Which 90s show was ahead of its time? Tell us for $2

Alex Sinclair · 2024-04-23T09:59:04.525Z

There was a lot of bad TV in the 90s. There was a lot of good TV in the 90s. And there was a lot of TV in the 90s that seemed good but failed to withstand the tests of time. We're not looking for those, we're looking for a 90s TV show that's as good now as...

Shovel 4/30/2024, 6:47:32 PM

I mean I don’t know if you would class this as a 90s show because it is still ongoing but I would definitely say the earliest seasons of one piece are super underrated. I found watching them as an adult and starting the show. There are a lot of undertones and a lot of really important themes that the show showcases for example all along Park and the Fishman not feeling like the people or get treated fairly because of them being fish man so there’s a whole revenge streak that happens because of a small group of them but you see in one piece that they don’t speak for all of the fish man there are some who are good there are some were bad obviously we see later on that one of the Fishman end up joining the straw hats so I would definitely say based off that, one pieces underrated themes of racism injustice that you see and I find that to be really special

Sturmer 4/30/2024, 10:05:16 PM

Shovel

jezz seems that show is bigger that Naruto?

Limal 4/29/2024, 9:37:43 PM

Farscape!

Animatronics and CGI was way way ahead of time, their aliens were so realistic, so immersive.

The characters were also so well developed for Sci-fi show, the story unfolded over episodes, sometimes dark or even grim, everything in that show 'not loke we used to see' - IMO thats a key factor to call Farscape was a show ahead of time.

Kane Carnifex 4/29/2024, 1:50:13 PM

COWBOY BEBOP

1998 - 2000 Anime Series

2021 Netflix Adapation Series

What happens if a Japanese thing about the wild wild west and cowboys? Yes, you spin it up with SciFi and place the story line into 2071?

An all time Masterpiece.

I watched it on MTV in Germany after 22:00… and still today I love it.

The story is about Headhunters who are notorious poor. Every Episode nothing goes as planned. In others the characters gets more developed with backstory facts and ongoing further process. You experience how they grow to something like a family.

Sturmer 4/28/2024, 7:32:34 PM

Twin Peaks

After careful consideration of various factors like watchability in 2024, comparison to its contemporaries, and other criteria, my focus today shifts from "Farscape" to "Twin Peaks" (1990-1991).

This series demonstrated that television could be as cinematic as film, elevating it to the 'big screen' league. "Twin Peaks" offered a unique blend of crime, horror, and a dreamlike atmosphere, establishing a new standard for television with its intricate plot and supernatural twists. It paved the way for future mystery and thriller shows such as Stranger Things, True Detective, Lost, and more.

Below, I've included the opening video to refresh your memory of the famous music that even those who haven't watched the show might recognize.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2lkvrMa27c

Lanah Tyra 4/26/2024, 6:27:59 AM

Gundam Wing

I think it was the first Gundam series which really stood out with the story, characters, music and graphic. It wasn't as popular in Japan, but it took the West by storm and made the whole franchise popular.

Even though my favourite is Gundam Seed, if someone would ask me where to start with the franchise, I would say go from Gundam Wing. Anything before just doesn't look the same with modern eyes, but this one is still as good as it was back in 1995.

https://youtu.be/WVcCB4fze94?si=KXoarkH9BHIdXIwu

Sturmer 4/28/2024, 7:34:51 PM

Lanah Tyra

You should also check Patlabor (in case you missed it)!

K

klobbersaurus68 4/24/2024, 5:38:43 PM

Roseanne- The original iteration ran 1988 to 1997. It showed a mostly real version of a working-class family in a small town in the mid-west of the United States. They lived through factories shutting down, abusive bosses that you couldn't fight, problem kids, the death of family members, abusive relationships, divorce, and a plethora of other real-life situations from the late 80s and early 90s.

Some shows from decades prior did occasionally touch on 'real life' but it was done in a very light and funny manner. Roseanne went full steam into many topics that weren't reflected in the media at the time. Even today, it's not touched on much.

Having watched the series again within the last year, I'm more than confident it was ahead of its time and still holds up to this day. No kids in the klobbersaurus household, but my brother has children and I know he's shown them a few episodes when they've talked about how we've grown up.

if you want a peek at how the flyover portions of the US lived in the 90s, track down a few episodes and see. The couch they have in the majority of the show is the exact same one that a best friend had in their house.

Alex SinclairMod4/29/2024, 8:30:36 AM

klobbersaurus68

As a Brit, I've heard of Roseanne but only in light of more recent politics and controversies. Knowing that the original show was once ahead of its time adds a new dynamic, and I might check out a few episodes now. I grew up watching Malcolm in the Middle - a show that I still love and wondered if it would be submitted here. Malcolm in the Middle definitely fits in the more comedic side you mentioned, but it was the first sitcom-style show I watched that represented the lives of what I considered to be a 'normal' working class family, complete with all the bickering, loving familial dysfunction, and financial stresses.

K

klobbersaurus68 5/1/2024, 1:06:40 AM

Alex Sinclair

Malcolm in the Middle is certainly a very good call out as well.

A

Asim 4/24/2024, 5:38:26 PM

For me the 90s show which was ahead of it’s time has to be DragonBall Z. Dragonball Z is filled with some of the most amazing fighting scenes, it’s actioned packed and has villains which STILL stand the test of time, Freiza, Cell, Majin Buu. Heck they even added Cell to fortnite the other mother. I can shoot John Cena with Perfect Cell in fortnite, crazy world we live in.

So weirdly enough I remember watching DBZ in the early 2000s in England HOWEVER what I only realised recently is that this show was released in the early 90’s. Goku turning Super Saiyan is one of the coolest scenes in anime history. If DragonBall Z was a show that aired in the 2020’s it would be viral every so often!

Gohan killing cell still is one of my favourite scenes of all time and they still make t shirts out of the show from moments in DBZ.

Heck when Akira Toriyama the creator of DBZ died, the whole world felt it! It highlights the massive impact that this show has had on many children who are the working professional adults of today!

Makster 4/24/2024, 5:43:48 PM

Asim

I still remember discussing the latest episodes of DBZ that aired on Cartoon Network with friends in the playground. We were all so curious what was in the giant ball Babidi was harnessing energy for and then it was revealed to be Majin Buu. A bit of a disappointment but the sorta childish destruction he went on was admittedly quite scary watching as kid - him turning people in candy and eating it. Even Vegeta's sacrifice couldn't stop the pink goo from reforming

L

Laser-Bicep 4/24/2024, 6:04:14 AM

For me it has to be the x files.

I never watched it in the 90's but picked it up and am slowly watching through and loving it. The story a week format works really well. And everything is so well shot. The music yes is dated but it adds such a cool vibe with the background piano. much like the old resident evil games did.

One way it was way ahead of its time is it rejected certain tropes and stereo types. The had the strong female lead which is great but they also didnt do the trope of her falling in love with the male male lead... They were colleagues and friends !

Also the character of scully inspired many women in real life to enter the fields of science tech and engineering and was even coined the scully effect.

So yes while dated this show holds up in many ways

Makster 4/24/2024, 5:44:34 PM

Laser-Bicep

I still get chills whenever I hear that theme song.

Damien Mason 4/23/2024, 3:46:40 PM

DC Animated Universe

Okay, so this isn't exactly one show but a collection led by the legendary Batman: The Animated Series (1992). That alone would carry the accolade of being ahead of its time for mature themes in a children's cartoon, the unique dark deco art style built from dark to light using black paper, and the in-person recording sessions that sat voice actors together so they could properly react to one another.

Here, however, I'm talking about the shared superhero universe. Over a decade before the Marvel Cinematic Universe even kicked off under Paramount Pictures, Batman: The Animated Series and Superman: The Animated Series (1996) collided with a two-part episode called World's Finest (1997).

While you might think this was just a simple crossover, it laid the foundation for a much deeper connection. Batman Beyond (1999) shows the future of the shared world, Static Shock (2000) brought in their first black lead featuring several crossover characters, Justice League (2001) showcased the formation of the superhero team, and Justice League Unlimited (2004) expanded the roster tenfold.

There was also The Zeta Project (2001) that was virtually forgotten, and several movies. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993) even received a theatrical release and award nominations, although it debuted before the rest of the universe had time to grow.

My point, anyway, is that this was the MCU before the MCU. Frankly, it was done better in my opinion, but I'm biased.

Makster 4/24/2024, 5:47:02 PM

Damien Mason

I kinda wished they'd did something similar with Teen Titans (2003) and expanded with a new roster of junior heroes.

Alas we just got Teen Titans Go! And just seem to keep getting it...

Damien Mason 4/24/2024, 7:39:47 PM

Makster

I loved Teen Titans. I don't think I gave Go! a fair shake, to be honest. It's not my style and the focus on their time off from superheroics didn't exactly wow me, but I keep hearing great things. It also might just be a great show that isn't for us, looking toward a different audience. If that means young'uns get something that'll guide them into the glory of the old show or DCAU, I'm okay with that.

Young Justice was a blast and ended way before its time because it found an older audience, yet hinged on toy sales. I don't think DC has many misses in the animated space, so I'm looking forward to what's next.

Makster 4/23/2024, 10:56:59 AM

It's quite obviously America's most dysfunctional family The Simpsons.

Although it's still airing (into it's 35th season) most fans agree that the 'golden age' is seasons 1-10 which takes up the majority of the '90's. I can't think of anything that captured the decade better than the family in Springfield. From Bart's 90's attitude of 'cool', Lisa's liberal stance on the climate and vegetarianism, to the concept of a nuclear family 3 kids, in a 4 bedroom house provided for by a single income being possible. Absolute madness when we compare it to now.

I can't escape the many many laughs I had with this show. It basically raised me. And eventually, I'd fall in love with my partner because of our mutual interest in this show.

Alex SinclairMod4/23/2024, 11:09:15 AM

Makster

Funnily enough, I recently found myself watching a two-hour YouTube essay 'Is The Simpsons good again?' Following years of less than golden episodes, there's been some promise again in recent series. It seems like they've taken the decision to stop trying to be what The Simpsons was and concentrating on what it could be. If you fancy checking out a couple of the more recent promising episodes, I recommend the two-parter: A Very Serious Flanders as well the great Treehouse of Horror XXXIII. I was pleasantly surprised!

Makster 4/24/2024, 5:45:46 PM

Alex Sinclair

Super EyePatch Wolf? Yeah boy - one of my favourite YTers right now

I did! I was watching the latest treehouse of horror with my partner's niece and nephew and bless them they were scared. I'm glad the Simpsons are still able to traumatise little kids but also have a great and funny resolution at the end of each story

Alex SinclairMod4/25/2024, 8:37:04 AM

Makster

That's the one! In hindsight, I probably could have just watched a bunch of recent Simpsons episodes in the time it took me to watch the YT essay. It's the first time I've watched his stuff, but it was great. And to be fair to your partner's niece and nephew, the Treehouse of Horror story where Marge was coming for Maggie genuinely was quite tense.

Makster 4/25/2024, 8:48:21 AM

Alex Sinclair

haha that's the one!

Admittedly as a kid I was also terrified by Treehouse of Horror episodes. I was always afraid of Kang and Kodos so the episode where they get Marge pregnant and Maggie is a human/alien hybrid with them ending on Jerry Springer kinda frightened me as a kid but is hilarious as an adult

FirestormGamingTeam 4/23/2024, 10:51:07 AM

I am going to submit three answers to this, simply because each show was way ahead of its time in ideas and execution.

Stargate Sg1 - This show, took science and ran with it, stretched it to its limits and then pushed some more, whilst maintaining one of the best storylines that is still watched to this day. Branching out into films and three different open series. SGU/SGA/SG1

Sliders - Again, the very idea of using Wormholes to travel was used by this show, but they took it one step further than SG1 and featured parallel universes which was great, it deserved more seasons.

Farscape - For me, I preferred Farscape over Star Trek because they took "Sci-fi & Fantasy" and really smashed them together to create an amazing show that imo, much like Sliders, deserved more seasons.

Now Alex Sinclair if I had to choose one that was my fav, it would be SG1, because I love all Stargate films and TV series, even the universe :)

Horror and Cats 4/23/2024, 10:56:40 AM

FirestormGamingTeam

Dude, literally the ONLY reason I didn’t pick Farscape was because it started in ‘99 and went to ‘03 so I didn’t think it qualified.

Sturmer 4/23/2024, 12:09:25 PM

Horror and Cats

Agree! Farscape is in my list too and it's not qualified by the bounty rules

Alex SinclairMod4/23/2024, 12:17:30 PM

Sturmer

Horror and Cats and Sturmer - just to clarify my wording: a show only requires a single season to have been released in the 90s to be valid. So if Farscape released a season in 1999, that's fine 😊

Sturmer 4/23/2024, 12:24:36 PM

Alex Sinclair

you making a task harder! i was about to post something else, now i need days to argue with myself hahaha

Lanah Tyra 5/1/2024, 7:55:45 AM

FirestormGamingTeam

I wanted to say SG1 but you beat me to it :D so went with one of my favourite anime. But definitely SG1 gets my vote, I was rewatching some episodes recently and it looks just as good as it did back in the days.

Horror and Cats 4/23/2024, 11:20:47 AM

I want to say Fresh Prince of Bel Air just because of that one famous episode where Will Smith has a breakdown/revelation about how he doesn’t need his dad, who abandoned him. That is a serious and eternally applicable sentiment.

Not to mention it’s a pop culture reference to this day when it comes to seminal moments in television which evoke emotion from of a vastly diverse audience.

FirestormGamingTeam 4/23/2024, 10:46:30 AM

Horror and Cats

That had me in tears, but then I grew up in social care and never knew my parents, but that scene destroyed me, utterly 100%. Heart-wrenching scene.