Bob Pinciotti Was The Missing Piece That '90s Show Season 1 Needed (& His Season 2 Return Proves It)
That ‘90s Show season 2 brought back a lot of original characters from That ‘70s Show and one of them, Bob Pinciotti, was the missing piece that the first season needed. While Red and Kitty Forman were the only That ‘70s Show characters who returned in the main cast of That ‘90s Show, the sequel series still brought plenty of beloved original faces back to Point Place. Season 2 gave some returning characters bigger roles, and That ‘90s Show part 2 proved how beneficial Bob Pinciotti’s presence is to the show’s story.
That ‘90s Show part 2 features exciting returns from original characters like Donna Pinciotti, Bob Pinciotti, and Mitch Miller. While Topher Grace’s Eric Forman is missing, the heightened presence of Donna and Bob in part 2 helps increase the representation of the family members of main character Leia Forman. Bob Pinciotti’s return to That ‘90s Show part 2 enhances the sitcom’s humor and strengthens the connection to the original series.
Bob Returning To Point Place Confirms Sherri Was Never His Real Replacement
There were still some kinks that needed to be worked out after That ‘90s Show season 1’s ending to better mirror the original series’ strong suits, and part 2 proves that Bob Pinciotti was the answer. While Sherri Runck was set up as Bob’s annoying next-door neighbor replacement, it became more apparent that Sherri was actually filling Eric and Laurie’s roles for Red and Kitty. Nobody could come in and fully replace Bob Pinciotti in That ‘70s Show’s world, as the character is a clear product of what Don Stark uniquely brings to the table.
Every interaction that Bob has with Red and Kitty in That ‘90s Show part 2 is a reminder of how greatly he enhanced the everyday humor of the original series. While the circumstances have changed now that they all share a granddaughter, Bob is just as competitive and comically prideful with the Formans as he was back in That ‘70s Show. With Bob back in Point Place and able to annoy Red Forman every day, this aspect of That ‘90s Show part 2 makes it feel as if no time has passed from That ‘70s Show’s ending.
Sherri Runck Takes On a New Role
With Bob and Sherri both being Red and Kitty’s neighbors by That ‘90s Show part 2’s ending, it’s more clear than ever that she was never the sequel’s real replacement for him. In fact, Sherri is absent from the first few episodes of That ‘90s Show part 2 while Red and Kitty’s subplot focuses on Bob’s return instead. Furthermore, Sherri has stopped unexpectedly coming over to the Formans’ and making herself at home as frequently in the new episodes, as Bob returns to his rightful place in assuming this lack of social graces.
As Sherri no longer competes with Bob’s role in That ‘90s Show, she increasingly becomes the sequel series’ answer to a more compassionate version of That ‘70s Show’s Laurie Forman. Now serving as a surrogate daughter for Red and Kitty, Sherri goes through the trials and tribulations of being a parent to two teenagers while still largely being in a state of arrested development herself. While That ‘90s Show doesn’t give a deeper exploration of Donna and Eric raising Leia, Sherri substitutes this missing piece as Red, Kitty, and Bob share the task of overseeing the new generation of Point Place teens.
