The Top Ten BEST Programming Blocks of the 90's-2000's
There have been many programming blocks that have shaped some of our childhoods; in my opinion, these are the ten BEST on TV during the 90’s and early 2000’s for kids.
10. ABC’s TGIF
This is one I missed during its initial run, but I’d be remiss not to include it on this list in SOME capacity. The TGIF lineup consisted of some of the most iconic family oriented sitcoms of the nineties; from childhood staple Boy meets World, to Jim Henson’s own swansong Dinosaurs, to the show that gave us the Mowry twins, Sister Sister. It also gave us Family Matters, the show that started off as a typical sitcom (though with an all-black cast) only to slowly become the LEGENDARY sitcom starring that lovable 90’s icon, Steve Urkel. Even if you’ve never seen the block, you’ve seen or at least heard of ONE of the shows on it. A great block!
9. Nickelodeon’s Nick in the Afternoon
You’d think that a programming block that had nothing on but reruns of old Nickelodeon shows would be boring shit; you’d be wrong. Though Nick in the Afternoon was mostly reruns-central for old Nick shows, these were the creme de la creme: Salute your Shorts, Ar you Afraid of the Dark, You Can’t do that on Television, list goes on! Nick in the Afternoon also had the Stick Stickley interstitials, where said character would be dipped into whatever strange concoction the audience would choose! And of note, this was the block to premier Hey Arnold, one of the best Nicktoons of all time! A classic block that sadly lasted only three years…
8. Nickelodeon’s Snick
Nickelodeon’s premier Saturday Night block, two full hours of the best sitcoms and sketch comedy shows the network had to offer, from 8 to 10 PM. The block was also host to some of the best shows Nick’s ever offered, from The Secret World of Alex Mack, to Kenan and Kel, to Space Cases. This block was practically a MUST WATCH for 90’s kids!
7. ABC’s One Saturday Morning
Five hours of summer, once a week! I swear, the intro alone made this block worth watching! I STRONGLY recommend you check it out! But wait, there’s more! The block had some AWESOME cartoons: The Weekenders, Disney’s Doug (which wasn’t as good as Nickelodeon’s version, but it was still more than worth watching)Pepper Ann, and RECESS! This was an AWESOME block, more than worth watching!
6. Nickelodeon’s Nick Jr
YES, IT’S A PRESCHOOL PROGRAMMING BLOCK! But this block was INSTRUMENTAL in my formative years, and the same can be said for innumerable people. Besides, I’d dare call this the BEST children’s programming block during the 90’s, due to the INSANE amount of high quality shows that could be enjoyed by kids of all ages. From the adventure series Rupert, to the delightful Gullah Gullah Island (a show whose intro alone is worth a watch)to the LEGENDARY Blue’s Clues, Dora the Explorer, and more! A childhood staple!
5. Cartoon Network’s Cartoon Cartoon Fridays
Cartoon Network was born from a simple idea: cartoons, twenty four hours a day, every day. After a while, the Network started airing specialized programming blocks, reaching a sort of “peak” as it were with Cartoon Cartoon Fridays. A programming block featuring nothing but Cartoon Network originals; outside of Toonami, these were the BEST shows to watch on Cartoon Network. Dexter’s Lab, Johnny Bravo, Powerpuff Girls, Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy, Ed, Edd and Eddy…the list goes on and on! When people get nostalgic for old Cartoon Network, THIS is what they’re nostalgic for!
4. The Disney Afternoon (syndicated)
This was a programming block of Disney TV shows, and for a loooong time, that meant top quality animation. I’m talking animation that was crisp, fluid, and leaps and bounds above most of what you’d see on TV back in those days. As if that weren’t enough, the shows on this block? Solid GOLD! Gargoyles, Timon and Pumbaa, Tale Spin, Chip and Dale, Goof Troop…JESUS! What a block! Sadly, the block couldn’t keep its focus on that Disney magic, and started trying to be “cool,” which ironically meant it was no longer as cool as it once was. Just further proof that coolness comes naturally from being the best version of yourself you can be.
3. The WB Network’s Kid’s WB!
Kid’s WB is one of the BIG Programming Blocks of the late 90’s that helped usher in the Anime Boom, thanks to a little show called Pokemon. In spite of that, however, the block was never short of fantastic comedy, adventure, and action shows to satisfy as large a crowd as possible. Superman The Animated Series, Jackie Chan Adventures, Batman Beyond; for a long time, Kid’s WB was THE block to catch the BEST DC animated shows, which for a long time were THE BEST superhero cartoon shows. The block also had its fair share of anime, like the aforementioned Pokemon, Yugioh, Cardcaptors (though this is one of those dubs best left unwatched in favor of the subtitled original show) and MegaMan NT Warrior. It was a block with a little something for everyone!
2. Fox’ Fox Kids
The ONE programming block that I can say died way before its time. During the nineties, this block was KING of Saturday mornings! X-Men, Batman The Animated Series, Eek the Cat…and then POWER RANGERS! Then came the VR Troopers, Big Bad Beetleborgs, and then DIGIMON! Holy shit, my butt was glued to this programming block, from start to finish! Every afternoon, I’d watch Fox Kids. Every Saturday morning, Fox Kids. The…second best!
But before we get to the KING, we gotta see some honorable mentions…
Cartoon Network’s Boomerang: It kept a LOT of classic cartoons alive during the early 90’s, and introduced younger kids to the wonderful library of classic Hannah Barbera cartoons. Basically, it was the shortened version of OG Cartoon Network.
Cartoon Network’s Super Chunk: a three hour marathon of whatever cartoon was announced; basically the best way to spend a Saturday afternoon if you were bored to tears and couldn’t go out.
Nickelodeon’s Nickel-O-Zone: when Nickelodeon first expanded their programming up to 9 PM, the 8–8:30 PM slot was filled by this block, which was aimed at pre-teens and teenagers. It had some good shows, like Journey of Allen Strange.
Fox’ FoxBox: The successor to Fox Kids which completely failed to live up to the latter’s legacy, but during its early years managed to forge its own identity. For a while, with the new Ninja Turtles show and Ultimate Muscle, there was hope that the block would come into its own. Sadly, whatever legacy could be salvaged for the block was forever destroyed by the One Piece dub by 4Kids.
The King of Programming Blocks: Cartoon Network’s Toonami
You. Are not. Surprised. Admit it.
Honestly? Nothing needs to be said here. You KNOW why THIS is Number One. Always has been, always will be.
