As a serial Netflix girl, I was absolutely ecstatic when Gossip Girl returned to the streaming service and so were all of my friends. But when speaking with them about what else they were watching or what their favorite show is, I noticed a trend. Almost all of them were either watching Gossip Girl, Gilmore Girls, New Girl, How I Met Your Mother, Friends, Grey’s Anatomy, Full House, One Tree Hill, Criminal Minds, The Office, Vampire Diaries… Can I stop now? I think you get the point: all of the shows they were watching were made in the ’90s and early 2000s. And if they weren’t watching these shows for the first time, they were rewatching them again and again.
After making this connection, I had to ask why? And I concluded that it’s because the shows that were made during that time are just better. Skeptical? Give me the rest of this article to convince you that shows made during the 1990s and early 2000s were peak TV show releases.
The Fashion
Whenever something comes back into fashion—like low rise, baggy, or flared jeans; platform shoes; and cardigans, my mom always says, “I can’t believe that’s back in style.” Now, she’s an ’80s baby, so she was right at the prime of those trends during her high school years. Since styles from the 2000s are coming back around while I’m in high school, I feel like these styles (that we’ve definitely leveled up in 2025) are somewhat homey when I’m watching shows from that time.
The low rise denim paired with a long v-neck t-shirt and a bunch of bracelets or the amount of layers a character would wear (seriously count it sometime because it seems like they wore a million), give me some comedic relief, but I mostly envy their adorable wardrobe. I have even seen people on social media trying to recreate the outfits of their favorite characters. They all want to find Rory’s iconic cable knit sweater from Gilmore Girls, put an outfit together like Rachel Green from Friends, or pair Elena Gilbert’s cute henley tops with a tank top peeking through in Vampire Diaries. And as a private school girl, of course, I’m partial to Serena Van der Woodsen and Blair Waldorf’s school uniforms on Gossip Girl. The fashion in these shows gives off an almost nostalgic feel and is part of the reason the shows from this age are so comfy and relatable, especially as we’re seeing these trends come back.
The Banter
One thing that keeps all viewers entertained is the banter among these shows. The characters and their conversations are witty and comical, keeping the viewer engaged. What’s missing from shows today is abundant in these older shows, where sharp dialogue and quick responses create a dynamic that pulls you in.
Take Gilmore Girls, for instance. The rapid-fire dialogue between Lorelai and Rory is not only entertaining but also demonstrates their close mother-daughter relationship. Their references to pop culture (that some may have to look up now), discussion of current events (well, not so current anymore), and debates of a favorite book or CD lead to moments that resonate with many viewers. The blend of sarcasm and affection gives the characters an authentic feel, a depth that makes the viewer feel as if they’re living right there in Stars Hollow too (I relate to the “I smell snow” every. single. time.).
Similarly in Friends, characters engage in witty banter that seems effortless. The show has memorable catchphrases that have become part of pop culture—like Ross’s “We were on a break!” (I will always say they weren’t) or Joey’s “How you doin’?” (I use this daily). The playful rivalry between Ross and Chandler or Monica and Rachel reveals not only their friendship, but also the importance of light-hearted tension and heartfelt support in relationships.
What’s missing from many shows created today is this dialogue that not only entertains but establishes relationships, is witty, and shows heart. Instead, we see dramatic tension, serialized plots, and the same boring stock characters again and again, rather than the character-driven humor that made these earlier shows such classics. These shows excelled due to their characters’ imperfections and quirks that made them relatable and created a comforting familiarity that keeps viewers continually coming back for rewatches (Have I convinced you yet?).
The Themes
Another reason these shows are top tier TV is the universality the shows have. Most of the series’ themes explore experiences like friendship, love, family, teen years, and adulthood, which are relatable to a wide audience. Each show, while unique in all aspects, authentically showcases these themes.
For example, How I Met Your Mother follows five friends as they navigate the intricacies of romantic relationships and the fear of settling down. Through humorous narration and storytelling, the series shows several different stages of relationships and explores societal pressures, while also celebrating being young and reminding the audience that while love can be messy, it’s also deeply rewarding.
Additionally, Full House is a strong example of the exploration of themes, especially as it focuses on family dynamics. The show, centered around a widowed father who enlists his brother-in-law and his best friend to help raise his three daughters, beautifully details themes of support, the challenges of parenting, relationships, and love. The theme song alone is supportive, saying, “When you’re lost out there and you’re all alone, a light is waiting to carry you home.” Full House, through heartfelt and comical scenes, explores the peaks and valleys of family life, specifically sibling rivalry, adolescence and teenhood, and the transition into adulthood.
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Now you must see that the claim I made earlier—that shows made in the ’90s and early 2000s were peak TV show releases—was not actually that crazy of a claim. These older shows had great fashion, hilarious banter, and wholesome themes that, together, made the best era of TV and will continue to be bingeable for many years to come.
