In the earlier part of the nineties, ‘Web series’ wasn’t an expression popularly in use like it is today. Some online video projects and the precursors to what could be described as online television were not necessarily distinguished or defined as ‘web series’ in the way that they are today.
However, here are 10 examples of popular or influential television shows from the 1990s that could be considered precursors to the modern web series format, along with #90s web series cast :
The Simpsons (1989-present): A television show, “The Simpsons” for example is a conventional animated show that defied conventional animation and comedy through depicting the contemporary culture and other issues.
- Key Cast: More people:Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Yeardley Smith, Harry Shearer
- Key Crew: Matt Groening, James L. Brooks, (Executive Producer)
Seinfeld (1989-1998): This fresh sitcom questioned the classical sitcom clichés, portraying ordinary life, and refusing in the show to hug and learn lessons.
- Key Cast: Jerry Seinfeld, Jules, Jason Alexander, Michael Richards
- Key Crew: Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David
Twin Peaks (1990-1991): This exceptional horror/drama/mystery series instantly became one of the most popular shows and fully deserved its viewer’s attention.
- Key Cast: Kyle MacLachlan, Sheryl Lee, Michael Ontkean, Laura Dern, Ray Wise
- Key Crew: David Lynch (Creator & director), Mark Frost
X-Files (1993-2002, 2016-2018): A science fiction television series, exploring government conspiracies, the paranormal as well as the quest for the truth.
- Key Cast: Lod, David Duchovny, Gillian Anderson, Mitch Pileggi
- Key Crew: Chris Carter (creator)
Friends (1994-2004): This much loved sitcom was an ensemble piece portraying the lives of six friends and was set in New York in the 1990s.
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- Key Cast: Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry, David Schwimmer
- Key Crew: OCCUPATION Coast Guard, Talking Head, David Crane, Marta Kauffman
ER (1994-2009): This medical drama shifted focus to the hospital bringing to the screen difficult medical topics and individual relationships.
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- Key Cast: George Clooney Julianna Marquise Noah Wyle Anthony Edwards, Eriq La Salle
- Key Crew: Screen creative Michael Crichton & Screen executive producer John Wells
South Park (1997-present): A wise-guy parody of political correctness, this adult cartoon sitcom subjected everything to ridicule and again veered off deliberately into controversy.
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- Key Cast: Trey Parker …, Matt Stone …
- Key Crew: Trey Parker – show’s creator Matt Stone – show’s creator
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997-2003): This teen drama played with the audience’s expectations with a protagonist being a girl and important themes.
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- Key Cast: Some of the #90s web series cast I identified include; Sarah Michelle Gellar, Alyson Hannigan, Charisma Carpenter and David Boreanaz
- Key Crew: Joss Whedon (creator)
The Sopranos (1999-2007): This innovative drama related the life of a mob boss from New Jersey and opened the way to the telling of stories never before seen on television.
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- Key Cast: Jim Geren, Christine Martucci, David Proval, Jack, DeLorenzo are well known #90s web series cast
- Key Crew: David Chase (creator)
Sex and the City (1998-2004): This audaciously life-changing show focused on the lives, loves and sexaul, professional endeavors of four women living in New York.
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- Key Cast: SJP(Sarah Jessica Parker), Kim, Krystin Davisknown, Cynthia Nixon
- Key Crew: Darren Star (creator)
Although any of them might not necessarily be considered as part of today’s definition of “web series”, they were all instrumental in the development of the format: they tried out new formats, broke boundaries and, most importantly, cultivated an audience.
