Parents' Guide to

That '70s Show

By Joly Herman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Edgy sitcom keeps the '70s alive for older teens.

TV Fox, Syndicated, TeenNick Comedy 1998
That '70s Show Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 13+

Based on 30 parent reviews

kateey12.5
kateey12.5 Adult
January 1, 2021
age 16+

definitely not for kids under 16

there's no way kids under 16 should be allowed to watch this, i dont even think this is suitable for kids that are 16, i mean there's so much talk about sex, and very innapropriate messages. like the charachter that played in the tv show was 14 and was kissing other cast members that were at least 20. not to talk about the amount of drugs that is talked and used in the show. if you dont want sexually active teen at 14 with pot and weird friends at your household, you better restrict access to this show for your children.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
2 people found this helpful.
jjjjj498
jjjjj498 Adult
March 25, 2019
age 10+

quit sheelding your kids

you shouldnt sheald your kids from stuff they already now Im 11 and I love this show and plus it fun with good humer and shows kids what the 70s was like ,my favorite characters are michal jacky and fez

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
Too much sex
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
2 people found this helpful.
See all 30 parent reviews

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?

Our review:
Parents say (30):
Kids say (101):

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.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • 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.

TV Details

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