As Bob Pinciotti returns in an expanded role, That ’90s Show producers Gregg Mettler and Kurtwood Smith break down how Don Stark’s reprisal shaped Red’s story in season 2. The father to Laura Preppon’s Donna Pinciotti in That ’70s Show, Bob was an old-fashioned father who had a somewhat complicated relationship with Red due to the latter’s grumpier nature, saw his business go under and marriage break down, but ultimately make a fortune through a strange invention and move to Florida. Bob returned in season 1 to celebrate his granddaughter’s birthday, and was promoted to series regular for That ’90s Show season 2.

With That ’90s Show returning with season 2 part 1, Mettler and Smith opened up to TVLine about how the new episodes will show a changed Bob and push his story into the new series’ decade. With Bob settled in and here to stay, Mettler highlighted how he’d looked forward to seeing him and Red get into storylines involving their newfound responsibilities as grandparents that allow the two characters to play off one another and challenge Bob to grow, while Smith enjoyed reuniting and working with Stark. Check out the two producer’s responses below:

Gregg Mettler: When we had Don Stark return for Leia’s birthday episode in Part 1, he was great, and the audience was so happy to see Bob Pinciotti. But coming into this season, [bringing Bob back] had a lot to do with giving Red a contemporary. It had a lot to do with generating stories that could involve both grandfathers fighting over their grandchild, or protecting their grandchild in different ways, or wanting to teach their grandchild how to drive. It creates fun conflict. Red and Bob, obviously, come from different places at all times, so when you get them in a scene together, and their characters just start to react to each other, you have conflict, you have comedy.

Kurtwood Smith: We missed him. I know I did. I enjoy working with Don, and I enjoy him personally, as well, so it has been great having him around more. Red, I think, always feels like he has to watch his Ps and Qs when he’s dealing with Kitty so he doesn’t get her upset. But with Bob, he can just let himself go [off], so it has been great fun.

Mettler: Moving forward, what I want to do for Bob is really ground the character whenever we can, and not just make him the butt of the joke, or the clown. I’m very interested in exploring that character in a real way.

Will Bob Have To Be More Responsible In That ’90s Show Season 2?

While Bob and Red have already found themselves competing for Leia’s (Callie Haverda) affections in That ’90s Show season 1 during her fifteenth birthday, it is clear that the pair have found a common foe to come together in the form of Jay (Mace Coronel). With Red having instantly been irked by his advances upon learning who his parents are, the Kelso child only left a worse impression as season 1 progressed with his and Leia’s police altercation, responsibility failures, and relationship troubles. With this, Jay faces an uphill battle with winning his girlfriend’s grandfather’s approval.

However, with Bob being all too eager to set up shop back home in Point Place quickly, there may be consequences that will follow up on the character’s off-the-wall, somewhat impulsive nature seen from the original series. Despite him finding his way out of tricky situations in his personal life, his That ’90s Show season 1 return already established that he is eager to throw cash around on those he loves impulsively. Perhaps his Florida bait shop business has seen better days, and Donna’s idea to move home was made to help Red find new meaning and be more responsible.

No matter why he may have returned to Point Place, it is clear Bob’s That ’90s Show season 2 return isn’t simply a familiar face coming back to excite longtime fans. Not only is Smith’s enthusiasm a good sign that Stark is just as excited to return to play Bob in a larger role, but it is clear that both he and Mettler have been careful in considering just how Bob may have changed, or potentially stagnated, since his last appearance. As such, season 2 may force Bob to face up to new responsibility with a somewhat begrudging Red at his side.

Source: TV Line