The Facts of Life: The Lost Girls [Facts of Life, The documentary]

In 1979, the producers of "Diff'rent Strokes" spun off housekeeper Edna Garrett onto her own show. Set at an all-girls' boarding school, "The Facts of Life" centered around Mrs. Garrett and seven young schoolgirls. In 1980, new TV producers took over production of the "The Facts of Life". Their goal was to improve the show's ratings. They did so by firing more than half of the cast, including four young girls: Felice Schachter, Julie Anne Haddock, Julie Piekarski, and Molly Ringwald. This video tells that story.
This video compilation uses material from six sources: "The Facts of Life (Biography Channel)", "Remembering The Facts of Life (2006)", "After Facts (2006)", "Nancy McKeon (Biography Channel)", Julie Piekarski's Taco Bell commercial (1985), and a clip from "The Little Chill" (1986). I would have liked to have included clips from E!'s excellent "True Hollywood Story: The Facts of Life" (1999), but it appears to not be available on the Internet.
Of the four biographies used in this video, "Remembering The Facts of Life" and "After Facts" are more fair and balanced in their portrayal of the 'lost girls', and are better sources than either of the others. Unfortunately, Warren Littlefield's comments went unchallenged in the Biography Channel's Facts of Life retrospective, and those comments were somewhat disrespectful to the actresses in question.
The four "lost girls" appeared on "Facts" occasionally afterwards, but their roles were usually small. Molly Ringwald later (1986) remembered her sole guest appearance as her "worst job": "Worst job: Having to go back to Facts of Life as a semi-regular after they kicked me off. It was humiliating." She never went back after doing one episode as a recurring actress.
Julie, Julie Anne, and Felice, however, never became break-out movie stars, and thus made guest appearances on "The Facts of Life" in Seasons 2, 3, and 8, as well as appearing in archival footage in two flashback episodes in Season 5.
The four actresses were nominated in 2008 for a TV Land Award, in the category "Favorite Character(s) Who 'Went Missing'".
Anyway, enjoy!

[@djm122270]

I can still recall being so excited when this spin off show first aired, then very disappointed when things changed. Good to see the cast members talk about their experience. Especially the ones from the reboot of the Mickey Mouse Club from the 70's. :)

[@TheRetroGuy2000]

I agree that it was disappointing seeing Cindy, Sue Ann, Molly and Nancy leave the show.

[@serenatwilite4005]

I felt the same way. The girls who were let go were some of my favorites. I was disappointed that they kept Natalie and Tootie. I thought they were both so annoying and such over the top characters. I wanted to see more normal girls. Lisa Whelchel was my favorite after that, but as time went on even her character wasn't much fun anymore. Lisa started to gain weight and it seemed like they started making her character very serious. I'm surprised the show lasted as long as it did. It just seemed to me like it got sillier every year or something. I thought the worst was when they brought the handicapped girl on. I can't remember the actress name, Geri? I think she had cerebral palsy or ms? Anyway, I just remember she could barely talk and it was painful just to listen to her say her lines. She was an aspiring comedian before they put her on the show and I always thought her jokes were terrible, so that raised the silly factor. I always wonder why they thought bringing her on would be a big ratings bonanza. All I can say is she must have had a friend in the casting department or something, that wanted to do her a favor. I thought the set up and idea for this show was great, but something went wrong pretty quick. Amazing it lasted as long as it did.

[@OfftoShambala]

Yep I really loved the original... never really liked it when they went down to the four girls.

[@robertrodriguez787]

@@TheRetroGuy2000 Yeah but Molly went on to become a movie star

[@debsreno911]

I loved the show, the four girls were fantastic my favorite I think was Jo played by Nancy McKean. I didn't however like how they did the whole cutting down thing, just got rid of them that was very wrong and cruel.

[@chrisclermont456]

I met Mindy Cohn at a coffee shop in NYC. What a delightful person she is. Met Kim Fields in Hollywood. Sweet. These are incredibly intelligent, talented women.

[@reginabeasley872]

My friend carmin said when he saw mindy Cohn she reminded him of me.

[@MisterMan7516]

😆😆😆

[@iwasanangryyoungman]

Kim appears in the Netflix sitcom The Upshaws while Mindy Cohn once voiced Velma Dinkley in Scooby Doo Mystery Incorporated

[@johnstitt3717]

Thank you Kim Fields' mom for giving me a bunch of passes to see the show. I took all my friends. I didn't even ask for the passes. I was a box boy at a market and she just gave me her phone number to call and tell her how many reservations I needed. Nice mom.

[@hanaj]

John stitt her mom is legendary in the business for how is brought Kim up and her professionalism. I’ve never heard one bad word about her.

[@CodeByRaeYT]

Hey, that's cool...I just did an article about Chip Fields if you're interested in knowing more about her: hubpages.com/entertainment/Whatever-Happened-to-Chip-Fields

[@UncleDuTheWatchman]

Everybody loves Chip Hurd!!! She is a legend!!!

[@johnstitt3717]

@@UncleDuTheWatchman Not that anyone asked, but I think more stuff should be added to the internet, in general. I'm not sure once I post this it will reflect that I am JohnStitt, the original poster above. The episode was 1987's The Rites of Passage(Part 1). I still remember how the announcer put extra emphasis on introducing Sheldon Leonard, who acted in this. I remembered him from It's A Wonderful Life. Also, the supermarket where Kim Fields' mom shopped was Lucky's, on Victory and Fallbrook in Woodland Hills, California. The next day after the show was taped, I called back to thank her again for the tickets, and she was just as gracious. One more thing, during the taping, if something funny was said in a scene, I remember a couple of us laughing extra hard and awkward to see if we could hear ourselves when the episode would eventually air. We were just goofy teenagers. Of course our laughs were dubbed out, if ever recorded in the first place. If you are still reading this, one other famous person who introduced herself to me at that Lucky's was June Foray, who I didn't know at the time but later figured it out. She was very sweet and modest. She basically said she was an actress. I would load her groceries into her car.

[@YouKnowWhereYouWentWrong]

I always wanted a Mrs Garrett in my life. She gave me the warm fuzzies whenever I saw her acting on the many television shows she starred in or was featured in. A wonderfully talented but underrated comedy actress. May she Rest in Peace.

[@cheddarcheese7928]

I just loved Mrs G's voice..No one else in the world sounded like her..Miss her..

[@LukeWelles]

Sounds a little Edith Bunkery to me.

[@damianlatimer6472]

@@LukeWelles lol!

[@leonardbrooks1990]

ON The Facts of Life / Different Strokes TRIBUTE....the actress playing Edna Garrett did a phenomenal job..... sounded just like her.....

[@sandrajovic9304]

Kim Fields seems like an old soul and is a veteran child actor, in a refreshing kinda way

[@nassauguy48]

What I did not like was how the character of Tootie was downgraded from a sarcastic spitfire in Seasons 1 and 2 to one that was often naive and timid.

[@lorireece1930]

There needs to be a show like this for young girls today.

[@katburgess8533]

Times are so different,sadly,that there could never be a sweet, funny, sentimental, respectful show like this. These girls were still taught morals,manners,and self-respect. Today somebody would get too butt hurt the the first time a girl is reprimanded for breaking curfew or not being honest,or having to give up a privilage,etc. We DO need a show like TFOL today, but they wouldn't allow it to be the same teaching tool it was, besides being so entertaining. Sad, but true, I am afraid...

[@atlasshrugged2u]

Yeah, too bad it will never happen. Too "PC" on te *lie* vision. One character would have to be Black with race issues, another would be a lesbian, and another would be a Republican, and One a democrat. It would no longer be forreal the way it used to be...

[@Diostillrocks]

The subjects they covered back then would be too controversial for a family show today.

[@shotymeisupandcummin]

Won't work. They don't appreciate truth on television. If it was ignorant they'd gas this up on every station break

[@Diostillrocks]

@@atlasshrugged2u we did have the black (Tootie), the lesbian (Cindy), the social justice warrior (Molly), and the Republican (Blair).

[@eliasashoal8723]

Kim was too short so they put her on rollerskates for a year. Brilliant.

[@DinoDiLabio]

Where did you hear this from?

[@Diostillrocks]

@@DinoDiLabio listen to the documentary.

[@claudiariedel5777]

I remember that.On those skates again!We'll just push her off the show ,she'll always roll back,somehow 😕

[@jeannetteduette6704]

@@DinoDiLabio It's true according to Kim's Mother.

[@dementednun1175]

@@DinoDiLabio did you not watch the video lol...

[@drewt2790]

Natalie buying Mrs.Garrett a bong believing it was a candy dispenser is one of the funniest things I ever saw on TV.

[@JoannaKapsha]

That was hilarious

[@mariaboletsis3188]

I grew up on The Facts Of Life...one of my all time favorite shows...and Jo was my fav....LOVED Nancy McKeon!!!

[@sunshinevibes3271]

maria boletsis same here

[@Brwneydgrl69]

I crushed on Jo cuz she was a tomboy and so was I.

[@connie40star]

I can remember watching this show every week. Was sad when Cindy, Molly, Nancy and Sue Anne where let go, but I loved how they added Joe. She was such a fantastic role model. Missed these days so much.

[@eugenekozma2697]

I agree.it was sad to see the four girls go.but Nancy mckeon was a fantastic role model for kids who did not have a wealthy and loving family background.but then again tootie Natalie and Blair had problems too with their parents.just shows wealth does not mean sweet happiness.

[@tomy.1846]

Joe was always cool!

[@Asukenick]

I can't believe Mrs Garrett is gone.

[@TheRetroGuy2000]

I know. I'm gutted. Charlotte was a wonderful actress, singer, and person. She will be missed. But we'll ALWAYS have Edna Garrett.

[@josearturogarza5114]

She's with Arnold and Kimberly Drummond.☺ R.I.P. Charlotte Rae/ Mrs.Garrett.

[@TheRetroGuy2000]

And Mr. Drummond.

[@josearturogarza5114]

RJ Guy yes....👍

[@taylordowning2533]

R.I.P. Charlotte Rae

[@TheWriterWalker]

I am so proud of the harmony this cast created. Sisterhood is beautiful!

[@eugenekozma2697]

I agree.they were pros these ladies.

[@TheWriterWalker]

@@eugenekozma2697 Yes, they were.

[@louistenore2185]

Rest in peace Charolette Rae

[@TheWriterWalker]

Amen.

[@riverratrvr9225]

She's an angel!

[@randyhospodar8864]

Wile E Coyote ...pounds?

[@coldacre]

she was brilliant. both in Different Strokes and in TFOL.

[@janepoultney5207]

@@coldacre You've got to see her in Car 54, if you haven't already. She was hilarious back then.

[@atlasshrugged2u]

The "Facts of Life" taught me so many good moral lessons. I grew up on this show lol! *R.I.P. Charlotte Rae!* and thanks you for the character you played on the show :)

[@eugenekozma2697]

I agree.i grew up watching the facts of life.it taught me a lot.

[@Gildedbutterfly1976]

I miss the 80's sitcoms!!!!!!

[@TheRetroGuy2000]

Me too, Sheels!

[@janmas4674]

RJ Guy yeahh 80's sitcom is great I miss a lot of shows from facts of life..especially felice schachter who have angelic face..well known from the movie's "zapped"with scott baio. Im Asians but this sitcom is very popular in Asian country.

[@mattd.3587]

jan mas Where are you from? :)

[@mitzithompson6585]

I do 2!! I miss the 80s period!!

[@tracyshelton5599]

Sheels1976 me too

[@essdevine1717]

80's kid here. TV shows and programming were epic back then. Who didn't love Mrs. Garrett?

[@merciless41582]

Felice Schachter is 57 years old and aging beautifully. I had a mad crush on her, Lisa Welchel, Judy Ann Haddock, Kim Fields, and Nancy McKeon. It’s the eyes on Felice. I truly believe had Molly, Julie Ann, Julie, and Felice stayed on the show it would’ve been on TV as long as Cheers or longer. It was that great of a show.

[@TheRetroGuy2000]

It really was a shame that Molly, Julie Anne, Julie, and Felice left the series. There were too many episodes where the Core Four felt shoehorned into episodes where their characters (for example) had never been into cameras, acting, sports, or conservative politics. Those were things Molly, Nancy, Cindy, and Sue Ann had been all about.

[@needles1987]

I am Facebook friends with Felice. She's still hot.

[@4nlover635]

@@needles1987, she seems really nice and down to earth 🌎.

[@aaronc4899]

I watched this as a young kid, and I'm rewatching the first season now. I also recently watched the movie Zapped on streaming, also starring Felice. She was just the kind of girl I would have had a crush on back in the early 80s. She's still so charming and beautiful in the interview.

[@eugenekozma2697]

Yes I adore felice schacter.she had great comic timing on the facts of life.those facial expressions showing happiness sadness surprise like bulging out her eyes annoyance.in my opinion felice schachter was right up there with Lucille ball.like Lucy she had great comic timing.could be funny and beautiful.and had strong facial expressions to show the camera her feelings.

[@Nansbbgrand]

We need a decent show like this today, showing kids how to be good friends, respectful, and respectable adolescents, and just all-around good people. ~ The "comedies" today that include teens, or even younger kids, usually portray them as smartmouth, combative to adults, and very little taste in clothing. As if discipline, and respect for oneself and others is just so très passé. ~ Wake up kids, the facts of life are *still* all about you.

[@msrain1235]

Nansbbgrand, I really wish that they would have done a spinoff when Blair became the headmaster of Eastland.

[@sarcasticallysardonic6361]

I mean, it is pretty realistic

[@stevenattanasso2003]

.... and very little taste in clothing ...... IS THAT A JOKE ?????? Yeah , You hit the nail right on the Head !! Don't want My kids growing up with the dreaded " very little taste in clothing " ......I hear that is a BIG problem in third world countries also , right up there with finding clean water to drink ......

[@JeantheSecond]

You mean, you want TV to show you the world through rose-colored glasses, so you can pretend reality doesn’t exist.

[@godmagnus]

Incorrect.

[@nassauguy48]

Lisa Whelchel was the actress most devoted to the show. She has never missed a reunion nor an interview session, and even did a satirical narrative when "The BLAIR Witch Project" was shown on television. And it was Lisa who had hoped to continue the FOL legacy in the spin off that never happened.

[@heidifedor]

She is a born again, and boycotted the episode where Natalie lost her virginity. Other than that, you’re right.

[@eugenekozma2697]

I wish Blair got her own show running Eastland academy.a real loss

[@michaelodonnell9756]

@@eugenekozma2697 That was probably a network decision. Personally speaking,I think the show had run its course.

[@eugenekozma2697]

@@michaelodonnell9756 yes it was probably a network decision.but it would have been fun and fascinating to have had Blair get her own show.true after 9 years the facts of life had run its course.but a spinoff with Blair would have been new and different.she is finally on her own grown up and taking charge and taking responsibility.that would have been fun and fascinating.it would be a different kind of show with a different kind of Blair in certain aspects.like I said Blair grown up and on her own.

[@msrain1235]

SuAnn and Cindy were my favorites in the first season. I love this show!

[@nassauguy48]

I suppose they were let go because they were too much like each other. The character of Jo was actually a blending of Cindy and Sue Ann. (Cindy was the athletic tomboy, Sue Ann was the brain, and both talked back to Blair. Jo was all of this).

[@eugenekozma2697]

Nancy was my favorite.she was so stylishly dressed.felice schachter had great comic timing.how she could bulge out her eyes and make those faces.

[@Doomreb]

I think all twelve of those girls were great.

[@TheRetroGuy2000]

Haha! That's hilarious!

[@Doomreb]

+RJ Guy, lol

[@cjmacq-vg8um]

here's a little known secret about the show Facts of Life. actually only 2 girls were hired to appear on that show but they played multiple roles. if you watch the early episodes - frame by frame - you can easily tell tootie, blair and natalie were played by the same person!

[@TheRetroGuy2000]

c.j., I knew it! It was all done with fat suits, blonde wigs, blackface and mirrors!

[@sweetsuszie]

c. j. macq omg stupidest comment ever

[@rjc7289]

Antenna TV just started airing re-runs of this show, and I'm in love with it all over again! Julie Anne and Lisa were and still are absolute stunners!

[@TheRetroGuy2000]

It's such a classic show! I agree about Julie Anne and Lisa... it's crazy because when Lisa put on that Eastland uniform in 2014, she looked almost identical to how she looked as an Eastland girl. It was actually spooky.

[@nassauguy48]

What also needs to be considered is the redefinition of Mrs. Garrett herself. In Season 1, she conveyed the image of an aging and overweight frump with a rather loudmouthed style and essentially a maid type job that reminded me of Alice from The Brady Bunch. But with the coming of Season 2, we saw an attractive, streamlined and sophisticated Mrs. Garrett with a more sedate demeanor and a more responsible job that required education and training. While she was more or less an arbiter of riot control in Season 1, she was now a confidante and mentor. She literally went from Alice to Mrs. Brady in one season!

[@TheRetroGuy2000]

atlantic, what an astute observation!

[@nassauguy48]

RJ Guy Thanks, RJ!

[@MoniqueFromPlymouth]

One of the problems the producers also corrected on Mrs. Garrett from Season 1 was that she was one of THREE adults supervising the girls. I never felt she was really in charge in the first season. (In fact, if you watched Charles in Charge starring Scott Baio, that show's first season had the same issue - Charles was NOT in charge of the kids because both parents were still in the house full-time. They corrected that the next time around by having the parents be away for very long stretches of time.) The Facts showrunners got it right on Season 2... she was sole adult the girls turn to for anything.

[@TherealRNOwwfpooh]

Until she left and Cloris Leachman, who played her sister, showed up, as did a young George Clooney and a famous male kid actor who played the boy Andy, whose name escapes me.

[@rem2267]

ThereaIRNO -- I'm almost positive that the boy's name is Sean Astin.

[@skinsey85]

I didn't grow up watching the show (it was before my time) but I have fond memories of it. There was this one year around Christmas time that my family spent a couple weeks at my grandma's when I was 14. I was drawing a picture for my mom as a present so I begged her to let me stay up and work on her present. I discovered this show one night when they had back to back reruns for a couple hours every night. I spent the next 2 weeks staying up late watching every episode that aired. This show always makes me happy.

[@WHATTHEBUCKSHOW]

LISA IS A BRILLIANT COMEDIC ACTRESS!!

[@jas22]

Whelchel? I agree. I think maybe in her career she didn't get that one huge movie opportunity. It's a shame - what a beautiful face, and a natural talent. Maybe she just opted to take a different road in life rather than acting.

[@jewelsthomas]

jas22 She chose to get married to a Pastor and dedicated her life to God, preaching and looking after her 3 kids.

[@jas22]

Julie Thomas thanks! do you know her? if you do, tell her "hello!" on behalf of a gen x-er who never forget the self-absorbed, narcissistic, yet always lovable Blair!

[@OnlyForAngels]

I liked her ass in those shorts.

[@jas22]

The Green Cesspool Now, now. Someone needs to take a cold shower, compose himself, and not be crass. Doing just that was good enough for Willis Drummond, as he explained to Arnold once. :)

[@MirrorDomains]

Lisa Whelchel was awesome on Survivor!! What a talent.

[@cheddarcheese7928]

Kinda funny..At Target today they had a Tootie figure in the toy section.No one else from the show.Just Tootie...Tootiemania runnin wild!..

[@11samaran]

Every day after school I got to watch this show before working the family farm. It was my only personal time I got and I used the show to see how other girls interacted because I had no friends of my own. I really treasured them all.

[@move_i_got_this5659]

I was a kid but I don't remember her being the main draw in Different Strokes, it was Arnold that got the biggest laughs. When you think of the show, the first thing that comes to mind was "What you talking about Willis?!"

[@Phentari]

@trystan avery, Happy Days as well--the Fonz was never meant to be the focus of the show.

[@perri_6]

Two words: Steve Urkel.

[@leczorn]

And “Dallas” with JR replacing Bobby as the male lead.

[@perri_6]

@Lec Zorn Wait. It wasn't always about J.R.? 😮

[@amazingsupergirl7125]

I agree. Maybe it was because I was a kid but it seemed like they were the main characters.

[@Shy411]

RIP Charlotte Rae!!!

[@DonnaBrooks]

Yeah, funny I should stumble upon this video now. I heard recently on NPR about Charlotte Rae's passing. It's interesting how one can not think of someone for many years and then hear of their death and be sad.

[@starbelly6349]

@Shy it's ok, now she is with Kimberly Drummond (Dana Plato) & Arnold (Gary Coleman) ...they can all be together again..(..too soon?)

[@cflo1386]

She was awesome.

[@johnlovesbridge]

I watched this show in the 1980s and they constantly played re-runs of older seasons during the day. They never, EVER played re-runs of the first season. I didn't realize there were more girls until I started searching the show on KZbin.

[@JhomasE]

NBC did Air season one eps on the weekday lineup in 1982. I have a recorded episode from the weekday line up. Plus, i do remember the first season being aired in syndication. I discovered it in 1987. It was new to me as I remembered only the later seasons.

[@nassauguy48]

Probably because, in the literal sense, these were two different Facts Of Life. The later seasons occasionally featured the "lost girls" , and it was as if they were never close friends or housemates of the girls who stayed. In fact, there was occasional animosity between them. Only in one of the much later seasons was there a reunion among all the first season girls (except for Molly), and the implication was that they were all bosom buddies again. But that really did not make sense, as they certainly were not close at all after Season 1.

[@kingovharts]

I remember them showing reruns of the first season on one of the cable networks in the mid 80s. By that time they had included it in the syndication package as the first 5 or 6seasons

[@Snowwulf78]

They did the same thing to Saved By the Bell

[@beccascraps8141]

yep! same!

[@sandy-ke1kr]

Grew up with this show. Saw it from the very beginning. Still remember the lost girls. They will always be part of the Facts of Life. I liked all the girls, but it was better with the four they picked and continued with.

[@LemonySnicket22]

Kim Fields looks absolutely AMAZING!! Beautiful woman!!

[@obamahopeless1140]

yeah... white, like Beyonce.

[@charlotteziggy8353]

OBAMAhopeless She looks beautiful, that cafe au lait skin.

[@obamahopeless1140]

Shame you 2 are disgusted by dark skin. l guess white is right...

[@hockeyfan2022]

My favourite of the show next to Nancy Mckeon. Hard choice between those two.

[@obamahopeless1140]

Maybe that's why Jay Z whitened Beyonce?

[@johnr7279]

Awesome show that boys watched just as much as girls did. This was very entertaining and brings back my middle and high school years!

[@eugenekozma2697]

I am a guy too and facts of life was one of my favorites as a kid.brings back memories of my youth.i am 46 years old.

[@janiegiroux5006]

Facts of life only became interesting (IMO) when Joe (Nancy McKeon) joined. Joe and Blair were amazing together. I wish this documentary showed her more. I'd love to hear her thoughts.

[@Diostillrocks]

@Reginald Wilson which Nancy? Nancy McKeon was a series regular for 8 out of 9 seasons.

[@wheelinthesky300]

You take the good You take the bad You fire them And then they're sad The Facts Of Life.....

[@madelyntoday7093]

It's the first reality show: start off with a lot of pretty girls and then narrow down.

[@1rhpsfan]

I'm pretty sure John Hughes was happy.

[@NeluThat70sKid]

@@madelyntoday7093 Sucks how they had to narrow down >:-/

[@ritawashere5787]

Reruns are on at my house at 6 in the morning. That song comes on and it's with me all day long 😂

[@suzilindblad5207]

Great! Now I can't get that song out of my head😂

[@augustgirl]

I, 100%, loved the first season. I was 7 years old when they recasted. I was devastated. I stopped watching for a long a time. It wasn't until it was in syndication that I began to watch. Never been to like what everyone else likes.

[@OceanbornAngel]

I adore Lisa Welchel. Blair was one of my favorite character of the ensemble cast. In fact all the girls look great. Would love to see a Reunion movie.

[@eugenekozma2697]

I adored Lisa too.

[@michaelshelley1289]

and almost NOTHING of Jo.....my favorite!!!!

[@eave01]

Oh! Mine too!

[@jenniferkimble7763]

I agree. Jo was real. I really did not like Blaire.

[@SlimKeith11]

She seems like a really private person. She did a lot in the 90's - a lot of Lifetime, "women in peril!" movies as we call them in my house. She doesn't have any roles on 'IMDB" since 2011. Probably raising her kids.

[@debsreno911]

I know I loved her! She was so different and fresh. Although toward the end of the series basically started being like everyone else, they changed her character and didn't really like her much after that.

[@electrichellion5946]

She was my favorite too and I also didn’t like Blair.

[@tellemartin6663]

Blair was the perfect beauty back than Lisa is still beautiful today

[@ohheybih]

telle martin definitely blessed in the looks department

[@kyokogodai-ir6hy]

I fell in love with her when she was a member of the Mickey Mouse Club. Was so thrilled to see her in a new show!!! BTW, I am 53 now (2018) so do the math so you don't think I was a pedo.

[@lorettalynndavis9695]

Don't forget about *Kim,* she's gorgeous!

[@tellemartin6663]

@@jjthomas2297 Right thanks for all the positive comments☺😊

[@JohnMorris-ge6hq]

telle martin Yes, a black beauty with BLONDE EXTENSIONS.

[@DJRitty]

This show probably has one of the best examples of trimming the cast and it making sense. The Four main girls had to stay in the kitchen to help pay for the damage they did and live above it with mrs. garrett. That provided a natural way for us to to see the other girls anymore.. very well done

[@GalaxyNexus1]

It also provided a reason for the 4 of them to always be together.

[@nassauguy48]

@@GalaxyNexus1 Which is why, after Blair and Jo graduated from Eastland, they cooked up another scenario to bring them all together at Mrs. Garrett's new gourmet food store.

[@GalaxyNexus1]

@@nassauguy48 yes, and after Natalie and then Tootie graduated, they owned a store together, in addition to No not being able to afford the dorm at college.

[@eugenekozma2697]

I agree with what you all said.

[@robinbates6230]

I loved this show. There was a little of lessons to learn from, how differences in people, doesn't mean that they can't be friends and love each other as family. That's why they called it " The Facts of Life." It dealt with real life. Miss that show.

[@eugenekozma2697]

I agree with everything you said.i miss this show.it dealt with growing up realistically and poignantly.

[@TheWriterWalker]

Such a refreshing thing to watch. Thanks for uploading!

[@CarynDPrescott]

One of my favorite shows! I always wondered what happened to them. Thanks for uploading this 😁

[@nordiq21]

I won’t tell my wife I watched this video

[@jonesba2004]

nordiq21 haha!! 😂

[@rickmemmer5625]

nordiq21 I got a good laugh 😆 out of that - thanks 🙏

[@lorettalynndavis9695]

Aww, that's so cute *Nordiq21lol!*

[@purpledude603]

I will tell her for you if you want me to.

[@thomassodomizer764]

Lmfao!

[@Lady_Crispr]

I love that they only have sweet things to say about each other. I was probably 5-8 years old when this was on and I still remember so much about it. It really spoke to me as a kid.

[@TheRetroGuy2000]

I think the line about Molly was actually an acknowledgement that she had gone on to do much bigger things than "The Facts of Life".

[@nassauguy48]

Understatement! She must have been thumbing her nose at the TV if she watched FOL, which was going rapidly down the tubes while her own movie career was soaring.

[@4nlover635]

Molly has carried on too long about being cut. It was decades ago, get over it.

[@mcstacia]

@@nassauguy48 soaring? She was in a couple popular teen flicks but that’s all. Most of her films were box office flops. The facts of life ratings increased a lot when she was no longer on the show.

[@eugenekozma2697]

It was sad that Molly Ringwald did not want to return with the other three lost girls for the reunion episode.she brought a lot to the facts of life like the rest of the girls.

[@eugenekozma2697]

@@4nlover635 I agree molly is so sour on being dropped.she doesn't handle rejection well.it is showbiz it can be cruel.

[@MGBrown-sw6wm]

Really enjoyed this. One of my favorite shows when I was a kid.

[@1977TA]

As a young boy growing up in the 1980's watching the Facts Of Life introduced me to girls. It was during those years I discovered attraction to the opposite sex. I had a serious crush on Kim Fields. I wanted her to be my girlfriend so bad. I remember crying when I realized it would not come to be. I can honestly say she was my first love interest. She was much older than I was at the time but I was unaware of that. It was only when I learned later that the early shows I saw were old reruns and the new episodes featured the cast more grown up, it hit me I was too young for 'Tootie Ramsey'. 10 years apart to be exact. She's almost 50 now and is still an attractive woman. Sadly I learned of the passing of Charlotte Rae, the legendary actress who played Mrs. Garrett while watching this documentary. I did google search because I wasn't sure if she was still alive. I discovered she died two weeks ago on August 5th at the age of 92. R.I.P.

[@pattihawks353]

Sweet story of early adolescents .♥️🙏

[@JMCNYC79]

That lates 70s early 80s long, flowing, bouncy hair!

[@SuperFlanders123]

Right??? Loved that late 70's-early 80's long feathered look....it was great!

[@analogkid4957]

shrill Mark I think by the mid to late 80’s the hair got puffy like the reunion “little chill” episode. I liked the early 80)s better hairwise

[@riverratrvr9225]

Beautiful women ! Such a great memory, thanks for the video!

[@Cicilo1983]

What a great documentary, thanks for posting it. Loved this show so much. It had its ups and downs over the years, especially the last one (even though it had its moments). This makes me want to watch the show all over again.

[@TheRetroGuy2000]

Thank you, Cicilo! Glad you enjoyed! It was fun editing this piece together from various interviews. When you watch the episodes again, be sure to watch the backdoor pilot from Diff'rent Strokes, "The Girls' School", which begins the Facts of Life saga.

[@TheRetroGuy2000]

Felice and the Julies were beautiful. I actually liked this episode: we find out what happened to the Lost Girls, and we're shown that they, just like the main cast, struggled after graduation. When Sue Ann says "next time, I'll BE a vice president!" she says it with such conviction, I believe her. Julie Pie's performance was great in that episode.

[@eugenekozma2697]

Yes Julie piekarski had spunk as Sue ann.

[@eugenekozma2697]

Felice schachter I liked best.great comic timing.how she could make those faces.she was always stylishly dressed too.

[@lashellhenry-maivia4464]

Fact of life, different strokes, good times, whats happening, welcome back carter,punky brewster etc i loooooove my shows. I still watch them. Good memories💗💗💗💗💗💗💗 rip Mrs. Garrett, she was a beautiful soul.

[@axelkyster2642]

You DO love your shows....especially Welcome Back, Carter....

[@kassrripples3659]

I’m 45 now and grew up in Melbourne Australia and have fond memories of this show. I’d forgotten that I watched it.

[@kati1669]

Its corny to say but when i see these characters again my heart explodes🎉🎉 with joy❤ I grew up in the 80's & these shows taught me ALOT going thru the ages, and lessons that stand the test of time. Thank u & BIG Love to all those involved. Be Blessed ❤

[@TheRetroGuy2000]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@ChrisBakerauthor]

I never liked it as much after the first season. I was eight when it debuted, and Cindy was definitely my favorite girl. I'm glad to see that Julie Anne Haddock is still a beautiful woman.

[@TheRetroGuy2000]

I agree. She was very pretty then, and then just got prettier over the years. It's a pity she's no longer acting.

[@capeed5292]

RJ Guy That's probably why she's still pretty. Being in the public eye is a pressure cooker and you can see the results with the bad plastic surgery and plastic look on people's skin --- that is for people who chose to keep acting in front of the camera. Relatively few people are aging well today due in part to constant pressure to look their best. They take short cuts to keep looking good and it becomes worse for many people the longer they're in the racket... Likewise, a larger-than-normal percentage of actors are smokers and that does bad things to your respiratory system and skin. You hear more about the alcohol and drug abuse but you can't swing a mop without hitting many A- and B-listers who aren't a tobacco user, either.

[@TheRetroGuy2000]

Ed, that's a very good point.

[@atlantic-kk9ee]

RJ Guy Just look at the "lost girls" versus the ones who stayed in the Season 8 reunion episode "The Little Chill". Cindy, Felice and Julie were far more attractive than Kim, Lisa, Mindy and Nancy. And Molly was also more attractive in the course of her making the Brat Pack movies at that time.

[@TherealRNOwwfpooh]

I dunno. In Season 8, it was by then trying to be too 1980's with big hair and poofy clothes, so that already was a downswing, since that was on the outs by that point, since the 80's were on their way out and the 90's were arriving. But looking at them now, all of them, both the "Lost Girls" and those who stayed in for the long haul all look much more attractive than some of the run-of-the-mill actors going around nowadays trying to be hip, just to stay relevant.

[@slptp]

I was introduced to this show through audience testing. They would call you, ask you to watch the show on a broadcasted temporary channel, and then do a follow up call interview. I remember as a 10 year old girl saying it was better than Mork and Mindy. But then, as much as I loved Mork, this was squarely aimed at my demographic.

[@Spooky_515]

I remember doing that for Alf

[@DIDYOUSEETHAT172]

Had a major crush on Nancy, starting with that commercial, almost had a heart attack when she showed up on facts of life, still very disappointed to see the other girls dropped. Happy to see they went on to fulfilling lives. Thx fer sharin'.

[@TheRetroGuy2000]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@jomama5186]

I grew up with this show. It was really good. I wish they had smthg like this for today's teens and pre- teens. Thanks for posting this!

[@TeriHiatt]

So sad they didn't interview Jo. She was one of my favorites.

[@Diostillrocks]

Nancy M.'s choice not to do interviews.

[@atlantic-kk9ee]

Warren Littlefield clearly takes a special delight when saying how Molly Ringwald "did not make the cut". Is he trying to cover up his embarrassment and-or resentment that Molly got back at him by soaring to super-stardom on the big screen?

[@TheRetroGuy2000]

atlantic1119 , good point. Can you imagine being the TV executive who fired Molly Ringwald, and then watching her skyrocket to fame in film?

[@heatherkizito3442]

atlantic1119 he did look like a snug git didn't he???

[@TheRetroGuy2000]

Heather, it almost seemed like he was trying to overcompensate in the video. Like if he claimed there were "ten, twelve girls" on the show, it would explain why they let one of the biggest movie stars of the 1980s slip through their fingers.

[@heatherkizito3442]

RJ Guy that is so true. molly was probably laughing all the way to the bank when her carerrer (can't spell lol) took off

[@heatherkizito3442]

FLYING DREAM PRODUCTIONS is he still working today???? just wondering

[@karenknicely1788]

This show really helped me through a most difficult period in my life. It helped me learn about myself, and who I was. And Miss Charolette Rae reminded me so much of my grandmother.I really loved watching this show.

[@otherZinc]

Absolutely loved this show! Great to see they still look great much later in life!

[@appleandhoneyspice]

blair looks like she has not aged .

[@TheRetroGuy2000]

Yep. I even saw her in an interview done a few months ago, and she STILL looks the same. Portrait of Dorian Gray?

[@josephcalderon906]

+tj lang I can't agree with you on that,compared to kim fields lisa's moderately well.

[@juliemnm8273]

Lisa is a few yrs older than Kim, lets say they are both aging well.

[@chrisclermont456]

@@juliemnm8273 Understatement!!

[@veltonmeade1057]

And five years later in 2019, she still hasn't aged one day. I saw her on t.v. recently and she looks great.

[@pappysprite]

I have to say that I just love Lisa. You can tell she is a sincere and sweet person. She was great on the show and she is great now.

[@GStone-rs3ru]

Twenty-five years ago I felt sorry for her. She used hot sauce as discipline with her kids and caught hell from the public.

[@rem2267]

Loved this - great. Thanks for posting!

[@letivon6589]

I watched this show every week on cable in Mexico City. It really helped me with my English which I was learning at the time. Good memories!

[@jenniferbradt735]

Blair was my fave followed by Jo. I love how their relationship develops throughout the show.

[@nassauguy48]

To be honest, they would both come to overshadow Mrs. Garrett herself while Natalie and Tootie clearly became supporting characters.

[@eugenekozma2697]

I agree jo and Blair sparred brilliantly.

[@adamquiles2468]

@@eugenekozma2697 it was that classic fight between Rich girl and Poor girl they both conveyed that brilliantly

[@eugenekozma2697]

@@adamquiles2468 yes I agree Nancy mckeon and Lisa whelchel played their roles with expert skill.they matched each other perfectly.

[@TopcatsLair]

I never heard of this show. This was really great to watch. Thank you.

[@leanneb9529]

You've never heard of this show? Where are you from?

[@TopcatsLair]

@@leanneb9529 Australia, born in 84

[@leanneb9529]

Topcats Lair Ok...now that makes sense... Have a great life:-)

[@mariaibarra9632]

thanx for the upload!

[@wakingohiomama9110]

There needs to be shows like this one today. This is what we need our kids to be watching. Not a phone screen all day. These girls lived away from home and they learned how to cope by compromise and communication with ACTUAL FACE TO FACE BANTER. This is the stuff that matters. Not just a halfhearted text to a friend, but co-existing, through the good and bad.

[@kataisa3]

Lisa Welchel has aged beautifully, she still looks the same!

[@nassauguy48]

Jo did interact with Cindy and Sue Ann, albeit briefly, in two episodes: getting angry at them when they were making fun of Natalie (whom they wrongly thought was a "loose" girl) and when Tootie erroneously spreads the word that Mrs. Garrett was drunk (she had her pupils dilated at the doctor, and was disoriented). In both episodes, the "lost girls" were brutally nasty toward Natalie and Mrs. Garrett, and it was bothersome that their characters were so assassinated in that way.

[@LE123LE123]

Always nice to see child actors who grow up and have a positive life. So much is focused on the few who spiral downward.

[@sassylovee9724]

I miss my 80s bring back these wonderful shows

[@LauraWallaceTHE]

"A girl version of Welcome Back, Kotter?" The only resemblance to that show is that it's set at a school.

[@TheRetroGuy2000]

True.

[@radrobd]

Laura Wallace Well, what they meant by that was that there a male mentor to a group of young guys. Reverse of that would be a female mentor (Mrs. G) to a bunch of young girls.

[@artytoons]

The girls were not underachieving sweathogs.

[@amyanda]

That was the original idea. Through it's development it became more of it's own show.

[@Lauren_Fields]

Well, an inspiration doesn’t have to be a carbon copy

[@atlantic-yq2wr]

In the end, the girls were divided into two categories, the "older" (Blair, Nancy, Sue Ann) and the "younger" (Cindy, Molly, Natalie, Tootie). The producers evidently ruled to keep one of the older girls and two of the younger girls, while adding another older girl (Jo) who would be a composite of one of the older and younger girls to be let go (Cindy, Sue Ann). In the battle of the older girls, it was a clean sweep for Blair, whose character had outshone Nancy and Sue Ann almost from the start. There was not much of a contest among the younger girls either, as Natalie and Tootie had basically stolen the show at the expense of Cindy and Molly. Besides, there was also the diversity factor. Blair was the typical pretty white girl with blonde hair, while Natalie and Tootie respectively satisfied the need for a chubby girl (who was also Jewish) and a black girl. Jo would round things out by being a white girl with an ethnic and working class background (to counter the WASPy and privileged Blair). Jo would be a composite of both Cindy (a New York jock from a broken family) and Sue Ann (a non-Manhattanite with a strong academic record).

[@TheRetroGuy2000]

+atlantic 11561 I think that's accurate. However, it's very clear, looking back on the print advertising campaign of early 1980, that after the first four episodes, the network executives decided on Blair and Tootie being the stars. They were heavily promoted in newspaper articles at that time, and most of the episodes began to revolve around them. So even though Tootie and Blair outshone the other girls, they had help from network executives, who saw flashes of brilliance from these two girls. The roles of Molly and Nancy, never well-developed, never stood a chance alongside Blair and Tootie, and once the decision was made to axe some girls, Nancy and Molly were two obvious choices, unfortunately. Also, you're also quite right about Jo being, at least in part, a composite of both Cindy and Sue Ann. With Jo in, there was no need for a now redundant Cindy, sadly. It would have been interesting to have seen what would have happened if they kept Sue Ann.

[@atlantic-yq2wr]

RJ Guy That was a particularly odd aspect of the show, given the fact that so many episodes revolved around Sue Ann. I do believe that she led the way among all the girls in terms of the number of episodes focusing upon her. Again, however, the show needed a character who could stand up to Blair more effectively than either Sue Ann or Cindy, hence, Jo.

[@good03boy]

+atlantic 11561 I agree with this, especially adding Jo. Jo was basically Cindy and Sue Ann rolled into one. Cindy and Sue Ann could stay up to Blair at anytime. While Sue Ann had the academic smarts.

[@Michelle-pn9xt]

Kim Fields was not chubby . What is your definition of chubby? Having a large chest does not mean that a girl is chubby. When the show started, she was a preteen. She was a kid who was a normal size.

[@nassauguy48]

There was a time when Kim was wearing a lot of big sweaters that covered up her stomach and hips. It lasted no more than one or two seasons.

[@palmirasanchez]

I love love love The Facts of Life!!! I just finished watching all the seasons all over again. Id love to watch a reunion again

[@chriscambell7988]

This show was a huge part of my life growing up. All the actresses in this show are still amazing actresses. It was like we lived their TV lives week to week. I was glued to the Facts of Life every week. Everyone needed a Mrs Garrett in their life. As well as a Tootie, Natalie, Blair and Jo. Every performance they gave was just perfect. Every episode. Never a disappointment

[@chriscambell7988]

These ladies are just amazing. Even the ladies that got smaller walk on parts? They Still did it flawlessly and they had great chemistry.

[@chriscambell7988]

I have every episode on DVD. If I was straight? I would have crushed on the Tom Boy Cindy. Julie Haddock. But I respect Lisa Welchel for her beauty and her wholesome values. Nancy, Kim, and Mindy and Charlotte. What chemistry. You never see that today

[@chriscambell7988]

All beautiful and smart and talented ladies

[@brendaatlas850]

Kim was such a cute little girl. She's absolutely gorgeous.

[@stephanericard4143]

this was an important show in my teenage years, to learn the facts of life as it was written, but when i first saw it, it was with the lovable and likable and pretty Nancy Mckeon whose character touched me because i associated myself with it, and the gorgeous and classy Lisa Welchel, Mindy Conn, Kim Fields, Charlote Rae.

[@garyreidmusic]

There was only ever Nancy McKeon.

[@Denise_Suzanne]

I miss the days of sitcoms taking place on actual sets. They had a play like style and I loved that

[@CyberChicChick]

Excellent documentary! We'll miss you Mrs. Garrett (Charlotte Rae)! RIP..😇

[@miragexl007]

Awesome. Forgot how much I really liked The Facts of Life. I still remember when Blair showed up on Survivor. OMG. Brought back good memories. The good old days, as people say. With a lot of shows

[@nassauguy48]

Julie Anne Haddock really had a series of bad breaks. Her guest appearance as a troubled child on Little House on the Prairie was supposed to become a spinoff, but was decided against at the last moment. Her slated movie career following The Great Santini never materialized. The sitcom-drama Mulligan's Stew, in which she appeared as one of the kids, was cancelled before the end of the first season. And then, of course, there was Facts of Life.

[@corksown1965]

It was great to see these girls as they are now, we in Ireland had to wait years to see this show, I for one would have loved to see it when it first aired, beautiful girls all now and then, thank you for posting it.

[@TheRetroGuy2000]

You're very welcome, David! I didn't know the show had ever aired in Ireland. Good to know!

[@taotaostrong]

Thanks for the nostalgia! I’m suddenly craving a patty melt from the Montgomery Ward Cafe. 😂

[@roblabow9702]

I thought Mrs. Garrett was really great in this show.

[@momof2momof2]

Still enjoy watching this wonderful show

[@kelli3610]

I grew up watching this show, it was one of my favorites!

[@aagold76]

I remember there was a reunion show on the series- where Nancy, Julie and Sue Anne came for a visit during the Beverly Anne years....they made it seem like none of them knew JO- but Nancy was on the show several times with Jo during the Eastland years and Julie did a few too.

[@HeReigns33]

Blair was always my favorite, I wanted to be her so bad!!!!

[@tinklvsme]

I love Logo for putting this show on. Good bye sweet Edna Garret RIP Aug 2018. We will always remember you!

[@yvonnesettle8178]

Still watch The Facts of Life ❤ 2018. Will always be one of my favorite tv shows 💯

[@psychicvoice1]

i had the pleasure of knowing 2 of the girls .. tootie lived 2 doors away from me in burbank california and a great friend and fellow disney cast member and mousekateer and his family invited me to have easter dinner with them and julie and her family were also there .. thank you todd... GREAT MEMORIES !!!!

[@TheRetroGuy2000]

psychicvoice1, how cool! What was Julie Pie like in person? And Kim?

[@psychicvoice1]

julie was awesome very bubbly like on the show my puppy was always in kims back yard so i was there a few times to get her back she always seemed to know when they were having ice cream over there lol

[@TheRetroGuy2000]

Thanks for sharing this story, Psychicvoice1!

[@axelkyster2642]

Todd Turquand, right?? The most un-sung of the new Mouseketeers, despite his having more TV experience than most of them. His cousin is a buddy of mine! 45 years later, I still remember a sketch/song with him and Kelly as a hockey player and an ice skater...

[@daleeloph5283]

As a 14 year old boy in 1979 I really dug it

[@jamessorensen3447]

So glad they finally released the complete series (all 9 seasons) on DVD.

[@Barbe]

+James Sorensen Believe me. I need all seasons. :D

[@gregoryreed4866]

Watching this video always makes me feel good inside