Carmen Electra Is Making a Surprising Cameo on This Controversial Show
Warning: This post contains descriptions of sexual violence.
In an era where nostalgia reigns supreme, Netflix’s That ‘90s Show is taking viewers back to a beloved decade, complete with its fashion, lingo, and cultural milestones. A spinoff of That ’70s Show, this series has already stirred conversations and now, it’s set to bring more buzz with the announcement of Carmen Electra making a cameo in its upcoming second installment.
Electra, known for her roles that often symbolize the vibrancy of the ’90s, took to Instagram to share her excitement about joining the show. Her post hinted at the continuation of the ’90s legacy, captioned with a playful nod to the era, “who doesn’t love the 90s ???? #that90sshow @netflixisajoke,” and teased fans about the premiere dates.
However, this addition to the show isn’t without its controversies. That ‘90s Show finds itself under scrutiny due to its connection with Danny Masterson, who was recently convicted of two counts of forcible rape in September 2023. The situation is further complicated by the support Masterson received from his former co-stars from That ’70s Show, including Debra Jo Rupp and Kurtwood Smith — both of whom reprise their roles in the Netflix spinoff — as well as Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher, who also briefly reprised their roles for the spinoff. This backdrop of support amidst Masterson’s conviction has sparked debates and divided opinions among fans.
“He was well liked and very respected,” Jo Rupp wrote in a letter during Masterson’s trial. “One of the first things Danny did with them was to sit [the teens] all down (he had a little meeting) and had them all make a pact that no one would do drugs because of the nature of our show. The spotlight would be on them and he wanted everyone to succeed. I remember thinking that it was such a smart thing to do and something I never would have thought of.”
Along with Rupp, Smith wrote that he considered Masterson “to be a good friend.” He wrote, “Our friendship revolved around work… Danny was the leader among his contemporaries in the cast. He was a tad older and much more experienced and he took that position seriously.”
That ‘90s Show is looking to grab audience attention by bringing in a bunch of well-known guest stars from the ’90s, like Electra, Will Forte, Seth Green, Lisa Loeb, Kevin Smith, and Tommy Chong. With these well-loved celebrities, the show wants to connect with people who miss the ’90s. Yet, its link to ongoing controversies may affect how people feel about it. As the second season is coming out on June 27 and a third one on October 24, only on Netflix, it’s still a question how fans will weigh their nostalgia against the real-world problems related to the show.
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