WithThat ’90s Showhaving recently dropped onNetflix, it’s no surprise to see Debra Jo Rupp and Kurtwood Smith reminiscing aboutThat ’70s Show.During a press junket for the new series, the two looked back at their time on the original series.
That ’90s Showis the ’90s-set spin-off forThat ’70s Show.TheNetflixseries follows Leia Forman (Callie Haverda) as she goes to stay with Kitty (Rupp) and Red (Smith) for the summer in Point Place, Wisconsin. While the series is a ’90s nostalgia fest, there are also plenty of nostalgic callbacks to the original series, which Rupp and Smith point out in their new interview.
RELATED:New That ’90s Show Cast And Character Details Released By Netflix
In a video byEntertainment Weekly, Smith and Rupp sat down to watch some of their favoriteThat ’70s Showclips. The first of the clips covered was a scene from the pilot in which their characters are introduced. Rupp recalled here that she was impressed by the set design of the series but shocked by the aesthetic. Rupp was unaware she had landed a part on a sitcom set in the ’70s until she made her way to the set, prompting Smith to joke that Rupp didn’t read the title of the show (though in her defence, it was known asThe Kids Are Alrightat the time).
While Rupp and Smith have previously heaped praise ontheThat ’90s Showcast, they also took time to reminisce about their former co-stars onThat ’70s Show. Both expressed delight at seeing the original cast all grown up and even remembered some dearly departed cast members. For instance, Rupp and Smith recalled that the late Tanya Roberts (who played Midge on the original show) would frequently grow so nervous about flubbing a scene that she’d forget her lines. Rupp also warmly recalled the late Betty White, who played Kitty’s mother, stating she “loved” her.
The interview is in the spirit of the new series.That ’90s Showis full of loving odes to the past. In its sixth episode,That ’90s Showbrings back Don Stark’s Bob, and it’s as though the three actors have never had any time away from each other. It’s easy to see how these moments could leave such an impression on Smith and Rupp, who are currently executive producers onThat ’90s Show.
Welcoming back theThat ’70s Showcastis something thatThat ’90s Showsucceeds at. Not only does it manage to weave the old characters into new roles that fit their personalities well, but it’s also fun watching the cast reunite on screen and still have the same chemistry.
