What exactly are underrated 90s sitcoms?
The 1990s were a sitcom juggernaut. From Friends and Frasier to Seinfeld and Everybody Loves Raymond, network TV was saturated with cultural icons. But not every gem from the decade made it into the pop culture hall of fame. Some were canceled too soon, others were simply ahead of their time — and all of them deserve another shot.
Here are 10 underrated 90s sitcoms you totally forgot about — and why they still matter.
1. Boston Common (1996–1997)
Why it’s underrated: A college-town comedy with big heart and early Southern charm from Anthony Clark.
Clark played Boyd, a lovable goof who follows his sister to college in Boston and ends up staying. The show blended fish-out-of-water humor with genuine warmth and rapid-fire dialogue. It was a sleeper hit in its first season but lost steam after scheduling changes. Think Frasier meets My Name Is Earl.
Where to stream: Sadly, it’s not currently available on any platform or physically.
2. The John Larroquette Show (1993–1996)
Why it’s underrated: A dark, smart sitcom about addiction, self-sabotage, and late-night weirdness.
Larroquette starred as a recovering alcoholic managing a New Orleans bus terminal. The tone was edgier than typical NBC fare — more dramedy than sitcom at times — and its cult following still praises it for daring to go deeper than most network comedies.
Where to stream: Sadly, it’s not currently available on any platform or physically.
3. Ned and Stacey (1995–1997)
Why it’s underrated: Debra Messing and Thomas Haden Church had wild chemistry in a fake-marriage sitcom that was genuinely funny.
Ned needed a wife to get a promotion, Stacey needed a place to live — so they married for convenience and bickered like pros. It was fast, chaotic, and somehow still managed moments of sincerity. A perfect ’90s sitcom setup that burned bright and fast.
Where to stream: Available on DVD.
4. Townies (1996)
Why it’s underrated: A Boston-based working-class sitcom starring three future stars: Molly Ringwald, Jenna Elfman, and Lauren Graham.
Following three friends stuck in their small-town waitressing jobs, Townies was a sharp, female-led hangout sitcom that could’ve been huge with a better time slot. It was charming, grounded, and delivered way more laughs than its short run suggests.
Where to stream: Sadly, it’s not currently available on any platform or physically.
5. Brotherly Love (1995–1997)
Why it’s underrated: Three real-life Lawrence brothers, one genuinely wholesome show.
Joey, Matt, and Andy Lawrence starred as stepbrothers navigating life and business in Philly. It had heart, solid writing, and actual family dynamics without getting too sappy. For a TGIF-style sitcom, it packed surprising depth.
Where to stream: Sadly, it’s not currently available on any platform or physically.
6. Working (1997–1999)
Why it’s underrated: It was *Office Space* on TV… before The Office even existed.
Fred Savage starred in this cynical but clever corporate comedy about climbing the ladder without losing your soul. With surreal humor, meta jokes, and an early Ron Livingston appearance, it was years ahead of its time — and then vanished without a trace.
Where to stream: Sadly, it’s not currently available on any platform or physically.
7. Style & Substance (1998)
Why it’s underrated: Jean Smart’s post-*Designing Women* brilliance in a satire of lifestyle TV.
Smart played a Martha Stewart-style TV host whose sweet image masked diva behavior, while Nancy McKeon co-starred as her grounded producer. The chemistry worked, and the spoof of brand culture felt especially fresh in the late ’90s. CBS buried it before it had a chance.
Where to stream: Sadly, it’s not currently available on any platform or physically.
8. Goode Behavior (1996–1997)
Why it’s underrated: A Black-led sitcom that mixed family, redemption, and real warmth.
Starring Sherman Hemsley and Dorien Wilson, the show followed a college dean forced to take in his ex-con father. It was funny, heartfelt, and tried to tackle respectability politics in a sitcom format. Short-lived, but memorable.
Where to stream: Sadly, it’s not currently available on any platform or physically.
9. Encore! Encore! (1998–1999)
Why it’s underrated: Nathan Lane’s first sitcom as a retired opera singer? Sign us up.
Lane played a flamboyant opera star who moves back home with his family in a small town. The show combined traditional sitcom beats with Lane’s theatrical energy, and while critics liked it, audiences didn’t quite show up. A missed opportunity with big potential.
Where to stream: Sadly, it’s not currently available on any platform or physically.
10. The Norm Show (1999–2001)
Why it’s underrated: Norm Macdonald’s dry, deadpan chaos in a sitcom about court-ordered social work.
After being banned from pro hockey, Norm becomes a social worker to avoid jail time. The setup was ridiculous, the humor dry, and the supporting cast (including Laurie Metcalf) excellent. It lasted three seasons but never quite got the mainstream attention it deserved.
Where to stream: Sadly, it’s not currently available on any platform or physically.
Final Thoughts
The 1990s sitcom landscape was full of cultural powerhouses — but that meant a lot of clever, experimental, and genuinely funny shows got buried in the shuffle. These underrated 90s sitcoms may not have dominated the Nielsen ratings, but they still have something to offer.
Dig into the archives — some of the best stuff isn’t the most popular, just the most forgotten.
Be sure to check out the entries in our Underrated Series:
- Underrated 60s Cartoons – 10 Shows You Totally Forgot About
- Underrated 70s Cartoons – 10 Shows You Totally Forgot About
- Underrated 80s Cartoons – 10 Shows You Totally Forgot About
- Underrated 90s Cartoons – 10 Shows You Totally Forgot About
- Underrated 2000s Cartoons – 10 Shows You Totally Forgot About
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