While summer equals flip flops, popsicles and tanning poolside, it also means our favorite TV shows are taking a break. Going crazy without Gossip Girl? Need a replacement for 90210? Check out these must-see teen TV shows that are no longer on air. Choose the ones that interest you and head to your local video store to rent all of the seasons!
#1 - Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990 – 2000)
If you can’t get enough of the current Beverly Hills remake 90210, you will adore the original. The show focuses on a similar story, following twins Brandon (Jason Priestley) and Brenda (Shannen Doherty) as they try to adapt to a new life at a posh California high school. Sound familiar? Along the way they meet Kelly (Jennie Garth), a popular blonde bombshell, Steve (Ian Ziering), the rich kid, and Dylan, Donna’s crush. Kelly, Brenda and a few other characters (including the owner of the Peach Pit) make an appearance on the new show. Learn more about them by watching the first series!
#2 - Dawson’s Creek (1998 – 2003)
This teen drama is set in small-town Massachusetts and follows main character Dawson Leery and his group of friends as they experience the trials and tribulations of high school. Dawson (James Van Der Beek) is a filmmaker who is in love with his best friend Joey (Katie Holmes), who he has known most of his life. When a new girl named Jen (Michelle Williams) arrives in town it throws a kink in Dawson and Joey’s relationship. The cast is rounded out with Pacey (Joshua Jackson), the class clown who is also in love with Joey.
#3 - Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997 – 2003)
Before there was Twilight there was Buffy, and boy did she kick butt! The show focuses on Buffy Summers (Sarah Michelle Gellar), a vampire slayer who fights supernatural evils like vampires, werewolves and zombies. After relocating to a new town she befriends Xander (Nicholas Brendon), who quickly falls for her, and Willow (Alyson Hannigan), who studies witchcraft and has magical powers. Buffy also meets and falls into a complicated relationship with Angel (David Boreanaz), a “good” vampire.
#4 - Saved by the Bell (1989 – 1993)
One of the first “teen shows” on TV, Saved by the Bell highlights what goes on between classes at school – namely the drama, friendships and relationships of the main characters. Troublemaker Zack (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) and best friend A.C. Slater (Mario Lopez) are joined by love interests and friends cheerleader Kelly (Tiffani Thiessen), environmentalist Jessie (Elizabeth Berkley) and fashionista Lisa (Lark Voorhies). You can’t forget aboutScreech(Dustin Diamond), the nerd who looks up to Zack.
#5 - Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (1996 – 2003)
Around the time that Harry Potter was first discovering his wand, Sabrina, the Teenage Witch was gaining momentum. The comedy (based on the comic book series of the same name) begins when Sabrina Spellman (Melissa Joan Hart) discovers that she has magical powers. Her two aunts Hilda and Zelda – with the help of their talking cat Salem – guide her through the process of earning her witch’s licence. Along the way she tries to hide her powers from best friend Libby (Jenna Leigh Green) and boyfriend Harvey (Nate Richert).
#6 - Boy Meets World (1993 – 2000)
Love prevails in Boy Meets World, which follows Cory Matthews (Ben Savage) and his childhood sweetheart Topanga (Daniell Fishel) as they progress from children to college graduates. Cory and Topanga are joined by Shawn (Rider Strong), Cory’s best friend who comes from the wrong side of the tracks, and Eric (Will Friedle), Cory’s older and sometimes wiser brother.
#7 - Felicity (1998 – 2002)
Good girl Felicity (Keri Russell) follows her unrequited love Ben (Scott Speedman) to New York for college. As the show progresses Felicity quickly becomes entangled in a love triangle with Ben and Noel (Scott Foley), her resident advisor.
#8 - Sweet Valley High (1994 – 1998)
Sweet Valley High is, like, totally cool. The show is based on the bestselling novel series and revolves around twins Elizabeth(Cynthia Daniel) and Jessica (Brittany Daniel). Elizabeth is the sensible twin who always knows what the right thing is while Jessica is the typical blonde Valley girl. Together they struggle with family, jobs, homework and, of course, boys.
#9 - Party of Five (1994 – 2000)
Family relationships are at the forefront of Party of Five, which revolves around the five members of the Salinger family after their parents are killed in a car crash. Charlie (Matthew Fox), Bailey (Scott Wolf), Julia (Neve Campbell), Claudia (Lacey Chabert) and baby Owen band together to get through the tragedy. Bailey goes through a long list of girlfriends, including Sarah (Jennifer Love Hewitt) who quickly becomes a close friend of the family for the entire series.
#10 - 7thHeaven (1996 – 2007)
The longest running family drama on TV, 7th Heaven has a large cast consisting of Eric and Annie Camden and their seven kids. Eric is a pastor at a community church, and many of the episodes focus on a specific theme such as racism, bullying and teen pregnancy. It also follows the seven kids, specifically the older ones Matt (Barry Watson), Mary (Jessica Biel) and Lucy (Beverley Mitchell), as they grow up and deal with friendships, relationships and school.
