Top 10 '90s References in That '90s Show
#10: Zima “That '90s Pilot”
In the pilot episode, Eric and Donna are adjusting to being "upstairs people" after spending much of their teen years in the Formans' basement. They still get to be part of a circle - only this time, the recreational activity is a little different. While worrying about his daughter, Eric throws back a bottle of Zima. What's that, you ask? Well, it's a clear, low-alcohol beer alternative released by Coors in 1993 as part of the "clear trend." Coors advertised it as "Zomething Different," but for many, it was "zomething" they wouldn't want to drink again. Still, it wasn't discontinued in the U.S. until 2008 and even made brief comebacks in 2017 and 2018.
#9: “The Real World” “Free Leia”
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Desperate to prove she’s cool, Leia drags her grandmother to some stranger’s house to track down a copy of the movie “Clerks.” However, we, and Kitty, get a blast from the past when the door opens. Spacey as ever, Leo goes on about the reality show “The Real World,” which premiered in 1992. “The Real World” was kind of like “Big Brother,” but aimed at teens and young adult audiences. It also aired before that reality competition series. “The Real World” was celebrated for its candidness over topical issues like physical intimacy, discrimination, politics, and more. It didn’t end until 2019, although it underwent several structure changes over the years. Leo would be great on it, but we’re not sure he meets all the requirements.
#8: The Menéndez Brothers “Rave”
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Kitty joyfully tells her husband about her bonding experience with Leia, but, in true Red fashion, he decides to rain on her parade. He’s referring to one of the most infamous trials of the 1990s, where two brothers, Lyle and Erik, were convicted of killing their parents, José and Marie Louise. After younger brother Erik admitted to his psychologist of his involvement in the crime, he was arrested and Lyle surrendered 3 days later. Their trial, starting in 1993, was broadcast on Court TV, creating a significant nationwide buzz. In 1996, they were convicted and sentenced to life without parole, and they’re still in prison as of writing. Still, their case has been well-documented across popular culture ever since.
#7: Riot Grrrl Various
The Formans’ neighbor and Leia’s new bestie, Gwen, prides herself on being a devoted Riot Grrrl. She occasionally talks about the movement, reads their magazines, and even has the name plastered on her bedroom wall. But what exactly is Riot Grrl? It’s a subcultural movement in feminism, started in the early 90s, that combines gender equality with the punk subculture. Women formed bands and created music to fight against the predominantly male music genre and the sexism they’d experienced within. Gwen definitely looks the part, but maybe she needs to read a few more “zines” to totally embrace her inner Riot Grrrl.
#6: Grunge Fashion Various
While the roots of grunge can be traced back to music as early as the 1960s and 1970s, the musical genre as it’s known today experienced its heydays in the late 80s and 90s. Followers of the movement tended to dress in thrift store or thrift-store looking pieces, opting for casual, loose, genderless styles, such as ripped jeans, combat boots, slogan t-shirts, and a lot of flannel. While the fashion and movement aren’t mentioned by name in the series, you can see grunge’s influence throughout. A great example is during the group’s first Circle, when they, but especially Gwen, becomes enamored with a box of Red’s old shirts. Nikki even points out how hot Nate would look wearing one. It’s a hella cool way to acknowledge one of the decade’s biggest trends.
#5: That Very ‘90s Playlist Various
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Like its predecessor, “That ‘90s Show” boasts a banging soundtrack bound to take any ‘90s kid straight back to their youth. The show opens with Kitty getting jiggy to Deee-Lite’s “Groove Is In The Heart,” and when Leia first sees Gwen, she’s singing along to Alanis Morissette’s angsty “You Oughta Know.” 1995 hit “This Is How We Do It” by Montell Jordan and Salt-N-Pepa’s “Shoop,” from 1993, play when Leia tries to force her first kiss. We also hear songs from Collective Soul, Blind Melon, The Muffs, Boyz II Men, and more. And who among us didn’t want to jump on the sofa and bust a move when the crew jammed out to Skee-Lo’s “I Wish”?
#4: “Beverly Hills, 90210” “The Birthday Girl”
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Leia descends into a sad hole after her non-breakup with Jay. She works through her feelings by obsessively watching teen drama “Beverly Hills, 90210.” The show, which premiered in 1990, was super popular and launched the careers of several of its original cast members, including Jason Priestley, Shannen Doherty, Luke Perry and Tori Spelling. It also featured Brian Austin Green, who cameos in this episode. We even get a few “90210” style fantasy sequences, each funnier than the last. Leia also imagines David Silver, played by Green, turning up to her party. If you were a teen in the 90s, you could no doubt relate to Leia and her obsession with the hit TV show.
#3: Is Jay Leia’s Lobster? “Rave”
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You couldn’t set a sitcom in the 90s without mentioning one of the decade’s most iconic duos. No, not that one, this one. In “Rave,” Leia and Jay struggle to land on the same page regarding their relationship, leading to arguably the most quintessentially 90s conversations imaginable. Jay’s hoping that he’s Leia’s lobster, but she has more of a chick and duck vibe in mind. “Friends” was one of the biggest hits of the decade and a worldwide sensation, so a “’90s Show” shoutout is the perfect inclusion. Is Jay Leia’s lobster? Who knows. Still, we couldn’t BE more invested in this on-again-off-again love story, and we really want to see where it goes.
#2: Video Rental Stores “Free Leia”
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Before streaming giants brought entertainment directly into our homes, people visited these magical places called video rental stores. Like Leia, many of us spent far too long looking for the perfect movie only to learn it's already been rented. Still, watching Leia browse the shelves and seeing all the snacks behind the counter hit us hard with nostalgia. Leia tells her grandma her favorite movie is "Free Willy," a heartwarming family drama from 1993. However, she worries it's not cool enough and settles on "Clerks" instead. However, she knows very little about the 1994 comedy written, directed, and featuring Kevin Smith. We hope she at least remembered to be kind and rewind.
#1: The Internet Age “Step by Step”
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“That ‘90s Show” is full of technological throwbacks, from the Formans’ VCR to Leia’s disposable camera. However, 1995 was the year the internet really took off, and we were all getting acquainted with email, instant messaging, and the World Wide Web. Kitty jumps on the bandwagon and buys a computer, which Ozzie helps her set up. Watching her grapple with this new technology is hilarious, from learning what the mouse does to a slight fear that the government is listening. The sound of dial-up will forever be like nails on a chalkboard to those of us who endured it. But Kitty’s description of the noise is a pretty apt and still relevant commentary on the internet as a whole.
