Blog Post #6

Watching a "That 70's Show" Halloween episode from Season 2 today I noticed some product placement. The show was done well with a Halloween theme played out through the entire plot. Some of the film sequences were exaggerated like flashing lightning and classic, yet overemphasized cues from the mystery/horror movie genre. During the first few minutes of the episode a character comically inquires about "UNICEF", or United Nations Children Fund, a children's rights and emergency relief organization. I'm unsure if this was intended as product placemen. If anything, I think it was a nostalgic nod at their history and popularity compared from then to now. The second instance that I noticed was more like brand placement with Batman. The character Fez, played by Wilmer Valderrama dressed up as Batman for most of the movie and incorporated some of his moves into the act. Batman is a classic icon in pop-culture and of course in Halloween culture. He was also useful in the plot, as his idea serves to save the group from further argument over gossip. The last example was pretty obvious when characters both Fez and Hyde consume "Sugar Babies" candy on different occasions enjoying the rewards of Halloween. Not only do they mention the product by name, but scenes include the product being held as well. This episode didn't include as much advertising as I thought most sitcoms would. The holiday theme might've affected this. Overall I enjoy "That 70's Show" mainly because that era of American history and culture always interested me. This episode was also fun to watch with Halloween being so close.