There are several forgotten 90s TV shows that people in that decade loved, even if they only lived for a short time. While it seems very few people today talk about the shows, they remain worth the time to seek out and catch up on, whether watching them again or discovering them for the first time. Not only were there forgotten 90s TV shows that people today might not know about, but some of them were connected in one way or another to more popular shows that might not match up to the forgotten gems.
Millennium was a spin-off of The X-Files, and it barely lives in the shadow of the paranormal hit. Living Single was the show that Friends copied to great success, while the original remains a cult favorite instead of the smash hit that it deserved to be. Even shows like MTV’s The State spawned other shows that barely touched the brilliance of the comedy troupe’s early days. In the end, the shows might be forgotten, but they deserve a second look.
Millennium (1996-1999)
- Not available for streaming
Everyone knows about The X-Files, which was one of the most successful sci-fi TV shows in history. However, a spin-off of that series that was even more disturbing at times is another of the forgotten 90s TV shows. Millennium starred Lance Henricksen (Aliens) as a psychic FBI consultant who can see into the minds of bad people. The first season was all about him catching killers, but when the second and third seasons leaned into the possible end of the world coming at the Millennium, the show really picked up and became must-watch TV.
The State (1993-1995)
In a genre that includes popular and lasting shows like Saturday Night Live, Reno 911!, and even The Kids in the Hall, not enough people talk about the sketch comedy show, The State. Airing on MTV in the 1990s, this sketch show had some of the most bizarre and memorable of any series of the decade. The cast included some future stars at the start of their careers, including Michael Ian Black, Ken Marino, Michael Showalter, and David Wain. If not for The State, shows like Reno 911! and movies like Wet Hot American Summer might not exist, yet it remains one of the best forgotten 90s TV shows.
Spaced (1999-2001)
One of the best forgotten 90s TV shows that arrived at the end of the decade ended up creating one of the most popular cult-favorite film trilogies to come out of Britain. Edgar Wright created the sitcom Spaced with two of his close friends Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. Of course, they all ended up reuniting for Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and The World’s End, but it all started here. Spaced was similar in style to movies like Clerks, with twenty-somethings who live in an apartment complex and talk about comic books and Star Wars. This was 90s indie cinema in a sitcom format.
The Adventures Of Brisco County, Jr. (1993-1994)
- Buy now on Apple TV & Prime Video
Co-created by Last Crusade screenwriter Jeffrey Boam, The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. stars Bruce Campbell as a Harvard-educated lawyer-turned-bounty hunter who attempts to capture the gang that killed his father. Other actors involved in the short-lived Western TV show include Julius Carry, Christian Clemenson, and Kelly Rutherford. Despite lasting only a single season, The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. holds up as a well-realized show thanks to its blend of comedy, western, and science fiction elements. The mish-mash of genres along with the tongue-in-cheek performances make for a delightful watch that only could have been produced during the 1990s.
Shadow Raiders (1998-1999)
- Not available for streaming
One of the forgotten 90s TV shows from pioneering animation studio, Mainframe Entertainment, Shadow Raiders follows the adventures of Graveheart as he attempts to unite the leaders of the Cluster in an effort to defeat the Beast. While Shadow Raiders was nowhere near as popular as Reboot or Beast Wars (the best Transformers TV show), the series still boasted a high quality of storytelling that its sister shows held. It didn’t try to sugarcoat the dilemma of galactic destruction, but neither did it wallow in the drama of the situation, thus allowing children and adults alike to appreciate the series.
Two Guys And A Girl (1998-2001)
- Not available for streaming
Running for four seasons, Two Guys and a Girl focused on the lives of a college trio as they work at a pizza place and attempt to navigate their lives. The show eventually ditched the setting of the pizza parlor as the characters matured. While clearly taking influence from the likes of Seinfeld and Friends, Two Guys and a Girl is notable for introducing American television audiences to Ryan Reynolds and Nathan Fillion. The two stars’ comedic sensibilities were still largely unharnessed at the time, but the show allowed them to grow as performers, a fact which helped the program distinguish itself from other forgotten 90s TV shows.
The Pretender (1996-2000)
- Stream now on Prime Video
One of the stranger forgotten 90s TV shows of the decade, The Pretender followed a genius imposter with the ability to impersonate any professional role as he attempted to right the wrongs of the oppressed, despite being on the run from the authorities. Chasing down the protagonist were three colorful villains who worked for the organization that had kidnaped Jarod. It attempted to tell a sincere story about discovery amidst revelations involving clones, long-lost siblings, and plots involving black market arms dealers.
The Ben Stiller Show (1992-1995)
- Buy now on Apple TV & Prime Video
Long before Ben Stiller started making successful movies, he was the star of his own MTV sketch comedy series. It only lasted for 13 episodes but was critically acclaimed at the time of its release, winning an Emmy for Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program in 1993. What makes The Ben Stiller Show an especially potent piece of hilarity is the dynamic between the cast members. Besides Stiller, the show featured the likes of Andy Dick, Bob Odenkirk, Janeane Garofalo, and John F. O’Donohue, all of whom would go on to star in bigger projects.
Freakazoid! (1995-1997)
- Buy now on Apple TV & Prime Video
Created by animator Bruce Timm and writer Paul Dini, Freakazoid! was a superhero parody that mixed the action styling of Batman: The Animated Series with the absurdist humor of Animaniacs. It was a dynamic blend of styles, but one that failed to acquire a strong audience. Despite not being as fondly remembered as the best cartoons from the 1990s, Freakazoid! still resonates with audiences due to the unhinged nature of the show. Certain gags and pop culture references won’t land for modern audiences, but the zany comedy of the title character remains timelessly funny.
Northern Exposure (1990-1995)
- Not available for streaming
A multi-Emmy award-winning drama, Northern Exposure focused on the exploits of Joel Fleischman, a recently graduated physician who must practice medicine in a small Alaskan town for four years. The show’s focus on Joel integrating himself into the community starkly contrasts the procedural format of programs like Grey’s Anatomy. Northern Exposure stands out among ’90s television for its deft blend of drama with comedy. At the time, there was a clear delineation between the two styles, but Northern Exposure paved the way for other hour-long programs to lean into the lighter tone that defined sitcoms.
Parker Lewis Can’t Lose (1990-1993)
Heavily influenced by the classic ’80s comedy Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Parker Lewis Can’t Lose depicts the life of the titular character as he traverses through high school as he attempts to maintain a cool image. Despite his desires, his efforts are typically undermined by the likes of his sister Shelly, along with his high school principal Grace Musso. Though the teen sitcom generally is not a genre that ages well, Parker Lewis Can’t Lose is unique because its main character breaks the fourth wall. This element along with the inventive camera work helps the series remain one of the best forgotten 90s TV shows.
NewsRadio (1995-1999)
- Stream now on Prime Video
Created by What We Do In The Shadows writer and producer Paul Simms, NewsRadio was an NBC sitcom that focused on the antics of the staff at a fictional AM Broadcasting all-news radio station in New York City. The show’s colorful cast included Dave Foley, Stephen Root, and the late Phil Hartman in his final television role. Beyond featuring a strong cast and crew, NewsRadio delights thanks to its fast-paced scripts and willingness to tackle surrealist humor. This is best evidenced by the season 4 finale which does away with the radio station setting and puts the main characters on board the Titanic (in an attempt to capitalize on the blockbuster).
Living Single (1993-1998)
- Stream now on Hulu & HBO Max
The inspiration for Friends, Living Single was Queen Latifah’s first major foray into acting and saw the performer play a hard-working magazine publisher who lived with her naive cousin Synclaire (played by Kim Coles), and childhood friend “Régine” (Kim Fields). Despite the show’s relative lack of success in comparison to other sitcoms of the decade, Living Single holds up as a seminal piece of television. The comedy is sharp, the characters are well-realized, and the focus on the success of people from New York’s Black community continues to be inspiring for many, one of the best forgotten 90s TV shows and an influence on many that came later.
