The creators ofThat ’70s Show sequel series That ‘90s Show reveal why the 1990s is the best time period for the spinoff. That ’70s Show, which aired between 1998 and 2006, was set from 1976 to 1979, becoming a beloved period sitcom that contained may clever references to the 1970s while exhibiting storylines and humor that were relatable in the present. In 2021, Netflix announced a spinoff titled That ’90s Show, which will be set 15 years after the conclusion of the original in the year 1995 and centered on the teen daughter (Callie Haverda) of That ’70s Show protagonists Eric (Topher Grace) and Donna (Laura Prepon).
During a conversation with Variety, That ’90s Show creators Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Lindsey Turner and Gregg Mettler, all of whom worked on That ’70s Show (besides Lindsey, who teamed up with her parents for the spinoff), spoke about the process that went into creating the new series, revealing that they initially turned Netflix down when they were approached. The Turners explained that they didn’t want to bring That ’70s Show back for a new era without good reason, so they held out for the right concept. Luckily, their team soon realized why the 1990s was the perfect time period for a spinoff of the original series. See what Lindsey and Mettler had to say about it below:
Lindsey Turner: “We agreed amongst ourselves, we weren’t going to do it unless we could find a reason. And the thing that Gregg [Mettler] said that I really loved, and I know mom and dad [Bonnie and Terry Turner] did too was, the ‘90s was the last time that people were looking up, they weren’t looking down at their phones. It was that last place of a real kind of engagement, having to make your own fun and really connecting with each other.”
Mettler: “I wanted to have the same feeling as ‘That 70s Show did. The show had a very special tone. It was playful, it had a heart, it was sarcastic, it was filled with love within this family, within the friend group. I missed being in the basement with those kids.”
That ’90s Show Is Set Up For Success
Turner’s comments about technology being a major factor for the new show’s 1990s setting is possibly a reason that nostalgia for that era in particular is so prevalent today. While styles always tend to make comebacks over the years, the specific trend of 1990s nostalgia has been boosted due to the many sitcoms that were produced during that time, like Friends, gaining new life on streaming. Another reason for audiences today, particularly the younger demographic, latching on to the 1990s as an era could also come down to longing for a lifestyle that many perceive as being simpler and more fulfilling than today’s (which is largely due to technology and social media).
In addition, Mettler’s point about capturing the same tone as That ’70s Show would not have been possible if the spinoff were set in the present or even the 2010s, since the original series leans heavily into being a period show. This is to That ’90s Show‘s benefit, since part of the success of That ’70s Show was that the sitcom was able to appeal to the nostalgia of viewers who had grown up in the 1970s while still feeling relevant to a modern audience. Similarly, That ’90s Show will appeal to those that grew up in the 1990s as well as those that grew up in the 1970s, thanks to the inclusion of nearly all the main characters from the original show.
That ’90s Show is also aiming to tell a generational story with Red (Kurtwood Smith) and Kitty (Debra Jo Rupp) charged with watching their granddaughter (and by extension, all her new friends) over the summer, which will appeal to both teens today and their grandparents. Though much of the original That ’70s Show cast will appear in a guest capacity, iconic parents Red and Kitty will be in every episode, with the series set in their house just like the original show. The use of those familiar hallmarks – particularly the Foreman basement – will go a long way in attracting fans of That ’70s Show, adding yet another group of viewers to That ’90s Show‘s potentially wide reach.
