The ’90s – Television Shows: Seinfeld, Sopranos and Sex

While compiling this list, I realized something: I didn’t have much time to watch television during the ’90s. In fact, some of the shows listed, while launched during this decade, I ended up getting to know well a full decade later.

In the early to mid ’90s, my work / school / home commute covered ~60 daily miles. And, once all the obligatory responsibilities were taken care of, escapism meant going somewhere to enjoy something. Whether movie theaters or dance clubs, concerts or road trips, being present in the moment during those leisure activities, coupled with working full time and going to college full time resulted almost no empty evenings.

I recall one month, in 1993 or 1994, when I looked at my work and school schedule, and realized that within 25 days I only had one day where I wasn’t expected to be at either or at both.

Of whatever TV shows I did watch, and most were after I graduated from DePaul, the common theme was Singles in New York. Family sitcoms had all but eroded, in favor of parentless 20 and 30-somethings exploring life with their friends as their support system.

But, as the decade approached the New Millennium, the family was back. But not just any family. Oh, no. The Sopranos forever changed (or reinforced) our perspective of how people in a certain illegal, ethnic industry led their lives. It was also the only time in television history, to date, where a man struggled between work and life balance.

Tony Soprano, we loved to hate you. And we miss you. Now more than ever.

This material is an excerpt from my new novella: The ’90s. Diary of a Mess, now available in Kindle edition!