That '90s Show season 2 turns into parts 2 and 3 with split summer release dates

Netflix announced the release date for That '90s Show season 2 and confirmed that it's sticking with its tradition of confusing viewers with its release patterns for comedies. Rather than being simply known as "season 2," the sitcom's upcoming 16 episodes will be split into two eight-episode batches aptly dubbed part 2 and part 3. Are you following?

Now for the exciting news! That '90s Show part 2 will be released on Thursday, June 27, which as of this writing on May 13, isn't too far away. Also, That '90s Show part 3 will be released on Thursday, Oct. 24. The main cast was on hand at the Netflix Is A Joke Fest to play a '90s trivia game hosted by Kevin Smith, who will appear in an upcoming episode, and celebrate the reveal of the two-part release dates for what they have been working on.

UPDATE: That '90s Show part 3 will now be released on Thursday, Aug. 22.

Along with the exciting reveal of the two-part release dates spread across summer and fall, Netflix also dropped the official synopsis for part 2. Picking up the following summer after that shocking season 1 finale, Jay and Nikki still don't know that Leia and Nate nearly acted on the feelings bubbling up between them, which makes her return to Point Place for the summer all the more awkward. But as the synopsis teases, the truth will come out and the teens will have to weather the storm.

Check out the synopsis for part 2 via Netflix:

"It’s 1996 and Leia Forman is back in Point Place for another summer of fun with her friends and grandparents, Kitty and Red. Leia and Jay are excited to be together again after nine months of long distance. But she’s on edge since Jay still doesn’t know she almost kissed Nate. Nate is concerned that his girlfriend, Nikki, doesn’t know either. How long can they keep this secret? Turns out, not long at all. And when the truth finally comes out, relationships are threatened, friendships are at stake, and the summer is on the verge of ending before it even gets started."

That's not all, That '90s Show fans! The good fortune keeps on coming, because Netflix gave us a first-look at what's to come and who will be dropping by in part 2 with an official teaser. Soundtracked by "My Own Worst Enemy" by Lit (which was released in 1999 and the season takes place in 1996, though let's not split hairs), Kitty fights with Jay and Gwen to get the first hug from Leia when she arrives from Chicago, only to discover that Red stole it out from under them.

Watch the teaser in the video below!

Netflix confirms the returns of Don Stark, Laura Prepon, and Andrea Anders, though Topher Grace is noticeably absent from the teaser and the roster of confirmed guest stars. Other guests popping up throughout part 2 include the likes of Will Forte, Seth Green, Lisa Loeb, Carmen Electra, Wayne Knight, Kevin Smith, Tommy Chong, Jason Mewes, Matt Rife, and Kadeem Hardison.

Mila Kunis previously confirmed that she and real-life and on-screen husband Ashton Kutcher would not be reprising their roles as Jackie and Kelso in season 2 (now parts 2 and 3). But Seth Green's tease that he would be back turned out to be true! We can't wait to see what other surprises might be in store for our favorite Point Place teens this summer and fall.

That '90s Show part 2 premieres on Thursday, June 17 and part 3 premieres on Thursday, Aug. 22 on Netflix. Stay tuned for more news and updates from Netflix Life!