‘90s shows top all other decades

The 1990s were  an iconic time for pop culture and entertainment, and the songs and shows and personalities from the era have probably impacted all of us in one way or another — even though none of us students were alive back then. 

For one thing, think of all the  classic sitcoms from the ‘90s. To reminisce, I decided to rewatch my favorites: “Friends” and “Full House.” 

I hadn’t watched “Friends” in years, so rewatching my favorite episodes made me question a lot of things that I didn’t even realize the first time. The humor is generally pretty generic — low-hanging fruit — but every once in a while, there is a slightly questionable joke that made me remember that the show was filmed nearly 30 years ago. From Chandler teasing his cross-dressing father to Monica’s actress being put in a fat suit to portray a bumbling idiot, there are some aspects of the show that have undoubtedly aged poorly. 

However, this show is a product of its time, and there are many fun and positive things I enjoyed on my rewatch. Ten seasons of content focused on just six people meant that I felt attached to every character, even when they’re annoying (lookin’ at you, Ross Geller.) Watching all their fun interactions made me feel immersed in the fictional friend group. If you can’t make any friends in real life, watching “Friends” is the way to go.

After “Friends,” I decided to rewatch “Full House,” a show that will always hold a special place in my heart. I was obsessed with it as a child and would watch the eight seasons on loop. I thought that rewatching my favorite episodes wouldn’t give me any surprises, but it turns out there’s a lot I had forgotten. 

The most shocking thing was having to face that Aunt Becky, aka, Lori Loughlin, who is now a criminal as a result of her role in the Varsity Blues case, but she’s still a good TV mom in my eyes. Who knows? Maybe she even put her fictional twin children on the USC rowing team. 

Another jarring aspect was how raunchy the humor can be. I watched the show mostly in elementary school, so many of the jokes and situations flew over my head. When any adult character went on a date, intense flirting and sexual jokes would ensue every time, and I didn’t understand what any of it meant. Looking back, maybe it wasn’t the best idea for my parents to let 7-year-old me watch “Full House.” 

Rewatching my favorite classic ‘90s shows was a blast. The episodes provide a glimpse into the style and technology of a past that’s crazy to look back on. Although some moments of “Friends” and “Full House” have aged poorly, they’re still iconic shows that will likely never lose their relatability.