The 1990s were an odd time for television, falling between the familiar, self-contained episodes of earlier shows and the complex, continuing stories that became popular in the early 2000s. Though the decade is often remembered for huge sitcom hits like Friends and Seinfeld, a more unusual and innovative side was developing. Encouraged by the surprising success of The X-Files and the dedicated fanbase of Twin Peaks, TV executives started taking risks on new ideas that didn’t fit neatly into traditional categories. These shows frequently mixed different genres, featured characters with complicated morals, and used special effects that stretched what was possible with limited television budgets.
These innovative TV ideas arrived before their time. Back then, there weren’t streaming services for viewers to easily follow complicated storylines, and most people didn’t have DVRs to record shows and watch them later. Because of this, many promising series were canceled before they could gain a following. Now is the perfect time to revisit these forgotten shows – the ones that were considered too unusual, intelligent, or gritty for 1990s audiences – because they’d be incredibly popular today.
7) Bakersfield P.D.
Before shows like The Office and Brooklyn Nine-Nine became popular, there was a truly unique comedy called Bakersfield P.D. that didn’t get the attention it deserved. The series follows Paul Gigante, a polished detective from Washington D.C., who’s unexpectedly transferred to Bakersfield, California. He’s paired with Wade Preston, a kind but not very bright officer whose idea of police work comes entirely from movies and TV. Bakersfield P.D. was ahead of its time – it didn’t use a laugh track and instead relied on quirky, almost film-like humor. It didn’t succeed when it aired in 1993 because audiences weren’t used to a comedy that didn’t cue them when to laugh, but today’s viewers would likely love its dry wit.
6) VR.5
Virtual reality feels commonplace today, but back in 1995, it was a new and exciting concept, perfectly suited as the setting for the cyberpunk series VR.5. The show centers on Sydney Bloom, played by Lori Singer, a private woman who repairs phone lines and discovers a way to enter a virtual world using a special VR device. This allows her to explore people’s subconscious minds, which eventually attracts the attention of a secretive group called The Committee. While the computer-generated effects look dated now, the show created a strong, atmospheric mood, using color to clearly separate the dull real world from the bright and stylish virtual landscapes. However, because the internet was still very new at the time, the show’s complex idea felt like hard-to-understand science fiction for most viewers.
5) Aeon Flux
Many remember Aeon Flux as the poorly received 2005 movie, but the original animated series on MTV was a truly innovative work of science fiction. Created by Peter Chung, the show takes place in a strange, futuristic world where the rebellious nation of Monica is at war with the controlling police state of Bregna. The series centers around Aeon Flux (voiced by Denise Poirier), a secret agent who engages in dangerous and deadly encounters with her rival and lover, Trevor Goodchild (voiced by John Rafter Lee). The original cartoons often featured little to no dialogue, relying instead on striking visuals to tell the story. These visuals were both disturbing and beautiful, forcing viewers to think about the complicated ethics of the show’s world. Though it aired on MTV and didn’t follow traditional storytelling, Aeon Flux had a huge impact on adult animation.
4) Brimstone
Shows about the supernatural solving crimes are common on TV, but Brimstone stood out with its original and compelling story, and deserves another chance. The series centers on Ezekiel Stone (Peter Horton), a police detective who dies and is sent to Hell after killing the man who attacked his wife. He’s given a chance to earn his way back to redemption when 113 of history’s most wicked souls escape from Hell, and the Devil (John Glover) recruits him to recapture them. Stone is marked with 113 magical tattoos, one of which disappears each time he returns a fugitive to Hell. The on-screen connection between the world-weary Stone and the Devil, who had a wonderfully sarcastic personality, was fantastic, creating a unique partnership dynamic. Sadly, Brimstone didn’t attract a large audience, likely due to its dark themes and the challenging Friday night time slot, which has unfortunately doomed many promising shows.
3) The Maxx
MTV’s The Maxx is considered one of the most thought-provoking comic book adaptations ever made. The show, based on the work of Sam Kieth, centers on a homeless man, The Maxx (voiced by Michael Haley), who thinks he’s a superhero protecting a parallel world called The Outback. In reality, the woman he protects, the Jungle Queen, is actually Julie Winters (voiced by Glynnis Talken), his social worker who is struggling with depression. The series tackles difficult topics like mental disconnection and how people create fantasy worlds to deal with trauma, essentially exploring mental health through the lens of a superhero cartoon. While visually unique and narratively complex, these qualities likely contributed to its limited audience in the mid-1990s. Despite this, The Maxx remains a compelling superhero who deserves a new animated series.
2) Now and Again
Now and Again was a unique show that blended thrilling spy action with the relatable struggles of family life, and it was surprisingly emotional. The story starts when Michael Wiseman (John Goodman), an everyday insurance salesman, unexpectedly dies, only to be brought back to life by the government with a brand new, genetically engineered body (Eric Close). As a secret agent working for the detached Dr. Theodore Morris (Dennis Haysbert), Michael can’t have any contact with his wife and daughter. The show skillfully balanced the excitement of Michael’s enhanced abilities with the heartbreak of watching his family rebuild their lives without him. Despite positive reviews and winning a Saturn Award, CBS canceled the show due to its high production costs and because it didn’t appeal to their usual audience, leaving viewers with an unresolved ending.
1) Profit
Before shows like The Sopranos popularized complex, flawed characters, there was Jim Profit (played by Adrian Pasdar). The show Profit centered on a rising executive who used ruthless tactics like blackmail and manipulation to succeed in a huge corporation. What made Profit different was that it challenged viewers to support a character who was clearly the ‘bad guy,’ as he exposed and destroyed the corruption around him. It was a darkly cynical show, and Fox canceled it quickly, worried audiences wouldn’t accept such an immoral lead. Now that audiences embrace anti-heroes, Profit‘s groundbreaking concept deserves a second look.
What’s one 90s TV show you’d love to see brought back? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!
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2025-12-27 21:16