When I first got wind of the fact that there was a potential sequel/reboot of That ’70s Show, I was undeniably worried. And then, when that first trailer was released, I felt I had every reason to be. This just felt like a cash grab and a feeble attempt to maybe extend the life of the original series. Over the last few years, there has been an increasingly annoying trend towards these types of reboots. (Bel-Air, Magnum P.I., MacGyver, Hawaii Five-0, Quantum Leap, etc.) All of it built around a misplaced need to update the formula and reintroduce these classic shows for a newer audience. Sometimes they work, sometimes, they fall flat. But what That ’90s Show brings to the table, is the old adage of “if it ain’t broke, why fix it?
That’s right kids. A whole new gang is here to terrorize old Red and Kitty in Wisconsin. Combining the children of some of our old friends, as well as some new kids to the neighbourhood, we are thrust back into that familiar old basement for some good rocking 90s fun and adventure. Did we need this? No. But that doesn’t mean that it’s all bad. Some may look at this and go, “It’s just a rehash of an old product,” or “this is a complete borefest,” and they do have a point. This won’t be everyones cup of tea, but being an old time fan of the original show, I appreciated this for what it was.
You Oughta Know
Now there is a formula for shows like this one. You take the basic premise of the original show, either reboot the original characters or mirror them in some way, and put a contemporary spin on it in order to modernize it for the 21st century. What That ’90s Show did on the other hand, was stick to their guns and just reuse the original show’s format and style. Yes, it may appear lazy, but weaponizing nostalgia does have its benefits. As I watched more and more episodes, it slowly began to feel like I was that young man again, rushing home to make sure he didn’t miss another new (mis)adventure at the Forman residence. This didn’t feel like an entirely new show. This was just a brand new season of That ’70s Show.
With most reboots, you are usually thrown in with a new cast of characters right from the start, the writers expecting you to immediately connect with this new show as much as you did with it’s predecessor. What I appreciated with the first episode of That ’90s Show was that the writers were aware enough to open with Kitty, Red, Eric, and Donna. That small act alone made it easier for us to ease into this new cast of characters. The focus on the four OG characters, while slowly introducing Eric and Donna’s daughter, Leia, made the whole process a lot more comfortable. Those old familiar faces were back to say, “Hey, we’re not sticking around for the whole thing, but don’t worry okay? Here are our children, they’ll take good care of you.” They then pat us on the back and bid us farewell.
I also appreciated the fact that we got an answer to that question of “what are they doing now?” Not only did we find out what Eric and Donna are up to, but also Kelso and Jackie, who, surprise surprise, have a kid in this show. Our best friend Fez is also in the picture and hasn’t changed at all. (Everyone is back with the exception of Danny Masterson, because… reasons.) The writers used our connection to something old in order to help us connect with something new.
I Said Good Day!
Now, as you can imagine, it really is Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp who are carrying this show. Red and Kitty never left them, and it truly shows. The ease and comfort they have inhabiting these two characters, are what kept me going. The sarcasm. The over eagerness. It felt like I had come back home to my grandparents again, just to torture them with my own children.
That said, the chemistry with the new gang, leaves a lot to be desired. Everything feels a tad bit forced and unnatural at this point in time. Maybe if they get a second season they will begin to get more comfortable around each other and that chemistry may build. That’s the biggest element that feels lacking in this reboot. And let’s face it, with a show like this, chemistry is everything.
At the end of the day, That ’90s Show is exactly what you expect. It’s not great, but it’s not bad either. It’s a show that exists, and that’s it. Something you can just put on, have a snack or two, zone out for a bit, and perhaps laugh along with some old friends. Apart from giving us a few nostalgia hits, there’s very little for this show to actually go on, I’m afraid. But, don’t let that deter you from watching it. Who knows, you may hate it, or, like me, you might just go, “Eh, I’ll allow it.”
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