Netflix’s decision to go ahead with commissioning That ‘90s Show has been well received by fans of That ‘70s Show. With original characters Eric Forman and his friends returning for the story about his and Donna’s daughter Leia, interest in the sitcom is high. However, the sequel show also needs to improve upon certain flaws of That ‘70s Show.
These range from how Leia and her new group of friends will be presented to the execution of the storytelling the predecessor series engaged in. Before Kitty and Red Forman get around to taking their granddaughter into their home, it’s best to check out the areas that can be improved to make That ‘90s Show a hit with fans.
A More Diverse Set Of Love Interests
There were quite a few characters who only appeared in one That ‘70s Show episode, with a majority of these being designated love interests. These tended to be rather stereotypical characters with a lack of diversity, apart from occasional exceptions like Hyde’s half-sister who dated Kelso.
That ‘90s Show should feature romantic partners from different backgrounds to better represent the changing environment. Moreover, it will retain better interest since love interests from distinct ethnicities will avoid creating one-note and bland love interests that were featured frequently in the original series.
Pairing Couples That Make Sense
There were several times when the main group could have broken up in That ‘70s Show, usually because of a couple’s relationship coming to an end. Some pairings like Fez and Jackie were negatively received due to how vastly different they were in personality, as well as the lack of chemistry.
That ‘90s Show is certain to have couples within the group, which won’t be a problem unless it repeats the same mistake as its predecessor. The show needs to avoid romantic pairings just for the sake of having them and prospective couples need to have a story building up to their eventual relationship.
Seasons That Acknowledge The Time Shift
That ‘70s Show featured a floating timeline that ran from 1976 to 1979 despite the fact that the show ran for eight years in real life. This caused various discrepancies, such as having eight Christmas episodes when there should have logically only been three.
Netflix shows rarely cross the five-season mark, which is perfect for That ‘90s Show, as it starts off in 1995. The sitcom’s seasons should run just as they would in real life, which will give the characters the opportunity to mature from their teenage years into young adulthood.
Resolving Plot Threads That Were Left Ambiguous
There’s a good chance that characters from That ‘70s Show will return in That ‘90s Show and it’s the perfect time to close out certain plot threads, such as what happened to Kelso in Chicago or the fate of Donna and Eric’s relationship. The sequel series should avoid leaving things on ambiguous terms for its own plot threads.
Things like the characters’ exits or crucial information about their pasts can be part of long-running storylines but they should also be resolved by the end. It’s not worth keeping fans guessing when there are no resolutions in place since it leaves a lot of room for undue speculation.
Storylines That Are Suited To The Characters’ Ages
Although fans loved watching the friendships unfold in That ‘70s Show, their adventures were rather hard to believe. The characters were supposed to be between 16 and 19 through the show’s events but easily got around to living by themselves getting jobs, and having access to alcohol without any problems.
That ‘90s Show takes place during the decade when more controls were in place to prevent youngsters from going out of line. It wouldn’t make much sense for 15-year-old Leia to be up to the misadventures her parents were and the show would do better by showcasing the life of an average teenager in the ‘90s.
Explanation For Long-Running Mysteries
There was a long-running gag about the mystery behind Fez’s home country, which remained as such throughout the show’s events. Similarly, characters like Leo, Donna’s mother, her sister, and Eric’s sister, among others, simply vanished without any explanation as to what happened to them.
That ‘90s Show needs to have a logical reason for characters’ quirks and absences so that fans aren’t kept wondering. A gag like Fez’s can be stretched out but it would be a better payoff if the joke is finally revealed – That ‘90s Show can follow the predecessor’s template and improve upon it by providing justifications for these long-running gags and mysteries.
Greater Celebrity Involvement
There were a whole lot of guest stars on That ‘70s Show, ranging from Betty White to Bruce Willis, but more memorable ones incorporated the theme of the decade. The Rock had a noteworthy appearance playing his father, which is the sort of celebrity appearance That ‘90s Show needs.
Actors can appear as they were during that decade, which will cement the idea behind the series. This can be things like the appearance of singers like Backstreet Boys or actors like Sarah Jessica Parker, who were at their peak popularity at the time. Netflix has the budget to afford such celebrities and including them will make the ‘90s come alive.
Centering The Story Around The Group Rather Than Just One Character
A major reason why the eighth season of That ‘70s Show failed was the fact that Eric was no longer around. The show wrote itself into a corner by focusing too much on him in the earlier seasons, which That ‘90s Show can avoid by making Leia Forman one of the main characters rather than the only one.
Leia can be the person the group revolves around, but That ‘90s Show should also leave enough room for the rest of the cast to take up leading roles in different episodes. Spreading out the importance of the characters will allow viewers to see this as an ensemble effort instead of a one-man show.
