Devoted prime-time fans are dying to know how ditsy Dharma is making out with stuffy Greg - and if Buffy the college freshman slays any cute vampires on campus.
But more important , young women want to know what their TV role models will be wearing this fall.
Forget hoity-toity fashion magazines and monosyllabic mannequins. There is no better place to tune in for a fashion show than the trend-setting series on which Jenna Elfman, Jennifer Aniston, Calista Flockhart, Sarah Jessica Parker and Sarah Michelle Gellar model the latest looks in clothing, hairstyles and accessories each week.
A recent youth poll conducted by retail researcher Rand found that teen girls spent $15.1 billion on clothing in 1998, about $1,200 per gal. And those girls are watching TV for ideas on how to dress.
That's probably why youth-oriented, affordable fashion retailers such as the Gap, Bebe, Rampage, Express, Bloomingdale's, even American Eagle Outfitters (decking out Dawson's Creek this fall) happily hand over hangers of hip clothing to TV costumers. Even such high-price designers as Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada and Tom Ford for Gucci know their sales are boosted by small-screen exposure.
For fashion fans who just can't wait for season premieres, USA TODAY offers an early peek at the fall wardrobes of TV's top style makers.
That '70s Show (Fox)
Star: Laura Prepon (Donna) and Mila Kunis (Jackie).
Costume designer: Emmy winner Melina Root.
True to the period: Luckily, Root not only lived it, she wore it. "We do things that freak everyone out, like layer T-shirts over long-sleeve shirts. You hear 'My God, this is awful!' coming from the fitting rooms."
Where to buy it: "We shop vintage and thrift shops and make a lot of outfits by looking at old pattern books, magazines." As for brands, "we use lots of old clothes from ('70s clothiers) Merry Go Round, Chess King and Huckapoo, and we pay good money for Nik Nik shirts."
Colors: "Browns and earth tones."
What's old is new: "In the summer of '77, the drawstring pant was huge!"
New looks: Donna starts wearing Danskin tops and wrap skirts as disco wear. And she embraces the Annie Hall look: men's shirts, vests, ties and fedoras.
That '80s Show: When the show moves into the '80s, "I change careers," Root says. "I'm not doing the spiky hair, the big shoulders and skinny ties, short skirts and stiletto heels. Think about it. It's the end of the world as we know it. Very soon, Girbaud jeans will be collectibles."