TMC
11-03-2025, 07:44 PM
https://www.looper.com/2011552/plot-holes-hurt-perfect-tv-shows/
https://www.looper.com/img/gallery/12-plot-holes-that-hurt-otherwise-perfect-tv-shows/that-70s-shows-timeline-makes-no-sense-1761771264.webp
It's almost a given that a sitcom will create continuity mistakes as it runs for multiple seasons, but "That '70s Show" (https://www.looper.com/1190905/that-70s-show-made-a-litany-of-continuity-mistakes-but-we-still-love-it-anyways/) took it to a whole new level. The most glaringly obvious one involves the story's timeline, which makes absolutely no sense. When the pilot kicks off, it's 1976, and that works, given the title. But then the narrative ends on January 1, 1980 — after the show has run for eight seasons. While that could be explained away with inconsistent season lengths, there's another problem. If the show takes place over the course of only four years, how do they celebrate Christmas five times? The holiday only comes around once a year, so at most, there should have been only four Christmas-themed episodes.
Other inconsistencies surround character birthdays and other holidays, which muck up the timeline even further. It's something you might not notice if you watched the show as it aired, but a solid binge will make it stand out. Even more disturbing is the time between Season 8's "Winter," which is set on December 25, 1979, and the finale, which is set at the end of the month. That effectively places all of Season 8 into a five-day period.
https://www.looper.com/img/gallery/12-plot-holes-that-hurt-otherwise-perfect-tv-shows/that-70s-shows-timeline-makes-no-sense-1761771264.webp
It's almost a given that a sitcom will create continuity mistakes as it runs for multiple seasons, but "That '70s Show" (https://www.looper.com/1190905/that-70s-show-made-a-litany-of-continuity-mistakes-but-we-still-love-it-anyways/) took it to a whole new level. The most glaringly obvious one involves the story's timeline, which makes absolutely no sense. When the pilot kicks off, it's 1976, and that works, given the title. But then the narrative ends on January 1, 1980 — after the show has run for eight seasons. While that could be explained away with inconsistent season lengths, there's another problem. If the show takes place over the course of only four years, how do they celebrate Christmas five times? The holiday only comes around once a year, so at most, there should have been only four Christmas-themed episodes.
Other inconsistencies surround character birthdays and other holidays, which muck up the timeline even further. It's something you might not notice if you watched the show as it aired, but a solid binge will make it stand out. Even more disturbing is the time between Season 8's "Winter," which is set on December 25, 1979, and the finale, which is set at the end of the month. That effectively places all of Season 8 into a five-day period.