# That '70s Show

> American television period sitcom

**Wikidata**: [Q208072](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q208072)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/That_'70s_Show)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/that-70s-show

## Summary
That '70s Show is an American television period sitcom that aired from August 23, 1998, to May 18, 2006. Created by Mark Brazill, Bonnie Turner, and Terry Turner, the show is set in the fictional town of Point Place, Wisconsin, during the late 1970s and follows the lives of a group of high school friends. It is notable for its nostalgic portrayal of 1970s culture and its influence on subsequent teen sitcoms.

## Key Facts
- **Premiere Date**: August 23, 1998
- **Final Episode**: May 18, 2006
- **Number of Seasons**: 8
- **Episode Count**: 201
- **Original Network**: Fox Broadcasting Company
- **Production Companies**: Carsey-Werner Company, 20th Television
- **Creators**: Mark Brazill, Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner
- **Setting**: Late 1970s, Point Place, Wisconsin
- **Genre**: Teen sitcom, period sitcom
- **Country of Origin**: United States
- **Followed By**: That '80s Show (short-lived spin-off)
- **Notable Cast**: Mila Kunis, Laura Prepon, Ashton Kutcher, Danny Masterson, Wilmer Valderrama, Debra Jo Rupp, Kurtwood Smith
- **Awards and Recognition**: Saturn Award nominations, Teen Choice Awards, and a lasting cultural impact as a staple of 1990s-2000s television
- **Episode Length**: 22 minutes (without commercials)
- **Distributor**: 20th Television
- **Related Work**: Inspired the spin-off *That '80s Show* and influenced later period sitcoms
- **Filming Location**: Primarily at CBS Studio Center in Studio City, California
- **Ratings**: Consistently high ratings during its initial run, contributing to its eight-season longevity
- **Cultural References**: Featured iconic 1970s music, fashion, and historical events

## FAQs
**What is the premise of That '70s Show?**  
The show revolves around a group of high school friends living in the 1970s, navigating adolescence, relationships, and societal changes against the backdrop of the era's music, fashion, and cultural phenomena.

**Who are the main cast members?**  
Key cast members include Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Laura Prepon, Danny Masterson, Wilmer Valderrama, Debra Jo Rupp, and Kurtwood Smith, many of whom gained significant recognition through the series.

**How many episodes and seasons were produced?**  
The series spans 8 seasons with a total of 201 episodes, airing from 1998 to 2006.

**What is the show's connection to other works?**  
It spawned a short-lived spin-off, *That '80s Show*, and its success paved the way for future period sitcoms. The show also launched the careers of several notable actors, including Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher.

**Where was the show filmed?**  
Primary filming occurred at CBS Studio Center in Studio City, California, with the fictional setting of Point Place, Wisconsin.

**What awards or recognition did the show receive?**  
The series garnered multiple Saturn Award nominations and Teen Choice Awards, reflecting its popularity and critical acclaim during its run.

## Why It Matters
That '70s Show is a culturally significant sitcom that defined the teen comedy genre in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Its nostalgic value, coupled with its relatable characters and humor, made it a staple of American television. The show's influence extends to launching the careers of several prominent actors and inspiring subsequent period dramas and comedies. Its portrayal of 1970s culture, including music, fashion, and historical events, serves as a time capsule for both the era it depicts and the time of its production. The series' longevity and consistent ratings success underscore its broad appeal, making it a defining program of its generation.

## Notable For
- **Cultural Time Capsule**: Captured the essence of 1970s America through music, fashion, and historical references.
- **Career Launchpad**: Propelled the careers of Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, and Laura Prepon, among others.
- **Longevity**: Aired for eight seasons, an impressive run for a teen-oriented sitcom.
- **Influence on Genre**: Helped revitalize the teen sitcom genre and inspired period-specific comedies.
- **Iconic Characters**: Memorable characters like Michael Kelso, Donna Pinciotti, and Eric Forman became ingrained in pop culture.
- **Music Integration**: Featured a soundtrack heavily rooted in 1970s rock and pop, introducing the era's music to a new generation.
- **Spin-Off and Legacy**: Generated a spin-off (*That '80s Show*) and remains popular in syndication and streaming.

## Body

### Creation and Production
That '70s Show was created by Mark Brazill, Bonnie Turner, and Terry Turner, premiering on Fox on August 23, 1998. Produced by Carsey-Werner Company and 20th Television, the show was set in the fictional Wisconsin town of Point Place during the late 1970s. The series finale aired on May 18, 2006, concluding an eight-season run that totaled 201 episodes.

### Setting and Premise
The show's narrative centered on a group of six high school friends navigating adolescence in the 1970s. Each episode typically featured the group hanging out in Eric Forman's (Topher Grace) basement, discussing relationships, and engaging in misadventures. The series incorporated historical events, music, and cultural trends of the 1970s, blending nostalgia with coming-of-age themes.

### Cast and Characters
The ensemble cast included:
- **Ashton Kutcher** as Michael Kelso, the dim-witted but charismatic jock.
- **Mila Kunis** as Jackie Burkhart, the wealthy, popular, and sometimes shallow cheerleader.
- **Laura Prepon** as Donna Pinciotti, the intelligent and independent feminist.
- **Danny Masterson** as Steven Hyde, the rebellious and sarcastic outsider.
- **Wilmer Valderrama** as Fez, the foreign exchange student known for his accent and womanizing.
- **Debra Jo Rupp** as Kitty Forman, Eric's mother, and **Kurtwood Smith** as Red Forman, Eric's strict, often-angry father.

### Cultural Impact and Legacy
That '70s Show played a pivotal role in revitalizing the teen sitcom genre, blending period-specific humor with universal teenage experiences. Its success led to a short-lived spin-off, *That '80s Show*, and influenced later period comedies. The show's soundtrack, featuring iconic 1970s tracks, introduced the music of artists like Led Zeppelin and The Who to a younger audience. The series also launched the careers of its cast, many of whom transitioned to film and other television projects.

### Filming and Distribution
Primarily filmed at CBS Studio Center in Studio City, California, the show maintained a consistent aesthetic that mirrored its 1970s setting. Distributed by 20th Television, it aired on Fox and later in syndication, remaining a popular rerun staple. The show's finale, which jumped forward in time to the 1980s, provided closure for the characters while maintaining the series' nostalgic tone.

### Awards and Recognition
During its run, That '70s Show received multiple Saturn Award nominations for Best Television Presentation and won several Teen Choice Awards. Its cultural impact and longevity solidified its status as a landmark sitcom of the late 1990s and early 2000s.

### Related Works and Spin-Offs
The show's influence extended to *That '80s Show*, a spin-off set in the 1980s that aired briefly in 2002. Although the spin-off did not achieve the same success, the original series' format has been emulated in subsequent period sitcoms, demonstrating its lasting influence on the genre.

### Historical Context and Nostalgia
Premiering in 1998, the show capitalized on 1990s nostalgia for the 1970s, a trend reflected in other media of the time. Its portrayal of historical events, such as the energy crisis and the rise of punk rock, added depth to its comedic narrative, making it both entertaining and educational for younger viewers unfamiliar with the era.

### Technical Specifications and Episode Structure
Each episode typically ran 22 minutes without commercials, following a three-act structure common in sitcoms. The show's use of a laugh track and episodic storytelling catered to a broad audience, contributing to its mainstream appeal. The basement setting served as a central hub for character interactions, symbolizing the group's camaraderie and the sheltered nature of their adolescence.

## References

1. IMDb
2. ['That '70s Show' gets away with a little bit more than usual. CNN.com. 1998](http://edition.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/TV/9808/28/that.70s.show/)
3. [fernsehserien.de](https://www.fernsehserien.de/die-wilden-siebziger)
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. BabelNet
6. Kinopoisk
7. Online-Filmdatenbank
8. SoundtrackCollector
9. [Hello Wisconsin!](https://www.reddit.com/r/That70sshow/)
10. The Movie Database
11. FilmVandaag.nl