For some reason, That 70s Show was renewed after Topher Grace left and after Ashton Kutcher decided to become just a recurring guest star.
And for SOME reason, I watched it. (Probably because I have seen every episode, and don’t want to end my streak.)
And it wasn’t very good. It had way more cliche moments than usual (and it is not like the show was ground-breaking to start with!)
Personally, I thought last season was pretty weak. They just seemed to be going through the motions until their deals played out.
But it had a few laughs. Much like the final season of Friends, you watch it more for familiarity than for comedy.
A few random thoughts:
I feel REALLY sorry for the actor who played Charlie in the final episode last season. He was this dopey, over eager son of Red’s army buddy who was hanging around for some reason. I think he was supposed to be the Eric replacement. But apparently, enough people wrote in that he was annoying as hell, and he was actually killed off in last night’s episode! Fell off the water tower and died! It was pretty funny stuff. They could have just made him a Chuck, but instead they Pootchied his ass.
As much as I don’t like Kutcher anywhere else, he is pretty funny as Kelso. He has said that he is open to appearing in more than the 4 episodes he signed on for this season. They should open their wallets and get him in some more of them. He’s got ONE MORE water tower fall in HIM!
I’m not sure what to make of this new character. He looks and sounds like the guy who died, but with weird hair. I’m sure he’ll be wonderful…
Does anyone know if the Vegas Stripper Wife is going to be a permanent fixture or is she just there to create temporary drama between Jackie and Hyde?
*It’s good that Leo-Man is back.
Overall, not good television, but I’ll be back. I am a glutton for punishment.
I watched mostly because I was curious how they could possibly handle the situation. As a writer, I’m fascinated by problem-solving of this kind.
They did it by virtually making the episode a pilot for a new show with some of the same characters.
Not a bad idea, but the overall execution was pretty lame. You’re right that the absolute best part was getting rid of the Charlie character. The replacement guy looks considerably hipper.
The stripper wife is billed as a guest rather than one of the stars so I’m guessing that she won’t be around all season. One of the best things about the show was that Laura Prepon and Mila Kunis were “totally hot chicks” without looking like standard Hollywood bimbos. Even Laurie wasn’t a typical sexy blond, but a person with a personality. Every time they try to put on a rival, though - or the replacement Laurie, remember her fleeting episodes? - they go for a Hollywood blond who’s just a body. (Yeah, Hyde’s “sister” wasn’t blonde, but she didn’t have a personality either.) When the Las Vegas stripper character isn’t as hot as the girls from the neighborhood you’ve got a problem. The original casting was brilliant, but they’ve never duplicated it.
I agree that they gave Kelso too many of the good bits. It’ll just make the episodes after he leaves harder to do.
If you think of it as a new show it has some promise. A little promise. A dash of promise. Otherwise it’s the end of the line.
Oh, good, maybe you guys can help me out. My roommates and I are fans of the show, but apparently we missed a few seminal episodes last season, because we had no clue what was going on last night. Why the hell is Eric in Africa?
REAL ANSWER: Because Topher Grace wanted to make movies and Fox wanted the show to keep going.
IN-SHOW ANSWER: Eric, after his year of doing nothing, felt unfulfilled. He tried to find a career but nothing would click. So he decided to “find himself” by teaching English to people in Africa.
I was reminded to watch this last night because they were playing last season’s finale on FX (which I hadn’t seen either). Apparently he met a guy in his thirties who was still living at home and reading comic books. He didn’t want to end up like that guy, so he split town.
I love the show, in spite of the occasional lousy episode. My only complaint - hasn’t it been '79 for like 3 seasons now? The writers made the mistake of starting it in the mid 70’s. If they wanted to have the whole Disco thing in the background, they could have started as early as '74. But then they would have had to wait 3 years to bring Star Wars into it as a major culteral influence. Maybe they didn’t think it would last more than 3 years?
By bringing in Samantha and the new guy at the record store, they could very easliy retool it into a Hyde-centric show without elimiating any of the other characters. Except for an occasional toke, Hyde grows up. Just give Jackie a reason to leave gracefully. I don’t want to see her killed off or anything, she jusrt doesn’t fit anymore.
Is Midge back for good? I missed a lot of last season.
I noticed that they license plate year sticker was missing from the closing credits last night. I guess the writers got sick and tired of people complaining that it has been “1979” for a couple seasons now.
The first “episode” last night was definitely stronger than the second. I have to tip my hat to the writers for so heartlessly writing off Charlie. I forgot all about him, so when he appeared in the basement in one of the early flashbacks I groaned thinking we’re stuck with this “fake Eric” for the remainder of the season…but then just as he’s being accepted at last by the gang…splat.
I knew someone would fall off the water tower and die because they showed that in the preview ads for the show and said someone would die. I hadn’t watched it in a while so I have no idea who Charlie is/was. Did they explain how Kelso could fall off the water tower several times and live and this guy didn’t?
Well he’d have to if this is the show’s last season. Even Richie came back for Joanie’s wedding.
I think Eric will come back from Africa with new confidence, he’ll stand up to Red, maybe even call him a dumbass, and he and Donna will realize they are ready to be married. Hyde and Sam will move back to Vegas, Hyde will open a record store there. Leo moves to Canada because he likes the GingerAle. Jackie will have long since moved back to Chicago. Kelso will track down whatshername (his baby’s momma) and settle down with her. Fez will meet some hot immigrant chick who will think he’s the hottest thing on wheels. Bob will buy an island (he’s still incredibly wealthy, right? or is that just by Point Place standards) and move there. Lori falls hard for a guy who won’t have sex with her til they’re married. Red & Kitty hit the lottery, not millions and millions, but enough for Red to retire and for them to move to Arizona (that’s where Wasps go, right? 'cause Boca and Miami are for us Jews :D)
How’s that for some tied up loose ends?
