8 Atrocious '90s Sitcoms

While the ’90s blessed us with some iconic television moments, it also served up a smorgasbord of sitcoms that were, to put it kindly, less than stellar. Remember when laugh tracks seemed to overcompensate for the actual lack of laughs? Or when the only thing more predictable than a sitcom’s plotline was its inevitable cancellation? In this article, we’ll dive deep into the neon-colored abyss of ’90s TV, revisiting those shows that make us wonder: “What on earth were we thinking?”

“Homeboys in Outer Space” (1996-1997)

“Homeboys in Outer Space” was a show about two men roaming the universe in a winged car, named, without a shred of irony, “The Space Hoopty.” The show took an admirable swing at combining sci-fi with comedy but ultimately stranded itself in a black hole of unimaginative stereotypes and cringe-worthy jokes. How it achieved orbit in the first place remains one of the great mysteries of the universe.

“Cop Rock” (1990)

Imagine if “NYPD Blue” and “Glee” had a child, and then that child rebelled by joining a circus instead of the police academy or a choir. “Cop Rock” tried to marry gritty police drama with…musical numbers. The jury is still out on whether this was a courageous experiment or an excruciating 60-minute cringe fest that couldn’t pick a lane.

“Baby Talk” (1991-1992)

Babies. They’re cute, right? But giving them adult voices and having them engage in “witty” banter? Eek. “Baby Talk,” inspired by the movie “Look Who’s Talking,” tried to ride the coattails of the film’s success but ended up crawling into the annals of regrettable TV decisions. Tony Danza as the voice of an infant is about as comfortable as changing a diaper on a rollercoaster.

“The Secret Diary of Desmond Pfeiffer” (1998)

Here’s a pro-tip: making light of slavery and the Civil War probably isn’t going to land well with…well, anyone. “The Secret Diary of Desmond Pfeiffer” decided to ignore this common-sense advice, giving us a ‘comedy’ set during one of America’s darkest periods. It’s exactly as awkward and ill-conceived as it sounds.

“Shasta McNasty” (1999-2000)

“Shasta McNasty,” where to begin? The title alone is a cocktail of bad decisions, and it just spirals from there. Three band members getting into “zany” adventures is a trope that could have some charm but “Shasta McNasty” just didn’t find the right notes. Critics and viewers alike swiftly hit the mute button on this one.

“Dads” (1997)

“Dads” is proof that not even having talented actors can save a sinking sitcom. This attempt to put a comedic spin on the travails of fatherhood fell flat, proving that you need more than a relatable premise to make a show work. The punchlines fell flat and the viewing experience was, sadly, anything but paternal bliss.

“Vinnie & Bobby” (1992)

Matt LeBlanc in a bad sitcom that’s not “Joey”? Yes, “Vinnie & Bobby” exists! A comedy about two blue-collar guys just trying to get by, it managed to turn the charm of working-class struggle into a plodding half-hour of TV. Matt would eventually find his footing, but this was an inauspicious start.

“The Trouble with Larry” (1993)

This sitcom, starring Bronson Pinchot, was a story about a man who returns to his wife after being presumed dead by a monkey bite. Only to find his spouse remarried. Desperate attempts at hilarity ensued but the only real trouble with Larry was everything. The monkey might have been onto something.

The next time you find yourself plunging down a rabbit hole of nostalgic TV, remember: proceed with caution, for here be monstrous attempts at comedy. And with that, let’s put these unfortunate ventures back into the vault of televisual misadventure, where they belong.