That ’90s Show Boss on Bob’s Return to Point Place and the Decision to Expand Don Stark’s Role in Part 2
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That ’90s Show Part 2 marks the official homecoming of Don Stark’s Bob Pinciotti. After reprising his That ’70s Show role as Donna’s father for a single episode in the sequel series’ debut season, Stark is back in a semi-regular capacity, appearing in nearly every installment of the Netflix comedy’s sophomore run.
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After Donna floats the idea of Bob moving back from Florida to keep Red company, Bob hops on the first flight to Point Place. In Episode 2, he puts in a bid on the house across the street, then joins Red in intimidating Leia’s boyfriend, Kelso and Jackie’s son Jay.
“When we had Don Stark return for Leia’s birthday episode in Part 1, he was great, and the audience was so happy to see Bob Pinciotti. But coming into this season, [bringing Bob back] had a lot to do with giving Red a contemporary,” showrunner Gregg Mettler explains to TVLine. “It had a lot to do with generating stories that could involve both grandfathers fighting over their grandchild, or protecting their grandchild in different ways, or wanting to teach their grandchild how to drive. It creates fun conflict. Red and Bob, obviously, come from different places at all times, so when you get them in a scene together, and their characters just start to react to each other, you have conflict, you have comedy.”
Series star/fellow EP Kurtwood Smith was equally thrilled to have his old, on-screen sparring partner return in a significant way, telling TVLine, “We missed him. I know I did. I enjoy working with Don, and I enjoy him personally, as well, so it has been great having him around more.
“Red, I think, always feels like he has to watch his Ps and Qs when he’s dealing with Kitty so he doesn’t get her upset,” Smith continues. “But with Bob, he can just let himself go [off], so it has been great fun.”
Mettler, however, has plans to make Bob more than just Red’s punching bag. “Moving forward, what I want to do for Bob is really ground the character whenever we can, and not just make him the butt of the joke, or the clown,” he says. “I’m very interested in exploring that character in a real way.”
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