1990s VS 2000s Sitcoms: Battle of the Will They/Won't Theys & Very Special Episodes
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VOICE OVER: Jennifer Silverman
WRITTEN BY: Kim Dionne
From fresh starts to friend groups, we're diving into what made sitcoms great across two iconic decades! Join us as we compare the best qualities of 90s and 2000s sitcoms to determine which era reigns supreme. Whether you're team "Friends" and "Full House" or prefer "Modern Family" and "Parks and Recreation," this nostalgic showdown will have you picking sides! We examine everything from new beginnings and relatable humor to family dynamics, workplace comedies, and how each decade handled serious topics. With iconic shows like "Seinfeld," "Boy Meets World," "How I Met Your Mother," and "Arrested Development," which decade produced the most memorable TV moments? Let us know your favorite sitcom era in the comments!
Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re looking at what makes the sitcoms of the 90s and 2000s so great and comparing their best qualities to see which decade reigns supreme. We’re being a bit lenient on the start dates here and categorizing the sitcoms with the decades with which they’re mostly associated, even if it’s at the end of 1990s or the noughties.
Round 1: New Beginnings
A lot of classic sitcoms have kicked off in the same way over the years — someone new comes to town, someone new moves in with an established group, or someone starts out on a new adventure. It’s the catalyst for stories that would last for many seasons in both the 90s and 2000s, as well as decades before and since. We saw it with Rachel Green joining the friends group and moving in with Monica, and we saw it with Fran Fine moving in with the Sheffields as the titular nanny, to name a few. This trope has kicked off some of the greatest sitcoms of the 90s, and they sure do it well.
While this was something that we saw in some of our favorite sitcoms of the 2000s, like “Community” and “The Big Bang Theory,” it’s not something that comes to our minds when we think of shows from this era. These sitcoms don’t feel as much like a fresh start as they do an addition. Jeff sees his life expand with the study group, as do Leonard and Sheldon when Penny moves into their building. Some of the most popular series from this decade have nothing to do with fresh starts. Instead they kick off with an already established story, which is the case for “Modern Family,” for example.
With all of this in mind, we’ve got to give this round to the 90s.
2000s — 0
Round 2: Relatable Humour
At their core, sitcoms are about funny situations that the audience can relate to. So which decade resonated with their audience the most? Sitcoms like “Seinfeld” and “Everybody Loves Raymond” will never completely go out of style. While some of the jokes are dated, the general themes of everyday life that are portrayed in these shows will always be relevant. Whether it be marital problems, dealing with in-laws, struggling to remember where you parked your car, or ‘faking it,’ it’s safe to say we’ve all been there at some time or another. These shows are always good for a rewatch, and their relatability definitely plays a big part in that.
The 2000s had their fair share of funny comedies, but were they relevant to their audience members? We say yes. Shows like “Parks and Recreation” felt all too familiar to those in the workforce. But shows about friendship, romance, and all of the funny mishaps in between are pertinent to viewers as well. That’s why sitcoms like “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” ring true to so many. We see hilarious situations like the guys trying to help Charlie create a dating profile, but also meaningful ones, like Mac coming out to his father. These shows are as relevant today as they were when they aired, and we can thank their relatability for that.
We couldn’t possibly pick. So, both sides win this round.
2000s — 1
Round 3: Family Values
At the center of so many people's lives is their families, and the importance of family certainly never gets stale. So it stands to reason that family dynamics play a large role in many of our favorite sitcoms from the 90s. From wholesome families like the Tanners in “Full House” to more typical ones like the Taylors in “Home Improvement,” it’s fun watching these relatable and hilarious households on our screen. Exploring the family unit gave these shows a chance to talk about things that only families could. While some of the topics they delve into are serious, these shows managed to give them a funny spin, and that’s the magic of this type of show format.
The 2000s played host to many family sitcoms, from “Modern Family” to “Arrested Development” all the way to “Malcolm in The Middle.” The difference between these sitcoms and those of the 90s, is that the families we see are not always nuclear. These shows prove that there are all types of families, and all of them are worthy and fun. The complexities of the families in the sitcoms we mentioned paved the way for family-centred sitcoms that followed in the 2010s and beyond, like “Black-ish,” “Mom,” and “Raising Hope” to name just a few.
Considering the influence of the 2000s family sitcoms and the enduring qualities of the 1990s family sitcoms, we have to end this round in a tie.
2000s — 2
Round 4: Friend Groups
One of the first things that comes to mind when we think of sitcoms is friend groups. While family is super important, the beauty of friends is that they often become surrogate family, which makes for interesting dynamics and entertaining TV. On television in the 90s, friendships were at the forefront. On shows like “Boy Meets World” we got to see childhood friendships grow and mature into adolescence and eventually adulthood, making this show accessible for a wide array of viewers. And we can’t talk about friends without talking about “Friends.” It’s iconic, it’s nearly as popular today as it was when it first premiered, and the characters on the show will always be friend goals.
Friendships were relevant in the television world in the new millennium too. Shows like “How I Met Your Mother” and “Rules of Engagement” are hilarious and relatable to any viewers who’ve been through fun times with their friends in their 20s and 30s. That said, friend shows didn’t make a huge impact or reappearance until the 2010s. That’s when we got shows like “New Girl” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” that had a larger focus in that area. 2000s sitcoms tackled themes like workplace situations, marriage and relationships, and family values, but it wasn’t a decade for the friends.
That being said, this round goes to the 90s.
2000s — 2
Round 5: Workplace Comedies
While we love shows that delve into the complexities of home life, friend groups, and relationships, we spend so much of our lives at work that that aspect of life deserves some time in the spotlight. That said, workplaces weren’t at the forefront of situation comedies in the 1990s, as most kept their storylines at home. On “Frasier,” the titular therapist’s radio show was integral to his character. However, plotlines mainly focused on family dynamics, which follows the trend of the decade. Meanwhile, “Spin City” is about day-to-day life in the Assistant Mayor of New York’s office, but it’s not exactly a sitcom that is top of mind when you think of the 90s.
From shows like “Scrubs” that took place in the medical world to “Parks and Recreation” in the political seas, everyone in the 2000s could find a sitcom that compared to their own workplace. The brilliance of these shows is their ability to balance the funny, mundane, and serious parts of work while making them relatable and timeless. These shows paved the way for the more unconventional workplace comedies that have followed in recent years, like “Ted Lasso,” “Superstore,” and “Shrinking.” But we still find their 2000s counterparts are as accessible and relevant today as they were in their prime.
This round has got to go to the 2000s.
2000s — 3
Round 6: Romantic Relationships
When it comes to 90s sitcoms, we’ve seen it all — from Paul and Jamie’s marriage dynamic and ups and downs on “Mad About You,” to Ross and Rachel’s on again off again romance on “Friends.” The thing with the romances is 1990s sitcoms is that many of them are iconic and still referenced in the zeitgeist today. One couple that comes to mind is Cory and Topanga from “Boy Meets World.” All these years later, and they’re still revered and held in high regard from fans of the series. We also can’t help but think of Jesse and Becky from “Full House,” as we loved seeing their unlikely relationship play out.
There were plenty of memorable couples in situation comedies at the turn of the century. Some standouts include Marshall and Lily from “How I Met Your Mother” and Penny and Leonard from “The Big Bang Theory.” As wonderful as these couples are, they’re not as timeless as those from the 90s. These sitcoms and couples are great, but somehow they don’t quite hit the same. Although they were part of the series plot, they don’t have the same way of making an audience feel totally emotionally invested in the outcome. We have nothing against these characters, but we don’t think that they top the couples from the 1990s.
We’ve got no choice but to give this round to the 90s.
2000s — 3
Round 7: Dealing With Serious Topics
As much as sitcoms are about fun and hilarity, they’re also about serious matters that cut through the noise. Some shows are great at addressing important topics and some are not, but we think what’s important is the genuine attempt. In “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” we saw the main character deal with parental issues as his father walks out of his life again. In “Home Improvement,” we see the family deal with everything from cancer scares to drugs with their teenagers. These shows and others manage to portray heavy issues in a way that is not only authentic but is resonant with audiences of all ages, in any decade.
In the 21st century, it’s just as important for shows to be funny as it is for them to be topical. Sitcoms like “8 Simple Rules” didn’t shy away from important topics like dealing with the death of a loved one. Even teen-centered shows like “That’s So Raven” tackled issues like body image and racism head on. However, we remember the sitcoms of the 2000s for being more familial as they dealt with humorous situations in the home, between friends, and at work. When it comes to tackling difficult things, the sitcoms from this decade fall a bit short, as it seems like this isn’t something we see as frequently in the 2000s as we do in the 1990s.
For that reason, we have to give this round to the 90s.
2000s — 3
Which decade are your favorite sitcoms from? Let us know in the comments!
Round 1: New Beginnings
A lot of classic sitcoms have kicked off in the same way over the years — someone new comes to town, someone new moves in with an established group, or someone starts out on a new adventure. It’s the catalyst for stories that would last for many seasons in both the 90s and 2000s, as well as decades before and since. We saw it with Rachel Green joining the friends group and moving in with Monica, and we saw it with Fran Fine moving in with the Sheffields as the titular nanny, to name a few. This trope has kicked off some of the greatest sitcoms of the 90s, and they sure do it well.
While this was something that we saw in some of our favorite sitcoms of the 2000s, like “Community” and “The Big Bang Theory,” it’s not something that comes to our minds when we think of shows from this era. These sitcoms don’t feel as much like a fresh start as they do an addition. Jeff sees his life expand with the study group, as do Leonard and Sheldon when Penny moves into their building. Some of the most popular series from this decade have nothing to do with fresh starts. Instead they kick off with an already established story, which is the case for “Modern Family,” for example.
With all of this in mind, we’ve got to give this round to the 90s.
Winner: 90s
90s — 12000s — 0
Round 2: Relatable Humour
At their core, sitcoms are about funny situations that the audience can relate to. So which decade resonated with their audience the most? Sitcoms like “Seinfeld” and “Everybody Loves Raymond” will never completely go out of style. While some of the jokes are dated, the general themes of everyday life that are portrayed in these shows will always be relevant. Whether it be marital problems, dealing with in-laws, struggling to remember where you parked your car, or ‘faking it,’ it’s safe to say we’ve all been there at some time or another. These shows are always good for a rewatch, and their relatability definitely plays a big part in that.
The 2000s had their fair share of funny comedies, but were they relevant to their audience members? We say yes. Shows like “Parks and Recreation” felt all too familiar to those in the workforce. But shows about friendship, romance, and all of the funny mishaps in between are pertinent to viewers as well. That’s why sitcoms like “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” ring true to so many. We see hilarious situations like the guys trying to help Charlie create a dating profile, but also meaningful ones, like Mac coming out to his father. These shows are as relevant today as they were when they aired, and we can thank their relatability for that.
We couldn’t possibly pick. So, both sides win this round.
Winner: Tie.
90s — 22000s — 1
Round 3: Family Values
At the center of so many people's lives is their families, and the importance of family certainly never gets stale. So it stands to reason that family dynamics play a large role in many of our favorite sitcoms from the 90s. From wholesome families like the Tanners in “Full House” to more typical ones like the Taylors in “Home Improvement,” it’s fun watching these relatable and hilarious households on our screen. Exploring the family unit gave these shows a chance to talk about things that only families could. While some of the topics they delve into are serious, these shows managed to give them a funny spin, and that’s the magic of this type of show format.
The 2000s played host to many family sitcoms, from “Modern Family” to “Arrested Development” all the way to “Malcolm in The Middle.” The difference between these sitcoms and those of the 90s, is that the families we see are not always nuclear. These shows prove that there are all types of families, and all of them are worthy and fun. The complexities of the families in the sitcoms we mentioned paved the way for family-centred sitcoms that followed in the 2010s and beyond, like “Black-ish,” “Mom,” and “Raising Hope” to name just a few.
Considering the influence of the 2000s family sitcoms and the enduring qualities of the 1990s family sitcoms, we have to end this round in a tie.
Winner: Tie
90s — 32000s — 2
Round 4: Friend Groups
One of the first things that comes to mind when we think of sitcoms is friend groups. While family is super important, the beauty of friends is that they often become surrogate family, which makes for interesting dynamics and entertaining TV. On television in the 90s, friendships were at the forefront. On shows like “Boy Meets World” we got to see childhood friendships grow and mature into adolescence and eventually adulthood, making this show accessible for a wide array of viewers. And we can’t talk about friends without talking about “Friends.” It’s iconic, it’s nearly as popular today as it was when it first premiered, and the characters on the show will always be friend goals.
Friendships were relevant in the television world in the new millennium too. Shows like “How I Met Your Mother” and “Rules of Engagement” are hilarious and relatable to any viewers who’ve been through fun times with their friends in their 20s and 30s. That said, friend shows didn’t make a huge impact or reappearance until the 2010s. That’s when we got shows like “New Girl” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” that had a larger focus in that area. 2000s sitcoms tackled themes like workplace situations, marriage and relationships, and family values, but it wasn’t a decade for the friends.
That being said, this round goes to the 90s.
Winner: 90s
90s — 42000s — 2
Round 5: Workplace Comedies
While we love shows that delve into the complexities of home life, friend groups, and relationships, we spend so much of our lives at work that that aspect of life deserves some time in the spotlight. That said, workplaces weren’t at the forefront of situation comedies in the 1990s, as most kept their storylines at home. On “Frasier,” the titular therapist’s radio show was integral to his character. However, plotlines mainly focused on family dynamics, which follows the trend of the decade. Meanwhile, “Spin City” is about day-to-day life in the Assistant Mayor of New York’s office, but it’s not exactly a sitcom that is top of mind when you think of the 90s.
From shows like “Scrubs” that took place in the medical world to “Parks and Recreation” in the political seas, everyone in the 2000s could find a sitcom that compared to their own workplace. The brilliance of these shows is their ability to balance the funny, mundane, and serious parts of work while making them relatable and timeless. These shows paved the way for the more unconventional workplace comedies that have followed in recent years, like “Ted Lasso,” “Superstore,” and “Shrinking.” But we still find their 2000s counterparts are as accessible and relevant today as they were in their prime.
This round has got to go to the 2000s.
Winner: 2000s
90s — 42000s — 3
Round 6: Romantic Relationships
When it comes to 90s sitcoms, we’ve seen it all — from Paul and Jamie’s marriage dynamic and ups and downs on “Mad About You,” to Ross and Rachel’s on again off again romance on “Friends.” The thing with the romances is 1990s sitcoms is that many of them are iconic and still referenced in the zeitgeist today. One couple that comes to mind is Cory and Topanga from “Boy Meets World.” All these years later, and they’re still revered and held in high regard from fans of the series. We also can’t help but think of Jesse and Becky from “Full House,” as we loved seeing their unlikely relationship play out.
There were plenty of memorable couples in situation comedies at the turn of the century. Some standouts include Marshall and Lily from “How I Met Your Mother” and Penny and Leonard from “The Big Bang Theory.” As wonderful as these couples are, they’re not as timeless as those from the 90s. These sitcoms and couples are great, but somehow they don’t quite hit the same. Although they were part of the series plot, they don’t have the same way of making an audience feel totally emotionally invested in the outcome. We have nothing against these characters, but we don’t think that they top the couples from the 1990s.
We’ve got no choice but to give this round to the 90s.
Winner: 90s
90s — 52000s — 3
Round 7: Dealing With Serious Topics
As much as sitcoms are about fun and hilarity, they’re also about serious matters that cut through the noise. Some shows are great at addressing important topics and some are not, but we think what’s important is the genuine attempt. In “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” we saw the main character deal with parental issues as his father walks out of his life again. In “Home Improvement,” we see the family deal with everything from cancer scares to drugs with their teenagers. These shows and others manage to portray heavy issues in a way that is not only authentic but is resonant with audiences of all ages, in any decade.
In the 21st century, it’s just as important for shows to be funny as it is for them to be topical. Sitcoms like “8 Simple Rules” didn’t shy away from important topics like dealing with the death of a loved one. Even teen-centered shows like “That’s So Raven” tackled issues like body image and racism head on. However, we remember the sitcoms of the 2000s for being more familial as they dealt with humorous situations in the home, between friends, and at work. When it comes to tackling difficult things, the sitcoms from this decade fall a bit short, as it seems like this isn’t something we see as frequently in the 2000s as we do in the 1990s.
For that reason, we have to give this round to the 90s.
Winner — 90s
90s — 62000s — 3
Which decade are your favorite sitcoms from? Let us know in the comments!
