Blues Clues | Photo: Everett Collection / Entertainment Weekly
Cover Blues Clues | Photo: Everett Collection / Entertainment Weekly

Blues Clues, Barney & Friends, and more. . . pre-internet days were definitely filled with their own breed of must-watch shows

Growing up before the internet meant everyone was watching TV! For those who grew up in the '90s and early 2000s, these live-action shows became a huge part of their afternoon. Here are some of the most memorable ones we miss to this day. 

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1. Blue's Clues

A true Blue's Clues fan knows that this delightful show had three generations within its entire universe: Blue's Clues as hosted by Steve, who was replaced by Joe, and then again by Josh (who also happens to be Filipino-American!). 

Steve, who hosted the show between 1996 and 2002, is arguably who millennials remember the most among all of Blue's friends. His recent message to his fans—in which he says he "never forgot" them—struck a chord in many hearts and brought a lot of people down to memory lane. Thinking back to all our childhood adventures with Steve—gathering clues, sharing stories with Mrs Salt and Mr Pepper, not to mention playing along with Blue's friend, Magenta—was a sweet moment we'll never forget. 

2. Art Attack

Art Attack was an arguably whacky TV show that married creativity with quirky crafts. Neil Buchanan was the man who headlined the show, introducing us to The Head, a talkative bust who often made jokes we all chuckled at. 

But of course, the true charm of Art Attack lies in the craft itself. Buchanan would often demonstrate how he to make paper crafts, drawings, paintings, and other fun projects. Towards the end of the show would be the Big Art, in which Buchanan would use various objects—clothes, straw, paper, or whatever it may be—to recreate a giant picture on the ground, viewed from an aerial perspective. 

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3. Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide

Growing up is hard, and we all needed a little advice now and then. Fortunately, we had Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide by our side. The show, based primarily within the walls of James K. Polk Middle School, focused on the entertaining yet relatable troubles of friends Ned, Cookie, and Moze. From homework to friendship trouble, romance problems, and even worries about growing up, Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide was a funny yet informative TV show we couldn't have lived without. 

4. Barney & Friends

Arguably the most famous dinosaur in pop culture, Barney & Friends has impressed upon a generation of children from 1992 up to 2010. It was primarily an educational TV show but was incredibly entertaining due to the many songs that were incorporated into the show. The closing sequence also always ended with the heartwarming words of, "And remember, I love you." 

Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, Debby Ryan, and Madison Pettis are all Barney & Friends alumnae who have graduated to become successful actresses on other shows and movies. 

5. Bear in the Big Blue House

Bear in the Big Blue House was a fun TV show that ran for almost ten years from 1997 to 2006. It revolved around the adventures of animals named Bear, Ojo, Tutter, Treelo, Pip, Pop, and narrator Shadow. All of them usually solve problems by sharing, cooperating, and utilising important social skills which the show worked to impart to its viewers. 

The show always revolved around a single theme that unfolds into a lesson towards the end. There are songs and jokes thrown in throughout the episode; and when nighttime comes, Bear comes out to sing a goodbye song with the moon named Luna. 

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6. Bananas In Pyjamas

Before it was remade into an animated show, Bananas in Pyjamas found huge success as a live-action show that featured mascots. Of course, the main characters were bananas B1 and B2, but we can never forget the other memorable characters that included the three teddy bears, Amy, Lulu, and Morgan, as well as Rat in a Hat. 

7. Clarissa Explains It All

Before Sabrina The Teenage Witch and before Melissa and Joey, Melissa Joan Hart found popularity through her show, Clarissa Explains It All. In it, Hart stars as the titular Clarissa, who lives with her father, mother, and younger brother Ferguson. In it, Clarissa dealt with typical problems growing up. This show was also credited as the first Nickelodeon show to feature a female lead, paving the way for The Amanda Show and The Secret World of Alex Mack. 

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