How Well Do You Know That 70's Show?
- by Chris Roberts
- – on
- in Movies and TV
Created by Mark Brazill and Bonnie and Terry Turner, That 70's Show was one of the most surprising hits of the late 1990s and early 2000s. The Fox sitcom was the only pilot of its debut year to stick around on Fox and eventually became one of its most successful shows, lasting eight seasons and launching several of its cast members into stardom. Although Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis were arguably the biggest breakout stars of the show, every main cast member has since gone on to have successful careers in television.
Everything from the opening theme to the pot-smoking circle and the frequent dream sequences made the show an iconic hit. Additionally, it was released at a perfect time when children of the 1970s were now adults and could look back fondly on doing exactly the same things as the gang. The show garnered 16 Emmy Award nominations during its eight-year run as it became Fox's longest live-action sitcom since Married... With Children. It performed consistently well in ratings in its first seven seasons with a record 11.7 million tuning in to the season one finale. However, without regular cast members Topher Grace and Ashton Kutcher, the eighth season struggled ratings-wise and only 5.8 million people watched the finale.
What is Eric's last name?
Although having an ensemble cast, That 70's Show mostly revolves around lanky teenager Eric and his escapades with his stoner friends, including his next door neighbor, Donna, who is his love interest throughout the series. Eric is a typical underachiever who has a stern, tough father named Red and a loving and supportive mother named Kitty. He also has an older sister, who, despite being unsuccessful and promiscuous, is treated much more favorably than Eric. He has an unfortunate last name and leads to excessive ridiculing.
In what town does the show take place?
That 70's Show, obviously, takes place throughout the latter half of the 1970s and details the lives of a group of typical 70s burnouts who prominently hang out in the Forman's basement. Unlike shows such as The Simpson's or Seinfeld, the town in which the show takes place isn't often part of the plot - a lot of scenes take place in the basement or the local restaurant - but it is specifically mentioned throughout the series, especially when Eric describes his desire to get out of the town and move on to bigger and better things.
What is the names of the Foreman's neighbors?
As mentioned, Eric has a crush in Donna early in the first season and the two are dating for much of the series. Like Eric, Donna is often embarrassed by her parents, as neither really appear to be the brightest bulbs in the box. Her father sports the afro that was popularized throughout the 70s and, early on, owned his own general appliance store. Her mother, meanwhile, is particularly dumb, but her appearance is aptly appreciated by Hyde, Fez, Kelso, and even Eric.
Which of these actors weren't part of the original cast?
The cast of That 70's Show was mostly unknown prior to the start of the show - Ashton Kutcher had never acted before and Topher Grace's previous role was in a high school play - but all six main characters have since gone on to either star in major productions or, at the very least, remain relevant in popular culture. The gang had such great chemistry on screen that it's hard to imagine any other actors portraying particular roles, but there was actually prominent actors who auditioned for various roles. For instance, James Franco auditioned for the role of Eric.
What was the name of the short-lived spin-off series?
Although That 70's Show was an uncertain project at the time it first aired, by 2002 it had become so popular that Fox determined it could capitalize with spin-off of sorts. Although the show didn't have any of the same characters as That 70's Show, the main character was said to be the cousin of Eric Forman. He was played by Glenn Howerton, who now plays Dennis Reynolds in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Audiences didn't really buy into the show, however, as it lasted only 13 episodes before being cancelled.
How old was Mila Kunis when she auditioned for the show?
Although it seems like forever ago since That 70's Show ended its eight-year run as one of Fox's most popular primetime sitcoms, one of its stars, Mila Kunis, won't turn 34-years-old until August 14. Meanwhile, her husband and former co-star, Ashton Kutcher, is 39-years-old, while Topher Grace is 38-years-old. It's hard to believe the show's cast members had such a wide age gap with Kunis in the early years, but that's because the actress kept her age a secret from the producers. She was so perfect for the role, however, that it wasn't much of a concern.
Fes(z) is an acronym for what?
One of the earlier episodes of the series takes the audience back to Fez's first day of school, in which he meets the gang. Hyde asks him what his name is and he answers, but does so while the school bell rings. The bell goes on for quite awhile, during which time Fez continues talking. Instead of remembering the long name, Hyde makes the decision to simply call him Fez, which is an acronym for one of the answers below. On a behind-the-scenes feature, it's revealed that Fez is actually listing off all of the real names of the cast members while the bell rings.
Where was Fez from?
Many of the mysteries of That 70's Show revolve around the identity of Fez. Although his real name has been teased quite a few times throughout the series, we're never made aware of what his real name actually is. Likewise, his country of origin remains a mystery for much of the series. He makes subtle hints throughout, including a reference to his Latin influences which inspire his passion for - and ability to - dance. If you're like Red Forman, however, you probably only care enough to call him the foreign kid.
What year did the show debut?
If you're an Internet-aged millennial, you're probably used to memes and references relating to growing up in the 1990s. The nostalgia of the decade in which you were raised is fairly commonplace in the Internet era, but that wasn't really the case prior to That 70's Show hitting the airwaves. Created by Mark Bazill and based on his experiences growing up, the show capitalized on the adult audience in the 1990s who had similar experiences growing up in the 70s. It also featured engaging characters and relatable themes that made it a favorite among young people as well.
What was the name of Eric's sister?
Although Eric and his parents Red and Kitty received most of the screen time in the Forman household, there was also a dim-witted sister who was featured prominently in the first two seasons and sporadically until the end of the sixth season. That's because the actress who played her, Lisa Robin Kelly, left the show after the fifth season, leaving the producers in a bind. She was briefly replaced by Christine Moore, but the showrunners decided to keep her character out of the seventh and eighth season.
Which character didn't Michael Kelso date?
Although Michael Kelso was considered the fool of the group, it didn't affect his luck with the ladies. He dated Jackie Burkhart throughout much of the first four seasons of the series, but often found himself in trouble for making out with other girls, usually in his Volkswagon van. He cleaned up his act for brief periods of time, but would then relapse by cheating on Jackie with Eric's sister or some other girl he met. In fact, his girlfriends included characters played by popular actresses such as Jessica Simpson and Shannon Elizabeth.
What is Eric's favorite movie?
You likely only need to watch one or two episodes to know which movie that came out during the 1970s is the favorite of Eric Forman. He references lines from the film in numerous episodes to the annoyance of his friends and family members and he even has toys - action figures, as he prefers to call them - of characters in the film. Although Eric is the biggest fanboy of the film in later seasons, it's actually Kelso who continually visits the theater to watch the movie in a first-season episode, even turning down sex with Jackie to do so.
Where did Hyde work when he met Leo, who was played by Tommy Chong?
Cheech and Chong were a pot-smoking comedy duo that became popular during the 1970s, especially following the 1978 film Up in Smoke. As such, it was only appropriate that the pot-smoking characters in That 70's Show would run into a character played by Tommy Chong himself. The creators of the show developed the character of Leo with Tommy Chong in mind and they were eventually able to secure him to play the role. The gang meets Leo through Hyde's job.
What is Jackie's middle name?
A self-absorbed, spoiled rich girl, Jackie is the love interest of Michael Kelso and, eventually, Steven Hyde. As opposed to the rest of the gang, who don't seem to care about popularity, Jackie was one of the most popular girls at school, having been voted most popular and best legs. She was also the Snow Queen runner-up. Yet, she has a few quirks that don't seem to mesh with her supposed popularity, specifically her middle name, which is revealed in the Halloween episode. Not surprisingly, Jackie becomes incensed whenever someone refers to her by her middle name.
What do the characters shout at the end of the show's opening sequence?
The iconic theme song for That 70's Show was originally written by Chris Bell and Alex Chilton of the band Big Star. Titled "In the Street," the song appeared on the band's debut album in 1972, but show producers had Todd Griffin cover the song for a different feel. Chilton, meanwhile, was paid $70 in royalties every time the show aired. Cheap Trick covered the song in season two and that version was used until the end of the series. The band added the phrase, "We're all alright! We're all alright!" toward the end of the theme, but that was still followed by the iconic phrase shouted by one of the cast members.
Which car did the Foreman family own?
Michael Kelso had the Volkswagen van and the Forman's had their vehicle, which gave way to some memorable moments in the show. Aside from the pot smoking and beer drinking, there's nothing that makes a group of teenagers feel more cool than driving, and, despite the Forman's not having the best vehicle, it was a source of pride for Eric, who used it for countless journeys. It would also commonly serve as somewhere to lay for Eric and Donna while parked in the driveway; they were atop the car when Donna rejected Eric's promise ring.
At which store did Eric and Red work together?
True to his slacker identity, Eric Forman was terrible at most of his jobs. He failed as a waiter at both Fatso Burger and Point Place Hotel and even took an entire summer off to the dismay of his parents. He did, however, briefly succeed in one job, that is until his father, Red was hired by the same company. Red previously worked at Point Place Auto Plant and, at one point, reluctantly helped out at Bargain Bob's during the holidays. At the company for which they both worked, Red served as a manager to Eric.
What is Red's favorite insult?
No, we're not asking for one of Red's variations on putting his foot up one's ass, as entertaining as those quotes were - nothing beats "You have got to be the laziest non-Communist I've ever met, and you are about to read a book that my foot wrote: it's called On the Road to In Your Ass." When he wasn't threatening Eric or other members of the gang - but mostly Eric - with putting his foot up their rear, Red showed his disdain for people with a simple, but effective one-word insult.
Which character moved in with the Forman's at the end of the first season?
As previously mentioned, the Forman household consists of Eric, his sister Laurie, and his parents Red and Kitty. At least that's the case until the end of the first season, when the family reluctantly - at least at first - takes in one of Eric's friends who had just been abandoned by their mother and is on the verge of living on the streets. Red and Kitty visit this person's home and Kitty eventually convinces Red to allow them to stay in the Forman basement.
Who is Hyde's real father?
In the season three episode aptly titled "Hyde's Father," Steven Hyde finally meets his long-lost father, who had abandoned him and his mother as a child. He had apparently returned to Point Place over a year ago and was working at a local bar when that the gang visited with fake IDs. Hyde recognized the man as his father and the two eventually talked. However, at the end of the sixth season, Kitty discovers that Hyde's biological father is a man who lives in Milwaukee. It's later discovered he is a black man and that Hyde has a sister named Angie.
Which actor plays Kelso's brother?
The older brother of Michael, Casey Kelso is a laid back 21-year-old who appears as a genius in opposition to his younger brother. While he's not that bright himself, he certainly seems more knowledgeable than Michael. Casey first appears in season four and begins dating Donna following her breakup with Eric. He's a favorite among all members of the gang - except Eric - as well as Red and Kitty (he was in the Army and Kitty seems to have a crush on him). He eventually leaves Donna and is seen in later seasons working as a bartender at a strip club and a gym teacher.
What was the name of the stripper Hyde married in season eight?
Casey Kelso isn't the only character in the series to have spent time in a strip club. After Hyde catches Jackie and Kelso together in a motel room, he leaves for Vegas to take his mind off of his ex-girlfriend. He has returned to Point Place by the beginning of the eighth and final season, but not without controversy. A woman shows up at the Forman's house claiming to have married Hyde while he was in Vegas - whatever happened to what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas? - but their marriage is later annulled as the woman was already married to another man.
What was Donna's nickname when she worked at the WFPP radio station?
Donna Pinciotti has had numerous nicknames throughout the duration of the series. Hyde, Kelso, and Fez would routinely call her Big Red, Big D, and even Granny Panties following Eric pulling down her pants during a one-on-one game of basketball. But she had another more widely-known nickname when she worked at the WFPP radio station. Eric finds out about the name and becomes quite jealous, at least until he meets the man who gave her the nickname, DJ Jerry Thunder, who isn't as dreamy as his radio voice suggests.
Who did Donna dream of Eric as in the season three episode "Eric's Drunken Tattoo?"
Nobody has ever confused Eric Forman as someone who might be dangerous, but that was what he was out to prove to Donna what he decided to get a tattoo. After reading Donna's journal, in which she states she wishes he would be more wild and dangerous, he gets a tattoo of Woodstock on his butt - not the music festival, the bird in Charles Schulz's Peanuts. In a dream-like sequence, Eric dresses like the man in Donna's dream and takes on his wild persona.
Who did Fez marry to avoid deportation?
Although we never find out Fez's real name or where he's from, by the end of the fifth season he is facing deportation to his home country unless he can get his green card. Thus, in order to stay in Point Place, Fez is forced to marry to secure permanent residence and obtain his green card. The marriage doesn't last long, but it keeps Fez in America; he and his wife even fool the immigration agent into believing in their marriage early in the sixth season.
What are Fez's two greatest loves?
There are many things that define Fez, aside from being the gang's token foreigner kid. He has an affinity for calling people bastards and also has numerous catchphrases, including the ever-popular "Good day!" He also loves a lot of the pleasures afforded to him in America that he seemingly couldn't get in his home country, especially the two options below. Both of his greatest loves are featured prominently throughout the series as he seems to have an unhealthy obsession with both, often leading to overindulgence.
What is the name of the restaurant in which the gang typically hangs out?
Although teenagers in today's world are preoccupied with social media and electronics, back in the 70's they spent their time simply hanging out wherever they could. That much is evident by the amount of time the gang spends in the Forman's basement. When they're not in the basement, however, they're either trying to find somewhere to drink alcohol or lounging at the local restaurant, which is presented as a 1950s-era soda shop known for its french fries and pinball machine.
Which actor plays Eric's rival Mitch?
Mitch Miller is like Eric in many ways. He has an unhealthy obsession with Star Wars and plays with action figures, but he likes one too many of the same things as Eric, specifically Donna. Mitch has a huge crush on Donna and isn't shy about it either, annoyingly complimenting her at every turn, even when Eric is around. Donna eventually agrees to go to a wedding with Mitch, but he later embarrasses her, causing Eric to challenge him to a fight that never happens.
Where is Eric Foreman during the final season of the show?
Since the beginning of the series, Eric Forman expressed his desire to leave the small town of Point Place and do more with his life. He gets that opportunity in the eighth and final season, ironically because the actor who plays him, Topher Grace, was busy filming Spider-Man 3. Unsurprisingly, the show experienced quite a drop in ratings as the plot began to wear thin. Another cast member was added but the show never quite felt the same during the eighth season. Eric returns in the final episode, however.
Which actor is brought in to replace Topher Grace during the final season?
The eighth and final season of That 70's Show carried on without Topher Grace and Ashton Kutcher, who played two of the main male leads. Hence, the writers decided to bring in a new male actor to balance the cast. Originally, the actor was hired to play Eric, with the difference in appearance being attributed to the idea that he returned home from Africa "a changed man." As not to enrage fans, the new character of Randy Pearson was created instead.
Which main characters fell off the water tower?
As mentioned, teenagers in the 1970s spent a lot of time just hanging out. Down the street. The same old thing they did last week. Not a thing to do... You get it. That's why the gang spends so much time in basements, at The Hub, or searching for places to hang out throughout town. One of those places is the water tower, which first makes an appearance in season one, when the gang get together to paint a marijuana leaf on it. It's then when Kelso experiences his first of many falls off the water tower after attempting to fix the design on the leaf.
What is the name of the only character to die from falling off the water tower?
Almost everyone at one point or another has fallen off the water tower. It's seemingly a rite of passage in Point Place. One character, however, met his untimely end by doing so. Whereas Kelso fell from the tower countless times and experienced no more than minor injuries, this character died from his fall. He's holding beer during the incident, and instead of attempting to save him from falling, Fez grabs the beer. His fall leads Donna to ponder: "Wow, that was a really awkward landing. Is his neck supposed to bend that way?"
What was the name of Fez's girlfriend who became unstable and obsessed with him?
Fez has such an affinity for pornography in part because he is the last member of the gang to lose his virginity. That doesn't happen until season five, when he sleeps with Nina, his boss at the DMV. Prior to that, Fez dated a beautiful blonde to the surprise of everyone. It started to make sense when his friends realized she was crazy and obsessive, often threatening both Jackie and Donna to keep their hands off him. Fez eventually breaks up with her by convincing her that he and Donna were in love.
At which store in the mall did Jackie work?
As a spoiled rich kid, Jackie didn't have to get a job while the others worked throughout the first few seasons. However, by season four, it's revealed she is now broke and is in desperate need of a paycheck. Unable to rely on Kelso to support her, she accepts a job in the mall, where she eventually makes out with her boss - who is played by Danny Masterton's brother Christopher - and is caught by Eric, who, at first, uses it as ammunition to make her life miserable.
Who does Jackie kiss atop the water tower in the series' final episode?
In addition to the giant marijuana leaf painted on the water tower, it has also featured graffiti detailing the many relationships among the gang. At first, Kelso writes Michael + Jackie, which stays on the tower until a season eight episode, in which Fez, in the dark, attempts to correct it and ends up writing Michael + Fez. The eighth season featured several longstanding relationships come to an end, while other new ones were forged; Eric returns in the last episode to kiss Donna, while Jackie's future love interest is determined atop the water tower.