That ’70s Show Was Sitcom Magic, But There’s One Specific Reason Why It Was Successful
Fans think there's a simple reason for why That '70s Show was sitcom magic, and why it's still streaming and in demand today.
Eight seasons weren’t long enough for the fan-favorite show That ’70s Show. Not everyone was thrilled with the ’90s-era reboot, but most viewers were happy to see that their favorite characters (Red and Kitty, obviously) were still around, giving them a renewed hope that the new show might help carry the original’s legacy well into the future.
Yet that might not be necessary to preserve interest in the That ’70s Show. More than 15 years after it ended, people are still obsessed with the show, and new generations are discovering it all the time. Given how available old shows are now thanks to streaming, it makes sense that the series is still accessible, but what isn’t clear is why people still love it so much.
But fans think they know why the show is still so successful, and they have a theory as to why the “retro-hip situation comedy about an eclectic group of friends on the verge of adulthood” may never go out of style.
Why Is That ’70s Show Still Popular Today?
Fans of That ’70s Show have long propped the series on a pedestal, but not all of them could necessarily articulate why. Something is different about the show, explained one fan, and asked other viewers to contribute their thoughts in a Reddit thread.
The top comment was simply that “Red and Kitty” totally made the show, with the original poster agreeing that “Red is absolutely the best character on the show.” Others had a simpler explanation for why the show continues to be so popular despite being off the air for more than a decade.
Another top comment suggested that nostalgia is what keeps people coming back to the ’70s-era sitcom; it’s the fact that it’s set in the 1970s that gives it a sense of nostalgia no matter when viewers were born.
For fans who watched the show when it initially aired, they might have been reminiscing about their own teen years in the ’70s. Now, viewers watch because the show is mostly ‘historically accurate’ in terms of how the 1970s were in the United States. It’s a dive back in time that’s accurate enough to its target era and hasn’t lost any of its appeal over the years.
This is in contrast to shows like Friends, noted commenters, which took place in its then-current era. There’s no denying Friends has amazing longevity too, but fans think that the ’70s were a more “interesting decade.”
Plus, because it was a “period show,” That ’70s Show didn’t “age” the way other shows like Seinfeld or Friends, confirmed one commenter. Though viewers of those shows would likely defend the timelessness of such series, the nostalgia angle does make sense.
There is a perpetual 70’s nostalgia that doesn’t feel dated in just a few years, when fashions and styles change.
And though the show launched in a very different era (1998 was a wild time), it was quite diverse for its time. It’s true that the show wasn’t always as sensitive, culturally, as it could have been, but most viewers appreciated what seemed to be a decent effort at diversity.
The That ’70s Show Cast Was Super Relatable
Apart from the apparently universal love of Kitty and Red, That ’70s Show had another thing going for it: a great all-around cast. Commenters seemed to agree that there was “chemistry between the gang,” and also that the writers didn’t “try too hard.”
The plot points are basic and feel true to life. All of these combined gives a great show that’s re-watchable because it’s relatable and funny.
People still love all the show’s characters today, even going so far as voting on their favorites via a very formal Instagram That ’70s Show character championship; Kitty Forman even beat out her husband in that contest.
Fans still obsess over the series on social media on the daily, proving its staying power even more. Countless scenes have made their way to social media, and comments are almost always positive.
Where Is That ’70s Show Streaming Now?
Fans who want to watch (or rewatch) That ’70s Show don’t have to look very far; the series is available on Peacock. According to the streamer, it’s the only place to stream full episodes of That ’70s Show.
That’s not to say fans won’t catch clips of the show elsewhere, though. Not only is That ’70s Show available to watch (via purchase) through Amazon, but it’s also popping up elsewhere online.
Streaming viewers should be cautious about where they click, of course, but a lot of content is appearing in meme form and on TikTok, so fans can immerse themselves in the nostalgia easily enough.
Unfortunately, though the show had a good run on Netflix, it was ultimately removed from the streaming giant—many assume because of the Danny Masterson drama. Only time will tell whether other streamers will pick the show—or its reboot—up.
That ’90s Show streams on Netflix and is a Netflix Original.
