As a child of the ’90s myself, I can’t help but feel a mix of nostalgia and bemusement when it comes to shows like That ‘90s Show. On one hand, it’s fantastic to see the era’s pop culture icons and trends being celebrated, from Alanis Morissette’s “You Oughta Know” to the fashion and slang that defined the decade. But on the other hand, the show seems to have a rose-tinted view of the ’90s, especially when it comes to issues like homosexuality.
In the late 90s and early 2000s, the sitcom known as “That ’70s Show” became a massive hit. As its title implies, it took viewers back to the 1970s, portraying the fashion, societal challenges, and pop culture of that era. The series catapulted Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis to stardom and continues to be cherished today. Given its success, it led to a few spin-offs, with “That ’80s Show” being the first. However, unlike its predecessor, this series didn’t carry over any plots or characters from “That ’70s Show”. Instead, it introduced an entirely new cast. This change, unfortunately, was one of its downfalls. “That ’80s Show” only lasted for a single season before it ended.
The latest spin-off, titled “That ’90s Show“, was unfortunately axed following only two seasons. Despite its attempt to learn from past mistakes by linking back to the characters and plotlines of “That ’70s Show“, it too faced some issues. Similar to its predecessor, the show aimed to portray the fashion, technology, societal issues, and popular culture trends of the 1990s. However, many aspects of “That ’90s Show” failed to accurately depict the actual 1990s.
10 Modern Merch
In the ’90s, “The Phantom of the Opera” was extremely popular and maintained its prominence until it ended in 2023, making it the longest-running Broadway show ever. Given this popularity, it makes sense that the character Ozzie (Reyn Doi) in the episode “Lip Smackers” would be sporting Phantom merchandise. However, in 1995, the logo for “The Phantom of the Opera” on screen was different from what is commonly recognized today. The mask wasn’t as large at that time, and there was a rose next to the title instead. The merchandise worn by Ozzie didn’t become available until after the musical celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2013.
9 Lambeau Field Stadium Renovation
In the television series That ’90s Show, being set in Wisconsin, it’s not surprising that it acknowledges the Green Bay Packers, given that the 1990s was the era of Brett Favre as their quarterback. This link is reinforced in the first season episode titled “Step by Step.” If you glance to the right side of Leia’s (Callie Haverda) head, you’ll spot a picture of the famous Lambeau Field stadium, which is associated with the Packers.
To a dedicated Green Bay Packers fan, the flaw in this image would be immediately apparent. In the year 1995, when the series was set, Lambeau Field retained its distinctive green outer ring. Regrettably, that characteristic feature has been replaced by the brick exterior installed during the stadium’s modernization in 2013. Essentially, Netflix seems to have used a contemporary black-and-white photograph of Lambeau Field and carelessly hung it on the wall.
8 Green Bay Packers Jersey
As a die-hard movie buff, I must say that Lambeau Field isn’t the only instance where the Green Bay Packers made an unexpected appearance in “That ’90s Show”. In the very first episode, the character Nate (Maxwell Acee Donovan) is seen donning a Packers jersey. There’s no denying that this outfit choice adds a touch of coolness to his style, given the trend of casually wearing sports jerseys in the ’90s.
7 Wrong Cool Ranch Doritos Packaging
Doritos were a beloved snack for kids growing up in the ’90s. Most students in the cafeteria carried bags of these tasty chips in their brown paper lunch bags. While opinions might differ, many would agree that Cool Ranch Doritos are among the best flavors (though there’s a case to be made for Spicy Sweet Chili). Interestingly, Cool Ranch Doritos were featured in an episode of That ’90s Show. However, it’s intriguing to find out how Mama’s Discount Liquors sources its inventory since the packaging shown depicts the rebranded logo from 2013. It’s also worth noting that the flavor in 1995 was called Cooler Ranch, not Cool Ranch as shown in the episode. One has to wonder if all that Netflix money couldn’t secure the correct packaging details?
6 How Stella Got Her Groove Back
In the ’90s, “How Stella Recovered Her Swing” was a significant pop culture sensation. This movie was adapted from a top-selling novel of the same title, featuring an esteemed African-American cast including Angela Bassett, Whoopi Goldberg, Regina King, and Taye Diggs in his first film appearance. It appears that “That ’90s Show” makes a nod to this movie and book.
In the episode “Lip Smackers,” Gwen speaks to her mother with a touch of sass, saying, “I appreciate the lift, but could you find your rhythm elsewhere?” However, this line seems to be a nod to the film “How Stella Got Her Groove Back.” Since the series is set in 1995, and the book was published in 1996 and the movie released in 1998, it appears that there might have been a slight oversight in Netflix’s research.
5 Romeo + Juliet Re-enactment
During the ’90s, Baz Luhrmann’s movie “Romeo + Juliet” was a big hit. In it, Leonardo DiCaprio portrayed Romeo at his heartthrob best, while Claire Danes played his beloved Juliet. The film updated these tragic lovers to contemporary times, yet kept their dialogue from Shakespeare. In the second season’s episode titled “Baby-Baby-Baby,” Leia has a dream where she and her boyfriend Jay Kelso (Mace Coronel) recreate the famous fish tank scene reminiscent of “Romeo + Juliet.
It’s perfectly fine to imagine this scenario, but there’s an issue with the sequence of events. The second season of “That ’90s Show” was set during the summer of 1996, while the movie “Romeo+Juliet” didn’t premiere until November 1, 1996, which is after the summer.
4 A Very Early Batman Forever Video Release
In the ’90s, a common activity was heading to your neighborhood video store, often a Blockbuster (rest in peace). People would leisurely walk through the rows, examining the movies displayed, discovering the latest releases, and eventually selecting the ideal film for a home viewing experience.
That ’90s Show acknowledges the trendy ’90s era by frequently depicting its main characters visiting their neighborhood video store, Video Haven. This video store appears to be the hotspot, particularly because it seems to obtain some incredibly early screenings. The store showcases films that aren’t yet available on VHS tapes (VHS is short for Video Home System, for those of you who are new to this era).>
In the second installment of “Free Leia,” astute viewers could spot a VHS tape of the ’90s blockbuster hit, “Batman Forever,” lined up in Video Haven’s shelves. However, this is an anachronism as the episode unfolds during the Fourth of July weekend, 1995. At that time, “Batman Forever” was still running in cinemas, and it ranked second at the box office that weekend.
The video cassette version of “Batman Forever” didn’t become available until Halloween, October 31, 1995. At that time, it was typical for a movie not to hit rental stores or retail shelves for several months following its premiere. Even by current standards, such quick availability is unusual.
3 A Two-Year Sneak Peek at The Lost World: Jurassic Park
It’s not just Batman Forever that shouldn’t be on display at Video Haven; to the right of it, there’s a VHS copy of The Lost World: Jurassic Park, which is an even bigger historical blunder. As I mentioned earlier, this episode is set in 1995. However, The Lost World: Jurassic Park didn’t premiere in theaters until 1997.
Could Video Haven be a futuristic video rental shop, obtaining upcoming blockbusters ahead of time? If Blockbuster had such technology, it might still be thriving today. Even Netflix wouldn’t stand a chance against that kind of innovation.
2 Alanis Morissette’s “You Oughta Know”
In the ’90s, an impressive array of memorable tunes emerged. Among them were Nirvana, the Spice Girls, Mariah Carey, and numerous others. However, one song that significantly shaped the decade was “You Oughta Know” by Alanis Morissette. This hit single resonated deeply, expressing raw female frustration over a heartbreaking break-up. The lyrics were filled with bitter emotion, making it a ubiquitous tune, even appearing in the premiere episode of That ’90s Show.
In a peculiar scene, Leia is found standing noticeably near a stranger’s window, intently listening as the stranger, Gwen (Ashley Aufderheide), sings Alanis Morissette’s “You Oughta Know.” It seems plausible – that is, until you take a closer look at the chronology. The series That ’90s Show starts on July 3, 1995, whereas Morissette’s hit single wasn’t released until three days later. Kudos for the effort, Netflix, but it seems we’re still a bit off the mark in terms of historical accuracy.
1 ’90s Views on Homosexuality
In essence, Ozzie from “That ’90s Show” can be likened to Fez in terms of his comedic role and ethnicity, yet he stands out as an openly gay character. He reveals his sexual orientation at the start of the series, and is welcomed and accepted by everyone, even the older characters – a scene that portrays a positive and heartwarming image. However, it’s important to note that such acceptance was not commonplace in the 1990s as homosexuality was still heavily stigmatized during this decade, despite its progressiveness compared to earlier times.
In the late 1900s, derogatory language towards the LGBTQ+ community was casually used, with phrases like “You’re acting gay” serving as a common jest, even among friends. Same-sex marriage was not yet legalized, and the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Act of 1994 prohibited openly gay individuals from serving in the military. The popular sitcom Ellen, starring Ellen DeGeneres, was cancelled after she publicly came out on television, marking a significant career setback for her (though she eventually faced further challenges to her career for different reasons later on).
We’re all for supporting the LGBTQ+ community, and it’s wonderful to see a teenager embrace his homosexuality while being accepted by those around him. We wish this was how the ’90s were. But unfortunately, That ’90 Show sanitized the decade’s blatant homophobia and presented a distorted, squeaky clean version of how things really were.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-10-13 04:02