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That ’70s Showremains one of the most beloved sitcoms, bringing the nostalgia of the 1970s to audiences through the eyes of a group of teenage friends in fictional Point Place, Wisconsin.That ‘70s Showboasted of a stellar cast, in addition to Topher Grace as well.
It proved to be the first big sitcom role for one Ashton Kutcher, who starred alongside his former wife Mila Kunis. While Kutcher played the role of Michael Kelso, Kunis portrayed Jackie Burkhart.
Running from 1998 to 2006, the show’s charm came from the authentic dynamics of its characters, which also includes the protagonist Eric Forman, played by Topher Grace.
However, Grace’s exit after Season 7 left fans with questions about why he left and how his departure impacted the show. This article explores the reasons behind Grace’s decision, the repercussions for the series, and his eventual return in the spin-off, “That ’90s Show.”
Topher Grace’s Decision to LeaveThat ’70s Show
One of the main reasons for Topher Grace’s departure fromThat ’70s Showwas his desire to expand his career into film. As Eric Forman, Grace had already spent seven seasons in his first significant acting role. Yet, during this time, he also managed to take on a few movie roles, including parts inTraffic,Ocean’s Eleven, andMona Lisa Smile. These brief film experiences sparked a strong interest in pursuing a career on the big screen. However, due to the rigorous schedule of a television series, Grace was limited in how much he could explore this avenue while committed to the show.
In 2004, Grace starred as the romantic lead inWin a Date with Tad Hamilton!, which encouraged him to dive deeper into the film industry. Although leaving a hit show was a gamble, Grace saw it as the only way to pursue his aspirations fully. His next big break came with the opportunity to play Eddie Brock, aka Venom, inSpider-Man 3(2007), a role that was notably different from hisThat ’70s Showcharacter. As a major villain in the Spider-Man universe, Venom allowed Grace to showcase his versatility and take on darker, more challenging roles.
How Eric Forman’s Exit ImpactedThat ’70s Show’sFinal Season
Without Eric Forman,That ’70s Showfaced significant changes in its final season. Eric’s character had been integral to the show’s plot and relationships, with much of the story centered on his coming-of-age journey and relationship with Donna Pinciotti (Laura Prepon). The creators attempted to address Grace’s absence by sending Eric off to Africa for a teaching opportunity, leaving Donna and his friends to adjust to life without him. This departure felt rushed and left fans longing for Eric’s presence. The situation was undoubtedly made worse by the introduction of new characters,
To fill the void left by Eric, the show introduced Randy Pearson (Josh Meyers), a new character who took on the “cool guy” persona. However, Randy’s charm and confidence contrasted sharply with Eric’s awkward, relatable qualities. Fans found it difficult to accept Randy as part of the group, and his romance with Donna felt forced, failing to capture the chemistry that Eric and Donna shared. The season’s rushed storylines and the lack of cohesion within the group led to criticism, with many viewers feeling that the show had lost its essence.
Attempts to Replace Eric Forman: Why They Didn’t Work
The creators ofThat ’70s Showtried multiple strategies to replace Eric’s character, but none resonated with fans. Initially, the character of Charlie (Bret Harrison) was introduced toward the end of Season 7 as a potential replacement. However, Harrison left the show for another project, leading the writers to kill off Charlie’s character in an off-screen accident. The next attempt came with Randy Pearson, who debuted in Season 8 as a laid-back, friendly addition to the group. Randy was positioned as Eric’s replacement and even pursued a romantic relationship with Donna.
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Randy’s character, however, was too polished and self-assured to fit seamlessly with the rest of the cast. While Eric’s endearing flaws made him a relatable character, Randy’s lack of vulnerabilities and his smooth demeanor made it hard for fans to connect with him. The series finale essentially admitted that Randy and Charlie’s characters were unsuccessful replacements, as neither left a lasting impact on the show’s legacy.
Furthermore, Randy was given a romantic arc alongside Laura Prepon’s Donna Pincioti. That, further worked against the creators, considering the kind of familiarity audiences had developed for the protagonists Donna and Eric. While the consensus was that the two will end up together at the show’s conclusion, the introduction of newer arcs led to further frustration amongst fans.
In the end, Grace was given a bit of a return in the series finale. After spending an entire season off-screen, he ended up getting together with Donna in the show’s final episode.
Topher Grace’s Return in the Series Finale andThat ’90s Show
Despite Grace’s departure, he returned briefly for the series finale, reuniting Eric and Donna and offering closure for fans. This short, uncredited appearance allowed viewers to witness Eric’s reconciliation with Donna, a resolution that many fans had hoped for. The finale was bittersweet but brought a satisfying end to Eric’s storyline within the original series.
In 2023, Grace once again reprised his role as Eric Forman in Netflix’s spin-offThat ’90s Show, which follows his daughter, Leia Forman, as she navigates her teenage years in Point Place during the 1990s. The show’s creators brought back several original cast members, including Grace, Laura Prepon, Ashton Kutcher, and Mila Kunis, to capture the nostalgic essence of the original series. Eric and Donna are now parents, with Eric as a Star Wars-loving adjunct professor and Donna fulfilling her dream of becoming a writer. Their appearances in the spin-off allow fans to reconnect with the beloved characters, and Eric’s scenes reveal that he has evolved while maintaining his core personality traits.
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Topher Grace’s exit fromThat ’70s Showmarked a pivotal moment for the series, leaving an irreplaceable gap that impacted its final season. Grace’s departure to pursue a film career underscored his ambition and dedication to exploring diverse roles, and while his film journey faced some initial challenges, he successfully built a varied portfolio, including roles inInterstellarandBlacKkKlansman. Yet, despite his success in film, Grace’s portrayal of Eric Forman remains one of his most iconic roles.
Grace’s return for the series finale and his involvement inThat ’90s Showdemonstrates his respect for the character that launched his career. Eric Forman’s story came full circle, leaving fans with a renewed appreciation for the character’s growth and Grace’s contribution to the show’s success. Of course, the character continues to play a major role inThat ‘90s Show,which primarily focusses on Erik and Donna’s daughter, Leia Forman, played by Callie Haverda.
The name of course, was also a nod to the love Erik Forman had for theStar Warssaga, which led to him naming their daughter Leia. Regardless, althoughThat ’70s Showfaced a challenging final season without its central character, the legacy of Eric Forman endures, continuing to connect with fans across generations.
Rishabh Bhatnagar
Editor/Reviewer
Articles Published :315
Rishabh Bhatnagar is an Entertainment and pop culture journalist/editor with Fandom Wire. He has more than 6 years of experience working for multiple major platforms and is himself an avid consumer of worthwhile content. A natural storyteller, Rishabh has a unique way with words and is always looking to improve, as a storyteller, writer, and a journalist.
