That 70's Show...sinking or swimming?

[Calhoun07]

Who here is a fan of this show? I have yet to miss an episode since day one, but lately, the show has taken a bit of a nose dive IMO. Did this show jump the shark when they had Donna and Eric break up? Is it just me, or is it a sign that a great show is running out of steam when they try gimmicky stuff like the fairy tale story on Tuesday night and I saw that they had some kind of Hollywood comes to That 70's Show last night (I had to miss it cuz I worked! I could only set the timer to tape one show at that time, and that had to go to Enterprise....sorry, That 70's Show, but that's what reruns are for!). Was last night's episode also gimmicky? What happened?

All I'm having is horrible memories come up from Third Rock From the Sun when that show took a dive and started to try all this gimmicky stuff and it just wasn't the same anymore. I hate it when shows are on beyond their shelf date and start to get stale and and then the producers try to put new things in the mix that don't work. I am not about to give up on That 70's Show yet, but I am just wondering if anybody else has felt this season has lacked in the quality of the past seasons.

[Lonestarr]

This show will NEVER sink! Last night's episode is proof:

Poor Eric. Not only does he lose the role of 'Pricemart stockboy' to Kelso in a Pricemart industrial film, but now Donna and Kitty become friends. Eric is afraid that Kitty will mention embarassing things about him. In preparing for the role, Kelso decides to play it like Travolta (Side note: Ashton Kutcher did a great Barbarino.), which ends up costing him the role. Eric has a dream that Kitty shows Donna (sporting a Kitty hairdo) naked baby pictures of him. Jackie isn't too happy about the arrangement either; she needs Donna's help to sort her cosmetics. In the end, Eric gets to play the Pricemart stockboy (typecasting, I know) in the film. Also, Leo inherits a million dollars from his Uncle Ed and he takes Hyde and Fez on a shopping spree. The twist is too funny. PM me if you want to know.

Again, this show will NEVER sink...that is if the producers know when to say when.

[Oracle]

I'm not a regular viewer, but I watch it when ever I can and happened to catch last night's show. I was laughing so hard at Kelso's impersonation of Travolta. ITA with Lonestarr, Kutcher did a great job. Eric did a perfect Kitty laugh during the dream sequence, too. Hehehe, definitely a good episode.

[The Mad Hatter]

I think the thing to remember is that That 70s Show has always been about gimmicks. The camera circle is a gimmick and a half... and remember after the first time they did it, the walls started moving? Then there were all those cheesy "educational videos," the seuqences where one character imagines the actions of other characters while speaking for them, the infamous animated sequence, etc. etc. Yet somehow, nearly all of the gimmicks have worked. That's why I'm a fan of the show.

Then again, while I enjoyed last night's episode (there hasn't yet been an episode I haven't at least partially enjoyed), I didn't think Kelso's Hollywood bit worked all that well.

[Calhoun07]

Now I am sorry I had to work last night and I missed the episode! :( It sounded pretty good!

The moving walls part isn't the only thing from the first season we never got to see continued. What happened to Donna's younger sister? And you only saw Jackie's dad once.

One day I'd like to see a True Hollywood Story done on this show so we can see all the behind the scenes stuff and why they made certain changes.

There's one more....the last episode of I think it was season two, where Red lost his job and that boy was making his moves on Donna. They never really did a part two to that, did they?

[The Dork Knight]

Originally posted by calhoun07
Now I am sorry I had to work last night and I missed the episode! :( It sounded pretty good!

That's what TiVo is for my good friend!

[Calhoun07]

Originally posted by Foley Is Good


That's what TiVo is for my good friend!



Wait a minute....can you record two shows at once with Tivo?

[optimal321]

Originally posted by calhoun07
Now I am sorry I had to work last night and I missed the episode! :( It sounded pretty good!

The moving walls part isn't the only thing from the first season we never got to see continued. What happened to Donna's younger sister? And you only saw Jackie's dad once.

One day I'd like to see a True Hollywood Story done on this show so we can see all the behind the scenes stuff and why they made certain changes.

There's one more....the last episode of I think it was season two, where Red lost his job and that boy was making his moves on Donna. They never really did a part two to that, did they?

And from the looks of the theme song, i don't think Eric's sister Laurie is going to be in this season.

But no, this show hasn't jumped the shark. I am, however, getting a little tired of the "Eric does something stupid because he's mad at Donna and the breakup" thing.

I missed Wednesday's ep too, and it did sound good.

[Calhoun07]

Originally posted by optimal321


And from the looks of the theme song, i don't think Eric's sister Laurie is going to be in this season.



Last I read, Lisa Robin Kelly is working on a new series still in development. I don't think she's coming back either. I hope they can at least reel her in for a couple guest shots. Another character is Red's Mom who mysteriously has never appeared again. I know she's busy with theater and other projects, but she needs to be back on the show.

[Nightflower]

Originally posted by calhoun07


Last I read, Lisa Robin Kelly is working on a new series still in development. I don't think she's coming back either. I hope they can at least reel her in for a couple guest shots. Another character is Red's Mom who mysteriously has never appeared again. I know she's busy with theater and other projects, but she needs to be back on the show.

Didn't Red's mom "die" in the series? Or is that what you were going to say after the "mysteriously"? ;)

[The Mad Hatter]

You know, I've been wondering what happened to the other kid who hit on Donna. He made some Darth Vader-ish proclamation of revenge, then completely vanished.

Ah well, at least all the important people are there... and I'm glad they still have a place for Tommy Chong!

[Calhoun07]

Originally posted by Nightflower


Didn't Red's mom "die" in the series? Or is that what you were going to say after the "mysteriously"? ;)

Oh, yeah, I forgot about that! :o

[Lonestarr]

the episode is coming on again tonight, that is, if you have the opportunity.

[The Dork Knight]

Originally posted by Calhoun07




Wait a minute....can you record two shows at once with Tivo?

Yeah, but from what I've seen, it only works with DirecTV. Ditch cable! Get DirecTV!

- Foley Is Good

[Calhoun07]

Originally posted by Lonestarr
the episode is coming on again tonight, that is, if you have the opportunity.

Oh, thank God my electricity came on in time for that! :rolleyes:

Yeah, I might watch it, but it's my least favorite episode in the series so far, but I still think the show is going good.