Debra Jo Rupp Didn’t Realize One Major Detail About That ’70s Show Until She Arrived on Set

Debra Jo Rupp’s performance as Kitty Foreman cemented her among the legendary TV moms.

At the time That ’70s Show began, however, Rupp, 74, had some concerns about leaning into her character. She previously told Entertainment Weekly that she hadn’t realized she’d signed on to a period piece until arriving to film the pilot.

“I think I was in a bit of shock because I did not realize that this was set in the 70s until I saw the appliances on the set,” she told the outlet, joking, “I somehow missed that part in the script.”

While most people think the title would give it away, Rupp notes, “It wasn’t called that [at the time]. It was called The Kids Are Alright or something.”

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Rupp rose to the occasion, though she did have some reservations as she settled into embodying the dedicated wife and mom.

“The clothing became very troublesome to me. I was extremely worried about it,” she said, referencing her outfit in the pilot episode as an example.

“I actually have that at home, because I took everything. That is a big, giant, long wrap-around skirt and then a big red blouse with a big frill thing. And I remember thinking, ‘I wonder if anyone’s going to even see me in this show, between the wig — actually, that was my hair at that time — and that big, huge, floaty costume.”

For inspiration, she channeled her own memories of growing up in the 70s, noting, “I was very much my mother… I was just so excited about a period show.”

During its eight-year run, the series helped make household names out of stars including Topher Grace, Laura Prepon, Wilmer Valderrama, Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher — and is where the latter two fell in love.

The show, which first aired on Aug. 23, 1998, and ended in 2006 after eight seasons, was nominated for 16 Primetime Emmy Awards.