Point Place
| Point Place | |
|---|---|
| Country | USA |
| Genre | sitcom |
| Type | town |
| First appearance | That '70s Pilot (23 August 1998) |
| Last appearance | That '70s Finale (18 May 2006) |
Point Place is the fictional town in Wisconsin in which the television sitcom That '70s Show takes place. It is depicted as a typical suburban community, largely white and middle class. According to the episode "Hey Hey What Can I Do," Point Place's economy seems to be largely built around slaughtering (in fact, a later episode "Leaving Home Ain't Easy" reveals a roadway named "Slaughterhouse Way" because it leads to a slaughterhouse).
Over the course of the series, Point Place is depicted as a population center gradually evolving from an industrial town into a growing suburban city during the economic downturn of the mid-to-late 1970s. During the period between 1976 and 1980, small, locally owned businesses are forced to close as aggressive chain stores move in and rust-belt factories are shut down due to the fall in consumer demand. Other closings include the auto parts manufacturing plant (where Red Forman was a supervisor), a local appliance and electronics store, Bargain Bob's (owned and operated by Bob Pinciotti), the local Foto Hut chain (owned by Leo) and the Forman & Son muffler and auto repair shop (itself built in a former local muffler business). In their stead, large chain stores such as Price Mart and Muffler Master (which purchased the Forman & Son business) moved in and opened. During the eighth and final season, in contravention to this trend, the William Barnett-owned music chain Grooves is sold and closed, with the sole remaining store becoming the privately owned business of Barnett’s son, Steven Hyde.
The town is depicted as a somewhat rich town. Though Jackie thinks it looks like Paris, the town is often verbally bashed by some characters. Republican politics have been referenced as impacting the town: Jackie's dad, who was a local Republican politician (before landing in prison for financial crimes), organizes a campaign rally for President Ford in 1976, which is attended by much of the town, including both Eric's and Donna's parents. At the event, Red criticizes Ford for pardoning Nixon (though Red is later depicted as a Nixon diehard).
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