The vibrant fashion, landlines, and Zima drinks in “That ’90s Show” unmistakably set the scene in the final decade of the 20th century. The second part of the sitcom’s second season, which premiered on June 27, opens with one of the most iconic ’90s songs, “Macarena.” This catchy tune plays as Kitty Forman (Debra Jo Rupp) prepares for her granddaughter Leia’s (Callie Haverda) annual summer visit in 1996.
Executive producer and showrunner Gregg Mettler emphasizes the importance of balancing ’90s nostalgia with timeless comedy. “Less is more,” Mettler explains, noting that the show uses subtle references like the “Macarena” and the absence of smartphones to evoke the ’90s era. The series, a spin-off of the early 2000s classic “That ’70s Show,” follows Leia and her friends during her summer stays with her grandparents, Red (Kurtwood Smith) and Kitty, in Point Place, Wisconsin.
Mettler, who worked on “That ’70s Show” from Seasons 2 through 8, brings a natural instinct to the writing, ensuring the new show honors its predecessor while standing on its own. This includes bringing back old characters and echoing familiar settings, such as the iconic basement scenes.
The cast of “That ’90s Show” features Callie Haverda as Leia, Ashley Aufderheide as her best friend Gwen, Mace Coronel as her love interest Jay, Reyn Doi as the snarky Ozzie, Maxwell Acee Donovan as Gwen’s jock brother Nate, and Sam Morelos as Nate’s intelligent girlfriend Nikki. Returning actors from “That ’70s Show” include Don Stark, Laura Prepon, and Andrea Anders, with guest stars like Will Forte, Seth Green, Lisa Loeb, Carmen Electra, Wayne Knight, Kevin Smith, Tommy Chong, Jason Mewes, Matt Rife, and Kadeem Hardison.
Mettler shares that the guest stars had a blast on set, participating in fun scenes like music video parodies and fantasy sequences set to ’90s songs. “We always made sure that we made the scene or the thing they were participating in really fun,” he says.
Part 2 of “That ’90s Show” picks up in the summer of 1996, following a cliffhanger from Part 1, which ended with a love triangle involving Leia, Jay, and Nate. As Leia reunites with Jay after nine months apart, tensions rise as secrets threaten relationships and friendships.
The first season, set in 1995, featured cameos from original cast members Topher Grace, Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, Laura Prepon, and Wilmer Valderrama, who passed the torch to the new generation. Part 1 concluded with Leia nearly kissing Nate before returning to Chicago for the school year, leaving viewers wondering about her relationships with Jay and Nate.
The release date for the remaining episodes of “That ’90s Show” Season 2 Part 3 on Netflix is set for October 24. This final batch of episodes will continue to explore the summer of 1996, wrapping up the storylines introduced in the earlier parts of the season.
The creative team behind “That ’90s Show” includes co-creators Bonnie and Terry Turner, their daughter Lindsey Turner, and Mettler. Lindsey Turner expressed excitement about returning to Point Place, while Bonnie and Terry Turner thanked fans for their support.
Netflix has released trailers for both parts of the second season, revealing the ongoing drama and humor in Leia’s summer adventures. The trailers hint at the tension following Leia’s almost kiss with Nate and her efforts to navigate her relationships and friendships.
The cast of “That ’90s Show” includes familiar faces from the original series, with Debra Jo Rupp and Kurtwood Smith reprising their roles as Kitty and Red Forman. Guest stars from the original series, such as Topher Grace, Laura Prepon, Wilmer Valderrama, Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, Don Stark, and Tommy Chong, also make appearances.
The second season of “That ’90s Show” is split into two parts, with the first eight episodes released on June 27 and the remaining eight set to premiere on October 24. The show continues to follow Leia Forman’s summer experiences in Point Place, capturing the essence of the ’90s while paying homage to its predecessor.
As fans eagerly await the release of Part 3, the creative team promises more laughs, drama, and nostalgic moments. The series’ blend of new and returning characters, along with its careful balance of ’90s references and timeless comedy, ensures that “That ’90s Show” remains a beloved continuation of the original series.
Source: Netflix, Tudum
