Sitcoms of the 90s

Do the sitcoms that came in the late 90s make it into the following list? Or do the ones that hit a dead end in their broadcast somewhere during the decade qualify? Frankly, just chuck the definitions, and list them if the sitcom made us laugh.

Seinfeld was a laugh riot which started in 1990 and rolled on till 1998. And quite frankly, when they show it on TV now, it is still the funniest sitcom. It starred Jerry Seinfeld who pretty much played himself. What went on in his life was anything but routine. So while the show always claimed that it is a TV show about 'nothing', it really was something!

The main character was flanked by his friends George Costanza (Jason Alexander), Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and the immortal Kramer (Michael Richards). Among the memorable characters were Jerry Stiller and Estelle Harris as George's eccentric parents and Wayne Knight as the conniving postman, Newman. A great experiment in situational comedy.

Friends went on for 10 seasons, 1994-2004. It is a simple enough story of six friends Monica (Courteney Cox), Chandler (Matthew Perry), Joey (Matt LeBlanc), Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow), Ross (David Schwimmer) and Rachel (Jennifer Aniston). We laughed and cried with them for the ten years of their existence and some of their quotes still remain fresh in our minds.

The DVDs of the sitcom 'Friends' still sell like hotcakes among mad audiences who wish to watch some of the episodes over and over again. Friends was truly a wonderful journey for the stars and the audiences alike.

If you ever thought your family was a mess, you only had to watch this saga of the most dysfunctional family ever. The Simpsons is again enjoyed by audiences across the world and Homer Simpson was pretty much a cult figure among the people who have watched and enjoyed this serial since its inception in 1989.

Most episodes starred the father (Homer Simpson), his wife (Marge Simpson), and his kids (Bart Simpson, Lisa Simpson and Maggie Simpson). But there were still several characters etched in our memories like the old evil Mr. Burns, the bar-keeper Moe and Krusty the Clown. The Simpsons is a series that has to be watched to be appreciated.

It may be a little debatable to include Full House in the list, as it existed in both the 80's and the 90s. But then it was one of the most watched family sitcoms. It had Bob Saget in the starring role as Danny Tanner, father of three girls - DJ (Candace Cameron), Stephanie (Jodie Sweetin), and Michelle Tanner (played by both Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen).

To help the widower Danny take care of three young girls he had the services of his brother-in-law Jesse (John Stamos) and his best friend Joey (Dave Coulier). Full House was an adorable show which emphasized on the importance of family values and traced the adolescence and growth of the three young daughters and how their three caretakers managed it all.

This show is better known as the serial that propelled a young and gangly Will Smith into global prominence. The Fresh Prince of Bel Air was about a young street smart kid Will (Will Smith) who was sent by his mother in Philadelphia to Bel-Air to learn the high class mannerisms of their wealthy relatives (the Banks family).

Of course, it wouldn't be so funny and watchable had the Banks family succeeded in their efforts! This show saw young Will leave a more lasting impression on the Banks family than they did on him.

Other serials which are fit to round up the top 10 list include:

• Frasier
• Home Improvement
• Married With Children
• That 70's Show
• 3rd Rock from the Sun

While the sitcoms of the 80s were more about the emphasis on family values, the 90s sitcoms focused more on the life of a bunch friends and the funny things they went through together. But it all made for a great melting pot of laughs and enjoyment for the viewer.