“That 90’s Show” makes its Netflix Debut

The Netflix spinoff of “That 70’s show”, “That 90’s Show”, debuted on January 19, 2023. “That 70’s Show” was a sitcom that was filmed in the 90’s and early 2000’s, to give a nostalgic look at the 70’s, and “That 90’s Show” does the same for the 90’s.

“That 90’s Show” takes us back to Point Place Wisconsin in the summer of 1995 where we get to meet Leia (Callie Haverda) who is the daughter of Donna Pinciotti (Laura Prepon) and Eric Forman (Topher Grace). All the original cast from “That 70’s Show” make an appearance in the show except Danny Masterson, who played Steven Hyde because of his current legal battles and rape charges.

We get to see Leia, whose character is a noticeably clear mix of Donna and Eric, enjoy an exciting adventure of fun with friends as her character develops from a shy socially awkward girl into a confident and friendly young woman.

After Bob moved down to Florida at the end of “That 70’s show”, a new family has moved into “the house next door.” Sherri Runck (Andrea Anders) and her kids Nate (Maxwel Acee Donovan) and Gwen (Ashley Aufderheide) joined the show and have officially become the dysfunctional family next door.

The show lets us see how Leia starts to break out of her shell when she meets the confident and friendly girl next door, just like her dad did in the 70’s. We see history repeat itself throughout the series, like Leia being interested in Jay Kelso (Mace Coronel), yes that Kelso, the son of Jackie (Mila Kunis) and Michael Kelso (Ashton Kutcher).

Leia gets introduced to Gwen’s friends and they exactly match up with the original cast in situation. Leia is like her father Eric, very socially awkward, but excited to explore herself and the world. Gwen is like Donna; she is the girl next door that tries to break her new friend out of her shell and is extremely loyal to the people she cares about.

Nate and Nikki (Sam Morelos) are the dysfunctional couple, Jackie, and Kelso, who are not the best influences on each other, but are slowly learning to grow together. This leaves Ozzie (Reyn Doi) and Jay Kelso. While Ozzie decently makes sharp comments like Steven Hyde, he is more of an outside group like Fez (Wilmer Valderrama.) Jay is not as smart as Hyde was, has the Kelso genes, but he is very connected within the group and is more social than Ozzie.

The group gets up to some exciting adventures over the summer and you can see the friends develop as a group and as separate people. The show incorporates the 90’s hair styles and even the introduction of computers.

Fez is still searching for love and becomes interested in the Foreman’s neighbor Sherri. Fez was one of the more surprising characters, as he is successful in the business world, but he is still the same Fez and struggles with his love life.

While Kitty Forman (Debra Jo Rupp) is ecstatic to have the house full of life and laughter again, Red Foreman (Kurtwood Smith) is reluctant to have a noisy house. But despite being unsure about the busy house, Red gives out his timeless and hard learned advice everywhere.

This show is a much watch this spring before season 2, which has been confirmed, comes out. For the first time this year, I gave “That 90’s Show” a 5/5 rating. This show brings back all the right parts of that 70’s show while changing bits and pieces to really make it glow and grow. I cannot wait for the gang to get back together next season.