That '70s Show

That ’70s Show: 10 Best Characters To Only Appear In One Episode

That '70s Show has some truly legendary main characters, but it's also had some equally memorable minor characters throughout its 8 season run.

So far, the only confirmed characters to return for the upcoming reboot of That ’70s Show, appropriately titled That ’90s Show, are Red and Kitty Forman, but with so many great characters throughout the show’s 8 season run you can’t help but wonder who else might return or make a cameo. The iconic characters of That ’70s Show and their development throughout the show played a large role in its staying power and the cult following it eventually developed.

From some of TV’s most beloved parents to a legendary stoner whose bad influence is projected on the rest of the group, the main characters of the show are unforgettable.  However, with some truly talented actors providing cameos, the minor characters of the show were equally memorable and important to its success.

10. Buddy Morgan – Season 1. Episode 11

Buddy Morgan’s only appearance in the show occurred in season 1 episode 11, and provided fans with a legendary cameo from a young and talented Joseph-Gordon Levitt.  The episode was aptly titled, “Eric’s Buddy” as we see Eric and Buddy quickly develop a strong bond.  However, the relationship comes to a screeching halt by the end of the episode when Buddy makes a move on Eric, attempting to kiss him in his fancy car.  Despite promises by both characters to remain friends, Buddy is not seen or mentioned in the show again.  There were many rumors circulating at the time that Buddy was originally written as a reoccurring character, but the show received heavy audience backlash due to the idea of Buddy potentially taking Eric away from Donna.

9. Christine St. George – Season 8. Episode 3

Despite being an icon in the world of That ’70s Show, the infamous TV personality only appeared in season 8 episode 3. Christine St. George is the star and host of the TV show, What’s Up Wisconsin, as well as being Jackie Burkhart’s role model.  In the aforementioned episode, Christine hires Jackie as an assistant at the TV station, but ends up letting her go by the end of the episode.  Christine St. George is a perfect example of what Jackie would be like as a functioning adult if she lived out the rest of her life without ever changing. Much like Jackie, Christine is very confident, full of herself, and egotistical. Watching these two try and work together is truly a delight, and fans of the show who would have loved to see her arc extended.

8. Penny Sigurdson – Season 4. Episode 14

Penny Sigurdson is Eric’s cousin that pays the family a visit during season 4 episode 14 titled, “Eric’s hot cousin”. Eric and Penny have a rather combative past as it’s quickly revealed that they used to pull pranks on each other when they were kids.  Eric is completely uninterested in Penny’s visit until she arrives and he realizes she has grown up and become extremely attractive.

Even though she was firmly written off after the episode, It would have been great to see more of Penny as she truly gave a master class on prank pulling and manipulation in her only appearance on the show. Her impact on the show is undeniable as fans see the relationship between Eric and his sister develop into the same combative and manipulative dynamics.

7. Tina Pinciotti – Season 1. Episode 5

Even though Tina Pinciotti is actually the younger sister of one of the show’s main characters, Donna Pinciotti, she only appears in season 1 episode 5, “Eric’s burger job”.  The character is briefly mentioned a few other times in season 1 before eventually being written off the show. In the episode, Tina enjoys a house party Donna throws by flirting with Fez. The character was ultimately written out of the show, and in season 2, Donna mentions that she is an only child and Tina is never seen or brought up again. It’s doubtful that Tina would return for the reboot, but extended family of the main characters will more than likely come into play somehow.

6. Carolyn Rockwell – Season 6. Episode 7

Carolyn Rockwell, played by the legendary Morgan Fairchild, is the mother of Brooke Rockwell. You might remember Brook Rockwell as the librarian from seasons 6 and 7 that forms a relationship with Michael Kelso, and eventually has a baby with him.  Carolyn appears in season 6 episode 24 as she tries to get Brooke to move to Chicago instead of staying where she is and raising the baby with Kelso. It’s hard to imagine what having Kelso as a son-in-law would be like, but this episode is a great taste of the hilarity that would inevitably ensue. Carolyn also provides fans with a rare moment of maturity for Kelso as he, in a way, fights to be present in his kid’s life.

5. Earl Arthur – Season 2. Episode 24

Throughout the show’s 8 season run, Red Forman has had many coworkers, and people in general, that he disliked or didn’t get along with. However, the most memorable of Red’s adversaries was Earl Arthur. Played by the incredibly talented Robert Clendenin, Earl appears in Season 2 Episode 24 as Red’s forgetful, lazy, and lying employee at Price Mart.

Earl always has the same excuse, that his dog got hit by a car, ready to go when he shows up late for work. Earl stands out because he inadvertently provides one of the show’s rare bonding moments between Red and Eric as Red realizes that even Eric isn’t as lazy as Earl, and Red even ends up giving Eric more responsibility at Price Mart.

4. Theo – Season 4. Episode 5

Theo is the cousin of the show’s resident stoner and Photo Hut operator, Leo. Leo, played by Tommy Chong, and Theo, played by Richard Karn, are a dynamic duo of cousins that truly deserved more than one episode.  Theo’s only appearance is in season 4 episode 5 as the two attempt to redecorate the Forman’s basement. In complete Leo fashion, they spend the day doing basically nothing and being completely unproductive, and the end result is exactly what you would expect from this duo. Leo is definitely one of the most likable main characters on That ’70s Show, and fans would have loved to find out more about him and his family. Fingers crossed that Leo, or any of his family members, at least make a cameo in the reboot.

3. David Milbank – Season 1. Episode 20

David Milbank, played by Scott Whyte, is the son of the owner of the auto parts plant that Red works at in the beginning of the series.  Despite being a great antagonist, David’s run on the show was very short, only appearing in season 1 episode 20. David and Eric are immediately at odds as David is described on the show as ‘hunky’ and has the hots for Donna, but Red forces eric to take the high road as he is his bosses’ son. David provides fans with one of Eric’s rare displays of machismo and toughness as he ends up punching David by the end of the episode. However, David was firmly written off after the episode.

2. Stacy Wanamaker – Season 7. Episode 12

Stacy Wanamaker is one of the few characters idolized by almost everyone in the gang. Donna is just about the only person who isn’t crazy about her, understandably so, as Eric considers her one of the hottest girls in town. Stacy, played by the talented Jenna Fischer before her incredibly famous role as Pam in The Office, appeared in season 7 episode 12 as Jackie questions her future with Hyde and takes Fez as her date to a wedding. Stacy’s role was very short-lived, but stuck with fans due to the performance by Fischer, and the impression the character had on the whole gang.

1. John Kelso – Season 1. Episode 18

John Kelso is the father of the infamous Michael Kelso. Despite how incredible all the main characters of this show are, Michael Kelso undoubtably stands at the top as one of the greatest characters of the show.  Ashton Kutcher’s work as Kelso has led to a long and successful acting and producing career, after the show’s finale in 2006.  Despite the importance of Kelso to the show, fans only see his father once in season 1 episode 18. John shows up for career day at the school, and it’s obvious just how different the two are as John describes his incredibly boring job to the class. Despite the boring nature of the character, fans of the show would love to find out more about the Kelso family.

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