Why Netflix Decided to Cancel That ’90s Show
That ’70s Show hasn’t maintained the same cultural footprint as its iconic ’90s counterparts like Seinfeld or Friends, which speaks volumes about the dominance of those rival sitcoms. True to its title, That ’70s Show was set in the late 1970s, spanning from 1976 to 1980, and followed the lives of six high school friends in the fictional town of Point Place, Wisconsin. The creators drew inspiration from their teenage years, leading to the show’s authentic portrayal of that era. Running from 1998 to 2006, it amassed a total of 200 episodes and launched the careers of stars like Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, and Topher Grace. Given its success, a revival was a natural step, especially as society moved into the 2020s, providing a fresh setting. Thus, That ’90s Show was born, set in 1995 and featuring Leia Forman, played by Callie Haverda, the daughter of original characters Eric and Donna. While her parents are often busy, Leia stays with her grandparents, portrayed by Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp.
However, the television landscape has evolved. Gone are the days when sitcoms featured extensive 22-plus episode seasons to secure syndication. That ’90s Show struggled to find success, lasting only two seasons with 26 episodes—barely a single season’s worth back in the late ’90s. Kurtwood Smith confirmed the show’s cancellation on Instagram on October 3, 2024. While he mentioned plans to seek a new platform for a potential third season, he did not elaborate on Netflix’s reasons for ending the series.
The question on many minds is whether the show’s cancellation is related to Danny Masterson, a controversial figure from the original series. Masterson, who portrayed Steven Hyde, is a convicted rapist, sentenced to 30 years to life in prison in September 2023 for his crimes against two women. As a member of the Church of Scientology, his legal issues have drawn significant media attention, especially after letters of support for him from fellow cast members surfaced, further complicating the public’s perception of all involved. Following the outcry over these letters, Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis apologized on camera for their actions.
Importantly, Masterson did not appear in That ’90s Show, and his character was not referenced. Many wonder if the negative press surrounding Masterson made the continuation of the show impossible. However, Netflix’s decision appears not to have been directly influenced by his conviction.
Instead, reports suggest that the driving force behind the cancellation was simply low viewership. After its season 2 premiere in June and August 2024, the show was canceled by October of the same year. The first half of season 2 barely made it into Netflix’s Top 10, leading to an early release of the second half in an effort to boost its numbers, which ultimately did not work. This suggests that Netflix didn’t abandon the series ahead of its second season; rather, audience interest dwindled substantially between the first and second seasons.
While the impact of Masterson’s legal struggles may have played a role in viewers’ reluctance to embrace the reboot, the lack of engagement appears to be the key factor in the series’ downfall. Many former fans of That ’70s Show have expressed discomfort over revisiting the franchise, and this could very well have contributed to the dip in viewership. Ultimately, the numbers just didn’t add up for Netflix, leading to the cancellation of That ’90s Show.
