That ‘70s Show was an integral part of my youth; it was my first brush with adult motifs in television. This year, a remake of the popular sitcom aired, titled That ‘90s Show. 

That ‘70s Show was a renowned comedic sitcom when I was growing up. It was a production that addressed social issues of the 1970s, with themes like underage drinking/drug use and the adverse effects of the recession being common throughout the show.

Based on the wit and comedic timing of its predecessor, I was excited for the reboot. Seeing the familiar humor of the actors I grew up watching was refreshing. However, after being introduced to the new cast of teenagers who would be carrying on the series, I couldn’t help but cringe and look away.

In this remake, many of the same themes of common 1990s social issues appear, and a lot of scenes pay special homage to That ‘70s Show’s most distinctive traits. The kids of the show gather in the Formans’ basement to hang out and similarly to its predecessor, they like to smoke in a circle while the camera pans around to each of them as they make quips.

It felt like watching a Disney show. The teenagers of this show have a younger feel to them than the cast members of That ‘70s Show. It felt like I wasn’t watching a real remake of the show I enjoyed so much. 

I almost wanted to stop watching, but the redeeming parts of it like old cast members of That ‘70s Show sticking around as permanent cast members to this reboot wouldn’t allow me to turn it off.

While the acting at first felt Disney-like, as the show progressed, more mature themes gave an easy to watch air to the series that made me want to stick around longer. The comedy gets better, and I came to like the newer characters to this world more. It couldn’t ever top That ‘70s Show, but the producers made sure to keep many of the same characteristics of the original series that are now shaping this spinoff one well.