A show that includes the line “Hello Wisconsin!”, of course. There will be plenty of references to Badger State in its opening theme song, though some of that will necessitate a pause in the proposed timeline.
“The ’90s Show,” a 10-episode Netflix series that serves as the sequel to the popular sitcom “The ’70s Show,” made sure to throw in some Packers references and shed more or less light on the fictional Pointe, Wisconsin. Place where the events of the show take place in the summer of 1995.
But eagle-eyed viewers caught some details that might have been a departure from the ’90s we’ve come to know and love.
William Henderson jersey
In Episode 1, “90s Pilot,” we meet our cast, including “70s Show” star Eric (Topher Grace) and Donna’s (Laure Prepon) daughter Leia (Callie Haverda), who Take the lead in this show. She spends the summer with her grandparents (Kitty and Red Forman, Debra Jo Rupp and real-life Wisconsin native Kurtwood Smith reprise their roles).
One of the grandparents’ neighbors, Nate (Maxwell Acee Donovan), donned William Henderson’s No. 30 jersey, a nod to the Packers guard who played for Green Bay from 1995-2006.
The show got it right that Henderson did wear No. 30 before switching to No. 33 after his first three seasons in the league. Interestingly, Henderson had just theoretically been drafted in late April 1995 (the show opened on July 3, 1995), so it seems unlikely that Nate would already have the jersey for a third-round pick, while Not hitting a low for the Packers. Nate doesn’t quite have the knack for recognizing the greatness of UNC guards, but maybe we’re judging him too harshly.
Maybe the kids at Point Place just like round numbers. In the 10th and final episode of the season, Gwen (Ashley Auferheide) has the number 40 emblazoned on the center of her Green Bay Packers jersey. In the years prior to 1995, the Packers did not have a 40th on their roster; only one Packers player wore the number from 1987-96, and that was defensive back Johnny Jackson, who wore it in 1992 Played a game.
Future versions of Lambeau Field
During a meal at a restaurant called “The Hub” in episode 5 (“Step By Step” – a fun homage to another Wisconsin sitcom), we see a photo of Leia’s shoulder showing Lambeau Field, but it’s Lambeau Field’s image is very similar to what it looks like today, with the brick facade originally built during a renovation in the early 2000’s.
The 1995 Lambeau Field still has a green perimeter that could mercifully be called moiré chic, so we’re a lot different than we were in 1995.
You can also catch a glimpse of Camp Randall Stadium in the wall decoration.
Clearly at Point Place, the Bucks are already championship-caliber
Blink and you’ll miss it, but there’s also a Milwaukee Bucks pennant above the “The Hub” window near the door. The logo you see is the modern bucks logo, born in 2015, not the purple logo of that era. If it’s hard to tell the color schemes on your TV, just look at the heads, the more triangular modern versions versus the more rounded ones used in the 1990s.
Granted, the Bucks have re-integrated their purple jerseys into the jersey design this year, so what’s old is new again.
The Point Place Gazette has a different history on its page
In episode 10, Red Forman can be seen reading a newspaper. In the finale, we see his Point Place Gazette sports front page feature a photo of a baseball player and the headline, “Three Fumbles in 8th Inning End Hot Streak.” Late summer or early fall 1995, Brewers The team (assuming that baseball team tops local sports) didn’t play any games that fit that description, but the team ended up going 58-58 starting in August before losing nine of 11 games. The game in September. Both the Brewers and our characters are clearly struggling with the back-to-school routine at the same time.
The second headline is “New Stadium Breaks Ground,” which is a bit of a digression if we’re talking about Miller Park — in November 1996, ground was broken for the Brewers’ new home.
Clearly, we’re talking a light-hearted sitcom with sports references that aren’t just…well, on the field that matter to the plot.
Reward: Carnival!oh wait no it’s just a carnival
In the episode titled “Rave,” Ozzie (Reyn Doi) flips through a magazine looking for events in Milwaukee where you possible Think of this episode as taking our characters to The Rave, a legendary concert venue. Ugh.
Ozzie is reading the fictional “What’s Up, Wisconsin” newsmagazine and giving a quick rundown of things to do in the big city; he mentions four different cheese festivals before noticing “Warehouse Bash in Milwaukee.” Presumably this is not the actual The Rave/Eagles Club concert hall…could be confused for a warehouse?
At least when Red came to pick up Leia at The Rave (sorry, no, it was just “rave”), he wore a Green Bay Packers hat.
JR Radcliffe can be reached at (262) 361-9141 or jradcliffe@gannett.com.Follow him on Twitter @JRRadcliffe.
