That ’90s Show Season 2 Is Fixing A Major Complaint About The First Season

That ’90s Show season 2 premieres on Netflix in 2024, and it looks like the new episodes will fix a major complaint about the first outing. The streamer’s That ’70s Show sequel debuted in early 2023, and while it didn’t quite reach the heights of the original series, season 1 proved a promising start to Leia Forman’s story. After Leia convinces Eric and Donna to let her stay at Point Place for the summer, she makes a group of friends that frequents Kitty and Red’s basement — just like her parents’ gang.

And while Leia bids farewell to Point Place after the summer, she’ll be back for another visit in That ’90s Show season 2. The trailer for That ’90s Show‘s next outing promises more humor and relationship drama for Leia. It also fixes a common season 1 complaint. The initial footage shows season 2 improving on one important element of the show. Season 1 doesn’t always do this aspect of the Netflix series justice, so it’s a relief that the new episodes are more committed to it.

That ’90s Show Season 2 Is Already Fixing A Major Setting Complaint From Season 1

The New Episodes Already Feel More Like The 1990s

Like That ’70s Show, That ’90s Show strives to capture the iconic decade that it’s set during — but season 1 doesn’t always do the best job of this. The series sometimes succeeds at showcasing the trends and styles of the 1990s, but it doesn’t feel like the time period as much as it should. Despite Kitty and Red getting their first computer and the teens frequenting the town video store, That ’90s Show fails to fully immerse itself in ’90s culture. This is one of the most frequent complaints about season 1: that it needs to dig more into the time period.

And as CinemaBlend points out, That ’90s Show‘s attempts to reference the period’s pop culture aren’t always accurate. Point Place’s video store features movies like Batman Forever and Apollo 13, which wouldn’t have been out on VHS during the summer of 1995. There’s also a copy of The Lost World: Jurassic Park in the background of one scene, though the sequel doesn’t yet exist in 1995. Such references take viewers out of the show’s setting. Fortunately, it looks like That ’90s Show season 2 is working harder to emulate the 1990s.

The Series’ Jay & Silent Bob Cameos Bode Well For Season 2’s Accuracy

The Trailer’s Song Choice Is Also Promising

It seems the creators of That ’90s Show are taking the setting complaints seriously, as season 2 is already painting a more believable image of the decade. The trailer features two cameos that will leave ’90s kids optimistic about the new episodes: Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith as Jay and Silent Bob. The two characters first appeared in 1994’s Clerks, and they also showed up in 1995’s Mallrats. Needless to say, this season 2 reference proves more accurate than season 1’s video store nods. Including these iconic figures is also a great way to highlight the overall setting.

In addition to nailing its ’90s cameos, the trailer for That ’90s Show season 2 also features the song “My Own Worst Enemy” by Lit. Although this ’90s bop didn’t come out until 1999, its use in the trailer makes sense, as it’s not actually discussed in the show. As background music, it works — and it’s one of those songs that listeners immediately associate with the decade it came out during. That ’90s Show needs more background music that transports viewers back to the 1990s, and its use of “My Own Worst Enemy” bodes well for season 2.

Why Getting The Setting Right Is So Important For That ’90s Show Season 2

The Setting Is A Huge Element Of The Sequel Series

Not every sitcom needs to dedicate so much time and attention to its backdrop, but it’s important for That ’90s Show to get the setting right. The time period is a huge element of the sequel series, and capturing it is the only way to live up to That ’70s Show. That ’70s Show offers a snapshot of life in the 1970s, and it does a stellar job of placing viewers there. This strength needs to transfer over to That ’90s Show, as recapturing the time period is the whole point of the Netflix series.

Given the prominent role the setting plays in That ’90s Show, it’s crucial that it showcases the decade’s charm. While That ’70s Show fans are likely to tune into the new series, ’90s kids who want to relive the time period they grew up in are also a part of the audience. It’s easy for such viewers to notice when That ’90s Show isn’t doing the timeline justice. Hopefully, season 2’s trailer is indicative of the Netflix show’s approach going forward, confirming that it’s fixing season 1’s setting complaint.

Source: CinemaBlend

That 90s Show

That ’70s Show returns set two decades later with That ’90s Show, acting as a sequel but bringing back old cast favorites. Led by Red (Kurtwood Smith) and Kitty (Debra Jo Rupp) Forman, the new cast arrives as the next generation, with the daughter of Eric and Donna, Leia Forman, leading the charge. Spending the summer with her grandparents, Leia makes new friends and forges new bonds in Point Place, Wisconsin. That ’70s Show series regulars make cameos in the show to maintain that sense of familiarity, and the show adopts the conventions of the ’90s as expected. That ’90s Show first aired on Netflix with a total of ten episodes. 

Cast

Kurtwood Smith , Debra Jo Rupp , Mace Coronel , Callie Haverda , Ashley Aufderheide , Sam Morelos , Reyn Doi , Maxwell Acee Donovan

Release Date

January 19, 2023

Seasons

1

Writers

Gregg Mettler , Bonnie Turner , Lindsey Turner , Terry Turner

Directors

Gail Mancuso , Laura Prepon

Showrunner

Gregg Mettler

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