That '90s Show Officially Makes Kevin Smith This Iconic Character's Replacement

Warning! Spoilers for That '90s Show part 3 ahead!

That '90s Show part 3 brought back Kevin Smith's character for another installment, and it looks like he is officially replacing a That '70s Show icon. Smith, along with his Jay and Silent Bob partner Jason Mewes, made a surprise appearance in the final episode of That '90s Show Part 2. It was an excellent cameo, and the fact that the '90s stars drove their car into the Forman house was just icing on the cake. Now, That '90s Show part 3 has kept the gag going, subtly indicating that another franchise character is gone for good.

That '90s Show part 3 picked up shortly after part 2 left off, perhaps a couple of weeks after Smith and Mewes' characters, Sonny and Bunch, drove their car through the Forman kitchen. The last we saw this duo, Sonny announced that he was Leo's (Tommy Chong) son and was in Point Place to take over his father's business. Going into part 3, episode 1, Sonny, Bunch, and Leo were nowhere to be found, leaving it to Leia and the gang to explain the car-sized hole in the kitchen. However, later on in this batch of That '90s Show episodes, Smith and Mewes made their return.

Kevin Smith Becomes The Leo Replacement In That '90s Show Part 3

Kevin Smith's Sonny Is The '90s Version Of Chong's Leo

In That '90s Show part 3, episode 2, "Doll Parts," Nate Jay and Ozzie headed to Leo's house to get some "natural pain relief" and were greeted instead by Smith's character, Sonny. It seems that he wasn't kidding about taking over Leo's business since Chong was nowhere to be seen for the entirety of part 3 while Sonny and Bunch moved into the house full-time. Of course, they do more than sell weed in Leo's place and live in his home. Smith, in particular, filled Chong's memorable That '70s Show role as Point Place's bumbling (and high) adults who cluelessly befriend a group of teens.

Kevin Smith & Jason Mewes' That '90s Show Roles Are More Than Cameos

It Looks Like They Are Here To Stay

Chong's absence and the continued presence of Smith and Mewes indicate that these two actors' roles are more than just That '90s Show cameo appearances. It certainly looks as if Sonny and Bunch really are the new Leo, appearing every few episodes to enjoy some "circle" time with the teens and cause a little clueless mischief. They could feasibly continue to be staple characters of the series for its entire run. Of course, this would also likely mean Chong's character is gone for good. Just as Leo said in That '90s Show part 3, he retired, and his son came in to take over.

As sad as this is, it makes sense for That '90s Show. Chong's presence in That '70s Show was fitting because he had been a 1970s stoner icon. Leo was essentially an homage to Cheech & Chong. While his return for That '90s Show was undoubtedly nostalgic, it makes sense for the spinoff series to feature the Cheech and Chong equivalent of the 1990s—Jay and Silent Bob. So, while it looks like it's goodbye to Chong's Leo, this may mean even more screentime for his That '90s Show replacement going forward.