Watch That 80's Show

That 80's Show was a sitcom that aired on FOX in 2002. Set in San Diego, California in 1984, the show followed a group of young adults as they navigated through their lives during this iconic decade of pop culture. The main character, Corey Howard, played by Glenn Howerton, is a struggling musician who creates his own band called "The Electric Shoes". He lives with his sister Katie, played by Tinsley Grimes, and his father RT, played by Geoff Pierson, who runs a record store called "Permanent Records".

Corey's best friend is Roger, played by Eddie Shin, who always seems to be on the prowl for the latest and greatest gadgets. Meanwhile, Margaret Smith played the role of Margaret, Corey's boss at "Permanent Records", who is described as being extremely strict and always keeping Corey on his toes. Last but not least, Brittany Daniel played Sophia, a young woman who Corey falls for who just happens to work for their competition.

The show captured the essence of the 1980s perfectly, showcasing many of the era's most celebrated fads and cultural landmarks. There were references to Yuppies, a term used to describe young and successful urban professionals, MTV, Rubik's Cubes, leg warmers, big hair, shoulder pads, the obsession with exercise, and the Cold War, which was always in the forefront of people's minds. The show also introduced other notable characters, including a punk-rock ex-girlfriend and RT's hippie girlfriend, giving an added layer of depth to the classic sitcom formula.

That 80's Show didn't shy away from the more controversial aspects of the decade either. Characters were shown smoking in public and a storyline emerged where Corey contemplated sleeping with a married woman. The show even depicted smoking marijuana, which was groundbreaking given the strict censorship laws of the time. However, these scenes were not meant to promote these behaviors but rather to accurately capture the times which the show's audience had experienced first-hand.

The show had a similar feel to FOX's previous sitcom hit, That 70's Show, which was set a decade earlier. Both shows utilized a laugh track, a throwback to the sitcoms of the past. One marked difference was the use of music, while both shows featured music from their respective decades, the musical cues were subtler in That 80's Show than its predecessor.

However, despite the similarities to That 70's Show, That 80's Show failed to find an audience and was swiftly cancelled after one season. It was the first spin-off of its kind on TV, and critics were harsh, comparing it unfavorably to its predecessor. It was also at a time when American audiences were tuning out of sitcoms altogether, with only Friends and other established comedy shows managing to make it in the ratings.

In the end, That 80's Show was too short-lived to gain the cult following enjoyed by That 70's Show. However, it still holds a place in television history as a time capsule of one of the most colorful and memorable decades in recent history. It was a show that captured the essence of a culturally complex era and was a marvel to watch for anyone who grew up in the 1980s. Although it was criticized for feeling a bit derivative of other shows, That 80's Show was still a fun and interesting show that managed to entertain audiences during its brief time on the air, and it can still be enjoyed as a nostalgia trip for fans of the '80s.