‘That ’90s Show’ Remains Lost in its Predecessor’s Shadow
By Kiernan McCormick
“That ’90s Show” has some big shoes to fill.
One of Netflix’s newest series — the endearing, overly ambitious, slightly misunderstood baby sibling of “That ’70s Show” — tries a bit too hard to live up to its beloved, star older brother.
The spinoff’s predecessor, which aired on Fox from 1998–2006, focused on a group of teenage friends in 1970s Wisconsin. “That ’90s Show” picks up in 1995 –15 years from when the original sitcom left off — this time following a new generation of juveniles, along with many familiar faces.
The 29-minute pilot kicks off with the now grown “That ’70s Show” high school sweethearts Eric Forman (Topher Grace) and Donna Pinciotti (Laura Prepon), along with their 14-year-old daughter Leia’s (Callie Haverda) return to Point Place to visit Eric’s parents Kitty (Debra Jo Rupp) and Red (Kurtwood Smith).
With hopes of experiencing a youth similar to her parents’, Leia convinces Eric and Donna to let her spend the summer with Kitty and Red. Cue the adolescent antics.
While Haverda succeeds in portraying Leia’s naively lovable personality, her overall performance lacks authenticity, such as in the second episode, “Free Leia,” when she storms out of her grandparents’ basement during a movie night with friends in an unrealistically dramatic way. This leaves the audience feeling less sympathetic and more annoyed.
The original Point Place pals remain as charming as ever in their fairly brief appearances. Grace seamlessly steps into the role of Eric as a put-together professor and overprotective yet softie father. Prepon’s Donna, now a writer and mom of the year, remains the voice of reason. Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher’s real life romance translates to on-screen as everyone’s favorite, now (twice) remarried couple Jackie and Kelso.
Wilmer Valderrama returns as Fez, bringing lots of laughs and cheeky banter with him throughout the season. Danny Masterson’s wisecracking Hyde is the only buddy completely absent due to the actor’s sexual assault charges.
Out of the “That ’70s Show” main cast members, Rupp and Smith appear the most and certainly don’t disappoint. Fans of the prequel will recognize her as the same bubbly and nurturing Kitty and him as the same strict and sarcastic Red, this time (grand)parenting different kids.
Full of nods to the ’90s in the costumes, set design, and lingo, the series takes its title seriously. Yet, it fails to convey the sense of nostalgia for the 20th century’s final years in the same way its antecedent did for the 1970s. At times, the references feel a tad forced and overdone. Leia’s marijuana-induced hallucination from episode two features her grandparents as Donkey Kong characters, which look too modern, and therefore distracting.
Another of the reboot’s weaknesses is its attempt to reimagine iconic elements of “That ’70s Show,” such as the teens’ smoking sessions in the Forman’s basement. Inserting the audience in the posse’s circle, the camera rotates to each member post blunt pass, capturing them uttering hilarious nothings. However, the nothings of the ’90s crew fall flat, and don’t have the effect as 20 years prior.
While an endearing tribute to one of the best TV period pieces, “That ’90s Show” fails to stand on its own. The sitcom relies too heavily on returning cast members and tired references. As the ’90s pencil-thin eyebrow trend proves, some things are just better left untouched.
2.5/5 stars
The first season of “That ’90s Show” is available to stream on Netflix.
