Summary
OneThat ‘90s Showseason 2 guest star has an interesting history with the sitcom franchise, having played a part in the production ofThat ‘70s Showyears earlier.That ’90s Show’s cast of charactersare likable enough for the sitcom spinoff to need no celebrity cameos. However, like its predecessorThat ’70s Show, the Netflix comedy still brings in famous faces from time to time to spice up proceedings. InThat ‘90s Showseason 2, these cameos can be supporting stars established byThat ‘70s Showyears earlier or entirely new characters.
Although a lot ofThat ‘70s Showcharacters aremissing fromThat ‘90s Showseason 2, the series did bring back Seth Green’s Mitch to update viewers on the supporting star’s fate. Although formerThat ‘70s Showguest star Wayne Knight also appeared in one episode of season 2, he didn’t reprise his role from the earlier series. Instead, Knight played a new character who Red befriended while in hospital. LikeKnight’sThat ‘90s Showseason 2 cameo, another star’s appearance offered viewers a subtle nod to the show’s history.
Why 1 That ’70s Show Star Has An Expanded Role In That ’90s Show Season 2
That ’90s Show producers Gregg Mettler and Kurtwood Smith break down how ’70s Show star Don Stark’s expanded season 2 as Bob Pinciotti came to be.
Will Forte’s Role In That ’90s Show Explained
Will Forte Plays Kiefer The Cocaine Addicted Spiritual Scam Artist
In season 2, episode 6, “I Can See Clearly Now,”Will Forte appears as Kiefer, a fake spiritual guru who charges Kitty hundreds of dollars to cleanse her home. Kiefer’s reliance on cocaine is obvious to everyone except the eternally innocent Kitty and Forte plays the sleazy character with a combination of transparent phoniness and smug faux-enlightenment. Most recently seen in Netflix’s comedic thrillerBodkin, Forte is known for his time onSaturday Night Liveand his leading roles in 2010’sMacGruberand its 2021 TV spinoff, as well asStrays,Scoob,A Futile and Stupid Gesture, andNebraska.
However, Forte also has a connection toThat ‘70s Showthat viewers might not know about. Years before his guest appearance inThat ’90s Showseason 2, Forte served as a writer and producer onThat ’70s Showbetween 2001-2003. WhileFez’sThat ’90s Showseason 2 absencemight be strange, Forte’s return means the spinoff is more closely linked to its predecessor than it might seem. In its second season,That ’90s Showdecreased its reliance on cameos fromThat ‘70s Show’s original cast, so it is fun to see the series secretly bring back behind-the-scenes talent.
That ‘70s Showwas an important stepping stone in Forte’s career trajectory.
How Will Forte’s Appearance In That ’90s Show Is A Nod To That ’70s Show
Forte Was A Producer On That ‘70s Show During Its Original Run
Prior toThat ‘70s Show, Forte cut his teeth writing for the similarly nostalgic ‘90s sitcom3rd Rock from the Sun. It was his time as a cast member onSaturday Night Livethat made the star more recognizable, butThat ‘70s Showwas an important stepping stone in his career trajectory. As such,Forte’sThat ‘90s Showcameo is a sweet nod to his earlier workthat also works as a funny supporting role for viewers who weren’t aware of the star’s background. Forte wrote forThat ‘70s Showin an era that many viewers still consider its peak.
Forte wrote for the series between 2001 and 2003, working on series 4, 5, and 6. While series 7 and 8 were disastrously received due to various stars quitting the series and their replacements not working out, series 1 and 2 were a little more sedate and dull than the show’s strongest outings.That ‘90s Showseason 2’s many cameosprove that the series is aiming for the zanier, more playful approach ofThat ‘70s Showseasons 3—6, and it is easy to see why. With cartoonier side characters and more ambitious plots, Forte’s era is fondly remembered.
Forte tried his hand at dramatic acting with 2013’sNebraska
What Will Forte Did After Working On That ’70s Show
Forte Went On To Star In The Last Man On Earth, Scoob, And MacGruber
Forte parlayed his work as a TV writer into a successful audition forSaturday Night Liveand the star remained a cast member there for eight years. Near the end of this run, Forte starred inMacGruber, a feature-length action comedy based on his recurringSaturday Night Livecharacter of the sneak name.MacGruberwas a critical and commercial failure but has gone on to become a cult classic. In the years that followed, Forte tried his hand at dramatic acting with 2013’sNebraskaand landed a lead role in the critically acclaimed sitcomThe Last Man On Earth.
Since then, Forte has appeared in major movies likeScoob,Strays, andThe Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, as well as smaller indie productions likeExtra Ordinary. Outside ofThat ‘90s Show’s Easter egg cameo, the actor recently played supporting roles inThe Simpsons,The Great North,Rick and Morty, andScott Pilgrim Takes Off. He starred in Netflix’sBodkinas well as the TV adaptation ofMacGruber. Forte also had a role in the upcoming spinoffSausage Party: FoodtopiaafterThat ‘90s Showreminded viewers of his stint onThat ‘70s Show.
