Watch: That 90s show (Netflix)

My rating: 3 out of 5

Back in the ’90s, a sitcom called That ’70s Show appeared on TV screens worldwide. At that time, I didn’t watch the show regularly, but rather sporadically. I found it amusing, yet not entirely convincing. It wasn’t until the 2000s that I eventually started watching the show in English, and it was so much better than in German. Don’t get me wrong—the German voice actors usually do an outstanding job, but when it comes to sitcoms, where there are plenty of puns and wordplay, it’s difficult to find suitable translations. I loved the first few seasons, but I’m not sure if I even finished the last one. The quality dropped over time. However, a funny constant throughout the seasons was Red and Kitty. Also, the ’90s were the golden age of sitcoms, and over time, I grew to become a fan of the show.

I was really skeptical when Netflix announced a sequel set in the ’90s, logically named That ’90s Show. Of course, the first episode brought back the familiar faces from the original show to get it off to a good start. That helped a lot in warming up to the new characters. However, there was no long transition from old to new, and the new cast had to prove they could carry the legacy on their own and evolve into something fresh. After watching the 10 episodes of the first season, I wasn’t entirely convinced, but I was curious to see how the story would continue.

So, I was happy when the second and third seasons were announced, with 8 episodes each. Although That ’90s Show will never reach the quality of That ’70s Show, it manages to create its own world, which I can relate to as a ’90s kid. I wonder if ’70s kids felt the same way about That ’70s Show in the ’90s?

Red and Kitty still have their spirit, but of course, the actors have aged—going from old to even older. It’s been almost 20 years between the last episode of the original and the first episode of the sequel. As a fan of the original show, I struggle with the new cast, but I think that’s for two reasons:

1. The new cast is young, as all the characters are meant to be teenagers. Maybe I’m just too old to relate to the “dumbasses,” as Red would say.
2. The new cast isn’t just targeting people like me; it also has to reach a younger audience, which I’m no longer part of.

Nevertheless, That ’90s Show isn’t a must-watch, but rather a nice-to-watch. The 20-minute episodes are easy-to-digest, entertaining snacks. If you liked That ’70s Show and are a ’90s kid like me, you might enjoy this one too.