Summary

• Betsy Kelso from That '90s Show is shaping up to be the Laurie Forman replacement fans have been waiting for.
• Betsy's return in That '90s Show part 3 mirrors Laurie's story in That '70s Show, causing chaos in the same way.
• Betsy's confident, rebellious attitude and her relationship drama with Nate are reminiscent of Laurie's character arc.

That '90s Show has brought back an old That '70s Show character, and it looks like she is officially the series' Laurie Forman replacement. After three installments, it's unlikely that Laurie herself will make an appearance. While actor Christina Moore could feasibly make a cameo, the late Lisa Robin Kelly originally played the role. This makes bringing Laurie back for the Netflix spinoff a little more complicated, but the trouble might not be necessary.

Laurie Forman, Eric's older sister in That '70s Show, was a promiscuous and trouble-making character back in the day. She enjoyed bullying Eric while flirting with his friends, keeping them on her hook when she was bored of her typical older (married) boyfriends. Though That '90s Show brought back most original That '70s Show characters in season 1, Laurie wasn't among them. For a while, it seemed that Forman's neighbor, Sherri Runck, had filled her character archetype. However, That '90s Show part 3 has brought in an even better fit.

How That '90s Show Makes Betsy Kelso Its Laurie Forman Replacement

Betsy Fill's Laurie's Shoes In That '90s Show

That '90s Show part 3 brought back Betsy Kelso, Michael Kelso's daughter born in That '70s Show season 7. Played by Kira Kosarin, this character's return was undoubtedly exciting since the introduction of Jay in the Netflix spinoff series had led to questions about what had come of Betsy. That '90s Show part 3 finally came with answers, and audiences learned a great deal about who this Kelso girl had grown up to be. As it turns out, Betsy is a lot like That '70s Show's Laurie Forman.

Betsy is older than the rest of the That '90s Show gang, just like Laurie is older than Eric and his friends, and her confidence and attitude about sex and relationships are pretty similar as well. She has that sort of worldly quality and doesn't care much whether people like or approve of her. What's more, Betsy isn't afraid to upset her little brother, knowingly placing herself in the way of Jay and Nate's friendship in That '90s Show part 3. Not only is this all deeply remniscent of Laurie, but it's basically a repeat of the older That '70s Show character's story.

Betsy's That '90s Show Part 3 Return Repeats Laurie's That '70s Show Season 2 Story

Betsy's Story Is Awfully Familiar

In That '70s Show season 2, Laurie began dating Michael Kelso, knowing full well that this created a great deal of drama within Eric's friend group. Not only did this create a rift between Kelso and Eric, but it also sparked drama with Jackie. Naturally, Laurie didn't care a bit about any of this. She was far above the problems of these younger teenagers and focused only on having fun and getting what she wanted at the moment. This is all nearly identical to Betsy's story in That '90s Show part 3.

She was far above the problems of these younger teenagers and focused only on having fun and getting what she wanted at the moment.

Ironically, the drama Kelso created by dating Laurie was repeated in That '90s Show part 3 when his daughter started dating Nate. Jay was furious with his friend for hooking up with his sister, but Betsy couldn't have cared less. She enjoyed toying with the boys, pushing Nate to make silly decisions about his hair and change his behavior for her entertainment. Betsy really felt like Laurie 2.0 in this installment of That '90s Show. Now, it seems like she will continue to play a similar role, popping into the That '70s Show spinoff from time to time to cause a little chaos.