Teenhood Through the Lens of Y2k Television
Thumbnail graphic by Vanessa Vergara
If you’re anything like me, you’ve been sucked into the 1990’s and Y2K nostalgia over the past year. I mean, going back to a time before cell phones, COVID-19 and constant paranoia is every girl's dream. Don’t get me wrong, I love being able to Google anything that comes to mind and TikTok is extremely funny, but reverting back to a time where we weren’t so wrapped up in other peoples’ lives seems almost rebellious.
To get your own fix of 90’s and Y2K wistfulness, I’ve compiled a list of 5 television shows that truly hit different, especially in today’s circumstances. Personally, I love shows that capture the teenagers point of view and maybe that’s because they’re dealing with a bunch of changes, too. Although some of our problems aren’t the same (especially when it comes to their love life!), it’s nice to be able to find that common ground with a fictional character because there really aren’t any repercussions. I mean, they can’t tell anyone my secrets even though I know all of theirs.
The fashion, the characters, the theme songs, the lack of smartphones, it all brings me such joy and I hope you feel it too.
My So-Called Life (1994-1995)
My So-Called Life was extremely short-lived, but there was enough teen angst in it’s one season to make up for it. In the first episode, Angela (Claire Danes) dyes her hair red because her best friend tells her that her hair is holding her back. I feel like dying hair is the epitome of teenage girl angst (re: my Kool-Aid dyed hair freshman year of high school). My So-Called Life put a teenage girl front and center as the main character and narrator, which in turn gave teenagers a voice in the media.
My So-Called Life shows how universal the teenage experience is, in the past and the present. Though technology may change and there are different challenges today, every teen goes through massive changes that seem unbeatable. Angela Chase let us see those changes close up and through the mind of someone who was candid and real. Let us give our thanks to the pureness of My So-Called Life and stream it on Hulu.
Moesha (1996-2001)
What happened to the black-teen girl lead in TV shows? Once the late 2000’s hit, it seemed like young black girls were forced into the role of “white characters best friend” (See: many, many Disney examples). If you want to see a black cast and a black teen girl living through the 90’s and early aughts, then Moesha is your gal.
Moesha is even more iconic because it featured clothing from young black fashion designers. One thing this show is not lacking is the amazing styles from the 90’s: overalls, baby tees, scrunchies, shirts under dresses AND oversized everything. Moesha captured perfectly the colorful individuality of fashion during the 90’s and we can thank her for reminding us of these styles today. Currently, Moesha is streaming on Netflix.
Dawson’s Creek (1998-2003)
Upper-middle class teens fall in and out of love while living near the beach and wearing the cutest clothes. That’s basically the plot of my beloved Dawson’s Creek, but genuinely, the chemistry between these actors and the mere fact that Pacey Witter (Joshua Jackson) exists should get you to watch this show. Plus, Joey (Katie Holmes) wears clothes from dELiA*s!
If I’m being honest, I don’t think there is a better drama centered around teens than Dawson’s Creek. It fills me with such a jealousy for Joey Potter that only watching more Dawson’s Creek makes me feel better. If you want to forget about your own problems for a while and fall hopelessly in love with Pacey Witter (He remembers EVERYTHING!), then hop on Netflix and get ready to paddle up the creek.
Lizzie McGuire (2001-2003)
One of my first TV crushes was David “Gordo” Gordon and not being able to see more of him and Lizzie dating after their monumental kiss in The Lizzie McGuire Movie still makes my heart ache. Lizzie McGuire is chock full of beautiful and crazy 00’s clothes and hairstyles. One time, Miranda had her hair feathered in the back with clip-in blue streaks and a blue headband to top it all off. Do NOT tell me that that isn’t peak hairstyling.
Even though Lizzie McGuire was as intense as other teen-centered shows, it still did a great job of covering the ins and outs of teenhood and girlhood (especially in “Between a Rock and a Bra Place,” who could forget that episode?). Sure, Lizzie had to remain age-appropriate because it was on Disney Channel, but I don’t think its network limited the impact that it had on so many young girls who watched it. Lizzie McGuire in all her Y2K glory is streaming on Disney+.
The OC (2003-2007)
The OC is a complete Y2K fantasy. Okay, yes there are cell phones, but at least with flip phones we couldn’t stalk our friends’ Instagrams and watch them hang out without us! The OC is a little darker than our friends who live on the creek, but it still served us with some great Y2K looks, music and nerd culture (ahem, Seth Cohen). Maybe The OC isn’t as relatable as other teen dramas. I mean, we aren’t all going to cotillion or getting ready for the next function at the country club, but it still gave teenhood a voice and it portrayed teens in a real way.
Our Orange County gang only lasted four seasons, but sometimes the shorter the show is, the more impactful it becomes later on. From its popularization of indie music to extremely funny dialogue, The OC gives me the nostalgic feelings that I long for. The OC is streaming on HBO Max and by the third episode, I know you’ll be singing along with the theme song too (it’s like five words on repeat, it’s not hard).
I truly think that watching 90’s and 00’s teen TV is a love language for me. I feel such a fondness towards these TV shows and I hate to sound like one of those people, but they really don’t make shows like these anymore! There’s something about the grainy quality of it all that makes me feel like I’m at home. If you need me, I’ll be in the overalls eating some 3-D Doritos reminiscing about a time that I didn’t even live through. Oh, and I’ll be crying over Pacey Witter.
You can find Jamie and her work at Sunstroke and Unpublished magazines.
