10 things that went wrong in the 90s in the 90s

That 70s show was a successful sitcom in the late 90s and early 2000s. As the name suggests, it was a throwback to the 1970s that captured the fashion, social issues and pop culture trends of the time. That 70s show made stars of Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis and remains a popular sitcom to this day. Of course, its success and popularity led to a few spin-offs. That ’80s show came first. Although it was a spin-off, this series did not contain any of the storylines and characters That 70s show and featured a completely new cast. And that was one of the problems. That ’80s show crashed and burned, it only lasted one season.

That 90s show was the most recent spin-off. But it too was canceled after just two seasons. It managed to avoid the mistakes of its predecessor by continuing with the characters and storylines That 70s show. But That 90s show wasn’t without problems. How That ’70s show, It was intended to capture the fashion, technology, social issues and pop culture trends of the decade. But there were many things That 90s show I was wrong in the 1990s.

10 Modern merch

The Phantom of the Opera was a big deal in the ’90s — and stayed that way until its final performance in 2023, becoming the longest-running Broadway show of all time. It’s completely reasonable that Ozzie (Reyn Doi) would rock some stuff in the episode “Lip Smackers.” phantom Merch. But in 1995 The Phantom of the Opera had a different logo than what we see on the screen. The mask wasn’t that big back then and there was a rose next to the title. What Ozzie Wears didn’t go into production until after the musical’s 25th anniversary in 2013.

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9 Renovation of Lambeau Field stadium

Since That 90s show is set in Wisconsin, it makes sense that the series pays tribute to the Green Bay Packers, especially since this was Packers quarterback Brett Favre’s decade. One of these references appears in the first season episode, “Step by Step.” If you look to the right of Leia’s (Callie Haverda) head, you’ll see a photo of the legendary Packers stadium, Lambeau Field.

Only a die-hard Packers fan would spot the mistake in this photo. In 1995, the site of the show, Lambeau Field still had its iconic green rim. This edge is missing from the photo and was replaced by the brick facade constructed during the stadium’s 2013 renovation. Basically, Netflix just obtained a black and white photo of what is now Lambeau Field and hung it on the wall.

8 Green Bay Packers jersey

Lambeau Field isn’t the Green Bay Packers’ only mistake That 90s show. In the pilot episode, Nate (Maxwell Acee Donovan) rocks a Packers jersey. There are some cool aspects to this outfit choice. Wearing jerseys casually was a fashion trend in the 90s. And Nate’s jersey is a cool homage to Packers fullback William Henderson, who started out as number 30 but later changed his name to number 33. But The timing of this jersey is still not quite right. Henderson was drafted in the third round in April 1995, but this episode takes place in the summer of 1995. Henderson hadn’t even played yet. It seems unlikely that Nate would wear the jersey of a third-round rookie who hasn’t even played yet – or that that jersey would even be in production.

7 Incorrect Cool Ranch Doritos packaging

Doritos was the favorite snack of 90s children. Almost everyone in the cafeteria had a bag of these delicious chips in their brown paper lunch bag. Cool Ranch Doritos may have the best flavor (an argument can be made for Spicy Sweet Chili, but we’re not here to talk about that). Cool Ranch makes a guest appearance in an episode of That 90s show. But we would like to know where Mama’s Discount Liquors sources their inventory from. The Doritos packaging shown shows the renamed logo from 2013. And the 1995 flavor was named cooler Ranch, not Cool Ranch, as we see in the episode. All that Netflix money and they couldn’t even get the right packaging?

6 How Stella got her groove back

How Stella got her groove back was a pop culture phenomenon in the 90s. Based on the best-selling novel of the same name, the film features a star-studded African-American cast that includes Angela Bassett, Whoopi Goldberg, Regina King and Taye Diggs in his film debut. That 90s show seems to omit a reference to this film and book.

In the episode “Lip Smackers”, Gwen says to her mother in a cheeky tone, “Thanks for the ride, but could you go somewhere else to get your groove back?” Assuming this is a reference to How Stella got her groove back (and let’s be honest), then this comment makes no sense. The first season is set in 1995. But the book wasn’t published until 1996, and the movie wasn’t released until 1998. Seriously, Netflix, do your research.

5 Romeo + Juliet reenactment

Baz Luhrmans Romeo + Juliet was a big movie in the 90s. It stars Leonardo DiCaprio on his young heartthrob stage as Romeo and Claire Danes as his Juliet. The film places these star-crossed lovers in modern times, but interestingly retains their Shakespearean dialect. In the season two episode “Baby-Baby-Baby,” Leia has a dream in which she and her friend Jay Kelso (Mace Coronel) reenact the iconic aquarium scene Romeo + Juliet.

There’s nothing wrong with fantasizing about this scene, but there Is Something is wrong with the timeline. Season 2 of That 90s show was filmed in the summer of 1996. In the meantime Romeo+Juliet was only published on November 1, 1996.

4 A very early Batman Forever video release

One of the great things to do in the 90s was to visit the local video store, usually a Blockbuster (RIP). Visitors took their time wandering the aisles, checking out the films on display and checking out the new releases until they found the perfect choice for movie night.

That 90s show is a homage to this popular trend of the 90s. The main characters are often seen visiting their local video store, Video Haven. This video store definitely seems like the place to be, especially since Video Haven seems to have some very, very early releases. The store showcases films that have not yet been released on VHS (VHS stands for Video Home System for all the little ones out there).

In the series’ second episode, “Free Leia,” eagle-eyed viewers may notice a VHS copy of Batman forever, a major film event of the 90s, on the shelves of Video Haven. That’s actually impossible. This episode takes place on July 4th weekend, 1995. Batman forever was still in the cinema at that time. In fact, it was the #2 film at the box office that weekend.

The VHS of Batman forever was not released until October 31, 1995, months after this episode takes place. Even by today’s standards, a film would not be available to rent or purchase three weeks after its release.

3 A two-year preview of The Lost World: Jurassic Park

Batman forever isn’t the only film Video Haven shouldn’t show. Right of Batman forever, You can watch the VHS of The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Which is an even worse historical inaccuracy. As mentioned, this episode takes place in 1995. But The Lost World: Jurassic Park only came into cinemas in 1997.

Is Video Haven a time-traveling video store that travels into the future to source hot new releases? With this technology, the blockbuster might even have survived. Not even Netflix could keep up with that.

2 Alanis Morissette’s “You Oughta Know”

The ’90s produced some iconic music. There was Nirvana, the Spice Girls, Mariah Carey and so many others. But one of the defining songs of the decade was “You Oughta Know” by Alanis Morissette. It was a chart-topping single that captured raw female angst, with lyrics dripping with hatred over a really bad breakup. The song was everywhere, including in the pilot episode of That 90s show.

Leia stands very conspicuously in front of a stranger’s window and listens to that stranger, Gwen (Ashley Aufderheide), singing Alanis Morissette’s “You Oughta Know.” Makes perfect sense – until you realize the time frame. That 90s show begins on July 3, 1995 and Morissette’s single was released three days later. So close, Netflix, and yet so far.

1 90s views on homosexuality

Ozzie is basically the Fez of That ’90s show, the comedic person of color with a female voice. But unlike Fez, Ozzie is an openly gay character. He comes out in the first season and is immediately embraced and accepted by those around him, even the older characters in the series. This is a warm, fuzzy image, but unfortunately this was not the reality of the 1990s. Although the decade was more progressive than previous ones, homosexuality was still heavily stigmatized in the ’90s.

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It was a decade in which people freely spread homosexual slurs that included the statement “You’re gay!” was a common insult, even if it was only meant as a joke between friends. Gay marriage was still illegal. The Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Act, which barred open members of the LGBTQ+ community from military service, went into effect in 1994. And Ellen DeGeneres lost her sitcom: Ellen, and almost her career when she appeared on television (although she still lost her career much later for other reasons).

We’re all for supporting the LGBTQ+ community and it’s wonderful to see a teenager embracing their homosexuality while being accepted by those around them. We wish the 90s were like this. But unfortunately, That 90s show sanitized the decade’s blatant homophobia and presented a distorted, squeaky-clean version of how things really were.