Shalom, Gang!

There’s an old show business adage that tells us, “Sitcom stars never die…they just move to another galaxy.

This is true for many of the stars of “That 70’s Show”, the ‘Happy Days’ of the sex, drugs, and Rock-and-Roll era. The show itself, which ran its course last year, has already entered into syndication, and is expected to gross as much per annum as it did in it’s first run.

Meanwhile, the stars are busy moving on to some interesting projects. Wilmer Valderrama, the culturally confused ‘Fez’ (whose land of origin was never really disclosed,) will be starring in the 2007 release of the theatrical “ChiPS”, as Francis “Ponch” Poncharello, originally played by Eric Estrada in the 70’s hit series. Seems Wilmer is destined to remain in the 70s no matter what!

Topher “Eric Foreman” Grace, (whose real name is Christopher Paul,) is heading toward the big screen as well, playing a supporting role in the upcoming “Spiderman 3”. Grace is also in negotiations for a plum role in “The Crusaders” as a young lawyer fighting for civil rights with Thurgood Marshall, played by Terrance Howard.

Danny Masterson, a.k.a. ‘Hyde’ will appear in the 2007 release “You are Here” with the beautiful Katie Cassidy, (David’s daughter,) a film about friend’s recalling the events of the previous night at a trendy nightspot.

Mila Kunis, the spoiled ‘Daddy’s little Girl’ Jackie will appear later this year with Keith David and David Carradine in “Saints Row”. Interestingly, Kunis was born in the Ukraine, and learned to speak English by watching ‘The Price Is Right’.

Ashton Kutcher (By the way, pronounced to rhyme with BUTCHER), has two films upcoming this year. “The Guardian”, an action/adventure offering in which Kutcher plays opposite Kevin Costner, about a troubled young man who enlists in the Coast Guard; and “Bobby”, a somewhat documentarian film about the assassination of Robert Kennedy, also starring his wife, Demi Moore.

And look for Debra Jo Rupp in the 2006 release of “Kickin’ it Old Skool”, a comedy about a teen (Jamie Kennedy) who is injured while break dancing and wakes from a twenty-year coma. Rupp plays Kennedy’s mother, Sylvia.

Tanya Roberts, the slow-on-the-draw Midge Pinciotti, will be appearing this year in “An American in China;” a comedy also starring Michael Gross. This will be Robert’s first appearance since her departure from ‘That 70’s Show’ in 2001.