That ’90s Show Season 1 Review: A Summer Fling with Nostalgia in the Dead of Winter

That ’90s Show, a sequel set roughly 20 years after the events of That ’70s Show, arrives on Netflix in the middle of winter with ten episodes of rebellious summer fun.

The juxtaposition of the seasons works in the new series’ favor, providing carefree, coming-of-age adventure in a familiar setting while we brave the bleak winter weather. Point Place, Wisconsin may not be a hot destination locale, but with teenagers returning to the Forman’s, it’s worth the trip, TV-wise.  

It’s also a trip to the past. As someone who was a teenager in the ’90s and early aughts when That ’70s Show was on the air, watching That ’90s Show is a very meta, kinda time-warpy experience—one that I think is both pretty groovy and rad.

I think I fit the key demographic for the show because I have a teenager of my own now as well. When I watched That ’70s Show, I would get the inevitable tidbits from my parents about the accuracy of the decade when they came of age, followed by stories of their own shenanigans whether I wanted to hear them or not. 

Now, the tables are turned and I’m regaling my son in the same manner. The teen-centric storylines hold his interest enough to sit through my rambling commentary, and for that, I am grateful. 

The updated concept is executed well with the story focusing on Eric and Donna’s daughter, Leia (Callie Haverda), and her summer spent with her grandparents—which allows for Red and Kitty to be central, too. Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp were a big appeal for That ’70s Show.

The rest of the guest stars from the original series are used sparingly, which is a good thing. Leia and her new friends provide a similar group dynamic to that of Eric’s gang. And with Red and Kitty in the mix, the main storyline is strong enough to stand on its own.

However brief, the appearances by That ’70s Show cast members do bring a charming and comforting element to the sequel series. Of course, Topher Grace and Laura Prepon as Eric and Donna have a certain presence throughout the season via their daughter and their own parents (sans Midge Pinciotti played by Tanya Roberts who sadly passed away two years ago).

Don Stark as Donna’s dad, Bob, flies in from Florida for Leia’s birthday on the sixth episode. It makes so much sense that Bob moved to Florida, doesn’t it? He sparks up that old competitiveness between him and Red, trying to outdo each other on a gift for their granddaughter. 

Though the highlight of these cameos, by far, are Jackie and Kelso. Now married and about to celebrate their second remarriage—which is a nice callback to their on-again, off-again relationship on That ’70s Show—the two are portrayed by now real life married couple Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher.

Their introduction on That ’90s Show Season 1 Episode 1, “That ’90s Pilot,” is perfection.

Red: Who are you?
Jay: I’m Jay. Jay Kelso.
Red: No! Uh-uh! No way!
Michael Kelso: Buuuurn!

Then Jackie comes in yelling at him in that familiar whine. More so than Grace and Prepon, Kunis and Kutcher reinhabit their old roles seamlessly. Grace and Prepon have gone on in their careers playing similar types, with Grace perfecting goofy awkwardness and Prepon exuding a cool and sarcastic vibe.

I actually had a moment of confusion when Eric starts talking about Space Camp, easily seeing him as Grace’s character on Home Economics. However, it’s not a negative thing—I enjoy these kinds of characters and they play them exceptionally well.

Likewise, the return of Fez (Wilmer Valderrama) and Leo (Tommy Chong) are organically integrated into the new series and bring a lot laughs. 

The young cast that make up Leia and her group of Point Place friends bring a good mix of the personalities of Eric’s group—close enough to the original characters but with their own spin.

Leia has her father’s innocent naïveté, Jay (Mace Coronel) has his father’s prowess with the ladies, and Nate (Maxwell Acee Donovan) has Jay’s father’s dumbness while his smart, put-together girlfriend, Nikki (Sam Morelos) makes a nice, updated Jackie-type character.

Neighbor and new BFF, Gwen (Ashley Aufderheide), has Donna’s feminism and the spirit of rebellion that leads the ragtag bunch. Aufderheide’s Gwen is a standout performance among the teenage cast, and it’s easy to see why Leia is drawn to her from the beginning. 

Leia: This is going to sound so dorky, but I’m interested in becoming best friends, so how do we make that happen?
Gwen: Stay for the summer. And you can drop the dorky disclaimer. It’s implied. 

Ozzie (Reyn Doi) is obviously supposed to be the Fez of the group, but he’s given more to do than simply being a carbon copy of the foreign kid. Ozzie provides Asian and queer representation to the franchise, not to mention he delivers some of the best zingers throughout the season.

Having the format of That ’90s Show echo its predecessor’s with that live-from-a-studio-audience environment is a carry-over that works surprisingly well—not a lot of sitcoms can pull that off in this day and age.

Other features unique to That ’70s Show have been employed here as well. The circle camera technique was well-used then and it still works today.

The scene with Eric, Donna, Red, and Kitty sitting around the kitchen table on the first episode is an effective comedic bit that reintroduces that cinematic style.

Donna: This feels weird.
Eric: Very different.
Kitty: Well, I’m having fun!
Red: Why is it so smoky?
Kitty: Oh god, the popcorn!

There’s also the fun scene transitions with rad ’90s graphics, clever sight and sound gags, and tons of references to the decade—all of which were utilized successfully on the original series.

A lot of the nostalgia for viewers of That ’70s Show comes from these storytelling techniques.

The nineties nostalgia is through the roof with the costuming, set decoration, and props. That ’90s Show Season 1 Episode 6, “The Birthday Girl” has a whole Beverly Hills, 90210 homage worked into the story.

The original show often showcased scenes like this. That ’70s Show‘s Season 3 Halloween episode, “Too Old to Trick or Treat, Too Young to Die,” incorporates famous moments in horror film history.

I would love to see this sequel series continued, but on a larger scale. Audiences got to know the characters from That ’70s Show and its 200 episodes, consisting of seasons with much more than the ten 22-minute installments we get here.

That ’90s Show Season 1 feels more like a glimpse into what it has the potential to be. Just like Leia Forman’s summer fling with Jay Kelso, it’s over way too soon.

What did you think of That ’90s Show Season 1? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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That ’90s Show Season 1 is now streaming on Netflix.

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