Why That ‘70s Show Killed Off Charlie After Season 7
Despite having bigger plans for the character, That ‘70s Show abruptly killed off Charlie after season 7. With Topher Grace leaving after season 7 and Ashton Kutcher departing at the start of season 8, That ‘70s Show introduced a few new characters to replace Eric and Kelso. One such character was Charlie (Bret Harrison), who joined the sitcom in That ‘70s Show season 7, episode 23 “Take It Or Leave It” as the innocent son of Red’s old Navy buddy.
After spending the last three episodes of season 7 getting to know the gang and preparing to fill Eric’s spot once he left for Africa, That ‘70s Show’s season 8 premiere began with the news that Charlie had died. As Kitty recounted what happened in Point Place since Eric went to Africa, she revealed that Charlie unexpectedly died falling off the water tower. Nearly every teen in That ‘70s Show fell off the water tower at some point, but Charlie would be the first to die from such an accident. Following Charlie’s tragic death, the site was renamed the “Charlie Richardson Memorial Water Tower.”
Related: That '70s Show’s Original Plan For Randy After Eric’s Exit
While Charlie’s introduction at the end of That ‘70s Show season 7 was meant to set him up as Eric’s replacement, actor Bret Harrison was presented with a bigger opportunity. Ahead of That ‘70s Show season 8, Harrison was offered the starring role on Fox’s sitcom The Loop, where he portrayed a young professional balancing his corporate work and social life. The Loop would go on to be canceled after two seasons, but it gave Harrison a more significant role than he would have found with Charlie on That ‘70s Show’s final season. However, had The Loop not been picked up as a full series, Harrison would have stayed on That ‘70s
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