From 'Barney & Friends' to 'Mr. Bean,' These 8 Great '90s Shows Could Never Be Made Today

The 1990s were an exceptionally great time for TV entertainment, especially as an experimental era that led to the epic modern lineup that audiences now have. With countless creative risks taken during the decade, quite a few shows sparked conversation and rose to the top as some of the era's best. From unfiltered and genuinely hilarious comedies to unconventional formats, countless familiar titles dominated this iconic period. However, if many of these shows were to take the stage today, it's likely they would never hold up in the current television landscape.

Shows like In Living Color, which boldly redefined limits, and Disney's Bug Juice, an unscripted look into kids' camp lives, are just two ideal examples of the '90s best that today's society would probably never stand for. Compiled on this list are eight such shows—those rare '90s hits that captured lightning in a bottle and would almost definitely be far too incompatible with this modern era of television.

1 'Dinosaurs' (1991–1994)

Long before children's shows almost desperately shied away from razor-sharp satire and social commentary, Dinosaurs used prehistoric puppets to absolutely skewer modern society. The family sitcom is set in a modern prehistoric world, following blue-collar Tyrannosaurus Earl Sinclair (Stuart Pankin), as he navigates social issues, work, and family life.

Dinosaurs is one of the '90s finest works of art, a daring watch that unapologetically discusses important things. The puppet-based show featured a broad mix of genuine slapstick comedy with pointed social commentary, standing as an absolute hit with both kids and adults. Despite its brilliance, it's very likely Dinosaurs could never be made today, simply because of the show's unorthodox style and enormously expensive budget of a live-action puppet set. The show was no doubt a '90s beauty, but in the modern world, its controversial topics and high production budget would likely prevent it from making it onto TV.

2 'In Living Color' (1990–1994)

In Living Color is a comedy sketch series that burst onto television screens with a fearlessness unlike any other. The boundary-pushing comedy showcased a predominantly Black cast—ranging from the Wayans family to individuals like David Alan Grier—doing fast-paced, edgy parodies of pop culture.

The addictive '90s gem not only wielded some of the most humorous skits ever seen on television, but also helped catapult various careers of several now well-known cast members. Its uncensored, raw energy drew in a crowd and captivated audiences with a single episode. The same unfiltered, boundary-pushing nature is likely why the show wouldn't be touched today. By today's standards, the show would probably be labeled as too offensive, with its rough, stereotypical comedy, use of slurs, and gender/sexual humor. In Living Color may have stormed the '90s with a comedic ferociousness, but in the modern world, it would never last.

3 'Mr. Bean' (1990–1995)

This incredibly silly and absolutely hilarious British sitcom from the '90s is built entirely on silence, social awkwardness, and physical comedy. Mr. Bean stars Rowan Atkinson as the title character, a childlike buffoon living in London who continually bungles everyday tasks and finds even more absurd solutions to accompany his mishaps.

Mr. Bean is simply an absurd good time. During its time on air, the series delivered its slow, observational humor and drew fans in with its silliness. The show was so well-loved that its fame spawned movie sequels and spin-offs. But as time went on, the entertainment world of relentless pacing and constant dialogue quickly took over. Mr. Bean would never make a return to screens in its '90s form, as its slow, dialogue-lacking humor stands as largely incompatible with today's fast-scrolling audiences. The show will forever be a treasured good time that proved comedy didn't always need dialogue to be universally understood, but the '90s series would probably be skipped over today in favor of faster-paced, dialogue-centric sitcoms.

4 'Barney & Friends' (1992–2010)

This PBS kids show was a highlight in many '90s and early 2000s kids' lives. Barney & Friends is a live-action series aimed at preschoolers, and focuses on the friendly purple dinosaur, Barney (Bob West), who "comes to life" to teach children songs, sharing, and tons of positive values.

At the height of '90s children's television stood the unquestionably wholesome gem, Barney & Friends. The show embodies a sincerity rarely seen on TV today. Its unfiltered positivity and pure optimism drew in a fan base quite unlike any other, and shows with that level of sincerity are mostly a thing of the past. Barney & Friends would likely never make it onto air today, as the series has since been judged and ranked by viewers as part of "annoying TV." Modern audiences now ridicule its sickeningly sweet nature and repetitive songs, dubbing it fluff that just isn't enough. Barney & Friends may have once stood gloriously at the top of children's TV, but in this modern age, its over-the-top cheer would likely not be very welcomed.

5 'Beverly Hills, 90210' (1990–2000)

Beverly Hills, 90210 is a flagship teen drama that helped define the modern teen television before streaming platforms dominated the field. The drama centers on a group of privileged high-school friends—and later college students—in affluent Beverly Hills.

Beverly Hills, 90210 boldly tackled youth culture and also helped shape an entire generation of teens. It was a massive hit during its time on air, well-loved as a '90s youth pop-culture icon. While Beverly Hills, 90210 generated over $1 billion in merchandise and royalties, it could never live up to the modern slew of teen dramas on countless streaming platforms. Most of today's shows are more authentic in their self-awareness and far more diverse, while Beverly Hills, 90210 would probably be viewed as a tone-deaf melodrama if it were to spend time on screens once again, ensuring that it simply could never be made in the modern teenage TV landscape.

6 'Xena: Warrior Princess' (1995–2001)

This fantasy adventure is a mythological action epic with a surprising amount of depth. Xena: Warrior Princess follows the former warlord, Xena (Lucy Lawless), as she seeks redemption by fighting for the innocent, while being accompanied by a young bard named Gabrielle (Renée O’Connor), who also becomes a fierce warrior.

Xena: Warrior Princess may have had simple beginnings as a fantasy spin-off, but the incredible '90s show quickly became a cultural icon worth talking about. Both its campy tone and subtext-heavy storytelling were highly appreciated during its time. Though Xena: Warrior Princess may have thrived in the '90s, the show would be unable to withstand modern fandoms' relentless analysis and critiques. All the show's imperfections would be blown up by modern viewers, who would be incredibly quick to pick up on the series' anachronistic narrative and occasionally insensitive or oversimplified takes on ancient culture. Xena: Warrior Princess is a fantastic story that was quite favored, but its revival, as it is, would be a big no-no for most modern audiences.

7 'Bug Juice' (1998–2001)

Bug Juice was a Disney Channel reality series that captured childhood in its rawest form, long before reality TV became hyper-produced. The reality TV series centers around a cabin full of about 20 preteen and teenage campers at a sleepaway camp, chronicling their daily experiences in a "docu-soap" format.

Bug Juice delivered a refreshingly authentic look at summer camp life. The show captures kids' friendships, first crushes, and chaotic pranks. Bug Juice might have been a '90s look into real-life teen drama, but it definitely wouldn't sit well with either audiences or studios today. Current regulations on minors and reality TV would make both the broadcasting and filming process extremely difficult, as they should. The new rules are a welcomed change, but as of today, Bug Juice could never make it to TV as it once was.

8 'Batman: The Animated Series' (1992–1995)

This '90s DC comic adaptation is an Emmy-winning animated series. Batman: The Animated Series follows Bruce Wayne (Kevin Conroy) and his alter-ego, Batman, as he battles countless villains in the name of protecting Gotham City.

The DC animated series' dark, atmospheric, and emotionally complex story claimed an enormous fan base, one that still holds strong today. Its mature themes and noir tone were perfect for the show's era, with a narrative weight that was highly appreciated. Although it had many variations of the Batman series, this particular show would not make it as a modern children's program. Few animated series are even trusted with such a complex and weighty story. Batman: The Animated Series is a powerful '90s gem that fans haven't lost their appreciation for, but it would be impossible to bring back, simply because the icon that is Kevin Conroy has passed, and the '90s style is unlikely to make a return, solidifying the animated series as an extremely sad addition to this list.