That '80s Show is an American sitcom that aired from January through May 2002. Despite having a similar name, show structure, and many of the same writers and production staff, it is not considered a direct-sequel of the more successful That '70s Show. The characters and story lines from both shows never crossed paths. Although the main character, Corey Howard (Glenn Howerton of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia), is designed as Eric Forman's (Topher Grace) cousin, the show itself was a separate decade-based show created because of That '70s Show's popularity at the time.
The show was set in 1984 and revolved around the lives of a group of friends living in San Diego, California. It debuted January 23, 2002, and the final episode aired May 29, 2002. Its regular time slot was on Wednesday nights at 8:00/7:00 Central on the Fox Network, although a few shows were aired on different nights. Its main time slot competitors were ABC's My Wife and Kids, CBS's 60 Minutes II, and NBC's Ed. All 13 episodes, which were filmed at CBS Studio Center, aired at least once.
Plot
The show follows the lives of struggling musician Corey Howard and his associates, friends, and family. His working (and eventual romantic) relationship with June Tuesday is also a focal point, and becomes the main anchor of the show after a few episodes. Later episodes focused on the culture clash between Corey and June's lifestyles. Various tidbits of 1980s culture and music are sprinkled in throughout each episode. As with That '70s Show, several celebrities from the decade guest starred in several episodes. Whereas That '70s Show was primarily about adolescent teens, the '80's show dealt more with young adults—collegiates now facing the adult world.
Episodes took place at different locations throughout the day. Scenes would take place at Club Berlin, a dance club; Permanent Record, the record store where Corey and June worked; Videx, an office owned by R.T.; and the family home, along with the occasional car trip.
"Valentine's Day" aired as the 2nd episode, rather than "Corey's Remix," on January 30. "Corey's Remix" aired as the 4th episode, on February 13.
"Road Trip" was aired after That '70s Show on Tuesday, May 6, as Fox aired a special "2 Decades of Laughs in One Night" format. It was rumoured at the time that Fox was testing both shows back to back to see if it would work the following season. Ratings for this episode were higher (either due to That '70s Show's lead in or due to a different timeslot) than a usual Wednesday night episode, but the format was never tried again, and That '80s Show was cancelled 9 days later.
"Beach Party" was aired the night after "Road Trip" in the usual Wednesday timeslot (with "Sophia's Depressed" still not aired), despite being the last episode produced. This is noticeable when Corey and Tuesday notice the listening station at Permanent Record, something that was created in wake of a fire in "Sophia's Depressed", which wouldn't air until three weeks later.
"Sophia's Depressed" aired as scheduled on May 14 nearly a week after the show was officially cancelled. This episode was supposed to be the official series finale. However, the last scene that aired during the closing credits (where Sophia introduces the gang to her sister Bianca) was edited out on Fox in favour of promos for summer Fox shows, though it was seen during the Canadian airing on CTV.
Music
Each episode used several vintage 1980s hit songs, either playing in the background of a scene or sung by one or more of the cast members:
"Eighties" (Pilot): "Let Me Go" by Heaven 17; Eighties by Killing Joke; "Once in a Lifetime" by Talking Heads; "What Difference Does It Make?" by The Smiths; "Love is a Battlefield" by Pat Benatar, "Slip It In" by Black Flag; "Add It Up" by Violent Femmes; "Close to You", by The Carpenters (although this was an early 1970s hit).
"Corey's Remix": "Heartbeat" by The Psychedelic Furs; "Come on Eileen" by Dexys Midnight Runners, "Rock the Casbah" by The Clash; "Strip" by Adam Ant
"Tuesday Comes Over": "Who's Behind the Door?" by Zebra; "No Rest for the Wicked" by Helix; "Dress You Up" by Madonna
"Valentine's Day": "In the Name of Love" by Thompson Twins; "Modern Love" by David Bowie; "I Want Candy" by Bow Wow Wow
"My Dead Friend": 99 Luftballons by Nena, "The Great Unknown" by Elvis Costello and the Attractions; "People Who Died" by the Jim Carroll Band
"Spring Break '84": "As Far as I Know" by Paul Westerberg; "I Ran" by A Flock of Seagulls; "Whatever Happened to You?" by Stan Ridgway; "Cruel Summer", by Bananarama
"Katie's Birthday": "Guitar, Talk, Love & Drums" by Gary Myrick; "Up Where We Belong" by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes, "If I Didn't Love You" by Squeeze
"After The Kiss": "This Is Radio Clash" by The Clash; "Goo Goo Muck" by The Cramps; "Steppin' Out" by Joe Jackson
"Double Date": "I'll Tumble 4 Ya" by Culture Club; "Meeting in the Ladies Room" by Klymaxx; "She Talks in Stereo" by Gary Myrick and the Figures
"Punk Club": "Karma Chameleon" by Culture Club; "Together Forever" by Rick Astley; "Footloose" by Kenny Loggins
"Road Trip": "I'm So Excited" by The Pointer Sisters; "Balls to the Wall" by Accept; "Heartbreaker" by Pat Benatar; "I Love LA" by Randy Newman
"Sophia's Depressed": "We're Not Gonna Take It" by Twisted Sister; "The Reflex" by Duran Duran
"Beach Party": "We Got the Beat" by The Go-Go's; "Time the Avenger" by The Pretenders
Guest stars and recurring characters
Ed McMahon, Pat Benatar, and Neil Giraldo all appeared as themselves in the episode entitled "Road Trip".
Tiffany appeared in the episode "Punk Club" as "Candy", an employee of the "Chaos" punk club.
Debbie Gibson appeared as an annoying show tunes-loving customer named "Janice", and Morgan Fairchild appeared as R.T.'s rival competitor "Cossima Blair", in the episode "Beach Party".
John Taylor appeared in the episode "Sophia's Depressed" as Margaret's personal decorator.
Nathan West appeared in the episode "Spring Break '84, as "Wray Thorn", a former classmate of Corey's turned successful musician.
Tammy Lynn Michaels and Josh Braaten appeared in several episodes as "Patty" and "Owen", Roger's and Katie's significant others, respectively.
Kelly Clarkson appeared briefly as an uncredited dancing extra, prior to her appearance and subsequent fame on American Idol.
Cynthia Daniel appeared in "Sophia's Depressed" as Sophia's twin sister, Bianca.
T. J. Thyne appeared in "Tuesday Comes Over" as Frank, Roger's boss.
