jeuxdemauxprompted:favorite tv shows as a kid (and why)? and if you have tried rewatching them in recent years: do you still like them?Omg googling to jog my memory for this post was truly a beautiful experience. It was not that I had forgotten these shows, but merely forgotten how FUCKIN ACE it was to be a kid in the 90s. I pity the children that grew up on the likes of Spongebob and whatever the hell children watch now. I’m too old to know. I couldn’t tell you. These are in no particular order, because who could put a number on love? (Hey Arnold! would still be #1 if they were in a particular order.)
Hey Arnold! :: This show. This beautiful show. I actually have rewatched this show within the last few years and I was really struck not only by how well it stood up, but also by how clever, emotional, and intelligent it was. This was not a show that pandered to children. It was really deep and the emotional themes were heavy (Arnold’s parents; Helga’s ENTIRE LIFE) but it was never really sugarcoated or dumbed down. It was also casually diverse and therefore a lot more reflective of actual kids’ experiences. I remember even as a kid thinking it felt real and true. Also I think Arnold is a great protagonist. He’s such a sweetheart. Boys should take note.
Doug ::Doug was another huge favorite for me but I haven’t watched it in years, though I really want to. It was definitely another one of those slightly bizarre slice of life shows that the 90s did so, so beautifully. I loved Doug’s bitchy sister the most (of course) and my friends and I would do impressions of her sizzling bacon interpretive dance long into high school.
Kenan & Kel :: I have no idea how this show would hold up (I would hazard a guess and say: not well) but I was pretty ride or die for it as a little one, and also totally in love with Kel. Was Kel not the shining star of this enterprise? Does anyone else get bitchy pangs every time they see Kenan on SNL, knowing that Kel was superior?
Rocko’s Modern Life :: The 90s were SO BIZARRE A TIME. Who allowed children to watch this show???? The animation was so creepy? Remember that time Rocko worked as a phone sex operator? Remember that time Heffer was a nudist? Remember how he was a steer raised by wolves? Remember how a turtle procreated with a cat? Like…what? I loved it though. Loved the hell out of it, probably missed like 90% of the lowkey adult jokes.
Aaahh!!! Real Monsters :: I have not seen this show since I was a super tiny child because it never really played in reruns ever. But while we’re on the topic of bizarre shit, remember this bizarre shit? I really barely do, only that the animation was of course hella creepy and…there was one guy who carried around his eyeballs? And a girl character with a gigantic mouth on a skinny body? Again…this was for children?? I actually love the bizarre shit that we got that probably wouldn’t fly today because I truly credit it all for making me the weird adult I am today. I mean, possibly I would have gotten here anyway, but I’m glad I had this stuff along the way.
Lois & Clark :: One. Of. The. Most. Definitive. Shows. Of. My. Life. Lois was my idol. Lois is still sort of my idol. Lois/Clark formed the template upon which my baby self imprinted and now I sometimes suspect that nearly every ship I like is merely an echo.
Hercules / Xena :: Tbh as a youngin’ I watched Hercules more than Xena and I think that was because my mom had a crush on Kevin Sorbo (he’s a creep now, so oops @ Mom). But I was heavy into Greek mythology as a kid too and I feel like Hercules had more…actual gods? Am I making that up? I absolutely adored their Aphrodite and Ares.
Snick!!!!! :: There was not one fuckin kid who did not live for Snick; I refuse to believe it. Snick was the highlight of my tiny week. All of the shows were amazing. All That!! KABLAM. I super loved the weirdo cartoons of KaBlam!, especially Action League Now (I had to Wiki it; remember the one with all the action figures? Melty Man?) and Angela Anaconda (Nanette Manoir, that bitch!). (I just rewatched an episode of Angela Anaconda on YT, which apparently has every 90s show known to man, and Nanette Manoir has a poodle named Ooh La La. That is the best thing I have ever heard. She also throws such beautiful shade @ Angela (“How…continental.”), whose lengthy hate fantasies are truly psychologically terrifying.)
The Adventures of Pete & Pete :: This goddamn beautiful show. I actually didn’t have strong memories of it from my actual childhood, so probably I was really too little when I watched it, but it had a revival in my heart and mind back in high school. This surreal, beautiful nonsense. The amazing theme song! Older Pete’s beautifully philosophical voiceover! Can everyone just stop what they are doing right now and go watch the pilot, for me? You won’t regret it.
Tiny Toon Adventures :: Another amazing show that I watched religiously as a tiny person. Were the Animaniacs part of Tiny Toons or were they another thing?? I loved them too. Omg and Pinky and the Brain! Shit so many amazing cartoons. All so clever and inventive and sarcastic! Does anyone remember the episode of Tiny Toons that was a dead ripoff of Sunset Blvd. starring Elmira and the asshole rich boy? Incredible. I n c r e d i b l e.
Rugrats :: I haven’t watched the actual cartoon in ages, but I recently caught the Rugrats in Paris movie or whatever it’s called and I was crying inside of ten seconds, so there’s that.
Boy Meets World :: I spent my 24th birthday (which was over a year ago; gross) rewatching s1 of this show. It got kind of broad and silly as it went on, but I was really surprised by how genuinely hilarious the show was. Just dumb normal kids coming of age stuff but it was so good! Corey was such a little smartass! Preferable to when he became a mega goody two shoes. Topanga was such a weirdo! Again, preferable to when she became The Most Sensible. Shawn was…largely the same and still pretty great! Until he just sort of became Rider Strong. Eric was just hot and not dumb! Glorious. The only thing missing from the early years is the eternally perfect Angela.
Sabrina :: SABRINA. Oh man remember TGIF? Sabrina and Boy Meets World would be on one after another, right? Sabrina was very much my jam as a young girl obsessed with witches and also just a young girl, period. My best friend at the time had a Sabrina doll WITH levitating bed capabilities and I was SO JEALOUS omg. (It was a real thing!) This was another show among the many on this list that just defined my youth. <3
P.S. I might save the final prompt (teen shows) for Sunday or Monday so I can be sure to devote enough time to it! It is, after all, my thesis.