The sequel series to the hit Fox sitcom ‘That 70s Show,’ titled ‘That ‘90s Show,’ premiered on Netflix in January 2023 with a 10-episode season and quickly became a fan favorite. In February 2023, Netflix renewed the series for a second season. The first part of season two, consisting of eight episodes, was released on June 27, 2024, with the other eight episodes scheduled to premiere on October 24, 2024. Developed by Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Lindsey Turner, and Gregg Mettler, the teen sitcom is produced by executive producers Marcy Carsey and Tom Werner. The main characters in this series include Kurtwood Smith as Red Forman, Debra Jo Rupp as Kitty Forman, Callie Haverda as Leia Forman, Ashley Aufderheide as Gwen Runck, Mace Coronel as Jay Kelso, Reyn Doi as Ozzie, Sam Morelos as Nikki, and Maxwell Acee Donovan as Nate.
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Series Summary
As the title suggests, it’s the ‘90s, and Leia Forman is in town visiting her grandparents for the summer in Point Place, Wisconsin. Under the watchful eye of her energetic grandma, Kitty Forman, and her blasé grandpa, Red Forman, Leia bonds with the neighborhood teens. She navigates the challenges of finding herself, fitting in with a new group of friends, and staying out of trouble.
Season 1 Criticism
When the series premiered on Netflix last year, it received subtle backlash from critics. While it aimed to be fresh and new, it primarily catered to fans of ‘That ‘70s Show,’ struggling to balance both. Critics pointed out the numerous awkward, lengthy cameos by the original actors, which hindered viewers from connecting with the new generation of characters. Additionally, scenes featuring characters from ‘That ‘70s Show,’ often without the teens, were unintentionally comedic and entertaining. Conversely, when the teens were on screen, especially without the adults, the show lacked humor and resembled a contemporary Disney-style sitcom. The humor felt forced, particularly in the early episodes, and the comedic acting lacked authenticity. Because the spin-off series focused more on the teens, viewers were concerned about the show’s success without the humor from the older cast.
Despite the initial criticism, the series was picked up for a second season, and it’s clear the showrunners took some of the feedback into account. The show has found a better rhythm. The original cast steps aside, reducing the number of distracting cameos, and allowing the series to focus on the new crew and their teenage problems. This shift lets viewers better understand the characters’ personalities, motivations, likes, dislikes, and fears. The show has evolved into a warm and comforting teen sitcom, resonating with the offspring of those who grew up watching ‘That ‘70s Show.’ It provides a shared experience across generations, similar to the transition from ‘Full House’ to ‘Fuller House,’ but with a more explicit and realistic approach. Episodes tackle a range of issues, from secrets and breakups to makeups, stealing, and pregnancy scares.
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The Gyst of Season 2
The dynamic of the show remains largely the same, with different situations unfolding in each episode. There are plenty of teachable moments and lessons to be learned from the kids’ antics. The storylines are light, often scratching the surface and reaching a resolution within the 30-minute episode, reminiscent of ‘90s comedies. This season, the humor picks up, and we see more personality from the kids, though it still lacks certain 1990s elements.
The show does a commendable job of reminding us that it’s the 90s through the absence of modern technology, along with period-appropriate hair, outfits, colors, themes, and certain societal storylines. The use of recognizable locations and parodies transports viewers back to the 90s, although some references may be lost on younger audiences. However, it falls short of fully capturing the pop culture, nostalgia, language, and overall feel that defined the decade. Enhancing these elements could significantly boost the show’s engagement.
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Starting nearly a year after Part 1, ‘That ‘90s Show’ Part 2 resumes with Leia returning to her grandparents’ house for another exciting summer. Kitty and Red are thrilled to have her back, but her best friend Gwen and boyfriend Jay are even more excited to see her. However, the first episode introduces a complication: Leia almost kissed Nate at the end of last summer, a secret known only to Gwen, Nate’s sister and Leia’s best friend. Miraculously, this secret has remained hidden from Jay and Nate’s girlfriend Nikki for almost a year.
The series doesn’t dwell too heavily on relationship problems, as the episodes and seasons aren’t long enough to fully develop those plots while incorporating other engaging stories. Additionally, the main cast isn’t large enough to sustain long-term conflicts without risking viewer interest. The acting in season two remains consistent with the first season, without significant improvement, and the writing hasn’t fully evolved to be naturally comedic. Many laughs, even from the live audience, still feel forced.
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Watch or Skip?
Everyone has their sense of humor and preferences when it comes to television, so you’ll need to watch the show yourself to decide if it’s for you. I will say that the first couple of episodes start slow in terms of comedy and establishing a genuine connection between the cast. While the humor doesn’t pick up significantly, you can sense the friendship and love between the actors.
Gregg Mettler, writer, and producer of the series, known for his work on ‘That ‘70s Show’, set out to introduce a new audience to the charm of ‘That ‘90s Show’. However, the series seems to miss the captivating elements that enthralled viewers of the original show. It often feels like a background show, perfect for playing while cleaning or doing chores. Occasionally, you might find yourself fully engaged, momentarily distracted from your tasks by the screen. Yet, this engagement can falter during scenes that lack depth or substance. Ultimately, it’s a show that invites you to make your own judgment. All episodes are now streaming on Netflix, with the next eight episodes set for release on October 24th.
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Author
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Kaili Spooner’s passion lies in sports journalism and Black TV/Film, and her writing strongly aligns with The Hollywood Insider’s values of delivering factual and in-depth coverage. While her future career goal is to be a sports journalist and do social media work for the NBA/WNBA, for now, she balances her academic pursuits with being a collegiate volleyball player at SSU and unwinding with her favorite comedy and drama sitcoms at home.
Kaili Spooner’s passion lies in sports journalism and Black TV/Film, and her writing strongly aligns with The Hollywood Insider’s values of delivering factual and in-depth coverage. While her future career goal is to be a sports journalist and do social media work for the NBA/WNBA, for now, she balances her academic pursuits with being a collegiate volleyball player at SSU and unwinding with her favorite comedy and drama sitcoms at home.
