BY JOHN CARTER JR
Initially released in August 1998 on Fox and set in the fictional town of Point Place, Wisconsin in the 1970s, That‘70s Show is yet another American IP that is being revived in this era of remakes and reboots. On January 19th, Netflix will release That 90s Show, a reboot starring Debra Jo Rupp and Kurtwood Smith, reprising their roles as Eric Forman’s parents. With the release of the new show on the horizon, let’s take a look back at what made the original show so special.
That‘70s Show stands out among its contemporary sitcoms in its presentation, character-driven comedy, and its period-based motivations for its cast. While at some points, the show can feel like purgatory for its teen and adult cast alike, cyclically trapped in its episodic format, the show addresses problems produced not only by the times the show was set in as well as eternally relatable life problems. One example of its period-specific conversations is how the show first discusses the Watergate controversy, with Red Foreman (a seemingly conservative-leaning everyman) feeling betrayed by president Nixon’s actions and learning to be honest about it. While this certainly was a period-specific set of circumstances, the journey Red’s character takes concerning his feelings about the issue is timeless.
The show is also known for its unique presentation of its characters, with one particular facet of the show’s presentation being a staple throughout the series. This takes the form of the main cast, usually the younger members, sitting in a rotating circle smoking and talking about their situations. The show periodically has themed episodes as well that either focused on a time outside the 70s or a cultural phenomenon, such as Star Wars. The show’s transitions even have a colorful 70s aesthetic. Its comedy used the time period of the show as a point of reference but never leaned on it as a crutch of sorts, along with its dynamic amongst its cast, leading to memorable comedy.
Finally and most impactful, in terms of why the show was so successful, it’s legendary cast. Topher Grace, Laura Prepon, Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Wilmer Valderrama, Tommy Chong, Debra Jo Rupp, and Kurtwood Smith have had their own successful careers, some before and after the show, respectively. The list of projects the alumni of this show have worked on is incredible. Collectively cast members of this show have worked on Black Swan, Dead Poets Society, Wandavision, Black Mirror, Orange is the New Black, Encanto, and Onward, to name a few.
That ‘70s Show gives us more than a taste of the skills and potential of each of its actors. The characters each feel like they were perfectly tailored for the actor performing them, making it feel like no one else could do the roles. One example of this is how Ashton Kutcher perfectly plays the lovable yet stupidly flawed Kelso or Laura Prepon’s characterization of Donna, who is intelligent, beautiful, and funny. Both of the aforementioned characters wouldn’t be the same without their respective actors.
In conclusion, That ‘70s Show was special because of its characterization, its comedy, unique presentation, and its legendary cast. It is found in the hearts of many due to its timeless and simultaneously nostalgic draw on our heartstrings. Like many sitcoms, it is food for our soul, but even more than some of its contemporaries, the show has heart. We can only hope that the new show tries to be good in its own way while maintaining the quality of the original.
I give That ‘70s Show a 9/10 for its excellent cast, storylines, and nostalgic vibes.
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