Growing up in the '90s and early 2000s was television's prime era. It was hard to be bored because there was always something to watch. Whether it was a sitcom, cartoons, or series, television was rich in diverse and interesting shows. A lot of people born in the '90s bond or reminisce over their favorite series.
Personally, I don't think there are as many good shows now compared to back in the '90s and 2000s. They should bring back a lot of these amazing shows so kids today can also enjoy what kids from the '90s watched. Not all of the shows I watched made this list, but here are some that made a big impact on my life.
1. "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” 1990-1996
This show was definitely Will Smith's best show of the '90s. We all grew to love his quirky character as the nephew from Philadelphia. This show has spoken about many issues that occurred during that time and even now. There were negative themes such as gun violence but also positive themes such as learning to love family. The show made a landmark for African American families on TV, along with "A Different World" and "In Living Color."
2. “Animaniacs” 1993-1998
This slapstick comedy follows the three siblings, Wakko, Yakko, and Dot, as they cause havoc wherever they go. To this day I still don't know what kind of creatures are they, but I guess it wasn't meant to be known.
3. “All That” 1994-2005
This show was a childhood favorite, from its catchy opening song, hilarious sketches, and appealing cast members. It was basically "Saturday Night Live" for kids. We were able to watch some well-known actors and actresses, such as Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell, grow up on the show.
4. “Xena: Warrior Princess” 1995-2001
This show was one of the shows that had a strong female lead who proved that she didn't need a man or a prince to save her. It's a science fiction show following a warrior named Xena who is trying to make up for her violent past. Even though the show didn't specify, there were many times where the show proved to be LGBTQ+ friendly, especially some hints of Xena and Gabrielle's relationship.
5. “Kenan and Kel” 1996-2000
Starring Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell, this duo were a hilarious package. When someone asked you, "Who loves orange soda?" you should expect an answer from Kel saying, "Kel loves orange soda!"
6. “Recess” 1997-2001
What I enjoyed the most about this show was its diverse set of friends. You wouldn't see "the nerd" or "the tough one" in a group together, but I think that was the appeal of the show. Even if you have different personalities, you can still be friends.
7. "Buffy the Vampire Slayer” 1997-2003
This series came after the movie where it developed a story line following Buffy Summers after being chosen as a vampire slayer. The series even had a spin-off titled "Angel," following the story of Angel, one of Buffy's vampire lovers.
8. “The Amanda Show” 1999-2002
Amanda Bynes took the spotlight in her own show after "All That." The show was also known for its comedy sketches and silly humor. Spin-offs shows such as "Drake and Josh" were created from the show.
9. “Ed, Edd n Eddy” 1999-2009
From it wacky art style to its lovable characters, this cartoon was one of the best shows to look forward to after coming home from school. Following the lives of three friends with similar names, you were definitely in for an adventure every episode.
10. “Proud Family” 2001-2005
"Proud Family" was one of the few cartoon shows on the air that told the story of an African American family. This show follows the daily lives of the Proud family while also teaching different family values along the way.
11. “Kim Possible” 2002-2007
I think I still hear people sing the theme song to this show. Kim Possible was a well-known show that followed the life and missions of a teenage agent. People even have her iconic phone ringer as their ringtone.
