That '70s Pilot (That '70s Show)
Encyclopedia
That '70s Pilot is the first episode of the long-running sitcom, That '70s Show
. This episode was the start of the whole series and is followed by the episode "Eric's Birthday". The episode aired on August 23, 1998.
, Michael Kelso
and Donna Pinciotti
in Eric Forman
's basement telling him to get beer from his mom Kitty
's party upstairs. While up there, Eric's dad Red
is talking to Donna's dad Bob
about a $400 deal on their Vista Cruiser. Eric tells Red that he can buy it off from him. When Eric comes back down with four beers in his hands, he tells his friends that Red is thinking of giving him the car. They toast for Eric and he hugs Hyde saying that this is the proudest day of his life. After the introduction, a new scene shows Eric and Donna quoting a show that they are watching. Kelso's girlfriend Jackie Burkhart
complains why they are watching the show without the sound and Eric tells her to put on the earphone. Kelso then asks about the deal on the Vista Cruiser and he asks about how they are gonna get to the Todd Rundgren
concert they are going to. Jackie gets mad at Kelso for not inviting her to the concert. After that, Kelso invites her. They then leave the basement to listen to one of Rundgren's hits Hello It's Me
. Later on, Eric is outside telling the Vista Cruiser that he wants it bad. Bob arrives with Kelso staring at his hair. Bob then tells the teens that this is the most fun they are going to have. Later on, the gang is hanging out at a restaurant with the new foreign boy
who's from an unknown country. The boy's name is too hard to pronounce so they nickname him "Fez" which stands for Foreign Exchange Student. Jackie wonders who Fez is and complains about him. Then, she and Donna head to the ladies' room. Fez then goes to the men's room trying to get Eric to go with him but Eric tells him that it doesn't work that way with guys. Kelso then says that he's gonna break up with Jackie and Hyde doubts it. The boys then go back to Eric's house and then they get into the "Circle" (where they all sit down and smoke pot). Red calls Eric up to the kitchen and then him, Eric and Kitty talk about the deal with the Vista Cruiser. However, Eric is high the entire time. After a long talk, Red hands the keys to the Vista Cruiser to Eric. Eric then uses it to go to the concert after Red told him no trips out of town. The car battery dies on the way and the gang don't have the cash to replace it, but the young mechanic makes them a deal - for two concert tickets, the new battery is on him. After the group debates amongst themselves and rationalizes that either two of them miss the concert or they ALL have to, Kelso agrees to give up his and Jackie's tickets, as Jackie's not a Rundgren fan and Kelso is her date. Eric, Donna, Fez, Hyde, the mechanic and his boyfriend go to the concert, while Kelso and Jackie stay behind and make out in the back of Eric's car. After the concert, Eric and Donna were laying on the hood of the Vista Cruiser. Eric tells Donna that he wouldn't have gone if she didn't talk him into it. Donna then leaves but comes back real quick to kiss Eric.
The end credits features the gang in the Vista Cruiser singing the chorus to "Hello It's Me
" with Fez singing the lyrics incorrectly.
That '70s Show
That '70s Show is an American television period sitcom that centers on the lives of a group of teenage friends living in the fictional suburban town of Point Place, Wisconsin, from May 17, 1976, to December 31, 1979...
. This episode was the start of the whole series and is followed by the episode "Eric's Birthday". The episode aired on August 23, 1998.
Plot
The episode starts off with four teens Steven HydeSteven Hyde
Steven James Hyde III, known as Hyde by his friends, is a fictional character from the Fox sitcom That '70s Show, portrayed by Danny Masterson. He is Eric Forman's best friend and by the end of season one, his de facto adopted brother...
, Michael Kelso
Michael Kelso
Michael Christopher Kelso usually referred to simply as Kelso by his friends is one of the five male leads on Fox Network's That '70s Show, portrayed by Ashton Kutcher. Tall, lanky and long-haired , he is the dim-witted pretty-boy of the group, coasting through life on his good looks...
and Donna Pinciotti
Donna Pinciotti
Donna Marie Pinciotti is a fictional character and one of the two female leads in the Fox sitcom That '70s Show, appearing in all eight seasons...
in Eric Forman
Eric Forman
Eric Albert Forman is a fictional character and the male lead on the Fox Network's That '70s Show between seasons one through seven. Portrayed by Topher Grace, Eric is based on the adolescence of show creator Mark Brazill. Most of the show takes place at the Formans' home, particularly in the...
's basement telling him to get beer from his mom Kitty
Kitty Forman
Katherine Anne "Kitty" Forman is a fictional character on the Fox Network's That '70s Show, portrayed by comic actress Debra Jo Rupp. Kitty is a nurse but sometimes takes a break from her career to make peace in the family. She also has a very recognizable laugh and a fondness for square dancing...
's party upstairs. While up there, Eric's dad Red
Red Forman
Reginald Albert "Red" Forman is a fictional character on the Fox sitcom That '70s Show, portrayed by Kurtwood Smith.-Biography and personality:Red is one of the classic archetypes of the "grumpy man"...
is talking to Donna's dad Bob
Midge and Bob Pinciotti
Midge Pinciotti and Bob Pinciotti are two fictional characters on the popular Fox sitcom That '70s Show . They are the loving, lovable but dim-witted parents of the red-haired tomboy Donna Pinciotti , and Donna's less-frequently seen younger sister, Tina...
about a $400 deal on their Vista Cruiser. Eric tells Red that he can buy it off from him. When Eric comes back down with four beers in his hands, he tells his friends that Red is thinking of giving him the car. They toast for Eric and he hugs Hyde saying that this is the proudest day of his life. After the introduction, a new scene shows Eric and Donna quoting a show that they are watching. Kelso's girlfriend Jackie Burkhart
Jackie Burkhart
Jacqueline "Jackie" Beulah Burkhart is a fictional character and one of the two female leads on the Fox Network sitcom That '70s Show, portrayed by Mila Kunis.-Personality:...
complains why they are watching the show without the sound and Eric tells her to put on the earphone. Kelso then asks about the deal on the Vista Cruiser and he asks about how they are gonna get to the Todd Rundgren
Todd Rundgren
Todd Harry Rundgren is an American multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and record producer. Hailed in the early stage of his career as a new pop-wunderkind, supported by the certified gold solo double LP Something/Anything? in 1972, Todd Rundgren's career has produced a diverse range of recordings...
concert they are going to. Jackie gets mad at Kelso for not inviting her to the concert. After that, Kelso invites her. They then leave the basement to listen to one of Rundgren's hits Hello It's Me
Hello It's Me
"Hello It's Me" is a Billboard #5 hit song composed by Todd Rundgren that has been recorded numerous times, and would become Rundgren's best-known song.- Background :...
. Later on, Eric is outside telling the Vista Cruiser that he wants it bad. Bob arrives with Kelso staring at his hair. Bob then tells the teens that this is the most fun they are going to have. Later on, the gang is hanging out at a restaurant with the new foreign boy
Fez (That '70s Show)
Fez is a fictional character and one of the four male leads on the Fox Network's That '70s Show, portrayed by Wilmer Valderrama. He was the foreign exchange student in a group of six local teenagers.-Origins:...
who's from an unknown country. The boy's name is too hard to pronounce so they nickname him "Fez" which stands for Foreign Exchange Student. Jackie wonders who Fez is and complains about him. Then, she and Donna head to the ladies' room. Fez then goes to the men's room trying to get Eric to go with him but Eric tells him that it doesn't work that way with guys. Kelso then says that he's gonna break up with Jackie and Hyde doubts it. The boys then go back to Eric's house and then they get into the "Circle" (where they all sit down and smoke pot). Red calls Eric up to the kitchen and then him, Eric and Kitty talk about the deal with the Vista Cruiser. However, Eric is high the entire time. After a long talk, Red hands the keys to the Vista Cruiser to Eric. Eric then uses it to go to the concert after Red told him no trips out of town. The car battery dies on the way and the gang don't have the cash to replace it, but the young mechanic makes them a deal - for two concert tickets, the new battery is on him. After the group debates amongst themselves and rationalizes that either two of them miss the concert or they ALL have to, Kelso agrees to give up his and Jackie's tickets, as Jackie's not a Rundgren fan and Kelso is her date. Eric, Donna, Fez, Hyde, the mechanic and his boyfriend go to the concert, while Kelso and Jackie stay behind and make out in the back of Eric's car. After the concert, Eric and Donna were laying on the hood of the Vista Cruiser. Eric tells Donna that he wouldn't have gone if she didn't talk him into it. Donna then leaves but comes back real quick to kiss Eric.
The end credits features the gang in the Vista Cruiser singing the chorus to "Hello It's Me
Hello It's Me
"Hello It's Me" is a Billboard #5 hit song composed by Todd Rundgren that has been recorded numerous times, and would become Rundgren's best-known song.- Background :...
" with Fez singing the lyrics incorrectly.
- The end credits is seen again eight years later in the eighth and final season as it was used as the credits for the series finale in which triple Eric, Kelso & Midge guest star (Eric had been written out the previous season, while Kelso was written out at the beginning of season eight).
Cast
- Topher GraceTopher GraceChristopher John "Topher" Grace is an American actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Eric Forman on the Fox sitcom That '70s Show, Eddie Brock/Venom in the Sam Raimi film Spider-Man 3, and Edwin in the 2010 film Predators....
as Eric FormanEric FormanEric Albert Forman is a fictional character and the male lead on the Fox Network's That '70s Show between seasons one through seven. Portrayed by Topher Grace, Eric is based on the adolescence of show creator Mark Brazill. Most of the show takes place at the Formans' home, particularly in the... - Mila KunisMila KunisMilena "Mila" Kunis is an American actress. Her work includes the role of Jackie Burkhart on the TV series That '70s Show and the voice of Meg Griffin on the animated series Family Guy...
as Jackie BurkhartJackie BurkhartJacqueline "Jackie" Beulah Burkhart is a fictional character and one of the two female leads on the Fox Network sitcom That '70s Show, portrayed by Mila Kunis.-Personality:... - Ashton KutcherAshton KutcherChristopher Ashton Kutcher , best known as Ashton Kutcher, is an American actor, producer, former fashion model and comedian, best known for his portrayal of Michael Kelso in the Fox sitcom That '70s Show...
as Michael KelsoMichael KelsoMichael Christopher Kelso usually referred to simply as Kelso by his friends is one of the five male leads on Fox Network's That '70s Show, portrayed by Ashton Kutcher. Tall, lanky and long-haired , he is the dim-witted pretty-boy of the group, coasting through life on his good looks... - Danny MastersonDanny MastersonDaniel Peter "Danny" Masterson is an American actor and DJ best known for his role as Steven Hyde in That '70s Show.-Early life:...
as Steven HydeSteven HydeSteven James Hyde III, known as Hyde by his friends, is a fictional character from the Fox sitcom That '70s Show, portrayed by Danny Masterson. He is Eric Forman's best friend and by the end of season one, his de facto adopted brother... - Laura PreponLaura PreponLaura Prepon is an American actress, best known for her role as Donna Pinciotti in the long-running Fox situation comedy That '70s Show, for all eight seasons. She is also known for the role of Hannah Daniels on the ABC drama October Road...
as Donna PinciottiDonna PinciottiDonna Marie Pinciotti is a fictional character and one of the two female leads in the Fox sitcom That '70s Show, appearing in all eight seasons... - Wilmer ValderramaWilmer ValderramaWilmer Eduardo Valderrama is an American actor and television personality, known for the role of Fez in the sitcom That '70s Show, hosting the MTV series Yo Momma, and voicing the character of Manny in the children's show Handy Manny.-Early life:Valderrama was born in Miami, Florida the son of...
as Fez - Kurtwood SmithKurtwood SmithKurtwood Larson Smith is an American television and film actor. He is best known for playing Clarence Boddicker in RoboCop and stern parental characters , and for his appearances in the genre of science fiction...
as Red FormanRed FormanReginald Albert "Red" Forman is a fictional character on the Fox sitcom That '70s Show, portrayed by Kurtwood Smith.-Biography and personality:Red is one of the classic archetypes of the "grumpy man"... - Debra Jo RuppDebra Jo RuppDebra Jo Rupp is an American film and television actress, perhaps best known for her role as Kitty Forman on the long-running Fox sitcom, That '70s Show...
as Kitty FormanKitty FormanKatherine Anne "Kitty" Forman is a fictional character on the Fox Network's That '70s Show, portrayed by comic actress Debra Jo Rupp. Kitty is a nurse but sometimes takes a break from her career to make peace in the family. She also has a very recognizable laugh and a fondness for square dancing... - Don Stark as Bob Pinciotti
- Tanya RobertsTanya RobertsTanya Roberts is an American actress best known for her roles in Charlie's Angels, The Beastmaster, A View to a Kill, Sheena and That '70s Show. Roberts was groomed as a Hollywood sex symbol during the early 1980s.- Early life :Blum was born in The Bronx, New York City, of Irish and Jewish descent...
as Midge Pinciotti