Eric's Burger Job
- Episode aired Sep 27, 1998
- TV-14
- 22m
Eric gets a job at Fatso Burger and can't spend time with Donna, who's planning a party at the end of the week.Eric gets a job at Fatso Burger and can't spend time with Donna, who's planning a party at the end of the week.Eric gets a job at Fatso Burger and can't spend time with Donna, who's planning a party at the end of the week.
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaLaura Prepon's character (Donna) originally had two sisters. One sister, Tina, appeared in the episode "Eric's Burger Job", and the other, Valerie, was mentioned in "Eric's Birthday". Much like Chuck Cunningham from "Happy Days (1974)", they were quickly phased out and never seen or mentioned again.
- GoofsIn this episode, set in 1976, Kelso shows up at Donna's party, which he mistook as toga-themed. He recites the famous chant from the film, "Animal House", which was not released until 1978. Of course, "Animal House" didn't invent the chant, it simply reflected what had previously been chanted at toga parties for years.
- Quotes
Ricky: Why do you want a career at Fatso Burger?
Eric: I think it will be a wonderful experience.
Michael Kelso: My girlfriend's dad owns it.
Fez: I love the uniforms.
Steven Hyde: To unite the workers, man.
Ricky: What do you consider to be your best quality?
Eric: I'm a real people person.
Steven Hyde: I don't answer stupid questions.
Fez: I speak Dutch.
Michael Kelso: My eyes. Oh, and I guess my butt, too.
Ricky: Name something about yourself that is a weakness.
Eric: I allow people to boss me around.
Fez: I love chocolate.
Steven Hyde: I'm brutally honest. Pinhead.
Michael Kelso: Um...
[falls backward in chair]
Ricky: Where do you see yourself in five years?
Eric: Fatso Burger.
Fez: Covered in gold chains.
Michael Kelso: Rock star. No, movie star. No, yeah, rock star.
Steven Hyde: Prison.
- SoundtracksDo You Feel Like We Do (Live Version)
Written by Peter Frampton (uncredited), Mickey Gallagher (uncredited), Rick Wills (uncredited) and John Siomos (uncredited)
Performed by Peter Frampton
When her parents go away for the weekend there's a party at Donna's house, but the only person she really wants to attend is stuck working late at his new job. This fifth episode of "That '70s Show" derives much of its humor from the familiarity principle: everyone's been in similar situations to what Eric Forman is going through. Let's face it, who hasn't begun their working life with a menial job such as being employed by a fast food restaurant (or a retail outlet, or a grocery store, or a video store, etc.)? It really hits home for a lot of us and that's what makes this piece so funny.
Fatso Burger in itself is another testament to that sense of familiarity with its scarily generic set design and recognizably mundane color schematic. There's even a cookie cutter employer molded out of guest star Danny Bonaduce (who found fame in the actual seventies by appearing on another popular sitcom, "The Partridge Family"). Throw in a goofy, mock informational training video, replete with grainy black-and-white, and the scenario is concluded.
Things are also coming together nicely cast-wise for this installment. Danny Masterson has started to imbue more sincere (and sincerely endearing) sarcasm into his role of Hyde while Topher Grace (as Eric) has finally found the balance between indecisive square and altruistic centerpiece. Even Ashton Kutcher has expanded his dim bulb routine for Kelso; paying particular attention to the crafting of the job interview sequence using understated gestures and vocal patterns for maximum effect. There's still room for Kurtwood Smith to steal the one liner's spotlight as well with his slaughterhouse joke near the beginning of the program (though the introduction of Wilmer Valderrama's trademark catchphrase "it gives me needs" deserves an honorable mention, too). Last but not least, this is the episode that features Donna's famous disappearing sister Tina (played by pretty jailbait Amanda Fuller), who would never be seen again in the series' run. Overall, "Eric's Burger Job" hits almost as many high notes as one chapter of a sitcom can, making it a wonderful addition to the incredible first season.
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- berringercross
- Jun 25, 2010