That '70s Show

The show was set in May 1976 in the August 23, 1998 premiere. After 12 episodes, the series transitioned to 1977. The 23rd episode, "Grandma's Dead", was also set in 1976, because it was the 12th episode that was produced, and was originally going to air earlier in the debut season. The show remained in 1977 for the next two seasons. Near the end of the third season, the series transitioned to 1978 until early in the sixth season. The remaining episodes took place in 1979, and the series finale abruptly ends during a New Year's Eve party as the characters reach "one" during a countdown to January 1, 1980. After the credits roll, the license plate from Eric's Vista Cruiser is shown with the year "80", indicating that the 1980s have begun. The series has gained some notoriety due to perceived continuity errors present in its timeline. Although it is implied that one year passes in congruence with each season of the series, the characters remain of high school age from the beginning of the series until the conclusion of season five. Additionally, characters can be seen listening to albums that would have not yet been released at the time of the episode's setting. The show is a 1970s nostalgia sitcom. The show addressed numerous social issues of the 1970s such as sexual attitudes of the era, generational conflict, the economic hardships of the 1970s recession, mistrust of the American government by blue-collar workers, and underage drinking/drug use. The series also highlighted developments in fashion trends, the entertainment industry, including the television remote ("the clicker"), reruns, VCRs, and cable TV; the video games Pong and Space Invaders; the cassette tape and Disco; MAD magazine; and Eric's obsession with Star Wars, which came out in 1977. The show has been compared to Happy Days, which was similarly set 20 years before the time in which it aired. Many of the show's episodes featured Eric and the rest of the kids in or around Eric's "Aztec Gold" 1969 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser, handed down to Eric by Red in the pilot episode (after Red begrudgingly buys a 1976 Toyota Corolla, a more economical car). With the show being based in Point Place, Wisconsin (a fictional suburb of Green Bay), the Green Bay Packers were often featured through the use of jerseys, a Packers helmet, and other paraphernalia. A Season 7 episode called "Street Fighting Man" highlighted the fanhood of many of the characters, as the gang attends a Packers' game at Lambeau Field. During the series finale, Red receives season tickets to the Packers as a gift from Hyde. The series also contains references to the popular music of the 1970s, such as Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Alice Cooper, Aerosmith, Ted Nugent, Kiss, The Grateful Dead, ABBA and The Steve Miller Band. Additionally, the series featured cameos from prominent rock musicians such as Nugent himself, as well as Roger Daltrey of the Who. In one of the show's major running gags, Red often threatens to punish Eric with many variations of the catchphrase, "my foot in your ass" or more generally "kicking your ass." Some other notable running gags and catchphrases are: Fez's country of origin is never revealed. Sometimes, Fez is about to disclose where he is from, or at least hint at it, but something happens to prevent him from doing so, like someone entering the room as seen in "Stolen Car", or Fez rambling in "Love of My Life". Fez's real name was also never revealed. Even Fez stood for FES, Foreign Exchange Student. Red often calls Fez by some exotic foreign names when he is speaking directly to him, including Tarzan. Someone, usually Kelso, falls off the Water Tower. Charlie is the only one to fall off and die from the tower in "Bohemian Rhapsody" due to him having weak endurance. Kelso yells "Ow, my eye!" when Hyde rough-houses with him. For example, in the episode "Class Picture", a series of flashbacks feature Hyde beating up Kelso. While the two are out of the immediate sight of the audience, Kelso yells, "Ow, my eye!" and the scene cuts to the next flashback. This gag is repeated several times throughout the series, although the only time Kelso appears with an injured eye is in "Jackie's Cheese Squeeze" after he was punched by Todd, Jackie's manager. On that occasion, Kelso did not yell, "Ow, my eye!" On certain occasions, other characters have done this gag. On one occasion, Jackie got into a fight with Laurie and tackled her over the couch where Laurie shouted "Ow, my eye!" Fez's sex life or usually lack thereof. Often Fez accidentally reveals some perverse behavior he performed, like hiding in Donna's room. The best thing to do or the best solution can be found by "The Circle", sometimes from the Circle, Hyde will start to talk about a car that runs on water or conspiracies towards the Government. Eric's attempted "secret" money stash locations are known by everyone, such as the Candy Land box. Characters (usually Kelso) being made to wear a Green Bay Packers helmet following an especially ignorant comment.

Plot from That '70s ShowCC BY-SA 4.0