6 Underrated ’90s Comedy Shows That Are Funnier Than ‘Friends’

Friends, a hugely popular TV show, follows the lives of six friends navigating life in New York City. It’s consistently praised as one of the best shows ever made, thanks to its clever writing, the amazing connection between the actors, and memorable guest appearances by stars like Charlie Sheen, Bruce Willis, Brad Pitt, and Julia Roberts, among many others.

After Seinfeld finished its incredibly popular run, Friends became the most-watched sitcom on television. The series finale attracted over 52 million viewers in the U.S., making it one of the highest-rated TV episodes ever. Over its ten seasons, Friends cemented its place as a hugely influential show. It became deeply embedded in pop culture – think of the iconic “Rachel” haircut or Joey’s famous line, “How you doin’?” – and its influence is still visible today.

While Friends was incredibly popular and funny, it wasn’t necessarily the best comedy of the 90s. Several other shows from that era were actually funnier, but they didn’t achieve the same level of success. Perhaps they lacked the same marketing, polish, or simply weren’t released at the right time. Whatever the reason, these overlooked comedies deserve more recognition and will likely make you laugh just as much, if not more, than Friends.

6
‘Just Shoot Me!’ (1997 – 2003)

Gary Null/©NBC /Courtesy Everett Collection

Just Shoot Me! is a funny workplace comedy that takes place at the offices of Blush magazine. The show centers on a group of quirky and imperfect employees as they deal with the craziness of the fashion world and celebrity life. It’s known for its smart satire, silly moments, and physical humor, all brought to life by a talented cast including David Spade, Brian Posehn, Laura San Giacomo, and Chris Hogan. Their clashing personalities create constant comedic chaos. The show moves quickly, keeping the laughs coming, and offers a more clever and insightful experience than many other comedies of its time, thanks to its well-developed characters and witty writing.

Years ahead of its time, the show featured funny, independent female characters and wasn’t afraid to poke fun at celebrity life and office politics—well before satirical shows became popular. Although award shows mostly ignored it, audiences initially loved the show, and it was a strong candidate to replace Seinfeld in NBC’s prime 9:00 p.m. Thursday slot. However, Frasier ultimately got the spot, thanks to its already large and loyal fanbase. As a result, Just Shoot Me! never had a consistent timeslot throughout its run.

5
‘Get a Life’ (1990 – 1992)

Andrew Semel / ©New World Television / courtesy Everett Collection

Despite having talented writers like Charlie Kaufman and Bob Odenkirk, the show Get a Life never achieved mainstream success. The series centers around Chris Peterson, a 30-year-old who still lives with his quirky parents and refuses to grow up. Get a Life intentionally rejects typical sitcom conventions, opting instead for a surreal and often absurd style. It’s not a show for all tastes, but its dedicated fans consider it one of the funniest shows from the 1990s.

The show centers around a grown-up version of Dennis the Menace, but unlike the original, this Chris isn’t lovable. He’s clumsy, unlikable, and his schemes usually end in disaster, sometimes even with fatal consequences. It’s intentionally chaotic, and the humor comes from how consistently it breaks the rules of typical sitcoms. While it wasn’t as widely popular as shows like Friends or as sharply satirical as Just Shoot Me, it’s ideal for viewers who enjoy a darker, more unconventional brand of comedy.

4
‘Stark Raving Mad’ (1999 – 2000)

Before his famous roles in Doogie Howser, M.D. and How I Met Your Mother, Neil Patrick Harris starred in the sitcom Stark Raving Mad. The show centers around Harris’s character, an editor who’s stuck working with Ian Stark (Tony Shalhoub), a horror novelist who’s past his prime and a bit unstable. Critics loved the show’s funny and unusual pairing, witty writing, and inventive stories. They also appreciated its fast pace and willingness to embrace dark, edgy humor.

Despite having a lot of potential, the comedy Stark Raving Mad was canceled after just one season. It unfortunately aired at a difficult time, immediately following the popular show Frasier and competing with Who Wants to be a Millionaire for viewers. The show was starting to find its footing with its talented cast and unique humor, making its cancellation particularly disappointing. It remains a fascinating, though brief, part of ’90s television history – a reminder of what might have been if it had found a wider audience.

3
Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist (1995 – 2002)

Comedy Central

I have to say, even with all the animated comedies out there now, nothing really feels as fresh and unique as Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist. It brilliantly took the idea of therapy sessions – like what The Bob Newhart Show did so well – and blended it with the kind of playful animation that The Simpsons first popularized. It felt both comforting and totally new! The show centers around Dr. Katz, a really kind and easygoing therapist, and each episode mostly features him in sessions with his patients – usually two per episode, and they’re always played by hilarious comedians and actors. We also get to see little peeks into his life outside of work, dealing with the ups and downs of being a dad and just everyday life, which I always loved.

Featuring a fantastic lineup of guest stars like Ray Romano, Whoopi Goldberg, and Ben Stiller, the show was remarkable for its largely improvised therapy sessions, guided only by basic plans. Its humor was subtle, quiet, and often delivered with a straight face, bringing a new level of realistic conversation and emotional depth to animated comedy. It’s a truly unique show that deserves to be more widely appreciated.

2
‘NewsRadio’ (1995 – 1999)

NBC

As a huge comedy fan, I always loved NewsRadio. It had this amazing cast – Joe Lovitz, Andy Dick, Stephen Root, even Joe Rogan and the late, great Phil Hartman! The show basically followed the everyday lives of the people working at a New York City news radio station. What really set it apart, though, was how it could be totally realistic and relatable one minute, then completely bizarre and over-the-top the next, but it always worked. It never felt disjointed, and you really got to know and care about these characters.

With its many pop culture jokes and fast-paced banter, NewsRadio was innovative for its time, using ongoing storylines and deliberately avoiding typical sitcom clichés – like delaying the romantic pairings. The show wasn’t afraid to tackle sensitive or controversial subjects, which might explain why it didn’t become a mainstream hit like some other comedies of the 90s. However, it developed a dedicated fan base who loved its bold humor and acknowledge its lasting impact on comedy today.

1
‘I’m Alan Partridge’ (1997 – 2002)

BBC Two

Alan Partridge, the hilariously awkward character created and played by Steve Coogan, first became popular on British TV in 1994. He started as the host of a fake talk show, Knowing Me Knowing You with Alan Partridge, and quickly became a hit. In the UK, Partridge is now considered a beloved comedic icon. However, in the United States, Coogan is more famous for his roles in films like Night at the Museum and Philomena. Only dedicated comedy fans in America are familiar with Alan Partridge.

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Though filmed with a realistic, almost documentary feel, I’m Alan Partridge is more of a traditional sitcom. It follows Alan Partridge after his talk show is cancelled, his wife leaves him, and he’s forced to live in a cheap hotel. Desperate to revive his career and hold onto his fame, he stumbles through one embarrassing situation after another. Partridge is brilliantly funny because he’s completely unaware of how out-of-touch he is – deeply insecure, yet incredibly self-centered.

This show and its unique style, popular in the 1990s, helped launch a new kind of British comedy that focuses on awkwardness and embarrassment. Shows like The Office, The Inbetweeners, and Peep Show clearly show its influence. This comedic style then became popular in the US with shows like the American version of The Office, Arrested Development, and Curb Your Enthusiasm – Coogan even made a guest appearance in the last one!

2026-01-12 00:35

6 ‘Just Shoot Me!’ (1997 – 2003)

5 ‘Get a Life’ (1990 – 1992)

4 ‘Stark Raving Mad’ (1999 – 2000)

3 Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist (1995 – 2002)

2 ‘NewsRadio’ (1995 – 1999)

1 ‘I’m Alan Partridge’ (1997 – 2002)