Point Place
Point Place is a small suburban fictional town in Wisconsin, located near Kenosha, in which the television sitcom That '70s Show takes place. The town is depicted as being very small, and the recurring joke is the town having a dismally low population. It's also small enough not to have a poor area as Hyde pointed out to Jackie "there's only that one house that needs to be painted" this is contradicted as Hyde is seen as being below the poverty line, although this is sometimes contradicted by other occurrences, such as the town having its own mall, library, courtyard, hotel (and a motel) and police and fire department. According to the episode "Hey Hey What Can I Do," Point Place's economy seems to be largely built around slaughtering (a later episode reveals a roadway named "Slaughterhouse Drive" due to the fact it leads to a slaughterhouse).
Over the course of the series, Point Place is depicted as the most populated city to have ever been built from a small industrial and suburban town into a growing city during the economic downturn of the mid-to-late '70s. 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 (who purchased the Forman & Son business) moved in and opened. The eighth and final season depicted a subtle turnaround in this trend with the William Barnett-owned music chain Grooves being 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. It is not really liked by most of the characters. Though Jackie thought it looks like Paris, France, a recurring gag is that the town is lightheartedly verbally bashed by some characters.
Although the location of Point Place within Wisconsin was never fixed on the program itself, the "FAQ" on the program's official Web site says, "Point Place is a fictional suburb of Green Bay, Wisconsin. This is why many Wisconsinites may recognize names of nearby towns such as Kenosha."[1] This seemed to be directly contradicted by concrete information given in several episodes,[2] such as the fact in one episode ("The Velvet Rope") it was possible to drive to Chicago, attend a party, and drive back in the course of a few hours; and in another Kelso explicitly states that Chicago is a two hour drive from Point Place. Over the course of the series many local businesses and events were identified as being in or taking place in Kenosha (Kenosha is actually 155 miles, or 249 km, from Green Bay). The name Point Place was chosen for the town because co-creator Bonnie Turner is from Toledo, Ohio where there is a section of town called Point Place. Additionally, The State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation updated a Highway Sign on I-94 to reflect an exit for Point Place outside of Kenosha. Whether or not this was done as a joke is unknown, although they removed another city from the Highway sign.
Points of interest
- The Auto Parts Plant - The unseen place where Red works during the beginning of the series, but later gets laid off.
- The Forman Residence - The main setting for most of the series' scenes. The Forman family home is more than home to Red, Kitty, Eric and Laurie. Most of the main cast members have stayed with the Formans at least once. Hyde was permanently taken in when his mother skipped town. Fez stayed with them while Immigration services conducted an investigation on him. Jackie would sneak into the basement to stay with Hyde when her father was sent to prison and her mother was nowhere to be found. Donna would spend the night with Eric on occasion and even Bob needed sanctuary after being kicked out by Midge. Kelso requested to stay in Laurie's room after Betsy was born to keep her safe from his rowdy brothers and all of the dogs in the Kelso home. Most of the scenes in the series were shot in the Forman's home, most notably the basement. Some of the most pivotal moments in Eric and Donna's relationship occur as they recline on the hood of the Vista Cruiser in the Forman driveway.
- The Hub — Point Place's local teen hangout, a tiny short-order diner renowned amongst Point Place's youth for its French fries. While the pilot depicted it as being a toned-down version of a cowboy bar, subsequent episodes presented it as a 1950s-style soda fountain. Earlier episodes depicted it as containing a small pinball arcade primarily featuring the Williams pinball game "Travel Time".[3] The Hub also had fake wood paneling and what appears to be a large peace sign painted on the wall behind the jukebox, although as the series progressed and video games rose in popularity, the machines were removed and replaced by a Space Invaders cabinet (a change the manager made after Fez told him that kids like space invaders better), and the Hub was painted, replacing the wood with a simple white wall.
- Bowling Alley-An unnamed bowling alley the male members of the gang like to go for "beer bowling" and Laurie for making out behind.
- The Water Tower — Point Place's signature landmark and a popular after-hours hangout spot for the town's youth, which has been repeatedly vandalized by the gang, including the painting of a pot leaf (although, it looks more like a hand giving the finger), one testicle, and the tag "MICHAEL + JACKIE" (which was later repainted erroneously into "MICHAEL + FEZ"). Someone falling off the tower every time the characters climb the tower is a running gag. Every major male character except for Randy Pearson, Bob Pinciotti and Red fell off the tower at some point during the series' run; in Kelso's case, multiple times. Charlie Richardson is the only known person to have died from falling off the water tower (since his death, the Tower was renamed as Charlie Richardson Memorial Water Tower). The ones from the gang who fall off it rarely end up in a hospital, the most times they get away with scratches and bruises (To which Kelso once remarked "Screw that, I'm invincible!" after falling off the tower shortly after Charlie's death). The tower was also the site of Eric and Donna's engagement. In the final episode, Fez, Hyde and Kelso decide to jump off together as a way to end the '70s (Although Fez and Hyde trick Kelso and Kelso is the only one to jump). Kelso claims to have fallen off the water tower in every grade (as Hyde put it,"a record that will stand until his son goes to school".
- Fotohut — The town's photo developing lab (based on Fotomat). It was located in a small shack in a grocery store parking lot. The business was run by town hippie Leo with the assistance of Steven Hyde. Leo claimed owning some more of these huts, but forgot where they were. When Leo disappeared, Hyde, Kelso, Fez and Jackie discovered that everything from the Fotohut disappeared as well.
- Grooves — The town's record store, opened in the late 1970s as part of the invasion of chain stores into Point Place's formerly locally owned business scene. It was owned by Hyde's biological father, William "WB" Barnett, who sold the chain and gave Hyde the final remaining store in the final season. By the end of the series, it was run by Hyde with the help from Randy and Leo.
- Forman and Son's Muffler Shop — Red Forman's muffler shop which he opened in the seventh season. The name of the store is ironic, in that, Eric never worked there, though Red did offer Hyde a job. The shop is ultimately closed down in the eighth season after Red sells it to a big muffler chain and retires.
- Bargain Bob's — Bob Pinciotti's appliance store which is seen during the first three seasons. Red briefly works there as well, which is apparently the only store open on Christmas Eve. When Price-Mart comes to Point Place, Bob can't compete with them and is forced to close the store.
- Price-Mart — A one-stop shopping center akin to Wal-Mart which both Red and Eric work at during the second through fifth seasons; Red as an assistant manager and Eric as a stock boy. Eric is ultimately fired by Red after he announces he's engaged to Donna and Red leaves the store after suffering a heart attack at the end of the fifth season.
- WFPP {{{The Sound}}} — A small radio station specializing in 1970s pop music and hard rock. Donna worked there for most of the series as an intern and later a full time DJ. Her on-air nickname was Hot Donna.
- Point Place Church — An unnamed church attended by the Formans. The denomination was never stated; it had no priests and no apparent Catholic iconography, but it was attended by Bob and Midge Pinciotti, established Catholics. Services have been officiated by two different characters: Pastor Dave (Kevin MacDonald) and Pastor Dan (Billy Dee Williams).
- The Library -An unnamed library in Point Place. Brooke, the girl Kelso got pregnant at a Molly Hatchet concert, worked here. The male members of the gang thought it was just a parking lot for drinking beer in and a wall for leaning against (and for Fez peeing). The library has periodicals as well as every issue of Playboy since it began publication.
- Fatso Burger — A locally owned fast food restaurant and location of ridicule for Point Place's teens. Eric had his first job there, though he quit due to the job's high demand for his time. Both Red and Kitty went on dates on Friday nights there during their courtship. While Kitty became attached to the small-town charm of Fatso the Clown, Red believed they were just there to eat burgers.Bob Pinnciotti claims that he impregnated his wife Midge in the parking lot.It is not stated which of the Pinncioti children was conceived there. Fatso the Clown is stolen by the gang in the eighth season and is summarily destroyed (accidentally). The restaurant was once owned by Jack Burkhart, before he went to prison for bribery.
- Point Place High — the high school of the town. Every major character attended all four years here (except Randy, Donna, and Fez). The team name is the Vikings. Known as the town bomb shelter. Eric always has the best parking spot next to the exit. The high school resides at 2120 South Michigan Ave. Point Place, WI.
- Lady of Perpetual Sorrow — An unseen Catholic high school Donna attended in her senior year, and is established 10 miles (15 kilometers) from Eric's home.
- Old Maine — A grammar school most of the gang attended until it was burned down by arson, presumably by Hyde who claimed he was out of town that week. The gang once visited the remains on Halloween.
- Funland — An amusement park 12 miles from Eric's house. The gang tried to get Eric and Donna to go after their break up, but both declined (Eric was depressed while Fez asked Donna while he was in her bathroom). The mascot is Woofy the Funland Dog. It seems Kelso always gets lost here because "there's fun around every corner".
- The Reservoir — A popular hangout for the gang, mostly for skinny dipping. During one skinny dipping session the gang's clothes got stolen, forcing them to drive to Hyde's house naked.
- War Memorial Auditorium — A stadium built mainly for concerts. The gang saw Ted Nugent here once.
- Mount Hump — A mountain popular as a destination to have sex. Donna and Eric planned to have their wedding here. During the planning, they accidentally destroyed Kelso's van. The guys try to row a canoe down the mountain once.
- The Lake — A lake nearby. The gang once camped out here. The police apparently once started a rumor that an alligator was in the lake, possibly to stop teens from skinny dipping.
- The Sleepytime Lodge- A motel "three pukeholes" down from the Hub.
- The Starlight Motel- A motel Red and Kitty went to on their wedding night and on their anniversary 25 years later.
- The Auto Salon — Red loves going there for car shows, much to Kitty's dismay, either to watch cars or brag about his Corvette (that he sold shortly afterward) or about his muffler shop.
- The Viking's Lounge — This is for elderly men what the Hub is for the youth. This is the place where elderly men, including Red (and, twice, Steven Hyde) hang out and hide from their wives. It is also known for having a sauna, where Hyde gets uncomfortable when the old men open their robes.
- That One House That Needs to be Painted — A house featuring a poor paint job that acts as that closest thing to a ghetto Point Place has.
- The Truck Stop - At the edge of town. Eric ends up there while filming his movie. He and Leo can't pay their tab with money so they use another currency.
- Fez's Apartment - At first he shares the apartment with Kelso. After Kelso moves to Chicago, Jackie moves in. Red takes delight in messing up their apartment when they first move in. Fenton, being the landlord, lives below them.
- Eric Forman's Basement - The Forman's basement, Eric's Batcave, frequently used as a hang-out of the gang. The recurring 'circle' is normally seen in the Forman's basement, where the gang gets high.
- The Kelso House - Where Michael and Casey, two of the Kelso brothers live.
- The Burkhart House - The planning session for President Ford's visit is held here. Jackie lives at this house until her father goes to prison.
- Holiday Hotel- A hotel in Point Place where the high school job fair takes place. It is here that Hyde meets up with Roy Keene, his former "Big Brother", and takes a job as a hotel kitchen worker under Roy's supervision. It is here that Kelso gets involved with the Point Place Police Academy during the job fair and in the interim takes a job as a bus boy for the hotel. Eric is in need of cash to support his family and make money to marry Donna and wins the title of waiter in a competition against Kelso. Nurses conventions and weddings are frequently held at the Holiday Hotel. Presumably based on Holiday Inn.
- Point Place Shopping Mall- Houses many of Point Places retail amenities such as The Cheese Palace where Jackie took her first job as Cheese Maiden. Halverson's department store is where Kelso got an underwear modeling job. The jewelry store is where the character Fenton is introduced, and it is mentioned he worked at the lingerie store before that. There is also a bridal store where Jackie goes every week to try on wedding dresses. The mall is one of Jackie's favorite places to be so she can pretend she is a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader and sign autographs for 6th graders. Midge thinks the mall is a great place to wear White Shoulders perfume. Based on the glory days of '70s shopping malls.
- Le Motel - The French motel where Casey Kelso takes Donna. During which, Eric is worried, he thinks that Casey & Donna are going to "do it". Hyde makes sure they don't by pulling the fire alarm all night. Kelso points out that the hotel is actually located in nearby Kenosha.
- Point Place Hospital- The town hospital where some of the major characters are sent for suffered injuries. Kelso is sent there after an allergic reaction to eggs (he drinks raw eggs to try and impress Jackie). It is also where most of the male characters go after falling off the water tower (though depending on the activity they may lie to their parents about it). Red is sent there after his heart attack at the end of season 5. Leo is sent there after a car accident where Fez drives into some crates which fall on top of Leo. It is presumably where Burt (Kitty's father) dies. Kitty Forman, in the beginning of the series, works at the hospital, and later quits. She soon wishes to go back and works there throughout the rest of the series. Eric goes to work with her in the episode "Career Day".
- Point Place Police Academy - The academy all new recruits for the Point Place Police force go to learn about police basics. Kelso attended here to become a cop, though temporarily transferred to an academy in Waukegan, Illinois after he accidentally burned down the one in Point Place during flare gun practice gone awry.
- Putt-Putt - Irish Al's Wee Golf, a mini-golf course where the minor character Mitch (Seth Green) worked. Kelso apparently vandalized the clown statue.
- The Dog Food Factory - Joanne's place of work where Eric also works for a while during the 5th season.
- Charlie's Bar - A bar in Point Place where some of the adults and possibly the teens hang out. On Red's last day of work at the auto parts plant, he joins his coworkers at the bar for one last drink. Ironically, this is the only time Red drinks with them here (the coworkers are presumably hated by Red but are friends with each other and apparently hang out here).
- Jeri's Fresh Hair - The hair salon which employs Fez in Season 7 and 8. It is also Donna Pinciotti's hair salon. Jackie Burkhart also works at the hair salon briefly.
- The Empty House on Sherman- An unowned house that was sold by Jackie's mother. Jackie stole the key, and it was used as Jackie and Kelso's "secret makeout place". It is later used as a hangout place for a keg party. The party was discovered by the local police, and is not seen past that episode, which is the only episode it is featured in.
- The Roller Disco Rink- A roller rink in the nearby Kenosha. A roller disco contest was held there, which Fez and Jackie competed in. Later, it is discovered Eric dances/skates there on Wednsdays under the nickname "Rainbow", much to his embarrassment.
References