WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for That ’90s Show part 2!

A key returning original character from That ‘70s Show had his role expanded in That ‘90s Show season 2, highlighting how difficult it was to replace him in the sitcom’s sequel. While Red (Kurtwood Smith) and Kitty Forman (Debra Jo Rupp) are the only That ‘70s Show characters who return in the main cast of That ‘90s Show, Netflix’s sequel series still brings plenty of beloved original faces back to Point Place. While most of these appearances have amounted to little more than cameos, That ‘90s Show part 2 has given some returning characters bigger roles as their presence proves greatly beneficial to the sitcom’s story.

In addition to Red and Kitty, That ‘90s Show part 2 features exciting returns from original characters like Donna Pinciotti (Laura Prepon), Bob Pinciotti (Don Stark), and Mitch Miller (Seth Green). Though Topher Grace’s Eric Forman is missing from Netflix’s new batch of episodes, the heightened presence of Donna and Bob in part 2 helps increase the representation of the family members of main character Leia Forman. In fact, one character gets a far bigger role than the other in That ‘90s Show part 2, proving how uniquely important they are to the strength of That ‘70s Show and its successor.

Bob Pinciotti Was The Missing Piece That ’90s Show Season 1 Needed (& His Season 2 Return Proves It)

Point Place feels right with Bob Pinciotti back as Red & Kitty’s annoying neighbor

There were still some kinks that needed to be worked out after That ‘90s Show season 1’s ending to better mirror the original series’ strong suits, and part 2 proves that Bob Pinciotti was the answer. While Sherri Runck (Andrea Anders) was set up as Bob’s annoying next-door neighbor replacement who made herself right at home with the Formans, it became more apparent that Sherri was actually filling Eric and Laurie’s roles for Red and Kitty. Nobody could come in and fully replace Bob Pinciotti in That ‘70s Show’s world, as the character is a clear product of what Don Stark uniquely brings to the table.

Every interaction that Bob has with Red and Kitty in That ‘90s Show part 2 is a reminder of how greatly he enhanced the everyday humor of the original series. While the circumstances have changed now that they all share a granddaughter, Bob is just as competitive and comically prideful with the Formans as he was back in That ‘70s Show. With Bob back in Point Place and able to annoy Red Forman every day, this aspect of That ‘90s Show part 2 makes it feel as if no time has passed from That ‘70s Show’s ending.

Bob Returning To Point Place Confirms Sherri Was Never His Real Replacement

Sherri isn’t competing with Bob for the Formans’ annoying neighbor role anymore

With Bob and Sherri both being Red and Kitty’s neighbors by That ‘90s Show part 2’s ending, it’s more clear than ever that she was never the sequel’s real replacement for him. In fact, Sherri is absent from the first few episodes of That ‘90s Show part 2 while Red and Kitty’s subplot focuses on Bob’s return instead. Furthermore, Sherri has stopped unexpectedly coming over to the Formans’ and making herself at home as frequently in the new episodes, as Bob returns to his rightful place in assuming this lack of social graces.

As Sherri no longer competes with Bob’s role in That ‘90s Show, she increasingly becomes the sequel series’ answer to a more compassionate version of That ‘70s Show’s Laurie Forman. Now serving as a surrogate daughter for Red and Kitty, Sherri goes through the trials and tribulations of being a parent to two teenagers while still largely being in a state of arrested development herself. While That ‘90s Show doesn’t give a deeper exploration of Donna and Eric raising Leia, Sherri substitutes this missing piece as Red, Kitty, and Bob share the task of overseeing the new generation of Point Place teens.