Netflix has officially pulled the plug on That ’90s Show, the spinoff of the popular sitcom That ’70s Show, after just two seasons. The decision comes just over a month after the release of the second half of Season 2 on August 22, 2024. The news was confirmed by actor Kurtwood Smith, who played the iconic character Red Forman, in a heartfelt Instagram post to fans on Thursday night.
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That ’90s Show was set in 1995, picking up 15 years after the events of That ’70s Show. The plot followed Leia Forman, the daughter of Eric and Donna, as she spent her summer with her grandparents, Red and Kitty Forman, in Point Place. The new generation of teens in the show included characters like Gwen (Ashley Aufderheide), Jay (Mace Coronel), Nate (Maxwell Acee Donovan), Ozzie (Reyn Doi), and Nikki (Sam Morelos), who formed a fresh friendship group reminiscent of the original series.
Season 2 guest stars include Kadeem Hardison, Seth Green, Will Forte, Kevin Smith and Matt Rife.
Kurtwood Smith, in his announcement, expressed his gratitude to the show’s loyal viewers, saying, “I know you have been asking me when Season 3 is coming, but I have tough news…Netflix will not be renewing.” He went on to thank the fans for their support, adding, “I’ve loved every minute of getting to bring Grandpa Red to life for you all.” Despite the cancellation, Smith hinted that the series could still have a future, as efforts are underway to find a new home for the show.
The series initially premiered in January 2023 with 10 episodes. After its debut, That ’90s Show was renewed for 16 more episodes, which were divided into two parts. However, the show struggled to maintain viewership. Part 2, which premiered in June 2024, only made it to Netflix’s Top 10 list for a single week, garnering 1.8 million views. The lack of strong viewership continued when Part 3 was released in August, which likely contributed to Netflix’s decision to move up the release date by two months from October. Despite the efforts, the final batch of episodes failed to chart in the platform’s rankings.
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Netflix has faced challenges with multi-camera sitcoms in recent years, and That ’90s Show is no exception. While previous revival attempts like Fuller House and The Ranch found some success, most multi-camera comedies have struggled to maintain momentum. Although the That ’70s Show spinoff reunited original cast members like Topher Grace, Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, Laura Prepon, and Wilmer Valderrama for guest appearances, it wasn’t enough to keep the show afloat. Only Smith and Debra Jo Rupp (who reprised her role as Kitty) returned as full-time cast members.
In Smith’s social media message, he praised the entire production team and cast, describing the experience as a special one, filled with heart. He hinted at the possibility of the show being “shopped around” to other networks or platforms. “To steal Red Forman’s words…we aren’t going to be dumbasses…we will shop the show, because good grandparents would try hard to get these kids graduated from high school,” he said optimistically.
The cancellation of That ’90s Show follows a trend of limited lifespans for Netflix’s original multi-camera sitcoms. Only a handful of series in this format, such as Fuller House and The Upshaws, have had extended runs on the platform. Produced by Carsey-Werner Company, there is a slim chance That ’90s Show could find a new home, although options may be limited, as Netflix holds the rights to the series.
For now, fans will have to say goodbye to the new generation of Point Place teens, leaving the show’s future uncertain.