That '70s Show (season 8)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search
That '70s Show Season 8
That '70s Show Season 8.jpg
The Complete Eighth Season DVD cover
Country of origin  United States
Network Fox
Original run November 2, 2005 – May 18, 2006
No. of episodes 22
DVD release date April 1, 2008
Previous season 7

The eighth and final season of the American comedy television series That '70s Show premiered November 2, 2005 on Fox in the United States. The season ended on May 18, 2006 with an hour-long series finale. The eighth season was the first (and only) season without the show's star Topher Grace who portrayed Eric Forman, the central character, since he left the series at the end of the previous season. This season introduced a new character to take Eric's place named Randy Pearson (portrayed by new cast member Josh Meyers) and this season also saw the departure of Michael Kelso who was portrayed by Ashton Kutcher. Kutcher actually quit the show at the end of season seven but remained on the series for five episodes during the eighth season. He appeared in the first four episodes to give closure to Kelso and he appeared again in the final episode titled That '70s Finale. Topher Grace also returned for the final episode but his role was both brief and uncredited. Also, Tommy Chong returned as a main cast member since his return to the series in the seventh season (in a recurring role). Many plots of the season involved Donna's new relationship with Randy, Jackie falling in love with Fez, Hyde getting married to a stripper named Samantha, Kelso getting a new job and moving to Chicago, and the Formans dealing with an empty nest that's not empty enough for Red.

Contents

[edit] Cast

[edit] Notable Guest Stars

[edit] Episodes

Title Original airdate Production code #
Bohemian Rhapsody November 2, 2005 801 179
Kitty, Fez and Donna record a tape for Eric, summarizing what happened since he left. Red is ashamed of Kitty's experiment with something their son did prior to leaving. Hyde and Jackie argue about their relationship after Hyde punches Kelso, and it worsens when a stripper named Samantha finds the Formans' house and reveals her marriage to Hyde. Charlie is killed when he falls off the water tower.
Somebody to Love November 2, 2005 802 180
After Leo leaves an ambiguous note on Grooves' front door, a college student named Randy Pearson (new cast member Josh Meyers) applies for a non-existing job. Hyde hires him while he is intoxicated, and after sobering up, he and Kelso wonder if it was a good decision. Jackie, Fez and Donna go to a bar so Jackie could hit on guys and then break their hearts to make her feel better. Red and Kitty try to get Hyde's new wife, Samantha, to leave.
You're My Best Friend November 9, 2005 803 181
Randy wants to throw Hyde a belated bachelor party and he puts Kelso and Fez in charge of getting Hyde to the Formans' house without him knowing. But Kelso forgets his part of the plan and the guys end up in jail. Meanwhile, The Formans are furious when Leo has the strippers at their house and Jackie is shocked when Donna befriends Samantha.
Misfire November 16, 2005 804 182
Kelso makes one last move on Jackie, but is offered a job at the Playboy Club in Chicago. Red and Kitty celebrate their anniversary, and Donna feels bad when Eric calls Kitty much more often than he calls her. Randy tries to console Donna. At the end of the episode, Kelso joins his friends in one last circle before he moves to Chicago. However, he fools them by lying saying he was leaving that day but he's really not leaving until the next day.
Stone Cold Crazy November 30, 2005 805 183
Kitty feels neglected by Red, so Samantha helps her improve her image. With Kelso gone (he has moved to Chicago), Jackie moves in with Fez, who has to deal with his crazy ex-girlfriend Caroline. With some help from Samantha, Donna takes nude photos to send to Eric; unfortunately, he is not the first one to see them.
  • Note: This is the last episode to feature Kitty's classic hair-do. Her new sexier one is introduced at the end.
Long Away December 7, 2005 806 184
Donna starts spending more time with Randy, much to Fez and Jackie's suspicion, and the latter decides Eric has to know about this mingling. Red hires Leo to be his photographer at a Veteran's Reunion, as Red is now the most decorated veteran and wants to show off, but Leo steals the spotlight when he reveals his military past. Unfortunately, it is revealed that Eric had broken up with Donna and thats why she is now hanging out with Randy.
Fun It December 14, 2005 807 185
Randy gets himself and the gang in trouble, after they steal the Fatso Burger mascot and upset the whole town. Jackie lets out her fear of clowns, Fez unsuccessfully tries to hate Randy and Donna gives in to her dark side.
Good Company January 12, 2006 808 186
Jackie discovers Donna's crush on Randy, while Kitty is angry at Fez after he begins dating one of her friends. Donna's birthday is approaching and her friends don't know what present to give her.
Who Needs You January 19, 2006 809 187
Kitty and Red get annoyed with Hyde and Samantha's constant fighting. After Jackie floods Fez's apartment and almost gets them evicted, she decides to save the day in the most feminine way. Donna tries to get people to donate money for a children's library and is in for some disappointment about the fans of "Hot Donna".
Sweet Lady January 26, 2006 810 188
Donna is suspicious at Randy's intentions when he invites her to a cabin under questionable pretenses. Jackie wants to work for Christine St. George (guest star Mary Tyler Moore), a talk show host for What's Up, Wisconsin?. Hyde meets Red's older friends and questions his marriage.
Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy February 2, 2006 811 189
Jackie needs Kitty's help to get her boss, self-centered TV host Christine St. George, to like her. Leo has a crush on someone quite unexpected and asks the other guys for help.
Killer Queen February 9, 2006 812 190
It's Valentine's Day and Red has trouble finding Kitty a gift when his present stash is found empty after he lets Hyde pick one for Samantha. Fez and Jackie fake a relationship for Christine St. George on What's Up, Wisconsin? when a guest fails to appear. Donna helps Randy plan out his Valentine's Day and is surprised to learn who his date is.
Spread Your Wings March 16, 2006 813 191
Donna unsuccessfully tries to keep her relationship with Randy a secret. Fez tries to impress a co-worker named Hillary at all costs, while Jackie gets a new job, but finds it quite disappointing. Kitty and Red clean Eric's old bedroom, with help from Randy. Things take a turn for the worse when Kitty catches Randy and Donna kissing in Eric's room.
Son And Daughter March 23, 2006 814 192
Hyde has to watch over his father's house when he goes out of town. A subsequent party goes out of control and only Leo can fix the damage. Kitty is still furious against Donna for kissing Randy in Eric's old bedroom, and tries to ridicule her. After defending Randy, Red stays at Bob's to avoid further fights with Kitty.
Keep Yourself Alive April 13, 2006 815 193
Fez loses Kitty's wedding ring and the gang spends their night in the woods looking for it, with Donna and Randy trying desperately to be alone, but unable to due to Jackie and Hyde's fighting. Red is uncomfortable when Bob says too much about the same ring in front of Kitty.
My Fairy King April 27, 2006 816 194
Hyde finds out a terrible truth about Samantha and a rival muffler shop might force Red into retirement. Jackie makes up a list of qualities she needs in a man and is overwhelmed when she realizes who her perfect match is.
Crazy Little Thing Called Love April 27, 2006 817 195
Jackie discusses her feelings towards Fez with a therapist, who tells Jackie she is only interested in unavailable men. Hyde keeps a retired Red busy, but regrets it later. Meanwhile, Fez is dumped for a very unusual reason.
We Will Rock You May 4, 2006 818 196
The gang meets a variety of people at a "Disco Sucks" bonfire. Jackie unsuccessfully tries to use the occasion to get closer to Fez. Kitty and Red have a visit from new neighbours, but there is just something about them they consider wrong: they're gay.
Sheer Heart Attack May 4, 2006 819 197
After numerous amorous adventures, Fez decides to stay with only one girl, and returns to ex-girlfriend Caroline, much to Jackie's dismay. Red and Hyde try to sell unneeded heart pills without Kitty's consent.
Leaving Home Ain't Easy May 11, 2006 820 198
Bob wants Red and Kitty to move to Florida with him, while Randy suggests Donna move in with him. Jackie messes with Fez's car when he rejects her, thus Fez takes revenge in the most harmful way.
That '70s Show: The Final Goodbye May 11, 2006 none S4
The cast and crew showcase highlights from the show, as they prepare for the series finale.
Love Of My Life May 18, 2006 821 199
In the first half of the series finale, Red and Kitty try to sell their house, while Jackie must choose if she wants to be with Fez or not, as Fez considers leaving to his home country. Randy tries to figure out what went wrong in his relationship with Donna and Hyde tries to stop using marijuana after a bad experience. Eric is coming home from Africa.
  • Note: This is the first half of That '70s Finale
That '70s Finale May 18, 2006 822 200
In the series finale, it is December 31, 1979, the final day of the 1970s. Hyde helps a hesitant Kitty and Red decide about moving. Fez searches for the perfect time and place for his first kiss with Jackie while Kelso returns to spend the last night of the 1970s with his friends. Red and Kitty announce to their guests that they decide not to move to Florida. As Donna leaves the room for some air, Eric returns just in time for New Year's Eve. He apologizes to Donna, who says things "are a lot different now" and they kiss. Eric and Kelso join their friends in the final "circle" of the decade. Eric states the last person upstairs has to call Red a dumbass. Everyone runs upstairs, leaving Kelso behind. Kelso is the final character to be seen as he grabs "the stupid helmet" and prepares to call Red a dumb ass. As the 1980s begin, the episode ends in a final shot of the Forman's basement with the kids and adults upstairs counting down.
  • Note: When the series ends, the license plate which gives the year of the episode's setting displays an "80".
  • Note: Ashton Kutcher guest stars as Kelso
  • Note: Topher Grace guest stars as Eric. His role is uncredited.
  • Note: This is the final episode.

[edit] Production

Ashton Kutcher guest starred in the first four episodes of the season to give closure to Michael Kelso. The episodes featured him resolving his feud with Hyde, getting fired from the police force and getting a new job in Chicago and moving away. He is never seen or heard from again until the final episode. Despite this, he is mentioned occassionally.

From seasons five through seven, Tommy Chong had been absent from the series due to him serving a jail sentence. Near the end of season seven, he is reintroduced to the series and he is a main cast member again in this season.

Originally, Josh Meyers had been cast to portray Eric but the producers felt that this might offend the character and his portrayer's fans so they created a new character named "Randy" for Meyers to portray. Randy was a handsome young man who worked with Hyde at the record store. Randy also falls in love with Donna and they begin dating for a while but they broke up near the end of the season.

Ultimately, much to the surprise of many fans and viewers, Topher Grace returned for the series finale but in a minor and uncredited role.

[edit] Reception

This season is considered to be the worst of the entire series, mainly due to Topher Grace and Ashton Kutcher's absence and Josh Meyers' portrayal of Randy.

Ratings heavily dropped and this caused Fox to end the series after eight years.

[edit] DVD release

The complete eighth season was released on DVD on April 1st 2008. A box set of the entire series was also released on the same day.

Categories:That '70s Show

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/That_%2770s_Show_(season_8)"