The Mind-Blowing Guest Appearance That Shook Up TV: Joseph Gordon-Levitt's Cameo in That '70s Show

Summary

The Joseph Gordon-Levitt That '70s Show appearance was groundbreaking as it featured the first-ever male-male kissing scene on North American primetime TV.

The audience's response to the kiss varied, but it served as a lesson in representation and shed light on the difficulties that LGBTQ+ individuals encountered during the 1970s. Taking Eric's negative reaction into account, the franchise implemented a greater emphasis on respectful and inclusive queer representation in the subsequent series, That '90s Show.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt's appearance on That '70s Show is often regarded as a groundbreaking moment in television. In the 1998 episode titled "Eric's Buddy," Gordon-Levitt portrayed Buddy Morgan, a popular and wealthy student who becomes Eric Forman's lab partner. Buddy's charismatic charm and impressive car quickly captivate Eric, leading to them spending a significant amount of time together. It is during this time that Eric realizes Buddy's true feelings for him: Buddy is gay and has developed a crush on Eric. Perceiving Eric's discussion about his complicated relationship with Donna Pinciotti as a potential indication of his own sexuality, Buddy decides to make a heartfelt move and kisses Eric. Shocked and completely taken aback, Eric reveals the encounter to his friends, but unfortunately, Buddy is never seen again on the show. Despite its brevity, Joseph Gordon-Levitt's role on That '70s Show holds immense significance in the history of television.

Why Joseph Gordon-Levitt's Cameo On That '70s Show Was So Groundbreaking

The kissing scene between Joseph Gordon-Levitt and his co-star on That '70s Show marked a significant moment in North American primetime TV. This 1998 scene preceded another gay kiss on Dawson's Creek by only a few months. While it wasn't the first gay kiss on TV, as there had been previous shows featuring two women kissing, it still carried great importance for the cast and crew. Unfortunately, the reaction from fans varied, leading to rumors that Gordon-Levitt's character would not have a recurring role on the show due to audience reception.

Some viewers were not offended by the kiss itself, but rather by Eric's exaggerated response to Buddy's sexuality. Critics also pointed out that the kiss and subsequent reaction were played for comedic purposes. On the other hand, Buddy portrayed a sense of self-acceptance and pride in his identity, which was something Gordon-Levitt valued greatly. The setting of the series in the '70s, a time when homosexuality was often not accepted, also contributed to the episode's significance. In any case, this particular episode of That '70s Show served as an important lesson in representation for all involved.

What Joseph Gordon-Levitt Said About His That '70s Show Role

When it comes to the Joseph Gordon-Levitt That '70s Show kissing scene, the actor himself said he has memories of the scene, but it wasn't anything like some of the people who reacted negatively to the scene made it seem. In an AMA concerning the acting class he was promoting in 2021 for his HITRECORD initiative, he was asked about the kissing scene. "I remember the director asking me and Topher to engage in a longer kiss, and then on the next take, prolonging the kiss for what felt like several minutes. However, when you watch it, our lips only made contact for probably less than a second," he recalled (via Reddit).

That '90s Show Has More Queer Representation

While the Joseph Gordon-Levitt That '70s Show kissing scene garnered a negative response from fans in the 90s, the franchise decided to embrace more queer representation in the subsequent series, That '90s Show. Taking note of Eric's exaggerated reaction, the new show approached the topic with greater sensitivity through the character of Ozzie (Reyn Doi). While the original series hinted at Fez's potential homosexuality, it never explicitly addressed it. That '90s Show openly acknowledges Ozzie's queerness, presenting him as fully out to his accepting group of friends. The new show also demonstrates an evident change in approach, having learned from Eric's adverse reaction.

Ozzie had chosen to keep his sexuality private, only confiding in his close friends, which he deemed significant. However, residing in a small Wisconsin town, he perceived the act of publicly revealing his true self as a risky endeavor, even in the 1990s. When he finally mustered the courage to disclose to an important character in the television show "Kitty," there were no attempts to use his coming-out as fodder for a joke or to create a shocking moment, unlike what had happened with Eric. Instead, Kitty embraced Ozzie's truth without condescension or dismissal, providing the ideal response that fans yearned for. This milestone moment owes its existence to the groundbreaking kiss scene on That '70s Show featuring Joseph Gordon-Levitt.