The ’90s TV frontier was festooned with flags planted by sitcoms that have become beloved classics, many of which maintain their presence in homes through syndication. FromSeinfeldtoFriends,Frasier, andThe Fresh Prince of Bel Air, popularity hasn’t waned since being introduced in an era without cell phones or social media. While their enduring nostalgic esteem is valid, some ’90s sitcoms haven’t received sustained attention or fond remembrance.
When network TV shows are greenlit, all participants understand the precarious gamble they’ve agreed to, regardless of casting, budget, or creative team involved. Series creators and actors are at the mercy of the TV viewer, and securing a winning air time is a critical variable. Each of the ’90s sitcoms listed below was entertaining, hilarious, insightful, or romantic in its own right but was canceled too soon or fell through the cracks of time.These 1990s shows might’ve been forgotten, but they’re far from forgettable.
15’The Red Green' Show' (1991–2006)
Created by Rick Green and Steve Smith
A Canadian sitcom airing on PBS and CBC,The Red GreenShowis one thatevokes a core memory for 90s and 2000s cable TV viewers who may have remembered, “If at first you don’t succeed, use more duct tape.“The series is set in the fictional town of Possum Lake in an unspecified rural area of Canada where Red Green (Steve Smith) hosts his handyman show, hoping to help his fictional audiences with everything from woodworking to plumbing, mainly relying on his trusty roll of duct tape.
Red’s show features a series of regulars that include his family members, best friends, and local forest rangers.The Red Green Showaired for over a decade with more than 300 episodes.A sketch-style sitcom, the series was a lighthearted comedy-forward competitor ofHome Improvement. It was one of those series that many remember watching and then, when it ended, stored the memory far away somewhere until Red’s raspy, but sincere voice echoes back onscreen.— Ali Teske
The Red Green Show
14’Smart Guy' (1997–1999)
Created by Danny Kallis and Brian Suskind
This forgotten series raised a generation of viewers from The WB to Disney Channel, consistently lost among the shuffle of kid-geared sitcoms.Smart Guyis about T.J. Henderson (Tahj Mowry), a 10-year-old genius who goes from elementary school to high school and struggles with coming-of-age growing pains years before he’s supposed to given his remarkable intelligence. The series aired a quick three seasons, during which Mowry starred in several voice roles on the Disney Channel and with his older, identical twin sistersTia MowryandTamera Mowry-Houselyontheir seriesSister, Sister.
Smart Guyreached Disney Channel audiences with its reruns, but high school sitcoms likeBoy Meets WorldandSister, Sisterreruns overshadowed and pushed it from air.The series is an excellent example of ensemble comedy with well-timed jokes that cater to younger audienceswhile also reaching adult viewers.— Ali Teske
13’Townies' (1996)
Created by Matthew Carlson
This extremely short-lived series starredMolly Ringwald,Lauren Graham, andJenna Elfman. InTownies, the trio are three friends who dream of getting out of their East Coast fishing town, but never make the big leap because various relationships and life events keep them stuck.The single-season series produced likable leads and a plausible enough storyline, but it wasn’t enough to stand out in a decadeof similar sitcoms dominating the networks.
Because of its solo season, it’s no wonder whyTowniesremains a forgotten 90s sitcom; however, its cancelation didn’t hinder the starlets from going on to bigger and better things: Graham withGilmore Girlsin 2000, Ringwald returned to feature films and TV movies, and Elfman would co-lead the multi-season sitcomDharma & Greg.Towniesis a nostalgic watch that takes audiences back to the peak sitcom era about the bonds of friendship and learning to grow up.— Ali Teske
Watch on Sling
12’NewsRadio' (1995–1999)
Created by Paul Simms
As NBC shifted toward a younger demographic,NewsRadiowas canceled after five seasons, with a decline in ratings toward the end. The workplace sitcom featured the team of WNYX NewsRadio in New York, with news director Dave Nelson (Dave Foley) desperately trying to keep his staff of personalities in line. The series co-starredStephen Root,Andy Dick,Maura Tierney,Vicki Lewis, andJoe Roganas the core group among an ensemble cast.
Over its tenure,NewsRadioearned three Primetime Emmy nominations and one win. Audiences and criticsadored the series for its approach to the sitcom format with its comedic absurdity and character idiosyncrasies. Had it aired in the next decade, it would have competed with the likes ofThe Officeand30 Rock. While those later series are ingrained in TV viewers' memories,NewsRadiowalked so they could run.— Ali Teske
11’Sports Night' (1998–2000)
Created by Aaron Sorkin
The Emmy-winning series might not have been the most famous series created by the acclaimed filmmaker, butSports Nightwas among the best of the 90s. The sports sitcom follows a pair of best friends and sports anchors (Josh CharlesandPeter Krause) as they host the titular nightly cable program. In his first go at creating and writing a TV series,Aaron Sorkin proved he could translatehis cinematic writing chops and signature cadence to weekly episodes.
Sports Nightwas short-lived as Sorkin’s attentions overlapped for two years with his iconic political dramaThe West Wing. However, in the two-season, 45-episode sitcom,audiences were treated to quick dialogue and energized performances that invited audiences to become invested in a niche workplacemonotony that would otherwise be boring to those unconcerned with sports. Unfortunately,Sports Nightfades from memory as TV fans are quick to remember Sorkin’s long-running, acclaimed drama.— Ali Teske
Sports Night
10’Hearts Afire' (1992–1995)
Created by Linda Bloodworth-Thomason
Hearts Afirestars the late, greatJohn Ritteras an aide to a conservative Senator on Capital Hill, John Hartman, andMarkie Postas liberal journalist Georgie Anne Lahti, the Senator’s press secretary. Georgie Anne, a respected writer experiencing lousy luck, takes the press secretary position out of necessity. However, contrasting politics aside, she can’t deny animal magnetism attracting her to Hartman.Billy Bob Thornton,Beth Broderick,Wendie Jo Sperber,Conchata Ferrell, andLeslie Jordanco-star, providing supplemental humor in the memorable, convoluted series.
With significant adjustments in season two, including a move from Washington, D.C., to a small town in the Midwest,Hearts Afirebarely resembled the show it was before.
Time slot whack-a-mole strikes again, but forHearts Afire, airingearlier translated into “family-friendly,“resulting in a restructuring of plot, tone, location, and characters. The first season was political, depicting interior dynamics in the Senator’s office and sexual innuendo between the series' leads (and nearly every character). With significant adjustments in season two, including a move from Washington, D.C., to a small town in the Midwest,Hearts Afirebarely resembled the show it was before. Series creatorLinda Bloodworth-Thomason, responsible for iconic TV shows, including the beloved sitcomDesigning Women, had the necessary ingredients for a hit. Unfortunately, in the era of 90s TV,Hearts Afire’s blaze became a slowly dying ember.
Watch on Amazon Prime
9’Hangin' With Mr. Cooper' (1992–1997)
Created by Jeff Franklin
After a career in the NBA, former player Mark Cooper (Mark Curry) trades his jersey for a necktie and whistle when he returns to his hometown of Oakland, California, to teach and coach basketball. Mark moves in with two single women, his childhood friend Robin (Dawnn Lewis) and her friend, Vanessa (Holly Robinson Peete), who need an additional tenant to help with the rent. Mark, now affectionately known as ‘Mr. Cooper,’ finds meaning and an opportunity to teach adolescents essential lessons about life and basketball, simultaneously eliciting copious amounts of laughter from viewers.
Hangin' With Mr. Cooperwas a comedy fixture in the famed TGIF 90s lineup (89-2000) that captured audiences' attention every Friday night. The series enjoyed a four-year run in the coveted time slot but was moved to Saturdays in its final season. While the writing staff wasn’t doing any heavy lifting (the show was critically dragged for innumerate use of clichés and stereotypes),Curry’s charm andphysical comedy kept fans chuckling. The supporting cast features Mr. Cooper’s roommate-turned-love-interest Robinson Peete, one of the busiest child stars of the 90s,Raven-Symoné,Omar Gooding, and the talentedNell Carter. The show has continued to find new fans in syndication, proving that it’s never too late to get nostalgic andhang.
Hangin' with Mr. Cooper
Created by Richard C. Okie and John G. Stephens
In a classic tale of opposites attracts, conservative Marine Major John MacGillis (Gerald McRaney) falls for liberal journalist Polly Cooper (Shanna Reed). Audiences witness the reality of their impulsive union as the straight-laced Major faces a challenge unlike anything he’s experienced in his military career: Parenthood. Luckily, Major MacGillis is surrounded by dutiful and supportive staff who remind him which of his new daughters “isn’t supposed to sleep with her hamster.” Family-friendly 90s fun worth saluting.
For four seasons, audiences invited the MacGillis family into their homes, entertained by the series' wholesome military-adjacent household hijinks.
Like the ‘83 movieMr. Mom, starringMichael Keaton,Major Dadhad fun with the decorated Marine’s inadequacy as a new father, and McRaney was excellent in the role. In an overt nod to the film, the episode “Major Mom” tasks Major MacGillis with recovering his youngest daughter’s lost “woobie.” For four seasons, audiences invited the MacGillis family into their homes, entertained by the series’ wholesome military-adjacent household hijinks. Despite its popularity and sustained Monday-night viewership,Major Dadwas moved to Friday nights in its final season and canceled without closure.
Major Dad is currently not available for streaming or purchase.
7’Anything But Love' (1989–1992)
Created by Wendy Kout
Anything But LovestarsRichard Lewisas Marty Gold andJamie Lee Curtis as Hannah Miller, colleagues working at a Chicago magazine. The co-workers flirt mildly to moderately in the series' first season, but their chemistry is undeniable. Marty and Hannah gradually give in to their mutual attraction after casually dating other people throughout the series. Lewis and Curtis (both proud supporters of the stylized mullet during their careers) are a delightful comedic duo with a degree in romantic restraint.
The shoulder pad-clad ensemble fromAnything But Loveenjoyed a four-season run on the ABC network beginning in 1989, but the show’s success was contingent upon its ever-changing time slot. The network moved the series from Tuesday to Wednesday nights, leading to a subsequent drop in ratings. ThoughLewis and Curtis turned in memorable performances that fostered interest and investment in viewers, they proved no match for shows like theNeil Patrick Harris-ledDoogie Howser, M.D.Time slot musical chairs wasAnything But Love’s downfall, an unfortunate result for a genuinely gifted cast and well-written sitcom.
Anything But Love
Buy on Amazon
6’Cybill' (1995–1998)
Created by Chuck Lorre
Cybillis a 90s sitcom based on the life and relationships of aging actress Cybill Sheridan (Cybill Shepherd), who lives and tries to find acting work in Los Angeles. Each episode often begins with Cybill performing in a commercial or B-movie before the opening credits theme song (also performed by Shepherd). In addition to her two daughters (Alicia WittandDeDee Pfeiffer) from two previous marriages, Cybill’s best friend, wealthy divorcee Maryann Thorpe (Christine Baranski), is a constant fixture and companion. Cybill auditions, co-parents with her exes, and Maryann mixes drinks while plotting against her adulterous former husband, “Dr. Dick,” often involving Cybill in her schemes.
AfterMoonlightingmade Shepherd a household name, audiences were thrilled to welcome the actress back to TV inCybill. One of the series' most unexpected gifts wasBaranski’s acerbic turn as Maryann, a role that garnered four Primetime Emmy Award nominations and one win for the talented actress.The series was a twelve-time Emmy nominee, three of which honored Shepherd for best actress, and she took home a Golden Globe for her self-described semi-autobiographical performance. Though the show’s ratings were consistently above average throughout its four-season run,Cybillwas abruptly canceled following a decidedly inconclusive episode ending with “To be continued…” and disappointing confusion from fans.
