fact: James and Remini reunited in 2017 on Season 2 of CBS sitcom Kevin Can Wait.
Why It Made the Cut: Long before YouTube or TikTok, this perennial favorite made it safe to enjoy caught-on-camera moments silly enough for the family to enjoy, hitting its peak in the ’90s with Bob Saget hosting.
The Thumbnail: Saget’s comedic narration accompanied clips of everything ranging from cute animals to wild wipeouts — a pattern continued by hosts from Tom Bergeron to Alfonso Ribeiro.
Classic Episode: “America, This Is You!” saw the three longest-running hosts come together to look back on some of the best videos from the show’s run.
Notable Quotable: “If you get it on tape, you could get it in cash.” —the offer to send in the clips that could win you money after the fan vote.
Fun Fact: John Fugelsang and Daisy Fuentes were the only AFHV cohosts (1998-9).
Why It Made the Cut: Before Ben Stiller was a comedy superstar, he fronted this sketch show, co-created with Judd Apatow, that captured early ’90s zeitgeist.
The Thumbnail: Stiller, Andy Dick, Janeane Garofalo, Bob Odenkirk, and John F. O’Donohue were joined by celebrity guests for sketches and parodies.
Highlight Reel: Ben plays U2’s Bono as a bar mitzvah singer; actor Daniel Day-Lewis flogging a workout video based on The Last of the Mohicans; and not one but two hot guys on Melrose Heights 9021024026. Bob Odenkirk is Charles Manson with an advice show.
90s Name Checks: Guests included Sarah Jessica Parker, Run-D.M.C., the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea, Colin Quinn, Rob Morrow, and Roseanne and Tom Arnold.
Fun Fact: Won an Emmy for writing despite being cancelled after 13 episodes.
Why It Made the Cut: On the strength of Season 1 — in a then-revolutionary move, this Steven Bochco drama tracked one criminal case over 23 episodes.
The Thumbnail: The suspects are many when a 15-year-old blonde is found strangled… and the gasps are many when imposing, artful attorney Theodore Hoffman (Daniel Benzali) defends Hollywood bad boy Neil Avedon (Jason Gedrick) in a twisty-turny trial.
In the Credits: The cast is, appropriately, a murderer’s row of talent, including Patricia Clarkson and Dylan Baker and, most notably, a darkly charming Stanley Tucci in his breakout role.
Notable Quotable: “There’s the door — use it,” Hoffman whispers to a cop adversary. Intense!
Fun Fact: The first hour, “Chapter 1,” landed at No. 60 on TV Guide Magazine’s 1997 tally of the “100 Greatest Episodes of All Time.”
Why It Made the Cut: Before the CW Arrowverse, this colorful romp showed viewers superheroes were people, too.
The Thumbnail: A workplace comedy centered on the romance between urbane Daily Planet reporter Lois Lane (Teri Hatcher) and farm-raised Clark Kent (Dean Cain), her new colleague who happens to also be the Man of Steel.
Classic Episode: “Season’s Greedings” both reunited The Jeffersons‘ Sherman Hemsley and Isabel Sanford for a guest spot as Christmas toy-making villains and marked the first time Lois seemed more interested in Clark than Supe.
Notable Quotable: “Is that Kryptonite in your pocket or are you glad to see me?” —Lex Luthor, after getting his hands on the goods in a Season 1 hour.
Fun Fact: Phyllis Coates, who played Lois Lane in the original Adventures of Superman, made several appearances as Lois’ mom.
Why It Made the Cut: Creator Paul Simms‘ biting workplace comedy was something many network sitcoms still aren’t: unpredictable. (Hey — they had an episode in space!)
The Thumbnail: New WNYX news director Dave Nelson (Dave Foley) manages the disparate personalities of his staff (an ensemble led by Phil Hartman, Maura Tierney, and slapstick king Andy Dick) and the expectations of his billionaire boss (Stephen Root).
Classic Episode: “Jumper,” in which blowhard anchor Bill McNeal (Hartman) insists on broadcasting live from the ledge of their New York City office when a man (Jon Lovitz) threatens to jump.
Cheers to That: Despite NBC wanting a slow-burn like Sam and Diane, Simms had Foley and Tierney’s characters hook up in episode 2.
Fun Fact: The show’s sole Emmy win? Costuming for the surreally meta “Sinking Ship,” set on the Titanic.
Why It Made the Cut: With Aaron Sorkin’s intelligent, crackling dialogue, this sleeper was never just a workplace comedy/drama.
The Thumbnail: A passionate team puts on CSC’s Sports Night (à la ESPN’s SportsCenter), hosted by the charismatic Dan Rydell (Josh Charles) and Casey McCall (Peter Krause) under Type A producer Dana Whitaker (Felicity Huffman).
Classic Episode: Robert Guillaume’s real-life stroke was written in, and his surprise show return (as boss Isaac Jaffe) in “What Kind of Day Has It Been?” was utter joy.
Notable Quotable: “We’ll bring you the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat, and because we’ve got soccer highlights, the sheer pointlessness of a zero-zero tie.”
Fun Fact: Huffman enjoyed a flirtation with real-life husband William H. Macy when he guest-starred as a ratings adviser.
Why It Made the Cut: Because Amy Sedaris‘ darkly absurd take on Afterschool Specials has to be seen to be believed.
The Thumbnail: After several prison stints and a life of debauchery, 46-year-old trainwreck Jerri Blank (Sedaris) goes back to high school.
Classic Episode: Winona Ryder was one of the Strangers things we saw in Season 2 when she guested as the cool girl who tries to give Jerri a makeover in “The Last Temptation of Blank.”
Notable Quotable: “I’m a boozer, a user and a loser” —Breaking the fourth wall in episode 1, Jerri introduces herself to us with typical spirit.
Fun Fact: Sedaris and costars/co-creators Paul Dinello and Stephen Colbert all started out at Chicago’s Second City with Steve Carell.
Why It Made the Cut: The classic cartoon is a product of its time with wacky colorful settings, traditional ’90s archetypes and clever nods to pop culture’s past.
The Thumbnail: The action surrounded Doug Funnie and his eclectic group of friends as they navigate middle school and other everyday challenges of adolescence.
Classic Episode: “Doug & Patti Sittin’ in a Tree,” in which Patti Mayonnaise asks Doug to go out, but he questions whether it’s actually a date or not.
Super Persona: While the show may be titled Doug, no one could forget his alter ego Quailman who spawned many a Halloween costume.
Fun Fact: The first four seasons of the series aired on Nickelodeon before Disney greenlit it for a fifth following the acquisition of Jumbo Pictures.
Why It Made the Cut: EP Aaron Spelling‘s soapy take on witches was hotter than a stake in Salem for eight seasons.
The Thumbnail: San Francisco’s enchanted Halliwell sisters Phoebe (Alyssa Milano), Piper (Holly Marie Combs), and Prue (Shannen Doherty) take on demons both literal and emotional.
Classic Episode: “All Hell Breaks Loose” closed Season 3 with Prue’s death and the Halliwells exposed as witches, and opened the door for the arrival of fourth sister, Paige (Rose McGowan).
Notable Quotable: “The Power of Three we now decree, The Power of Three will set you free, The Power of Three will destroy thee!” —one spell that proved the sisters were doin’ it for themselves.
Fun Fact: The CW’s reboot ended with the new brood of witches transporting through a portal into the original Halliwell mansion.
Why It Made the Cut: Public television shouldn’t have been this fun, but the titular “science guy” educated kids about important issues with his signature eccentric humor and fast-paced delivery.
The Thumbnail: Each week, bow-tie-sporting mechanical engineer Bill Nye dives into a new scientific topic — climate, electricity, dinosaurs, insects — in an exciting and unexpected way.
Classic Episode: “Earth’s Crust,” in which Nye literally goes under the Earth’s surface to explain how it differs from its inner mantle.
Notable Quotable: “Science rules!” (Well… it does when it’s taught right, as Nye does)
Fun Fact: Nye helped inspire (and eventually guest-starred in) the CBS crime series Numb3rs, about a mathematician who helps with FBI investigations involving complex math equations.
Why It Made the Cut: Martin Lawrence mined the Black experience for universal stomp-on-the-floor laughs in a sitcom that had the energy of a sketch show (even when he wasn’t playing Sheneneh!).
The Thumbnail: Self-absorbed Detroit radio/TV personality Martin (Lawrence) loves his better half, Gina (Tisha Campbell), and gets annoyed by their friends (Tichina Arnold, Thomas Mikal Ford, and Carl Anthony Payne II).
Classic Episode: In “Suspicious Minds,” Martin searches for his missing CD player — and uses a stuffed Rottweiler for intimidation during a group interrogation scene. (As revealed in the recent BET+ reunion, Lawrence had asked Fox to give him a real dog.)
Scene You’ll Rewind: Martin boxing a rodent of unusual size on Chilligan’s Island in “The Romantic Weekend.”
Fun Fact: Campbell and Arnold were roommates when cast as besties Gina and Pam.
Why It Made the Cut: Six pals sharing personal/professional interests while living in NYC? Yes, in one of the most popular African-American sitcoms of the ’90s — that premiered a year before Friends.
The Thumbnail: Queen Latifah, Kim Coles, and Erika Alexander fronted the Fox sitcom about four women and two men who are successful, ambitious, loving, and mighty funny.
Classic Episode: Season 2’s “A Hare-Razing Experience” finds stockbroker Kyle (T.C. Carson) taking a stand when his African-American boss suggests he might not get a promotion because of his hairstyle.
The Guest List: The roster of stars who played themselves include Flip Wilson, Arsenio Hall, Branford Marsalis, Deion Sanders, Dean Cain, and Joyce DeWitt.
Fun Fact: Costar Kim Fields‘ breast reduction surgery became the plot of the Season 2 episode, “My Cups Runneth Over.”
Why It Made the Cut: CBS’ ambitious hospital show won critics and viewers with heart, top-notch talent (Mandy Patinkin, Adam Arkin, Christine Lahti, and more) and realistic handling of ripped-from-the-headlines cases.
The Thumbnail: A Chicago hospital specializes in high-stakes cases treated by brilliant, high-maintenance docs.
Classic Episode: In the intense, Emmy-winning “Leave of Absence,” Dr. Geiger (Patinkin) desperately tries to save the life of hospital administrator Alan Birch (Peter MacNichol) shot by a mugger.
Hope Sprang Eternal: After ER on the 10pm Thursday medical series showdown, Hope was moved to 9 pm, then to Monday, Wednesday, and in its last season, back to Thursday.
Fun Fact: In season 1’s David E. Kelley crossover, Fyvush Finkel and Kathy Baker appeared on Hope as their Picket Fences characters and Patinkin and Hector Elizondo returned the favor on Fences.
Why It Made the Cut: The gritty, cinematic drama showed the Vietnam War through a different, female-focused lens.
The Thumbnail: Nurses and civilian volunteers at an evacuation hospital and USO entertainment center on the South China Sea experience their own war horrors — set to a pricey jukebox soundtrack, which is perhaps why no streaming service can afford the series in its library.
Classic Episode: “F.N.G.,” a flashback to when then-naive nurse Colleen McMurphy (Dana Delany, who won two Emmys for the role) arrives at China Beach.
Notable Quotable: “Sex is a bad word, but it feels good. Love is a good word, but it hurts.”—Colleen speaking wisdom
Fun Fact: Delany saw strong, stoic McMurphy as Clint Eastwood, and has revealed casting came down to her and Helen Hunt.
Why It Made the Cut: Quite simply, a knockout actress (Helen Mirren) in a knockout role — Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison.
The Thumbnail: A rare female in the London (and, briefly, Manchester) police, Tennison is defiantly ambitious in the face of sexism, and brusque and brilliant as she teases out the truth on PBS’s Mystery!
Character to Watch: Bill Otley (Tom Bell) — a poisonous detective sergeant in Season 1, by series’ end, he’s Tennison’s rock and a hero.
Notable Quotable: “I like to be called guv’nor or the boss. I don’t like ma’am — I’m not the bloody queen.”—Tennison in full measure
Fun Fact: After Mirren’s first week of shooting, writer Lynda LaPlante told her she was smiling too much. Recalls the actress: “I thought, she’s absolutely right.”
I absolutely loved [REDACTED ]. I was on it once, I think. Maybe twice, actually.
Why It Made the Cut: An anchor in ABC’s “TGIF” block, the Perfect Strangers spinoff and popular African-American sitcom became a launchpad for a TV dynamo called Urkel.
The Thumbnail: The Winslow family from Chicago lived in a rather full house with relatives and friends, as ever-irritated police officer dad Carl (Reginald VelJohnson) dealt frequently with the high-water pants-wearing neighbor, Steve Urkel (Jaleel White).
Classic Episode: “Dr. Urkel and Mr. Cool” from Season 5 introduces us to Steve’s alter-ego, Stefan Urquelle, who is now ready to win Laura’s (Kellie Shanygne Williams) heart.
Catch a Phrase: Urkel’s catchphrases were good for an easy laugh, from “Did I do that?” to, “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!”
Fun Fact: Much like Richie’s older brother Chuck on Happy Days, one Winslow daughter, Judy (Jaimee Foxworth) simply disappeared!
Why It Made the Cut: In an era known for comedies centered on strong women in second acts, this sitcom from Chuck Lorre had undeniable sharpness.
The Thumbnail: AbFab goes Hollywood with Cybill Shepherd as a B-list actress and single mom getting by with a little gin-soaked help from her bestie (Christine Baranski).
Classic Episode: “Little Bo Beep,” in which Cybill is nearly canceled by animal activists — led by Shari Lewis and Lambchop — after her unfortunate on-air run-in with a sheep.
Notable Quotable: “People with cute nicknames should be used for food.”—Cybill’s daughter Zoey (Alicia Witt) summing up the acid-tongue sensibility of the series.
Fun Fact: Shepherd wrote in her autobiography that the show was canceled after she turned down the advances of a CBS exec.
Why It Made the Cut: Talk about irony; this popular series’ opening theme song is “Love and Marriage,” but a better one would be titled, “Cynicism, Regret, Dislike, Exhaustion, Lying, Disappointment and then Some Marriage.”
The Thumbnail: Shoe salesman and family guy Al Bundy (Ed O’Neill) gets zero respect from his wife Peggy (Katey Sagal) and two progeny, daughter Kelly (Christina Applegate) and son Bud (David Faustino).
Classic Episode: Season 4’s “976-Shoe,” wherein Al mortgages his house to borrow $50,000 from his banker neighbor Steve to finance a get-rich-quick shoe help hotline. Nobody calls, but we get to see Al make a hilarious local business commercial.
Notable Quotable: “We’re the Bundys We don’t call the cops. People call them on us.”
Fun Fact: An animated version is in the works, with the original cast set to voice.
Why It Made the Cut: Nickelodeon‘s horror anthology terrified a generation, while also bringing kids together through its universal themes.
The Thumbnail: A group of teens dubbed the Midnight Society gather around a campfire to share creepy tales about lonely ghosts, a haunted bicycle, a cursed dollhouse and much more.
Classic Episode: In “The Tale of the Dead Man’s Float,” some unfortunate teens learn the scary lesson that an abandoned pool may be hiding a terrifying secret.
Notable Quotable: “With ghosts and ghouls, there are no rules; but a vampire’s bite, only comes at night.”—Society member Betty Ann with typically spooky advice in a Season 1 episode
Fun Fact: After choosing The Mickey Mouse Club over a role among the Midnight Society, Ryan Gosling guest-starred in the Season 5 episode, “The Tale of Station 109.1.”
Why It Made the Cut: The realistic friendships and family dynamics of this coming-of-age sitcom worked beautifully, as did the poignant wisdom from school teacher/neighbor Mr. Feeny (William Daniels).
The Thumbnail: Cory Matthews (Ben Savage) journeys from childhood to adulthood, juggling friendships, romance and schools, with the help of best friend Shawn (Rider Strong), longtime love Topanga (Danielle Fishel), and brother Eric (Will Friedle).
Classic Episode: “And Then There Was Shawn,” inspired by Scream and other ’90s horror movies, featured guest star and Friedle’s real-life girlfriend at the time, Jennifer Love Hewitt.
Notable Quotable: “Lose one friend. Lose all friends. Lose yourself.”—a bit of Mr. Feeny wisdom
Fun Fact: Cory and Topanga’s fate was decided by fans: ABC didn’t want them to get married so young but after an online viewers poll, they tied the knot.
Why It Made the Cut: The Archie-inspired sitcom was the most-watched show on ABC’s memorable TGIF lineup.
The Thumbnail: Relatable half-human Sabrina Spellman (Melissa Joan Hart) learns witchcraft from her aunts Hilda and Zelda (Caroline Rhea and Beth Broderick), with running commentary from cranky cursed black cat Salem (voiced by Nick Bakay).
Classic Episode: “First Kiss,” where love interest Harvey (Nate Richert) turns into a frog when Sabrina kisses him.
Notable Quotable: “What’s the matter? I have to be a witch, I have to be a mortal, I have to be a teenager and I have to be a girl all at the same time. That’s what’s the matter.”
Fun Fact: Aside from the puppet, three different cats played Salem: Warlock, Witch, and Elvis.
Why It Made the Cut: The long-running Fox animated sitcom, which only ended a decade ago, is already being revived.
The Thumbnail: The Texan Hill family — including traditional patriarch Hank (voiced by co-creator Mike Judge) — showcase blue-collar life at its finest.
Classic Episode: “Shins of the Father” introduces Hank’s hilarious WWII vet father Cotton (Toby Huss), who passes on some of his bad habits when he visits for grandson Bobby’s (Pamela Adlon) birthday.
Notable Quotable: “Bobby, some things are like a tire fire; trying to put it out only makes it worse. You just gotta grab a beer and let it burn.” —Hank’s to Bobby about avoiding things too hard to handle — like Mom’s “time of the month.”
Fun Fact: The first and last line of the series was Hank and his neighbor buddies’ classic “Yep.”
Why It Made the Cut: Airing in the wake of legendary Canadian series SCTV, this off-center sketch comedy favorite, produced by Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels, also enjoyed a big U.S. following — and a Prime Video revival this year.
The Thumbnail: A pre-NewsRadio Dave Foley, Kevin McDonald, Scott Thompson, Bruce McCulloch, and Mark McKinney performed surreal, often gender-bent bits as everyone from the Queen of England to the overly hormonal Chicken Lady.
Classic Episode: The series premiere, which quickly revealed the chemistry and courage the Kids troupe had developed over years as a live stage act.
Notable Quotable: “I’m crushing your head!” —Mr. Tyzik, a.k.a. the Headcrusher, who pictures himself squeezing skulls of people he hates in the distance
Fun Fact: McKinney wound up a cast member on SNL, while McCulloch landed a writing gig.
Why It Made the Cut: Quirky doesn’t begin to describe the entertaining goings-on in Rome, Wisconsin, courtesy of David E. Kelley, who mixed in Big Issues too.
The Thumbnail: Sheriff Jimmy Brock (Tom Skerritt) and his doctor wife, Jill (Kathy Baker), encounter such cases as suicide by dishwasher, a lawsuit involving an HIV-positive dentist and the Dancing Bandit.
Recurring Theme: Being mayor of Rome was as hazardous as being Spinal Tap’s drummer. In fact, one mayor (there were seven) did spontaneously combust!
Notable Quotable: “I’m a character!” understates brazen local lawyer Douglas Wambaugh (Fyvush Finkel, winner of one of the show’s 14 Emmys)
Fun Fact: Kelley and Chris Carter concocted a Fences–The X-Files crossover… which network brass nixed, but the basic story aired (disguised) nonetheless.
Why It Made the Cut: David E. Kelley‘s courtroom drama hooked us with the lawyers’ crazy lives and their cases.
The Thumbnail: A Boston law firm (Dylan McDermott, Kelli Williams, Lara Flynn Boyle, Camryn Manheim, Michael Badalucco, Steve Harris, LisaGay Hamilton) took on the trials others wouldn’t.
Classic Episode: “Mr. Hinks Goes to Town,” in which a serial killer confessed, even though he was potentially innocent — Michael Emerson sent shivers down our spines with the truth in this Emmy-winning turn decades before playing Leland Townsend in Evil!
Fun Fact: McDermott and Manheim currently star on Dick Wolf shows (FBI: Most Wanted and Law & Order).
Its Legacy: It continued after a major cast change and with the James Spader-led spin-off, Boston Legal.
Why It Made the Cut: A cartoon for adults with teen slackers who made up for their lack of intelligence with blissfully inappropriate humor that made it incredibly popular.
The Thumbnail: Teenaged pals Beavis and Butt-Heard (both voiced by creator Mike Judge) couldn’t attract women but they could attract viewers with their irreverent comedy.
Classic Episode: The 200th episode “Beavis and Butt-Head are Dead,” finds the guys faking their death, suggesting that’s the reason they’ve been skipping school.
Notable Quotable: We could add a quote, but nothing was more quotable than the boys’ incessant laugh.
Fun Fact: The animated series began as a pair of short cartoons that aired during MTV’s Liquid Television series in 1992.
Why It Made the Cut: John Lithgow delivers a master class in Emmy-winning scene-stealing as Dick Solomon in the ultimate fish-out-of-water comedy from Coneheads cowriters Bonnie and Terry Turner.
The Thumbnail: Aliens (Lithgow, Kristen Johnston, French Stewart, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt) on a mission to study Earth pose as a family in Ohio and frequently misunderstand things — like that people aren’t actually dying during a murder-mystery weekend!
Notable Guest Star: William Shatner appeared as the aliens’ leader, the Big Giant Head.
Classic Episode: “Two-Faced Dick,” in which Dick switches bodies with Johnston’s Sally, and they’re forced to woo each other’s lovers (Jane Curtin and Wayne Knight). Johnston also earned multiple Emmys.
Fun Fact: Stewart brought dimwit Harry’s trademark squint with him on his audition for the show.
Why It Made the Cut: As breakout stars of Nick’s All That, best friends Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell were the Laverne and Shirley of the ’90s, landing their own sitcom and hitting the big screen in Good Burger.
The Thumbnail: A pair of oddball high school pals — one a schemer, the other a lovable ditz — get into hilarious mischief like getting “married” in order to win a game show.
Classic Episode: “In the Line of Kenan,” a parody of In the Line of Fire in which Kenan becomes the U.S. president’s bodyguard after saving him from falling cans of soda.
Notable Quotable: “Who loves orange soda? Kel loves orange soda!” —Kel on that carbonation sensation.
Fun Fact: Thompson is the longest-tenured cast member of Saturday Night Live — 19 seasons and counting.
Why It Made the Cut: While it ran on Nickelodeon, it was as close to as adult comedy as you could get while still being aimed at kids, earning it a rep for longstanding outrageousness and influence.
The Thumbnail: Chronicled are the adventures of tightly wound chihuahua Ren and his easy-going feline friend Stimpy.
Classic Episode: “Stimpy’s Invention,” which sees Ren become a guinea pig for Stimpy’s various gadgets (like the Cheese-O-Phone) until the game-changing “Happy Helmet” makes Ren realize how much he loves being angry. Anyone for a few spins of the hit song “Happy Happy Joy Joy”?
Notable Quotable: “You idiot” —Ren calls Stimpy this so often it’s almost endearing.
Fun Fact: Some music used in the series has been utilized by another Nickelodeon hit: SpongeBob SquarePants.
Why It Made the Cut: Regina Taylor and Sam Waterston were good as gold in a sensitive family drama set in a turbulent Civil Rights-era Southern town.
The Thumbnail: Idealistic prosecutor Forrest Bedford (Waterston) hires young black mom Lilly Harper (Taylor) as his housekeeper; her fight for racial equality draws him to the cause.
Role Model: Creators John Falsey and Joshua Brand used To Kill a Mockingbird‘s Finch family housekeeper Calpurnia as inspiration.
Classic Episode: The political is personal in “Amazing Grace,” when Forrest’s bid for Attorney General gets a mixed reaction from family and Lilly is called an agitator.
Fun Fact: Jeremy London took over the role as teen Nathan Bedford from identical twin Jason who departed after the pilot — but later returned for the movie.
Why It Made the Cut: This sitcom offered a portal to some stellar ’70s nostalgia delivered through the lens of ’90s comedy so good it was hard to resist.
The Thumbnail: The coming-of-age comedy about a group of Wisconsin-based teens (Topher Grace, Laura Prepon, Wilmer Valderrama, and more) saw them go through the ups and downs of the turbulent time with plenty of humor.
Classic Episode: “Garage Sale,” in which gruff Forman family patriarch, Red (Kurtwood Smith) and a few others unsuspectingly consume some special brownies.
Notable Quotable: “Dumbass.” —A YouTube video offers a look at the 56 times (at least) that Red called someone this
Fun Fact: Jackie and Kelso’s first kiss was also actress Mila Kunis‘ first kiss ever, which happened to be with her future husband, Ashton Kutcher.
Why It Made the Cut: TV history was made when Ellen DeGeneres came out as a lesbian at the same time her character revealed that she too was gay.
The Thumbnail: The sitcom revolved around affable bookstore owner Ellen Morgan and the dating lives of her circle of single L.A. friends.
Classic Episode: The Season 4, two-parter, “The Puppy Episode” (April 30, 1997), in which Ellen came out as gay won a writing Emmy, a Peabody and attracted 42 million viewers, a series high.
Classic Cameos: In that “Puppy Episode,” Oprah Winfrey (on whose show Ellen herself came out) played her therapist. Other cameos that episode included Laura Dern, Billy Bob Thornton, and k.d. lang.
Original Title: These Friends of Mine (changed to differentiate itself from Friends).
Why It Made the Cut: Originally a spinoff of definitive 1980s sitcom, The Cosby Show, it grew — after Lisa “Denise Huxtable” Bonet‘s departure — into a compelling series that addressed issues Cosby would have never touched, such as AIDS and sexual assault. All thanks to its longtime producer, Debbie Allen.
The Thumbnail: Life and love at historically Black Hillman College, especially between the once-spoiled Whitney Gilbert (Jasmine Guy) and math whiz Dwayne Wayne (Kadeem Hardison).
Classic Episodes: Season 5’s “Cats in the Cradle” and Season 2’s “No Means No” speak to the range the series covered, from racism to date rape.
Notable Quotable: “Will you have me, Dwayne, as your lawfully wedded husband… PLEASE, BABY, PLEASE!” —Dwayne’s impassioned proposal just as Whitney was going to marry Byron (Joe Morton).
Fun Fact: During its first four seasons, the show ranked in the top 5 series in the ratings.
Why It Made the Cut: The teen melodrama was one the best coming-of-stage stories from the ’90s, navigating all five of the Salinger siblings’ lives, relationships and grief with nuance and memorable performances from Scott Wolf, Neve Campbell, Matthew Fox, Lacey Chabert, Jacob Smith, and Jennifer Love Hewitt.
The Thumbnail: The Salinger siblings are orphaned after their parents are killed in a car accident caused by a drunk driver.
What It Brought Viewers: The series launched the careers of its stars, leading to shows like Lost, movies like the Scream franchise and Mean Girls, and more. It also got a reboot on Freeform, although it was canceled after one season.
Fun Fact: The Love Hewitt spinoff, Time of Your Life, lasted only 12 episodes.
Why It Made the Cut: Murder mysteries are always fun, but cast Angela Lansbury as the wily, crime-solving Jessica Fletcher? Consider us hooked… for 12 seasons!
The Thumbnail: Dead bodies and the questions surrounding their demises pop up frequently around a nosy but skilled crime novelist (Lansbury).
Classic Episode: Season 2’s “Sing a Song of Murder” gave us double the fun as we meet Jessica’s lookalike relative Emma MacGill (also played by Lansbury).
Notable Quotable: “Now, I may be wrong but frankly I doubt it.” —So synonymous with Jessica Fletcher that it’s on hats, t-shirts, even prayer candles.
Fun Fact: At its peak, the Sunday night staple brought in over 40 million viewers!
Why It Made the Cut: Steven Bochco and Terry Louise Fisher‘s legal drama tackled hot-button issues, including capital punishment, abortion, racism, and homophobia.
The Thumbnail: A high-powered law firm’s staffers try balancing cases and personal matters. Made stars out of Corbin Bernsen, Jill Eikenberry, and Jimmy Smits, among others.
Classic Episode: “Good to the Last Drop,” in which Rosalind (Diana Muldaur), to avoid talking to Leland (Richard Dysart) about their relationship, stepped into an elevator — not realizing the shaft was empty. She fell to her death.
Most Important Moment: The first lesbian kiss on TV occurred between CJ (Amanda Donohoe) and Abby (Michele Greene).
Fun Fact: Many of the original cast returned for a made-for-TV movie in 2002.
Why It Made the Cut: Drew Carey, Wayne Brady, Ryan Stiles, Colin Mochrie and more delivered side-splitting improvisational comedy that delighted viewers for years.
The Thumbnail: Comedians improv scenes with random prompts, props, guests, and musical accompaniment.
Classic Scene: A “Living Scenery” bit where guest star Richard Simmons acts as “all the props” as Ryan and Colin play a couple enjoying a day on a luxury cruise liner.
Notable Quotable: “Welcome to Whose Line Is It Anyway?, the show where everything is made up and the points don’t matter.”
Fun Fact: Someone actually did tally the points one day, and because of Carey’s comically flippant points “system,” sometime star Chip Esten took the cake, earning 1 trillion points in a single Season 8 episode. Ryan and Colin came in second and third, Kathy Griffin fourth, and Wayne Brady fifth.
Why It Made the Cut: Xena cut through as a fierce standout in the sci-fi/fantasy genre of the ’90s. It was also a pioneer in showing, with some subtlety, the queer romance between Xena (Lucy Lawless) and Gabrielle (Renee O’Connor).
The Thumbnail: An infamous warrior on a quest to seek redemption for her past sins uses her formidable fighting skills to help those in need.
Classic Episode: “The Ides Of March” is a culmination of several storylines and features one of the show’s best villains, Callisto (Hudson Leick). Xena faces death to protect Gabrielle, Gabrielle forgoes her peaceful training to save Xena and, of course, Julius Caesar is stabbed to death.
Notable Quotable: “A strong person is one who is quiet and sheds tears for a moment, and then picks up her sword and fights again.”—A Xena credo
Why It Made the Cut: The MTV animated series was a perfect time capsule of ’90s teen culture in America.
The Thumbnail: This Beavis and Butt-Head spinoff tracks an intelligent, pessimistic teen as she goes through high school as a proud outsider in a world of mindless adolescents and condescending adults.
Classic Episode: “The Misery Chick”: Daria involuntarily becomes the school therapist when a football player’s death prompts students to seek grief counseling. Why Daria? Well, she’s “the misery chick.” Yet Daria explains that her mindset doesn’t make her miserable, she just thinks differently.
Notable Quotable: “Sometimes your shallowness is so thorough, it’s almost like depth.”—Daria proving why she was the voice of cynical reason.
Fun Fact: Daria’s look started out as a sketch on the back of a paper plate by illustrator John Garrett Andrews.
Why It Made the Cut: With a star-making turn from Fran Drescher as the flashy girl from Flushing, and the cast’s comedic chemistry, the sitcom still finds new fans today.
The Thumbnail: Drescher’s Fran Fine, a bridal shop employee from Queens, accidentally lands a nannying gig for the three precocious kids of wealthy widower/Broadway producer Maxwell Sheffield (Charles Shaughnessy).
Classic Episode: “My Fair Nanny,” which sees butler Niles (Daniel Davis) and Maxwell playing Henry Higgins to Fran’s Eliza Doolittle so she can host a mother-daughter tea for Maxwell’s daughter.
Notable Quotable: “Good things come to those who wait, sir, unless they wait too long and they slip through their namby-pamby fingers.” —Niles’ “subtle” suggestion to Maxwell about Fran’s availability
Fun Fact: Viewers didn’t find out the full name of Maxwell’s business partner “C.C.” until the series finale: Chastity Claire Babcock.
Why It Made the Cut: If a topic was off-limits, this sitcom from Linda Bloodworth-Thomason about ambitious, complicated Southerners talked about it. They brought wit and empathy to storylines about gun control, racism, and First Amendment rights without being preachy.
The Thumbnail: Julia Sugarbaker (Dixie Carter) and her younger sister, ex-beauty queen Suzanne (Delta Burke) run Atlanta interior design firm Sugarbaker & Associates, with sweet office manager Charlene (Jean Smart); main designer Mary Jo (Annie Potts); and delivery man/eventual partner Anthony (Meshach Taylor).
Signature Moments: Julia’s mic drop monologues that showed she didn’t suffer fools.
Controversial Episode: AIDS was a taboo topic on TV until this series addressed it with “Killing All the Right People” (1987).
Scene Stealer: High volume fashion, hair, and makeup. Contoured cheeks didn’t start with YouTube tutorials, kids.
Why It Made the Cut: Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt were comedy gold together as married couple Paul and Jamie.
The Thumbnail: The sitcom follows newlyweds Paul and Jamie dealing with everything from their families to Thanksgivings to having a baby.
Classic Episode: “Met Someone,” because who doesn’t love a good flashback episode? If it wasn’t “love,” it was at least intrigue at first sight—Paul had to track Jamie down after she “hijacked” his newspaper with a lie.
Notable Quotable: “Just like that: bing, bang, boom?”—Paul charts the path from argument to makeup sex in Season 2 episode
Fun Fact: The series had several crossover episodes, thanks to guest spots from series such as Seinfeld, Friends, and The Dick Van Dyke Show.
Why It Made the Cut: Uh, global domination? After a slow start, the Aaron Spelling youth drama exploded, taking over TV screens, magazine covers, lunchboxes and teenagers’ romantic fantasies.
The Thumbnail: Minnesota twins (Shannen Doherty and Jason Priestley) relocate and meet the crème de la California (Jennie Garth, Tori Spelling, Luke Perry, Ian Ziering, Gabrielle Carteris, Brian Austin Green) at West Beverly High School. Countless soap operas ensue.
Classic Episode: “The Next 50 Years,” about the accidental handgun death of Scott Scanlon (Douglas Emerson), showcased how the series took on issues from pregnancy scares to drug abuse, and domestic abuse to homophobia.
Notable Quotable: Saying “I choose me,” Kelly (Garth) ended her love triangle with Brandon (Priestley) and Dylan (Perry).
Why It Made the Cut: Crude in style and blissfully savage in its content, this profane satire set a high bar for the rise of adult TV animation.
The Thumbnail: Stan, Kyle, ill-fated Kenny and caustic Eric Cartman are fourth graders in a Colorado town where no sacred cow is safe.
Respect: The brilliant 1999 movie Bigger, Longer & Uncut earned an Oscar nomination for Best Song with “Blame Canada” (and not a different song on the soundtrack: “Uncle F***a”).
Classic Episode: Season 9’s “Trapped in the Closet,” spoofed Scientology and Tom Cruise, reportedly leading to the departure of church member Isaac Hayes (Chef).
Origin Story: The infamous short “The Spirit of Christmas” (Jesus vs. Santa) was an underground viral video whose popularity led the creators to Comedy Central.
Why It Made the Cut: It’s Felicity (Keri Russell) making us wonder: Would she end up with Ben (Scott Speedman) or Noel (Scott Foley)?
The Thumbnail: Felicity drops Stanford and pre-med and follows high-school crush Ben to college but finds more than love in New York City.
Classic Episode: “Felicity Was Here,” with Felicity and Ben’s first kiss and a cliffhanger leaving us wondering if she chose to spend her summer driving across the country with him or in Europe with Noel.
Notable Quotable: “The saddest part is one day you’re going to wake up and you’re going to realize what you missed and it’s going to be too late.”—Felicity giving the emotional lay of the land to Ben
Fun Fact: People are still talking about Felicity’s Season 2 haircut!
Why It Made the Cut: A pop-cultural lightning rod, Ally polarized and obsessed audiences for five seasons with its outrageous romcom plots.
The Thumbnail: Ally McBeal (Calista Flockhart) is a ditzy, endearingly flustered lawyer who joins a quirky Boston firm of over-the-top personalities who infamously share a unisex bathroom.
Clickbait: The bizarre animated “dancing baby,” expressing Ally’s biological-clock anxiety, became one of the Internet’s first viral videos.
Sign of the Times: In 1998, Time Magazine put Flockhart on the cover, asking “Is Feminism Dead?” in response to controversy over her flighty, sexualized character. (It wasn’t.)
Show Stopper: Josh Groban was launched into superstardom after belting “You’re Still You” in the 2001 season finale.
Why It Made the Cut: A perfect blend of drama coming out of the turbulent late 1960s and early ’70s combined with humorous domestic life—with a dash of Daniel Stern’s nostalgic voice-over.
The Thumbnail: Kevin Arnold (Fred Savage) is a young, middle-class teen growing up in the suburbs with his best pal Paul (Josh Saviano) and his first crush, neighbor Winnie (Danica McKellar) during social upheaval.
Classic Episode: “Pilot,” with Kevin and Winnie sharing their first kiss.
Notable Quotable: “There were people with stories. There were families bound together in the pain and struggle of love.”—Stern as the adult Kevin poetically setting up the series in episode 1
Fun Fact: Savage was the youngest actor ever nominated for an Emmy for lead actor in a comedy.
[REDACTED ], I loved. It was a show where you saw an African-American family be successful.
Why It Made the Cut: With wit, heart and a touch of fantasy, Joshua Brand and John Falsey’s dramedy about the quirky residents of fictional Cicely, Alaska won millions of hearts and multiple Emmys.
The Thumbnail: Fish-out-of-water NYC physician Joel Fleischman (Rob Morrow) begins to defrost as he copes with moose and iconoclastic neighbors like bumptious Maurice (Barry Corbin), and fearless bush pilot Maggie (Janine Turner).
Classic Episode: Season 2’s “Spring Break,” wherein everyone goes a bit cuckoo when the ice breaks, including Joel who runs around town naked.
Fun Fact: Despite its rural Alaska setting, the show’s exterior scenes were filmed in Washington state’s Cascade mountains.
Long-lasting Effects: NE’s snappy dialogue inspired such beloved shows as Gilmore Girls and Parks and Recreation.
Why It Made the Cut: It’s really the only modern sketch comedy show that compares favorably with the granddaddy of them all, Saturday Night Live. Which, by the way, In Living Color beat for the Outstanding Variety Series Emmy in its first season.
The Thumbnail: The Wayans family, led by Keenen Ivory, created and starred in the mostly black ensemble, with support from outstanding stars-to-be such as Jamie Foxx, Jim Carrey, and David Alan Grier.
Classic Characters: Carrey’s Fire Marshall Bill, Foxx’s Wanda, Damon Wayans‘ Homey D. Clown, Kim Wayans‘ Benita, Damon Wayans and Grier’s movie reviewers on ‘Men On…’
Notable Quotable: “Two Snaps Up!”—the Men On take on Siskel and Ebert’s “thumbs up”
Fun Fact: Jennifer Lopez got her big break on the show as one of the Fly Girl dancers.
Why It Made the Cut: The no-holds-barred men’s prison drama put HBO on the map with lurid storylines and violent power plays.
The Thumbnail: In the experimental unit called Emerald City, disbarred lawyer Tobias Beecher (Lee Tergesen), convicted of a fatal DUI, tries to survive Nazi predator Schillinger (J.K. Simmons), various ethnic gangs, corrupt guards, and his sociopathic lover Keller (Christopher Meloni).
Classic Episode: “Variety.” A surreal musical fantasy interlude features a scary can’t-miss performance of Barry Manilow‘s “The Last Duet” by mortal enemies Beecher and Schillinger.
Notable Quotable: “Oz is hard times doing hard time.” —Season 1 intro from series narrator August Hill (Harold Perrineau)
Fun Fact: Oz was the first-ever one-hour drama produced by HBO.
Why It Made the Cut: The highly rated, beautifully written second live-action “Trek” show has perennially topped favorite franchise entry lists, as has Patrick Stewart‘s Jean-Luc Picard as favorite captain.
The Thumbnail: Set a century after the original series, TNG‘s Enterprise continued to “explore strange new words,” with memorable crewmembers from the android Data (Brent Spiner) to the Klingon Worf (Michael Dorn).
Classic Episode: “The Measure of a Man,” in which Picard eloquently defends the rights of Data as a sentient being.
Notable Quotable: “The first speech censured, the first thought forbidden, the first freedom denied.…chains us all, irrevocably.” —A Season 4 reminder from Picard about the need to protect freedom in any era
Fun Fact: Stephen Hawking was the only TNG guest star to play himself.
Why It Made the Cut: The WB’s emotional teen romance frolicked so shows like One Tree Hill and Riverdale could run.
The Thumbnail: Angsty teens — like the flannel-clad dreamer Dawson (James Van Der Beek) — wax poetic about falling in and out of love in the fictional Capeside, Massachusetts.
Classic Episode: “True Love,” the Season 3 ender, brought the love triangle between Dawson, tomboy Joey (Katie Holmes) and BFF Pacey (Joshua Jackson) to a serious tipping point — and gave us the most iconic crying meme of all time.
Notable Quotable: “If we are truly meant to be, then we will find our way back to each other.” —A Dawson declaration so famous you can get it on a t-shirt
Breaking Barriers: The show aired the first romantic kiss between two male characters on primetime.
Why It Made the Cut: The very fitting “Thank You for Being a Friend” is one of TV’s most memorable themes, and a perfect summary of the show’s appeal.
The Thumbnail: Four women (Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, Estelle Getty) living together in their golden years leads to comedic and sweet moments.
Classic Episode: “One Flew Out of the Cuckoo’s Nest,” the two-part series finale in which Blanche (McClanahan) send Dorothy (Arthur) out with her visiting uncle Lucas (Leslie Nielsen) because she has a date, only to find Dorothy and Lucas have fallen in love.
Notable Quotable: “Let me tell you a story. Picture it: Sicily…” —Sophia (Getty), about to spin one of her fabulous tales.
Fun Fact: It continued in the one-season spinoff, The Golden Palace.
Why It Made the Cut: The comedic ratings smash launched the TV career of Tim Allen, not to mention a pre-Baywatch Pamela Anderson.
The Thumbnail: Allen’s accident-prone Tim “the Tool Man” Taylor cohosts home show Tool Time with sardonic assistant Al (Richard Karn) and raises three sons with wife Jill (Patricia Richardson).
Heads Up: In Season 1’s “Forever Jung,” Tim demonstrates how to laminate a tabletop… and winds up gluing his forehead to the table.
Notable Quotable: “You know why I like tools? Because they fix things. You tear down a motor, see the problem, it’s right there — boom; it’s fixed. I wish I could fix things between us that easily.” — a typical Tim lament.
Fun Fact: The series finale drew 35.5 million viewers — more than show-enders for Happy Days and Gunsmoke.
Why It Made the Cut: This was the era’s quintessential drama about grown-ups who didn’t have all the answers.
The Thumbnail: An ensemble of friends and partners in orbit around Philly couple Michael (Ken Olin) and Hope Steadman (Mel Harris), each of whom represented Baby Boomer angst left over from the 1980s.
Classic Episode: Cheers turned to tears in 1991’s “Second Look” when Nancy (Patricia Wettig) finds out her cancer is in remission just as Gary (Peter Horton) is killed in a car accident.
Notable Quotable: “I think I’m missing the relationship chromosome.” —womanizing professor Gary lamenting his status.
sixtysomethings?: In 2020, ABC passed on a revival that would’ve brought Michael, Hope, Nancy and Nancy’s husband Elliot (Timothy Busfield) back to our TVs.
Why It Made the Cut: HBO’s amazing record of producing culture-defining shows started here (well, after an assist from Showtime’s earlier It’s Garry Shandling’s Show).
The Thumbnail: Late-night talk shows got the caustic behind-the-scenes treatment with Shandling as a fictional host and his real-life guest stars playing versions of themselves, and Rip Torn as irate but coddling producer Artie.
Classic Episodes: “Everybody Loves Larry,” (Season 5) where Larry is convinced that David Duchovny has a crush on him. The storyline concludes on the series’ finale —”Flip” (Season 6), when Duchovny does Basic Instinct’s Sharon Stone one better with two generous leg-uncrossings in a loose bathrobe in front of Larry.
Notable Quotable: “Hey Now!” —sidekick Hank Kingsley’s (Jeffrey Tambor) forever declaration.
Fun Fact: Shandling later guested on a 2000 X-Files episode directed by Duchovny.
Why It Made the Cut: Before the blockbusters (and that Oscar win) Will Smith became a household name with this still-relevant comedy that tackled class, race, family, and more.
The Thumbnail: It’s all in the theme song, but here’s the short version: a smooth-talkin’ West Philly teen gets in trouble and is sent to live with his wealthy aunt, uncle, and three coddled cousins in Cali.
Classic Episode: “Viva Lost Wages.” Carlton and Will enter a Vegas dance competition to win back the money the former lost gambling on his 21st birthday.
Notable Quotable: “Girl, your feet must be tired cause you’ve been running through my mind all day!” —Master pickup artist Will in action
Fun Fact: The iconic “Carlton Dance” was Inspired by Courteney Cox‘s moves in Bruce Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark” video.
Why It Made the Cut: Teen angst was never more relatable than through this earnestly honest and compelling drama that made Claire Danes a star at age 15.
The Thumbnail: We cared so much about everything teen Angela Chase went through including getting dreamy Jordan Catalano’s (Jared Leto) attention.
Heartbreaking Episode: The Christmas episode “So-Called Angels” followed a heartbroken gay teen Ricky (Wilson Cruz) out on the street after a fight with an abusive uncle.
Notable Quotable: “Huge events take place on this earth every day. Earthquakes, hurricanes — even glaciers move. So why couldn’t he just look at me?” —a pining Angela
Fun Fact: Despite ABC cancelling the series, Danes took home her first Best Actress Golden Globe and was nominated for an Emmy.
Why It Made the Cut: The British import about rich, selfish London fashion and entertainment execs dared Americans to laugh at previously off-limits topics like bad parenting and substance abuse. And we did, with relish.
The Thumbnail: Public relations powerhouse Edina Monsoon (Jennifer Saunders) and her drug-addled bestie, magazine fashion editor Patsy Stone (Joanna Lumley) swill champagne, pop pills, chase fads and try to stay young – while Eddy’s smart, cynical daughter Saffron (Julia Sawalha) runs the household.
Classic Episode: In Season 1’s a “France,” a vacay chateau turns out to be a rustic cottage. Luckily there’s table tennis and cocaine.
Notable quotable: “Cancel my aromatherapy, my psychotherapy, my reflexology, my osteopath, my homeopath, my naturopath, my crystal reading, my shiatsu, my organic hairdresser. And see if I can be re-birthed next Thursday afternoon.” —Vintage Edina
Why It Made the Cut: The sitcom did not hold back on humor while realistically depicting a working-class family’s struggle to get the bills paid.
The Thumbnail: Lanford, Illinois’s Roseanne (Roseanne Barr) and Dan Conner (John Goodman) didn’t look or sound like typical sitcom leads… one reason why this show was a huge hit.
Classic Episode: Season 2’s “Boo” brought the Halloween fun (an annual tradition) as Dan and Roseanne try to out-scare each other.
Notable Quotable: “I’m so amazing. If I ever get up off this couch, I’ll be unstoppable.” —Roseanne pats herself on the back after helping daughter Darlene (Sara Gilbert) keep her boyfriend David (Johnny Galecki)
Fun Fact: The exteriors shots of the Conner home and town were actually of Evansville, Indiana, hometown of series cocreator Matt Williams.
Why It Made the Cut: Laughs aside, what other sitcom made viewers think about issues of the day, causing real politicians to speak out — until they famously became butt of the joke?
The Thumbnail: Cantankerous and occasionally vulnerable network newswoman Murphy Brown (Candice Bergen) runs the show at newsmagazine FYI among a Today show-type team.
Real vs. Sitcom Life: The two-part fifth season opener “You Say Potatoe, I Say Potato” had new mother Murphy dealing with criticism from Vice President Dan Quayle on her single motherhood, mirroring the veep’s real-life criticism.
Notable Quotable: “Men are like Dove bars — one is great, two make you throw up.” —some sage words of wisdom from Murphy
Far-Reaching Impact: Mammogram tests jumped 30% after a 1997 episode where Murphy finds out she has breast cancer from the exam.
Why It Made the Cut: The Beverly Hills, 90210 spinoff brought primetime soaps back to life after Heather Locklear‘s villainous vixen Amanda Woodward brought in enough viewers to save the show from cancellation.
The Thumbnail: Twentysomethings living in a So-Cal apartment complex bedhop and behave badly.
Classic Episode: Demented doc Kimberly Shaw (Marcia Cross) blew up the whole damn complex in Season 3’s two-part finale, fittingly entitled “The Big Bang.”
Notable Quotable: “Talk is cheap Amanda. Then again, so are you.” —Peter delivers a zinger to his on-again, off-again love, Amanda
Fun Fact: The exterior shot of the 4616 address sign wasn’t in West Hollywood, but at the entrance of another apartment building in Los Feliz, CA.
Why It Made the Cut: Comedian Ray Romano and executive producer Phil Rosenthal brought psychological depth to the family sitcom, balancing petty bickering (and yelling) with the “why” behind resentments and insecurities.
The Thumbnail: Sportswriter Ray Barone (Romano), his smart wife Debra (Patricia Heaton) and their kids live across the street from his intrusive mom Marie (Doris Roberts), wisecracking dad Frank (Peter Boyle) and older brother, morose NYC cop Robert (Brad Garrett).
Notable Quotable: “Everybody has to do what Raymond wants, right? New sheets for Raymond! Brownies for Raymond! Can’t sleep naked around Raymond!” —An understandably resentful Robert complaining about his younger brother always being catered to.
Secret weapons: Veteran comic actors Roberts and Boyle. Just watch them try to retrieve a returned appliance in Season 3 masterpiece, “The Toaster.”
P.S.I. Luv You, about a beautiful con artist and a New York cop.
Why It Made the Cut: The first network series to feature openly gay lead characters broke ground with non-stop LGBTQIA+ representation.
The Thumbnail: New York romcom with gay lawyer Will Truman (Eric McCormack), his straight BFF, interior designer Grace Adler (Debra Messing); flamboyant pal Jack (Sean Hayes); and booze-soaked Karen (Megan Mullally).
Classic Episode: A terrified Jack coming out to his mom (Veronica Cartwright) in “Homo for the Holidays” ranks as one of TV Guide Magazine‘s 100 Greatest Television Episodes of All-Time.
Notable Quotable: “Honey, what’s this? What’s happening? What’s going on?” —Karen’s frequent complicated multi-part question
Fun Fact: Madonna, J-Lo, Cher, Britney, Elton John, Matt Damon, and Ellen DeGeneres all guested.
Why It Made the Cut: How rude to even ask! We could never leave off this beloved ABC sitcom that asked, “Whatever happened to predictability?” and then continuously surprised us with deep storylines and a big heart.
The Thumbnail: Widowed dad Danny Tanner (Bob Saget) rallies his rocker brother-in-law Jesse (John Stamos) and jokester BFF Joey (Dave Coulier) to raise his three young daughters.
You’re in Big Trouble, Mister: In “Honey, I Broke the House,” preteen Stephanie (Jodie Sweetin) accidentally backs Joey’s new red-hot 1963 AMC Rambler into the kitchen.
Our favorite Full House-ism: “You got it, dude.” —Tiny Michelle Tanner’s (Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen) frequent “It’s OK” declaration
Fun Fact: Only one episode was actually filmed in San Francisco where the Tanners lived — the sight-seeing doggy spectacular, “Comet’s Excellent Adventure.”
Why It Made the Cut: The comedy set at a Boston Bar where everybody knows your name remains one of the sharpest, funniest sitcoms ever.
The Thumbnail: The life and loves of the regulars and staff of Cheers, the pub owned by ex-baseball player/former alcoholic Sam Malone (Ted Danson).
Classic Episode: The gang meets at Carla’s for a “family” meal in season five’s “Thanksgiving Orphans,” and a food fight ensues with Norm’s (George Wendt) ever-unseen wife Vera appearing — with pie on her face.
Notable Quotable: “It’s a dog-eat-dog world, Sammy, and I’m wearing Milk Bone underwear.” —Norm’s most memorable answer to the “how’s life” question
Fun Fact: Cheers was nearly canceled when it ranked 74th out of 77 shows after its first season.
Why It Made the Cut: Essentially responsible for the acceptance of current-day reality television, this MTV series is a classic for a reason.
The Thumbnail: What happens when you bring young adults from different walks of life to live together under one roof? The Real World explored this in several major cities, birthing showmances and debate around topics such as sexuality, religion, and more.
Classic Episode: “Love Rules,” which saw Pedro Zamora, one of the first gay men with AIDS to star in popular media, marry his partner Sean Sasser in a commitment ceremony.
Notable Quotable: “Find out what happens when people stop being polite and start getting real.” —tagline for the show
Fun Fact: Spinoff series The Challenge has had more seasons than The Real World.
Why It Made the Cut: Hitmakers Steven Bochco and David Milch infused this crime drama with the kind of grit and heart — as well as risqué content — other procedurals have been influenced by since.
The Thumbnail: The detectives of the NYPD’s 15th Precinct (including Dennis Franz‘s Andy Sipowicz) hit the streets to investigate a range of homicides while tackling intense personal situations.
Classic Episode: “Hearts and Souls,” which serves as the heartbreaking send-off for Jimmy Smits‘ Detective Bobby Simone as his heart transplant doesn’t go as planned.
Notable Quotable: “Boy, that’s sure gonna be clean.” —Sipowicz to his ADA girlfriend Sylvia (Sharon Lawrence), after she joins him in the shower
Fun Fact: The show’s nudity and coarse language was so controversial for broadcast TV that it wasn’t initially aired by all affiliates.
Why It Made the Cut: A staple on Best TV Shows lists, the acclaimed police drama won fistfuls of prestigious awards.
The Thumbnail: The gritty journey of a diverse Baltimore homicide squad was packed with intense and eccentric characters, riveting interrogation scenes and oddly philosophical exchanges.
Classic Episode: The Peabody-winning “Subway,” a heart-wrenching episode that followed Det. Frank Pembleton (Emmy-winner Andre Braugher) as he tried to jog the memories of a dying commuter (Vincent D’Onofrio) to learn who pushed him under the train entrapping him.
Long-Lasting Effects: First-time TV writer David Simon went on to produce The Wire, Treme and We Own This City.
Fun Fact: After Homicide‘s cancellation, Richard Belzer‘s conspiracy-loving Det. John Munch brought his cynicism to Law & Order: SVU‘s sex crime squad — with cameos in nine other series.
Why It Made the Cut: The HBO comedy changed both how women were portrayed on TV, and how female friendships were portrayed. Carrie Bradshaw, Samantha Jones, Miranda Hobbes, and Charlotte York became pop culture phenomena.
The Thumbnail: Four single women over 30 (Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Cynthia Nixon, and Kristin Davis) navigate the NYC dating scene in the 1990s/early 2000s.
Classic Episode: “Running with Scissors”: Carrie faces consequences for her affair with Mr. Big (Chris Noth), Charlotte weighs in on it, Samantha gets tested for AIDS, and Miranda falls for a sandwich.
Notable Quotable: “Maybe we can be each other’s soul mates. And then we can let men be just these great, nice guys to have fun with.” —Charlotte (Davis) sums it all up in the episode “The Agony and the ‘Ex’-tacy”
Fun Fact: Carrie’s fashions may be legend, but her iconic tutu in the opening sequence only cost $5.
Why It Made the Cut: This quirky, captivating trip from film visionary David Lynch and Mark Frost upended primetime network television.
The Thumbnail: Homecoming queen Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee) is dead, wrapped in plastic. When the FBI’s Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) arrives in the Pacific Northwest town, he finds plenty of suspects, and a sheriff named Harry S. Truman (Michael Ontkean), a Log Lady (Catherine E. Coulson), Laura’s doppelgänger cousin Maddy (also Sheryl Lee), delicious pie, menace and melodrama, vivid dreams, a giant, and the ultimate evil: BOB (Frank Silva).
Classic Episode: In “Lonely Souls,” Laura Palmer’s killer is finally revealed in a scenario almost too shocking to fathom.
Notable Quotable: “This is — excuse me — a damn fine cup of coffee!” —Coop, ever the caffeine connoisseur
Fun Fact: Cast members learned to speak dialogue backwards for scenes in the surreal Red Room.
Why It Made the Cut: In an era of slick teen shows (from Beverly Hills 90210 to Melrose Place), creator Paul Feig and executive producer Judd Apatow‘s comedy gave us a refreshingly real take on the awkward joys and miseries of a Detroit high school circa 1980-81.
The Thumbnail: Brainy suburban teen Lindsay (Linda Cardellini) ditches her mathlete clique for the freaks (James Franco, Jason Segel, Seth Rogen, Busy Philipps). Her brother, geek Sam (John Francis Daley) and his pals (Martin Starr, Samm Levine) do their best to evade bullies.
Classic Episode: “Tricks and Treats” — the siblings’ crowds collide on Halloween.
Guest Star Power: Ben Stiller, Rashida Jones, Jason Schwartzman, Lizzy Caplan — even Ann Dowd!
Most important long-lasting effect: The cult classic launched the young cast and a super-successful Apatow/Rogen collab.
Why It Made the Cut: With 37 Emmys, this Cheers spinoff remains the winningest sitcom in history.
The Thumbnail: Seattle radio therapist Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) matches wits with his equally sophisticated brother Niles (David Hyde Pierce) and trades barbs with their blue-collar dad Martin (John Mahoney).
Classic Episode: “The Ski Lodge,” a brilliant bedroom farce in which Niles pines for future wife Daphne (Jane Leeves)… who pines for French ski instructor Guy (James Patrick Stuart)… who pines for Niles.
Casting Coup: Lisa Kudrow was originally tapped to play Frasier’s formidable producer Roz, but was replaced by Peri Gilpin during rehearsals.
Fun Fact: Mahoney wore sardine oil on his hands to keep Moose, the Jack Russell Terrier who played Eddie, from biting him.
Why It Made the Cut: Not only did the riveting Dick Wolf drama spawn a handful of spinoffs, it returned for a 21st season on NBC this year — with original star Sam Waterston.
The Thumbnail: The police investigate the crimes, the district attorneys prosecute the offenders and every theater actor in New York City gets a TV credit.
Classic Episode: Season 6’s “Aftershock” sends characters reeling after watching an inmate’s execution: Det. Curtis (Benjamin Bratt) strays (with a young Jennifer Garner), Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) hits the bottle, and soul-searching ADA Kincaid (Jill Hennessy) is killed by a drunk driver while driving Briscoe home.
Dun Dun: The show’s composer thought of it as “the stylized sound of a jail cell locking.”
Fun Fact: L&O could have been on CBS! The net passed on the pilot.
Why It Made the Cut: Where do we start? When will it end? The enduring animated satire is TV’s longest-running scripted primetime series, animated or otherwise.
The Thumbnail: Homer and Marge raise a family of misfits in the curious town of Springfield.
Notable Quotables: As many catchphrases as there are T-shirts, Simpsons classics include “D’oh!” “Eat my shorts!” “Don’t have a cow” and (courtesy of school bully Nelson Muntz) “Ha Ha!”
An Annual Tradition: Each Halloween, the “Treehouse of Horror” parody trilogy is a literal scream — and usually a high point of any season.
Fun Fact: Among the most legendary of guest voices: Elizabeth Taylor, providing Maggie’s first word sans pacifier (“Daddy”).
Why It Made the Cut: This utterly absorbing, frenetic medical drama had characters, relationships and emergency room storylines we adored.
The Thumbnail: The Chicago County General staff (George Clooney, Julianna Margulies, Anthony Edwards, Noah Wyle, Eriq La Salle) save lives while pursuing loves.
Classic Episode: “All in the Family,” which aired after one of the most memorable TV cliffhangers: Carter (Wyle) and Lucy (Kellie Martin) stabbed in an exam room. From a horrified Weaver (Laura Innes) finding them to Romano (Paul McCrane) refusing to give up on Lucy, it’s a must-rewatch.
Notable Quotable: “You set the tone.” —advice given to Mark (Edwards), later passed on to John Carter (Wyle), who then gave it to Archie (Scott Grimes) about taking charge.
Iconic Moment: Carol (Margulies) left Chicago to be with Doug (Clooney) in Seattle — with a surprise Clooney appearance!
Why It Made the Cut: The comedy about 20-somethings grappling with emerging adulthood in New York City embodied the hangout sitcom in a way still being mimicked today.
The Thumbnail: Six pals (Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matthew Perry, David Schwimmer, and Matt LeBlanc) bounce between an impossibly huge apartment and the orange sofa of a coffee shop while figuring out life, career, and love.
Classic Episode: “The One Where Everybody Finds Out,” where Monica and Chandler’s secret romance slowly comes to light. “They don’t know that we know they know we know!”
Notable Quotable: “We were on a break!” —Schwimmer’s Ross pleading his cheating case to Aniston’s Rachel
Fun Fact: Cox was initially offered the role of Rachel before convincing producers to let her play competitive clean freak, Monica.
Why It Made the Cut: As the otherworldly classic suggests, seeing is believing — and not even a doomed Friday night slot for its first three seasons could tank this mind-bender, which became one of the longest-running sci-fi shows in history.
The Thumbnail: Two FBI agents — a believer (David Duchovny‘s Fox Mulder) and a skeptic (Gillian Anderson‘s Dana Scully) — take on bizarre paranormal cases, chasing down aliens, monsters and one sinister chain smoker.
Classic Episode: Dark Emmy-winner “Clyde Bruckman’s Final Repose” sees guest star Peter Boyle play a psychic with the power of knowing how people will die.
Notable Quotable: “The truth is out there, but so are lies.” —Scully’s cynical retort to all that’s strange.
Fun Fact: Season 4’s shudder-inducing “Home,” about an inbred Pennsylvanian family, was the first network TV episode to get a TV-MA rating.
Why It Made the Cut: Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld‘s “series about nothing” showed us everything worth laughing about in the 1990s.
The Thumbnail: Four hilariously coarse friends (Seinfeld, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jason Alexander, Michael Richards) mine jokes from an unapologetic soup Nazi, a puffy shirt, lethal envelope glue, double dipping and much more.
Classic Episode: “The Contest,” which made masturbation something you could laugh about — if you were master of your domain.
Notable Quotable: “You know how to take the reservation; you just don’t know how to hold the reservation. And that’s the most important part of the reservation: the holding.”—frustrated Jerry’s rant at a car rental counter
Fun Fact: The 1993 Best Comedy Emmy winner made “Yadda-yadda-yadda” an “it” phrase.
Why It Made the Cut: Into every generation, a game-changer is born to upend the teen-TV genre. This one also put the WB on the map and proved that scares and savvy writing made a killer combo.
The Thumbnail: Sunnydale High’s Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar) battles angst and evil with “watcher” Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) and Scooby Gang of witchy Willow (Alyson Hannigan), bitchy Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) and adorkable Xander (Nicholas Brendon).
Classic Episode: It’s a tie between the silent ghouls of “Hush,” and “Angel” — which introduced David Boreanaz‘s broody vamp Romeo to Gellar’s Juliet.
Notable Quotable: “Buffy Summers, class protector.” —announced award given to Buffy for saving Sunnydale class of ’99
Fun Fact: Ryan Reynolds turned down the role of Xander.
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