After reaching Netflix’s Top 10 English TV list in 35 countries, with more than 41 million hours, “That ‘90s show,” a reboot of the beloved “That ‘70s show,” has just been renewed for another season.
This reboot series picks up several years after the conclusion of “That ’70s show,” and follows Leia (spoiler alert!) the daughter of Eric and Donna Forman as she joins the new generation of kids wreaking havoc around Point Place, Wisconsin in 1995.
Alongside Leia Forman are the same cast of characters that her mom and dad used to hang out with: a quirky boy who will do anything for his friends, a little heartbreaker with the all too familiar last name of Kelso.
However, it’s hard to outdo the doer, and more often than not the remakes of our favorite shows fall short of impressive: “Fuller House,” “Bell-Air” or “Magnum P.I.” are all examples of reboots that had a hard time selling nostalgia the second time around.
However, “That ‘90s Show,” has seriously impressed critics and audiences alike. Though Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis appeared in the pilot for only a brief moment, viewers can’t get enough and hope to see more of them in the next season.
Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp, America’s Parents Red and Kitty Foreman, do an incredible job at bringing the past into conversations with the future: Red still saying he will put his foot up people’s asses and Kitty still a goofy peace-maker in her family unit.
The rest of the original cast is featured at one point or another, except for Danny Masterson who is currently fighting sexual assault allegations. But Red and Kitty’s constant appearance keeps the new show rooted in the original, and help establish the nostalgia we know and love.
The new cast does not quite live up to its predecessor though. Each new character takes certain traits from the original characters and jumbles them. Leia’s character and that of Michael and Jackie Kelso’s son, Jay Kelso, are an echo of the past, and naturally, it’s funny to see the resemblance to their parents. However, for all the other characters, it feels like they kind of ran out of ideas, and are hoping to piggyback on the past to garner success.
In general, “That ‘90s Show” is worth the watch if you’re a nostalgia junkie. The show brings back memories and reminds you exactly why you loved “That ‘70s Show” as a kid. It’s a great sequel that will make you giggle, empathize, and smile just as the original did — though it certainly could not stand alone.
What do you think of “That ’90s Show”? Tweet us @VALLEYmag, with your thoughts!
