The Circle

The Circle
The animated circle
Est.	1972/1973
Members	Eric Forman Steven Hyde Michael Kelso Fez Donna Pinciotti Jackie Burkhart
Visitors	Laurie Forman Mitch Miller Schatzi Mr. Wilkinson Randy Pearson Leo
Activities	Erm...
Location	The Forman Basement

"The oil companies control everything. Like there's this guy who invented this car that runs on water, man. It's got a fiberglass, air-cooled engine and it runs on water, man!”

—Hyde's classic circle moment

The Circle is a popular setting on FOX comedy That '70s Show, where the '70s teens smoke pot in Eric's basement.

About

The Circle is a way for the creators to showcase a vital component of the '70s – smoking weed. According to the show creators, the blunt or joint is passed around ahead of the person speaking on camera, thus never shown. The circle usually takes place in the basement and features four people, though these rules are bent on occasion. On special occasions, the circle has been used to show the characters partaking in consuming other things than weed, such as dinner, alcohol, ice cream, cigars, hash brownies (accidentally) or nothing at all. During such scenes, adults also participate.

On occasion, the circle scenes are followed by scenes where the characters act sober while being still high, but more often that not, no one seems to suffer any ill effects after the fact. A notable case was the second-to-last episode where a particularly potent "stash" was acquired by the gang when Fez's friend from his homeland visited. Hyde actually quit smoking for a period of time because he got too high.

Rules

The circle is not:

• An area where people can talk about their feelings.
• A place where people can cry.
• For the faint of heart.
• A place where people can grope each other.

But it is:

• Where laughing occurs.
• Where random stuff is discussed.
• Where some of the dumbest decisions are made.
• Very candid.
• One of the most well-known elements of the show.
• A place to sing random songs.

Quotes

Hyde – I would be so pissed at you if I had the ability to feel anger right now...thank God I don't!

Fez – You know guys, sometimes I wish we were cartoon teenagers

Hyde – Zoinks. That'd be super, Fez

Kelso – Alright, guys...I have a confession...I do shave my legs. I just love the way it feels!

Hyde – Man, when two people break up, it's the saddest thing...except for right now, when it's funny!

Hyde – Dude, I can't close my mouth...This is freakin' me out, man!

Hyde – Hahahaa, ohh weather kicks ass

Hyde – I'll see you guys later, I have somewhere I really need to be (gets up from The Circle with Donna and Jackie and goes to another Circle with Fez, Kelso, and Eric). Hey guys sorry I'm late, I had somewhere I really needed to be

Kelso – You know what's a funny word? Pickle-Weasel!

Kelso – Russia has Death Rays aiming at the White House

Trivia

• During most of season 1, the circle only featured Eric, Kelso, Hyde and Fez. Donna joined in in the episode "Hyde Moves In". Jackie joined the circle next season, in the episode "Cat Fight Club".
• The episode "Substitute" holds the record for the most people in a circle at once, with seven. The episode "5:15" holds the record for the least people in a circle, with only one.
• Schatzi is the only non-human that has partaken in the circle .
• Every character that was part of the main cast over the course of the show's eight seasons sat in the circle at least once.
• During the final season, the opening credits feature the main characters sitting in a circle, instead of driving around in the Vista Cruiser.
• The only episodes to feature the whole gang in a circle were Class Picture, I'm a Boy, Substitute and That '70s Finale.
• You don't see them smoke pot, because they don't set a bad example to the viewers. They had the brown bag, but you don't see them smoke pot.
• They also drink beer or smoke cigars in the circle.
• They never refer to their pot by name, always calling it their "stash".

Media

And in one special episode, the parents get high

That 70's Show - HIP

e1s2 "Garage Sale"