Nostalgia Binge:
Why We're All Rewatching '90s and '00s TV

Hey there, fellow millennials and Gen Z-ers! Let's talk about our not-so-guilty pleasure: binge-watching shows that ended before some of us were even born. I mean, I entered this world the same year Rachel got off the plane – coincidence? I think not.

In a world where our phones buzz with news alerts that make us want to crawl under a rock, there's something incredibly comforting about escaping to a time when the biggest drama was whether Ross and Rachel were on a break. (They totally were, by the way. Fight me.)

But why are we all collectively diving headfirst into this pool of nostalgia? Is it just because we can't handle the stress of adulting, or is there something more to it?

Let's break it down, shall we?

The Comfort Food of TV Think about it: Friends, Gilmore Girls, One Tree Hill, Sex and the City, and the OG Gossip Girl are like the mac and cheese of television. They're familiar, they're comforting, and they don't require us to use our last two brain cells after a day of trying to figure out how to file taxes or why our houseplants keep dying.

These shows are a time capsule of a world that seemed simpler. No one was worried about crafting the perfect Instagram story or whether their TikTok dance was cringey. Carrie Bradshaw's biggest concern was whether she could afford another pair of Manolos, not whether her blue check on Twitter would suddenly disappear.

But here's the kicker: we're not just watching these shows. We're obsessing over them. We're buying Friends merchandise, debating Team Jess vs. Team Logan, and secretly wishing we could rock low-rise jeans like Serena van der Woodsen (spoiler: we can't, and that's okay).

The Gen X Magic Touch So, what makes these shows so addictive? Were the Gen X writers just better at this whole TV thing? Maybe. There's an argument to be made that they knew how to craft characters and storylines that were both aspirational and relatable. We wanted to be as cool as Rachel Green, as witty as Lorelai Gilmore, and as... well, rich as Blair Waldorf.

But it's not just about the writing. It's about the whole vibe. These shows captured a moment in time that feels both foreign and familiar. They're like a window into a world where problems could be solved in 22 minutes (or 45 if you were feeling fancy), and there was always a witty one-liner to lighten the mood.

Modern TV: Where's the Magic? Now, I'm not saying all modern TV sucks. There are some absolute gems out there. But let's be real: a lot of it feels like it's trying too hard. It's either so dark and gritty that you need therapy after watching, or so stuffed with CGI that you forget there are supposed to be actual human emotions involved.

Maybe it's because we're all so hyper-aware now. We dissect every plot point, analyze every character arc, and God forbid a show doesn't address every social issue perfectly. The pressure is real, and sometimes it feels like modern shows are buckling under it.

Or maybe we're just old and cranky. (Kidding! ...Sort of.)

The Nostalgia Trap Here's the thing, though: while it's fun to escape into these nostalgic worlds, we've got to be careful not to get stuck there. Yes, life seemed simpler when Monica and Rachel's biggest problem was a lost chick and duck, but we can't use these shows as a permanent escape hatch from reality.

The world is messy and complicated, and sometimes it feels like it's falling apart. But it's also full of incredible opportunities and experiences that our favorite '90s and '00s characters couldn't even imagine.

So, What's the Verdict? Look, I'm not here to tell you to stop your Friends marathon or to feel bad about knowing every word to "Where You Lead" (the Gilmore Girls theme song, for the uninitiated). These shows are part of our cultural DNA, and there's nothing wrong with finding comfort in them.

But maybe we can take the best parts of these shows – the friendships, the witty banter, the sense of community – and try to bring them into our real lives. Start a weekly coffee date with your friends (Central Perk attendance optional). Have movie nights with your mom (with or without excessive junk food). Take risks in your career (but maybe don't sleep with your boss – looking at you, Pacey Witter).

In the end, a little nostalgia can be a beautiful thing. It reminds us of who we were and helps shape who we want to be. Just remember: you're the star of your own show now. Make it a good one.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a date with my couch, a pint of ice cream, and a certain group of six friends in New York. The nostalgia ain't gonna binge itself, you know?