Fading Into Obscurity
TV has been running the show in our living rooms for decades. Sure, some series refuse to leave the group chat (Friends says hi), but plenty of once-beloved gems got nudged out of the spotlight by bigger, louder hits. Consider this your reminder—these underrated favorites are ready for a long-overdue encore.
Screenshot from Ally McBeal, Disney Plus
Picket Fences
This 90s series was centered around family drama, created by producer David E Kelley. Specifically, it featured a difficult relationship between a father, the town sheriff who grappled with bizarre local crime, and his son.
CBS, Picket Fences (1992-1996)
Picket Fences
It made some unexpected ripples regarding the topics it covered and was quite successful. The series ran for 88 episodes, and it managed to rack up 30 Emmys for the sheer talent in its cast and crew.
CBS, Picket Fences (1992-1996)
Coach
Starting in 1989, Coach ran for almost a decade and had 200 episodes when all was said and done. Created by Barry Kemp, the series followed a fictional football coach (Craig T Nelson) as he coaches the Minnesota State University Screaming Eagles team, a fake team for the university.
Coach
The show deals with themes of parenthood and coming-of-age and often discusses the complex relationship between parents and their children. The show set up Craig T Nelson to be recognized forever as Coach, even after he moved on to other roles.
3rd Rock From The Sun
Starting in 1996, this sitcom (created by Bonnie and Terry Turner) poses the question: What if aliens came to observe humans and the Earth? The extraterrestrials have to fit seamlessly into American society, and obviously, shenanigans ensue.
Carsey-Werner Company, 3rd Rock from the Sun (1996-2001)
3rd Rock From The Sun
The show won many awards at the Emmys, many of which were for directing, sound, and guest actors and actresses who appeared in several episodes. The series ended five years after it first aired, in 2001.
Carsey-Werner Company, 3rd Rock from the Sun (1996-2001)
Ed
Another legal drama and comedy, Ed (co-produced by Worldwide Pants Incorporated, NBC Productions, and Viacom Productions) premiered in 2000. In a bit of a change from other series at the time, episodes were an hour long!
Ed
Starring Tom Cavanagh as Ed, a high-powered lawyer whose life spectacularly unravels, the series kicks off with a string of misfortunes that sends him retreating to his hometown. Instead of licking his wounds quietly, he reinvents himself—launching a quirky new business and buying a bowling alley, all in a determined (and slightly nostalgic) bid to win over his old high school crush.
Six Feet Under
HBO was hitting hard even in the early days. This series originally aired in 2001, and it ran for 63 episodes across five seasons. The show focuses on a family who owns a funeral home and deals with themes of relationships (functional and dysfunctional), gender and homosexuality, and religion.
HBO, Six Feet Under (2001-2005)
Six Feet Under
Most importantly, the show dealt with themes of death. Most of the episodes revolve around a singular individual the funeral home is preparing, and the show unfolds around that central theme. An interesting concept to be sure!
HBO, Six Feet Under (2001-2005)
Wings
Set in a small, fictional American airport, this 1990 series follows two brothers as they run an airline that only has one plane in service. With a supporting cast that adds comedy to the situational incidents, this series could have been huge.
Wings
The show was created by David Angell, Peter Casey, and David Lee, who also created Cheers (1982). They also created the Cheers spinoff, Frasier (1993). Wings is in the same universe as these well-known shows, but never garnered the same attention.
Moonlighting
This 1985 comedy-drama starred Cybill Shepherd and Bruce Willis, who played private detectives running their own firm. Each episode revolved around a particular case and was a mystery-drama-comedy-romance series.
Moonlighting
Unfortunately, you’d only know about this series if you did a deep dive into Bruce Willis’ filmography. While it was released on DVD, it didn’t garner the same attention as other series released at the time.
Newhart
Originally airing in 1982, this sitcom quietly racked up 184 episodes over eight seasons. It centers on an author, played by Bob Newhart, and his wife, portrayed by Mary Frann, as they run the charming Stratford Inn in rural Vermont. From quirky guests to even quirkier locals, the show thrives on its offbeat characters—each one finding new and ridiculous ways to turn everyday moments into comedy gold.
Newhart
The series ended on a rather strange note, which might account for its fading into obscurity. The last episode reveals the whole eight-season series wasn’t real, that it had all been an elaborate dream of Dr Robert Hartley, who was the leading actor Bob Newhard’s character in a totally different series.
Murphy Brown!
This 1988 sitcom created by Diane English follows the titular character Murphy Brown’s career as she goes from an investigative journalist to an anchor of a fictional news broadcast called FYI to the host of a morning news show.
Warner Bros. Television, Murphy Brown (1988-2018)
Murphy Brown!
Oddly, this series was revived in 2018, when CBS announced a 13-episode season. But the series wasn’t continued after that, whether due to reactions from conservative groups or from the season 1 DVD not achieving high enough popularity for the other seasons to be released that way.
Warner Bros. Television, Murphy Brown (1988-2018)
Just Shoot Me!
Originally released in 1997, this series followed the employees of a fictional fashion periodical called Blush. Created by Steven Levitan, the show was initially a very popular release until its final season released in 2003.
Universal, Just Shoot Me! (1997-2003)
Just Shoot Me!
Because the show wasn’t aired in a consistent time slot throughout its entire run time, it was difficult to keep track of when viewers could catch it on TV. Despite this, it had really good ratings and is still worth a rewatch.
Universal, Just Shoot Me! (1997-2003)
Family Ties
Starting in 1982 and running until 1989, Family Ties was created by Gary David Goldberg. Many of the themes discuss the cultural and social changes going on in the US during the decades leading up to the show's release.
Paramount, Family Ties (1982-1989)
Family Ties
The show centers on Alex P. Keaton, a sharp-tongued young conservative played by Michael J. Fox, constantly butting heads with his former hippie parents. The generational clash is where the magic happens—equal parts funny and surprisingly insightful. Fox’s performance was so good, he snagged three consecutive Emmys, making this sitcom an easy pick if you like your laughs with a side of cultural commentary.
Paramount, Family Ties (1982-1989)
Party Of Five
Created by Christopher Keyser and Amy Lippman, Party Of Five aired from 1994 to 2000 and featured an ensemble cast led by Scott Wolf, Matthew Fox, Neve Campbell, and Lacey Chabert. The series is a teen and family drama, and it deals with many heavier themes.
Columbia, Party of Five (1994-2000)
Party Of Five
Five siblings are orphaned when their parents are in a fatal car accident and how they care for one another in the fallout. The series was quite mature, detailing substance and domestic issues, underage pregnancy, mental illness, and more.
Columbia, Party of Five (1994-2000)
Cheers
One of the most iconic sitcoms of its era, Cheers is centered around a bar, its owner, and the employees and regulars who frequent the establishment. Shenanigans obviously ensue, making it one of the most popular series of all time.
Cheers
Shockingly, it was almost canceled after the first season aired but was luckily able to run for another 10 seasons. It won a ton of awards and even inspired several spinoffs, some of which are on this list. If you’re looking for a great 80s sitcom, this is an excellent option!
China Beach
This series turned a classic trope on its head, taking a combat/conflict drama and making it about the women who dedicate themselves to their jobs. The medical drama, created by William Broyles Jr and John Sacret Young, ran from 1988 to 1991.
Warner Bros., China Beach (1988-1991)
China Beach
China Beach was set in an evacuation hospital and isn’t afraid to talk about the true consequences of war on the people involved. Originally inspired by Lynda Van Devanter’s memoir, Home Before Morning, this series is a great addition to your medical drama lineup.
Warner Bros., China Beach (1988-1991)
Grace Under Fire
Debuting in 1993, this Chuck Lorre–created series follows a newly sober single mom navigating life after divorce while raising her three kids. It doesn’t shy away from heavier topics, but still finds plenty of room for humor along the way. The mix clearly worked—it became one of ABC’s most-watched shows, with lead actress Brett Butler earning multiple awards and nominations for her standout performance.
Carsey-Werner Company, Grace Under Fire (1993-1998)
Grace Under Fire
Even though it had quite a successful first couple of seasons, the show was unfortunately canceled in 1998. It endured a number of issues that brought about its end, including Butler struggling with substances and their rating plummeting.
Carsey-Werner Company, Grace Under Fire (1993-1998)
Tales From The Crypt
The first horror series to appear on this list, Tales From The Crypt (1989-1996) ran for seven seasons after its initial creation by William Gaines and Steven Dodd. It was based on a comic anthology known by the same name written by Gaines and Al Feldstein.
HBO, Tales from the Crypt (1989-1996)
Tales From The Crypt
The series took an interesting approach, with a character called the Cryptkeeper starting the episodes as the show’s host. Each episode had a unique storyline and ended with a goodbye from the Cryptkeeper. If you were a fan of early Supernatural (2005-2020) episodes, this might be for you. If you can find it, that is.
HBO, Tales from the Crypt (1989-1996)
Mr Belvedere
Another 80s classic, this series followed a British butler, Lunn Belvedere, as he tries to get used to American culture while working for the Owens in Pittsburgh. The series, developed by Frank Dungan and Jeff Stein, ran for six seasons until something surprising happened in 1989.
Twentieth Century, Mr. Belvedere (1985-1990)
Mr Belvedere
The series was cancelled and the remaining eight episodes were pulled. Instead, they were replaced by a two-part finale, which was unusual for TV series at the time. Later, those shelved episodes would be aired in syndication. Fans of The Nanny (1993-1999) would love this earlier iteration.
Twentieth Century, Mr. Belvedere (1985-1990)
Thirtysomething
This drama series was created by Edward Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz in 1987, and it followed an odd bunch of Philadelphia 30-year-olds as they navigate adulthood. Most of them were part of the 70s counterculture and now have to face their futures.
MGM, Thirtysomething (1987-1991)
Thirtysomething
It wasn’t the most popular series when it initially aired, and it only ran for four seasons. It still earned many Primetime Emmy Awards and a couple of Golden Globes. When it was canceled in 1991, the producers and network agreed that the series would come to an end.
MGM, Thirtysomething (1987-1991)
Home Improvement
This sitcom is another classic, created by Matt Williams, Carmen Finestra, and David McFadzean in 1991. In a lovely bit of irony, critics hated it while broader audiences were enamored with the series.
Touchstone, Home Improvement (1991-1999)
Home Improvement
It was very highly rated at the time, and it ran for eight seasons. It’s credited as the opportunity that launched lead actor Tim Allen’s acting career. Over the years, it made over $500 million. If this isn’t on your list of classic TV series to watch, it should be.
Touchstone, Home Improvement (1991-1999)
Ally McBeal
Originally airing in 1997, this series followed the titular Ally McBeal as she did her best to make it at a big-time firm in Boston. While the show flirted with being a legal drama, the focal point of the drama was definitely the interpersonal relationships of the main characters.
Twentieth Century, Ally McBeal (1997-2002)
Ally McBeal
Redditor Djamalfna states that the series didn’t achieve wider popularity because the show “couldn’t ever release [...] on DVD as the music rights were too expensive”. An unfortunate way to see such a great show pass into obscurity.
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Twentieth Century, Ally McBeal (1997-2002)
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
