Best of ‘93: Memorable TV Series Turning 30

Stephanie Holland
·4 min read
Screenshot: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Screenshot: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
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We’ve had a lot of fun celebrating the 30th anniversary of Living Single, but that’s not the only notable show to premiere in 1993. Whether it’s childhood favorites, sci-fi classics, or comedies you used to love, the year offered us plenty of interesting TV choices. So, in addition to Living Single, these are other memorable TV series turning 30.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers

I don’t care how cheesy you think it is, there’s always going to be something special about Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Yes, the effects are ridiculous and stories are predictable, but if you were a kid in the ‘90s, it was appointment television.

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DS9 is so crucial to the Star Trek universe, because it gave us Avery Brooks as Benjamin Sisko, the franchise’s first Black captain. It also skewed from the establish Star Trek formula, taking episodes and stories to fresh, fascinating places.

The Adventures of Brisco County Jr.

This cult classic that was definitely ahead of its time. The way it blends comedy, sci-fi and western would fit in perfectly with today’s genre bending programming. Plus, Julius Carry’s Bowler is a superb tribute to Black cowboys.

Alex Haley’s Queen

Screenshot: Black Film History/YouTube
Screenshot: Black Film History/YouTube

CBS airing a three-part miniseries about the life of a biracial slave was a big deal in 1993. This star-studded series would definitely be told in a more nuanced way nowadays, but at the time, it felt very significant.

Thea

In the ‘90s, if you were a mildly popular stand up comedian, you got your own sitcom. One of the more underrated entries in the pack was Thea. Thea Vidale starred as a no-nonsense single mom who was supermarket cashier/hair stylist. The fact that this show only lasted one season is still puzzling. I understand low ratings, but ABC could have had something special if they’d given it a little time.

The Sinbad Show

Sinbad’s entry into the sitcom world came in the form of a confirmed bachelor who suddenly decided to adopt two orphaned siblings and become a father. It followed the typical “new family” comedy format, and didn’t showcase Sinbad the way it should have. Look, not everything from 1993 was pure gold.

NYPD Blue

Yes, there are absolutely episodes and storylines of NYPD Blue that have aged poorly. However, this is another trailblazing drama that set the table for series like The Wire, The Sopranos and OZ. Its popularity showed that audiences were ready for more realistic, adult themes to be tackled.

Frasier

Frasier is one of the most acclaimed shows in TV history. I’m not going to claim that any of those awards were for being overly diverse. Somehow Frasier and Niles lived in a major city like Seattle and came across very few Black people. Maybe things will change in the upcoming revival, but since it’s set in Boston, we’re not holding our breath.

The X-Files

Seems like it was only yesterday that Mulder was assuring us that “the truth is out there.” Though you needed multiple advanced degrees to follow the mythology at times, it’s still a classic and one of the few shows on this list that still holds up. Mulder and Scully will always be fun to watch.

Ricki Lake

After Oprah hit it big, everybody had a talk show in the ‘90s. One of the most entertaining to watch, in a trainwreck sort of way, was Ricki Lake. While the issues were occasionally serious, it really was about waiting for things to break down and for the audience to start chanting “Ricki, Ricki, Ricki.”

WWE Monday Night Raw

The only series on this list still going, WWE’s flagship show celebrated its 30th anniversary in January with a legend filled, nostalgia packed three hours.

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