That 80's show

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Did anyone watch that awful show? I watched because I thought some of the references would be funny in the first show. (not.) But they couldn't even cash in on the nostalgia front - looking in the record store, it was impossible to tell what year it was supposed to be. The clothes & trends seemed to be very early 80's - 82-84 .. but in the background was a poster for Iggy Pop's "Instinct" album and in the rack was a Breaking Circus album from 1987.

And don't get me started on the "Punk" girl.

Discuss. Or don't.

― Dave225, Thursday, 24 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

"It's not a pay phone! It's a PORTABLE PHONE!"

That joke got unfunnier each time they showed the stoopid preview. I'm quite glad I missed it.

― David Raposa, Thursday, 24 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I don't see why you'd watch for the 80s content. The 70s content isn't really the point of That 70s Show - it's just flavor. Why would the 80s version be different?

― Josh, Thursday, 24 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I don't see why you'd watch for the 80s content. The 70s content isn't really the point of That 70s Show - it's just flavor. Why would the 80s version be different?

I know it isn't the point of the show - but the point of the show is totally fucking stupid. So I just watched one time to see if any of the "flavor" was good for a laugh. It wasn't - except for it's stupidity. But that's more of a pissed-off laughter than a side- splitting laughter.

― Dave225, Thursday, 24 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

There isn't much 70s content in That 70s Show; from what I saw in the previews, there's WAY too much 80s content in That 80s Show.

― David Raposa, Thursday, 24 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I think I'd rather just watch Ferris Bueller's Day Off again.

― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 24 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

the reason 70s show succeeds IMO is that it doesn't rely on the 70s content. actually they have got quite a cast of funny actors, especially ashton kutcher.

― g, Thursday, 24 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I tricked Ramon, who actually WANTED to watch this, into not going by taking him to see The Royal Tenenbaums instead. he's completely forgotten about That 80s Show.

― Ally, Thursday, 24 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Haven't yet seen this show, but the Gathering (we -- the Killing Joke list) have been all hot & bothered about this show's theme, which I believe is a ham-fisted cover of the Joke's "Eighties." While that bit of unspeakable sacrilege already has me foaming at the mouth, it should also be noted that the CD store in the show fails to even get the details right. Along with the Iggy Pop INSTINCT poster (an album which didn't come out until 1988), there aren't any LONG-BOXES for the cd's (remember those?)

Gawrsh! Can't wait for "That `90's Show" -- all flannel!

― Alex in NYC, Thursday, 24 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I did watch it and I noticed it just freaked me out. I'm not sure whether everything was off or if I just absorbed more info than I thought when I was a little tyke.

I was thinking, "Okay, if he's supposed to be six years older than this girl and he 'saw the Sex Pistols when she was in her jammies listening to the Bay City Rollers', as he just said, what year does that make this... 83? Were the wine coolers they were drinking actually available yet? I remember when those things were brand new and Bartles & James were really popular. I used to drink them. Was I really only EIGHT years old at the time? I don't think so. And why doesn't he look 6 years older than her? Were motivational tapes really that popular in 83? That Talking Heads song is from 83, that Black Flag poster? People were already in love with Reagan?..." It's just not the way I remembered it: all at once.

― Nude Spock, Thursday, 24 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

yeah josh, but the 70s stuff was far more pronounced in the first season. which means maybe this one will turn around too. it's like how little the "teenage doctor" stuff mattered by the end of doogie howswer or the "mental voiceover" stuff mattered by the end of the wonder years. ;)

but seriously, all sitcoms with a cheap "hook" get a little more nuanced over time.

that said the commericial for this made me ill by about the third time.

― jess, Thursday, 24 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

toomuchmusic.blogspot.com

― tyler, Thursday, 24 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Went to your site, Tyler, and I gotta tell you college radio did exist then. I listened to punk on my UC Santa Barbara station in the late 70s. I would be surprised if UC San Diego didn't have a similar show. And being familiar with the Talking Heads albums hardly seems "slight[ly]" possible, especially for someone who works in a rock-oriented independent record store.

I didn't like the show either - way too loud/frequent laugh track, the 80s references were crudely tacked on, and the lesbian subplot was added for titilation. It is a completely generic teen sitcom.

― nickn, Thursday, 24 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

okay, so my college radio thing was somewhat of a stab in the dark. but i still dislike the show.

― tyler, Thursday, 24 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

"which I believe is a ham-fisted cover of the Joke's 'Eighties.'" So is Nirvana's "Come as You Are."

― A Nairn, Thursday, 24 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I miss "Square Pegs".

― Colin Meeder, Friday, 25 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

And how are 'The Gathering' these days, AlexinNYC? Still honouring the fire etc. Pass on my regds ;)

― Dr. C, Friday, 25 January 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

one month passes...

LIGHTEN UP PEOPLE! It's a FABULOUS look back at one of the greatest era's around. Stop criticizing the music & posters & enjoy the damn thing!

― lighten up!, Sunday, 3 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Why enjoy it if it bites? I'd rather just look at a good poster.

― Ned Raggett, Sunday, 3 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

HEY ALL!!....SHEZZZZ!...stop all the gripeing about what the f*** year it is in the 'SHOW'!....70's or 80's ? WHO CARES!! THE show covers a DECADE,NOT a freaken single year! So stop 'SPLITTING HAIRS' and enjoy the show!!

― km, Thursday, 7 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

I love these reasoned arguments as of late.

― Ned Raggett, Thursday, 7 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Ferris Bueller has a Cabaret Voltaire poster in his room. He fucking rocks.

― bnw, Thursday, 7 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

Oh man That 80's Show is good.

― Otis Wheeler, Thursday, 7 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-four years ago)

two weeks pass...

Geez man, if you don't like the show just don't watch it, theres 192 million channels on cable nowadays.....

― J, Wednesday, 27 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Jeez man, if you don't like the thread, don't post to it - there are a million other discussions going on... ;-)

..or is this like a train wreck?

― Dave225, Wednesday, 27 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Tuesday is HOTTT!

― Powder, Wednesday, 27 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Hey, does anyone know of a site that has episode sumaries for That 80's show? Cuz the ones on the official site suck! email me if you know of one :) thanx

― brandy, Friday, 29 March 2002 01:00 (twenty-three years ago)

I dunno... That "punk girl" is pretty hot...makes me want to watch it...

― ****, Wednesday, 3 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

Isn't that Molly Ringwald's little sister?

― Dave225, Thursday, 4 April 2002 00:00 (twenty-three years ago)

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