The Nineties

The Nineties is a television documentary miniseries from CNN that aired in 2017. The seven-part series is a comprehensive and nostalgic exploration of the 1990s - the decade that witnessed the birth of the internet, a wave of technological innovation, new styles of music and fashion, political controversies, and significant global events.

The show brilliantly coalesces historic footage, insightful interviews, and expert commentary to tell the defining events, trends, and icons of the 1990s. Combining period archive clips with present-day interviews with pundits, journalists, and key figures from the era, The Nineties paints a vibrant and vivid picture of a critical paradigm-shifting decade.

The show is part of CNN’s decade-centric series that already includes The Sixties, The Seventies, and The Eighties. These series' have garnered plaudits for their objective, informative, and engaging content, and The Nineties furthers this legacy.

The series spans across various facets of the '90s, from pop culture and technology to politics and world events. It delves into the world of television, examining how the decade revolutionized the medium with shows like "The Simpsons," "Seinfeld," "Friends," and "The Sopranos". The Nineties explores the transformative entertainment developments of the age, reflecting upon the dramatic heights the industry reached during the decade.

In another episode, the series highlights the digital revolution that began in the ‘90s, charting the rise of the internet, personal computing and the behemoth of modern technology - Microsoft and its revolutionary Windows 95. It talks about the dot-com boom and subsequent bust, the birth of Amazon and Google, and the proliferation of cell phones, showing the massive impact these advancements have had on our lives.

The series also delves into the political realm. It provides a look into the changing political landscape, ranging from the operation in Mogadishu, known as Black Hawk Down to President Clinton’s two-term presidency marred by scandal, impeachment and public fascination. It presents an objective view of the political controversies of the era, illustrating both victories and losses with insightful analysis.

Opening up conversations about international issues, an entire episode is dedicated to world events that shaped the decade. The series documents the rise of international terrorism, the horrific genocide in Rwanda, the dissolution of Yugoslavia, the First Gulf War, and the subsequent conflicts in the Balkans. It offers captivating insights into the pressures and challenges faced globally during the '90s.

Music and culture formed the heartbeat of the '90s, and the show duly recognizes this vibrancy. From grunge to gangsta rap, boy bands to pop princesses, the ‘90s introduced a diverse array of musical genres and styles. The show dives into the importance and cultural significance of popular '90s artists such as Nirvana, Tupac Shakur, Notorious B.I.G., and the Spice Girls.

Critically acclaimed for its amazing storytelling and detailed analysis, The Nineties offers an all-encompassing overview of this transformative decade. The series manages to encapsulate the massive changes the world underwent during the '90s, providing the audience with a more profound understanding of how the events of this decade shaped the world we live in today.

With its mixture of nostalgia, education, and engagement, The Nineties doesn't just tell history, it lets its viewers relive it. This CNN docuseries is a must-watch for history buffs, pop culture aficionados, and anyone who lived through the tumultuous but momentous 1990s and wants to take a trip down memory lane. It indeed is a testimony to a decade marked by sweeping change, conflict, and innovation.