Is it just me, or am I the ONLY fan of the 4 first season FOL girls--Molly, Sue Anne, Cindy, and Nancy--that left?

You are definitely not alone.

Back in May when the first season came out on DVD, there were a multitude of posts on this board from individuals who swore (and still do) that the first season's cast was superior. Let's face it: It's simply a matter of opinion. There is no right or wrong on the matter.

The only reason the cast was trimmed was to allow for greater character development. The producers felt 4 girls were sufficient when writing a half-hour show.

Sue Anne, Cindy, and Nancy made a handful of small guest appearances over the course of the series. Molly Ringwald's appearances were certainly fewer because after she became a household name in 1984 with "Sixteen Candles," you can imagine that she was not going to belittle herself with an insignificant guest spot. (Though, I suspect the FOL writers, at that point, would have loved to write an episode or two for her.)

I certainly have not forgotten the first season or the first season girls. Some of my favorite episodes like "Rough Housing", "Emily Dickinson", "Dieting" and "Running" are from the first season. Cindy is second only to Jo and Blair as my favorite "Facts" character and I also like Sue Ann, Nancy and Molly as well. The first season is one of my favorites among the seven seasons.

As Justwondering correctly pointed out, it really is just a matter of personal opinion. I know that many "Facts" fans don't much care for the first season but that will not stop me from loving it less. :D

I like the episodes with Molly, Sue Anne, Cindy, and Nancy too! Those episodes have more of the boarding school vibe.

I like the episodes with Molly, Sue Anne, Cindy, and Nancy too! Those episodes have more of the boarding school vibe.

Gidgetgrape is absolutely right! That first season certainly did have more a boarding school vibe. It was utterly lost when the writers needed a reason to put the 4 girls together in close quarters and created the premise of their working off the debt in the school cafeteria.

By Season 2, notice how often the cafeteria was empty when the girls did their scenes. They were either cleaning up or preparing for a meal during most episodes. If the girls weren't in the cafeteria, then the scene usually took place in their dorm room.

These two place settings so isolated the cast from the rest of the "supposed school," that I really believe it lost the boarding school vibe. There simply wasn't enough interaction between the girls and other students, the way it would be at a boarding school.

I liked them a lot! But the show was different in the first season. The writing was different. It had an overall different feel to it. I did like that they incorporated some of the cast during portions of Season 2. Like when Molly was in the cafeteria with Margo and when Nancy was trying to find someone to talk to about Roger. I think they were trying to keep some of the cast but it just worked better for the 30 minute timeslot to have Blair, Jo, Natalie and Tootie.

I still love popping in my first season DVD and watching the first season episodes. I do agree that there was too many characters for a half hour show and that the show was stronger because of the cutdown in characters, but I wish all 4 could have made more guest appearances past season 2 & 3. I am a big fan of Cindy, Sue Ann, and Molly and would have love to have seen them grow up. However, it was nice that Cindy, Sue Ann, and Nancy made an appearance in the season 8 episode "The Little Chill" to update fans of season 1 on what they have been up to. :)

I wish Molly could have been in that ep. "The Little Chill"! I wish the "Forgotten 4" were all on the reunion movie! Does the FOL season 1 & 2 have interviews w/ any of the "Forgotten 4"?

I wish Molly could have been in that ep. "The Little Chill"! I wish the "Forgotten 4" were all on the reunion movie! Does the FOL season 1 & 2 have interviews w/ any of the "Forgotten 4"?

Yeah, both Julie Anne Haddock and Felice Schachter are interviewed along with Lisa, Kim and Mindy.

I guess I'll talk about this here now.
I made a parody on the Amiright website about the 1st-year girls. I originally thought of this as a "theme song" to a proposed fanfic I may or may not ever get around to writing, where the 4 girls are in some parallel world they got zapped to when Jo showed up at Eastland.

Here it is:
http://www.amiright.com/parody/70s/themoodyblues17.shtml

Yeah, both Julie Anne Haddock and Felice Schachter are interviewed along with Lisa, Kim and Mindy.
thanks!

I guess I'll talk about this here now.
I made a parody on the Amiright website about the 1st-year girls. I originally thought of this as a "theme song" to a proposed fanfic I may or may not ever get around to writing, where the 4 girls are in some parallel world they got zapped to when Jo showed up at Eastland.

Here it is:
http://www.amiright.com/parody/70s/themoodyblues17.shtml

I will look!

edit: I saw it, it's pretty good!!!!!

I wish we could have seen Nancy's boyfriend Roger!

I wish we could have seen Nancy's boyfriend Roger!

Yeah, they never showed him! Even Jenny Picolo was shown on the last season of Happy Days, or was it just before the last season?

Yeah, Cindy was cool. They all were.

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Please don't shoot me, but I think the forgotten four were dreadful. Let me ammend that. Nancy was ok (I can't really assess her acting since they gave her very little to do). Cindy was likeable enough. But Sue-Ann?? Please be honest here. Do you honestly and truly think she was a talented actress? Imagine, if you will, her dialogue as written material. Then watch what she does with that material. Watch how she says her lines and watch her facial expressions. You'll notice a trend....every single scene is exactly the same. And as much as I loved The Breakfast Club, Molly Ringwald displayed NONE of the talent or charisma on FOL that she would show in later years. In fact, they could have replaced MR with a talking chipmunk and the result would have been the same.

Isn't there anyone in the world who agrees with me????

Sorry, Casey, but I obviously totally DISAGREE w/ you! I think all 4 of them are all talented and did a wonderful job and it is a shame that they were so underrated that none of them act anymore. Because people like you do not give them a chance.

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Well, I'm sorry, Casey, but I just feel that noone "gets me"!

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Please don't shoot me, but I think the forgotten four were dreadful. Let me ammend that. Nancy was ok (I can't really assess her acting since they gave her very little to do). Cindy was likeable enough. But Sue-Ann?? Please be honest here. Do you honestly and truly think she was a talented actress? Imagine, if you will, her dialogue as written material. Then watch what she does with that material. Watch how she says her lines and watch her facial expressions. You'll notice a trend....every single scene is exactly the same. And as much as I loved The Breakfast Club, Molly Ringwald displayed NONE of the talent or charisma on FOL that she would show in later years. In fact, they could have replaced MR with a talking chipmunk and the result would have been the same.

Isn't there anyone in the world who agrees with me????

I have to disagree with you. Sue Ann rocks! :rock: Though I do respect your opinion.

. . . And as much as I loved The Breakfast Club, Molly Ringwald displayed NONE of the talent or charisma on FOL that she would show in later years. In fact, they could have replaced MR with a talking chipmunk and the result would have been the same.
Isn't there anyone in the world who agrees with me????


Molly Ringwald simply didn't have the appropriate material in order to convey a sense of charisma or properly demonstrate her talent. Recall that the character of "Molly" was the feminist on the show. The writers often gave her some throwaway line in which she'd voice a female-rights perspective. Mrs. Garrett would smile and respond, "Attagirl, Molly." I found it annoying, since her character added absolutely nothing to the show.

Molly Ringwald was so miscast in her FOL role. It wasn't much of a part anyway. A mere 3 years later in 1983 when she filmed "Sixteen Candles," she had not only matured physically, but audiences witnessed what she was capable of, given the right material, of course.

I hope I didn't make you feel that way, Tribble. If so, I'm sorry. The world is made up of all kinds of different people with all kinds of opinions. I love how most people follow no "formula". For instance, I am a born-again Christian and yet my political views are very left-wing. Go figure. If you think that those original FOL girls had talent, that's cool. I respect that.
Ok. I still think all the "Forgotten 4" rock, though! It's stars TODAY that have no talent and get on my nerves!

Please don't shoot me, but I think the forgotten four were dreadful. Let me ammend that. Nancy was ok (I can't really assess her acting since they gave her very little to do). Cindy was likeable enough. But Sue-Ann?? Please be honest here. Do you honestly and truly think she was a talented actress? Imagine, if you will, her dialogue as written material. Then watch what she does with that material. Watch how she says her lines and watch her facial expressions. You'll notice a trend....every single scene is exactly the same. And as much as I loved The Breakfast Club, Molly Ringwald displayed NONE of the talent or charisma on FOL that she would show in later years. In fact, they could have replaced MR with a talking chipmunk and the result would have been the same.

Isn't there anyone in the world who agrees with me????
I definitly agree.I started a thread a while back.you may wanna searc and read i other people's opinions.

Unpopular opinion, but I kind of agree on them not being so great.

With Nancy, it was hard to tell since she got so little screen time and when she did it was usually complaining about Roger. But there was nothing that stood out about her to me.

I love Molly Ringwald and don't think she was bad here, but again there wasn't much for her to do.

I fully admit that when I was a kid I liked Sue Ann the best of the first year girls for some reason, but in repeated watching I don't think Julie was a very good actress. She was very forced and I do agree she sort of acted everything the same way.

Cindy was okay, but I don't know...I just felt it was a no brainer on which of the girls to keep.

Unpopular opinion, but I kind of agree on them not being so great.

Raya, Could you possibly have been more diplomatic if you tried? :lol: You tried so hard not to step on anyone else's viewpoint! How kind.;)

Raya, Could you possibly have been more diplomatic if you tried? :lol: You tried so hard not to step on anyone else's viewpoint! How kind.;)

Because I know there are so many fans of them here. I don't agree with the opinion, but I respect it.

Though I fully admit back in the day I thought Sue Ann was cool. Now I don't know what I was thinking. ;)

Then, I guess my opinion sucks, 'cause it is MY opinion that about those 4 being great, that is really unpopular here! Nobody gets me! I feel I am being bashed for having a different opinion! I'm sorry I ever started this thread then! I don't know where I can go that my opinions are welcome and appreciated and I don't feel so alone!

Then, I guess my opinion sucks, 'cause it is MY opinion that about those 4 being great, that is really unpopular here! Nobody gets me! I feel I am being bashed for having a different opinion! I'm sorry I ever started this thread then! I don't know where I can go that my opinions are welcome and appreciated and I don't feel so alone!

Troi,

Something you must understand is this: Just because this is a public bulletin board dedicated to FOL fans, we do not share the same opinions. Four million more people could post here that they did not enjoy "The Forgotten 4," and that does not make your opinion wrong. Be confident. All opinions are welcome here. Post again, and state what the "Forgotten 4" brought to the show that you feel was special. You may actually convince others that you have a good point. Some may not change their opinions at all, but that's okay, too.

Understand that being out-numbered is NOT equivalent with being "bashed." We --well, most of us anyway-- try to be respectful to other's differing opinions. No one is "right" here, but most importantly, no one is "wrong" either. What we are posting is simply our opinions. Often, we agree to disagree, but we can disagree without being disagreeable. That means, do not take offense that others don't agree with you. Smile, and then click on another FOL topic and post once more. We don't fight each other in any parking lot, trust me.

Look at it this way: Baskin Robbins has 32 flavors for a reason. I like Vanilla, but I don't feel embarassed or the slightest bit insecure because 31 other ice cream eaters don't agree with me. Oh, and I've yet to feel insecure that still others hate ice cream and like frozen yogurt instead. Diversity is a good thing!

.

I understand diversity is great, but sometimes I feel like the outsider and the only one who IS "diverse", as I have very umpopular obscure taste that other people find stupid. I can't help it, that's me. Whether it be food, music, tv, movies, celebs, anything. I'm not saying everybody has to agree. I wish I could find ways to describe why I feel the "Forgotten 4" are so great, but I can't. They are beyond words. I just think they are the greatest, I don't know why. Perhaps it is because they are so rare and when they left FOL I missed them? And MOLLY is so great in her movies!

Then, I guess my opinion sucks, 'cause it is MY opinion that about those 4 being great, that is really unpopular here! Nobody gets me! I feel I am being bashed for having a different opinion! I'm sorry I ever started this thread then! I don't know where I can go that my opinions are welcome and appreciated and I don't feel so alone!


Don't feel that your opinion "sucks". I really like the characters of Cindy, Sue Ann, Nancy and Molly too. :)

Don't feel that your opinion "sucks". I really like the characters of Cindy, Sue Ann, Nancy and Molly too. :)
Thanks, Blair's. You know, today is Julie Piekarski's (Sue Ann) birthday. :D

I LOVED Cindy. I liked Molly---it was neat to have a feminist girl on the show, some of her lines came from a different attitude and perspective (it's interesting that we almost had Molly instead of Tootie on the show). Nancy was "okay", but just wasn't developed enough much for me to care about her much (though her umbrella bit in "Flash Flood", and her tight jeans battle in "Dieting" are great comedic moments, lol). Sue Ann though, yeah, I agree that Julie Piekarski wasn't much of an actress back then. So Sue Ann annoyed me a lot.

Thanks, Blair's. You know, today is Julie Piekarski's (Sue Ann) birthday. :D


Happy Birthday, Julie! present:

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1963

Happy Birthday Julie :birthday:

120834

The "Forgotten 4" RULE!!!!!

Does anyone know Julie Anne Haddock's birthdate? She is the only one out of my favorite stars that I have no idea of the day/year she was born! Someone please help. Thanks.

All I know is that she was born in 1964, I have yet to come accross an exact date.

All I know is that she was born in 1964, I have yet to come accross an exact date.
Thanks, Cannuck! That's more than I know already! :D

All I know is that she was born in 1964, I have yet to come accross an exact date.

I've never been able to find an exact birthdate for Julie Anne Haddock either.

I wish she was not so out of reach so we could find out more about her. I at least was able to submit "1964" to imdb, though. I want to know more about her!

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ON THE EXTRAS FROM THE FIRST SEASON GIRLS, MOST ARE INTERVIEWED STATING WHAT THEY'VE BEEN DOING.

HEY CASEY:D

I wish we could have seen Nancy's boyfriend Roger!

It reminds me of how they never showed the nanny on Muppet Babies. Only her ugly stockings.

Roger must have been hot though if Blair was willing to go out with him that one time. hehe

i liked the forgotten 4 too but for some reason i seem to like those eps more now than when they first aired

I always thought the four girls who got fired from the first season received a raw deal. They were made to be the scape-goats for the poor ratings the show received during it's original run. The producers wanted to cut costs so they fired four of the girls and John Lawlor (Mr. Bradley.)

The producers have often said that the poor ratings were a result of having too many girls and too many story lines. I don't buy it, because when you think about, many of the most successful 1/2 hour sit coms have had large casts, MASH, Mary Tyler Moore, Cheers, Friends, Taxi.

I think the real reason Season One got such bad ratings was the Friday Night line-up During the March-June 1980 run. FOL was on at 8:30 NBC, it's lead in was a show called "Here's Boomer" and it's follow up show at 9:00 was a show called, "Pink Lady and Jeff" Opposite FOL at this time on CBS was The Incredible Hulk at 8:00 (very Poplular) The Dukes of Hazzard at 9:00 (very popular) and the Shooting of J.R. on Dallas at 10:00 (extremely popular). Also, this was during a time before remote controls when people left one station on the entire night.

When FOL resumed in Nov 1980 with only four girls it was switched to Wed nights, at 9:30 behind Different Strokes and before Quincy at 10:00. Two of the only hit shows NBC had at the time.

I always felt that if the original cast had been moved to the better time slot, that they would have been just as successful.

I've always felt "there were too many characters" was a lame excuse too, exactly why you said, John---some of the most successful sitcoms have had 6 or more stars.

However, I do think the way the show was written hurt the chances of all 7 girls staying on. The show in season 1 was really a vehicle for Mrs. Garrett, with the girls in more supporting roles compared to what they would become in the seasons afterward. Since Mrs. Garrett had so much screen time and so many lines, it was harder to fully flesh out all 7 girls---plus Mr. Bradley and Miss Mahoney. They must have realized this quickly with Miss Mahoney, hence her being axed after only four shows.

I'm not surprised that Felice was the first girl to be fired since her character was the least developed. It seems pretty clear from season 1 the most developed were Natalie, Tootie, Blair, and Sue Ann. Cindy and Molly were more "gimmicks" it seemed (jock, feminist), though if given the chance, they could have been really great characters (though Cindy's and Jo's tomboyishness would have maybe been too similar, despite their character differences). Although Cindy was very established and fleshed out from the get-go in "Roughhousing", and Molly had a nice vehicle with "Molly's Holiday", although it would have been interesting to see her star in episode featuring her feminist side.

I always wondered how Julie P. felt about being fired. I certainly am no fan of her acting on the show, but she did usurp the role of Blair's main foil from Cindy after "Roughhousing", and there were several Blair/Sue Ann storylines/scenes. Then for her to be fired and some "new girl" to be brought in to usurp her as Blair's foil...I always wondered how hard that her.

It's interesting that they felt that had to create Jo for "everyday girls" to relate to, when two already-established characters shared traits that "everyday girls" could relate to---Nancy wasn't from a rich family, and Sue Ann was a smalltown girl. So they weren't the typical rich "private school girls". I think Sue Ann probably appealed to girls in the south and midwest, whereas Jo hails from a big city.

I don't feel simply moving the show's time slot would have made the show just as successful. I do love season 1, but with Mrs. Garrett in as big a starring role as she was, the writers just didn't seem to try and really flesh out the girls as much as they could have, split up screentime, etc. "Friends" and "Cheers" for instance have several main characters who share screen time more equally (though "Cheers" didn't start out that way, but they had more specific lines written for the "supporting" characters...and the cast there was only about 5 or 6, whereas FOL had 10 for the first four shows, then 9).

It would have been nice if all of the girls could have been fleshed out equally, and if they had retained Mr. Bradley throughout the series (why they didn't keep him seems odd).

At least the show did develop into a wonderful series, and we're getting it straight from the beginning on DVD! :D

Or maybe "the Forgotten 4" could have had their own spinoff, show, I don't know. Although there would not have been a "Boone" for Julie Anne. I wish I saw that show, but I have not heard of it until it was too late. I wish I could have seen "Mulligan's Stew". I want all the eps. for both shows! I will even try to do some sort of a trade.

The four are ok, but you can tell what characters they were developing and which ones werent- Nancy never had a significant storyline unless she was on the phone with Roger..Cindy was the focus of two episodes out of 13 while Molly only had one, and Sue Ellen was in a few. If I had to cut them before season 2 I probally would have cut them all as well..

But, I miss them! I wish I could see them in stuff! I don't know why they do not act anymore! :(

I still really wish that I had all of the episodes to the 2 series that Julie Anne did: "Mulligan's Stew" and "Boone". Nobody knows where I can get it, do they?

I like the 4 girls. But for a half-hour show, it was definitely too many characters to play on.

I like the 4 girls. But for a half-hour show, it was definitely too many characters to play on.
Then, it should have been an hour show!

It was not entirely the actresses' fault. The writers were a little lazy on some of the characters they wanted and neglected for a couple of episodes. It was just the forgotten four remained entirely a mystery for the rest of the 1st Season. We might remember Molly Ringwald, but her part could have been played by anyone.

Here are some pictures of the first season girls. :)

Well heck, "Casey", you didn't have to go and do that. I for one thought your comment about Sue Ann was pretty funny - and I'm a huge Sue Ann fan. Heck, I think those quirks-and-whatever helped give her that appeal she has.

And don't forget - whatever people say lives forever in those quotes.

I wish I knew more about Julie Anne Haddock. I miss all the Forgotten 4! I wish Molly would do some more stuff!

http://66.34.30.230/0/SB25/a0322SB.jpg
Here are some of the 1st Season girls with Scott Baio, but I guess you know Felice Schachter starred opposite Baio and Willie Aames in the low budget comedy, Zapped! Not the best pic in the world, but I think that is Scott Baio. Damn! Felice is tall!

Refresh my memory. I can't remember what I said. But, try to imagine any of the popular teenage actresses (from today or the 80's or 70's or whatever) in these roles. Do you think anyone else could have mastered the depth and poise of Felice? Her facial expressions were priceless, especially when she was saying, "Oh Roger, you're so impossible" on the phone. She had me GLUED to my TV screen with her charisma. Kristy McNichol and Jodi Foster didn't hold a CANDLE to Felice. Her acting ability was astounding. I can't stop myself from watching her scenes over and over and over again and I just think, "How is it possible that one person could be so brilliant?" Does anyone know if she has a fan page?


Well heck, "Casey", you didn't have to go and do that. I for one thought your comment about Sue Ann was pretty funny - and I'm a huge Sue Ann fan. Heck, I think those quirks-and-whatever helped give her that appeal she has.

And don't forget - whatever people say lives forever in those quotes.

Refresh my memory. I can't remember what I said. But, try to imagine any of the popular teenage actresses (from today or the 80's or 70's or whatever) in these roles. Do you think anyone else could have mastered the depth and poise of Felice? Her facial expressions were priceless, especially when she was saying, "Oh Roger, you're so impossible" on the phone. She had me GLUED to my TV screen with her charisma. Kristy McNichol and Jodi Foster didn't hold a CANDLE to Felice. Her acting ability was astounding. I can't stop myself from watching her scenes over and over and over again and I just think, "How is it possible that one person could be so brilliant?" Does anyone know if she has a fan page?

This post is oozing with sarcasm, despite what anybody says I still love the all the first season girls regardless of whether they can or cannot act.

But Sue-Ann?? Please be honest here. Do you honestly and truly think she was a talented actress? Imagine, if you will, her dialogue as written material. Then watch what she does with that material. Watch how she says her lines and watch her facial expressions. You'll notice a trend....every single scene is exactly the same.
I had to copy-&-paste that from a quote of yours that someone else posted.
Anyway, for some strange reason, that's part of her appeal to me.

Whatever your feelings were about whoever, you didn't have to go deleting all your past messages here. Go ahead and tell us what you think, is what I say.

Frankly I loved the 1st season. I thought there was a magic there and realism that was never recaptured. Sure the 3rd and 4th seasons were the best, but still... The problem in season one was too many characters! and poor scripts, still I really liked Sue Ann, if one of the 4 should have stayed it would have been Julie Pi! That said, the show did the right thing, nine seasons is an incredible run.

Here are some of the 1st Season girls with Scott Baio, but I guess you know Felice Schachter starred opposite Baio and Willie Aames in the low budget comedy, Zapped! Not the best pic in the world, but I think that is Scott Baio. Damn! Felice is tall!
Who are the other girls w/ Felice & Scott? Julie Anne Haddock? Who's the first girl leading?

Refresh my memory. I can't remember what I said. But, try to imagine any of the popular teenage actresses (from today or the 80's or 70's or whatever) in these roles. Do you think anyone else could have mastered the depth and poise of Felice? Her facial expressions were priceless, especially when she was saying, "Oh Roger, you're so impossible" on the phone. She had me GLUED to my TV screen with her charisma. Kristy McNichol and Jodi Foster didn't hold a CANDLE to Felice. Her acting ability was astounding. I can't stop myself from watching her scenes over and over and over again and I just think, "How is it possible that one person could be so brilliant?" Does anyone know if she has a fan page?
There WAS a fanpage, but it no longer exists. Here is a photo gallery of her though, if you click here (http://www.geocities.com/phxprods/schachter.html).

There WAS a fanpage, but it no longer exists. Here is a photo gallery of her though, if you click here (http://www.geocities.com/phxprods/schachter.html).

Dude, I think the poster was being sarcastic about her love for Felice's acting ability. :rolleyes:

I wish I knew...but I picture is not that clear.

Dude, I think the poster was being sarcastic about her love for Felice's acting ability. :rolleyes:
Oh, great, you mean ADA Casey Novack really does NOT like Felice? Oh, well! Anyway, does anyone know if today (March 5) is Julie Anne Haddock-Becker's birthday? If so, Happy 42nd to her!

I wish I knew...but I picture is not that clear.
Well, when you find out, let me know, ok? Thanks!

You are clearly NOT the only one. I LOVED the innocence of the first season. Cindi was one of my faves. She was a tomboy, but soooo pretty!

You are clearly NOT the only one. I LOVED the innocence of the first season. Cindi was one of my faves. She was a tomboy, but soooo pretty!
Thanks for not letting me be the only 1st season fan! :)

Seeing this post repeatedly makes me sad. I recently went to the musical CATZ. One very memorable scene has one of the actresses singing "Memories". It was so good, she got a standing ovation. I still have the ticket stubs on my counter top. After reading this post, when I see my ticket stubs, it brings back bittersweet "memories". I think it would be a really good idea to put together a string of video clips of all the first season girls (and of course Miss Mahoney and Mr Bradley). And in the background, they could play that song "Memories". It's such a beautiful song, especially the way it was sung in CATZ. There are so many stills that I would incorporate. First and formost would be a succession of Felice's facial expressions as she talked with Roger on the phone. As she talked to him quite often, we would have a bunch of stills to pick from. And we could also include her varied expressions when she realized (to her dismay) that she was the smartest girl in school. For those who are interested, I am starting up a fan page dedicated to Felice. Although she is now in another profession, I believe if enough of us get together, hit the site, and perhaps start a petition, we could woo her back. Hey, it's worth a try, right? I'm going to share something with you that I don't talk about often. In fact, I try very hard not to think about it at all. But when Felice got so upset by the fact that she had the highest IQ, I had serious tears running down my face. I still can't see that scene without choking up. I can't talk about this anymore.

Oh, well! Anyway, does anyone know if today (March 5) is Julie Anne Haddock-Becker's birthday? If so, Happy 42nd to her!

I meant happy 43rd, NOT 42nd, SORRY!!!

http://www.lostinthepast.net/past/Scott1/SL1160B.JPG


I believe after The Facts of Life, Felice did star as the love interest to Baio's character. She didn't look too shabby there either..she was pretty hot in that movie. I mean, in Zapped! that is.

I liked "Zapped!".

I do, too. I liked Zapped also!

I liked Sue Ann, Cindy and Nancy - but I didn't care all that much for Molly. How ironic that Molly Ringwald would become a huge star not too long after getting dumped from FOL. It was great seeing Felice Schachter and Julie Anne Haddock Becker in the DVD extras from Seasons 1 & 2.

I have now made a new "complete" version of my song parody.
http://www.amiright.com/parody/70s/themoodyblues23.shtml

To be honest, some of the season 1 girls lacked the professionalism and acting abilities that the main 4 had and I think that's why they were taken off. I know that they had too many girls on the show at the time but obviously the writers and producers felt that the show lacked something (as mentioned in Nancy M's IP) and when they brought Jo on, the ratings soared. I also think that since there were so many girls at first, they were all a big group of friends but with the rest of the series having only 4 girls, there was much more room to get on a more personal level with the girls and their personal lives as well. Not to mention, each girl had a best friend. Nat and Tootie were bff's as were Jo and Blair. The main 4 cast members had that special bond with eachother and they definitely played off of eachothers energies which made the show what it was. with a cast of 8 or more, there would be no room for that and there wouldnt be a lot of room for story lines either. The first season girls were okay, but it was the main 4 that really made the show a hit.

Do you guys REALLY not know what Felice Schachter did after F.O.L.?

There were many folks back in the day that commented on her strong resemblence to Brooke Shields. In fact, she and Brooke were quite good friends at the time. Felice was the body double for Brooke in Blue Lagoon! That's right my friends, the naked body you see is Felice Schachter! Not Brooke.

Please understand, that is NOT a criticism, or a slam, or even a dirty-old-man reaction to her performance (heck, she and I are exactly the same age, so...). Just a fact that you might like to know.

the season 1ers are good actresses. Nancy, Lisa, Kim and Mindy are better at it though. They are comedic genious's. They have acting talent like no other.

the season 1ers are good actresses. Nancy, Lisa, Kim and Mindy are better at it though. They are comedic genious's. They have acting talent like no other.
i totally agree! ;)

Personally, while I do prefer seasons 2-4 over all the others, I get what Troi's saying about season 1. I really enjoyed the "Mr. Bradley" character and I don't think a lack of acting ability was ever the problem. I think that the writers were just plain lazy and if they would have fleshed the "Forgotten Four" characters out more and gone into more depth about them, it would have given the actresses a better chance to use their ability on the show. I agree with someone who said that the cast size was a lame excuse. It's not that it couldn't have been done with that many girls...it's that the writers were terrible! It's been proven with shows like M*A*S*H and MTM and The Jeffersons that you CAN have a large cast size and have a very successful half-hour show. It wasn't the size. It was the fact that the writers just didn't give some of the characters the full chance they needed to grow. While "Jo" is a MUCH better character to play opposite "Blair's" rich, spoiled personality than either "Cindy" or "Sue Ann," season 1 did have a sweetness and an innocence, in my opinion, that was clearly lost in season 2. Now obviously not everybody will agree with me, but like a lot of you have already said, it's diversity that makes the world so special. :) That's just my own opinion.

If they had'nt brought Jo on, the show wouldnt have survived. I personally think the show got better as it progressed. The writing was a lot better therefore the comedy was a lot better. Since season 2, Blair had a bestey and she and Jo really balanced eachother out. Without Blair and Jo and their friendship, the show would'nt have made it. Althought the season 1 girls were good actors, they lacked the spunk that the main four girls had, but thats my opinion.

While I prefer seasons 2-9 to 1, I did like season 1 because it gave off the boarding school vibe, like you saw the girls hanging out and watching tv in their dorm and in their rooms and going back and forth to class. In the remaining seasons, that vibe kind of disappeared to the point where I used to wonder for the remaining Eastland years why the hell the girls weren't in class and spent the majority of time in their room or washing dishes. I mean, where did they find the time?

While I prefer seasons 2-9 to 1, I did like season 1 because it gave off the boarding school vibe, like you saw the girls hanging out and watching tv in their dorm and in their rooms and going back and forth to class. In the remaining seasons, that vibe kind of disappeared to the point where I used to wonder for the remaining Eastland years why the hell the girls weren't in class and spent the majority of time in their room or washing dishes. I mean, where did they find the time?

I have always wondered this as well! :crazy:

So have I. I do have to agree with Nat's #1 fan when I say that I prefer seasons 2-9 to 1 and I would have liked to see more of a boarding school/dorm vibe if that makes any sense.lol

I always believed the other girls could have been used more as supporting characters and they should have been there for the graduation episode.

I always believed the other girls could have been used more as supporting characters and they should have been there for the graduation episode.


yep

Thank God for my season one dvd. I watch it so much, I'm afraid it'll break or something. Which would happen to my heart if I damaged my season one dvd. Never, and I mean NEVER, in the history of television have I enjoyed anything more than The Facts of Life, season one. In fact, whenever I see a phone, I think about Nancy and Roger. I often wonder if Roger is still "impossible". I used to work with a woman whose name was "Lise" (pronounced "Leese"). After awhile, I just had to avoid her. Whenever I saw her, I would duck for cover. I just kept thinking, "Felice, Felice, Felice...". I think I may have a problem.

No! Actually I really liked those four girls! However lets remeber Molly Ringwald left of her own volition, to do mives. Her first "The Tempest" Bombed, but then she had a string of hits and became an 80's icon. Her career waned when she went to France to live, but since has returned to the states and does movies and TV, most recently she's acted on "secret life of the American Teenager" For ABC Family and looks great. She probably doesn't enjoy seeing her prepubescent self on FOL. She did fufill her contract by doing some guest shots on the second season.

Felice Shacter was cut and did some movie with Scott Baio, but other than FOL guest spots, she's been unseen.
Julie Piekarski was SueAnn and has a fan following, she too was cut, but did guest spots till Season seven.
Julie Ann Haddock played Cindy and was previously on "Little House on the Prairie" She acted till the mid-90's.
I think the producers did the right thing and kept the right girls. The additon of Jo, Nancy McKeon, was dead-on and just what the show needed. Simply put none of the First Season Four were bad, there were just too many girls.

I think that they still could have used those girls throughout the years or at least until the high school years were over with. Let them do at least four episodes each season. Nancy and Sue Anne could have went to Langley as well. I was a major fan for season one.

i think Jo was really what the show needed. she and Blair complemented eachother so well. as did Nat and Tootie.

In season one, they tried to set up a rivalry/friendship with Blair and Sue Ann. Blair, the rich NY debutante, and Sue Ann, the farm girl from Kansas City. But it is obvious that dynamic wasn't working, so taking a cue from the movie "Little Darlings" (with Kristy McNichol as the Jo type and Tatum O'Neal as the Blair type), voila........the birth of one of the great sitcom rivalries/friendships ever--our Blair and Jo! :)

Blair and Jo are the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Blair and Jo are the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
you said it! ;)

Blair and Jo are the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


um...yeah!!! :)

It would make my day if all eight girls, Charlotte, George, Mackenzie, Cloris, and Sherrie all appear together someday.

In season one, they tried to set up a rivalry/friendship with Blair and Sue Ann. Blair, the rich NY debutante, and Sue Ann, the farm girl from Kansas City. But it is obvious that dynamic wasn't working, so taking a cue from the movie "Little Darlings" (with Kristy McNichol as the Jo type and Tatum O'Neal as the Blair type), voila........the birth of one of the great sitcom rivalries/friendships ever--our Blair and Jo! :)

It was Veronica and Betty, wasn't it?

Is it just me, or am I the ONLY fan of the 4 first season FOL girls--Molly, Sue Anne, Cindy, and Nancy--that left?
IMO, except for Molly, all of the 1st season characters that were dropped were fine. The only good one to "survive" was Blair. I'm including Mrs. G in this too.

I always thought Molly would have made a wonderful lesbian character. Sue-ann could have owned a horse farm. Cindy could have been the first gay supermodel and Nancy could have married Roger and had tons of Roger Jrs. Then we'd get to hear her say "Roger" so many, many times. The way she said, "Oh Roger" was some of the best acting I've ever seen. No joke. She said "Roger" like she really meant it. BTW, Roger was and is my favorite character of all-time on any show ever. I love you, Roger!

the first season even though had some good moments, wasnt that great. i did like nancy though, if the producers hadnt changed the format this show wouldnt have made it for 9 seasons.

Today is Felice Schachter's birthday! :D

IMO, except for Molly, all of the 1st season characters that were dropped were fine. The only good one to "survive" was Blair. I'm including Mrs. G in this too.

I absolutely agree with you on that one: BLAIR & MRS. G were the best characters in season 1!(I still liked SUE ANN better than the other 3 who got kicked out of the show).
SEASON 1 was rather refreshing & unique: it was the beginning of the great sitcom yet to come, the 7 girls were funny in their own way, MRS. G was hilarious, MR BRADLEY cracked me up, MRS. MAHONEY was very amusing too.......
SEASON 7, 8 + 9 really lacked of charm: the new characters BEVERLY ANN, ANDY etc.... were not interesting at all, these 2 had silly lines so there is no way i m ever gonna get these 3 seasons on DVD! (glad to say i v got SEASON 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 since 6 is not out yet)

Was the firing/letting-go of Julie Anne Haddock, Julie Piekarski, Molly Ringwald and Felice Schachter after The Facts of Life's first season a cost-cutting move? It is said that the producers of FoL claimed that they wanted to take the series in a new direction by firing half of the show's cast.

No idea.

I posted on another thread that The Facts of Life, during its first season, was averaging a meager 4.5 rating, and instead of cancelling the program, NBC decided to put TFoL on hiatus and retool the series before its second season.

I only said that the four girls being let go from the series may have been a cost-cutting move because TV shows with large main casts are just so expensive if it (the show) has mediocre ratings.

The new producers didn't like the show. Gone were the short shorts. Gone was Felice Schachter, who never had a large part anyway. Gone was the cheesy first season theme song. One of the producers mentioned this in the FOL True Hollywood Story: they hated the show.

I don't think firing the Lost Girls had anything to do with cutting costs. If money was an issue, they wouldn't have built new sets: new bedrooms, new cafeteria, new lounge, etc. I think they were just trying to reorganize the show, and make it something "they" liked.

Once Brandon Tartikoff suggested Nancy McKeon should have a part on the show, her character was written to be a foil for Blair, and the characters of Sue Ann and Cindy become somewhat redundant. With Molly never having had a large role, the die was cast, and Season Two formed around the Core Four and Mrs. G.

Which is a shame, because the cast was less diverse, and the writers started shoehorning multiple characters into just four girls. What was Tootie doing with Molly's interest in cameras? How did street kid Jo suddenly learn to play the piano? When they limited the show to four girls, they limited the number of storylines, and as a result sometimes ended up with characters doing uncharacteristic things, like playing the piano or developing a sudden photography bug.

Another thing that was missed in the second season (and later) were the actual classroom scenes. For a show supposedly set in a school, there were very few scenes that took place in classrooms. Mostly, it was just Jo, Blair, Natalie and Tootie cleaning a cafeteria. Once they graduated, they started cleaning... a different cafe. Then they were cleaning... a store. There was a lot of cleaning involved for girls who supposedly attended a prestigious finishing school and a top-rated college.

Another thing that was missed in the second season (and later) were the actual classroom scenes. For a show supposedly set in a school, there were very few scenes that took place in classrooms. Mostly, it was just Jo, Blair, Natalie and Tootie cleaning a cafeteria. Once they graduated, they started cleaning... a different cafe. Then they were cleaning... a store. There was a lot of cleaning involved for girls who supposedly attended a prestigious finishing school and a top-rated college.

Well they had SOME class scenes, but maybe not as much as they should have.

Well they had SOME class scenes, but maybe not as much as they should have.

Hey Troi! Long time no see! Welcome back! :)

The Season Three episode "Front Page" and Season Four's "Teacher's Pet" had some classroom scenes. Were there any others? Two episodes in three years is not very much.

Hey Troi! Long time no see! Welcome back! :)

The Season Three episode "Front Page" and Season Four's "Teacher's Pet" had some classroom scenes. Were there any others? Two episodes in three years is not very much.

Well, it's not a classroom, but we did see the auditorium in "Green-Eyed Monster", and the new library under way in "Legacy", both in season 3.

Not what you're looking for, but just thought I'd point it out, lol.

It never bothered me that they showed barely any classrooms on this show. I enjoyed seeing so much of the girls' personal lives outside of class. :)

And I just love those cafeteria sets! :D

Well, it's not a classroom, but we did see the auditorium in "Green-Eyed Monster", and the new library under way in "Legacy", both in season 3.

Not what you're looking for, but just thought I'd point it out, lol.

We see the auditorium (or the entrance of it) in "Read No Evil", too.

But I was actually talking about the actual classrooms: this is a school. Even Saved By the Bell managed to have some classroom scenes. And not just once a year, either. Head of the Class was the same way.

The first season of FOL also had quite a few classroom scenes, but then the producers seemed to forget that the show was set at a school.


It never bothered me that they showed barely any classrooms on this show. I enjoyed seeing so much of the girls' personal lives outside of class. :)

And I just love those cafeteria sets! :D

The Season Two cafeteria is beautiful, for sure. But it doesn't make sense for a show about a girls' school having almost no scenes set in a classroom.

We see the auditorium (or the entrance of it) in "Read No Evil", too.

Yup, and "Graduation Part 2".


But I was actually talking about the actual classrooms: this is a school.

Yeah that's why I made sure to add my statement "Not what you're looking for", just so you'd see I was pointing out something somewhat related, although not adding an answer to your question, lol.


Even Saved By the Bell managed to have some classroom scenes. And not just once a year, either. Head of the Class was the same way.

Yeah, HotC was very heavily "in the class", lol.


The first season of FOL also had quite a few classroom scenes

Hmm, did it? Let's see, we have:

- The "I.Q." resolution scene (also the only time Ms. Mahoney is shown in a classroom)
- Mrs. Garrett's sex education class
- Mr. Bradley's genealogy class

So that's only 3, but, considering season 1 is almost "half a season", that would be the equivalent of about 5 or 6 classroom scenes in a full season; which would still be smaller than expected for a show about, indeed, a girls' school, lol.


but then the producers seemed to forget that the show was set at a school.

Apparently, as Miss Mahoney and Mr. Gideon are the only two teachers ever seen in a classroom---and each one only once! lol


The Season Two cafeteria is beautiful, for sure. But it doesn't make sense for a show about a girls' school having almost no scenes set in a classroom.

Well, it's never bothered me, and it still doesn't. I suppose because most of the scripts were just so great as they were (I'm not saying it shouldn't bother you, just saying that it doesn't bother me).

Hmm, did it? Let's see, we have:

- The "I.Q." resolution scene (also the only time Ms. Mahoney is shown in a classroom)
- Mrs. Garrett's sex education class
- Mr. Bradley's genealogy class

So that's only 3, but, considering season 1 is almost "half a season", that would be the equivalent of about 5 or 6 classroom scenes in a full season; which would still be smaller than expected for a show about, indeed, a girls' school, lol.

There were more scenes in the classroom in the first season than the entire rest of the Eastland years. 70 more episodes set during the Eastland years (seasons 2, 3, 4, the first two episodes of season 5, and the four episodes of the Paris TV movie), and we get two whole episodes showing classrooms.


Apparently, as Miss Mahoney and Mr. Gideon are the only two teachers ever seen in a classroom---and each one only once! lol

LOL! Yep! That's what I'm saying.

There were more scenes in the classroom in the first season than the entire rest of the Eastland years.

In a truncated first season, no less (which is kind of funny, lol).

But, that's just what the show became; it was no longer about a group of girls in a dorm at school learning "the facts of life" on their campus, it became an intimate look at a quartet of juveniles exiled to live together under supervision and watch the ups and downs of their relationships (granted, that wasn't the plan for the series when it was created, lol).

Another thing that was missed in the second season (and later) were the actual classroom scenes. For a show supposedly set in a school, there were very few scenes that took place in classrooms. Mostly, it was just Jo, Blair, Natalie and Tootie cleaning a cafeteria. Once they graduated, they started cleaning... a different cafe. Then they were cleaning... a store. There was a lot of cleaning involved for girls who supposedly attended a prestigious finishing school and a top-rated college.

That was so funny! Ha ha Ha ha ha!:lol:That was so funny! Ha ha Ha ha ha!:lol::lol::lol:

That was so funny! Ha ha Ha ha ha!:lol:That was so funny! Ha ha Ha ha ha!:lol::lol::lol:
???

???

The comment was actually funny when I visualized the repetition of the girls were cleaning. I was doing voice commenting which is why my comment repeated itself.

Hey Troi! Long time no see! Welcome back! :)

Hi! :D

The comment was actually funny when I visualized the repetition of the girls were cleaning. I was doing voice commenting which is why my comment repeated itself.
Oh! Well, then, glad I could amuse! :)