While Friends and Seinfeld are widely considered the greatest sitcoms from the 1990s, Mad About Youis more impressive. All seven seasons explore the love story between Paul (Paul Reiser) and Jamie (Helen Hunt) as they live, work, and experience problems in New York City.
After the series finale aired in 1999, Mad About You was mostly forgotten, with other NYC-set sitcoms getting more attention. And although Mad About You got a revival in 2019, it was short-lived.
Still, those newer episodes prove that these kind-hearted and funny characters were worth revisiting. It may not be as beloved as other shows from the same decade about friendships and dating, but Mad About You deserves much more love than it gets.
Why Mad About You Is Better Than Friends And Seinfeld
Mad About You is the best 1990s sitcombecause it has a more compelling and realistic main relationship than Friends or Seinfeld. Although we’ll never forget Ross Geller (David Schwimmer) and Rachel Green’s (Jennifer Aniston) romance, it became frustrating to keep hearing about their “break.“
While Chandler Bing (Matthew Perry) and Monica Geller (Courteney Cox) are charming together, they’re the most interesting to watch when they keep their feelings hidden from their friend group. And, although Jerry Seinfeld has many girlfriends on Seinfeldand the main characters all have busy dating lives, no romantic plotline feels all that meaningful.
Paul and Jamie’s Mad About You love story is realistic and refreshing as they encourage each other to be themselves. Paul is a quirky documentary filmmaker who doesn’t want a regular job, and Jamie’s ambitions take her further in the PR world. It’s moving to see them support each other’s dreams.
Friends is so appealing and so easy to rewatch, because of the close bond between the main characters. And Seinfeld will always be beloved for its wise dialogue and humorous episodes about everyday situations, like going out to dinner or parking. But Mad About You delivers a more meaningful exploration of the ups and downs of a long-term relationship.
Rather than relying on the sitcom cliche of an old married couple who poke fun at each other and reinforce unfair gender stereotypes, the humor of Mad About You comes from them facing the world together. In season 1, “I’m Just So Happy for You,” Paul gets bad career news, whereas Jamie celebrates a work achievement.
Then, in the season 3 premiere, they go on a fruitless road trip to find a restaurant that makes amazing clams that they have fond memories of. In both of these episodes, the characters feel like an authentic couple who experience relatable frustrations.
It’s rare to see a sitcom explore the nature of envy so powerfully, and it’s also nice to see people trying to recapture a great restaurant experience, as we’ve all done that with our partners. Paul and Jamie make marriage look fun and rewarding.
Mad About You Remains An Underrated ‘90s Sitcom
Despite the clever, humorous dialogue and offbeat side characters like Paul and Jamie’s friend Mark Devanow (Richard Kind) and Jamie’s sister Lisa (Anne Ramsay), Mad About You doesn’t get the love that Friends does, and it’s not referenced as much as Seinfeld.
Since all three shows were on the air at the same time, it definitely got overshadowed, and in the decades since, the other sitcoms have had a stronger cultural impact. But Mad About You had a lot of talent behind it, as comedian and actor Paul Reiser co-created it and also co-wrote some episodes.
Like Jerry Seinfeld, Reiser has a compelling and singular point of view, and the show has more than a few funny and impactful storylines that more people should see.
One of the best? When Paul and Jamie try to befriend their neighbors, a smart British couple who don’t want anything to do with them. Who hasn’t hoped they could become pals with people in their apartment building or on their street, only to realize they have nothing in common?
Where To Watch Mad About You
You can stream all seven seasons of Mad About You on Hulu, and also on the Roku Channel, which is free with advertisements. Hulu has plenty of sitcoms to binge-watch, but this one is special. You’ll feel all of Paul and Jamie’s emotions as they struggle to get along with their stressful families and become parents to their daughter Mabel.
Although season 7 isn’t quite as hilarious as earlier episodes, Mad About You is a satisfying story about two creative, funny, and smart people who are committed to being together and supporting one another, no matter what.
