The 1990s were a golden age of programming for Nickelodeon. Thanks to a stellar lineup of shows appealing to kids, tweens, teens, and even adults, Nick always had something fun to watch. In the era of reboots, it’s time to take another look at these five classic ’90s shows and bring them back for a new generation to enjoy.
Original run: 1994 – 1998; 78 episodes
What it is: Alex Mack was a normal teenage girl until a freak accident left her doused by a mysterious chemical. She soon develops powers like telekinesis and the ability to turn herself into a puddle. With the help of her best friend and genius older sister, Alex has to navigate junior high, keep her newfound powers secret, and find out more about the mysterious chemical plant responsible.
Why it needs a reboot: From 1994 to 1998, Alex Mack was one of the coolest characters on television — at least, if you were a teen girl. Who wouldn’t want superpowers like being able to shoot lightning out of their fingers and move objects with their mind? The Secret World of Alex Mack‘s premise stands the test of time, but with a current-day update, audiences could find out how modern technology affects Alex’s secret. Did videos of the original accident make their way to YouTube? Do she and Ray hack the Paradise Valley Chemical Plant website to find out what they’re up to? The options are plentiful.
Original run: 1994 – 1997; 52 episodes
What it is: Three young monsters go to monster school in a literal trash dump and learn how to scare humans.
Why it needs a reboot: When Nickelodeon billed the three main characters of this animated show as “real monsters,” the network wasn’t kidding. This show wasn’t afraid to make its characters ugly, from disproportionate features to body hair. The humor was often crude, following Ickis, Oblina, and Krumm from their city dump home to the streets of New York City. The Big Apple has changed a lot since 1997, and it’s time to see how the trio updates its scare tactics accordingly. Maybe Krumm sneaks into a Broadway performance of Hamilton and starts waving his eyeballs around. Oblina could pretend to be the new mascot for the Times Square Sephora. And as for Ickis, he’s probably off drinking craft beers with the hipsters in Astoria.
Original run: 1992 – 1995; 160 episodes
What it is: GUTS went through several variations, but at its core it was an athletic competition in which three kids participated in various events, culminating in a grueling climb of the intimidating mountain known as the Aggro Crag. The winner got to take home the greatest prize in Nickelodeon game show history: a glowing piece of the Crag.
Why it needs a reboot: Physical competition shows never go out of style. Despite being a kids’ show, GUTS was incredibly intense, with challengers training for months beforehand. Host Mike O’Malley and commentator Moira Quirk took their jobs very seriously, and the result was a fine-tuned athletic competition in the vein of Ninja Warriors. Another cool thing about GUTS is that it brought together kids from around the world, exposing the competitors and audience to different cultures and languages, something that’s sorely needed right about now. One request: don’t change the theme song.
Original run: 1991 – 1994; 65 episodes
What it is: High schooler Clarissa deals with typical teenage issues like dating, getting a driver’s license, and dealing with an annoying little brother while addressing the audience directly. She also designs video games from her clunky PC, like all ’90s girls did.
Why it needs a reboot: Clarissa was and still is a positive role model for tween and teen girls. She’s absolutely unapologetic about her personal style, embracing her true self without worrying about what others think of her. She also made real (and sometimes uncomfortable) issues relatable, letting the audience know they weren’t alone in those awkward puberty years. A modern-day Clarissa could help young girls navigate 21st-century struggles like social media and cyber-bullying, most likely while running an indie game studio out of her bedroom.
Original run: 1992; 84 episodes
What it is: Though it looks positively prehistoric now, Nick Arcade was ahead of its time when it aired on Nickelodeon throughout 1992. The game show tested contestants’ trivia knowledge and gaming skills, with the winning team going on to play a live-action video game for the ultimate prizes.
Why it needs a reboot: In 1992, Nintendo and Sega were locked in an epic console war to determine whether the SNES or Genesis would emerge victorious. Video games have come a long way since then, and it’s high time this competition came back to take advantage of the modern gaming ecosystem. With today’s VR and AR technology, The Video Zone could be a fully immersive experience with original games designed just for the show. Also, there’s no other show on the air focusing specifically on video game trivia, and that’s just a shame.
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