Debra Jo Rupp & Reyn Doi Talk ‘That ‘90s Show’

It will be 17 years in May since That ‘70s Show aired its final episode, but thanks to the sequel gods, Red and Kitty Forman are back, baby!

That ‘90s Show brings audiences back to Point Place, Wisconsin, just as Kitty and Red, played by Debra Jo Rupp and Kurtwood Smith, settle into the empty-nester lifestyle. However, they’re in for a big surprise when Eric (Topher Grace) and Donna (Laura Prepon) bring their daughter Leia (Callie Haverda) for a weekend visit.

Looking for adventure, Leia finds what she’s looking for after meeting Gwen (Ashley Aufderheide), the dynamic and rebellious next-door neighbor. She convinces her parents to let her stay for the summer, and with a basement full of teens again, Kitty is happy the Forman house is now a home for a new generation.

As for Red, well, let’s just say he’s not too thrilled to put up with another group of dumbasses.

That ‘90s Show also stars Maxwell Donovan as Gwen’s brother Nate, Sam Morelos as his girlfriend Nikki, Reyn Doi as the sweet but sassy Ozzie, and Mace Coronel as Jay Kelso, the son of Jackie (Mila Kunis) and Michael Kelso (Ashton Kutcher).

OFM caught up with Rupp and Doi to talk more about the series, as well Ozzie’s LGBTQ storyline.

Debra Jo, let’s begin with you. How excited are you to be involved with That ‘90s Show and reprise the role of Kitty Forman?

DJ: I am very happy to live in her world again because it’s ever cheerful. She has boundless energy, which I’m very jealous of, and I get to work with the magical Kurtwood Smith again. I’m very familiar with the set and the arrangement of the set, and I am extremely happy with the new cast. They’re unique, lovely, respectful, and very hard working. I could not be happier.

And Reyn, how excited are you to be involved with That ‘90s Show?

RD: I am so excited! Just being able to be a part of this phenomenal cast and working with Debra Jo and Kurtwood, it’s surreal. There were moments when we were filming where I was like, “No, this is real. This is reality.”

What did you take away from this experience?

RD: Just that we all became like a family, and we talked about that between the kids. We still meet up, and Debra Jo is someone who I can talk to every day. Our rooms may be far away from each other, but then we’ll see each other, talk, hug, and every single day was fun.

Is there anything in particular you hope audiences take away from That ‘90s Show?

DJ: It’s a period piece. It’s not contemporary, and it’s an extension of That ‘70s Show and the legacy of that show. It’s just life going on. So, 17 years later, you’ll see that the town is still populated by the people that were there, and they do show up, but some of them are very different now. It’s just an extension. I’ve had so many people say to me, That ‘70s Show is like comfort food to them. I guess I want them to sync up with That ‘90s Show in the same way.

RD: I’ve received a lot of comments like, “We’re so excited; We can’t wait; We’re big fans of That ‘70s Show,” and they want to know beforehand what That ‘90s Show will be like. I just hope that when people watch the show, they’ll see a good balance of funny jokes, but also those serious, heart-to-heart moments that are included.

We all know who Kitty Forman is, but who is Ozzie? Reyn, can you tell us a bit more about your character?

RD: Ozzie, to just say it, he’s very honest and judgmental. When he thinks something, he won’t think twice about saying it, and if it offends someone, he doesn’t really feel bad about it. However, I will say, he does have another side to him, and that side is very sweet. He’ll sometimes let his emotions show to certain people, like Kitty. I relate more to the sweet side. I’m not very judgmental, at least I hope not (laughs).

DJ: He is also a very good dancer!

What were your thoughts when you found out that Ozzie was going to have a LGBTQ storyline?

RD: Honestly, when I received the audition, I thought it was cool. And this was a good opportunity. My managers checked with me to see if I was comfortable doing this, and I was like, “Of course.” To me, Ozzie is Ozzie, and I’m happy to play and represent him.

Was this your first time playing a LGBTQ character?

RD: Yes, this was my first time.

How did you approach it as an actor?

RD: When I received new scripts every week, I didn’t think of Ozzie as, oh, he’s gay. I thought of him as his other characteristics, like how he’s judgmental, sweet, and honest. Then that’s where I really studied the script. I’d be like, “OK, Ozzie would say this line like this.” So, instead of thinking about Ozzie being gay first, I thought about his other characteristics, then that brought everything else into account.

Debra Jo, what were your thoughts about Ozzie’s LGBTQ storyline?

DJ: To me, it’s just a part of life. I think if this would have happened in the 70s, it was a different time, but in the ‘90s, I’m glad that it was addressed. And I was glad that Reyn was playing it because he has such a sweet face, and you just want to hug him (laughs). He’s a very mature young actor, and I knew it would be in good hands. To me, I can’t imagine not being accepting of it. Nor Kitty, because Kitty is me. I was happy that special moment was between us.

Reyn, since you weren’t born in the 90s, what did you enjoy the most about working on a project based in this decade?

RD: There were a lot of cool sets that were built around the 90s, and I would also say the fashion. I think Ozzie had a really cool sense of fashion, and there was some stuff that I wanted to take home. There was this one jacket that I got to wear because he had his own talk show, and I wanted to take that jacket home so bad. Maybe I’ll thrift it one day!

Debra Jo, personally, are there any moments from the 90s that you will forever cherish?

DJ: For me, the 90s was a very transformative decade for me because I packed everything up and moved to Los Angeles in 1990. I tried to be an actress in Hollywood at the age of 40. I don’t know why I thought that was a good idea, but I did. The thing that I most remember is buying my house, and I had to learn how to drive again. Also, the electronics seemed to be going insane. I had the big computer, the phone that was as big as my head, and I just had to keep up with electronics then.

Before we wrap up, do either of you have any other upcoming projects you would like to mention or plug?

RD: I have a new Netflix film called The Out-Laws that should hopefully be coming out this year. I filmed that in 2021 right when I was doing the callback for this show, so I’m very excited for that.

DJ: I’m shooting with Marvel right now, and I can’t say anything about it because I’m terrified of them!

Stay up-to-date and connect with Rupp by following her on Instagram @debrajorupp, while Doi can be found @reyndoi. That ‘90s Show is now available to stream on Netflix.

Photos courtesy of Patrick Wymore/Netflix