Netflix's 'The Ranch' is TV reunion Ashton Kutcher and Danny Masterson had been waiting for
PASADENA, Calif. -- Hyde and Kelso -- sorry, Danny Masterson and Ashton Kutcher -- have been trying to make a TV show together for a full decade.
Ever since they met, bonded and became friends during their eight-year run on That '70s Show (1998-2006), the actors have looked for a way to bring a new project to the small screen.
But nothing really jumped out at them -- until they came up with the idea for The Ranch, which debuted on Netflix on Friday.
You May Also Like
The multi-camera comedy follows Colt (Kutcher), who moves back home to Colorado after a brief and failed semi- pro football career to run the family ranching business with his older brother, Jameson “Rooster” (Masterson), and father Beau (Sam Elliott), whom he hasn’t seen in 15 years. Debra Winger stars as Colt’s and Jimmy’s mother, Maggie, who runs the local town bar.
"Literally for 10 years we’ve been trying to find something we could work on together," Kutcher told Mashable during a round table interview at Netflix's Television Critics Association presentation in January.
"We talked about whether we should we do something hip and cool and single camera," Masterson added. "[But] we decided let’s do something people will watch."
The idea was to re-invent the conventional sitcom format that has become standard on network TV.
"The hope is to take this genre and reinvent it and repackage it for a new generation on a new distribution network," Kutcher said.
That meant experimenting with lighting, music during scenes, run time and more, all in front of a live audience.
And Netflix was the only creative partner that the duo wanted on board.
"We only took it one place," Kutcher said. "Netflix has been an incredible partner in letting us try and do new things."
Both Kutcher and Masterson said that while their characters on The Ranch are very different than the stoner buddies they played on That '70s Show, their comedic dynamic remains the same.
Kutcher said Masterson is able to master the "endearing asshole" character, while Masterson said Kutcher is "great at being funny, intelligent and goofy."
"We are definitely funnier with each other than without," Masterson said.
Will there be even more members of the '70s squad -- such as Topher Grace (Eric), Laura Prepon (Donna), Mila Kunis (Jackie) and Wilmer Valderrama (Fez) -- guest starring on The Ranch?
Maybe.
But for now, Kutcher and Masterson hope to bring in both their old fanbase and new audiences.
"The characters, even though they are different, are familiar from moment one," Kutcher said, noting the audience's positive reaction while they were shooting The Ranch's very first episode and very first scene.
"That for me is very promising. I’m hopeful that the audience that appreciate our 70s Show dynamic will pick it up in this with this different format."
Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.
Topics Netflix
Saba was a Los Angeles-based reporter who covers all things digital entertainment, including YouTube, streaming services and digital influencers. Prior to that, she spent two years at the Los Angeles Times covering entertainment for the Calendar and Company Town sections. Saba grew up in Santa Monica and graduated from Boston University with a B.S. in journalism and B.A. in political science. When not reporting, she is usually binge watching shows online or looking for new coffee shops to frequent.
