Longest running show to feature an all female lead cast (although there were several recurring male characters, and John Lawlor was a regular during the first season).


Kim Fields was only nine years old when she started playing Tootie, who was supposed to be twelve. In an effort to make her appear taller (and older) her character was always in roller skates for the first year of the show.


The role of Tootie was not specifically written for a black actress. Kim Fields was simply the only African-American to audition.


For the second season, the entire concept and plot of the show was changed from a large boarding house of several young girls, to a tighter knit group of older adolescent women. This was done since the producers felt that a plot change from comic relief to serious adult issues would help boast ratings. The cast of girls was reduced to only four, including the new character of "Joe".

Ummm...

if you're a FOL fan, you know all of this stuff already. I'm just curious what prompted you to post this??

Her name was not spelled "Joe" - it was "Jo." (short for Joanna Marie) :)
Here is the missing verse of the theme song which was never used...
When there's someone that you care about
It really isn't fair, theyre out to slow you up
When you're growin up
When you let 'em flirt and then you hurt
Or waiting cuz your date is late showin' up
And you're growin' up
When it's more than just the birds and the bees
You need someone telling you "please"
There's only one conclusion
There will always be confusion over you.
The facts of life are all about you.

I wasn't sure where to post this and I didnt want to start a brand new topic:
I noticed that Charlotte Rae had a bizarre back-and-forth aging process during the 7 years she was on the show. In the first season, she had the huge bee-hive hair,more blonde than red, and looked very heavy. By season 2,she was slim,trim and her hair was not as big and became a darker shade... then at the start of season 5 **poof** she looked like Season One again with the big hair and heavier body. Then in season 6, she looked the best she ever looked - slender, in-shape and with nicely styled red hair... anyone else notice this?
Also, the first episode to show their house had the front door opening "in" instead if "out" but this was changed after the episode when Jo unknowingly dates a millionaire's son.

Can you tell I'm obsessed with this show. I talked to George Clooney and Charlotte Rae on the phone a few years ago and told them how much I love FOL; both were extremely nice and friendly. I even made my own FOL trivia board game.
Tried to get it produced in 1987 but it never happened; the FOL producers referred me to Coca-Cola, which owned Columbia television...they sent me a letter saying they were not able to produce it at this time. (prob because the show was on its way out at the time.)

Originally posted by maryfan5
[B I even made my own FOL trivia board game.
Tried to get it produced in 1987 but it never happened; the FOL producers referred me to Coca-Cola, which owned Columbia television...they sent me a letter saying they were not able to produce it at this time. (prob because the show was on its way out at the time.) [/B]
That is so cool. To bad you never got it produced. I would have bought one. Do you still have it? Maybe you could post a picture of it.

Yes I still have it! I will try to post a photo of it.
It's similar to Trivial Pursuit but instead of collecting cataegories, you collect FOL characters. :)