The Best 1990s CBS Comedies, Ranked
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Vote up your favorite CBS comedies that aired on TV in the '90s
- 1Ray Romano, Patricia Heaton, Doris RobertsIn the realm of sitcoms, Everybody Loves Raymond stands out as a refreshing portrayal of family life. The show centers around Ray Barone (Ray Romano), a sports columnist, and his interactions with his loving wife Debra (Patricia Heaton), their three children, and his hilariously intrusive parents, Marie (Doris Roberts) and Frank (Peter Boyle). Set in suburban New York, the series delves into everyday situations, drawing humor from relatable experiences. Over its nine-season run, it garnered 15 Emmy Awards, including wins for both Roberts and Heaton. With its witty dialogue and charming ensemble cast, the show continues to resonate with audiences, delivering laughs and warmth in equal measure.
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- 2Kevin James, Leah Remini, Jerry StillerDoug Heffernan shares a house with his wife and father-in-law.More The King of Queens
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- 3Delta Burke, Dixie Carter, Jean SmartSet in the heart of Atlanta, Designing Women offers a refreshing take on the lives and careers of four spirited women running a successful interior design firm. The show skillfully balances humor and drama as it delves into the professional and personal challenges faced by these strong, independent characters. Julia Sugarbaker (Dixie Carter), the elegant and outspoken leader, is joined by her vivacious sister Suzanne (Delta Burke), pragmatic designer Mary Jo (Annie Potts), and the ever-resourceful Charlene (Jean Smart). Over the course of its seven-season run, the series garnered critical acclaim and numerous award nominations, leaving an indelible mark on the television landscape.More Designing Women
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- 4Gerald McRaney, Matt Mulhern, Marisa RyanMajor Dad is an American sitcom created by Richard C. Okie and John G. Stephens, developed by Earl Pomerantz, that originally ran from 1989 to 1993 on CBS, starring Gerald McRaney as Major John D. MacGillis and Shanna Reed as his wife Polly. The cast also includes Beverly Archer, Matt Mulhern, Jon Cypher, Marisa Ryan, Nicole Dubuc and Chelsea Hertford.More Major Dad
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- 5Fran Drescher, Charles Shaughnessy, Lauren LaneA delightful comedy with a touch of sophistication, The Nanny features the charming Fran Fine (played by Fran Drescher) as she unexpectedly becomes the nanny to a wealthy Broadway producer's three children. Set in an opulent Manhattan mansion, the show artfully combines humor and heart, making it a cherished classic. Throughout its six-season run, The Nanny garnered multiple award nominations, including Emmy and Golden Globe nods for its talented ensemble cast. With memorable performances by Charles Shaughnessy as the dashing Maxwell Sheffield and Daniel Davis as the witty butler Niles, the series remains a beloved gem in television history.More The Nanny
- 6Reginald VelJohnson, Judyann Elder, Darius McCraryIn the realm of classic sitcoms, Family Matters stands out as a heartwarming and humorous portrayal of an African-American family navigating life's challenges and triumphs. With nine seasons that ran from 1989 to 1998, this wholesome show garnered immense popularity, becoming synonymous with 90s television. The series primarily revolves around the lovable character, Steve Urkel (Jaleel White), whose quirky antics and memorable catchphrases never fail to entertain. Despite not being a critical darling, Family Matters left an indelible mark on pop culture, serving as a testament to its enduring appeal and relatability for audiences spanning generations.More Family Matters
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- 7Patrick Duffy, Suzanne Somers, Staci KeananStep by Step, which premiered on September 20, 1991, is a family sitcom that explores the challenges and hilarity of blended families. The show centers around Carol Foster, a divorced mother of three, and Frank Lambert, a widowed father of three, who impulsively get married after meeting on vacation, resulting in their respective children having to live together. The series stars Suzanne Somers and Patrick Duffy as the newlywed couple. The show's major themes include family unity, sibling rivalry, and the trials of parenting. Step by Step enjoyed a successful seven-season run with its light-hearted humor and relatable family dynamics.More Step by Step
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- 8Candice Bergen, Faith Ford, Joe RegalbutoA trailblazer in television history, Murphy Brown returns to the small screen as a shining beacon of wit and tenacity. The show's eponymous protagonist, played by Candice Bergen, continues her journalistic endeavors while navigating the fast-paced world of modern media. With its ensemble of dynamic characters, the series artfully balances comedy and drama, garnering multiple accolades including 18 Primetime Emmy Awards. As Murphy and her team tackle pressing societal issues, viewers are treated to a thought-provoking yet lighthearted viewing experience. In a world where headlines change at breakneck speed, Murphy Brown remains a relevant and engaging force in the realm of television.More Murphy Brown
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- 9Rue McClanahan, Estelle Getty, Betty WhiteRose, Blanche and Sophia purchase a small hotel in Miami.
- 10
Evening Shade
Burt Reynolds, Marilu Henner, Charles DurningEvening Shade is an American television sitcom that aired on CBS from September 21, 1990 to May 23, 1994. The series stars Burt Reynolds as Wood Newton, an ex-professional football player for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who returns to rural Evening Shade, Arkansas, to coach a high school football team with a long losing streak. Reynolds personally requested to use the Steelers as his former team because he is a fan. The general theme of the show is the appeal of small town life. Episodes ended with a closing narration by Ossie Davis summing up the events of the episode, always closing with "... in a place called Evening Shade." The show's final episode saw the guest appearances of Willie Nelson and Buzz Aldrin as escaped convicts on the run from authorities, the final scene being a spectacular shoot-out reminiscent of the final scene of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. The opening segment included clips from around Arkansas, including the famous McClard's Bar-be-que, which is situated on Albert Pike Blvd. and South Patterson St. in Hot Springs National Park. - 11Jason Bateman, Jeremy Licht, Luis Daniel PonceThe Hogan Family is an American television situation comedy that aired on NBC from March 1, 1986 to May 7, 1990, and on CBS from September 15, 1990 until July 20, 1991. It was produced by Miller-Boyett Productions, along with Tal Productions, Inc., and in association with Lorimar Productions, Lorimar-Telepictures, and Lorimar Television. The show was originally titled Valerie and starred Valerie Harper as a mother trying to juggle her career with raising her three sons by her often absent airline pilot husband. Harper was written out of the series after the second season because of a dispute with the show's producers. Sandy Duncan joined the cast as the boys' aunt, who moved in and became their surrogate mom. During the show's third season, the series was known as Valerie's Family, The Hogans, then simply as The Hogan Family.More The Hogan Family
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- 12Markie Post, John Ritter, Billy Bob ThorntonThe professional and personal relationships of a legislative assistant.
- 13Bob Newhart, Judd Hirsch, Jason BatemanGeorge & Leo is a short-lived American sitcom starring Bob Newhart and Judd Hirsch. Set on Martha's Vineyard, the series aired on CBS from September 15, 1997 to March 16, 1998.
- 14
The Gregory Hines Show
Gregory Hines, Brandon Hammond, Wendell PierceA Chicago widower balances raises his son with new relationships. - 15Naya Rivera, Redd Foxx, Della ReeseThe Royal Family is an American sitcom starring Redd Foxx and Della Reese. The series was created and produced by Eddie Murphy, as part of a development deal Murphy had with CBS, and produced by Paramount Television, the television arm of Paramount Pictures with whom Murphy had long been associated with. Murphy had previously worked with Redd Foxx and Della Reese in the 1989 film Harlem Nights, which Murphy wrote and directed. It ran for one season on CBS from 1991-1992. The working title for the series was Chest Pains.More The Royal Family
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- 16Charlotte Ross, Eileen Heckart, Beth BroderickThe 5 Mrs. Buchanans is a U.S. television situation comedy that aired on CBS from September 24, 1994 to March 25, 1995. Set in the fictional town of Mercy, Indiana, the show centers on the small-town misadventures of four disparate women with one thing in common: their loathing for their monster of a mother-in-law.
- 17Nancy Travis, David Clennon, Kevin KilnerAlmost Perfect is an American situation comedy that aired on the CBS television network from September 17, 1995 until October 30, 1996. The series focused on the professional life of the female executive producer of a television cop show, her witty, zany staff which doubled as her family, and initially, how she balanced her high-powered role with that of her newfound romance with a busy assistant D.A. The series was created by Ken Levine, David Isaacs and Robin Schiff, and produced by Levine & Isaacs Productions and Robin Schiff Productions, in association with Paramount Television. Levine and Isaacs were previously known for their work as writers and producers on the long-running Paramount-produced Cheers, as well as on its Paramount stablemate Wings. Like the latter shows, Almost Perfect featured a tight-knit ensemble aspect between the cast, which in this case was formed by the production staff of the fictional cop show. CBS canceled the series just four episodes into its second season. Six leftover episodes aired on Lifetime in December 1997, followed by reruns of the entire series surfacing on USA Network's weekday morning lineup between 1998 and 2001.
- 18Annie Potts, Jay Thomas, Joanna GleasonA woman runs a bar/restaurant in Chicago.
- 19Ned Beatty, Christopher Meloni, Isabella HofmannA writer moves to a country town to write the follow-up to his recent best-selling book.
- 20Patricia Heaton, Teri Garr, Delta BurkeWomen of the House is an American situation comedy television series. It is a spin-off of Designing Women and stars Delta Burke, who had reconciled with producers after a bitter, highly publicized, off-screen battle.
- 21Teri Garr, Shelley Long, Christopher McDonaldGood Advice is an American situation comedy series that aired for two seasons on CBS from 1993 to 1994. It was co-created and executive produced by Danny Jacobson and Norma Safford Vela; and starred Shelley Long and Treat Williams. The show was a hit, but it was cancelled because Long had suffered health problems that made her unable to film any new episodes for a long period of time.
- 22Frank Aletter, Doro Merande, Enid MarkeyBringing Up Buddy is an American situation comedy which aired on CBS during the 1960–1961 season.
- 23Courteney Cox, Bronson Pinchot, Perry KingThe Trouble with Larry is an American sitcom that aired from August 25, 1993 to September 8, 1993 on CBS. It starred Bronson Pinchot as Larry Burton, a man returning home to Syracuse after being presumed dead for many years. CBS gave the series an early start by premiering it in late August, only three weeks after Pinchot's previous series, Perfect Strangers, finished its run on ABC. However, after poor reviews and three weeks of bad ratings, the series was canceled before the official TV season of which it was to be a part of had even begun.
