That ’90s Show Reference Subtly Creates A Paradox With Missing Original That ’70s Show Actor

WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for That ’90s Show part 2!

Netflix’s That ‘90s Show makes a reference to a movie that stars a recurring actor from That ‘70s Show, creating a paradox with her missing character. Considering That ‘70s Show was a pop culture staple in the late-’90s and early ‘00s, it was bound to be the case that references to certain actors, movies, and pop culture events of that era would create paradoxes in That ‘90s Show. However, That ‘90s Show season 2’s reference that breaks the foundation of That ‘70s Show’s reality isn’t even related to the 1990s, as the culprit is a controversial movie from 1980.

Now with an elevated role in That ‘90s Show season 2’s cast, Don Stark’s Bob Pinciotti ends up walking in on Jay and Leia kissing in her room after revealing that he’s buying the house across the street. A shocked Bob reacts to the sight by asking, “What in the Blue Lagoon is going on here?,” before rushing Jay downstairs to meet Red Forman’s foot-based wrath. While Bob’s reference to the 1980 movie Blue Lagoon makes little sense considering it implies that Jay and Leia are cousins, it also confirms a That ‘70s Show actor exists within That ‘90s Show’s world.

Bob’s Blue Lagoon Reference In That ’90s Show Creates A Paradox With Brooke Shields

Brooke Shields previously appeared in That ’70s Show

With Bob making an explicit reference to Blue Lagoon, Brooke Shields now officially exists within That ‘90s Show’s universe. A 14-year-old Brooke Shields starred in Blue Lagoon as Emmeline Lestrange, who grows up stranded alone on an island with her cousin after being shipwrecked as a child. Blue Lagoon was one of Shields’ biggest breakout movie roles, so there’s no way that Bob would know that movie without knowing who the main actress was. Therein lies the problem, as Brooke Shields also starred in That ’70s Show as Jackie’s mom, Pam Burkhart, who even dated Bob in a multi-episode arc.

Weirder, of course, is that Brooke Shields therefore portrays Jay Kelso’s grandmother. So, when Bob compares Leia kissing Jay to the romance between Brooke Shields and Christopher Atkins’ Blue Lagoon characters, the reference becomes a bit more twisted. Brooke Shields also has some notable television appearances in 1996, such as her cameo in Friends season 2’s Super Bowl episodes and the debut of her sitcom Suddenly Susan, which may be difficult for That ‘90s Show to ignore. As such, the paradox may only be worsened as That ‘90s Show goes on.

That ’90s Show’s Brooke Shields Paradox Makes A Pam Burkhart Cameo Less Likely

Pam’s return would be more complicated after Bob’s Blue Lagoon reference

With That ‘90s Show season 2 referencing one of Brooke Shields’ most famous movies, the actress reprising her role in Netflix’s series is less likely to happen. However, considering That ‘90s Show gives a greater focus to Leia’s grandparents in That ‘70s Show’s Forman and Pinciotti family tree, it would have been exciting to see some representation from that generation for Jay Kelso as well. Additionally, with Midge absent from That ‘90s Show, a new romance for Bob is expected. If Brooke Shields’ Pam Burkhart and Bob Pinciotti reunited, then his Blue Lagoon remark would make more sense, as Jay and Leia would be step-cousins.

That 90s Show

That ’70s Show returns set two decades later with That ’90s Show, acting as a sequel but bringing back old cast favorites. Led by Red (Kurtwood Smith) and Kitty (Debra Jo Rupp) Forman, the new cast arrives as the next generation, with the daughter of Eric and Donna, Leia Forman, leading the charge. Spending the summer with her grandparents, Leia makes new friends and forges new bonds in Point Place, Wisconsin. That ’70s Show series regulars make cameos in the show to maintain that sense of familiarity, and the show adopts the conventions of the ’90s as expected. That ’90s Show first aired on Netflix with a total of ten episodes. 

Cast

Kurtwood Smith , Debra Jo Rupp , Mace Coronel , Callie Haverda , Ashley Aufderheide , Sam Morelos , Reyn Doi , Maxwell Acee Donovan

Release Date

January 19, 2023

Seasons

1

Writers

Gregg Mettler , Bonnie Turner , Lindsey Turner , Terry Turner

Directors

Gail Mancuso , Laura Prepon

Showrunner

Gregg Mettler

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