Among the generation that grew up in front of the screen at the end of the nineties, you will find many people, and I am among them, who will admit that sometime in their youth they dreamed of being part of the group of boys from "The Show of the 70s", which gathered in the basement of the Furman family in the imaginary city of Point Place.
And when the above feeling is shared by many people from all over the world, then it is easy to understand how that humble sitcom became a dizzying international success. One that was broadcast for eight seasons, from 1998 to 2006, and grew huge stars such as Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis and Laura Pripon.
"The 90s Show", photo: Netflix
It was a comedy about the coming of age of a group of outsiders, which took place in the seventies, but is relevant to any period and speaks to viewers at eye level.
As we know, every nostalgia must boast some novelty version, and today its turn has come.
The first season of "The 90's Show" is available from this morning on Netflix, and it will take you back in time to 1995.
Surprise: the new series is more successful than I thought it would be, which is a good measure in the scale of renewal versions of old favorite series.
"The 90s Show" emphasizes that it has always been a series about boys hanging out, talking, falling in love, kissing, breaking up, getting drunk, frolicking and falling in love again in the smoke-filled basement of the Formans.
Hello Wisconsin.
"The 90s Show", photo: Netflix
In short, Eric and Donna Ototo are 40 years old and they sent their 15-year-old daughter on a summer vacation with her grandparents, Red and Kitty.
Along with the same standard teenage experiences that accompany the plot, another strength of the original series was the generation gap between the boys and the older characters.
And here, the balance of power changed and the boys of the seventies grew to be disgruntled parents.
In the first episode, Eric Foreman (Topher Grace) clashes with his daughter, Leah, and for moments his behavior reminds of the strict upbringing he received from his father in the seventies.
When the argument escalates, he yells at her: "You get in the car, or I'll kick your ass."
"Oh, Eric," sigh a shocked Kitty and Donna, while Red sits in a delighted mood and tells his son: "I've never been so proud of you."
"The 90s Show", photo: Netflix
It's not an easy task - to combine nostalgia and humor that worked 25 years ago together with a current vibe, but "The 90s Show" succeeds.
For example, instead of tributes to the seventies, it is full of references to the culture of the nineties - from "Beverly Hills 90210" (plus a guest appearance by Brian Austin Green), through the penetration of the home computer and the Internet, plaid flannel shirts to the partnership of Dennis Rodman and Madonna.
Only one thing is not mentioned throughout the ten episodes - where did Hyde go?
(Hint: actor Danny Masterson was on trial for raping three women).
One can be upset by the small amount of scenes with the participation of the stars of the mother series (Donna, Eric, Kelso, Jackie, Paz, Bob, Leo and a few others), mainly because when they are on the screen - the result is a pleasure.
On the other hand, this leaves more room for the host characters, Red and Kitty.
Once again, both of them function as responsible adults, and their presence highlights comic qualities and being the anchor of the show.
It can be argued that the new characters are not as charismatic as the original boys, and also that they are hollow and stupid, but they will always say that there was a happy place before we were born.
That's the problem with nostalgia - you can't compete with the past.
Fortunately, "The 90's Show" succeeds in what others have failed to do - to produce an up-to-date and enjoyable version, almost as funny and fun as the original, which will make a new generation want to settle in the Foreman's basement.
"The 90s Show" - Season 1, Netflix
were we wrong
We will fix it!
If you found an error in the article, we would appreciate it if you shared it with us