That 70s Show does what people of any generation tend to do at one point in their lives – reminisce about how great life was 20 years ago. The show ran from 1998 and 2006, and followed the lives of six teenagers living in Wisconsin in the late 1970s. The series finale marks the end of a decade, and for many – an end of an era.

Accompanied by a fantastic soundtrack compilation from artists such as as Ted Nugent, Kool & the Gange and Alice Cooper, the show is lighthearted, humorous and relatable. Jackie Burkhart (Mila Kunis), Michael Kelso (Ashton Kutcher) and Eric Foreman (Topher Grace), along with four of their friends spend their free time in Eric’s basement, watching TV and occasionally stealing beer from his strict Vietnam-veteran father. The show follows the typical sitcom convention of stock characters: the sarcastic stoner Hyde, the loveable idiot Kelso, bossy queen bee Jackie and friendly foreigner Fez. Nevertheless, we see a continuous development of characters throughout the seasons, and we cannot help falling in love with the most perfectly chosen cast.

Dramatic situations and important socio-political issues are presented in a comical manner, making it a perfect show to watch whilst recovering from your own hardships. The series has a number of recurring themes, which get progressively funnier as they are used time and time again. One of those is “The Circle”. The teenagers (and on some occasions, their parents) are gathered around in a circle, and the camera focuses on each character as they speak, under the influence of marijuana. The result – hilarious conversations and awkward situations.

Everything about the series reflects the 70s perfectly, and makes everyone who watches it wish they’d lived in the states during the era.

Sofia Dedyukhina

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