Current Events > I never realized how fucked up the timeline was for That '70's Show.

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Hash-Brown
05/06/17 8:21:25 AM
#1:


The entire series takes place over 3 years in 8 seasons but they had like several Christmases more that they should have.
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Ultima Dragon
05/06/17 8:23:48 AM
#2:


Yeah. I figure that no one expected the show to actually run for more than a few seasons.
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joe40001
05/06/17 8:25:28 AM
#3:


I like shit like this, like when they try to reconcile things like this and come up with multiverse theory or stuff like that.

What years is it supposed to take place during?

There is a really good video that does this for the simpsons.
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weapon_d00d816
05/06/17 8:26:00 AM
#4:


They really liked Christmas in the 70s.
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gamer167
05/06/17 8:26:23 AM
#5:


I'll tell you which timeline isn't messed up TC, it's the one where I put my foot up your ass.
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R0ttedHorror
05/06/17 8:27:14 AM
#6:


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Hash-Brown
05/06/17 8:27:30 AM
#7:


joe40001 posted...
What years is it supposed to take place during?

First season starts in '77.
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FF_Redux
05/06/17 8:31:51 AM
#8:


Daytime Soap Operas are crazy about weird timelines.
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Im_A_Dog
05/06/17 8:32:10 AM
#9:


Yeah I found that disappointing tbh especially when HIMYM had such a strong continuity.
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Foppe
05/06/17 8:47:07 AM
#10:


In the second episode of the series Eric's birthday is in May. The second episode of season 5 Eric says his birthday is in March. In season 6 Eric's birthday occurs after graduation, which would make his birthday after June.
If they celebrate his birthday three times a year, then they can do the same with halloween and christmas as well.

But what about all cars that didnt exist until the 80s and 90s?
Or Eric's Spiderman sheet that is based on the 90s Spiderman cartoon?
Or logos that didnt exist in the 70s?

It is simple, they are all secretly living in a giant secret nuclear shelter where they are tricked into believing that it is the 70s as an experiment.
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SoraOwnsOctopus
05/06/17 9:00:48 AM
#11:


I remember hearing that 2 years pass before someone gets their next birthday lmao
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KiwiTerraRizing
05/06/17 9:01:38 AM
#12:


Worst sitcom ever
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tremain07
05/06/17 9:27:28 AM
#13:


KiwiTerraRizing posted...
Worst sitcom ever

It really was. And now it's stinking up Comedy Central alongside old It's Always Sunny episodes. That's sad, they're becoming TBS
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butthole666
05/06/17 9:29:29 AM
#14:


KiwiTerraRizing posted...
Worst sitcom ever

No this thread is about That 70s Show not Friends
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saspa
05/06/17 9:33:59 AM
#15:


Foppe posted...
In the second episode of the series Eric's birthday is in May. The second episode of season 5 Eric says his birthday is in March. In season 6 Eric's birthday occurs after graduation, which would make his birthday after June.
If they celebrate his birthday three times a year, then they can do the same with halloween and christmas as well.

But what about all cars that didnt exist until the 80s and 90s?
Or Eric's Spiderman sheet that is based on the 90s Spiderman cartoon?
Or logos that didnt exist in the 70s?

It is simple, they are all secretly living in a giant secret nuclear shelter where they are tricked into believing that it is the 70s as an experiment.

You know, there's a movie about that...
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Wolf_J_Flywheel
05/06/17 10:07:26 AM
#16:


The license plate always told you what year the episode was taking place in. Some seasons kept the year number longer than others.
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orcus_snake
05/06/17 10:10:46 AM
#17:


I remember when Eric left, was that actually in planned or did they have to write around like like two and a half men?
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SoraOwnsOctopus
05/06/17 10:13:54 AM
#18:


orcus_snake posted...
I remember when Eric left, was that actually in planned or did they have to write around like like two and a half men?

He got offered the role of Venom in Spiderman 3 and had to leave for that. So they kept the show going instead of ending it there
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2SweetforTurtle
05/06/17 11:05:05 AM
#19:


Background: T7S is known for having one of the worst, inconsistent timelines in all sitcoms. However, rewatching it, I realized that in the first half of the series, the timeline really isn't all that bad. There are 13 episodes in 1976, and mid-season one until near the end of season three is in 1977 (containing one Halloween episode and one Christmas episode).
It's after it turns to 1978 that things get hairy, with the year lasting until season six, with several holiday episodes repeated, and birthdays not making sense. 1979 lasts until the final episode (season eight).

Proof: In the episode Tornado Prom (4x15), it centers around Eric and the gang going to the Snow Prom. Eric forgets to pick up Donna at the radio station, and ventures out to get her, without hearing that a "Code Red" tornado warning has been issued for the town. On his drive, the tornado is even shown behind the Vista Cruiser. A side story takes place in the basement with Kitty and Red. Nothing about this is important EXCEPT their last scene, where they find out the tornado warning has been lifted. If you listen, after the announcer mentions it's been lifted, you'll hear this:

"And updating our top story, a local teen is in critical condition...."

This theory thinks that teen is Eric. The tornado is shown going REALLY close to his car. None of his friends would suspect anything was wrong until the storm died down. Donna was at the radio station, assuming he didn't come because of the storm (she's surprised he turns up at all in the episode), and everyone else was at the prom, thinking he was safe with Donna. With the tornado warning in effect, if the Formans received a phone call from the police or hospital, it's possible they didn't hear it. The nearest phone is in the kitchen upstairs, and their lines could easily be down anyway.

I think the announcement is the first the Formans have heard about the situation. Eric is in a coma from injuries sustained by the tornado, and the reason the timeline beyond that episode is so messed up is that it's Eric's mind filling in the blanks. His mind tries to resolve any unresolved conflicts, and possibly forms new ideas (like new couples or careers) by his friends and family talking to him. Maybe some of those things actually did happen, but just not in the same timeline (or same situations) that he imagined.

In the last season, his brain decides that it's time to test what his loved ones' lives would be like without him. He sees that everyone would eventually be okay and move on, and he finally lets go. Him returning in the last minutes of the last episode is most likely his mind's way of saying goodbye to his loved ones. The significance of finally leaving the 70's is Eric's mind finally being ready to let go.

stolen from reddit because too lazy to explain on my own
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scoobydoobydont
05/06/17 11:21:55 AM
#20:


They literally make fun of the fact that Donna had a sister for only 1 episode. It was comedy, they didn't give a shit about canon and timelines.
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Foppe
05/06/17 11:45:01 AM
#21:


scoobydoobydont posted...
They literally make fun of the fact that Donna had a sister for only 1 episode. It was comedy, they didn't give a shit about canon and timelines.


That could have been a reference to Chuck Cunningham.
Donna also mentioned that she had an older sister in one episode as well.
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2SweetforTurtle
05/06/17 2:02:06 PM
#22:


Foppe posted...
scoobydoobydont posted...
They literally make fun of the fact that Donna had a sister for only 1 episode. It was comedy, they didn't give a shit about canon and timelines.


That could have been a reference to Chuck Cunningham.
Donna also mentioned that she had an older sister in one episode as well.


They actually show her younger sister at a party in an early episode.
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Foppe
05/06/17 2:14:20 PM
#23:


2SweetforTurtle posted...
Foppe posted...
scoobydoobydont posted...
They literally make fun of the fact that Donna had a sister for only 1 episode. It was comedy, they didn't give a shit about canon and timelines.


That could have been a reference to Chuck Cunningham.
Donna also mentioned that she had an older sister in one episode as well.


They actually show her younger sister at a party in an early episode.


Wasnt she kinda interested in Fez?
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joe40001
05/06/17 3:42:32 PM
#24:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BkQptKkj4E


There are 2 more of those

I love shit like this.
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joe40001
05/06/17 3:55:23 PM
#25:


2SweetforTurtle posted...
Background: T7S is known for having one of the worst, inconsistent timelines in all sitcoms. However, rewatching it, I realized that in the first half of the series, the timeline really isn't all that bad. There are 13 episodes in 1976, and mid-season one until near the end of season three is in 1977 (containing one Halloween episode and one Christmas episode).
It's after it turns to 1978 that things get hairy, with the year lasting until season six, with several holiday episodes repeated, and birthdays not making sense. 1979 lasts until the final episode (season eight).

Proof: In the episode Tornado Prom (4x15), it centers around Eric and the gang going to the Snow Prom. Eric forgets to pick up Donna at the radio station, and ventures out to get her, without hearing that a "Code Red" tornado warning has been issued for the town. On his drive, the tornado is even shown behind the Vista Cruiser. A side story takes place in the basement with Kitty and Red. Nothing about this is important EXCEPT their last scene, where they find out the tornado warning has been lifted. If you listen, after the announcer mentions it's been lifted, you'll hear this:

"And updating our top story, a local teen is in critical condition...."

This theory thinks that teen is Eric. The tornado is shown going REALLY close to his car. None of his friends would suspect anything was wrong until the storm died down. Donna was at the radio station, assuming he didn't come because of the storm (she's surprised he turns up at all in the episode), and everyone else was at the prom, thinking he was safe with Donna. With the tornado warning in effect, if the Formans received a phone call from the police or hospital, it's possible they didn't hear it. The nearest phone is in the kitchen upstairs, and their lines could easily be down anyway.

I think the announcement is the first the Formans have heard about the situation. Eric is in a coma from injuries sustained by the tornado, and the reason the timeline beyond that episode is so messed up is that it's Eric's mind filling in the blanks. His mind tries to resolve any unresolved conflicts, and possibly forms new ideas (like new couples or careers) by his friends and family talking to him. Maybe some of those things actually did happen, but just not in the same timeline (or same situations) that he imagined.

In the last season, his brain decides that it's time to test what his loved ones' lives would be like without him. He sees that everyone would eventually be okay and move on, and he finally lets go. Him returning in the last minutes of the last episode is most likely his mind's way of saying goodbye to his loved ones. The significance of finally leaving the 70's is Eric's mind finally being ready to let go.

stolen from reddit because too lazy to explain on my own

I was going to say you should share that on the fan theories reddit, it's awesome.
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GOATSLAYER
05/06/17 4:03:31 PM
#26:


The biggest problem to me was the Star Wars references. Eric made references to The Empire Strikes back even though that didn't come out until 1980
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DarkChozoGhost
05/06/17 4:03:44 PM
#27:


joe40001 posted...
I was going to say you should share that on the fan theories reddit, it's awesome.

"The main character is in a coma" theories are categorically not awesome.
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Hash-Brown
05/08/17 3:19:23 AM
#28:


GOATSLAYER posted...
The biggest problem to me was the Star Wars references. Eric made references to The Empire Strikes back even though that didn't come out until 1980

Like what?
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MabusIncarnate
05/08/17 3:24:25 AM
#29:


Hash-Brown posted...
GOATSLAYER posted...
The biggest problem to me was the Star Wars references. Eric made references to The Empire Strikes back even though that didn't come out until 1980

Like what?

I'm pretty sure Seth Green said "Luke, I am your father" in the episode Eric freaks out when he's playing with his Darth Vader figure.
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Hash-Brown
05/08/17 3:26:56 AM
#30:


MabusIncarnate posted...
Hash-Brown posted...
GOATSLAYER posted...
The biggest problem to me was the Star Wars references. Eric made references to The Empire Strikes back even though that didn't come out until 1980

Like what?

I'm pretty sure Seth Green said "Luke, I am your father" in the episode Eric freaks out when he's playing with his Darth Vader figure.

I don't remember that.
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MabusIncarnate
05/08/17 3:28:04 AM
#31:


Hash-Brown posted...
MabusIncarnate posted...
Hash-Brown posted...
GOATSLAYER posted...
The biggest problem to me was the Star Wars references. Eric made references to The Empire Strikes back even though that didn't come out until 1980

Like what?

I'm pretty sure Seth Green said "Luke, I am your father" in the episode Eric freaks out when he's playing with his Darth Vader figure.

I don't remember that.

I could be entirely wrong also. For whatever reason that's the first thing that came to mind.
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Dash_Harber
05/08/17 4:10:07 AM
#32:


The show was actually following a normal timeline until the show hit 79, and then the remaining seasons just stopped going. It wasn't too awkward until you think about it.
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Complete_Idi0t
05/08/17 4:24:28 AM
#33:


The worst inconsistancy is that they ever explained what country Fez was from
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pegusus123456
05/08/17 4:26:22 AM
#34:


Complete_Idi0t posted...
The worst inconsistancy is that they ever explained what country Fez was from

Canada
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Syko_Darksyde
05/08/17 4:27:09 AM
#35:


I never Foppe posted...
In the second episode of the series Eric's birthday is in May. The second episode of season 5 Eric says his birthday is in March. In season 6 Eric's birthday occurs after graduation, which would make his birthday after June.
If they celebrate his birthday three times a year, then they can do the same with halloween and christmas as well.

But what about all cars that didnt exist until the 80s and 90s?
Or Eric's Spiderman sheet that is based on the 90s Spiderman cartoon?
Or logos that didnt exist in the 70s?

It is simple, they are all secretly living in a giant secret nuclear shelter where they are tricked into believing that it is the 70s as an experiment.

Holy ****. Mind = blown
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Dash_Harber
05/08/17 4:46:17 AM
#36:


Syko_Darksyde posted...
I never Foppe posted...
In the second episode of the series Eric's birthday is in May. The second episode of season 5 Eric says his birthday is in March. In season 6 Eric's birthday occurs after graduation, which would make his birthday after June.
If they celebrate his birthday three times a year, then they can do the same with halloween and christmas as well.

But what about all cars that didnt exist until the 80s and 90s?
Or Eric's Spiderman sheet that is based on the 90s Spiderman cartoon?
Or logos that didnt exist in the 70s?

It is simple, they are all secretly living in a giant secret nuclear shelter where they are tricked into believing that it is the 70s as an experiment.

Holy ****. Mind = blown

Except, then you have to explain the tornado.

Edit: And Alice Cooper, Ted Nugent and Rocky Johnson showing up (the latter played by The Rock).
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Hash-Brown
05/08/17 4:54:45 AM
#37:


pegusus123456 posted...
Complete_Idi0t posted...
The worst inconsistancy is that they ever explained what country Fez was from

Canada

No, because they wouldn't have had that who mixup with the Mounties.
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Corrupt_Power
05/08/17 4:56:53 AM
#38:


Or, it's a fucking comedy. Not everything has to have a continuous timeline.
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MabusIncarnate
05/08/17 4:58:38 AM
#39:


Hash-Brown posted...
pegusus123456 posted...
Complete_Idi0t posted...
The worst inconsistancy is that they ever explained what country Fez was from

Canada

No, because they wouldn't have had that who mixup with the Mounties.

Sure they would have. He had the ID on him the whole time, a valid ID, that he didn't realize was in his right shoe until after they had the run-in.
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Hash-Brown
05/08/17 5:00:45 AM
#40:


Corrupt_Power posted...
Or, it's a fucking comedy. Not everything has to have a continuous timeline.

But it kind of does since it has a specific starting point. Star Wars had just come out in the first season yet the show was 8 seasons.
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Hash-Brown
05/08/17 5:01:59 AM
#41:


MabusIncarnate posted...
Sure they would have. He had the ID on him the whole time, a valid ID, that he didn't realize was in his right shoe until after they had the run-in.

He wouldn't have had to fake not speaking english if he was just from Canada.
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Dash_Harber
05/08/17 5:02:24 AM
#42:


Corrupt_Power posted...
Or, it's a fucking comedy. Not everything has to have a continuous timeline.


Look, we all know this. However, this is a themeless board on a video game themed website. Sometimes it's fun to analyze something that isn't supposed to be analyzed and declaring "You guys are stupid for taking it seriously!" just makes you look like a jerk.
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Go_Totodile
05/08/17 5:05:13 AM
#43:


I dunno about you guys, but as I got older Eric started becoming my least favorite character, next to late seasons Fez, who was complete shit.

Hash-Brown posted...
joe40001 posted...
What years is it supposed to take place during?

First season starts in '77.

'76
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Dash_Harber
05/08/17 5:06:54 AM
#44:


Go_Totodile posted...
I dunno about you guys, but as I got older Eric started becoming my least favorite character, next to late seasons Fez, who was complete shit.


I recently attempted to rewatch the show and realized that I hated it. All the characters are completely unlikable. The whole "70's" shtick is completely abandoned any time it's inconvenient. Even the sympathetic characters, like Red, do some pretty shitty things. I honestly am not sure why I liked it when I was a kid.
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Cookie Bag
05/08/17 5:21:40 AM
#45:


DarkChozoGhost posted...
joe40001 posted...
I was going to say you should share that on the fan theories reddit, it's awesome.

"The main character is in a coma" theories are categorically not awesome.

Seriously, when people start making lame ass theories about characters being in coma, it stops being interesting and it just becomes dumb.
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