The 90s and Today: Top Ten 90s Television Stars of 2008
The 1990s were a glorious time filled with baggy jeans, fanny packs, and countless celebrities who still hadn’t realized the mullet was out of fashion. The 90s also gave rise to a number of television series that many of us still hold near and dear to our hearts.
While most of the stars from those series have faded out over the years, a select class of them have actually returned to the spotlight – or at least within a reasonable distance of it.I doubt any of these celebrities will be up for dramatic leading performance Oscars any time soon, but I think they’re all technically still considered “celebrities,” and that’s an accomplishment in itself.
10. John Stamos
The 90s Glory
In the 90s, Stamos was everybody’s favorite uncle on the hit ABC sitcom, Full House.He co-starred as the motorcycle riding Jesse Katsopolis, who moved in with his brotherin-law to help raise three young daughters and elevate the household level of “coolness” by approximately a billion. For eight seasons, audiences watched as Uncle Jesse married, became a father, and obsessed like a teenage starlet over his hair. But at the end of the day, he was always there for his three nieces, stirring feelings of envy in little girls (and even macho guys like myself) everywhere. I still have posters of his band “Jesse and The Rippers” on my childhood bedroom walls. The Rippers probably peaked while covering the Beach Boys tune, Forever. Grab a box of tissues and check out the music video
below.
A 2008 Revival
After a few failed attempts at a television return, Stamos found luck with the role of Dr. Tony Gates in the NBC drama ER. This year, he stars in the show’s highly publicized final season. Additionally, he starred in two made-for-TV movies over the years, but I’m not sure how many people actually saw them.
Future Plans
After a full career on stage and screen, Stamos will be awarded one of Hollywood’s highest honors in 2009 - a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Maybe he’ll be able to leverage the star to win back former wife and supermodel Rebeca Romjin. Lord knows
they don’t get much hotter than her. Even for the headliner of Jesse and the Rippers.
9. Kelly Rutherford
The 90s Glory
In the 90s, Rutherford got her big break playing Megan Lewis on the hugely popular primetime soap,Melrose Place. The show focused on the young residents of a Los Angeles apartment complex, all too ridiculously sexy for their own good. In the show’s fifth season, Megan is introduced as the love interest of Dr. Michael Mancini. Through a convoluted turn of events, it’s later revealed that she’s a hooker who was paid by Michael’s (other) wife, Kimberly, who’s dying, to seduce him. Yeah, I don’t get it either.
Check out this clip of the sizzling hot title credits from season five. It’s kinda like I imagine the SNL credits would look like after a Viagra overdose.
A 2008 Revival
Kelly returned to TV as the MILFy Lilly van der Woodsen in the smash hit, teen drama, Gossip Girl. Lilly plays a New York socialite who’s trying to manage her own love life while caring for her two teenage children. She’s probably not going to win a mother of
the year award, but hey, she is attractive. What do you want from her? The kids can pack their own lunches.
Future Plans
In October of this year it was announced that a Melrose Place sequel might be in the works. Kelly has said there is a possibility that she would reprise her role. At the very least, expect more of Kelly in her current role as New York’s most unrealistically
attractive mom.
8. Jenny McCarthy
The 90s Glory
During the mid-90s, McCarthy was MTV’s golden girl on the dating game show Singled Out. Her bubbly personality, total lack of shame, and barely-there shirts made her a huge hit with teen audiences.
A 2008 Revival
In addition to her public romance with fellow goofball Jim Carrey and a comic turn in the film Witness Protection, McCarthy made news in 2008 for her role in the fight against autism. After her son was diagnosed with the disease in 2005, McCarthy became an outspoken advocate for broader public awareness. In addition to becoming the spokesperson for the non-profit Talk About Curing Autism, she has published several books on the topic including, Mother Warriors: A Nation of Parents Healing Autism Against All Odds.
Future Plans
Jenny’s 6th book, Healing and Preventing Autism, is slated to hit bookshelves by March of 2009. And on screen in 2009, she’ll be lending her voice to the film, Around the World in 50 Years. Issues of philanthropy and “morality” aside for a moment, I sure do miss those Jenny McCarthy barely-there shirts.
7. Joshua Jackson
The 90s Glory
After first gaining attention for his role in the Mighty Duck series, Jackson became a teen heartthrob as the oh-so-rebellious-won’t-sleep-with-his-best-friend Pacey Witter in the hit teen drama, Dawson’s Creek. Through six emotional seasons, Pacey struggled to find his way through school, jobs and into Katie Holmes’ pants. While Dawson may have been the show’s title character, my female friends say it was Pacey who really made all the girls swoon. I mean, the guy did have an affair with his teacher in the first season – in the very first episode.
A 2008 Revival
In addition to his high-profile relationship with model Diane Kruger, Jackson had a solid year in 2008 with his return to the small screen in Fox’s Fringe. Jackson plays Peter Bishop, the son of a research scientist who follows his father and an FBI agent as they investigate aspects of fringe science. In addition to his return to television, Jackson starred on the big screen in the terribly constructed but profitable horror film, Shutter.
Future Plans
As one of the most successful pilots of the year, Fringe will undoubtedly be back for future seasons. And look for Josh in the upcoming film, Fletch Won, about a journalist investigating the mysterious death of an interview subject. But don’t look for him to make up for lost time with Katie Holmes. That ship has sailed. What a mistake, Pacey. Foolish, foolish mistake.
6. Teri Hatcher
The 90s Glory
Teri Hatcher burst onto the television screen in 1993 as the sexy, feisty Lois Lane in ABC’s Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. The show focused, as the title suggests, on the evolving relationship of Lois Lane and fellow Daily Planet reporter Clark Kent - not to mention Clark’s alter-ego, Superman. I still can’t believe how well Clark’s glasses worked as a disguise. In-cred-ib-le.
A 2008 Revival
This year Hatcher reprised her role as the lovable klutz Susan Mayer on ABC’s mega-hit Desperate Housewives, a role for which she was received her 4th SAG nomination. She also appeared on American Idol’s Idol Gives Back to sing Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats” for charity. Yeah, I recorded that. Let me know if you want a copy.
Future Plans
With ratings still through the roof, we can expect to see Hatcher, and all of the housewives, messing with teenagers’ expectations of what their wives will look like at 45 for many seasons to come. Teri can also be heard as the voice of Coraline’s mother in the upcoming animated, stop-motion feature, Coraline. She plays opposite Dakota Fanning. IMDB it.
5. Matthew Fox
The 90s Glory
Matthew Fox won our hearts as Charlie Salinger in the 90s teen drama, Party of Five. Charlie was the charming elder brother of four siblings who become his responsibility after their parents died tragically in a car crash. He skillfully managed to run the family restaurant and care for his younger siblings through all of their many phases – including potty training.
A 2008 Revival
Fox returned to television in 2004 on the hit ABC drama, Lost, where he’s now making $225,000 per episode according to The Hollywood Reporter. He typically rocks the stubble beard, so hardly anyone recognizes him from his Party of Five days. This year, Fox made the leap to the big screen as a secret service agent in Vantage Point and as Racer X in Speed Racer. The latter film, ironically, was “lost” at the box office. (Sorry about that.)
Future Plans
In 2009, look for Fox to reprise his role as Jack Shephard on Lost and continue making a silly amount of money. Not to mention an awesome show.
4. Brooke Shields
The 90s Glory
Brooke Shields became the dream of men everywhere when she modeled for Calvin Klein jeans in the 1980s. She took her career to the next level in the 90s as the star of the NBC sitcom, Suddenly Susan. As the lead character, she wrote a magazine column about suddenly being single (I’m pretty sure that has something to do with the title) and won over audiences with her bumbling charm. Personally, she had already won me over with the Calvin Klein jeans.
If the 20 second opening of the sitcom doesn’t make you want to rush outside and hug someone, then you’re out of your mind.
A 2008 Revival
This year, Brooke made a television comeback in the NBC dramedy Lipstick Jungle. On her show, or so people tell me, Brooke stars as a film producer who weathers the ups and downs of life in the fast lane with her best gal pals. Truth be told, I watch the show with my girlfriend sometimes, and it’s not half bad.
Future Plans
Although rumors of Lipstick’s cancellation have been floating around, Brooke has been as outspoken advocate of the show, claiming it is not going down the drain just yet. And with eager fans mailing tubes of lipstick to NBC executives in protest of the rumored cancellation, it looks like NBC may give Brooke and gal pals another season to strut their stuff. Hopefully, she’ll be wearing some of those Calvin Kleins again – if it was good enough for Andre Agassi in the 90s, it’s good enough for me in 2009.
3. Mario Lopez
The 90s Glory
We’ll always remember Lopez for his role as the dimpled jock, AC Slater, in NBC’s hugely popular teen sitcom Saved by the Bell. When he wasn’t hanging out at The Max or getting into trouble with Zach, A.C. spent time with his ultra-feminist girlfriend, Jessie
Spano (played by Elizabeth Berkley), who he fondly referred to as “Mamma.” If I had a nickel for every Saved By The Bell re-run I’ve seen, then, well… I could at least buy the box set.
And oh, hey! Remember that time in high school in when you and your best friend got into a huge fist fight over a girl in the middle of the hallway? Oh, I guess I’m thinking of Slater and Zack. Never a dull moment with those two. (Wait until the end of the clip to watch Mr. Belding, clad with a toupee, breaking up the fight.)
A 2008 Revival
Soon after placing second on Dancing with the Stars in 2006, Mario’s career really began to rise again. In 2008, he hosted Extra and America’s Next Dance Crew, and was named the Hottest Bachelor of the Year by People magazine. Basically, Mario realized that flashing his dimples and taking off his shirt whenever possible would re-win him fame and fortune. So far, it’s working out. He also has a new book that he “wrote” called Mario Lopez’s Knockout Fitness. He is very dimpled and shirtless on the cover.
Future Plans
In 2009, look for Mario to reprise his guest starring role as Dr. Mike Hamoui on FX’s Nip/Tuck. He’ll also be spending some time at the gym.
2. Christina Applegate
The 90s Glory
Christina was the ultimate dumb blonde (and mega babe) in the hit sitcom, Married with Children. In Married, she played Kelly Bundy, the oldest child of the dysfunctional Bundy family, known for her promiscuous behavior and lack of intelligence. Pretty much any parents’ dream come true.
A 2008 Revival
This year, Christina won rave reviews (and some Golden Globe and Emmy noms) for playing Samantha Newly, an amnesia victim in the ABC hit, Samantha Who?. In the sitcom, Samantha discovers that her old self was not exactly kind or lovable and vows to become a better person the second time around.
Future Plans
In addition to future seasons on Samantha, Christina will appear in 2009’s film dramedy, Everything is Going to be Just Fine, a story of a man who’s forced to soul search after his best friend passes away. The film co-stars Jennifer Coolidge (aka Stiffler’s Mom from American Pie), so you know it’s going to be a gem.
1. Seth Rogen
The 90s Glory
Towards the end of the 90s, Rogan landed his first acting gig as the surly “freak” in the short-lived (but huge cult favorite) NBC comedy, Freaks and Geeks. Rogan played the supporting role of Ken Miller as a member of a high school group of “freaks” who chose
not to blend in with their peers. His plot lines included a romantic relationship with a hermaphrodite band geek and many, many, stoner moments. Little did we know it was a preview of great things to come. Check out this clip of a young Seth Rogan in awkward
love.
A 2008 Revival
In 2008, Seth co-starred, wrote and produced the blockbuster stoner comedy, Pineapple Express. He followed that up with a title role in Kevin Smith’s Zack and Miri Make A Porno. In addition, Seth wrote or acted in five other films this year making him eligible for the title, “Hardest Working Former TV Actor in Hollywood.”
Future Plans
In 2009, Seth will most likely be characteristically awesome all year long. He has four films coming out, including the new Judd Apatow comedy Funny People, which credits him as both a star and executive producer.
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Photo Credit: Wenn.com
