The Episode Of That '70s Show That Always Leaves Fans In Tears
Even though the year 2000 sat right around the corner, Fox viewers took an extended trip back to the 1970s starting in 1998. "That '70s Show" premiered in August of that year, courtesy of creators Mark Brazill and Bonnie and Terry Turner, and in no time at all, the series established itself as a sitcom powerhouse. Week to week, viewers followed a group of youths from, you guessed it, the 1970s, each with their own goals, dreams, and obstacles. Nevertheless, they remained close, resulting in all kinds of unexpected, hilarious, and occasionally extreme antics.
For the next eight years, audiences had the chance to hang out primarily with Eric Forman (Topher Grace), Donna Pinciotti (Laura Prepon), Michael Kelso (Ashton Kutcher), Jackie Burkhart (Mila Kunis), Fez (Wilmer Valderrama), and Steven Hyde (Danny Masterson) as they got up to any number of misadventures in the fictional city of Point Place, Wisconsin. Sure, the 8th and final season of the show may not have sent it off on a high note, but for the most part, that didn't dampen the experience of getting to know the gang and investing in their fictional lives.
As all good TV shows should, "That '70s Show" made it easy to connect with its characters, making the occasional emotional moments amid the frequent laughs even more impactful. According to some fans, this specific episode resides among the most tear-jerking of them all.
That '70s Show's finale hit viewers right in the feels
It's no secret that finding a proper conclusion isn't easily done in the world of television, but when it's done right, it's done right. The finale of "That '70s Show," appropriately titled "That '70s Finale," pulled off the TV goodbye well compared to most, bringing back departed fan favorites and hitting audiences right in the feels. "I've watched it countless times since it aired, and I still get the most extreme chills at the end when they are counting down on New Years Eve," wrote Redditor danreedmilam, while a deleted user likened the ending to a childhood friend moving away.
In both Reddit threads, countless "That '70s Show" fans agreed that, for one reason or another, the last episode was a tear-jerker. Thankfully for those who continue to suffer this heartbreak, some good news is on the horizon. As announced in October of 2021, Netflix will host a sequel series known as "That '90s Show," which will run for 10 episodes on the streamer. Most of the original cast has signed on to return, in addition to franchise newcomers like Callie Haverda, who will portray Eric and Donna's daughter, Leia Forman. At the time of this writing, it currently lacks a release date.
A "That '70s Show" continuation is an intriguing proposition and a concept that many fans of the original show are excited about. Still, its existence does little to cushion anyone from the emotional gut-punch "That '70s Finale" brought with it.