The Top 20 Most Underrated TV Shows Of The ’90s

BuzzFeeders got together and made a list of the 20 best TV shows of the ’90s that never get enough credit for being great.

20. The Torkelsons

Video available at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=_U56JVk_I0w.

Premiered: 1991
Number of seasons: 2
Fun fact: In the second season The Torkelsons was renamed Almost Home, relocated the family to Seattle, and got rid half of the original cast.

Source: youtube.com

19. California Dreams

Video available at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=_vrumo9Eddg.

Premiered: 1992
Number of seaons: 5
Fun Fact: This show was basically just Saved By The Bell but they all played in a band.

Source: youtube.com

18. Supermarket Sweep

Video available at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=S_NhwDa4n68.

Premiered: 1990
Number of seaons: 5
Fun fact: Supermarket Sweep has been brought back 3 times, most recently in 2000. Although, it might be time for a new one considering Extreme Couponing isn’t nearly extreme enough.

Source: youtube.com

17. Dinosaurs

Video available at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=4GQTeYhB-kQ.

Premiered: 1991
Number of seasons: 4
Fun fact: They all die in the last episode. Not kidding, the ice age comes and everyone dies.

Source: youtube.com

16. The Magic School Bus

Video available at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=wpu50t97U0M.

Premiered: 1994
Number of seasons: 4
Fun fact: Little Richard performed the theme song and the show was written by one of the creators of Fraggle Rock (whoa).

Source: youtube.com

15. Married… With Children

Video available at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=np3o6TIQXW0.

Premiered: 1987
Number of seasons: 11
Fun fact: Their neighbor Marcy had two husbands, one was Steve Rhoades who left in the fourth season to become a park ranger. The second was Jefferson D’Arcy, making Marcy’s name Marcy D’Arcy.

Source: youtube.com

14. Ghostwriter

Video available at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=cS_lD9_Ur3g.

Premiered: 1992
Number of seasons: 3
Fun fact: Easily one of the best magic-computer-themed TV shows ever.

Source: youtube.com

13. Quantum Leap

Video available at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=DjK9GJMBpt0.

Premiered: 1989
Number of seasons: 5
Fun fact: In one episode Scott Bakula’s character leaps into a monkey named Bobo and actually uses a gun as the monkey.

Source: youtube.com

12. The Larry Sanders Show

Video available at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=D89eOYo0kpw.

Premiered: 1992
Number of seasons: 6
Fun fact: Proof that Judd Apatow is connected to every cult hit of the 90s, The Larry Sanders Show is one of three on this list that Apatow got his start writing for.

Source: youtube.com

11. The Ben Stiller Show

Video available at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=jNlnbyTFxl4.

Premiered: 1992
Number of seasons: 1
Fun fact: This was actually Judd Apatow’s first writing gig, with him and Ben Stiller as the show’s co-creators.

Source: youtube.com

10. The Drew Carey Show

Video available at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=vtY2RC9mTbE.

Premiered: 1995
Number of seasons: 9
Fun fact: The actress who played Kate, Christa Miller, left the show to work with her husband, Bill Lawrence, on his show Scrubs. This is also the exact moment that the show became completely unwatchable.

Source: youtube.com

9. Parker Lewis Can’t Lose

Video available at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=s16bLK25F80.

Premiered: 1990
Number of seasons: 3
Fun fact: Parker Lewis Can’t Lose premiered the same week as the TV-spinoff of Ferris Bueller and is essentially the same concept.

Source: youtube.com

8. The Critic

Video available at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=w80jZ0iru1k.

Premiered: 1994
Number of seasons: 3
Fun fact: The Critic’s 3rd season ran as webisodes from 2000-2001, which is interesting. Who knew it was possible to properly watch any sort of video on the internet in 2000?

Source: youtube.com

7. Sports Night

Video available at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=JPhOq-UibJs.

Premiered: 1998
Number of seasons:2
Fun fact: Showrunner Aaron Sorkin had fought ABC throughout the first season over Sport Night’s laugh track, which became quieter and quieter until it was removed by the second season.

Source: youtube.com

6. NewsRadio

Video available at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=3JpwjnMFlJI.

Premiered: 1995
Number of seasons: 5
Fun fact: The cast of NewsRadio was banned from The SAG Awards after their first time attending. They became heavily intoxicated, threw things, stole wine off other tables, and Andy Dick apparently asked Helen Hunt to autograph his penis.

Source: youtube.com

5. Ren And Stimpy

Video available at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=6pDugHeoXg4.

Premiered: 1991
Number of seasons: 5
Fun fact: The original version of Powdered Toast Man had to be heavily censored, Nickelodeon had to remove references to the pope, along scenes of the constitution and the bill of rights being burned.

Source: youtube.com

4. My So-Called Life

Video available at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=s_Etd_CYI_k.

Premiered: 1994
Number of episodes: 1
Fun fact: My So-Called Life starred Jared Leto BEFORE he went insane and tattooed triangles all over himself and started making terrible music.

Source: youtube.com

3. Freaks And Geeks

Video available at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=IopHL3auzNQ.

Premiered: 1999
Number of seasons: 1
Fun fact: Let’s face it, there probably isn’t any trivia about this show that everyone doesn’t already know.

Source: youtube.com

2. Twin Peaks

Video available at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=5PcoMrwEa5o.

Premiered: 1990
Number of seasons: 2
Fun fact: There is a festival every year where people go to the town where Twin Peaks was shot and dress up like the characters. More info here.

Source: youtube.com

1. Mystery Science Theater 3000

Video available at: http://youtube.com/watch?v=VF7cO4t0o9c.

Premiered: 1991
Number of seasons: 10
Fun fact: This is the best show. Who cares about fun facts. Go watch this now.

Source: youtube.com