That ’70s Show seemed destined for a long life since the last period sitcom about kids in Wisconsin was Happy Days. While the show wasn’t Top 10 sensation, it gained a loyal following and became a cable sensation when it hit syndication. The cast quickly became “Young Faces to Watch.” Mila Kunis is now a major film actress. Ashton Kutcher is the highest paid actor on TV. Topher Grace was cast as a villain in Spider-Man 3. They’re all over the place like the cast of Fast Times at Ridgemont High. The ’70s Show: Season Five and Season Six mark the peak of the show’s eight season run.
Season Five features all the episodes being titled after Led Zeppelin tunes. The stories take place in 1978 just like Season Four. “Going To California” continues the adventures of Kelso (Kutcher) and Donna (a still redheaded Laura Prepon) in Southern California. Eric (Grace) sneaks out of the house and heads West to tell Donna how much she means to him. Kelso on the other hand has hooked up with a beach blonde (Jessica Simpson) who won’t have sex with him. He tries to play it cool, but he wants to remove her bikini. This was the peak of Jessica Simpson’s acting career. She doesn’t look that bad against Kutcher, but the same is true about a basket of onion rings. “I Can’t Quit You, Baby” has Donna get punished for her vacation by spending her senior year at a Catholic school. Eric also gets grounded by Red (Kurtwood Smith). The forbidden romance between Jackie (Kunis) and Hyde (Danny Masterson) gets partially exposed. Fez (Handy Mandy‘s Wilmer Valderrama) keeps missing the obvious clues. Before her complete comeback, Betty White played Eric’s grandmother in “Heartbreaker.” “Ramble On” sticks a Promise ring on Eric’s finger. He’s not too pleased being marked by Donna. “Hot Dog” lets him give her back a better ring. Jessica Simpson returns for “Your Time Is Gonna Come.” She gets Jackie jealous with her desire for Kelso. “You Shook Me” gives Fez an erotic dream about a cast member. Guess who? “Celebration Day” lets the kids finally graduate from high school. But they’ve got big issues as they enter their next phase.
Season Six gets its titles from The Who. This is the risky season as they loose the high school angle. Some go to college while others attempt real jobs. The post-high school experience was when Happy Days began to lose its cool factor. Could That ’70s Show maintain its mojo? “The Kids are Alright” makes Eric stay at home after Red’s heart attack. He really regrets not heading to Madison with Donna. “The Acid Queen” has Kelso claiming he slept with Brooke (American Pie‘s Shannon Elizabeth) at a Molly Hatchet concert. This brag turns bad since Brooke claims she’s pregnant. “Christmas” has Red playing mall Santa. Can he really spread holiday joy? “Young Man Blues” sends Kelso to the police academy. There’s more American Pie servings when Alyson Hannigan is the object of Fez’s affections. “Won’t Get Fooled Again” makes Donna sense she’s pregnant. Eric is shocked. “Who Are You” brings Brooke Shields back as Jackie’s mom. “Happy Jack” has Donna upset that Eric’s cheating on her with his hand. The rest of the season focuses on the wedding of Eric and Donna. Can it finally happen? Or will Eric fear he’s ruining Donna’s future by marrying before she goes to college? Which one will mess things up before the ceremony?
These two seasons are the top of the ride for the series. That ’70s Show Season Five and Season Six take things up the eagerly awaited moment of Eric and Donna finally going to tie the knot. This was the best of their near decade on the air.
Season 5
“Going To California,” “I Can’t Quit You Baby (a.k.a. Jackie and Hyde Get Busted),” “What Is and What Should Never Be (1) (a.k.a. Kitty’s Pregnant),” “Heartbreaker (2) (a.k.a. Kitty’s Parents Come to Visit),” “Ramble On (a.k.a. Promise Ring Redux),” “Over the Hills and Far Away,” “Hot Dog (a.k.a. The Gifts),” “Thank You,” “Black Dog (a.k.a. Ow, My Eye),” “The Crunge (a.k.a. The S.A.T.s),” “The Girl I Love,” “Misty Mountain Hop (a.k.a. Jackie’s Cabin),” “Your Time Is Gonna Come (a.k.a. Get Off My Boyfriend),” “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You (a.k.a. Valentine’s Day),” “When the Levee Breaks (a.k.a. Eric and Donna Play House),” “Whole Lotta Love (a.k.a. The Silent Treatment),” “The Battle of Evermore (a.k.a. Pioneer Days),” “Hey Hey What Can I Do (a.k.a. Job Fair),” “Bring It On Home (a.k.a. Jackie’s in the House),” “No Quarter (a.k.a. Jackie Moves In),” “Trampled Under Foot (a.k.a. Fez Gets Dumped),” “You Shook Me (1) (a.k.a. The Nurses Are Coming),” “Nobody’s Fault But Mine (2) (a.k.a. Hyde Loves Jackie),” “The Immigrant Song (a.k.a. Fez Gets Busted)” and “Celebration Day (a.k.a. Graduation).”
Season Six
“The Kids Are Alright,” “Join Together,” “Magic Bus,” “The Acid Queen,” “I’m Free,” “We’re Not Gonna Take It,” “Christmas,” “I’m A Boy,” “Young Man Blues,” “A Legal Matter,” “I Can See For Miles,” “Sally Simpson,” “Won’t Get Fooled Again,” “Baby Don’t You Do It,” “Who Are You,” “Man With Money,” “Happy Jack,” “Do You Think It’s Alright?,” “Substitute,” “Squeezebox,” “5:15,” “Sparks,” “My Wife,” “Going Mobile” and “The Seeker.”
The video is 1.78:1 anamorphic. The transfers seem fine enough. You can make out the faces on the posters in the basement. The audio is Dolby Digital stereo for listening to the clone rock classics. The episodes are Closed Captions.
Episode Promos (12:46) really promotes Kelso going after Jessica Simpson. Sounds like Danny Bonaduce was the announcer. These were made for the syndication release.
A ’70s Flashback: Wilmer Valderrama (8:34) likes how he was able to grow as a performer on the show.
A ’70s Flashback: Danny Masterson (6:51) says his character doesn’t have a lot of ambition.
Season 5 in 5 minutes (5:00) sums it all up for those wondering what went down.
Season 6 – 30 second promos (12:47) gives us more Kelso. There’s a different announcer.
A ’70s Flashback:Debra Jo Rupp (6:38) gives time to the motherly glue of the cast.
A ’70s Flashback: Kurtwood Smith (6:21) lets him be less cranky. He’s so soft spoken out of character.
Six Minutes of Season Six (6:00) is all the highlights leading up to the big wedding.
The ’70s Show: Season Five and Season Six is the creative peak of the series. The kids end their high school lives and head into the real world. The romance between Eric and Donna finally goes beyond flirting. They’re ready to get married or are they? This even includes the peak of Jessica Simpson’s acting career.
Mill Creek presents The ’70s Show: Season Five and Season Six. Starring: Topher Grace, Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, Danny Masterson and Laura Prepon. Each boxset contents 25 episodes on 3 DVDs. Released: September 4, 2012. Season Five and Season Six available at Amazon.com
