Review of That 70s Show: Season 1 (Box Set)

Introduction

Hello Wisconsin!

Eric Foreman (Topher Grace) hangs out in the basement with some of his friends during 1976. It`s the years of flares, Charlie`s Angels, fondue and the Vista Cruiser. Donna Pinciotti (Laura Prepon) is the girl next door whose relationship with Eric is really at the heart of this series. Kelso (Anton Kutcher) is a male bimbo with an on/off/on relationship with the rather vain Jackie (Mila Kunis). Also hanging out is cool conspiracy theorist Hyde (Danny Masterson) and Fez (Wilmer Valderrama), a foreign exchange student from somewhere foreign.

Keeping a balance between discipline and common sense are Eric`s parents Red (Kurtwood Smith) and Kitty (Debra Jo Rupp), while Bob (Don Stark) and Midge Pinciotti (Tanya Roberts) add confusion into the mix. A show now into its 8th season in the US, this release sees the first season get a domestic release.

That 70`s Pilot - Eric gets a car and the gang plot an out of town trip to see Todd Rungren.

Eric`s Birthday - It`s Eric`s birthday and the one he doesn`t want is a surprise party. Of course, with mum Kitty around, it`s not much of a surprise

Streaking - Gerald Ford is coming to town and the boys decide to liven up the event when a streak

Battle of the Sexists - Donna keeps beating Eric at games, a blow to his role as the `dominant` male in their relationship.

Eric`s Burger Job - Eric gets his first job at Fatso burger, which leads to complications in his social life.

The Keg - The gang find a keg and decide to hold a party, discovering later they need a tap…

That Disco Episode - disco is the new thing, but Hyde can`t dance

Drive-In - a trip to the drive-in could provide Eric with good make-out opportunites

Thanksgiving - Laurie comes home for Thanksgiving with her friend Kate, who takes a sudden liking to Eric.

Sunday Bloody Sunday - Grandma comes to dinner

Eric`s Buddy - Eric`s new buddy leaves the gang in the shade, but he has a secret

The Best Christmas Ever

Ski Trip - Jackie invites the gang to her parents lodge, only Kelso can`t come as he was caught kissing Pam Masey behind the gym

Stolen Car - the gang end up in jail

That Wrestling Show - the gang go to watch a wrestling match with Red and Bob

The First Date - Eric and Donna go on their first date proper, Hyde realises he has feelings for Donna

The Pill - Jackie thinks she may be pregnant, prompting Donna to talk to her mum regarding birth control

The Career Day - Eric goes to work with his mum at the local hospital, whilst Hyde takes Fez to work in the school kitchens with his mum Gross Edna
Prom Night - it`s Prom Night and Eric and Donna have some thinking to do about moving their relationship to the next level

A New Hope - Star Wars opens, and the worlds biggest sci-fi freaks are invented

Water Tower - Kelso falls from a tower and ends up in hospital, some helpful words from Jackie lead to Kelso re-evaluating his friendship with Hyde

Punk Chick - Hyde falls in love with Chrissie and decides to move to New York with her

Grandma`s Dead - Eric yells at his Grandma and she drops dead, leading to a massive guilt trip

Hyde Moves In - Hyde`s mum runs off with a trucker, leaving him all alone. Kitty and Red decide to allow him to move in.

The Good Son - Hyde is stealing the lime light from Eric, doing his homework and Eric`s chores without complaint.

Video

It`s clearly broadcast quality picture, but it looks like a good transfer. No specks that I could see, but then I may have been laughing too hard. Some nice visual jokes from the decade that time forgot, plus some simple CGI between scenes.

Audio

Good stereo soundtrack, does the job. Excellent choice of track for the theme tune as well, you`ll be singing along before you know it.

Features

Hello Wisconsin - EPK with cast and crew, lasts 17 minutes

PromoPalooza - misinterpreted what this was. When I first read the notes on the TV screen, I thought it might have been trailers for shows around during the time it was set, which would have been a interesting feature. Instead it`s just a compilation of trailers for this show.

Triva Quiz - a bit of a misnomer too. Cast members ask a question, followed by a clip that gives the answer. Very short and unsatisfying.

Conclusion

I`ve already seen a few of these shows on satellite channels, but I`ve never been able to sit down and watch a series all the way through. I`m glad I finally got the opportunity as this show is one of the funniest I`ve seen in a while. Not only does it tackle both humorous and serious topics as per the sitcom bible, but by setting it in the 70`s it also throws in observations about 70`s culture.

The episode centred around Star Wars and Eric`s jealousy about Donna`s new male friend is inspired, complete with Red`s dismissal of the film and his damascene conversion when he finally gets to see it. Essentially though, this series deals with problems that all teenagers can relate to and brings back memories for those older viewers of things they themselves would have seen and done.

The ensemble cast is superb, and although the story really belongs to the developing relationship between Eric and Donna, no one plays second fiddle here. Kurtwood Smith destroys the image of Clarence Boddicker in Robocop forever with his portrayal of Red Foreman. This role is just so perfect for him and he nails it. His on-screen chemistry with Debra Jo Rupp is a joy to behold, and their frequent frenzied dashes upstairs when they realise they finally have some time on their own is something I can`t recall seeing in sitcom parents before.

Kutcher is clearly the star on the rise from this show due to his relationship with Demi Moore and I can see a lot of emphasis centring on him for not only this release but following seasons. Whilst a little unfair on the rest of the cast, big names sell and his is clearly the biggest at the moment. Here he kind of plays the Keanu Reeves thick adolescent role, but it`s not yet clear whether he will be able to transcend this role in the way that Reeves has (although this is more about his future career than a critique of this show).

Despite the issues covered, some serious, the litmus test is how funny a sitcom is. I laughed almost from start to finish, so it gets my vote. Personally I think this would go down a treat on terrestrial TV, but I`ll make do with this for now.