Worth a Second Look: 10 Underrated TV Shows from the 90's

1. "The Secret World of Alex Mack" (1994-1998)

"The Secret World of Alex Mack" is a show about a teenage girl who gains superpowers after a truck accident. The show's protagonist, played by Larisa Oleynik of "10 Things I Hate About You" fame, turned into a silver puddle and read minds, amongst other things.

Despite a fascinating premise, this Nickelodeon gem was eclipsed by more popular shows like "Rugrats" and "Hey Arnold!". Jessica Alba made one of her earliest screen appearances in this series, adding a hint of future superstar glamor to this forgotten nugget of '90s nostalgia.

2. "Space: Above and Beyond" (1995-1996)

An almost criminally underrated sci-fi series, "Space: Above and Beyond" was a show about a squadron of Marine Corps space aviators fighting a war against extraterrestrial invaders.

Despite having a compelling plot, memorable characters, and gritty combat sequences, the show was canceled after just one season. But in its short run, it managed to cultivate a dedicated fanbase.

The series, sadly, came a bit too early, predating shows like "Battlestar Galactica" that tapped into a similar aesthetic way more successfully.

3. "American Gothic" (1995-1996)

Set in the fictional town of Trinity, South Carolina, "American Gothic" was a horror series that combined the eerie charm of "Twin Peaks " with the melodrama of a Stephen King novel. Gary Cole's performance as the sinister Sheriff Lucas Buck was truly a sight to behold (still is, if I'm being honest).

Despite critical acclaim, the series struggled with low ratings and was prematurely canceled. However, it remains a prime example of '90s horror television and still holds a respectable 80% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

4. "Early Edition" (1996-2000)

Before Kyle Chandler played the high school football coach we all loved in "Friday Night Lights," he was saving Chicago one day at a time in this underrated series. Imagine having tomorrow's newspaper today.

This is the simple but intriguing premise of "Early Edition," starring Kyle Chandler as Gary Hobson, a man who mysteriously receives the next day's newspaper and tries to prevent the tragedies reported in it. Although it garnered a dedicated fanbase, "Early Edition" never quite received the mainstream attention it deserved.

5. "The Pretender" (1996-2000)

"The Pretender" is a story about a genius named Jarod, who was abducted as a child by a mysterious organization called The Centre. Played by Michael T. Weiss, Jarod possesses the unique ability to flawlessly impersonate any profession, which he uses to help people while evading his captors.

Though it managed four seasons and two television movies, "The Pretender" never seemed to make it into the mainstream consciousness, which is a shame, really – because the show's unique premise and heart-pounding suspense made it a standout.

6. "Nowhere Man" (1995-1996)

Bruce Greenwood starred in this psychological thriller as Thomas Veil, a photojournalist who finds his life erased overnight. His wife doesn't recognize him, his friends claim not to know him, and he's drawn into a surreal world where nothing is as it seems.

The series had elements of "The Twilight Zone" and "The Fugitive," with its surreal plot turns and relentless pursuit. Despite its intriguing premise and Greenwood's compelling performance, the show was sadly canceled after just one season.

Like many others on our list, "Nowhere Man" was one of those '90s shows that were just a little ahead of their time.

7. "Eerie, Indiana" (1991-1992)

In the quiet midwestern town of Eerie, Marshall Teller and his buddy Simon Holmes, played by Omri Katz and Justin Shenkarow, encounter strange and often supernatural phenomena.

The show blended comedy, horror, and science fiction, tackling everything from a gang of Elvis Presley lookalikes to a pack of sentient dogs planning a canine revolution. Even though it only lasted one season, "Eerie, Indiana" cultivated a cult following, with a blend of wittiness and weirdness that served as a precursor to shows like "Stranger Things. "

8. "Profiler" (1996-2000)

"Profiler" starred Ally Walker as Dr. Samantha Waters, a forensic psychologist with the Violent Crimes Task Force in Atlanta, who has an uncanny ability to profile criminals. Despite being a precursor to the successful criminal profiling dramas we see today like "Criminal Minds, " it often gets overlooked.

The series stands out not only for its thrilling plot but also for the performance of Walker, whose character is haunted by the serial killer who murdered her husband. If you're a fan of criminal psychology and don't mind a little '90s tech, "Profiler" is a series you should definitely check out.

9. "Earth 2" (1994-1995)

"Earth 2" was a pioneering sci-fi show that followed a group of humans trying to colonize a planet 22 light-years away from a polluted and overpopulated Earth.

This ambitious series, with its incredible world-building and strong performances (notably by Debrah Farentino and Clancy Brown), was unfortunately canceled after its first season. "Earth 2" was one of the first primetime series to depict a lead character, Ulysses Adair (played by Joey Zimmerman), with a significant disability (the 'Syndrome' in the series).

10. "Dark Skies" (1996-1997)

"Dark Skies" was a show set in the 1960s that blended historical events with alien conspiracy theories. It centered around John Loengard and Kimberly Sayers, played by Eric Close and Megan Ward, who discover an alien invasion plot known as the "Dark Skies" project.

Its engaging storytelling and unique concept of rewriting history with a sci-fi twist made it a fascinating watch. Despite this, the series was another victim of premature cancellation, but it remains a worthwhile watch for sci-fi and history buffs alike.