Stories

‘That ’70s Show’ Was Inspired By Two Classic Sitcoms

ADVERTISEMENT

Many shows are inspired by other series, but you’d never know it. Take That ’70s Show for instance. The sitcom ran from 1998 to 2006 and focused on a set of friends and their families in the 1970s.

When the creators had the initial concept in the mind, they actually took their inspiration from two popular sitcoms: All in the Family and Roseanne. Co-creator Mark Brazill explained, “That’s what we were hoping for. Not to obviously do those two shows, but because they seemed true and real and the humor came out of characters and real situations. Both of them were families. That’s at the core of it.”

ADVERTISEMENT

‘That ’70s Show’ was inspired by ‘All in the Family’ and ‘Roseanne’

THAT ’70S SHOW, cast photo. Clockwise from bottom center: Topher Grace, Ashton Kutcher, Danny Masterson, Mila Kunis, Wiler Valderrama, Laura Prepon, (Season 2), 1998-2006. ph: Robert Sebree / ©20th Century Fox Film Corp. / courtesy Everett Collection

If you think about it, there is definitely a parallel between two characters in particular. Red Foreman, played by Kurtwood Smith, is the gruff Korean War vet who may remind you a little bit of All in the Family‘s Archie Bunker.

ADVERTISEMENT

RELATED: The Best ’70s Star Cameos On The Sitcom ‘That ’70s Show’

ALL IN THE FAMILY, Jean Stapleton, Rob Reiner, Carroll O’Connor, Sally Struthers, 1971-1992 / Everett Collection

Certain episodes also paid tribute to the sitcoms the show was inspired by. During an episode in season two of That ’70s Show, Donna fantasizes about a future where the characters are dressed as Michael, Gloria, Archie, and Edith from All in the Family. There are fewer references to Roseanne, but two of the executive producers had previously produced the Roseanne Barr and John Goodman series.

ROSEANNE, John Goodman, Roseanne Barr, ‘White Trash Christmas’ (Season 6, ep. 12, aired Dec 14, 1993), 1988-2018. photo: Don Cadette / ©Viacom / courtesy Everett Collection

Now, there is a new series in the works for Netflix called That ’90s Show, obviously a sequel to That ’70s Show. Many of the characters will be reuniting and joined by some new faces. Are you excited?

RELATED: Tommy Chong Will Reprise His ’70s Show’ Role In Sequel Series ‘That ’90s Show’

Show comments
Share
Published by

Recent Posts

Carol Burnett Celebrates 91st Birthday Wish Surprise From Bradley Cooper After NSFW Joke

Carol Burnett celebrated her 91st birthday on April 26, delving further into the life of…

20 mins ago

Moms Welcome Babies Named Johnny Cash And June Carter Born In Same Hospital, Same Day

One hospital was positively rocking out recently after welcoming two illustrious newcomers into the world.…

4 hours ago

Valuable Item From Titanic Wreckage Set To Fetch Thousands Of Dollars At Auction

Henry Aldridge & Son of Devizes is set to auction a watch recovered from the…

5 hours ago

Jennifer Aniston Is Producing A Remake Of ‘9 To 5’

Jennifer Aniston has her eyes set on 9 to 5 remake, bringing the 1980 comedy…

6 hours ago

Rumer Willis And Daughter Join Sisters Talullah And Scout In Matching Pink Swimsuits

Rumer Willis and her sisters — Tallulah and Scout — recently had some quality girl…

6 hours ago

Pierce Brosnan Looks Years Older After Drastic Transformation For New Movie

Pierce Brosnan, who is famous for his roles in Mamma Mia! and Mrs. Doubtfire, was…

7 hours ago