That '70s Contradiction List - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Adamantium · 10-21-2007, 02:34 PM

We all love this show anyways. But let's face it, there are many contradictions in this show. Let's list them all. But do it with a smile.

In the series' second episode (set in 1976) Eric has his 17th birthday. In season six, in the third episode, Eric has his 18th birthday! And the sixth season was set in either 1978 or 79, I believe 1979. Either way, they still skipped a year (1977).

That's a whole contradiction in itself. Just the fact that they are screwing with time. It's not a contradiction really, I guess. But it's hard to take when you see the kids growing up but they're still supposed to be either in or just fresh out of high school. Had the show gone in "real time" it would have started in the 1976-77 season and ended in the 1983-84 season. But I guess they didn't want to change the title or take the show away from the 70s. Which I can understand, because I wasn't too eager to see the gang in the 1980s.

Eric's year off. He started it at the beginning of the 7th season and ended it towards the end of the 7th season. But in their time, there's no way that was a whole year.

David Trainer said this show was set in a period of four years. However, there are five Christmas episodes. And season six and seven both take place in "1979." And then the series finale of "That '70s Show" is set on New Year's Eve going into 1980. Which would mean that all of season eight and the rest of season seven, took place in one week (and that's ignoring season 6's Christmas in '79). Another reason I hated them ending it on New Years Eve.

Don't get me wrong, this is a fun show to watch and it's funny. But it's also fun to point out these inconsistencies. So now, continue my list.

MonarC · 10-28-2007, 12:55 AM

Hey your right there were 5 Xmas shows. Wow!

Wreckless · 03-04-2008, 05:19 AM

You basically hit the nail on the head with this thread, I can't really think of any off the top of my head. But wow, season 7/8 taking place in one week LOL crazy, and there are 5 xmas episodes, that's some ****. let's see if i can remember the 5 xmas ones: the one where the gang hang out at Bud's house and have a keg, the one where Eric illegally cuts down a tree to save money for beer, the one where Red plays Santa instead of Bob and the one where Kitty gets elected for a charity event

greatestgoalie25 · 09-29-2008, 02:38 PM

Every year was split into two seasons. 1976=Season 1 and 2, 1977=Season 3 and 4, 1978=Season 5 and 6, 1979=Season 7 and 8. That's the word according to the director, David Trainer and I believe one of the producers backed him up. Christmas eps are just special eps, I don't make a big deal out of that.

Wreckless · 09-30-2008, 01:30 PM

Yeah I knew that. At first they didn't explain it, then a lot of people caught on with the seasons. If I don't recognize the episode or season an episode is in right away, I look at the year on the liscense plate at the end of the opening credits/theme song. Unless their in a circle, then I know it's the final season.

10-21-2007, 02:34 PM	#1
Adamantium TVAdam No More Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 11, 2002 Location: Springfield, Ohio Posts: 7,820	That '70s Contradiction List We all love this show anyways. But let's face it, there are many contradictions in this show. Let's list them all. But do it with a smile. In the series' second episode (set in 1976) Eric has his 17th birthday. In season six, in the third episode, Eric has his 18th birthday! And the sixth season was set in either 1978 or 79, I believe 1979. Either way, they still skipped a year (1977). That's a whole contradiction in itself. Just the fact that they are screwing with time. It's not a contradiction really, I guess. But it's hard to take when you see the kids growing up but they're still supposed to be either in or just fresh out of high school. Had the show gone in "real time" it would have started in the 1976-77 season and ended in the 1983-84 season. But I guess they didn't want to change the title or take the show away from the 70s. Which I can understand, because I wasn't too eager to see the gang in the 1980s. Eric's year off. He started it at the beginning of the 7th season and ended it towards the end of the 7th season. But in their time, there's no way that was a whole year. David Trainer said this show was set in a period of four years. However, there are five Christmas episodes. And season six and seven both take place in "1979." And then the series finale of "That '70s Show" is set on New Year's Eve going into 1980. Which would mean that all of season eight and the rest of season seven, took place in one week (and that's ignoring season 6's Christmas in '79). Another reason I hated them ending it on New Years Eve. Don't get me wrong, this is a fun show to watch and it's funny. But it's also fun to point out these inconsistencies. So now, continue my list.

10-28-2007, 12:55 AM	#2
MonarC The truth will set you free Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 05, 2002 Location: 3rd Stone From The Sun Posts: 9,525	Hey your right there were 5 Xmas shows. Wow!

03-04-2008, 05:19 AM	#3
Wreckless Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Nov 04, 2007 Location: Banned Posts: 9,406	You basically hit the nail on the head with this thread, I can't really think of any off the top of my head. But wow, season 7/8 taking place in one week LOL crazy, and there are 5 xmas episodes, that's some ****. let's see if i can remember the 5 xmas ones: the one where the gang hang out at Bud's house and have a keg, the one where Eric illegally cuts down a tree to save money for beer, the one where Red plays Santa instead of Bob and the one where Kitty gets elected for a charity event

09-29-2008, 02:38 PM	#4
greatestgoalie25 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Sep 28, 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 16	Every year was split into two seasons. 1976=Season 1 and 2, 1977=Season 3 and 4, 1978=Season 5 and 6, 1979=Season 7 and 8. That's the word according to the director, David Trainer and I believe one of the producers backed him up. Christmas eps are just special eps, I don't make a big deal out of that.

09-30-2008, 01:30 PM	#5
Wreckless Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Nov 04, 2007 Location: Banned Posts: 9,406	Yeah I knew that. At first they didn't explain it, then a lot of people caught on with the seasons. If I don't recognize the episode or season an episode is in right away, I look at the year on the liscense plate at the end of the opening credits/theme song. Unless their in a circle, then I know it's the final season.