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That 70s Show

Last updated 28 May, 2006

Premise: Comedy that follows a group of 1970s teenagers. Centered around Eric Foremn — a lot of the “action” takes place in his basement, and both his parents are regular characters. Next-door neighbour Donna serves as his love interest. Friend Hyde now lives with the Formans as well. Friends Kelso, Fez, and Jackie round out the cast.

Current status: Now in Season 6. Wednesdays at 8:00 on Global and Fox.

Commentary

Season 3 (end) (2000–01)
Season 4 (mid-point) (2001–02)
Season 4 (end) (2001–02)
Season 5 (mid-point) (2002-03)
Season 5 (end) (2002–03)

Season 3 (end)

6th favourite show

Broad comedy, but consistently smart and funny.

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Season 4 (mid-point)

4th favourite show: A-

This comedy seems out of place amongst all these dramas, but it does what it's supposed to: it's funny without being stupid. While the opening episodes (dealing mostly with Eric and Donna's break-up) were more annoying than funny, the show has since recovered.

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Season 4 (end)

4th favourite show: A-

Remains surprisingly fresh despite having reached its 100th episode this year, largely on its full cast of characters who are very well rounded for a comedy. Its big musical episode was nowhere near as good as Buffy's, but it was nevertheless quite enjoyable. Even the fact that Eric and Donna's relationship is once again in question by season's doesn't seem like a rehash.

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Season 5 (mid-point)

5th favourite show

That this sitcom has been on as long as it has (over 100 episodes), yet has managed not to become a ridiculous shell of what it once was is a feat, and a testament to the strength of the basic premise: 4 guys, 2 girls, some parents, and a basement. This year, Hyde and Jackie are together, which is both weird and absolutely right, while Donna and Eric are secretly engaged. Kitty's usual solidity is being challenged by menopausal mood fluctuations, so she continues to walk that line of being funny without being absurd.

I have no idea how this show will cope with the characters attaining college age — not to mention the looming dawn of the 1980s in the show's time line — but as long as they can keep this up, I'll be watching.

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Season 5 (end)

Showing its age...

Well, the “Donna and Eric are engaged” plotline quickly grew tiresome, as Red's opposition to it never seemed to make much sense. Even more unfortunately, Kitty's menopause story made her kind of ridiculous.

I did like seeing the Hyde and Jackie romance progress, and having Kelso unattached all season seemed appropriate. (As an aside, I can't believe that Ashton Kutcher is the one having the breakout movie career.) But I found myself missing episodes after it moved to Wednesday, and not really caring. That's never a good sign.

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Cast

Stars Topher Grace as Eric Forman

Co-stars Laura Prepon as Donna Pinciotti, Kurtwood Smith as Red Forman, Debra Jo Rupp as Kitty Forman, Don Stark as Bob Pinciotti, Danny Masterson as Steven Hyde, Ashton Kutcher as Michael Kelso, Wilmer Valderrama as Fez, and Mila Kunis as Jackie.

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Links

That 70s Show official Web site

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