Bob Pinciotti entered an exciting new chapter of his life in Florida at the end of That ‘70s Show, which helps to avoid a problem in That ‘90s Show. While Red (Kurtwood Smith) and Kitty Forman (Debra Jo Rupp) are confirmed to return as main characters in That ‘90s Show, the upcoming Netflix series has yet to reveal which other That ‘70s Show characters will be coming back for Leia’s story. It’s expected that plenty of That ‘70s Show’s characters will appear in cameos, with Leia Forman’s other grandfather, Bob Pinciotti, being a much-anticipated return.
While the majority of Bob’s story in That ‘70s Show involved his unconventional marriage with Midge, embarrassing father moments with Donna, and a love-hate relationship with Red Forman, the slightly pathetic character ended up having one of the greatest conclusions in season 8. The last few episodes of That ‘70s Show season 8 saw Bob selling his Point Place house as he prepared to open a bait shop in Florida. After originally mocking Bob’s idea, Red realized that the market for where Bob was heading was perfect for the business and even considered moving with him, but the finale ultimately saw the Formans stay in Point Place with Bob heading off on his new adventure.
As great as it would be to have Don Stark’s Bob Pinciotti return in That ‘90s Show as Red and Kitty’s next-door neighbor again, the character’s move to Florida is the perfect way to avoid a problem with Leia’s living situation. That ‘90s Show’s premise sees Eric and Donna’s teenage daughter Leia staying with her grandparents Red and Kitty for the summer, but if Bob was still living next door, there would inevitably be an issue with why she’s living with Eric’s parents full-time rather than Donna’s dad. Of course, Red and Kitty are ultimately the more responsible grandparents for Leia to be living with, but at least with Bob being located in Florida, the arguments over why Eric and Donna chose the Formans over himself wouldn’t cause a logistical issue between the characters.
Bob’s That ‘70s Show ending of his Florida bait shop also allows That ‘90s Show to better utilize him as a guest or recurring character. While Bob and Red became much closer at the end of That ‘70s Show, it would be a mistake for That ‘90s Show's timeline to not continue their iconic feuds, especially since the two can now have spats over who is the better grandpa to Leia. Rather than creating more serious problems between Bob and the Formans over which grandparents Leia lives with, That ‘90s Show can utilize Bob in comedic fashions when he returns to Point Place for brief visits with his granddaughter and best friends.
While That ‘90s Show season 1 isn’t apt to feature any major family holidays, considering that it takes place over the summer, future seasons of the series could integrate more events that would bring the entire Forman and Pinciotti families back together, establishing the perfect conditions for Bob's return. Since Donna was the only family that Bob really had left by the end of That ‘70s Show (not including Donna's mysterious sisters), it would make sense for the sequel series to bring back the character as a more devoted grandfather, with increased comedic effect by putting him in direct competition with Red. Bob may not still be living next to the Formans in That ‘90s Show, but the sequel series is set up for even better cameo appearances and minor storylines with the iconic character.