Nickelodeon has had a long and rich history full of charming and fun shows for younger audiences, largely pioneering the very concept of all-day programming for kids and teens. While some of their efforts of late have been a bit more questionable, 90s kids will tell you that this was the golden era for this zany kids TV station.
Not only did the network crank out a number of iconic cartoons like Ren & Stimpy along with game shows like Double Dare, but they even excelled when it came to many of their live-action shows. From wacky sitcoms to engaging dramas, there was no shortage of entertaining shows for teenagers and kids alike.
With that said, let’s go over the 10 very best live-action TV shows to be featured on Nickelodeon during this memorable era of the 90s.
Hey Dude
When it comes to this short-lived comedy series, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. It’s met with a rather tepid response to most who aren’t basking in the warm and fuzzy nostalgic sun of early 90s Nick - if they’ve even heard of it at all. Indeed, there isn’t a ton that sticks out about this pretty straightforward and occasionally cheesy live-action show, outside of its amusing theme song.
Still, while we didn’t exactly see much of that “killer cacti” that the lyrics teased - Hey Dude did prove endearing to many who grew up watching it, thanks to its cast of likable characters, its unique western theme, and its knack for delivering sound moral messages to children.
Weinerville
No, this is not a raunchy late-night program on Cinemax. Rather, it was a zany comedy show featuring a variety of goofy puppets sporting human heads, created and hosted by puppeteer and comedian, Marc Weiner. This odd situational comedy remains a largely unknown obscurity to most who didn’t grow up in the mid-90s.
Yet, many who were youths during this time can still vividly hear the Mayor of Weinerville, Dottie, shouting “welcome to Weinerville!” to a live studio audience, which always kicked off the 22 minute series of random gags in this puppetized town. Regardless of its goofy, often surface-level brand of humor, Weinerville stands out as a truly unique take on a kid’s show, and one that’s rarely matched - at least in terms of style.
My Brother And Me
This tends to get overlooked thanks in part to its short run of merely 13 episodes, while residing in an era occupied by so many other strong Nick shows. Yet, My Brother and Me shines through as a charming, relatable show that resonated with many children in the 90s.
While it sprinked in plenty of comedic moments, its major strength lied in its down-to-earth nature which dealt with issues and situations many kids faced growing up - both at home and at school - such as bullying. It was also unique in its use of inner monologues which gave the viewer a closer glimpse into the minds of the protagonists, in addition to setting the stage for some wacky scenarios.
This underappreciated sitcom also has what’s quite possibly one of the catchiest theme songs in the history of the network.
Clarissa Explains It All
Speaking of catchy theme songs, it’s tough not to think of this delightful sitcom without hearing that distinct jingle which consisted of nothing but several “na na na’s.” Hey - sometimes simplicity can be more effective than detail.
Similar to My Brother and Me’s use of interior monologues to stand out, the crux of this show’s creativity and intrigue tends to come from the witty, sarcastic Clarissa, played by Melissa Joan Hart, who often breaks the 4th Wall by directing comments and thoughts to her audience. This distinct trait, coupled with the colorful characters of the Darling family (along with Clarissa’s friend Sam and his trusty ladder), makes for a memorable, humorous sitcom for kids and teens.
Roundhouse
Before the more traditional comedy, All That, came around in ‘94, there was this slightly edgier, zanier show which melded improv-style comedy bits with singing and intense dance numbers. The humor tended to seem a little goofy, forced, and even cringy at times. Still, you’ve got to give credit to the sheer talent involved in performing in these rapid-fire sketches, thrown together on-the-fly by naught but a few basic props and background elements wheeled around what looks to be an old warehouse.
This show also stood out from All That in its tendency to revolve around a single theme for each episode, providing a centralized focus and usually ending things with a heartfelt moral or message to the viewers.
The Secret World Of Alex Mack
Nickelodeon began delving into more serious, imaginative territory during the mid-90s. This is largely exemplified by this fantasy teen show, The Secret World of Alex Mack. The show essentially blends a basic teenage drama with the likes of X-Men, as our protagonist, Alex, finds herself gaining the power of telekinesis and the ability to dissolve into a puddle.
There is plenty of drama and thrills to be had, as Alex must keep her newfound powers secret from everyone, fearing what may happen if the CEO of the chemical plant finds out. Yet, the supernatural elements are fairly subdued, allowing for a degree of relatability.
Kenan & Kel
Two of the biggest standout stars from the sketch comedy All That quickly proved just why they were so popular upon starring in one of the funniest Nick shows of the 90s - live-action or otherwise. The more serious and uptight Kenan possesses a great chemistry with his wackier, more naive counterpart, Kel, setting the stage for all sorts of funny gags and situations in their spinoff show, Kenan & Kel, as the two greatly play off eachother.
The show contains plenty of insane, hilarious scenarios, including a laugher in which Kel foils Kenan’s plan to sue a tuna company after choking on a screw he found in his tuna sandwich by dramatically confessing that he accidentally dropped the screw in his food.
All That
Strengthened by the charm and comedic wit of actors like the aforementioned Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell, along with rising stars like Amanda Bynes, All That took off running when it aired in 1994. Much like a kid’s version of Saturday Night Live, All That thrived on rapid-fire comedy sketches featuring a plethora of distinct actors, often returning to reoccurring hits like the “Good Burger” and “The Loud Librarian.”
The show actually managed to make it all the way to 2016, and has recently been revived in June of 2019 featuring the return of veterans like Lori Beth Denberg, Kel Mitchell, and Josh Server. Still, the early run of this show had particularly memorable hit sketches which, like SNL, would help launch the careers of a number of young actors.
The Adventures Of Pete & Pete
When it comes to live-action shows for young audiences, it’s tough to find an example of a crazier, more creative or thought-provoking comedy that The Adventures of Pete & Pete. The fact that this show stars two brothers with the same name - and that their mother has a metal plate in her head - should be enough to tip you off to the fact that we’re dealing with a pretty weird show, and we mean this in the best way possible.
Pete & Pete began as a series of obscure shorts that threw random, bizarre scenarios at unsuspecting viewers, eventually blossoming into a full-blown Nick sitcom. To get a taste at just how off-the-wall some of these premises were - one episode featured Ellen causing her teachers to go mad with perplexity and quit by standing up and asking “why do we have to learn this?” during lectures.
Are you Afraid Of The Dark?
If All That stands as the younger version of SNL, then you could consider this 90s Nick classic, Are You Afraid of the Dark? the kid and teen equivalent of Tales from the Crypt, with a bit of trippy Twilight Zone flair for good measure. As a child, there were few things more thrilling than hearing of the premiere of this enticingly eerie, spooky TV show on SNICK, and staying up until midnight to watch it.
Each episode featured an imaginative, self-contained premise that dealt with everything from headless horsemen to future-predicting cameras to living computer viruses.
Next: 10 Best Nickelodeon Shows Of All Time, According To IMDb
