The ‘90s was a golden decade in television that introduced the world to beloved shows likeFriends, Family Matters,andSex and the City,leaving a lasting impact on audiences everywhere. Some of Hollywood’s most sensational stars got their start on the small screen during this time, with famous faces like Ashton Kutcher, Michelle Williams,and Jennifer Anistonall rising to prominence during the time period.
As a society, we are constantly growing and evolving, and things that may have been deemed acceptable back in the ‘90s just wouldn’t fly today. From Monica being fat-shamed onFriendsto Fez being the brunt of racist jokes inThat ‘70s Show, modern viewers likely wouldn’t jibe with certain shows of the era. Here are nine ‘90s TV shows that simply don’t hold up in 2024.
9Home Improvement (1991-1999)
Home Improvement
Tim Allen became abona fide leading manwhen he starred as Tim “The Toolman” Tanner in the sitcomHome Improvement.The long-running program took place in Detroit and centered on handyman TV personality Tim and his wife Jill as they raised their three rambunctious sons Brad, Randy, and Mark, with the family often turning to their sage, partially seen neighbor Wilson for guidance and advice.
The Definition of Toxic Masculinity
Throughout the sitcom’s eight seasons, Tim shows off some serious misogynist attitudes and views that definitely wouldn’t fly in the world of television today. He doesn’t treat Jill with much respect and often makes jokes at her expense, and he frequently makes derogatory comments to women, especially when his male ego is threatened, and he feels challenged.
Tim also bullies his friend and fellow co-host Al Borland for his “girly” interests and hobbies, and believes he’s the ultimate man’s man despite Al possessing far more handyman knowledge than him. Essentially, the character embodies toxic masculinity and has repeatedly expressed his many sexist views, even pressuring his sons to conform to gender stereotypes. Tim would be canceled faster than someone can say “Tool Time” if the show tried to air today.Stream on Disney+.
8Dawson’s Creek (1998-2003)
Dawson’s Creek
A true trailblazer in the teen drama genre,Dawson’s Creekfeatureda talented castof then-up-and-comers including Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson, and Michelle Williams, and took place in the coastal town of Capeside, Massachusetts, where a group of introspective teenagers attempted to navigate life, love, and the many highs-and-lows that come with growing up.
A Mouthful of Introspective Dialect
Kevin Williamson created the fan-favorite series, and while audiences couldn’t help but fall in love with memorable characters like tomboy Joey Potter and comedic relief Pacey Witter, the drama definitely had its shortcomings. One of its most noteworthy complaints (even during its initial run) was its painstakingly long-winded, hyper articulate dialogue that just isn’t the way young generations of today would speak.
The fact that the first season heavily focused on an extremely inappropriate relationship between a high school student and his teacher also wouldn’t bode well with modern audiences. Williams' character Jen Lindley was routinely shamed for her sexual history and was unfairly ridiculed for it by her friends, when there is nothing wrong with someone who embraces and commands their sexuality.Stream on Prime Video.
Related:8 TV Shows That Prove the 90s Were the Golden Age of Teen Dramas
77th Heaven (1996-2007)
7th Heaven
In the family drama7th Heaven, Protestant minister Reverend Eric Camden and his wife Annie raise their five diverse children in the small fictional town of Glen Oak, California, where they face various dilemmas and attempt to teach their colorful brood important life lessons and morals. The series ran for an impressive 11 seasons and quickly became one of the small screen’s most wholesome and family-friendly programs available.
Preachy & Heavy-Handed Lessons
While7th Heavenoften addressed issues that teenagers faced on a regular basis with the intention of providing honest solutions, the execution of the lessons was definitely heavy-handed. The Camden family is also difficult to relate to because of how perfect they appeared to be, with critics retrospectively calling them a caricature of a real-life family and calling them “so clean it is obscene.”
Each episode follows a predictable and basic routine that pushes a moral lesson, yet some of the plots were a bit…strange.For instance, when sixteen-year-old Mary was nervous about kissing a boy for the first time, she asked her older brother Eric to teach her how to (thankfully they were interrupted by their father). Another episode centered on the fallout of a young Simon flipping one of his friend’s off, which just goes to show how out-of-touch the drama would be today.Stream on Prime Video.
6Sex and the City (1998-2004)
Sex and the City
Audiences all across the world fell in love with ultimate gal pals Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, and Charlotte as they attempted to find love and success in New York City in the trailblazing romantic dramedySex and the City.The series is narrated by main protagonist and writer Carrie Bradshaw, who pens a weekly column for a fictitious newspaper and, along with her close friends, ponders their relationship woes while discussing various social issues like femininity, sexuality, and promiscuity.
A Self-Absorbed, Unlikable Lead
Though it was lauded upon its premiere for breaking barriers and promoting female sexuality and empowerment, the content and characters in the series might not be as impactful today. Keeping in mind that while the show was made over 25 years ago, it frequently lacked sensitivity when it came to some hot-button topics. When Carrie goes out with a bisexual man, she implies that it’s not really a sexual orientation. She also breaks up with a musician simply because he had ADHD. There was also a glaring lack of representation on the show, despite being touted as progressive.
Perhaps worst of all, Carrie Bradshaw is simplynota likable character. She isnot a good friendand is extremely self-absorbed, and throughout the series she cheated on boyfriends, had an affair with a married man, and sexually shamed her more liberated friend Samantha. For someone writing a sex column, Carrie is pretty uptight and prudish, and it’s hard to root for someone with so many unlikable qualities.Stream on Max.
5Baywatch (1989-2001)
Baywatch is a television series that chronicles the lives and duties of lifeguards patrolling the beaches of Los Angeles, California. Premiering in 1989, the show focuses on the team’s professional responsibilities and personal challenges, highlighting themes of bravery and resilience. It features a diverse cast led by David Hasselhoff and showcases the dynamic and often perilous nature of the lifeguarding profession against a picturesque coastal backdrop.
Who knew that beautiful people in one-piece red bathing suits and slow-motion action sequences could cause such a pop culture phenomenon? In the iconic action dramaBaywatch, a colorful group of California lifeguards work to keep the public safe from drowning while they also experience their own personal struggles and triumphs. The unforgettable series notably helped launch thecareer of Pamela Andersonand also featured David Hasselhoff as one of the lead stars.
Style Over Substance
Let’s be honest: viewers didn’t exactly tune in week-after-week to witness Hasselhoff show off his dazzling acting skills or for its hard-hitting storyline. The show became a worldwide sensation because of the scantily clad women running around a beach, and while many of the female characters were depicted as capable heroes, the ridiculous slow-motion shots certainly took away from this fact.
Like many shows of the decade,Baywatchwas extremely formulaic and predictable, and it wasn’t afraid to venture into cheesy territory with its episodes; one included the lifeguard gang ditching the beach and fighting against ghosts in a spooky and haunted hotel. Though it captivated viewers everywhere in the ’90s, it’s hard to imagineBaywatchhaving the same effect on modern-audiences.Stream on Prime Video.
4Family Matters (1989-1998)
Family Matters
Few television characters sparked a massive cultural impact like the one-and-only Steve Urkel, who was perfectly portrayed for nine seasons by Jaleel White in the fan-favorite hitFamily Matters. The sitcomcentered on the Winslows, an African-American family headed by Carl and Harriette who were raising their three children in Chicago, while being constantly pestered by their overbearing next-door-neighbor Urkel.
Urkel Stalks the Winslows
A spin-off ofPerfect Strangers, the series was initially supposed to focus on the Winslows, but due to Urkel becoming an unexpected hit with viewers, the character swiftly began to become the lead star. Urkel is the embodiment of the stereotypical nerd: colorful suspenders, big eyeglasses, high-waisted pants, and an overall lack of self-awareness and confidence. While he can certainly be attributed to the sitcom’s overwhelming success, Urkel certainly had his problems.
Urkel constantly stalks his exasperated neighbors and has an unhealthy obsession with Laura Winslow, a fascination that is supposed to come off as innocent and sweet but is honestly downright creepy. He didn’t respect boundaries and constantly stirred up trouble for the Winslows. Urkel comes off more like an absurd caricature than a real-person, and his over-the-top personality can definitely be grating.Stream on Max.
Related:The 20 Best Sitcoms of the 90s, Ranked
3Walker, Texas Ranger (1993-2001)
Walker, Texas Ranger
Walker, Texas Ranger is an action-packed TV series that follows Cordell Walker, a Texas Ranger with a strong sense of justice, played by Chuck Norris. Set in contemporary Texas, the show combines martial arts, crime-solving, and moral lessons. Walker teams up with James Trivette (Clarence Gilyard), and together they tackle a range of criminal activities while upholding the law. The series emphasizes traditional values and integrity.
No one can deny that Chuck Norris is a certified action superstar and a respected martial arts legend, but it’s also safe to say he’s not exactly the Daniel Day-Lewis of television. In the action crime seriesWalker, Texas Ranger, Norris portrays the fearless lawman as he and his partner and friend Jimmy Trivette fight to keep the state and community safe from threats of all different shapes and sizes.
Over-the-Top, Cheesy Action
In a world where Jason Statham and Keanu Reeves meticulously (and often violently) take down their enemies with brutal precision and force, watching Walker disarm his foes is decidedly less exciting. The character adheres to a strict moral code and tries to not use unnecessary violence, and his proficiency in nearly every random skill or trade can be quite far-fetched. Somehow he’s a master at flying planes, being a racecar driver, and can even help combat and fix various disasters.
Walker, Texas Rangeris good-natured, cheesy fun that likely wouldn’t entertain viewers the way it did in the ’90s, as its stale dialogue and storylines are hard to get behind. Its over-the-top action sequences and showdowns are hilarious to watch retrospectively, and while Norris isa beloved action icon, it seems as though he’s basically playing himself in the series.Stream on Hulu.
2Friends (1994-2004)
The lightning in a bottle sitcomFriendsis one of the small screen’s most beloved and buzzed about shows, even thirty years after it made its phenomenal debut. Following the lives ofsix close-knit palsas they look for love and success in Manhattan, the comedy became a smash hit with audiences and is regarded as one of the greatest and most popular television shows of all time.
Glaring Insensitivities & Mishandlings
As with the other entries on this list,Friendsis a product of its time and shouldn’t be held to the standards of today’s society. However, that doesn’t mean some of the more glaring negative aspects can’t be addressed. In recent years, the sitcom has been heavily criticized for its lack of representation and its handling of sensitive issues. There’s blatant transphobia when it comes to the handling of Chandler’s Las Vegasdrag queen fatherCharles, who performs under the name Helena Handbasket, and she is the butt of many insensitive jokes.
Similarly, a long-running gag in the series is how Monica used to be overweight, and the gang constantly fat-shamed her for being bigger when she was younger, teasing that would be condemned by modern audiences. During its 10 seasons, there were only two notable characters of color: Ross' girlfriend Julie, who was Asian, and Dr. Charlie Wheeler, who was Black.Friendscan be both a celebrated staple and an important example of how much the television world has grown in recent years.Stream on Max.
1That ’70s Show (1998-2006)
That ’70s Show
Set in the fictional town of Point Place, Wisconsin during the grooviest decade of them all, the sidesplitting sitcomThat ’70s Showfocused on a group of reefer-loving, angsty teenage friends including the dim-witted pretty boy Michael Kelso andStar Wars-obsessed Eric Forman, as they experienced the many growing pains that come with life and self-discovery.
Racist Depiction of Fez
The popular series helped skyrocket lead stars like Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis to superstardom and was a ratings success, chronicling Eric and the gang’s countless misadventures in Point Place. Wilmer Valderrama stole the show as the girl-crazy, candy-loving Fez, a foreign exchange student whose actual name and country of origin is never revealed to audiences; Fez is actually an acronym for ‘foreign exchange student’.
The earnest character is repeatedly subjected to racist jokes (usually by family patriarch Red) and is considered weird and lesser-than, simply because he was born in another country. Fez is also just all-around poorly written by today’s standards, as he’s depicted as a hormonally out-of-control deviant who borderline sexually harasses any female he comes in contact with, and it’s supposed to be funny and endearing.Stream on Peacock.
