If you spent any time in front of a TV in the early 2000s, you know that That '70s Show thrived on its weirdos. We had Leo, the perpetually dazed hippie. We had Pastor Dave. But none of them—honestly, not even close—brought the same level of refined, vitriolic energy as Fenton.
He was the landlord. He was the jewelry salesman. He was the guy who could make a simple "hello" sound like a declaration of war.
Played by the incomparable Jim Rash, who most people now recognize as Dean Pelton from Community, Fenton wasn't just a guest star. He was a phenomenon. His rivalry with Fez (Wilmer Valderrama) remains one of the most underrated subplots in sitcom history. It wasn't about anything deep. It was petty. It was loud. It was fabulous.
The Mystery of the Fez and Fenton Beef
When Fenton first appears in Season 5, Episode 7 ("Hot Dog"), the animosity is already there. It’s thick. It’s palpable. The audience is dropped into the middle of a war without a map.
Why do they hate each other?
Actually, the show never gives us the full story, which is exactly why it works. We get snippets. We know it involves a parking space. We know it involves a pair of pants. Specifically, a pair of half-off polyester pants that both men desperately wanted.
"I'll see you in hell!"
"I'll be the one wearing the pants!"
That exchange tells you everything you need to know about the stakes. In the world of That '70s Show Fenton represents the one person who can match Fez's vanity and drama beat for beat. Most of the gang—Eric, Donna, Hyde—usually just rolled their eyes at Fez’s eccentricities. Fenton, however, took them as a personal challenge.
Jim Rash and the Art of the Scene Steal
It’s hard to overstate how much Jim Rash did with very little screen time. Before he was winning an Oscar for writing The Descendants, he was perfecting the "haughty glare" on the Fox lot.
Rash’s physicality is what makes Fenton iconic. He doesn't just walk into a room; he sashays with a chip on his shoulder. His voice goes up an octave when he's insulted, which is often.
Think about the episode "Whole Lotta Love." Red needs to buy an engagement ring for Kitty because he forgot their anniversary. He ends up at the jewelry store where Fenton works. The sheer exhaustion in Fenton’s voice when dealing with Red—a man who represents everything Fenton finds "uncouth"—is a masterclass in comedic timing. He calls Red "Big Guy." It’s a death sentence wrapped in a nickname.
Why the Rivalry Worked (When Others Didn't)
By the later seasons, particularly Season 8, That '70s Show was struggling. Topher Grace was gone. Ashton Kutcher was gone. The show felt like a ghost of itself.
But Fenton? Fenton was a bright spot.
He became the landlord of the apartment Fez and Jackie eventually shared. This forced the two rivals into constant, miserable contact. The writing for their insults became sharper, almost operatic.
One of the best things about the Fenton/Fez dynamic is that it never actually evolved. There was no "very special episode" where they learned to respect each other. They just kept hating each other over trivialities. In a medium that often forces character growth, Fenton’s stagnant, burning rage was refreshing.
It’s also worth noting the queer-coding of Fenton’s character. In 1970s Wisconsin (or rather, a 2003 interpretation of it), Fenton was flamboyant, fastidious, and obsessed with aesthetics. While the show occasionally leaned into the era's typical tropes, Fenton always felt like he was winning the exchange. He wasn't the butt of the joke; his hatred for Fez was the joke. He was sharp, capable, and always had the last word.
Tracking Fenton’s Career Moves in Point Place
Fenton was the ultimate gig worker before that was even a thing. He popped up everywhere.
- The Jewelry Store: This is where we see his "professional" side. He knows his carats, and he knows exactly how much you can't afford.
- The DMV: Briefly, we see the nightmare scenario—Fenton with actual bureaucratic power.
- The Apartment Complex: As the landlord, he reached his final form. He had the keys. He had the power to evict. He had the power to complain about the "musk" of the apartment.
Looking back, Fenton's presence served a specific structural purpose. He allowed Fez to be the "straight man" (in a comedic sense) for once. When Fez is around Kelso, Fez is the weird one. When Fez is around Fenton, Fez is the rational one being attacked by a whirlwind of sass.
The Legacy of the "Fez-ton" Feud
Fans of the show still quote the "half-off pants" monologue. It’s become a bit of a cult classic moment.
If you’re rewatching the series on Peacock or whatever platform has the rights this month, pay attention to the background details in Fenton’s scenes. The way he adjusts his tie. The way he looks at Red Forman like he’s a piece of gum stuck to a shoe. It’s a level of character acting that you don't always see in multi-cam sitcoms.
Honestly, the show could have used more of him. In the vacuum left by Eric and Kelso, Fenton provided a spark of genuine energy that the new characters (looking at you, Randy) simply couldn't replicate. He was a link to the show's peak years while still feeling fresh in the finale.
Actionable Takeaways for the Superfan
If you're looking to dive back into the best of Fenton, don't just watch random clips. You have to see the escalation.
- Start with Season 5, Episode 7 ("Hot Dog"). This is the introduction. Notice how the writers don't explain the backstory. They let the chemistry between Rash and Valderrama do the heavy lifting.
- Jump to Season 6, Episode 10 ("It’s All Over"). Watch the jewelry store interaction. It’s one of the few times Fenton interacts heavily with the "adults" of the show, and his disdain for Red is legendary.
- Finish with Season 8, Episode 21. The finale arc. Even as the show wraps up, Fenton is there, still holding a grudge, still perfectly dressed, still absolutely miserable to be in the same zip code as Fez.
The real lesson of Fenton is about the power of the "minor" character. You don't need a 22-episode arc to be memorable. You just need a pair of polyester pants and a very specific type of loathing.
Next time you’re stuck in a petty argument, just channel your inner Fenton. Stand a little straighter, look down your nose, and remind your opponent that you'll see them in hell—and you'll be the one wearing the better outfit.
To get the most out of your rewatch, look for the subtle continuity errors in Fenton's job history; it's a fun game to see if the writers intended for him to be a "jack of all trades" or if Point Place just had a very limited talent pool for retail managers. Focus on the episodes directed by David Trainer for the best comedic framing of Fenton's physical gags.