Randy Pearson

From Groovypedia, the "That '70s Show" Wiki

Randy Pearson (born 1959 or 1960) is a fictional character introduced during the eighth and final season of That '70s Show. He was played by Josh Meyers.

Randy represented the turning point from the mindset of the 1970s to the mindset of the 1980s (enjoying music by Journey), still laid back but developing distinct yuppie tendencies. He is hired by Steven Hyde to help run the record store, and also becomes a love interest for Donna Pinciotti (Laura Prepon).

The Randy character was introduced primarily as a replacement for Eric Forman and Michael Kelso, as the actors who played them, Topher Grace and Ashton Kutcher, chose to leave the series after the seventh season. The writers originally hired Josh Myers to play Eric. The difference in appearance would have been explained by claiming he had returned home from Africa "a changed man". They eventually thought better of this idea, and Randy Pearson was created.

Randy's character seems to be a Frankenstein of Eric and Kelso. He has Eric's sense of humor and, like Eric, is often the ringleader. On the other hand, he has Kelso's good looks and success with women. Despite (or maybe because of) this Randy was widely disliked by fans, and viewed as another sign of the series having jumped the shark.

Randy dates Donna for about half of the final season. At first, they insist they are "just friends", but Fez and Jackie are suspicious that Donna is cheating on Eric. It turns out Eric had broken up with Donna, and Randy was being the rebound guy. Donna becomes irritated that Randy is a "man slut" (he has apparently dated a lot of women). When Bob Pinciotti announces he is selling the house, Randy offers for Donna to live with him. At first she agrees, but is later weirded out and breaks up with him.