¶ … Character Dynamics
That 70s Show was a popular television sitcom that ran on Fox for almost a decade and gained something of a cult following by some groups. The show portrays a group of friends and was set in the previous generation (the 1970s). Each of the friends in the group has a significantly different personality as well as many different character attributes. It is reasonable to believe that the dynamics between the character roles was one of the primary attractions of the show. Each of the characters has a personality type that was unique, but also generic enough that most people would know someone that the character reminded them of. Furthermore, the fact that the show was set in a previous generation also added a cultural dynamic to the ways that the cast interacted with each other.
The main character was named Eric Forman who seemed like a normal and innocent high school who typically means well in his actions but often gets himself into sticky situations. He is something of a "geek" as he is into things like science fiction, especially Star Wars, and has a slender and somewhat feminine appearance. His femininity is further highlighted by his neighbor, Donna Pinciotti, who is also Eric's girlfriend throughout most of the series. Although Donna is something of a "girl next store" type of character, she is also something of a tomb boy and is often the more
The contrast between the
masculinity of the two characters provides an interesting dichotomy in their relationship.
Another interesting dynamic is also provided by the relationship between Eric and Steven Hyde. Steven actually lives in the Foreman's basement due to the fact that he is from a dysfunctional family and the Foreman's have taken him in. He
plays something of the "bad boy" figure -- he does not go to school often, is usually the one that gets the
drugs, and has a pretty rough image. Despite this image, Eric has a large heart and caring personality that shows up occasionally when he lets down his more rugged persona. However, it is Eric that is typically the boy that gets the other boys into trouble as he uses his
intelligence for troublemaking.
Eric's intelligence is also contrasted by Michael Kelso who is the group's moronic character. The lack of intelligence that Eric has is clearly displayed in virtually every episode through his antics. Kelso is attractive and is constantly sleeping with a number of different girls as well as something of a
narcissistic self-image. Although many of the group's character traits are completely polar opposite, Kelso's vainness is mirrored by Jackie who is also extremely self-absorbed. The two characters date in periods of the show. However, the fact that Kelso is attractive is also mirrored by its opposite form in a character known as Fez.
Fez is a foreign…
