Underrated 90s sitcoms (1 Viewer)

[kupcho1]

I got free Hulu recently (T-Mobile I think) and started looking for shows that I was relatively familiar with (i.e., watched infrequently) and wanted to revisit.
Up first: Just Shoot Me

This show holds up very well if you ignore some of the stuff that probably wouldn't fly today. But that's true for just about every show from that era and frankly, 2000s as well.

The cast is outstanding: George Segal, David Spade, Laura San Giacomo, Wendy Malick, Enrico Colantoni all shine here, particularly Spade's Dennis Finch. (In fact I'd probably give Spade the nod over Howerton's Dennis, or Dennis the Menace for that matter, as far as TV's best Dennis goes.)

Guests have been great: Jessica Walter, Steve Carell, Brian Dennehy, Megan Mullally and a whole host of supermodels (e.g., Rebecca Romijn, Tyra Banks).

I'm only a few episodes into season 3 (of 7) and can't wait to get to the one episode I absolutely remember: the one (of 3) with David Cross as Elliot's brother Donnie.

Anyway, I'm sure this isn't the only hole in my 90s sitcom roster.

Watcha got?

 

[Dan Lambskin]

I got free Hulu recently (T-Mobile I think) and started looking for shows that I was relatively familiar with (i.e., watched infrequently) and wanted to revisit.
Up first: Just Shoot Me

This show holds up very well if you ignore some of the stuff that probably wouldn't fly today. But that's true for just about every show from that era and frankly, 2000s as well.

The cast is outstanding: George Segal, David Spade, Laura San Giacomo, Wendy Malick, Enrico Colantoni all shine here, particularly Spade's Dennis Finch. (In fact I'd probably give Spade the nod over Howerton's Dennis, or Dennis the Menace for that matter, as far as TV's best Dennis goes.)

Guests have been great: Jessica Walter, Steve Carell, Brian Dennehy, Megan Mullally and a whole host of supermodels (e.g., Rebecca Romijn, Tyra Banks).

I'm only a few episodes into season 3 (of 7) and can't wait to get to the one episode I absolutely remember: the one (of 3) with David Cross as Elliot's brother Donnie.

Anyway, I'm sure this isn't the only hole in my 90s sitcom roster.

Watcha got?

Yeah David Cross kills it in this

 

[rockaction]

I love your music thread, but this didn't start well. I'm thinking it's the premise more than anything else.

 

[Don Quixote]

I’ve always thought Newsradio was underrated, but not sure how well I would like on rewatch given my views of a certain actor now.

 

[rockaction]

Dave Foley?

 

[urbanhack]

Rogan?

 

[rockaction]

Pablo Picasso?

 

[Raging weasel]

Not sure if it was ever very popular or highly rated but I really liked Martin.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

Not sure if it was ever very popular or highly rated but I really liked Martin.

I liked it at the time but Martins shtick wore thin. I could only hear “hol up hol up hol up” or “dayummmm Gina!” so many times. Living Single was pretty good too

 

[Runkle]

Yeah you're speaking my language. This is a formational genre for me. Too many in my head to even know where to start. Always thought we should have had more of "The John Larroquette Show", and, not enough attention was paid to "The Steven Banks Show", the rare PBS sitcom.

 

[Dan Lambskin]

Herman’s Head

 

[Don Quixote]

Pablo Picasso?

I’ll bring the Picasso avatar back for that.

 

[Ron Swanson]

What was the Seth Green sitcom with the stuffed bunny he held up at the urinal? That one.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

I got free Hulu recently (T-Mobile I think) and started looking for shows that I was relatively familiar with (i.e., watched infrequently) and wanted to revisit.
Up first: Just Shoot Me

This show holds up very well if you ignore some of the stuff that probably wouldn't fly today. But that's true for just about every show from that era and frankly, 2000s as well.

The cast is outstanding: George Segal, David Spade, Laura San Giacomo, Wendy Malick, Enrico Colantoni all shine here, particularly Spade's Dennis Finch. (In fact I'd probably give Spade the nod over Howerton's Dennis, or Dennis the Menace for that matter, as far as TV's best Dennis goes.)

Guests have been great: Jessica Walter, Steve Carell, Brian Dennehy, Megan Mullally and a whole host of supermodels (e.g., Rebecca Romijn, Tyra Banks).

I'm only a few episodes into season 3 (of 7) and can't wait to get to the one episode I absolutely remember: the one (of 3) with David Cross as Elliot's brother Donnie.

Anyway, I'm sure this isn't the only hole in my 90s sitcom roster.

Watcha got?

This was one of the few shows I watched regularly in the '90s. So was Newsradio. In addition to those you mentioned, Brian Posehn of Mr. Show and other stuff had a recurring role.

 

[jamny]

Get a Life with Chris Elliot.

Spewie!

 

[Dan Lambskin]

What was the Seth Green sitcom with the stuffed bunny he held up at the urinal? That one.

Greg the Bunny? Looks like that was 2002

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Jerry.

 

[zamboni]

Sports Night

This is one I started watching, but stopped for some reason and need to revisit.

 

[kupcho1]

Jerry.

Although it ran for most of the 90s (ended in 1997), Coach actually started in 1989. Assistant Coach Luther Horatio Van Dam was a pretty good character though, I'll give you that.

 

[Snoopy]

Jerry.

Title of the show where the Seinfeld characters decided to do their own show.

 

[kupcho1]

Jerry.

Title of the show where the Seinfeld characters decided to do their own show.

Seriously? Was this a storyline on Seinfeld?
Flew right over my head if that's the case.

 

[Ilov80s]

Not sure if it was ever very popular or highly rated but I really liked Martin.

Martin was great but for sure not underrated, that series is a classic and is extremely highly regarded though perhaps FBG wasn't the exact target demo.

 

[Ilov80s]

Jerry.

Title of the show where the Seinfeld characters decided to do their own show.

Seriously? Was this a storyline on Seinfeld?
Flew right over my head if that's the case.

There was a whole season they worked with NBC to write and create a show about nothing

 

[GroveDiesel]

I got free Hulu recently (T-Mobile I think) and started looking for shows that I was relatively familiar with (i.e., watched infrequently) and wanted to revisit.
Up first: Just Shoot Me

This show holds up very well if you ignore some of the stuff that probably wouldn't fly today. But that's true for just about every show from that era and frankly, 2000s as well.

The cast is outstanding: George Segal, David Spade, Laura San Giacomo, Wendy Malick, Enrico Colantoni all shine here, particularly Spade's Dennis Finch. (In fact I'd probably give Spade the nod over Howerton's Dennis, or Dennis the Menace for that matter, as far as TV's best Dennis goes.)

Guests have been great: Jessica Walter, Steve Carell, Brian Dennehy, Megan Mullally and a whole host of supermodels (e.g., Rebecca Romijn, Tyra Banks).

I'm only a few episodes into season 3 (of 7) and can't wait to get to the one episode I absolutely remember: the one (of 3) with David Cross as Elliot's brother Donnie.

Anyway, I'm sure this isn't the only hole in my 90s sitcom roster.

Watcha got?

Chicken pot, chicken pot, chicken pot piiiiieeee!

 

[rockaction]

though perhaps FBG wasn't the exact target demo

Dayummmm, Gina! What are you trying to say?

 

[Snoopy]

Jerry.

Title of the show where the Seinfeld characters decided to do their own show.

Seriously? Was this a storyline on Seinfeld?
Flew right over my head if that's the case.

Short video on its pilot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmFrwTAcsH8

 

[Rustoleum]

I got free Hulu recently (T-Mobile I think) and started looking for shows that I was relatively familiar with (i.e., watched infrequently) and wanted to revisit.
Up first: Just Shoot Me

This show holds up very well if you ignore some of the stuff that probably wouldn't fly today. But that's true for just about every show from that era and frankly, 2000s as well.

The cast is outstanding: George Segal, David Spade, Laura San Giacomo, Wendy Malick, Enrico Colantoni all shine here, particularly Spade's Dennis Finch. (In fact I'd probably give Spade the nod over Howerton's Dennis, or Dennis the Menace for that matter, as far as TV's best Dennis goes.)

Guests have been great: Jessica Walter, Steve Carell, Brian Dennehy, Megan Mullally and a whole host of supermodels (e.g., Rebecca Romijn, Tyra Banks).

I'm only a few episodes into season 3 (of 7) and can't wait to get to the one episode I absolutely remember: the one (of 3) with David Cross as Elliot's brother Donnie.

Anyway, I'm sure this isn't the only hole in my 90s sitcom roster.

Watcha got?

Chicken pot, chicken pot, chicken pot piiiiieeee!

Green Quarter!

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Jerry.

Although it ran for most of the 90s (ended in 1997), Coach actually started in 1989. Assistant Coach Luther Horatio Van Dam was a pretty good character though, I'll give you that.

I loved Coach.
“Jerry” was the sitcom they shot the pilot for on Seinfeld.

 

[Ilov80s]

Coach was great. My favorite Coach related anecdote is that the college Adam Thielen played football at was based off the tv show.

 

[rockaction]

My favorite Coach related anecdote is that the college Adam Thielen played football at was based off the tv show

Wait, they tried to emulate Coach? Or Coach's team was based on Minnesota State?

 

[Ilov80s]

No clue if they were actually good my middle self really liked Parker Lewis Can't Lose and Get a Life. Anyone remember those?

 

[rockaction]

Wasn't Freaks and Geeks a '90s sitcom?

That was underrated. Or maybe overrated by critics. Either way, I sure liked the show.

eta* 1999-2000. Not sure if that counts.

 

[gdub]

Spin City

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Wasn't Freaks and Geeks a '90s sitcom?

That was underrated. Or maybe overrated by critics. Either way, I sure liked the show.

It was more a drama/comedy - of the hour long variety but one of my favorite shows - ton of talent evolved from that show.

 

[Ghost Rider]

Considering how few Emmy nominations it got over the course of the series, I will say The Drew Carey Show.

Sadly, because the music the show often used has made it difficult to stream (unless something has changed), it hasn't had a real chance of getting new life with new viewers in recent years.

 

[McBokonon]

I remember really liking Wings but I have no idea if it holds up.

 

[rockaction]

Frasier is underrated no matter how many plaudits it gets. That show was even better than the show it was spun off from, and that's saying something.

 

[Ilov80s]

My favorite Coach related anecdote is that the college Adam Thielen played football at was based off the tv show

Wait, they tried to emulate Coach? Or Coach's team was based on Minnesota State?

Mankato State in Minnesota changed their name to Minnesota State in 1998 and I think changed their school colors to purple and yellow like the team on Coach though they are the Mavericks.

 

[rockaction]

Mankata State in Minnesota changed their name to Minnesota State in 1998 and I think changed their school colors to purple and yellow like the team on Coach though they are the Mavericks.

No ****. I thought he went to Mankato State, but his bio says Minnesota State. Mankato State had a hockey team, IIRC, and a pretty good one at that. So they really did that? Here I just thought you transposed something.

 

[Ilov80s]

Mankata State in Minnesota changed their name to Minnesota State in 1998 and I think changed their school colors to purple and yellow like the team on Coach though they are the Mavericks.

No ****. I thought he went to Mankato State, but his bio says Minnesota State. Mankato State had a hockey team, IIRC, and a pretty good one at that. So they really did that? Here I just thought you transposed something.

They really did though I am sure it was more about marketing than trying to capture anything from a cancelled midtier sitcom but who knows.

 

[Snoopy]

Coach was great. My favorite Coach related anecdote is that the college Adam Thielen played football at was based off the tv show.

Minnesota State was a fictional college when the show ran. But Mankato State University renamed itself Minnesota State after the show finished its run and Theilen attended it after the name change.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

Frasier is underrated no matter how many plaudits it gets. That show was even better than the show it was spun off from, and that's saying something.

One of my favorite subtle sitcom moments was the reveal that Niles got a favorable divorce settlement from Maris despite having no leverage because he threatened to reveal that her family fortune came from urinal cakes, not steel like she had told her society friends.

 

[zamboni]

Wasn't Freaks and Geeks a '90s sitcom?

That was underrated. Or maybe overrated by critics. Either way, I sure liked the show.

It was more a drama/comedy - of the hour long variety but one of my favorite shows - ton of talent evolved from that show.

I think that will forever go down as one of the most underrated shows that left viewers craving for more. Although looking back 20 years, it seems like it was better that it did end abruptly like that. Otherwise it might have dragged and no one would still be talking about it, other than it being a launchpad for so many of the actors.

 

[zamboni]

Frasier is underrated no matter how many plaudits it gets. That show was even better than the show it was spun off from, and that's saying something.

I watched the first episode of the new Frasier reboot on Paramount. Man it’s brutal and I’m not giving it a second look.

 

[rockaction]

I watched the first episode of the new Frasier reboot on Paramount. Man it’s brutal and I’m not giving it a second look.

I did not have high hopes and was not about to get Paramount to have them totally dashed. I didn't suspect much good would come from a reboot. Leave well enough alone already.

 

[zamboni]

I watched the first episode of the new Frasier reboot on Paramount. Man it’s brutal and I’m not giving it a second look.

I did not have high hopes and was not about to get Paramount to have them totally dashed. I didn't suspect much good would come from a reboot. Leave well enough alone already.

I got Paramount for 1883 and 1923 and gave Frasier a shot while I was there. Don't think I laughed once during that half hour.

 

[rockaction]

One of my favorite subtle sitcom moments was the reveal that Niles got a favorable divorce settlement from Maris despite having no leverage because he threatened to reveal that her family fortune came from urinal cakes, not steel like she had told her society friends.

I remember the urinal cakes. For the life of me I can't really remember the plot details and happenings in Hamlet, but I remember Maris's urinal cake fortune. Terrible how memory is so finicky.

My favorite Frasiers were those that starred his agent, Bebe Glazer. Every time she's on screen I'm in borderline hysterics how over-the-top she plays her. Probably my favorite sitcom dynamic ever.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

Wasn't Freaks and Geeks a '90s sitcom?

That was underrated. Or maybe overrated by critics. Either way, I sure liked the show.

It was more a drama/comedy - of the hour long variety but one of my favorite shows - ton of talent evolved from that show.

I think that will forever go down as one of the most underrated shows that left viewers craving for more. Although looking back 20 years, it seems like it was better that it did end abruptly like that. Otherwise it might have dragged and no one would still be talking about it, other than it being a launchpad for so many of the actors.

It was too short lived, but it kind of had a perfect ending. I loved Daniel finally finding himself and having fun playing D&D with the Geeks and Lindsay going her own way, continuing on her path of “freakiness”.

 

[zamboni]

Wasn't Freaks and Geeks a '90s sitcom?

That was underrated. Or maybe overrated by critics. Either way, I sure liked the show.

It was more a drama/comedy - of the hour long variety but one of my favorite shows - ton of talent evolved from that show.

I think that will forever go down as one of the most underrated shows that left viewers craving for more. Although looking back 20 years, it seems like it was better that it did end abruptly like that. Otherwise it might have dragged and no one would still be talking about it, other than it being a launchpad for so many of the actors.

I was too short lived, but it kind of had a perfect ending. I loved Daniel finally finding himself and having fun playing D&D with the Geeks and Lindsay going her own way, continuing on her path of “freakiness”.

There may be have been a F&G appreciation thread around here at some point, but if there isn’t, there ought to be one.

 

[Pip's Invitation]

One of my favorite subtle sitcom moments was the reveal that Niles got a favorable divorce settlement from Maris despite having no leverage because he threatened to reveal that her family fortune came from urinal cakes, not steel like she had told her society friends.

I remember the urinal cakes. For the life of me I can't really remember the plot details and happenings in Hamlet, but I remember Maris's urinal cake fortune. Terrible how memory is so finicky.

My favorite Frasiers were those that starred his agent, Bebe Glazer. Every time she's on screen I'm in borderline hysterics how over-the-top she plays her. Probably my favorite sitcom dynamic ever.

I remember laughing hysterically at many of her scenes.

The Niles/Daphne relationship got grating after a while, but everything else about the series was gold.

The reboot makes no sense to me, especially without David Hyde-Pierce involved. Did Grammer blow through his fortune again?