Dear Pennies & Pens,
If you follow me on Instagram, you know I’m always posting photos of iconic 80s and 90s music album covers. Today, I wanted to share with you Pen’s Flicks: Classic TV Shows from the 80s and 90s.
Each of these shows reminds me of a happier time, not only of my childhood but when quality programming was in. Before ratchet reality TV took over and brainwashed everyone. With no further adieu, check out the list below.
1. Sister, Sister – As I write this, I’m singing the theme song from Sister, Sister. This show was amazing on SO many levels. It was funny, interesting, and forever entertaining. Starring Tia and Tamera Mowry, Jackee` Harry, Tim Reid, and Marques Houston, this show was about two identical twins who were adopted at birth and discover each other at 14.
The show remained on the air for six years and pretty much every episode is a classic. I love this show because you don’t find many TV shows that show young African-American women in a positive light. So even though this show is long gone, I still think it’s important for people to watch.
2. Moesha – Everybody say, Moesha! This show starred Brandy Norwood as the title character, Moesha. The show was about a teenage girl, her family, and friends. In the first season, Moesha is adjusting to her father remarrying and navigating the world of dating. Moesha is absolutely hilarious to this day!
My favorite characters were Moesha, Hakeem, Kim, Niecey, and Myles. They were all so funny in their own way. I love Moesha because she was conscious of the world around her, intelligent, and interesting. Check out the pilot episode below.
3. Jem and the Holograms – This show is the reason I plan to dye my hair purple. There was a character on the show by the name of Shanna and her fabulous natural purple hair gives me LIFE to this day.
Jem and the Holograms was about Jerrica Benton whose father passes and leaves her his record company and foster home for girls.After Jerrica’s nemesis Eric Raymond tries to take over the record company, Jerrica uses her father’s invention Synergy (a computer that can create holograms) to become Jem.
She then forms a band called Jem and the Holograms with her sister and friends. Throughout the show, Jem and the Holograms battle The Misfits and Eric Raymond. Looking back this show is super intense and The Misfits should be put in jail for all the shit they tried to do to Jem and the Holograms. However, it’s a great show with amazing 80s fashion and some sick songs. Buy the show here: Jem Holograms Outrageous Complete Series
4. Fresh Prince – With all the rumors about Will Smith and his family, everyone seems to have forgotten where he came from. So let me remind you. Fresh Prince was an awesome TV show about a young man who comes to live with his aunt’s family in Bel-Air. This show is classic for so many reasons. The comedy, the plot lines, the fashion, the music. It’s pretty much everything.
I can still rap every word of the theme song. This show starred Will Smith, James Avery, Janet Hubert, Alfonso Riberio, Kayrn Parsons, Tatiyana Ali, Joesph Marcell, and DJ Jazzy Jeff. Check it out below.
5. The Cosby Show – You can’t talk about quality, family oriented TV and not mention the Cosby Show. This show starred Bill Cosby, Phylicia Rashad, Sabrina Le Beauf, Lisa Bonet, Malcolm Jamal-Warner, Tempest Bledsoe, and Keisha Knight Pulliam. The show is about an upper middle class African-American family that lives in Brooklyn, NY.
The Cosby Show was hilarious! The plot line was pretty simple, it chronicled the family and their ups & downs. What made it magical is that it was so relatable and real. Watch my favorite episode below.
6. Full House – Full House is another family centric show. The show is about Danny Tanner raising his three daughters with the help of his brother in law and best friend. The show starred Bob Saget, John Stamos, Dave Coulier, Candace Cameron, Jodie Sweetin, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Lori Loughlin, and Andrea Barber.
This show was definitely heavy on the wholesome and light on the drama. The most dramatic episode is when Michelle falls off a horse and loses her memory. Other than that, the show was just plain old family fun. It’s still dope to me, check out an episode below.
