5 Best ’90s TV Shows

Yesterday, we looked at some of the classic TV shows that defined the ’80s. Since it’s TV Week, I thought it only fair to discuss that other decade from my youth.

The ’90s.

It was quite a time, wasn’t it? So much going on and, arguably, one of the best times for television. From sitcoms to teen dramas, here are the five that defined my life…

Full House (1987-1995): Though it started in the ’80s, the Tanners really found their stride in the early ’90s. They helped the TGIF lineup become a family activity, and I have SO MANY fond memories of sitting in our living room every Friday night with my family. Plus, Stephanie’s “how rude” catchphrase accurately captures how I feel so much of the time!

Seinfeld (1989-1998): Who knew that a show about nothing could be so compelling?? And more than compelling, it was relatable. Whether we admit it or not, there’s a little bit of George Costanza in all of us. And how fun would it be to have Kramer for a neighbor?

Buffy The Vampire Slayer (1997-2003): This one was an obvious choice. I’ve binged it three times now and love it more every single time. Here was Buffy, a strong and fierce role model for young girls. That was so refreshing, to see someone who could kick butt and be herself!

ER (1994-2009): I suppose it’s no surprise that I have a weakness for medical dramas; what can I say, they sort of remind me of home movies. We’d eat frozen pizza for lunch and watch this every Saturday afternoon. Apparently, television really had a way of bringing my family together!

Frasier (1993-2004): It’s hard to believe that this started out as a spin-off of Cheers because it didn’t take long for the show to stand proudly on its own merits. I could identify with Niles so much, especially in his journey with Daphne, but it wasn’t until after my father died that Frasier truly became our “comfort show.” And, thankfully, it still is.


Are there lots of ’90s TV lovers out there?? What shows would you add to this list? And, what sorts of shows are you binge-watching these days?? xoxo

What 3 Fictional Characters Are You?

Have you seen the challenge that’s floating around social media lately? People have been posting the 3 fictional characters they think most represents them, and it’s been so fun getting to see who everyone chooses. The fictional universe is a pretty vast space, so there’s quite a bit of possibilities; I’ve seen everything from Jasmine from Aladdin to Daria to Joey Potter from Dawson’s Creek.

But what I found even more interesting? The psychological aspect of it all. Seeing their picks is like a window into how they see themselves. It’s almost as if they’re showing you a piece of who they are, you know?

Then again, maybe it’s just meant to be a fun game and I’m reading far too much into it. Yeah, that’s probably exactly what it is.

But for what it’s worth, here’s how I see myself: Betty Suarez (Ugly Betty), Amy Farrah Fowler (The Big Bang Theory) and Ariel (The Little Mermaid).

Who are your 3 fictional characters, friends? Who do you think you’re most like? How do you see yourself?? Post your picks in the comments and if you share it on Twitter, be sure to tag me (@melissablake) so I can check it out!!! xoxo

6 Awesome ’80s TV Shows

There are three ingredients that make the perfect TV show. It’s got to have heart — it moves you, makes you feel something or otherwise leaves you on your couch and surrounded by a puddle of your own tears. There’s got to be some level of shock value — it’s not that the plot has to be overly gory, but there does need to be some sort of twist or unexpected turn that you don’t see coming. And lastly, there’s the binge-worthy factor — the show MUST be highly addicting and binge-watchable. If you’re able to watch multiple episodes in one sitting, then you know you’ve got a stellar show on your hands!!

With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the most pivotal and influential shows of my upbringing. First up: Here are five awesome TV shows from the ’80s…

Moonlighting (1985): The ultimate “Will they/Won’t They” of the ’80s about a former model who finds herself working with a hot-headed detective. There’s romance, there’s mystery and Bruce Willis is at peak hotness!

Family Ties (1982): I can’t help but think of the ’80s as the heyday of the family sitcom, and Family Ties was in a league all its own. The tension between liberal parents Steven and Elyse and their son, Young Republicans member Alex, made for some truly memorable moments. Plus, neighbor Skippy was hilariously adorable!

ALF (1986): Save for the WORST series finale in TV history (seriously, don’t watch it…), the furry alien from Melmac found a way into all our hearts. With his crazy antics and funny one-liners, earth will never be the same!

Doogie Howser, M.D. (1989): This one may have come out at the tail-end of the decade, but it still deserves its rightful place on the list. I’m also pretty certain it’s where my love of medical residents come from…and, oh, Doogie’s brain!

Who’s The Boss (1984): Tony Micelli was the hot housekeeper just trying to create a nice life for his daughter. Along the way, he falls in love with his employer, and throughout the series, he manages to remain the guy you’re rooting for!

Mr. Belvedere (1985): Who’s The Boss may have had the hot housekeeper, but Mr. Belvedere was the guy you wanted in your corner. There wasn’t a single problem he couldn’t solve or inspirational speech he couldn’t give — in his trademark British accent, of course! Plus, his relationship with his youngest charge, wisecrack tween Wesley, was the heart and soul of the show!

Do you remember ’80s TV, friends?? What were your favorite shows?? Do you ever watch them these days? xoxo

[Top photo via We Heart It]

Tuesday Tunes: Best TV Theme Songs

It’s like peanut butter and jelly. It’s like red beans and rice. It’s like cookies and milk. It’s like Twitter and hashtags.

Theme songs and TV shows just go together. The right jingle can send a show swiftly on its way — right into syndication heaven, no doubt. The best ones are uber catchy, the kind that stick in your head long after you switch off the television and the kind that you even find yourself humming as you go about your daily activities. At its heart, a theme song should do two things: Set the tone for the show and do a good job of summarizing the show’s plot. All with musical prowess, of course!! And WORDS. I can’t stress this one enough because an instrumental theme song is just plain sad. Who has time for that??

For this special edition of Tuesday Tunes, I give you five of my favorite TV theme songs of all time…

The Brady Bunch: Did you really think this one wouldn’t be on the list?? From those first note (you know, “here’s the story…”), we immediately become familiar with, well, the story. It’s like a Cliffs Notes version of the entire series. I grew up on this show in syndication and I loved humming it. Every. Single. Episode.

Frasier: At first, the lyrics just sound like a hodge-podge of nonsense words strung together, but I think it has a deeper meaning than that. Frasier’s a psychiatrist who is often confused and blue himself. He’s also a radio psychiatrist, so the line, “Hey, baby, I hear the blues a-calling…” just fits perfectly. I read a fun article about the story behind the song recently and it made such sense!

Gilligan’s Island: The story of seven strangers…NO! I’m not talking about that show! The show about Gilligan and company managed to take a single premise — an afternoon aboard a “tiny ship” — and streeeeetch it out over three seasons. Not to mention that the castaways always seemed to have new clothes, even though they only went on a “three-hour tour.” That’s some skill, if you ask me! I’d watch this show while eating breakfast in elementary school and it dazzled me. And that professor…?? Wow…

The Golden Girls: These gals were hip long before that foursome on Sex and the City strutted down the streets of Manhattan. Miami was never the same after Blanche, Rose, Dorothy and Sophia breezed into town. And, I’m sure, none of our friendships were ever the same after hearing said theme song!

The Big Bang Theory: I couldn’t help but throw a more recent show in the mix. The theme song sort of sounds like a prolific genius on speed, with all these thoughts and facts just flowing out in rapid succession. I wonder if that’s how Sheldon Cooper feels all the time.

So…which TV theme song is your favorite, friends? Do you find that some stick in your head and…they…won’t…leave? Any theme songs you absolutely hate?? xoxo

[Top photo via We Heart It]

My Essay on the Berry: Who Would You Date In The Battle Of The ’90s TV Boyfriends?

My second article for the Berry couldn’t have come out at a better time — isn’t it great when things work out like that?

To coincide with TV Week, my article “Who Would You Date In The Battle Of The ’90s TV Boyfriends?” went live this morning!! Oh, those awesome characters! Sure, they can sometimes be two dimensional, but we most certainly can’t rule out the dreamy factor, can we?? After all, they help form some of our greatest binge-watching memories and, especially, made our formative years full of pure joy.

Here’s an excerpt of the essay, which literally had me smiling as I was writing it; I can’t be the only writer who does that, right??

I’m a fierce TV watcher. I take it VERY seriously and was a hard-core binger wayyy before the phrase even became a hot trending topic. I’m also a lover of the ’90s. I fall in love with characters — OK, lots of times as if they were real people! — and my teen years were spent in a haze of TV’s best boyfriends. Thanks to the teen drama boom spearheaded by the WB, there seemed to be a guy for everyone.

So let’s take a little trip down memory lane, shall we? Who would win in a Battle of the ’90s TV Boyfriends? Here are 10 top contenders, known for everything from their keen sense of style to their brooding nature…

You can read the full essay here and I’d love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to email me anytime at mellow1422@aol.com and let’s chat! And of course, feel free to share my essay on Facebook, Twitter or even your local refrigerator. If you share on Twitter, be sure to tag me @melissablake so we can connect! I can’t wait to hear from you! Love you all… xoxo