Randy Pearson

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Randy Pearson (born 1959 or 1960) is a fictional character introduced during the eighth and final season of That '70s Show. He was played by Josh Meyers.

Randy represented the turning point from the mindset of the 1970s to the mindset of the 1980s (enjoying music by Journey), still laid back but developing distinct yuppie tendencies and critical of the Jimmy Carter administration. He is hired by Steven Hyde to help run the record store, and also becomes a love interest for Donna Pinciotti (Laura Prepon).

The Randy character was introduced primarily as a replacement for Eric Forman and Michael Kelso, as the actors who played them, Topher Grace and Ashton Kutcher, chose to leave the series after the seventh season. The writers originally hired Josh Meyers to play Eric. The difference in appearance would have been explained by claiming he had returned home from Africa "a changed man". They eventually thought better of this idea, and Randy Pearson was created. Randy was widely disliked by fans, and pointed to as another sign of the series having jumped the shark.

Randy dated Donna for about half of the final season. At first, they insist they are "just friends", but Fez and Jackie get suspicious that Donna is cheating on Eric. It turns out Eric had broken up with Donna, and Randy was being the rebound person. Donna becomes irritated that Randy is a "man slut" (he has apparently dated a lot of women). When Bob Pinciotti announces he is selling the house, Randy offers to let Donna live with him. At first she agrees, but later breaks up with him.

That '70s Show
Characters
Jackie Burkhart | Fez | Eric Forman | Kitty Forman | Laurie Forman | Red Forman | Steven Hyde | Casey Kelso | Michael Kelso | Leo | Randy Pearson | Midge and Bob Pinciotti | Donna Pinciotti | Recurring characters
Other topics
List of episodes | Point Place | That '80s Show