That 70s Show and 90s Show comparison

I know it has been a while since I posted here.

I watched all three parts of That 90s Show on Netflix and watched all episodes of That 70s Show, I am rewatching it on Peacock. A lot of fans have compared That 90s Show to Girl Meets World, which had characters from the original show but focused more on the young characters. That 90s Show has also been called "Disney sitcom" in a disparaging way. Would make sense since Mace Coronel was in Nicky, Ricky, Dicky, and Dawn, a Nickelodeon show. Here are a couple reasons why it is not working and a couple things that can make it a bit better, maybe it won't fix it all right but something. 

Why it's not working: 

1. Sex

Sex was not a casual thing in the first seasons of That 70s Show, it might have been later on. Eric and Donna's first time was a big deal in season two and many episodes dealt with "Will they or won't they?" And that anticipation made it authentic. It dealt with it how teenagers do. But in That 90's Show, Leia and Jay wanted sex, they just went with it. It was two episodes of anticipation and that was it. It could've been blamed on Netflix's episode count but it doesn't feel authentic. There are no stakes and no fallout. 

2. Family Background

At least in the first seasons, we saw everyone's families, we met Fez' host parents, Jackie's father, and Hyde's mom, here we hear about Ozzie and Nikki's parents but we don't meet them or see family life. Knowing more about their family lives, we get to know them more about them. We only see home life for Gwen, Nate, and Leia We have seen Jay's parents and his sister Betsy. Kelso we never saw a lot of his family life in the original show, only his brother Casey. 

3. Adversity

Eric had a real antagonist in Red, they tried having Red say his classic line a couple of times in That 90s Show but it is not the same dynamic with his granddaughter Leia. There is no real antagonist. They tried with Mitch being a boss to the girls but that lasted one episode. 

4. Gender Wars

The "gang"'s gender was outnumbered, there were more boys than girls and the first season felt more like boys versus girls. Many conversations were Hyde, Eric, Kelso, and Fez trying to figure out the female sex. The gang in That 90s Show is more even, even though the girls hang out and the boys hang out separately, there is rarely the boys not getting the girls and the girls not getting the boys. Part of the comedy was the misunderstanding of gender. They have Ozzie, who is gay, would be interesting for him to be in the middle of a disagreement and can speak to both sides. Now, I get that That 70's Show was made in the 90s-00s, and the characters spoke more like that era. And that 90's Show is now made in 2020's and they speak like us and the overall theme of gender is to accept everyone and not have machoism. But having gender wars doesn't mean there has to be machismo. 

Ways to make it Better:

1. Split Screen

I am surprised That 90s Show hasn't tried this iconic style. Four characters, two characters in one location and another two in another, their conversations having a parallel. Some share lines and reactions. 

2. PSAs-Film Strips

In the first season of That 70s Show, there were film strips tied into the episode, it would be interesting if there were PSAs from TV. One PSA from the 90s that is so iconic is penguins saying "Stay in School." There was an 80's PSA about drugs that had a father asking about his son with his drugs and the son would say "I learned from watching you," it would be cool if there was a parody of that with Eric and Leia or Donna and Leia. 

3. Have 90's References be Organic

People have been saying the 90's references have been forced, but they forget how many 70s references That 70's Show had, they name-dropped so many shows like Rich Man, Poor Man, Dynasty, Love Boat, Charlie's Angels, etc. But a lot of things felt organic like when they played Twister or Candyland. That 90's Show has had some clumsy references but also some weird ones like Leia's fantasy with Doug, which was organic, weird but great. They need more of that. 

4. 70's = Me Me Me, 90's = Disillusionment and cynicism

The 70's was the selfish era and the overall theme of That 70s Show was "me, me, me" and it was seen mostly in the characters of Midge and Bob. They were both selfish, Midge wanted to be a feminist and wanted more than just be a housewife. Bob just wanted a wife to cook and clean for him and be hot. Also, Kelso and Laurie were pretty selfish, only thinking of their own needs and not Jackie. The 90's overall feel was disillusionment and cynicism. The best example of this was Daria, the MTV show. Ozzie shows some disillusionment and cynicism but it is not the overall theme of That 90's Show. I am not saying everyone has to be cynical but to have a theme close to the 90's overall theme would be cool. Also, the original show That 70's Show had a focus on vehicles, Eric had his Vista Cruiser, Hyde had the El Camino Leo gave him and Kelso had 2 vans. Leia did get her license in That 90's Show and the Vista Cruiser does still exist, it would be interesting if they had a similar motif. 

 

Street Shark Live-Action Movie Idea

 Along with the Care Bear Movie idea, I have an idea about Street Sharks (1994). Inspired by the success of Ninja Turtles, Mattel released an animated series of 3 seasons and toys of Street Sharks. Like the Turtles, they were four brothers, unlike the turtles, they were not little turtles hit with ooze, they were hunky human teenagers that were injected and made into shark humanoids. Street Sharks was a success at the time but forgotten, it would be a great movie because of the ridiculousness and could have great action. The recent Ninja Turtles movies have made money, the 2014 movie made $191.2 million in North America, the 2016 sequel made d $82.1 million in the United States, and the recent animated film made $118.6 million in the United States and Canada. And the success of Barbie, Mattel might have one in the making. 

Some of the description was assisted by ChatGPT AI. Dr. Robert Bolton, a respected, brilliant but ethically troubled university professor, and devoted father pioneers a gene-manipulation device development for peaceful purposes. However, Bolton becomes wary of his partnership with Dr. Luther Paradigm’s intention to exploit technology for personal power. The ambitious Paradigm creates the Gene Slammer, a machine capable of transforming aquatic animals into anthropomorphic hybrids through DNA manipulation. In a desperate attempt to stop Paradigm, Bolton confronts him, only to be subjected to the gene-slammer himself, transforming into an unseen monstrosity. Escaping from him, Bolton is determined to stop Paradigm. 

Paradigm, consumed by his lust for control, manipulates Bolton's sons by giving them the likeness of four sharks, turning them into the Street Sharks. The four brothers are John, Bobby, Coop, and Clint. The intelligent inventor eldest John becomes Great White Ripster, rude, cranky, and lazy Clint becomes hammerhead shark Jab, rollerblading cool-headed ladies' man Bobby becomes tiger shark Streex, and football player Coop becomes whale shark Big Slammu. Big Slammu is the youngest, largest, and strongest of the brothers. With their newfound abilities, the Street Sharks aim to thwart Paradigm's sinister plans and restore themselves and their father to his human form. When Paradigm captures their technical genius friend Bends, the Street Sharks attempt to rescue him, leading to a climactic battle that results in Paradigm being fused with piranha DNA. Dubbed "Dr. Piranoid," Paradigm's transformation manifests as inhuman facial features, especially during moments of intense emotion. 

To conceal his altered appearance, Dr. Piranoid dons a robe in public, hiding his exoskeleton and maintaining his facade of normalcy. Alongside Bends and Lena Mack (a former student of Paradigm/Piranoid), the Street Sharks fight to protect their city from Paradigm's tyranny while navigating their personal struggles with identity and family legacy. In a final showdown, Dr. Bolton confronts Dr. Piranoid, damaging his armor and ending Paradigm's reign of terror. "Gene-Slammer: Rise of the Street Sharks" is an action-packed tale of redemption, family bonds, and the enduring struggle between the power of individuals to rise against tyranny, all set against the backdrop of scientific innovation and ethical dilemmas.

Care Bears Live-Action Movie Idea

 Nostalgia Critic slaughtered the Care Bears Movie (1985), where it had its flaws, Care Bears fans really feel it is the best of the trilogy of animated movies. Care Bears beat Black Cauldron in the Box Office and later An American Tail the following year. The basic premise is two orphaned kids befriend the Care Bears and a magician assistant is led by an evil book to make the Earth careless. On the journey, the Care Bears meet the Care Bear Cousins from the Forest of Feelings. While Smurfs, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Garfield, and other 80's nostalgia already had live-action films with CGI characters. The songs are cringy,. So here is my idea for a live-action Care Bears film, it will be partially based on the original film. It wouldn't be a musical. 

I would keep the evil book, but give her a background story and motive. Nicholas is a magician assistant, who is forbidden to use the book his boss dug out of his dead teacher's belongings. The Boss finally got the book he wanted. The book is chaos itself, it doesn't have feelings, so it wants everyone to be the same. The book rejects the magician and wants Nicholas, it convinces him to use a spell against the magician. Tenderheart tries to stop Nicholas but gets locked up. The Care Bears are tasked to cheer up disenfranchised kids or kids who need to get in touch with their emotions.  Two siblings were recently abandoned by their mother and live in a foster home where they don't feel loved.  So the Care Bears befriend them. Two bears (don't have to be Friend Bear and Secret Bear like in the original) take them to the carnival where they meet Nicholas and become friends. Once the siblings leave, the book makes Nicholas change the bully kids into careless shells. It is more of a slow process of corruption. The siblings then free Tenderheart and he takes them to Care-A-Lot. When he escapes, he finds a mysterious key, which belongs to the book.

 Tenderheart gives Secret Bear the book key to keep. A storm torments Care-A-Lot because the book corrupts the kids. The siblings and the bear duo get swept away and end up in the Forest of Feelings. Grams tells them about a legend about other animals like the Care Bears being in a fabled forest. Tenderheart and three other bears use a transport device to track down the kids and they land on the other side of the forest of Feelings, where it's revealed it is an island. The two groups eventually meet up, not with Braveheart Lion showing the bears ancient etchings of the bears and cousins together, a "Prophecy of Caring." The bears do their Care Bear Stare on a minion of the book Spirit, which was sent to get the siblings. The Cousins feel left out and wish they could do a stare. The two groups go to Care-A-Lot for reinforcements. The Bears, cousins, and siblings have a plan and arrive at the carnival.

Nicholas is slowly corrupted by the book. The book makes Nicholas make a strong spell to destroy Care-A-Lot and corrupt the siblings, who are the last children who care in town apparently. The Book explains they must take over the town first, then the country, etc. The eldest sibling pretends to want to join Nicholas, for the Bears to take away the book. One of the cousins blows on the real book to close it and a Bear replaces the book with a copy. They escape with the real book. Nicholas then goes to use the fake book and realizes he has been duped. He turns around to find he is alone. Secret Bear takes out the key Tenderheart gave her and they try to lock up the book, but the book is too strong. The other corrupted kids come to stop the Bears. They return the book to Nicholas. The Bears use the Care Bear Stare to release the kids and they run away. The bears try using the stare on the book and fail. The cousins start roaring and calling, but it doesn't work. The siblings tell Nicholas they care for him and hug him. He remembers how they were kind to him before he was corrupted. He and the bears close up the book and try using the key again. The book struggles and blasts the bears unconscious. The cousins try the "Call" again and the Belly Badges appear and their Care Bear Cousin Call blasts the book. They lock the book and destroy it with the Stare and Call combination. Nicholas frees his magician boss and he makes him a partner. 

No wrap-around story of orphans like in the original and no songs. I thought of tying some plot holes like why was there a river of water in Care-A-Lot and making it clear the Care Bears are in the clouds and the Forest of Feelings on some magical island in a dimension on Earth. Plus, have Grams mention a legend of the cousins and the cousins having a prophecy etching of the two groups. The book needs a motive and backstory, having the magician connected to it would explain more.  Also, the orphanage frame device was narmy, also unclear if Nicholas' wife was Kim and they didn't say what happened to Jason.  I would also want to have elements of the kids and adults being confused as to why there are colorful bears in the first place, not make fun of it, but at least show some unusualness about the whole thing. I don't like it when the MCU makes fun of the comic book names but I do like it when movies call out things at first. 

3 Ninjas Reboot (Fan Idea)

  I haven't posted on this blog in a while. In fact, it has been two years. I usually jot my thoughts down on Twitter. But including this post and the last post are my ideas on rebooting franchises. I am just a fan and don't own the copyright to these franchises.

3 Ninjas

3 Ninjas was a 1992 movie with 3 sequels that were about 3 brothers who were trained in martial arts by their grandfather (Legendary Victor Wong) and were 'ninjas.' Fans loved the movies even though critics didn't. The movies balanced comedy and adventure. The actors were changed around. The actor (Max Elliot Slade) who played Colt was in 3 of the 4 movies. 3 Ninjas Knuckle Up was filmed after 3 Ninjas the same year but was released after 3 Ninjas Kick Back. 3 Ninjas: High Noon at Mega Mountain didn't have any of the original cast members and was the least liked by fans, killing the franchise because of low ticket sales. 

My Fan idea for a reboot

Because of the success of Cobra Kai on Netflix, I think a TV series would work out for 3 Ninjas as a reboot. The only problem is the kids that were in the movies, many of them aren't acting anymore. Especially the first two actors who played Rocky, Michael Treanor and Sean Fox. Two actors that are still acting is Max Elliot Slade (Colt) and J. Evan Bonifant (Tum Tum in 3 Ninjas Kick Back). Another actor Michael J. O'Laskey who played Colt in High Noon, has been doing conventions and played young Rocky in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Victor Wong is also long passed away. Anyway, let's put aside the idea that all the actors will return, here is my idea...

10 episodes for the first season, this takes place 30 years or so after the events of the movies, the boys are now in their late thirties and early forties. Samuel/Rocky is an FBI agent like his father, Jeffrey/Colt owns a martial arts studio and was secretly a ninja spy in his twenties, and Michael/Tum Tum is a great chef at a restaurant he owns. Colt honors his grandfather who died in his dojo. Colt and Rocky had a falling out a few years ago, as Colt wanted his brothers to help him in a dangerous mission and Rocky refused. Tum Tum has not done ninja things in a while. Rocky has a son Callen and a daughter Jade, Colt has a daughter Foal, and Tum Tum has two young sons Pancake and Waffle. Colt has been secretly training them in the traditions of his grandfather and this angers Rocky. Colt's daughter Foal acts as the leader of her cousins and feels responsible for them, feeling bad that their being ninjas has torn her father and uncle apaart. Tum Tum finds out about the training and approves and tries helping Colt out mid-way through the series. There is a villain that both Colt and Rocky know. 

If you notice, I gave Rocky two kids, Tum Tum two kids, and Colt one kid, none of them have three. Colt's daughter Foal and her two cousins Pancake and Waffle from Tum Tum can form 3 ninjas or if she is with her cousins Callen and Jade from Rocky, they can form 3 ninjas as well. Notice the names I picked:

Rocky --- Callen  (means rock in Irish and Gaelic ancestry) --- Jade (green stone, to go along with Rocky's color green), their colors can be shades of green. 

Colt --- Foal (baby horse), her color can be light blue. 

TumTum - Pancake (he can flatten his opponents) and Waffle (he is indecisive). Their colors can be red and orange. 

Sebastian the Teenage Warlock (Fan Idea)

 I haven't posted on this blog in a while. In fact, it has been two years. I usually jot my thoughts down on Twitter. But including this post and the next post will be my ideas on rebooting franchises, one not so dead and one that has not had anything in 30 years. I am just a fan and don't own the copyright to these franchises.

"Sabrina the Teenage Witch"

She started as a character in Archie Comics in 1962.  She also had her own 1970 cartoon. Her most popular incarnation is 1996 TV sitcom that aired on ABC and WB, which started as a Showtime TV Movie starring Melissa Joan Hart. Recently there was Chilling Adventures of Sabrina in 2018 that aired on Netflix and ended in 2020. The 1996 series spawned two TV Movies and two animated series. There has been a lot of reboot series of 90s sitcoms like Girl Meets World (of Boy Meets World) and Fuller House (of Full House). 

"Sebastian the Teenage Warlock"

This is just an idea. I am sure Melissa Joan Hart has probably already pitched a reboot of Sabrina. But of course, there are the rights from Archie Comics. Melissa Joan Hart is still acting. The top image is done by AI. Let's say Salem is still a cat, as he has done more crimes to remain a cat forever. Sabrina and Harvey are married and still live in Westbridge, Massachusetts. They own the Spellman house and have three kids: Sebastian (Born Sabrina Jr) and the twins Hilly and Zelly, named after Hilda and Zelda. Sebastian is a 16-year-old transmale, which Sabrina is admittedly not thrilled with the idea but accepting. She is just weary about her son's safety. Harvey is completely accepting of him and owns a chain of auto repair shops. Sabrina is a journalist and chairperson of Witches and Mortals association in the witches' Council. Sabrina is campaigning to be the new head of the witches' council. Sebastian is now gaining his powers and becoming a warlock.

The original show gave a boatload of world-building and lots of spells and memorable characters to reference. Sabrina's aunts Hilda and Zelda can drop in to help out. Also, Sabrina's best friend Valery can always come back too. There are a lot of possibilities. It can keep a balance like Girl Meets World, keep up with characters we love, and also introduce new ones. Also, there is more conflict with Sabrina, the most positive character ever, for Sabrina to be uneasy with her son and him taking over as a witch/warlock, where she expected her daughter to do so. It is not that she is transphobic, but any parent would not agree with their child's choices sometimes. She still loves her son of course. 

Cobra Kai Season 4 Review

Wow, I haven't posted here in six months. I should have talked about this show earlier but I don't think I have enough space or time to go over how great this show is. I am not all about violence or action shows but I do sometimes like action movies. I did grow up with the Karate Kid movies. I love how Cobra Kai balances comedy and drama, and not everyone is a clear-cut hero or villain. But one thing we can agree with is almost everyone has been a bully (except for maybe Miguel and Demetri--if not on purpose). For those who have not seen the show, it was on YouTube Red but now on Netflix. It is set years after the original Karate Kid movies. Karate Kid was about Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) being trained by Mr. Miyagi, a Japanese martial artist that was like his father figure. His rival was Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka), who started it as the protagonist in Cobra Kai. Daniel has been pretty successful in running a car dealership with his wife and they have two children Samantha (Mary Mouser) and Anthony (Griffin Santopietro). While Johnny, unfortunately, has not been so lucky, having an estranged son Robby (Tanner Buchanan), living single in a rotting apartment, and being a caveman stuck in the 80's. There will be spoilers ahead if you haven't seen the season. 

 

SPOILERS AHEAD

Season 4's premise is that Ying and Yang have joined forces... I mean Daniel and Johnny, who are basically day and night, or The Odd Couple. One is neat and the other not so neat. One practices defense and meditation while the other doesn't---he basically has his students beat each other up and jump between building roofs. It goes stupendously bad as imagined. Johnny and Daniel quit almost every episode and the kids actually get along and want to work under both sensei. Some critics have said this season has been holding back a bit. It does seem at times they are holding back to expand the universe and keep stuff for season 5. Even Xolo Mariduena (Miguel) has expressed he thought season 4 would be last but Netflix has renewed for Season 5 and they are currently shooting it, even shooting in Puerto Rico. Cobra Kai has exclusively shot in Georgia, except for some parts in California for movie legacy locations and Japan for Season 3. That being said, I did like this season I don't see the writing waning at all, it is still crisp. 

The secret is keeping things fresh and this season definitely has. The first three seasons deal with the circle of violence, the cycle of non-bullies becoming bullies and bullies becoming non-bullies and it going around and around again. This is more evident with newcomer Kenny (Dallas Dupree) and Anthony. Kenny is a sweet new kid but he is quickly bullied and tormented by Anthony (who Johnny finally comments on Anthony's weight loss). Kenny goes for help---ending up at Cobra Kai with Robbie, who takes him under his wing. Robbie, at first didn't want to join Cobra Kai but ends up doing so, wanting to get revenge on his father Johnny, Sam, and Daniel. Spoilers of course and Robbie ends up creating a monster. But going back to Anthony, Daniel finally trains his son and learns he created a monster as well. Daniel realizes he can't deal with him like he does with his other students and probably unintentionally learned something from Johnny. It is a harrowing scene where Daniel has to be threatening to his son, later his wife gives credit to Mr. Miyagi but Daniel doesn't correct her. 

Another thing I like is the attention has been given to the women this season. Sam needs help with dealing with Tory (Peyton List) so she goes to Aisha (Nicole Brown)--who gives a special guest appearance, since last appearing in season 2. Aisha gives her solid advice, to make friends and be peaceful, reusing the advice Johnny gave her (Strike First). The subversion is that Sam misinterprets this. Sam ends up striking first and attacking Tory instead of making amends. Tory is made more three-dimensional by actually trying to change. Amanda (Courtney Henggler) actually gets through to her and tries helping her but Sam is not so forgiving. Amanda has Tory agree not to harm Sam in the final battle. A lot of focus is given to the women's final in the tournament at the season finale. I like that we spend more time in the tournament, in 2 episodes. Speaking about women---Unfortunately, Moon (Hannah Kepple) and Yasmine (Annalisa Cochrane) only appear for glorified cameos. More girls are even added to the schools--Devon (Oona O'Brien) and Piper (Selah Austria) respecively. I am almost done and I haven't mentioned Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith). I never saw Karate Kid 3 but from what get from the flashbacks, he was a crazy dude. Here is a charismatic shark, not exactly the subordinate Kreese wants. 

As for the cycle of violence, it does get repetitive. This season there are some beats that did seem old and used like Miguel hurting himself once again. The great parts have to be Hawk (Jacob Bertrand) and Demetri (Gianni DeCenzo). For sure Demetri has gotten taller and much more confident (especially with his girlfriend Yasmine) and he has become less annoying. Hawk has his own mini-arc which is great to kept at a minimum. Hawk and Demetri can easily be saved for a spin-off in college.