This was the decade to show the former top 3 networks that they were not the only ones who could pull in an audience. Aside from the growing popularity of cable television, satellite was starting to become more accessible to the mainstream audience. The networks also had to compete with the new mavericks of the WB, UPN and FOX.
While still taking a passive role, the major networks continued with their brand of least offensive, predictable formula shows that still captured regular viewers. The problem is there was a growing desire for something different and fresh. After all, most have grown up to see the changes of clean television to All In The Family pushing the censors buttons to shows which devalued the original family values. The standard formula would not cut it for long.
FOX came up with many new and controversial shows creating a niche for a younger generation. For awhile, they were cranking out dozens of new shows each year which had promise, but were never around for the next season. Finally realizing a niche of the teen and young adult market, they favored the soap opera formula to hook an audience week after week and holding on to the standbys that created the FOX fame such as Married With Children and The Simpsons.
UPN and the WB was struggling to compete with FOX until each found their niche among teens. While most people discount the validity of these networks, the loyalty on the part of its young viewership should not be ignored. After all, they will be the future of what will eventually be on the other networks.
Cable and satellite has opened a new world for many. They didn't have quite as many of the same restrictions of censorship as the major networks, but they still had to keep it as clean as possible. Stations such as Comedy Central really pushed the envelope of good taste and created a niche for those who want television without restriction. South Park and the Man Show have been both praised and criticized for the same reasons, they have gone far beyond what was considered appropriate.
From the start of the decade, Court Tv has opened up a new world to the average person. Just a few short decades ago, people were too trusting. We tended to believe it if it was in print or on television and take the government's word for a situation. Now we had a front row seat on how America was really run. How many people really knew courtroom manners only 2 decades ago? Not only do we know how the court system works, but we can see a real look at the Senate, Congress, a police case, autopsies, and other things that once were considered not of real interest or any business of the average person.
While it is still too early to tell how many of these shows will be remembered in the long term, some have already been forgotten and others are still on going. How many do you remember or liked?
- America's Funniest Home Videos
- Murder, She Wrote
- In Living Color
- Get A Life
- Married With Children
- Fresh Prince Of Bel Air
- Ferris Bueller
- Who's The Boss
- Rescue 911
- Matlock
- Head Of The Class
- Rosanne
- In The Heat Of The Night
- Law And Order
- Murphy Brown
- thirtysomething
- Cop Rock
- Wonder Years
- Growing Pains
- Unsolved Mysteries
- Father Dowling Mysteries
- Cosby Show
- The Simpsons
- Full House
- Family Matters
- China Beach
- Quantum Leap
- America's Most Wanted
- Cops
- Hogan Family
- Family Man
- Empty Nest
- Golden Girls
- A Different World
- Cheers
- Perfect Strangers
- Knot's Landing
- L.A. Law
- Dallas
- Twin Peaks
- Dear John
- Night Court
- Wings
- Herman's Head
- Northern Exposure
- Homefront
- MacGyver
- Major Dad
- Blossom
- Home Improvement
- Dianosaurs
- Royal Family
- Roc
- Designing Women
- Beverly Hills 90210
- Melrose Place
- Young Riders
- Empty Nest
- Nurses
- Sisters
- The Commish
- Reasonable Doubt
- Coach
- Mad About You
- Seinfeld
- Brooklyn Bridge
- Lois and Clark
- NYPD Blues
- Martin
- Living Single
- John Larroquette Show
- Grace Under Fire
- Hanging With Mr Cooper
- Step By Step
- Boy Meets World
- X-Files
- Picket Fences
- Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman
- Walker, Texas Ranger
- Models, Inc
- Diagnosis Murder
- Chicago Hope
- Frasier
- Party Of Five
- Picket Fences
- Jeff Foxworthy Show
- Jag
- Caroline In The City
- ER
- Unhappily Ever After
- Cybill
- Spin City
- The Parent 'Hood
- 3rd Rock From The Sun
- Ned And Stacey
- Something So Right
- Moesha
- Ellen
- Suddenly Susan
- Clueless
- Sabrina The Teen Witch
- Dave's World
- Everybody Loves Raymond
- The Pretender
- King Of The Hill
- 7th Heaven
- Ally McBeal
- Cosby
- Brooklyn South
- Buffy, The Vampire Slayer
- Just Shoot Me
- Cracker
- Living Single
- Dharma And Greg
- Smart Guy
- Working
- Steve Harvey
- The Wayans Brothers
- Nash Bridges
- Homicide
- The Practice
- Profiler
- King Of Queens
- Drew Carey
- Two Guys A Girl And A Pizza Place
- Touched By An Angel
- Becker
- Malcolm And Eddie
- Suddenly Susan
- Veronica's Closet
- It's Like, You Know
- Once And Again
- That 70s Show
- Dilbert
- Dawson's Creek
- Who's Line Is It Anyway
- Jesse
- Charmed
- Friends
- The Hughleys
- Jamie Foxx
- Freaks And Geeks
- The Pjs
- Futurama
- South Park
