Before streaming, the whole country waited for the next episode of its favorite drama. This One Gotta Go card puts four 90s hits together: ER, Beverly Hills 90210, Melrose Place and NYPD Blue. Each one had people talking at work or school the next morning.
Three shows stay in the TV hall of fame, and one is wiped from the schedule. Think about the dramas your family watched together, the cast you had posters of and the show you only know by reputation. Then make your pick and share which character you would still watch today.
ER vs Beverly Hills 90210 vs Melrose Place vs NYPD Blue
A. ER
ER put viewers inside a busy Chicago emergency room and helped make George Clooney a star. It was fast, intense and emotional. Some viewers found the medical scenes too much, which makes ER a fair choice to cut if you prefer lighter drama.
Keep it if: You loved the fast pace, the emotional cases and the ensemble cast that felt like a real hospital.
B. Beverly Hills 90210
Beverly Hills 90210 followed rich teenagers in Southern California through school, relationships and big life drama. It defined teen TV in the 90s. It can feel dated now, which makes it a candidate for the cut if you watch it again.
Keep it if: You remember the Peach Pit, the love triangles and the episodes everyone talked about at school.
C. Melrose Place
Melrose Place was a spinoff of 90210 that turned into a wild nighttime soap about neighbors in a Los Angeles apartment complex. It was gloriously over the top. Some viewers found the twists too much, which makes it an easy cut for them.
Keep it if: You loved the outrageous twists and could not wait to see what scheme happened next.
D. NYPD Blue
NYPD Blue was a gritty police drama known for its realism and strong performances, especially from Dennis Franz. It pushed the limits of network TV at the time. It is also the darkest of the four, which makes it the easiest cut for some.
Keep it if: You loved serious, realistic police stories and think it changed what network dramas could show.
Our take
We would cut Melrose Place. It was a lot of fun, but its best moments came from twists rather than lasting stories, while ER, 90210 and NYPD Blue each shaped their genre for years after. The most fun debate usually comes from ER fans against 90210 fans, since it is hospital intensity against teen drama. Ask everyone which show they would binge first if all four landed on streaming tomorrow. A theme song sing-along makes a great warm-up before the vote.
How to play this card with friends
- Read the four choices out loud.
- Everyone picks the one they'd eliminate at the same time.
- Explain your pick. This is where the fun starts.
- Use the follow-up questions below to keep it going.
Follow-up questions to keep the debate going
- Which 90s drama would be a hit if it premiered today?
- Who was the best TV character of the 90s?
- Should 90s dramas be rebooted or left alone?
- What 90s TV drama would you add to this card?
Want more debates like this? Get the One Gotta Go card game for game night, family dinners and road trips. Shop the decks.
90s TV Dramas: quick answers
Was Melrose Place a spinoff of 90210?
Yes. Melrose Place began as a spinoff of Beverly Hills 90210 in 1992, with the character Jake Hanson appearing in both shows. Both were produced by Aaron Spelling. Melrose Place soon became known for its dramatic twists and became a hit of its own. Fans still visit the filming locations.
Who starred in ER?
ER featured a large ensemble cast, including George Clooney, Anthony Edwards, Julianna Margulies, Noah Wyle and Eriq La Salle. The show premiered in 1994 and ran for fifteen seasons, becoming one of the longest running medical dramas on TV.
