Kati and I have been watching That 70’s Show. I remember catching a few episodes when it first started, but it didn’t really grab me back then. It’s one of those rare comedies that grow on you, the humor is more gentle than “in your face” type of thing. There is still the odd moment of being “out there” but usually it’s pretty down to Earth.

The characters definitely grow in stature as each season passes. I believe it ran for 8 seasons from 1998 to 2005.

I’m not really sure why the show is set in the 70’s. There is precious little in the way of “period jokes”, other than the occasional appearance of Tommy Chong reprising his 70’s role of “man” from Cheech and Chong days. It could in reality, have been set in any era. Perhaps the producers were originally aiming to make this like an updated version of Happy Days? If so it failed, but that doesn’t make it bad, quite the contrary, if it had been no more than a poor imitation of Happy Days the show would have failed.

The show centers on the lives and relationships of 5 very different kids hanging out at Erics place.

All the characters are very likable, with the exception of Mila Kunis as Jackie who is of course, not meant to be likable.

Kurtwood Smith is magnificent as the dry cynical Red Forman. Although not technically “the star” he is quite the scene stealer.

Danny Masterson is perfect as the 70’s Fonzie type character Hyde.

Topher Grace as Eric Forman, Ashton Kutcher as dipshit Kelso, and Wilmer Valderrama as the foreign kid Fez round the show out brilliantly.

BUT

For me the undisputed star, the be all and end all of the show is the magnificent Laura Prepon as Donna Pinciotti, Erics love interest.

Show? What show??

Oh yeah….Laura and Topher play off each other just perfectly. Watching the show, you feel that they belong together and any moves to change that creates a real feeling of disappointment. A staggering achievement for a mere sit com.

These two should work together again. Maybe a That 70’s Show movie?

Every now and then a TV show comes along that re writes the rules. Seinfeld was one such show. It was fresh, funny and very entertaining. In one huge swoop, Seinfeld changed the way sit coms were written. It may seem a touch dated now as we close in on a decade since it’s run ended. However it can’t be denied that there are still some sterling moments to be enjoyed.

As Seinfeld changed the face of American comedy in the 1990’s, so My Name Is Earl is changing it in the 2000’s.

The basic premise is this….A total loser and petty criminal named Earl, gets hit by a car and wakes up in hospital. While there he learns about Karma (from Carson Daly no less), and decides to make a list of all the bad things he has done, and try to make them good in an attempt to change his life around.

This is a brilliantly clever concept from a comedy point of view. It gives license to portray all manner of bad behavior and criminal situations, that happened in the “pre list” Earl days. Behavior and situations that would otherwise be taboo as it could be seen to be glorifying a life of crime.

What makes the show even more enjoyable is it’s wonderful supporting cast. Earls dopey brother Randy, his deliciously beautiful ex wife Joy and her new husband Darnell, his illegal immigrant Mexican lady friend Catalina plus a whole gaggle of semi regulars make this simply the best new comedy since Seinfeld.

When it comes to TV comedy, the Americans don’t always get it right, The Nanny, (which was of course, only the far better Who’s The Boss with the roles reversed), Perfect Strangers and of course that terrible show with Bette Midler in it that lasted a whole 6 weeks (from memory) on Aussie TV.

However when they get it right, Get Smart, Welcome Back Kotter, Married With Children, Home Improvement, Seinfeld, and Earl to name a few, it is total joy.