Getting My Life From 90's TV.

Being an 80s baby, 90s kid & millennials teenager…I feel the 90s were that last great decade for me & it shows by the fact we’re doing nothing but reviving the fashion & beauty but thanks to 90s cable T.V. it allowed me to have the access to MTV – you know the good MTV that meant Music Television - Nickelodeon, The Disney Channel, The Children's Channel, TCC/Trouble & Sky One, these channels defined my childhood. I get super nostalgic watching certain shows. MTV actually launched on 1st August 1981 and from August 1st 2016, there's been a new channel called MTV Classics (replacing VH1 Classics) and focusing on shows such as “Unplugged” episodes — Nirvana, Bob Dylan, Erykah Badu — and shows like “Beavis and Butthead” and “The Real World.” And with that, I feel Summer '16 for me has been made...

Cartoons
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
First episode date: December 28, 1987 - Final episode date: November 2, 1996
Oh my..TMNT! I stay watching the first cartoon series, not so much a fan of the new cartoon / films but the original, hit me with that anytime. I'm such unashamedly still a fan, my purse is a TMNT one - no shame here, mugs and what not. As a toddler I outwore their sweatshirt (that had to be purchased in the boys section). I can't even explain why I love it so much, I just do - might of been because our favourite food is pizza too and I was fond of April because my birthday's in April - kid logic, go figure. The drawings and colouring was smooth and clear and worked well, the storylines were interesting and exciting and even now I can continuously watch it. Trivia: Uncle Phil from The Fresh Prince, voiced Shredder.

The Simpsons
First episode date: December 17, 1989 - Present
There's a reason The Simpsons is the longest-running American sitcom, the longest-running American animated program & the longest-running American scripted primetime television series! The dynamics work, the jokes were funny and witty, I really loved the earlier seasons, I still watch the show but I do prefer the earlier writings but with it being on t.v for so long it becomes familiar to generations old and new. Easy to follow with rarely any episode continuations. Creator Matt Groening has remarked, "The Simpsons is a show that rewards paying attention." With things happening in the background and pop culture remarks, you'll watch an episode a few times over and notice something new. I remember when I was first told as a child about the chalkboard, slight things like that have you watching the intro. It's a show that long marked its position in pop culture itself! I'm sure when I had my Sunday 6pm - 7pm double bill of The Simpsons on Sky One with a bowl of rice krispies that I'd of thought a dysfunctional family cartoon would of lasted...

Rugrats
First episode date: August 11, 1991 - Final episode date: August 1, 2004
Who wouldn't want baby squad like these! Tommy was that old soul in a baby's body and every show needs a brat and cue the original 90s cartoon brat, Angelica and her Cynthia doll, who was more of a forced friend and one of the few times she had compassion for something else but was most likely still for herself, when Cynthia went missing if Cynthia had an ounce of sense I'd of stayed missing. I think a lot of young kids could relate to Chucky, he had those kiddie type fears such as being scared of bugs and the dark. I think it was good at showing how babies interpreted stuff they'd heard or seen, I remember Tommy saying the cat had Angelica's tongue (because she was being quiet for her mum) as he had heard cats could do that - lol. I also went to see the Rugrats Movie! Couldn't tell you to this day what happened in it, but I remember the Blackstreet & Mýa featuring Mase & Blinky Blink song for the film and the music video "Take Me There" ... still waiting on my grown sized Xylophone.

Beavis & Butthead
First episode date: March 8, 1993 - Final episode date: November 28, 1997
The best first series run of B&B, the revival though I watched - wasn't as great, too PC for my liking. I know Beavis and Butthead wasn't for everyone but for me it was everything. Different from children's cartoons in a way because Ren & Stimpy & Cow & Chicken were just beyond odd for Nickelodeon (loved them too!) I've got the entire Beavis and Butthead collection included the banned for T.V episodes. It was rebellious, sick and gross and for the tomboy like me, it was funny - it seemed to work for the 90s grunge, outcast type kids vibe.

Daria
First episode date: March 3, 1997 – Final episode date: January 21, 2002
Daria Morgendorffer - first introduced in ... Beavis & Butthead. This was a very popular spinoff. Daria had a dry humour but you could feel for her in situations, compared to her popular, pretty younger sister who often dismissed her as a distant cousin she was a misanthropic, sensitive teen but smart. Trying to blend into the background at best but rarely succeeding. Her parents were not help but she found comfort in her best friend Jane & Aunt Amy, who sympathised and understood Daria.

South Park
First episode date: August 13, 1997 - Present
You know me, you know that South Park is my lifeline. Especially my Butters ♥ The programme is very unapologetic and no holds barred and I love that they don't conform for the censors. It takes relevant pop culture and takes a satirical approach but it's pretty genius that's all I can say GENIUS! To others they feel it's foul mouthed and rude but if you give it a chance and bypass the humour most times SP, is saying what you've really been thinking. You know I'd love to be animated on South Park. Trey & Matt let's make this happen *dreams* South Park this September is heading into its 20th season and with South Park picked up until 2019, it's another one embedded in pop culture and my life - forever, Mmm'Kay.

Spongebob Squarepants
First episode date: May 1, 1999 - Present
As I type this I'm currently sitting wearing my Spongebob pyjamas #Shamless. So if you didn't know Spongebob lives under the sea - in a pineapple, has a pet snail named Gary and a best friend named Patrick who is a starfish - can't forget Sandy who is a Squirrel and for that she has on diver gear because what squirrel can live under the sea? What makes Spongebob for all is that it reminds me of the Ren & Stimpy show, made for kids but as you get older you start noticing innuendos and not so childlike references. Even this show has banned episodes now. I'm still waiting for Nickelodeon to read out my name after I sent in a postcard with my name & address for a Spongebob goodie bag filled with stuff but now I know those things aren't for real I guess I should stop looking. With a lot of shows now earlier episodes are better for me with the cute, Spongebob charm - he's too cute.

Tween / Teen
Saved by the Bell
First episode date: August 20, 1989 – Final episode date: May 22, 1993
Centered around 6 friends at Bayside High School, looking back the characters were very stereotyped - cheerleader, nerd, jock, brains, shallow daddy's girl but they all managed to still be friends and do things together as there was no segregated the different characters. As cheesy as it could be it was a show that tried to deal with issues teens went through, homework pressure, low self esteem, crushes, bullying etc. A child of the 90s at some point saw this show - it's quite a guilty pleasure. I not long ago thanks to Viva recorded the entire seasons.

The Fresh Prince of Bel Air
First episode date: September 10, 1990 - May 20, 1996
If there was a theme song that most could memorise and rap along too, it was this one. You could just hear the beat come in and off you go - it's impulse "Now, this is a story all about how, my life got flipped-turned upside down..". A street wise kid from Philly living in Beverly Hills, the two different environments alone was enough to make you watch because both parties could teach each other a thing or two. And there's only ever been one Aunt Viv, I felt the show jumped the shark when Janet Hubert left the show and how could fans forget the epic dance off...*finger snap*.

Beverly Hills, 90210
First episode date: October 4, 1990 - May 17, 2000
Life wasn't relatable with Beverley Hills, 90210 to me but it was fun to watch. I had stickers on my bedroom door - holographic 90210 logo stickers, so 90s, I miss that! These people in my young childhood reminded me of Barbie & Ken's but with a lot of drama. Hello, the Kelly, Dylan, and Brenda triangle - How could nobody feel for Brenda. But once again another show that showed good looks and money didn't stop image issues, drug addiction and heartbreak.

Clarissa Explains It All
First episode date: March 23, 1991 - October 1, 1994
Who didn't want a bedroom like Clarissa and not to forget her pet lizard Elvis. Clarissa had that 90's bright fashion, where things didn't look like they belonged but she made it look effortless. The stuff Clarissa had and did, I thought my teens were going to be just like that! Yeah times moved on and I don't think anybody had it like Clarissa. I liked how the show dealt with crushes, spots & wearing your first ever bra! Just general teen girl things that made girls watching understand not to be scared.

Sister, Sister
First episode date: April 1, 1994 - Final episode date: May 23, 1999
Tia and Tamera are twins who were separated at birth, with each being adopted by a different parent. One day, the teens have a chance encounter while shopping at a clothing store in the mall. After the families meet, Tamera's adoptive father reluctantly allows Tia and her mother to move into his home so the girls can be together. For me, it was about seeing girls on t.v. who 'looked similar' to me. Mixed race with curly hair albeit their hair texture at best was more 3C than mine it was comforting. Jackée Harry as the mum, Lisa Landry, was nothing less than funny I found. The family dynamics weren't conventional but they did their best and who could forget the classic catchphrase "Go Home, Roger!".

Sweet Valley High
First episode date: September 5, 1994 - Final episode date: October 14, 1997
I use to read the Sweet Valley High books that I'd take out from the library and then when I saw it had been turned into a show, I watched. The lives of identical but very different twins Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield. One sweet as pie sister and another one a total mischievous bitch - even to her sister to get her own way. I'm not sure why I liked the series so much but it was part of my watchings in the 90's and how could I forget the males with their curtains haircuts *ugh* and Brittany Daniel who played Jessica went onto star in White Chicks - which is always a must see funny film.

Kenan & Kel
First episode date: July 15, 1996 - Final episode date: May 3, 2000
"I DROPPED THE SCREW IN THE TUNA!" The comedic duo who worked so well together. I can't believe it's been 20 years since they filmed the first show. Kenan always coming up with schemes with his BFF Kel "who loves orange soda? kel loves orange soda. is it true? mmmhmmm, i do, i do, i do-oooo", could say Kenan wasn't a good judge of character with whom he trusted to do these schemes with.


Smart Guy
First episode date: April 2, 1997 – Final episode date: May 16, 1999
I just started watching this again (along with Kenan & Kel) which sparked the thought for this post. It made me realise how T.V. had some good black shows on t.v. back then. Tahj Mowry plays a 10 year old genius who skips 6 grades to be in high school with both his older siblings and he ends up in most of his older brothers classes. The show had cameos from Destiny's Child in one episode very early on in their career, I think it was during the promotion of their first album "Destiny's Child", Bianca Lawson (who forever can play a teen even now and she's in her 30s), Tia & Tamara (whose brother was the lead in the show). It was a show that dealt with single parenting, dating, crushes, feminism & more. It was pretty good and surprising for a Disney Show. I loved Omar Gooding in this show...after last seeing him previously in Hangin' with Mr. Cooper.

Married... with Children
First episode date: April 5, 1987 - Final episode date: June 9, 1997
"Love and marriage goes together like a horse and carriage..." Hearing Frank Sinatra singing this opening theme about a man living the Bundy curse, love and marriage seemed more like a chore for Al, at times while his wife Peggy tettered around in her mules and eating bonbons with her flame red bouffant hairdo. It was unapologetic in it's approach. Al would be either be on the couch hand down his pants on his crotch, reading porn magazines, going to strip clubs and leering at women even with his wife right there. Kelly Bundy was the Pamela Anderson of t.v. before CJ hit the beach, the ditzy but attractive, promiscuous & stereotypical blonde.

Other honourable mentions: Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, In The House, Martin, The Steve Harvey show, Ren & Stimpy, Everybody Loves Raymond, Cow and Chicken, Cousin Skeeter, Angela Anaconda, Sabrina, the teenage witch, Hey Arnold, Recess, Friends, A Different World, Heartbreak High, Ready or Not, Martin, Wayans Bros & The Parkers.

There are so many good shows that I loved watching during the 90s thanks to cable t.v. and some of these shows are still something I watch, some I look back and think WTF did I find interesting but I think for me it was more the fact of that being a teenager was the next step up in life and all the anticipation of what being one is going to be, high school, crushes etc. Of course most of these shows didn't show UK high school life but I do like how they did deal with some issues that affect girls and sometimes boys.

What 90's tv shows do you get your life from?
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