That '70s Pilot

Original Airdate:	August 23, 1998
Writers:	Bonnie Turner, Terry Turner, Mark Brazill
Director:	Terry Hughes

Eric's parents give him their old Vista Cruiser station wagon, and, against his dad's orders, Eric takes his five friends out of town to a Todd Rundgren concert. On the way, the battery dies, and they're forced to give up two tickets to get a replacement.

Eric, Kelso, Donna and Hyde, all high school juniors, are hanging out in Eric's basement while his parents are entertaining friends upstairs, including Bob and Midge Pinciotti, Donna's parents. Eric goes upstairs to try to snag some beers, and hears his dad complaining that he can't get a decent trade-in offer on his Vista Cruiser. Eric volunteers to take it off his hands and hurries to tell his friends there may be a car in his future. The next day, the kids are impatiently awaiting news of the Vista Cruiser, because they need transportation to the Todd Rungren concert in Milwaukee. Kelso says that if they're really desperate they can take his girlfriend Jackie along, because she can get her dad's car. Everyone says no way, because Jackie's a pain, but Jackie, overhearing them, wants to be included. Kelso caves in and says that of course he wants her to go. Eric is desperately longing for the car, but still has no idea whether or not it's going to be his. Eric, Donna, Jackie, Kelso, Hyde and Fez, a foreign exchange student, are at The Hub. Hyde asks Kelso how much longer they're going to have to deal with Jackie's presence, and Kelso assures him that he's about to break up with her; Hyde says it'll never happen, since Kelso's whipped. Jackie asks Donna about her relationship with Eric; when Donna says they're just friends, Jackie advises her to make a move on him. After the prerequisite lecture on the privileges and responsibilities of car ownership, Red and Kitty tell Eric they're giving him the car. It's the night of the concert, and Donna arrives looking stunning. As the six are about to leave, Red warns Eric that since the car is so old, there are to be no trips out of town. Everyone tells Eric it's no problem, because his dad will never find out; Eric's not so sure, but heads for Milwaukee anyway. Back at the house red tells Kitty that he's convinced the kids are on their way out of town, since he just finished telling Eric not to. Later, the kids are at a gas station wondering what to do about the car's dead battery. Calling home is not an option, and they have no money. Randy, the gas station guy, offers to trade a new battery for two concert tickets, and a deal is struck. The losers are Jackie and Kelso. Outside the concert Jackie maneuvers Kelso into reluctantly saying he doesn't want to break up; Jackie assures him that he needs her. And later Eric tells Donna what a great night he had, and she gives him an unexpected kiss.

"Love Will Keep Us Together" by Captain & Tennille
"Jackie Blue" by Ozark Mountain Daredevils
"Space Truckin'" by Deep Purple
"I Saw the Light" by Todd Rundgren
"Hello It's Me" by Todd Rundgren