Summary
- That '90s Show is a sequel to That '70s Show, but guest cameos from the original series would break the universe continuity.
- Dwayne Johnson's appearance on That '70s Show as a wrestler makes him a meta-defying cameo option for That '90s Show.
- Lindsay Lohan, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Alyson Hannigan, and Katey Sagal are all potential '90s cameos that could break the universe of That '90s Show but enhance it at the same time.
That ‘90s Show. Running from 1999-2006, That ‘70s Show followed Wisconsin teens Eric, Donna, Hyde, Kelso, Jackie, and Fez throughout their adolescence in the 1970s. In 2022, Netflix revived the franchise with the sequel That ‘90s Show, which picked up in 1990s-era Point Place as Eric and Donna’s daughter, Leia Forman (Callie Haverda), spent the summer with her grandparents Red and Kitty, making crucial friends and memories along the way.
Since That ‘70s Show initially began airing in the late ‘90s, the sitcom featured guest spots from several iconic actors and celebrities of the 1990s, as well as nods to the ‘70s. While those cameos were great additions to the world of That ‘70s Show, those same actors would be famous during the sequel’s timeline. Many of the actors who appeared on That ‘70s Show would break the universe of That ‘90s Show with their real-life fame — but they could enhance the show as well.
10 Dwayne Johnson
While Dwayne Johnson is now known for his acting work, he initially rose to prominence in the 1990s as a wrestler known as “The Rock,” which would make him a perfect cameo for Netflix’s That ‘90s Show. Johnson was a professional wrestler from 1996 until 2004, when he began to transition to acting. In fact, Johnson’s first credited role was actually on That ‘70s Show, where he played his own father in the season 1 episode “That Wrestling Show”. His connection to both the That ‘70s Show franchise and the 1990s make him one of the most universe-breaking options for cameos in That ‘90s Show.
Since Johnson’s initial role on That ‘70s Show saw him play his father Rocky Johnson at the wrestling show the gang attends, appearing again as himself this time would be a meta-defying cameo for the Netflix sequel. Not only would this be a perfect nod to the beginning of The Rock’s career, but having a wrestling episode in a future That ‘90s Show season could be a fun callback to That ‘70s Show. Johnson’s opportunity to parallel his That ‘70s Show guest role and break That ‘90s Show’s universe continuity would make him an amazing cameo.
9 Lindsay Lohan
As an icon of the 1990s, Lindsay Lohan would be an ideal cameo for That ‘90s Show. Since Lohan was a child star in movies like The Parent Trap, a potential appearance by Lohan in That ‘90s Show would serve as a ‘90s pop culture nod that also paradoxically breaks the show's universe. Lohan’s role on That ‘70s Show saw her playing a client at the hair salon Fez worked at. Since Fez still does hair in That ‘90s Show, Lohan could potentially reprise that character. She could also appear in a role that pays homage to her ‘90s movies.
8 Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Joseph Gordon-Levitt is now a major actor, but like Lohan, he got his start as a child actor in the 1990s. This makes him another great choice to appear in That ‘90s Show. Gordon-Levitt had a major role in the 1990s sitcom 3rd Rock From The Sun, where he played Tommy. This made him a great choice for his guest role in the 1999 season of That ‘70s Show, where he infamously portrayed Eric’s lab partner and friend Buddy Morgan. His ‘90s connection makes Gordon-Levitt an even better choice to appear in That ‘90s Show.
Whether Gordon-Levitt revived his initial That ‘70s Show role or did something related to his famous ‘90s movies and shows, he would be an amazing guest for That ‘90s Show. On one hand, it would be great to have Gordon-Levitt reprise the phased-out role of Buddy Morgan, especially considering Ozzie’s journey in the show. However, a cameo that was referential to Gordon-Levitt’s ‘90s projects like 3rd Rock or 10 Things I Hate About You would be great pop culture nod. Either way, Gordon-Levitt is one famous ‘90s actor who should definitely appear in the That ‘70s Show sequel.
7 Alyson Hannigan
Alyson Hannigan has had many roles over the course of her career, but her resume in the 1990s would make her a fitting guest star for That ‘90s Show. By the time Hannigan appeared in That ‘70s Show as police cadet Suzy Simpson, she had already been featured in iconic ‘90s series like American Pie and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Given both series’ popularity, referencing them by featuring Hannigan would be a perfect way to work in a That ‘90s Show cameo that breaks its timeline. The show could even bring back Suzy, which would make a Hannigan appearance a hysterical callback.
6 Seth Green
Seth Green would be another amazing ‘90s-era cameo to bring back for That ‘90s Show. As a young actor in the ‘90s, Green has a wealth of 1990s movie and TV appearances across the decade that create several paradoxes for That '90s Show if he returned. However, what really makes Green a perfect guest star to bring back for the That ‘70s Show sequel is his connection to the original That ‘70s Show, where he played Eric’s nemesis Mitch. Considering Eric and Donna still appear on That ‘90s Show, having them reconnect with Mitch would be interesting, especially if Mitch’s character is melded with Green’s real-life '90s success.
5 Melissa Joan Hart
Of all the That ‘70s Show guest spots and celebrity cameos, Melissa Joan Hart's was one of the strongest. Hart appeared on That ‘70s Show in season 2, but Hart was already famous for her previous ‘90s roles. Starring in iconic teen shows like Clarissa Explains It All and Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Hart has a wealth of roles for That ‘90s Show to draw from. Having a fantasy sequence using one of Hart’s famous characters would be a perfect way to bring her back without breaking the universe too much, especially considering Clarissa Explains It All and Sabrina the Teenage Witch are aimed at the gang’s demographic.
4 Shannon Elizabeth
Shannon Elizabeth is not only a great choice for a That ‘90s Show cameo for her relevance to the ‘90s, but also for the important role that she played in That ‘70s Show. Elizabeth was considered a 1990s teen idol, having risen to prominence as part of the ensemble cast of American Pie. If That ‘90s Show continues its moving through its 1990s timeline, the show will inevitably end up at the height of American Pie’s popularity, which would make a paradoxical cameo from Elizabeth a fun nod to ‘90s pop culture.
Beyond Elizabeth’s potential to break the That ‘90s Show universe with her American Pie fame, Elizabeth’s relevance to the universe of That ‘70s Show is an even better reason to bring her back. In That ‘70s Show, Elizabeth portrayed Brooke, who is the mother of Kelso’s first child Betsy. Betsy’s absence from That ‘90s Show is one of the biggest questions left unanswered after season 1, so solving that mystery while also featuring a ‘90s icon would make an Elizabeth cameo even better.
3 Eliza Dushku
Eliza Dushku had plenty of iconic roles in the 1990s, making her a solid choice for a That ‘90s Show cameo. Dushku originally appeared on That ‘70s Show in 2005 as 'Sizzling' Sarah. However, what makes her ripe for a feature on That ‘90s Show is her 1990s filmography, which includes appearances in classic shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer. A cameo on Dushku could be even better if she appeared in an episode with fellow Buffy alum Hannigan, as the only thing better than one universe-defying ‘90s cameo is two.
2 Brooke Shields
Brooke Shields experienced consistent success since the 1980s, which continued into the ‘90s. Shields had a run on the sitcom Suddenly Susan, which takes place in the middle of the That ‘90s Show timeline. This would make a cameo referencing Shields’ series apt for That ‘90s Show, if a bit paradoxical. However, what makes a Shields cameo even more perfect for That ‘90s Show is the role she played in That ‘70s Show, where she appeared as Jackie’s mother, Pam Burkhart. Bringing Pam back to embarrass Jay just as much as Pam embarrassed Jackie would be an amazing callback to the original show.
1 Katey Sagal
Another TV and movie icon, Katey Sagal’s continuing success in the ‘90s for her Married...With Children role and the beginning of Futurama would make her an amazingly paradoxical That ‘90s Show cameo. Unfortunately, it would be hard for Sagal to reprise her role as Edna because of Hyde’s absence in That ‘90s Show. However, the silver lining of this is that it leaves the door open for the series to make references to one of Sagal’s other famous ‘90s roles. Given Sagal’s comedic prowess, the sky's the limit for the universe-defying ways that Sagal could provide a cameo in That ‘90s Show.