That '70s Show - Season 1 Cast: Topher Grace, Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, Danny Masterson
DVD - 4 Disc Set - Subtitled / Pan & Scan / Dubbed Learn more
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- DVD Release Date: 10/26/2004
- Rating:
- Sales Rank: 7,959
FOR PARENTS
- Common Sense Rates this for Ages: More
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Features
Closed Caption; "Hello Wisconsin!" season one featurette; That '70s Trivia Show; Promo-palooza
Full Product DetailsEditorial Reviews
Hot on the heels of their success with 3rd Rock from the Sun, executive producer Marcy Carsey and creator Bonnie Turner teamed up again to create That '70s Show, a sitcom that flashes back to the groovy era of platform shoes, eight-track tapes, and the struggles of growing up in 1976. In Point Place, Wisconsin, where the show is set, 17-year-old Eric Foreman (Topher Grace) would like nothing more than to hide in his basement oasis away from his overbearing parents, Red (Kurtwood Smith) and Kitty (Debra Jo Rupp), and hang out with his friends: next-door neighbor Donna Pinciotti (Laura Prepon); best bud Michael Kelso (Ashton Kutcher); Kelso's girlfriend, Jackie Burkhardt (Mila Kunis); paranoid cool cat Steve Hyde (Danny Masterson); and girl-crazy exchange student Fez (Wilmer Valderrama). What could have been a rather weak attempt at re-creating the decade of sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll is saved by the outstanding cast, all relative unknowns at the time (1998). Common teenage problems are all filtered through the cultural detritus of the Me Decade in That '70s Show, and the episode "Streaking" is a prime example: With President Ford scheduled to visit town, the boys plan to run naked through the rally. "That Disco Episode" earned an Emmy, as the gang hits the dance floor, where Fez does an incredible John Travolta turn with Jackie. Happy Days mom Marion Ross guest-stars in "Sunday, Bloody Sunday," playing against type as Eric's nasty grandmother. Red gives Eric money to buy a Christmas tree in "The Best Christmas Ever," but instead he chops down a tree along the interstate and spends the money on a keg of beer. In one of his early acting turns, the Rock (Dwayne Johnson) portrays his father, real-life wrestler Rocky Johnson, in "That Wrestling Show." Perhaps the highlight of the season, though, is when the gang becomes obsessed with a film called Star Wars in "A New Hope." Barnes & Noble
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Why We Rated This Appropriate for Ages 15 and UP
What to watch out for
- Drugs:
"Mysterious" smoke clouds appear in the basement, and it's clear that the kids are smoking pot. Dad Red drinks beer regularly.
- Language:
Mr. Forman curses quite a bit, using words like "damn," "hell," and "son-of-a-bitch."
- Sex:
The characters think and talk about sex a lot. Not too much is shown, but much is alluded to. Donna and Eric eventually have a lot of sex, and Kelso in particular is a very active teenage male.
- Violence:
Slapstick at most.
- Messages:
Not an issue.
- Consumerism:
Not an issue.
What Parents Need to Know
About That '70s Show - Season 1
Parents need to know that this sitcom is iffy for kids under 15 because of the frequent innuendo and implied sexual activity and drug use. Most of the teens are sexually active, and smoking pot in the basement is a regular occurrence.
Families Can Talk About
Families can talk about the similarities and differences between these '70s teens and modern teens. How are their lives like yours? What's changed in the last few decades? Families can also discuss dating expectations, how it feels to be rejected by a girlfriend or boyfriend, and whether or not it's possible to be friends with someone after a break-up. The lighthearted portrayal of pot smoking might also warrant a conversation with kids that includes some reminders about the serious effects of drug use.
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