10 Perfect '90s Shows That No One Remembers Today

For every sitcom about a group of friends living and loving in New York City, there was one about a group of friends and colleagues working in a small Nantucket airport. If Fox found success with a comedy about a dysfunctional, middle-class family, The WB tried its hand at one too. The Pacific Northwest was ripe for a surrealist thriller about a fish-out-of-water special agent, but it was also a great location for a dramedy about a fish-out-of-water doctor. The titles on this list brought audiences excellent television that has been forgotten over time. It's time to celebrate these shows and encourage you to watch them if they're streaming today!

'3rd Rock from the Sun' (1996–2001)

The fish-out-of-water story often leads to comical situations. It's why it is often a trope used for sitcoms. So what happens if you swap out the metaphorical fish for a quartet of aliens trying to integrate on planet Earth? You get one of the best sitcoms of the decade, 3rd Rock from the Sun. Conceived by Coneheads creators Bonnie and Terry Turner, 3rd Rock from the Sun saw four extraterrestrials arrive on Earth on an expedition to the "very insignificant planet." To study the human race, the quartet must try to assimilate into American society. Of course, comedy ensues. Paying homage to the family sitcom with a delightfully unique twist, 3rd Rock from the Sun was unlike anything else on air. In a sense, 3rd Rock from the Sun was ahead of its time, as it celebrated a unique, unconventional found family setup. 3rd Rock from the Sun started the conversation about what a family unit could look like.

By far, the leading reason why 3rd Rock from the Sun was a massive success was its top-rate ensemble. The cast, which included John Lithgow, Kristen Johnston, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and French Stewart as the Solomons, with Jane Curtin, Simbi Khali, Elmarie Wendel, and Wayne Knight as friends, lovers, and colleagues, was more than willing to dive headfirst into physical humor and outlandish scenarios, all with a sci-fi flair. 3rd Rock from the Sun was a brilliant premise as it allowed social commentary to be transmitted through a comedic lens. The series deconstructed human behavior, love, gender norms, and society as a whole all through an outsider's perspective. Just imagine a reboot series with the Solomons in today's world. They'd be in for a rude awakening, but certainly lead to humor.

'Caroline in the City' (1995–1999)

One of the longest-running sitcom premises was to find either a beloved actor or an unconventional icon and center an entire sitcom around them. Sometimes they'd keep their first name and try to fool the audience with a different surname. Other times, they would get an entirely different name and ensure they were the central character by tossing the name in the title. The '90s did that a lot, especially in the middle years of the decade. A year before the more unconventional decision of giving supermodel Brooke Shields an entire sitcom with Suddenly Susan, it was beloved Back to the Future star Lea Thompson in Caroline in the City. The four-season series followed Caroline Duffy (Thompson), a successful cartoonist living in Manhattan. Caroline in the City followed Caroline's life as she navigated her messy love life, career success, and friendships with an eclectic group of characters. Riding the high of Friends, Caroline in the City centralized the action around an icon who was more than capable of carrying her own show.

In a manner of speaking, Caroline in the City took up the torch originally lit by shows like The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Murphy Brown by finding a balance between a woman's professional life and her social life. Where Mary and Murphy were hard-nosed TV people, Caroline was a charming Midwestern soul. Caroline in the City celebrated the thirty-something dating life against a cozy yet chaotic New York City backdrop, but ensured that, no matter what, her professional life was of equal importance. The series employed a will-they-won't-they dynamic between Caroline and her sarcastic colorist, Richard Karinsky, played by Malcolm Gets. The eccentric ensemble, including Eric Lutes, Amy Pietz, and Andy Lauer, added wonderful color to Caroline's story. And for 97 episodes, it worked.

Debuting between Seinfeld and ER on the Must-See TV lineup, to really help Caroline in the City gain further appeal, they used one of the Friends' characters, Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry), as a quick cameo by meeting Annie (Pietz) in a video store and striking out grossly while trying to hit on her. That same evening, Thompson appeared on Friends as Caroline. Not only did it seem to work, but it also opened up the door for more sitcom crossovers, including Daphne Moon and Niles Crane (Jane Leeves and David Hyde Pierce) from Frasier and Jonathan Eliot (Jonathan Silverman) from The Single Guy. So it's safe to say many of NBC's best sitcoms technically live in the same universe! And that also includes another show included on this list. A quintessential, nostalgic reminder of '90s television joy, Caroline in the City should be in the same conversations with the NBC greats.

'Dharma & Greg' (1997–2002)

Odd-couple comedies often center on two completely opposite individuals as friends or coworkers. But what if there was a sitcom centered around a literal odd couple? You get one of the most endearing comedies of the late '90s, Dharma & Greg. Created by Dottie Dartland and Chuck Lorre, the sitcom tells the story of free-spirited, liberal yoga instructor Dharma (Jenna Elfman) and a rigid, Harvard-educated lawyer, Greg (Thomas Gibson), who get married on their first date. Focusing on their impulsive, opposites-attract relationship and culture clashes between their hippie and wealthy parents—Larry and Abby Finkelstein (Alan Rachins and Mimi Kennedy), and Kitty and Edward Montgomery (Susan Sullivan and Mitchell Ryan)—Dharma & Greg was a wonderfully delightful weekly pick-me-up that proved even the most unconventional pairings can lead to the greatest love stories.

For five seasons, Dharma & Greg was the epitome of comfort television. Thanks to the electric chemistry between the two leads, the hilarious antics between the parents, and the accessible storylines, Dharma & Greg was an underdog series that struck a balance between whimsy and absurdity. Though decades removed from All in the Family, Dharma & Greg showcased a similar clash of lifestyles and viewpoints. Here, the show bridged the bohemian counterculture with the conservative, high-society elite. It was a reflection of generational divides while also showcasing the "you learn what you were taught" mentality. The series reflected the '90s cultural divide that still resonates. Often leading to giddy smirks and belly laughs, Dharma & Greg shone through its witty, authentic writing. The titular character's legacy carried into the 21st century, as both Eflman and Gibson appeared in a ninth-season episode of Lorre's Two and a Half Men. Though they were unnamed characters, they were based on Dharma and Greg. Dharma & Greg existed during a period of shifting sitcoms heading into the new millennium. Though it seems lost to time, Dharma & Greg remains a wonderful concept that gives us hope for love.

'Eerie, Indiana' (1991–1993)

If you were a child of the '90s, you most certainly watched Eerie, Indiana. Whether during its original run on NBC or via syndication on The Disney Channel, the horror science-fiction series helped jump-start an adoration for the genre among a younger demographic. Created by José Rivera and Karl Schaefer, Eerie, Indiana followed Marshall Teller (Omri Katz), a teenager whose family moved from New Jersey to a bizarre small town where weirdness is normal. Alongside his friend Simon Holmes (Justin Shenkarow), Marshall investigates a string of strange occurrences, ranging from supernatural entities to urban legends and sinister suburban secrets. A perfectly balanced mix of satire, horror, and comedy, it was essentially the kid version of Twin Peaks.

Eerie, Indiana was an innovative, genre-bending masterpiece that, despite kids being the leads, appealed to a broader audience. Especially for those who might have grown up on The Twilight Zone. Though the series had only 19 episodes in a two-year span of a single season, the show's legacy continued through 1997, as The Disney Channel aired reruns. A year later, Fox Kids introduced a spin-off, Eerie, Indiana: The Other Dimension, as Mitchell Taylor (Bill Switzer) and Stanley Hope (Daniel Clark) continue to investigate the weird phenomena in their hometown of Eerie. There's absolutely no other way to say it, but Eerie, Indiana paved the way for supernatural and horror series, both adult and children-centric, that followed. Without Eerie, Indiana, we may not have had The X-Files or Are You Afraid of the Dark? The show even inspired Alex Hirsch for the creation of Gravity Falls. Modern supernatural series, from Buffy the Vampire Slayer to Stranger Things, likely would never have come to fruition had it not been for Eerie, Indiana's initial appearance. It's a shame that it remains a nostalgic entry rather than the pioneering series it truly was.

'Grace Under Fire' (1993–1998)

You can always spot successful television trends by the type of shows that follow big hits. With Roseanne being one of the most-watched blue-collar family shows, ABC tried it again with a slightly different perspective. Rather than a tight-knit but quite dysfunctional family, they put a divorced, single mother in the spotlight with Grace Under Fire. Created by Chuck Lorre, Brett Butler starred as Grace Kelly, a single mom and recovering alcoholic raising three children, Quentin (Jon Paul Steur and Sam Horrigan), Libby (Kaitlin Cullum), and Patrick (Dylan and Cole Sprouse), in a small town in Missouri. After finally divorcing her abusive husband, Grace is on a mission to start over again. Centered on her daily struggle to raise a family while balancing her blue-collar job working at an oil refinery and navigating relationships with friends and neighbors, including Nadine and Wade Swoboda (Julie White and Casey Sander), and Russell Norton (Dave Thomas), Grace Under Fire was an honest depiction of a woman overcoming a difficult past while fighting for a better future.

There were sitcoms on the big networks that were meant as escapism, providing laughs and antics over authenticity. Grace Under Fire was not that. There was drama infused in between the jokes, allowing for a raw, unflinching portrayal of a woman who reflected many of its viewers. Like Roseanne, which Lorre was fresh from writing on, Grace Under Fire offered a gritty depiction of her struggles through issue-oriented storylines. Grace Under Fire did not sanitize serious topics like addiction and abuse. For that, it was ahead of its time. Despite the controversy surrounding Butler's behind-the-scenes behavior, Grace Under Fire maintained a ratings' stronghold, giving it a promising five-season run.

'Northern Exposure' (1990–1995)

Just after Twin Peaks brought viewers to the eerie Washington town, CBS traveled even further north to Alaska for the comedy-drama Northern Exposure. Set in the fictional town of Ciciely, Alaska, the Joshua Brand and John Falsey-created series tells the story of Dr. Joel Fleischman (Rob Morrow), a Jewish New York doctor, who is forced to practice in a small, eccentric hamlet in order to pay off his student loans. As he adjusts to his new life and a new culture, he begins a romance with bush pilot Maggie O'Connell (Janine Turner) while interacting with the eclectic locals, including ex-astronaut Maurice Minnifield (Barry Corbin), radio DJ Chris Stevens (John Corbett), and café owner Holling Vincoeur (John Cullum). Northern Exposure captured the imagination of America through its quirky atmosphere, magical realism, and surreal storytelling.

At its core, Northern Exposure was fundamentally about community, personal growth, and finding beauty in the unconventional. Joel's journey as an outsider provided a brilliant entry point, as he not only adjusted to his new world but also integrated into the tight-knit community. Ciciely was a rare, charming, non-judgmental universe that opened a window to deep, philosophical discussions. The series ended in 1995, mainly due to shifting time slots and Morrow's departure, making the show more difficult to sustain. Even if the show ran its course, it was, in the end, a well-crafted, calm alternative to darker television options at the time.

'Road Rules' (1995–2007)

The '80s ushered in the MTV generation, where music videos dominated the network. By 1992, they revolutionized television with one of the first reality shows, The Real World. With such success, creators Mary-Ellis Bunim and Jonathan Murray launched a sister series, Road Rules. Instead of seven strangers picked to live in a house, it was five or six strangers living in an RV as they traveled from destination to destination. Should they accomplish their missions along the way, the twenty-somethings will win a "handsome reward" at the end of the journey. Evolving during its run, jumping to other continents and even a Semester at Sea, Road Rules took the premise that catapulted The Real World to the top of the MTV Generation's viewing list and brought an action-packed new element to make it even greater. Road Rules became a show that viewers escaped to as a faster-paced, adrenaline-filled version of its predecessor. Where The Real World showcased individual growth among its participants through social interactions, Road Rules pushed that growth by forcing participants out of their comfort zones.

Road Rules became a great indicator of where reality television was heading. For the first seven seasons, Road Rules was strictly documentary-oriented. By the time 2000 rolled around, the series was retooled to reflect the more entertaining, competition-based elements that fresh shows like Survivor and Big Brother were emphasizing. We don't give Road Rules enough credit for revolutionizing the competition-based reality show, especially since it helped spawn the show now officially known as The Challenge. More than 30 years after the series debuted, Road Rules has had a lasting impact on reality television. Mark Long, one of the original stars from the first season, remains in the reality sphere, participating in The Challenge. He knows that had Road Rules not succeeded, his life might be very different today. That said, day-one fans fondly remember Road Rules, but with the expansion of non-MTV IP shows on The Challenge, the legacy of Road Rules is fading intodistant memory.

'Two of a Kind' (1998–1999)

One of the most iconic sitcoms of the '90s was Full House. And the main reason why was the iconic characters. As Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen grew up, their brand rose. After having so many VHS films that made a big impact on children of the decade, three years after Full House, it was time for them to return to the small screen. As part of ABC's TGIF lineup, Two of a Kind featured the 12-year-old twins with opposite personalities: Mary-Kate Burke was a tomboy, while Ashley Burke was a girly girl. Together, they team up to help their widower father, Kevin Burke (Christopher Sieber), a nerdy college professor, navigate life and love alongside their quirky babysitter, Carrie Moore (Sally Wheeler). A popular one-season run, Two of a Kind served as a reminder that the Olsen twins remained valuable entertainment assets.

What was clear across all 22 episodes was that Two of a Kind was delightfully charming. Just like Mary-Kate and Ashley, Kevin and Carrie epitomized the opposites-attract dynamic. The focus may have been on the popular twins once known as Michelle Tanner, but Two of a Kind was more than just about them. Many viewers literally grew up with the Olsen twins. Two of a Kind became the logical next step in their journey. As a lighthearted family comedy, there was still room to explore topics of adolescence as the twins moved into their teenage years. After the show's cancellation, it only took two years before they were given another sitcom, So Little Time. Rather than geared toward a family demographic, the series was meant for kids their own age, airing on Fox Family-turned-ABC Family during its run. It might have been because of So Little Time that we forget about Two of a Kind, but the truth is, they are both nostalgia-filled classics.

'Unhappily Ever After' (1995–1999)

There is absolutely no denying that Married With Children was one of the most influential sitcoms of all time. Alongside The Simpsons, it helped shape FOX as a network television contender. As The WB also tried to establish itself in the conversation, the network brought in Married With Children co-creator Ron Leavitt and writer Arthur Silver to craft a similar series for its Wednesday night comedy block. The result was Unhappily Ever After. The series follows the Malloys, a dysfunctional suburban family dealing with divorce and chaotic lives. Comprised of Jack (Geoff Pierson), his ex-wife Jennie (Stephanie Hodge), their three children — Ryan, Tiffany, and Ross (Kevin Connolly, Nikki Cox, and Justin Berfield) — and the cynical, talking rabbit puppet, Mr. Floppy (voiced by Bobcat Goldthwait), Unhappily Ever After took a cynical and dark tone that mixed in with the laugh-out-loud humor and surreal elements.

In a sense, Unhappily Ever After was an anti-sitcom, satirizing the classic tropes of family comedies. For 100 episodes across five seasons, Unhappily Ever After served as the perfect foil to many of the larger mainstream titles. Having a creature as part of the story wasn't a novel idea. Instead, the nihilistic stuffed bunny was used to mock the trope and to serve as rough commentary on Jack’s failures through absurdist humor. The fourth-wall-breaking antics, often aimed at mocking the writing and the network, gave the audience a chance to be in on the jokes. The meta-commentary became the reason to tune in week after week. Unhappily Ever After was unapologetically bizarre and uncouth in all the right ways. Sometimes, being unconventional is what it takes to earn a 10/10 reception. If only it had maintained the legacy it deserved.

'Wings' (1990–1997)

Hands down, the most underrated sitcom of the '90s is Wings. Set at a small Nantucket airport, the series centered on the complicated relationship between brothers Joe and Brian Hackett (Tim Daly and Steven Weber), who run a one-plane airline, Sandpiper Air, and navigate professional struggles, romantic entanglements, contrasting personalities, and a rivalry with a competing airline. Created by David Angell, Peter Casey, and David Lee, who were also producers of Cheers and creators of Frasier, the iconic sitcom was a unique workplace comedy featuring an eclectic cast of characters that made Wings the hit series it became. A wonderful ensemble-driven series, it was witty, balancing high-stakes scenarios with cozy, Nantucket-based warmth.

Like Cheers, Wings was celebrated for its home-away-from-home premise. By centralizing the action at the airport, the characters navigated the highs and lows of life while literally at work. The cast dynamic was one of the best on television. There were truly no weak links in the ensemble. The sibling dynamic was a joy, but it was everyone around them that added so much color. Some of the standouts during the run included Rebecca Schull as Fay Cochran, Tony Shalhoub as Antonio Scarpacci, Crystal Bernard as Helen Chappel, and Thomas Haden Church as Lowell Mather. Like Caroline in the City, the world of Cheers and Frasier exists in this universe. Cliff Calvin (John Ratzenberger), Norm Peterson (George Wendt), Rebecca Howe (Kirstie Alley), and Frasier and Lilith Crane (Kelsey Grammer and Bebe Neuwirth) all passed through. To make things confusing though, Shalhoub and Schull appeared on Frasier as different characters. The witty banter and constant airport humor set Wings apart from the sitcom pack. Wings was a comfort show. We've all been to an airport, but we’ve never truly considered the individuals who work there. Thanks to Wings, we have a reason today.