That '80s Show is an American television sitcom set in 1984 that aired from January to May 2002 on Fox. Even though it had a similar name, show structure, and many of the same writers and production staff, it was not actually a spin-off of That '70s Show. The characters and storylines from the two shows never crossed paths. It was a separate decade-based show created as a result of That '70s Show's popularity at the time.^[1] The show was cancelled after 13 episodes.

Freaks and Geeks, a show that aired on NBC during the 1999–2000 television season, was called That '80s Show by fans and critics for its similarities to That '70s Show.^[2] When asked about That '70s Show entering the 1980s, after Fox renewed the show for seasons three and four in December 1999, show creator Mark Brazill said "we'll have to change the name to That '80s Show."^[3]

That '80s Show began development by August 2001, using the same creative team from That '70s Show.^[4] Fox wanted to do a spin-off of That '70s Show, but moved ahead with a show about a different decade.^[5] In November 2001, Fox announced That '80s Show would premiere on January 23, 2002,^[6] as a midseason replacement.^[7] In developing the show, executive producer Linda Wallem said "This show really came out of conversations we had while working on 'That '70s Show.' We were talking about what we had been doing in the '80s and found that we had all been in pretty much the same situation, supporting ourselves with jobs we hated but really burning to be in show business. But, of course, for most people, the '80s were all about going out and getting your share of the money pie, so our characters are people who constantly are being pulled between their artistic dreams and commercial reality."^[8] Wallem, along with Mark Brazill and Terry Turner, created the show, and other executive producers included Marcy Carsey and Tom Werner.^[9] The costume designer, Melina Root, who also worked on That '70s Show, researched fashion magazines, merchandising catalogs, and yearbooks from the 1980s to find ideas for clothing the characters on the show could wear.^[10]

Stand-up comic Margaret Smith was cast for That '80s Show in October 2001.^[11] Fox announced the rest of the cast (Chyler Leigh, Brittany Daniel, Glenn Howerton, Tinsley Grimes, and Eddie Shin) in December 2001. The show cast relatively unknown actors similarly to the cast of That '70s Show.^[12] Daniel, who portrayed Sophia in That '80s Show, had a guest starring role on That '70s Show in an episode that aired the day before That 80s Show premiered. She played Eric Forman's cousin Penny in the episode "Eric's Hot Cousin".^[9] Howerton and Grimes grew up in Montgomery, Alabama, at the same time, but had not met before being cast as siblings on the show.^[13]

It debuted January 23, 2002, and the final episode aired May 29, 2002. Its regular time slot was on Wednesday nights at 8:00/7:00 Central on the Fox Network.^[12]

The show is set in 1984 and revolves around the lives of a group of friends in their 20s living in San Diego, California.^[14][15] The show follows the lives of struggling musician Corey Howard and his associates, friends, and family. His working (and eventual romantic) relationship with June Tuesday is also a focal point, and becomes the main anchor of the show after a few episodes. Later episodes focused on the culture clash between Corey and June's lifestyles. Various tidbits of 1980s culture and music are sprinkled in throughout each episode. As with That '70s Show, several celebrities from the decade guest starred in several episodes.

Episodes took place at different locations throughout the day. Scenes would take place at Club Berlin, a dance club; Permanent Record, the record store where Corey and June worked; Videx, an office owned by R. T.; and the family home, along with the occasional car trip.

The theme song is a 15-second snippet of "Eighties" by Killing Joke, with the opening credit sequence (and screens used to transition from scene to scene) consisting of a hand flipping through a row of vinyl records, each with artwork of a cast member's face and name.

That '80s Show failed to gain a wide audience during its original run, and low ratings eventually caused Fox to cancel it after 13 episodes on May 17, 2002, before the final episode aired on May 29.^[44]