That '70s Show
(Rated TV-14, Comedy, Starring Ashton Kutcher, Topher Grace, Mila Kunis, Where to watch: Fox, The N, Syndicated, DVD, Online)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Edgy sitcom keeps the '70s alive for older teens.
Themes in this show include: dating/crushes, family relationships, friendship, growing up
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 15–17
What to watch out for
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Role models:
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of That '70s Show was written by Joly Herman
Parents need to know that this sitcom is iffy for kids under 15 because of the frequent innuendo and implied sexual activity and drug use. Most of the teens are sexually active, and smoking pot in the basement is a regular occurrence.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about the similarities and differences between these '70s teens and modern teens. How are their lives like yours? What's changed in the last few decades?
- Talk about dating expectations. How does it feel to be rejected by a girlfriend or boyfriend? Is it possible to be friends with someone after a break-up?
- The lighthearted portrayal of pot smoking might also warrant a conversation with kids that includes some reminders about the serious effects of drug use.
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More on That '70s Show
What’s the Story?
THAT '70S SHOW is a comedy that depicts the lives of six teenagers in 70s-era Wisconsin: dim-bulb pretty boy Kelso (Ashton Kutcher), wisecracking Eric Forman (Topher Grace), straight-talking girl-next-door Donna (Laura Prepon), bossy flirt Jackie (Mila Kunis), eager foreign exchange student Fez (Wilmer Valderrama), and cynical Hyde (Danny Masterson). Eric's parents, Kitty (Debra Jo Rupp) and Red (Kurtwood Smith) round out the cast.
Is It Any Good?
That '70s Show appeals to parents and teens for different reasons. For older audiences, it's nostalgia for simpler times that prompts an affinity for the show -- there's something comforting about kids congregating in the basement, content to just to "hang out." Kids, meanwhile, tune in for the attractive cast and relevant situations -- although they might find the '70s political references confusing and the fashions hilarious, they'll identify with the characters' struggles with dating and surviving high school, which are universal teen concerns.
What makes this series so successful is its cast, all of whom seem comfortable with their stereotyped roles. The actors benefit from the show's strong writing, which is sometimes subtly political, but more often light in content. The end result is an enjoyable trip back in time. Although the series has lots of sexual innuendo, it's done in a way that doesn't so much offend as allude to the free-love period of the 1970s. Whether or not this is appropriate viewing for teenagers is for parents to decide -- it might be a good idea to watch a few episodes first.
Our Members Say
See all 55 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
love this show
hilarious and shows how much fun you can have with friends even if you do nothing and sit in a basement and something fun is to climb the watertower
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I rate this title off for age 12 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- Negative role models
Inappropriate.
A funny show, especially for those of us who grew up in the 70s. However, not for kids due to implied drug use, teens drinking, sexual dialogue of teens having sex, language, etc....
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I rate this title on for age 16 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
love itt
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Ratings at a Glance
| 60% | of parents say the sexual behavior isn't age appropriate |
| 60% | of parents say it has language their kids can't use |
| 40% | of parents don't think the messages are positive |
| 40% | of parents say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking |
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