Summary
The absence of an original That ’70s Show character in That ’90s Show sparks a fan theory involving Gwen’s father.
A fan theory posits that Steven Hyde from That ’70s Show could be Gwen’s father, which would explain his absence in the spinoff.
Hyde’s absence in That ’90s Show makes sense because of the actor, but this fan theory offers a way to address his character’s disappearance in the world of the show.
This article contains mention of sexual assault
One brilliant fan theory explains a That ’70s Show character’s glaring absence from That ’90s Show. Although the spinoff centers on Eric and Donna’s teenage daughter Leia and the new friends she made while spending the summer in Point Place with Red and Kitty, there are still a ton of That ’70s Show Easter Eggs and references in That ’90s Show, including connections between the original characters and the new cast. Besides the Formans’ obvious connection, Kelso and Jackie are Jay’s parents and Fez is dating Sherri, Gwen and Nate’s mother and Red and Kitty’s next-door neighbor.
That ’90s Show
season 1 is available to stream on Netflix.
That ’70s Show
is available to stream on Peacock.
Other That ’70s Show characters make cameos in That ’90s Show too, like Donna’s dad Bob and Tommy Chong’s Leo. However, one prominent character from the cast of That ’70s Show has yet to make an appearance or even be mentioned in the spinoff. There’s a valid explanation for why the actor hasn’t returned, but That ’90s Show has yet to address his absence. However, one fan theory provides the perfect way for That ’90s Show season 2 to explain his disappearance and finally put the issue of his absence at bay.
That ’90s Show
season 2 will be released in summer 2024.
Related That ’90s Show Season 1 Ending: What’s Next For Every Character That ’90s Show’s season 1 finale leaves plenty of loose ends untied for Leia and the gang as summer 1995 comes to an end in Point Place.
That ’90s Show Fan Theory Explains A Major Absence (& Reveals Gwen’s Father)
The Theory Posits That Gwen’s Father Is Steven Hyde
In That ’90s Show, Leia becomes friends with her next-door neighbor, Gwen Runck, who lives in The Pinciottis’ old house with her mother Sherri and half-brother Nate. Gwen explains early on that she and Nate have different fathers, which is why the half-siblings appear to be different races. It’s later revealed that Gwen’s dad is a truck driver whom she only sees “when he comes through town on his way to another city.” Because he never appears onscreen and is never named, there is a fan theory that Steven Hyde from That ’70s Show is actually Gwen’s father.
Not only is Hyde being Gwen’s father totally plausible, but this theory would also explain Hyde’s absence in That ’90s Show
.
It makes sense, given the similarities between the characters. Gwen and Hyde are both rebellious and seen as bad influences on their friends, and live to challenge authority. Hyde also had absentee parents himself, and it was often implied in That ’70s Show that he might do the same to his children someday. Although it’s implied that Gwen’s dad is Black and Hyde was presumed to be white, it’s revealed later on in That ’70s Show that Hyde’s biological father is Black, so it’s still possible that Gwen is Hyde’s daughter in That ’90s Show.
Not only is Hyde being Gwen’s father totally plausible, but this theory would also explain Hyde’s absence in That ’90s Show. He’s the only character from the main ’70s gang who doesn’t have a connection to the new cast or make an appearance in the spinoff. That ’90s Show has yet to address Hyde’s absence or even mention him at all. If Hyde turned out to be Gwen’s absentee father, it would provide an opportunity to finally bring up the character, establish his whereabouts, and explain why he’s not around.
This Fan Theory Is That ’90s Show’s Best Chance At Addressing Hyde’s Disappearance
Hyde’s Absence Makes Sense In Real Life, But Not In The Show
Hyde not appearing or even being mentioned in That ’90s Show might seem mystifying given the character’s significance in the original show, but there is a very real reason why Danny Masterson, the actor who portrayed Hyde in That ’70s Show, didn’t return for the spinoff. Masterson was accused of sexual assault by multiple women and facing criminal charges long before production started on That ’90s Show. Since That ’90s Show premiered in January 2023, Masterson has been convicted of two counts of rape and sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Instead of figuring out a satisfying and sufficient way to write off the character, That ’90s Show avoided the topic of Hyde altogether, essentially pretending he never existed.
It’s not exactly a mystery why That ’90s Show didn’t give Hyde a connection to the new characters or find a way for him to make a cameo like the rest of Eric’s friend group. It would’ve been incredibly controversial and an overall bad call if Masterson reprised his role in the spinoff. However, instead of figuring out a satisfying and sufficient way to write off the character, That ’90s Show avoided the topic of Hyde altogether, essentially pretending he never existed.
While Masterson’s onscreen absence makes sense and doesn’t need explaining, the character’s absence still needs to be dealt with in the show somehow. Hyde was like a brother to Eric and a son to Red and Kitty, and ignoring the existence of such a prominent character creates a plot hole. Revealing that Hyde is Gwen’s father is the best way to address Hyde’s absence in That ’90s Show and give the OG character a connection to the new batch of kids, without having to bring back the original actor or recasting the character.
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