No one wanted to go out on Friday nights in the ’90s. We all wanted to stay home and watch ABC’s TGIF (Thank God, It’s Friday). The lineup of mostly family-driven sitcoms is still such a huge part of pop culture that Hulu recently added all of the shows to their streaming service. How would we ever make it to Saturday without knowing what kind of shenanigans Steve Urkel was getting into? Or have Michelle Tanner say “You got it, dude!” You can probably sing the theme song to Step by Step. And we all wished we could have a teacher like Mr. Feeny. Personally, I still fantasize about having powers like Sabrina, the Teenage Witch.
Michael Jordan was the greatest basketball player of all time (sorry, LeBron). He had a hugely successful basketball career playing for the Chicago Bulls (No. 23 forever) then retired at the top of his game to play baseball. Luckily, he came back to the basketball court, wins more championships, and makes one of the best sports movies ever, Space Jam, when he saved the Looney Tunes from space aliens who stole the basketball talent of some of the best NBA players.
Hanging out with the crew at The Max on Saved by the Bell, singing on the beach with the California Dreams, watching the latest Wakefield sister drama at Sweet Valley High, trying to decide if you were Popular, swooning over Jordan Catalano alongside Angela Chase on My So-Called Life, and watching Dawson’s Creek if only to fight with your friends about the merits of Dawson vs. Pacey. We were teens living the dream.
The resurgence of pure, 100% bubblegum pop of the late ’90s is probably one of the most memorable (and has long-lasting effects) parts of our lives. Starting with the Spice Girls and their in-your-face girl power, then spreading to boy bands like Hanson, Backstreet Boys, and *NSYNC. The decade also ushered in blonde divas, like Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Jessica Simpson, and Mandy Moore.
