Stream on Netflix
Based on 2 seasons, 26 episodes · through August 22, 2024
That '90s Show is a comedy series about Leia Forman visiting her grandparents in Wisconsin during her summer breaks. She hangs out in the same basement with a new group of neighborhood teenagers. The show highlights modern diversity, featuring a very diverse core cast of kids from different racial backgrounds. It also prominently features an openly gay, sarcastic teenager named Ozzie, who works through a multi-step coming-out plan.
Why 80%? See the score breakdownBreakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for That '90s Show.
Woke representation / casting
The show casts a highly diverse group of teenagers that does not quite match the demographics of small-town Wisconsin in 1995. This includes Black, Hispanic, and Asian characters. Most notably, the prominent main character Ozzie is an openly gay Asian teen. This inclusion of a major LGBTQ+ character adds a strong identity-signaling element to the main cast. The modern style of diversity feels like a deliberate casting priority for representation rather than historical accuracy.
75%
Woke political dialogue
Production
The dialogue is mostly light sitcom humor, but it includes clear conversations about gay identity and coming out. In several scenes, Ozzie talks openly about his dating life, his long-distance boyfriend, and his step-by-step plan to come out to adults. Leia and Gwen also occasionally share thoughts that touch on modern female empowerment. The presence of these identity-focused conversations raises the dialogue score.
40%
Identity-driven story themes
The series features prominent storylines centered on sexual identity. A major episode involves Ozzie planning and executing his coming-out to Kitty Forman, who responds with total acceptance. Later seasons continue to follow his attempts to find a boyfriend and go on dates. While other teen romances are standard sitcom subplots, the show places a clear thematic focus on the queer teen experience.
55%
Western institutional / cultural critique
The show does not contain heavy activist critiques of Western institutions, capitalism, or history. However, it gently pokes fun at traditional midwestern social norms and older conservative mindsets. The teenage characters hold very progressive, modern social views compared to the adults, making traditional 1990s attitudes look outdated.
30%
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant
0%
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
There was noticeable online backlash from viewers who complained that the show was too woke. Critics and social media users pointed out that having an openly gay teenager who is fully accepted by his peers in 1995 small-town Wisconsin was historically inaccurate and felt like modern political correctness.
50%
Creator track record context
The creative team has a mixed but notable history of progressive and activist work. Writer Andrew Ti has a very high activist profile as an anti-racist podcaster. Writer Erin Foley is an outspoken queer comedian who advocates for LGBTQ+ causes. Director Laura Prepon has publicly championed reproductive rights and praised queer representation. Showrunner Gregg Mettler has also actively pushed for more diverse representation.
52%
