JTSM #1-"Edna's Edibles being burned down"

JTSM#2-"Mrs. Garrett being replaced by Beverly Ann"



It was something about that CANDY store that just didn't feel right-lol


So does anyone agree?

I actually kind of prefer those seasons to the earlier ones.

It was more than just a candy store. :lol:

I like many of the episodes in after Edna's Edibles and when Beverly Ann appeared. I think it was just time that eventually was FOL undoing. And the running out of story ideas.

I kind of agree with #1. I've always hated Over Our Heads; it just looked so tacky and awful. I loved the homeyness of Edna's Edibles. However, I prefer the Over Our Heads seasons as far as episodes; I think the cast was just, on the whole, alot funnier and more free to express their personalities than in previous years.

As far as Mrs. G being replaced, I think it was fine. I agree with Charlotte Rae, the time had come for her to leave. The girls didn't really need her anymore; they were figuring their problems out on their own and with each other. I don't particularly like Beverly Ann, but she is on occasion hilarious (especially in "Another Room," "A Winter's Tale," and "Golden Oldies").

I don't think those two things were the reasons FoL finally died. I just think the writers were running out of ideas, the actors were ready to move on, and the show's time had come. 9 years is a long time.

so yeah, there's my essay :lol:

It was more than just a candy store. :lol:

I like many of the episodes in after Edna's Edibles and when Beverly Ann appeared. I think it was just time that eventually was FOL undoing. And the running out of story ideas.


Irene you know the show wasn't the same after the fire-lol

I don't think FOL ever really jumped the shark. Except for the 9th and final season, the show was always good. Nine seasons is a long run and I think that the writers just began to run out of good ideas during the final season. Also, the 9th season tended to focus on the girls going out on their own in the world and not on them as a group. Even though this is, of course, life, I just didn't like how the stories were focusing on the girls moving away and on with their lives.

Personally, I love the Over Our Our Heads episodes during seasons seven and eight. I think those two years featured some of the funniest stories like "Seven Little Indianas" and "Cupid's Revenge". Also, one of the show's most powerful episodes, "Less Than Perfect" (oddly enough, from season nine), was an Over Our Heads episode. I also really like Beverly Ann. Sure, she wasn't Mrs Garrett, but she was a funny character and Cloris Leachman is a good comic actress.

I actually think that during the Edna's Edibles era, it had some of the most dullest episodes of the series (Jazzbeau; The Interview Show) to name a few. The Over Our Heads was a refreshing because you had dream sequence episodes (albeit the writers were running out of ideas) and there was a return to more controversial episodes in season 9 with First Time, Less than Perfect, and On the Edge (albeit it was ratings bait). It was clear that the writers were trying to keep the show alive and I think it would've lasted another season, if Nancy McKeon agreed to it.

I think as others have said, time was the key to FOL finally going by the wayside. I think some of the funniest shows happened during the Over Our Heads era. The 9th season doesn't count, because Over Our Heads was practically ignored and eventually closed--due to the URGENT bedroom situation with too many people living in the house. Why couldn't Pippa stay in the friggin dorms, For Land O Goshen's sake! (That sounds like Beverly Ann! :lol:)

My least favorite season was when Edna's Edibles burned down and George Clooney joined the cast. :ohno: I do like the first season that Beverly Ann was on though. It sort of gave the series a jolt of fresh air.

oh come on, Sonny, how can you not like the El Debarge episode? that is a CLASSIC!!! Jo: "I am not going to be known as Sexy Lingerie!" :lol:

And Cloris Leachman was a joy in my book :)

oh come on, Sonny, how can you not like the El Debarge episode? that is a CLASSIC!!! Jo: "I am not going to be known as Sexy Lingerie!" :lol:

And Cloris Leachman was a joy in my book :)
how can someone not like "doo-wah"? blair singing like julie andrews is hysterically funny!

Nat: "Do they have a machine to take out all the burping Tootie did throughout the song?......The girl drinks a ROOT BEER right before we go on!"
:lol:

Doo Wah was a classic...one of my favorites.

DJ Guy: 'I was known as America's Favorite DJ."
Blair: "I've never heard of you." (she's kicked by Jo) "My...parents couldn't afford a radio...." HAHA. that episode is awesome.

how can someone not like "doo-wah"? blair singing like julie andrews is hysterically funny!

That is a great episode. However, I think that Andy steals the episode.

I do like the first season that Beverly Ann was on though. It sort of gave the series a jolt of fresh air.

I think that she did too.

Doo Wah was a classic...one of my favorites.

DJ Guy: 'I was known as America's Favorite DJ."
Blair: "I've never heard of you." (she's kicked by Jo) "My...parents couldn't afford a radio...." HAHA. that episode is awesome.
thats one of the best parts! oh and this:

tootie: OH, YEAH!
natalie: YOU TELL 'EM TOOTIE!

thats one of the funniest natalie/tootie moments ever!!!

This is sort of a "personal JTS" but for me, it just wasn't the same after they graduated from Eastland. I'm pretty much the only fan of the older seasons on this board. I just feel that the characters started to loose their personal traits and became all more alike... not to mention I loved the uniforms :)

This is sort of a "personal JTS" but for me, it just wasn't the same after they graduated from Eastland. I'm pretty much the only fan of the older seasons on this board. I just feel that the characters started to loose their personal traits and became all more alike... not to mention I loved the uniforms :)

I love the Eastland years. I think that season three is probably the best season of the entire series. I am also one of the few who likes season one. I was just trying to convey that I feel that the show never really jumped the shark.

I love the Eastland years. I think that season three is probably the best season of the entire series. I am also one of the few who likes season one. I was just trying to convey that I feel that the show never really jumped the shark.

I hear ya. I mean, they can't stay in high school forever! Certain changes are necessary for a producer to make in order for a show to survive.

P.S. Love your avatar!

thats one of the best parts! oh and this:

tootie: OH, YEAH!
natalie: YOU TELL 'EM TOOTIE!

thats one of the funniest natalie/tootie moments ever!!!


Actually, the exchange went:

tootie: OH, SURE!
natalie: GOOD COMEBACK, TOOTIE!

:lol:

Can you tell I've watched this episode a tad too many times? :lol:

Actually, the exchange went:

tootie: OH, SURE!
natalie: GOOD COMEBACK, TOOTIE!

:lol:

Can you tell I've watched this episode a tad too many times? :lol:
oh yeah, oops...well, i was close...its the same concept! i cant believed i mis-quoted that...what a dunderhead! haha!

I've always been ridiculously fond of that exchange.

"Oh, sure!"
"Good comeback, Tootie!"
and the look Blair gives is so hilarious.

:lol:

I've always been ridiculously fond of that exchange.

"Oh, sure!"
"Good comeback, Tootie!"
and the look Blair gives is so hilarious.

:lol:
every glare blair gives is hilarious!

well that's true! haha

Just when you think Blair isn't that world wise, she surprises ya! :lol:

I was never a huge fan of Beverly Ann, but I was watching Seven Little Indians last night and I forgot how hilarious she was in that. Like her dying scene when she was overacting choking and then slides on over to the piano and plays it before finally dying. :lol:

Overall Season 8 was really good in terms of episodes. Much much better than Season 9. (I wouldn't have minded if they had axed the show right after season 8, actually)

Irene you know the show wasn't the same after the fire-lol
It wasn't the same, but life isn't always the same. :lol: FOL was real in a sitcom way. It showed the girls maturing, growing up, facing the real world, dealing with many issues, etc. I did like many of the episodes after the fire. I didn't think I would, but I did. I am pretty sure any fan of FOL will say the show ended at a good time. It didn't really jump the shark, it just changed with the times.

This one is easy-this show jumped on day one. But the theme song was good, I will give you that...:)

This one is easy-this show jumped on day one. But the theme song was good, I will give you that...:)
um...it never jumped! the whole series was fantastic!

i liked beverly ann. i think by that time, the girls had all grown up and were mature enough to handle their problems either on their own, or with each other's help. they didn't need mrs. g anymore. and beverly ann was hilarious. i loved her.
i didn't, however, like when pippa came on. her character always annoyed me. i understand they were trying to reach out to the younger audience since the girls had grown up, but i just found her to be annoying. lol.

i liked beverly ann. i think by that time, the girls had all grown up and were mature enough to handle their problems either on their own, or with each other's help. they didn't need mrs. g anymore. and beverly ann was hilarious. i loved her.
i didn't, however, like when pippa came on. her character always annoyed me. i understand they were trying to reach out to the younger audience since the girls had grown up, but i just found her to be annoying. lol.

I agree with you. I like Bevery Ann. She was the anti-garrett :lol: (irresponsible, flaky, bitter about her ex-husband, and always in everyone's business) The girls didn't need someone to take care of them anymore and Beverly Ann added a lot of humor to the show.

I would say if the show jumped the shark (which I don't really think it did) it was when they added Pippa. But I usually just try to ignore her and enjoy the rest of the characters, so the show was still great to me!

I agree with you. I like Bevery Ann. She was the anti-garrett :lol: (irresponsible, flaky, bitter about her ex-husband, and always in everyone's business) The girls didn't need someone to take care of them anymore and Beverly Ann added a lot of humor to the show.

I would say if the show jumped the shark (which I don't really think it did) it was when they added Pippa. But I usually just try to ignore her and enjoy the rest of the characters, so the show was still great to me!
yeah, i think the addition of pippa was a mistake...she got on my nerves...it was like they were trying to add kelly, again, which didnt work the first time! :lol:

I am finding these observations and opinions to be very interesting. However there is one thing that I am not clear on. Who is Kelly and when was she on the series? Please let me know!

Kelly was this smart mouthed faux street kid, who basically invaded the girls and Mrs G's lives in the 5th season. However the writers/producers soon discovered the character wasn't working, so she was dropped.

It was no need for this show to go on after Mrs. garrett left. They should have just wrapped it up.

It was no need for this show to go on after Mrs. garrett left. They should have just wrapped it up.

i disagree. i think mrs. g leaving didn't affect the show, in my opinion. there were still tons of hilarious moments between the characters after mrs. g had left. plus, she was more of the mom character who was there for the girls as they were growing up. and when they had grown up, it was time for her to live her life. the show didn't revolve around her. it was more about the girls and their relationships with each other. i would've watched a spin-off between just the four girls living on their own. it would've been interesting to see how they would handle that, without any other adults living with them.

I for one can't believe what I'm reading. I think Over Our Heads didn't suit Mrs. Garrett's personality at all. Edna's Edibles was Mrs. Garrett, not the tacky neon setting of Over Our Heads. Somebody said "The Interview Show" was dull...I respectfully and wholeheartedly disagree. I think it was one of "Facts"s most beautiful and sweet episodes, where you really see how much the characters love each other and how much Mrs. Garrett loves and is proud of her girls. I do believe a lot of the Edna's Edibles shows were kind of dull, but I liked them a lot better than Over Our Heads, because I love Mrs. Garrett so much and to me, Over Our Heads in season seven signals the end for her. And to me, Beverly Ann coming in and replacing Mrs. Garrett is just ridiculous. Mrs. Garrett can never, ever be replaced and Beverly Ann was ridiculous. To me, Edna Garrett made that show and I think the show should have ended when she left. I don't even watch the Beverly Ann episodes. Charlotte Rae did have a point, that her character had pretty much served its purpose by the end of season seven and the girls were adults and confiding more in each other and handling their problems on their own, without her help. The show was all about growing up and by the even of season seven, the girls definitely had grown up and were adults and standing on their own two feet. Staying on seasons eight and nine, in my humble opinion, was kind of pointless. But that's just me.

Perhaps the girls could have managed to be on their own. I agree that they got rid of Edna's Edibles too fast. Maybe when Charlotte left, it would have been more approriate for the store to close and simply the girls leased out the storefront as income. But in any case, I do like Beverly Ann, because Cloris Leachman was a trooper--she knew she was coming in and following in the footsteps of a beloved character. There are still many funny moments in seasons 8 and 9. At least FOL didn't fall apart the way Diff'rent Strokes fell apart in its last two seasons.

I've never really watched that much of "Diff'rent Strokes." What happened? How did they fall apart in their last seasons???

Oh let me count the ways :lol: ...
1. Mr. D gets married to this woman named Maggie and she and her red-haired son named Sam move in, moving the show's focus towards them and focusing less on Arnold and Willis, Willis most notably. He barely says any lines in the last couple of seasons to the point where he basically disappears.
2. Kimberly ends up leaving the show because Dana Plato got pregnant and she could no longer be on DS so they get rid of her.
3. Arnold is no longer cute and/or funny.
4. They began recycling old plots that used to focus on Arnold and used them for Sam (they did a bedwetting episode for Sam like they did for Arnold).
5. In the final season, DS moves from NBC to ABC and at that same time, the penthouse set changes as well as the theme song.
And the list goes on...

Anyway here are my two JTS moments for FOL...
1. When Edna's Edibles burned down and they built that God-awful Over Our Heads store. I was so mad when they did that because Edna's Edibles was awesome as well as the episodes that took place there (it's my favorite era). I was hoping that they would've rebuilt it again, but instead they make Over Our Heads and while there were still some great episodes that took place there, I found OOH to be way tacky, with too many bright colors and unlike EE's, you barely saw any of the girls working in it. It was just treated like some random hangout.
2. When Mrs. Garrett left and Beverly Ann came in. They should've just ended it when Mrs. G left because she was basically the reason that FOL came to be what it was, or left the four girls on their own without any supervision. It would've been interesting to see what they would do on their own. They seemed to be doing all right in all the "Garrett-Less" episodes so I think they could've kept it up for the next couple of years. I'm also including the introduction of Pippa in here because they kind of go together. What was the point of having her there?

Anyway here are my two JTS moments for FOL...
1. When Edna's Edibles burned down and they built that God-awful Over Our Heads store. I was so mad when they did that because Edna's Edibles was awesome as well as the episodes that took place there (it's my favorite era). I was hoping that they would've rebuilt it again, but instead they make Over Our Heads and while there were still some great episodes that took place there, I found OOH to be way tacky, with too many bright colors and unlike EE's, you barely saw any of the girls working in it. It was just treated like some random hangout.
2. When Mrs. Garrett left and Beverly Ann came in. They should've just ended it when Mrs. G left because she was basically the reason that FOL came to be what it was, or left the four girls on their own without any supervision. It would've been interesting to see what they would do on their own. They seemed to be doing all right in all the "Garrett-Less" episodes so I think they could've kept it up for the next couple of years. I'm also including the introduction of Pippa in here because they kind of go together. What was the point of having her there?
Amen, Nat's #1 Fan! Amen! :clap

It would've been interesting to see what they would do on their own. They seemed to be doing all right in all the "Garrett-Less" episodes so I think they could've kept it up for the next couple of years.

I never thought of that before, but that would have been awesome, having just the four girls figuring out life on their own or with each other. That would have been great.

The show never jumped the shark, in my opinion. The first season (without Jo), is my least favorite, but the show was great til the very end.

I loved Mrs. Garrett, but I also loved Beverly Ann. She was hiliarious and added a lot of humor to the show. I feel that both Mrs. Garrett and Beverly Ann added different, yet interesting dynamics to the show. They both were very loveable and caring characters. :D

i disagree. i think mrs. g leaving didn't affect the show, in my opinion. there were still tons of hilarious moments between the characters after mrs. g had left. plus, she was more of the mom character who was there for the girls as they were growing up. and when they had grown up, it was time for her to live her life. the show didn't revolve around her. it was more about the girls and their relationships with each other. i would've watched a spin-off between just the four girls living on their own. it would've been interesting to see how they would handle that, without any other adults living with them.

I agree with you. Plus, I loved Mrs. Garrett, but the main focus has always been the girls. Also, I loved Beverly Ann as well. She was a great additon to the show, in my opinion. :D

I don t quite agree with some of the comments people have posted: first of all, i think KELLY was a great actress + it gave EDNA s EDIBLE a good taste, having another troublemaker character!
As for BEVERLY ANN, she was a waste of time + rather annoying at times (she didn t even bonded with the girls) & PIPPA wasn t that bad:i liked her Australian accent lol!:lol:

I don t quite agree with some of the comments people have posted: first of all, i think KELLY was a great actress + it gave EDNA s EDIBLE a good taste, having another troublemaker character!
As for BEVERLY ANN, she was a waste of time + rather annoying at times (she didn t even bonded with the girls) & PIPPA wasn t that bad:i liked her Australian accent lol!:lol:
Also it was no need for Beverly Ann because all the girls were adults by that time

the show was a big show in my big family - my 2 older sisters loved it & watched it regularly - which meant their little brother had to watch it as well - on snow days when they'd play 'facts of life' in the rumpus room I'd always have to be Natalie - which was fine by me she was my fave - personally i think that the two best seasons were the Edna's Edibles seasons - perfect for a small town - felt fitting in a small college town - but as many have said 9 seasons is a long time


peace out from an almost fifty year old former Natalie

the show was a big show in my big family - my 2 older sisters loved it & watched it regularly - which meant their little brother had to watch it as well - on snow days when they'd play 'facts of life' in the rumpus room I'd always have to be Natalie - which was fine by me she was my fave - personally i think that the two best seasons were the Edna's Edibles seasons - perfect for a small town - felt fitting in a small college town - but as many have said 9 seasons is a long time


peace out from an almost fifty year old former Natalie

Welcome, Jobin!

What characters were your older sisters playing? I guess Blair and Jo?

Also it was no need for Beverly Ann because all the girls were adults by that time

But I think Ms. Garret wanted Beverly Ann to watch over the shop and replace her as the landlord while she was away. She probably felt better handing things over to her sister versus a stranger.

But I think Ms. Garret wanted Beverly Ann to watch over the shop and replace her as the landlord while she was away. She probably felt better handing things over to her sister versus a stranger.

But after only a year of running the shop, Beverly Ann recommended its closure. Even a stranger could have kept the shop running longer than that.

But after only a year of running the shop, Beverly Ann recommended its closure. Even a stranger could have kept the shop running longer than that.

Well you're leaving out the fact that the other owners were no longer interested in having a business to run. Everyone kept dumping their work shifts in the shop on Beverly Ann. I don't think a stranger would have put up with that for long. I had jobs where workers would screw the dog putting the rest of us with the burden of doing more to cover for them. I thought it was very realistic of Beverly Ann recommending the closure. I felt bad for her being their dog in the store so they could go live their life. This is another reason I hate Beverly Ann in season 9. She was treated like crap compared to season 8 when she was treated like a friend.

Well you're leaving out the fact that the other owners were no longer interested in having a business to run. Everyone kept dumping their work shifts in the shop on Beverly Ann. I don't think a stranger would have put up with that for long. I had jobs where workers would screw the dog putting the rest of us with the burden of doing more to cover for them. I thought it was very realistic of Beverly Ann recommending the closure. I felt bad for her being their dog in the store so they could go live their life. This is another reason I hate Beverly Ann in season 9. She was treated like crap compared to season 8 when she was treated like a friend.

All very good points, and I see your point about them not treating her very well. We certainly see that, very clearly, in the final OOH episode, where she's the only one taking care of the store.

All very good points, and I see your point about them not treating her very well. We certainly see that, very clearly, in the final OOH episode, where she's the only one taking care of the store.

Right. I doubt a stranger would be fine with the girls dumping work shifts and not ordering supplies because their lives are more important. There's a scene on the DVD version that I've never seen in syndication. Natalie is in the shop answering the phone and the motto for OOH is the store that has everything. She has to keep saying "no, we don't have that or that. Yes we should change our motto.". It's right before she dumps her work shift on Beverly Ann because she has a college paper due. The girls weren't even keeping supplies on hand. They were written so flaky that last season that it's unbelievable.

Berverly ANN!!!!

When the girls grew up and all worked together and became a boarding school version of Designing Women but yet had to be chaperoned by Beverly Ann.

I love Beverly Ann but she wasn't necessary to the show. But I think NBC wanted a strong name to replace Charlotte, plus the girls were still living in Edna's house so it made sense (a little :lol:)

When the girls grew up and all worked together and became a boarding school version of Designing Women but yet had to be chaperoned by Beverly Ann.

Beverly Ann never chaperone the girls. Season 8, she was written as a friend to the girls who help her bounce back from her divorce. They take Beverly Ann on trips, get her back into dating again, help her adopt Andy, give her advice when her ex-husband returns, etc. She was written entirely different than Mrs. Garrett. However, season 9 I have no idea what her character is in the show other than picking up the slack from the girls when they need help. She lost her purpose which is why I wish they had wrote Beverly Ann out at the end of season 8. Beverly Ann fit the show perfectly that one year.

Speaking of Beverly Ann, Happy Birthday to Cloris Leachman.

Right. I doubt a stranger would be fine with the girls dumping work shifts and not ordering supplies because their lives are more important.

At the same time, a stranger coming in might not have put up with the girls missing shifts from the very beginning, and the girls might have learned better work practices, thus avoiding closing the store.


There's a scene on the DVD version that I've never seen in syndication. Natalie is in the shop answering the phone and the motto for OOH is the store that has everything. She has to keep saying "no, we don't have that or that. Yes we should change our motto.". It's right before she dumps her work shift on Beverly Ann because she has a college paper due. The girls weren't even keeping supplies on hand. They were written so flaky that last season that it's unbelievable.

Yeah, as you know, I'm not a fan of that final season because of things like that. One thing that bothers me is they start treating each other poorly, but I always felt as though, during the OOH era, they always treated the customers poorly. They treated them as cash cows, there to spend money in the store.

Beverly Ann never chaperone the girls.

Well, what would you call her accompanying the girls to Australia? They were all adults by this point. Why was she accompanying them to Australia, if not to chaperone them?

Well, what would you call her accompanying the girls to Australia? They were all adults by this point. Why was she accompanying them to Australia, if not to chaperone them?

A friend along on the trip. She was looking after Andy on that trip; not the girls. The girls were off doing their own thing. It’s just like the New York episode for Tootie’s audition. Jo and Blair are showing her around the city. Beverly Ann was a friend season 8, not a housemother like Mrs. Garrett was.

A friend along on the trip. She was looking after Andy on that trip; not the girls. The girls were off doing their own thing. It’s just like the New York episode for Tootie’s audition. Jo and Blair are showing her around the city. Beverly Ann was a friend season 8, not a housemother like Mrs. Garrett was.

I don't really buy that explanation, as BA is specifically taking on supervising the shop, using the same room as Edna and serving in the same role: management. If Andy needed looking after in Australia, it need not have been Beverly Ann, who at this time was not his legal guardian. There were already four grown women going on the trip.

I don't really buy that explanation, as BA is specifically taking on supervising the shop, using the same room as Edna and serving in the same role: management. If Andy needed looking after in Australia, it need not have been Beverly Ann, who at this time was not his legal guardian. There were already four grown women going on the trip.
If she was supposed to be a chaperone, she sure did a mediocre job at it. Can you tell me why she kissed Blair’s date without any refusal?

I don't really buy that explanation, as BA is specifically taking on supervising the shop, using the same room as Edna and serving in the same role: management. If Andy needed looking after in Australia, it need not have been Beverly Ann, who at this time was not his legal guardian. There were already four grown women going on the trip.

It's not an explanation, it's what was shown in the movie. Beverly Ann is introduced as a friend, she spends her time with Andy, and they go visit her old boyfriend. She doesn't keep in touch with the girls because they're grown and can do what they want. The only time she shows concern is when Tootie says Jo and Blair should be at the graduation ceremony. Her and Tootie are both concern, but Beverly Ann's concern is that of a friend, not a mother figure. That's why I love season 8 Beverly Ann. She was never a maternal figure like Mrs. Garrett. I get you hate Beverly Ann (or at least used to from things you said in the past) so you'll see things differently :)


If she was supposed to be a chaperone, she sure did a mediocre job at it.

The worst chaperone ever was Mrs. Garrett on their Paris vacation. She let Natalie and Tootie hang out with a grown alcoholic man wandering Paris. I don't even understand why a grown man would want to hang out with young teen girls in a different country while they're on vacation. It just screams pervert to me, but some FOL fans think that is normal.


Can you tell me why she kissed Blair’s date without any refusal?

That's a whole different episode. The guy Blair was interested in liked older women. He was attracted to Beverly Ann.

Well, what would you call her accompanying the girls to Australia? They were all adults by this point. Why was she accompanying them to Australia, if not to chaperone them?

I thought they were all just hanging out as friends/family.

A friend along on the trip. She was looking after Andy on that trip; not the girls. The girls were off doing their own thing. It’s just like the New York episode for Tootie’s audition. Jo and Blair are showing her around the city. Beverly Ann was a friend season 8, not a housemother like Mrs. Garrett was.

This. I agree.

I don't really buy that explanation, as BA is specifically taking on supervising the shop, using the same room as Edna and serving in the same role: management. If Andy needed looking after in Australia, it need not have been Beverly Ann, who at this time was not his legal guardian. There were already four grown women going on the trip.

But maybe the four grown women didn't want to look after Andy. They wanted to be free to go wherever they wanted without Andy tagging along. And that's why Beverly Ann went. And maybe she just wanted to go to Australia not to supervise but to hang out with her friends/family. I know I'd love to go to Australia with friends and family.

It's not an explanation, it's what was shown in the movie. Beverly Ann is introduced as a friend, she spends her time with Andy, and they go visit her old boyfriend. She doesn't keep in touch with the girls because they're grown and can do what they want. The only time she shows concern is when Tootie says Jo and Blair should be at the graduation ceremony. Her and Tootie are both concern, but Beverly Ann's concern is that of a friend, not a mother figure. That's why I love season 8 Beverly Ann. She was never a maternal figure like Mrs. Garrett. I get you hate Beverly Ann (or at least used to from things you said in the past) so you'll see things differently :)

"I never said I hated her!" :lol:

But I disagree that she "was never a maternal figure like Mrs. Garrett". In fact, just two episodes after Australia, she begins the process of adopting Andy. Later, Pippa comes to stay, and Beverly Ann's mothering role increases: she literally becomes the housemother to Andy and Pippa... and really, anyone else in that house.

But maybe the four grown women didn't want to look after Andy. And that's why Beverly Ann went. And maybe she just wanted to go to Australia not to supervise but to hang out with her friends/family.

Tootie still was a minor in the Austrailia trip.

I agree with in the lots with all of you guys!

BEVERLY ANN was definitely no the maternal figure our feisty red head was with our girls: for instance, the 'Core of 4' treated her really more like a friend (like one of them) and she never gained the admiration/worship our girls felt about MRS G!

But in the one thing i don't agree with Christopher, is that you think of the writer as a pervert to TOOTIE and NATon the 'Paris Movie': This was the 1980s and the world was a lot safer and innocent by then (i was like one of the STRANGER THINGS kids myself, riding by bike in the middle of the night lol!).

As for MRS G being wrong, i also don't see it that way either and for the following reason: when was 15 (in the late 80s), my mother let me go to a sleepover at some girl's house, but the night turned out to be catastrophic when the girls start picking on me!
I decided to call my mum to come and pick me up (okay so it was past midnight) and do you know what she answered to me on the phone?

"Go and get yourself a taxi! I'm in bed and deep asleep!"

And so i ended up getting the taxi (late at night) by myself and made it safely home!
(in those times you couldn't call up a taxi on your mobile) .

Like i said: those were the 80s!!!! A very casual decade!

Comments, anyone?

PS: i kind of feel Nancied here, cos no one has made any comment on my last thread....Sniff sniff!!!

I agree with in the lots with all of you guys!

BEVERLY ANN was definitely no the maternal figure our feisty red head was with our girls: for instance, the 'Core of 4' treated her really more like a friend (like one of them) and she never gained the admiration/worship our girls felt about MRS G!

But in the one thing i don't agree with Christopher, is that you think of the writer as a pervert to TOOTIE and NATon the 'Paris Movie': This was the 1980s and the world was a lot safer and innocent by then (i was like one of the STRANGER THINGS kids myself, riding by bike in the middle of the night lol!).

As for MRS G being wrong, i also don't see it that way either and for the following reason: when was 15 (in the late 80s), my mother let me go to a sleepover at some girl's house, but the night turned out to be catastrophic when the girls start picking on me!
I decided to call my mum to come and pick me up (okay so it was past midnight) and do you know what she answered to me on the phone?

"Go and get yourself a taxi! I'm in bed and deep asleep!"

And so i ended up getting the taxi (late at night) by myself and made it safely home!
(in those times you couldn't call up a taxi on your mobile) .

Like i said: those were the 80s!!!! A very casual decade!

Comments, anyone?

PS: i kind of feel Nancied here, cos no one has made any comment on my last thread....Sniff sniff!!!


Great points! I agree.

Great points! I agree.



Thank you Fallon97!

:yippee::yippee::yippee::yippee::yippee::yippee::yippee::yippee::yippee:

But in the one thing i don't agree with Christopher, is that you think of the writer as a pervert to TOOTIE and NATon the 'Paris Movie': This was the 1980s and the world was a lot safer and innocent by then (i was like one of the STRANGER THINGS kids myself, riding by bike in the middle of the night lol!).

I don't know if it was actually safer, but we were all a lot more innocent about those dangers. It was common, back then, to see four-year-olds running around unsupervised. People were stupid.


As for MRS G being wrong, i also don't see it that way either and for the following reason: when was 15 (in the late 80s), my mother let me go to a sleepover at some girl's house, but the night turned out to be catastrophic when the girls start picking on me!

Sorry you got bullied. That was very common back then, too. I sure remember being bullied. Times were very different.


PS: i kind of feel Nancied here, cos no one has made any comment on my last thread....Sniff sniff!!!


Okay, I've remedied that. I'll always respond to a FOL thread, but sometimes it takes a while.

I don't know if it was actually safer, but we were all a lot more innocent about those dangers. It was common, back then, to see four-year-olds running around unsupervised. People were stupid.



Sorry you got bullied. That was very common back then, too. I sure remember being bullied. Times were very different.




Okay, I've remedied that. I'll always respond to a FOL thread, but sometimes it takes a while.


:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:

"I never said I hated her!" :lol:

But I disagree that she "was never a maternal figure like Mrs. Garrett". In fact, just two episodes after Australia, she begins the process of adopting Andy. Later, Pippa comes to stay, and Beverly Ann's mothering role increases: she literally becomes the housemother to Andy and Pippa... and really, anyone else in that house.

I thought you said in one thread years ago that you hated Beverly Ann? If I got you mixed up with another member, I apologize.

I agree 100% that Beverly Ann was a maternal figure to Andy and Pippa. She never became one to the girls though. In season 8, it was shown a lot that it was the core 4 looking after Beverly Ann. I liked seeing that. It was neat seeing how caring and compassionate the core four became over the years to someone they hardly know. Thank God Beverly Ann was there for Pippa. Could you imagine how season 9 would have been if they kept Pippa but had Beverly Ann written out? That girl would be seriously neglected. The core four wouldn't have cared if Pippa ate, was clothed properly, or getting an education.

Someone here brought up a good point about Something in Common where Pippa is sleeping in Jo's bed. Why wasn't she sleeping in Tootie's bed since she was away? Did Tootie say absolutely not to let Pippa sleep in her bed? The core four were already annoyed by her so it's possible and believable she might have.

I don't know if it was actually safer, but we were all a lot more innocent about those dangers. It was common, back then, to see four-year-olds running around unsupervised. People were stupid.


I guess not many parents were concerned about their kids after Adam Walsh was killed or the girls who were raped in those times? Those times were definitely not safer but to each their own.

The only time Facts of Life jumped the shark was in the 2nd half of the last season with Jo's sham marriage, Blair's sham legal career and taking over Eastland, Natalie moving in with the weird crowd there.

The only time Facts of Life jumped the shark was in the 2nd half of the last season with Jo's sham marriage, Blair's sham legal career and taking over Eastland, Natalie moving in with the weird crowd there.

Jo's marriage was indeed terrible. Even as a kid, I remember being baffled by her marrying a man she barely knew: she meets him in episode 9-12, and by 9-19, they are married. Since they knew they were marrying Jo off, why didn't they at least have the guy appear a little more before she married him? And why did so few of Jo's relatives attend the ceremony?

I thought you said in one thread years ago that you hated Beverly Ann? If I got you mixed up with another member, I apologize.

The "I never said I hated Her!" line is from "Running".

I hated the idea of replacing Mrs. Garrett. Mrs. Garrett could never be replaced.

BA was a fun, funny character. But she was used to replace a TV legend. And some people will say they weren't trying to replace her. But they had her sleep in her sister's bedroom, took her job, and she took her sister's spot in the opening credits. That's an attempt at replacing, in my book.

Thank God Beverly Ann was there for Pippa. Could you imagine how season 9 would have been if they kept Pippa but had Beverly Ann written out? That girl would be seriously neglected. The core four wouldn't have cared if Pippa ate, was clothed properly, or getting an education.

Very true!


Someone here brought up a good point about Something in Common where Pippa is sleeping in Jo's bed. Why wasn't she sleeping in Tootie's bed since she was away?

That was me. It struck me as so weird. It was like the writers were trying to have Pippa tick off the Core Four. But why? Just have her sleep in the bed of the girl who isn't going to be there! Why sleep in Jo's bed when you know Tootie isn't there!?

I thought you said in one thread years ago that you hated Beverly Ann? If I got you mixed up with another member, I apologize.

I agree 100% that Beverly Ann was a maternal figure to Andy and Pippa. She never became one to the girls though. In season 8, it was shown a lot that it was the core 4 looking after Beverly Ann. I liked seeing that. It was neat seeing how caring and compassionate the core four became over the years to someone they hardly know. Thank God Beverly Ann was there for Pippa. Could you imagine how season 9 would have been if they kept Pippa but had Beverly Ann written out? That girl would be seriously neglected. The core four wouldn't have cared if Pippa ate, was clothed properly, or getting an education.

Someone here brought up a good point about Something in Common where Pippa is sleeping in Jo's bed. Why wasn't she sleeping in Tootie's bed since she was away? Did Tootie say absolutely not to let Pippa sleep in her bed? The core four were already annoyed by her so it's possible and believable she might have.




I guess not many parents were concerned about their kids after Adam Walsh was killed or the girls who were raped in those times? Those times were definitely not safer but to each their own.




That was definitely the case in USA Christopher: i remember as a kid, hearing about people being mugged or killed in United States of America for whatever reason, but some of us (like me) were living in different countries back in the 80 s, where it was safe to ride on your bike late at night, as a 12 year old with friend or do things unsupervised from your parents....

:wave::wave::wave::wave::wave::wave::wave::wave::wave::wave::wave:

The "I never said I hated Her!" line is from "Running".

I hated the idea of replacing Mrs. Garrett. Mrs. Garrett could never be replaced.

BA was a fun, funny character. But she was used to replace a TV legend. And some people will say they weren't trying to replace her. But they had her sleep in her sister's bedroom, took her job, and she took her sister's spot in the opening credits. That's an attempt at replacing, in my book.

I can see that. I like it better this way though because Beverly Ann was an entirely different character than Mrs. Garrett. Shows like Night Court, Law & Order SVU, and Gotham where they either kill off or get rid of a character just to bring them back in a different form I consider replacing. I get tired of seeing 2.0 characters with a different actor or an actor who started off different in the show and then has to change to be the character they got rid of. If it ain't broken, don't fix it like they say. Had Beverly Ann been like Mrs. Garrett, I would have hated her too and consider her a replacement for what the show lost. I think the producers and writers were smart to make Beverly Ann different than Mrs. Garrett.

The worst chaperone ever was Mrs. Garrett on their Paris vacation. She let Natalie and Tootie hang out with a grown alcoholic man wandering Paris. I don't even understand why a grown man would want to hang out with young teen girls in a different country while they're on vacation. It just screams pervert to me, but some FOL fans think that is normal.

It doesn't scream "pervert" to me at all. It's not about sexuality. It's about the human condition. The girls see someone who needs help, so they help him. :) And he in turn finds happiness in showing them the beauty of the sights of Paris. He didn't want their help at first, but after coming around he thanks them by enriching their experience abroad with the sights. It's all innocent and is written/played/directed so innocently. I think it's actually a sweet story, and very refreshing in a society where so many people think a man being around a minor is a "pervert" (there have been comments on the board here by some who think Mr. Bradley is a pervert/creep for going into the girls' dorm, which I disagree with as well).

It doesn't scream "pervert" to me at all. It's not about sexuality. It's about the human condition. The girls see someone who needs help, so they help him. :) And he in turn finds happiness in showing them the beauty of the sights of Paris. He didn't want their help at first, but after coming around he thanks them by enriching their experience abroad with the sights. It's all innocent and is written/played/directed so innocently. I think it's actually a sweet story, and very refreshing in a society where so many people think a man being around a minor is a "pervert" (there have been comments on the board here by some who think Mr. Bradley is a pervert/creep for going into the girls' dorm, which I disagree with as well).

Mr. Bradley was the headmaster so I don't think it's perverted. He also kept professional boundaries with the girls like when Blair had a crush on him so he wasn't crossing the line of how he viewed them. This old alcoholic man in Paris who just meets these two young, barely teenage girls and decides to show them around just seems off to me. Mrs. Garrett is supposed to be responsible so allowing Natalie and Tootie to run around with this strange alcoholic old man who's probably in his late 40's, early 50's is just creepy to me. If I ever go to Paris, I would not want to hang out with young kids. I see enough young kids at my job so I would be killing for a break away from them :lol:

Mr. Bradley was the headmaster so I don't think it's perverted. He also kept professional boundaries with the girls like when Blair had a crush on him so he wasn't crossing the line of how he viewed them.

Yeah, I think many people are too quick to jump on the "Omg, perv!" bandwagon about men.


this strange alcoholic old man who's probably in his late 40's, early 50's

He was 40. (perhaps the alcohol made him look older, ha)


If I ever go to Paris, I would not want to hang out with young kids. I see enough young kids at my job so I would be killing for a break away from them :lol:

That's true. :lol: I'm not around teens or kids on a regular basis, so if any youngsters were to encourage my life at a Parisian cafe, I'd listen, lol. :lol:

Yeah, I think many people are too quick to jump on the "Omg, perv!" bandwagon about men.

I see him as doing his job. If the headmaster does not check on his students, he should be fired. It's not like Mr. Bradley made advances at the girls when he would walk in. He would be there for school reasons.


He was 40. (perhaps the alcohol made him look older, ha)

Is that 40 in dog years? He had to be older than that. Since he liked drinking in the morning, I wouldn't be surprised if he tried passing alcohol to the girls.


That's true. :lol: I'm not around teens or kids on a regular basis, so if any youngsters were to encourage my life at a Parisian cafe, I'd listen, lol. :lol:

You're on vacation and kids you don't know come up to you wanting to spend their vacation with you and you agree? That just seems weird to me but I'm always with friends when I go out. I'm not a depressed, alcoholic, 60 old man who likes barely teenage girls company like that guy in the Paris movie.

Is that 40 in dog years? He had to be older than that.

Lol, nope, I looked up his age. He was born in February '42.


You're on vacation and kids you don't know come up to you wanting to spend their vacation with you and you agree? That just seems weird to me but I'm always with friends when I go out. I'm not a depressed, alcoholic, 60 old man who likes barely teenage girls company like that guy in the Paris movie.

Well not my whole vacation, no, lol. But if I were a depressed writer stuck in a rut (I don't drink, lol) alone in Paris and a couple of teens befriended me and got me out of my wallowing, I could see giving them a thank-you by showing them some great sights of the city for an afternoon, sure. But I wouldn't want them tagging along on my whole vacation. One afternoon being a tour guide would be enough, lol.

I do love having alone vacations. I don't think I've ever gone on a vacation with friends, lol. I like solo sojourns because I love not having to adhere to anyone's schedules or conflicting interests, and I love that I'm not getting in the way of anyone else's time and interests.

Lol, nope, I looked up his age. He was born in February '42.

He did not age well. I thought he was almost 50.


Well not my whole vacation, no, lol. But if I were a depressed writer stuck in a rut (I don't drink, lol) alone in Paris and a couple of teens befriended me and got me out of my wallowing, I could see giving them a thank-you by showing them some great sights of the city for an afternoon, sure. But I wouldn't want them tagging along on my whole vacation. One afternoon being a tour guide would be enough, lol.

This guy spent his whole vacation with them. Natalie and Tootie didn't get to do anything with Blair or Mrs. Garrett because he wanted to be with them. I'm not saying don't be friendly to kids. There's nothing wrong with that. But wanting to spend a vacation with kids you don't know just feels off.

It doesn't scream "pervert" to me at all. It's not about sexuality. It's about the human condition. The girls see someone who needs help, so they help him. :) And he in turn finds happiness in showing them the beauty of the sights of Paris. He didn't want their help at first, but after coming around he thanks them by enriching their experience abroad with the sights. It's all innocent and is written/played/directed so innocently. I think it's actually a sweet story, and very refreshing in a society where so many people think a man being around a minor is a "pervert" (there have been comments on the board here by some who think Mr. Bradley is a pervert/creep for going into the girls' dorm, which I disagree with as well).



I agree 100% with you 80s!!!:wave:

The 'Paris movie' was definitely a very sweet story, and it never crossed my mind to think that the alcoholic writer was a pervert: he looked so harmless and in need of friends!
And even though TOOTIE and NAT were 14 and 15 by then (i think that's their right age, cos that was just before the beginning of season 4) you can't always choose who is going to help you or be your guardian angel, cos that's what they really were.
On the other hand, the black lady (TOOTIE's mum later on) who knew the alcoholic writer didn't even attempted to help him: she was ready to fire him lol!

NATALIE, who claimed she was a big fan of him and had read most of his books also didn't want to lift a finger to help him!

And this is where i really adore TOOTIE in the movie: there was a stranger she didn't know, and in spite of that she was ready to help him because she believed in giving people a second chance, and also because she watched a movie that reminded her of him and believed in magic....

:bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:

PS: MR BRADLEY was my favourite headmaster, and i never saw him as pervert either!

Herb was 40 or 41 at this time. He was pervy on WKRP in Cincinnati, but toward adult women.