I really don't know how to properly explain it other than the early seasons (roughly the first three or four years) didn't feel as much like it was a "product of the '80s" (at least visually like hairstyles and what not) than around the time that Cloris Leachman stepped in when Charlotte Rae left. Maybe part of the reason is because The Facts of Life started in 1979 (which is funny within itself because there have been episodes from the first season which mention or show 8-track tapes), so the 1980s style/look (whatever you want to call it) didn't really bled in until some time later.

I actually prefer Lisa Whelchel and Nancy McKeon's hairstyles in the earlier episodes because they looked more timeless. Later own, Blair and Jo (and to a lesser extent, Natalie) were sporting big, feathered (well, at least Blair and Natalie), teased hairdos. Oddly, I thought that Mindy Cohn looked her "hottest" so to speak towards the end of the FOL's run in 1988 (when she had the reddish looking hair).

The theme song revamp (I guess around the 1985-86 season) and the opening of Over Our Heads, kind sealed the deal in regards of it addressing what time period the show took place in.

I prefer the later episodes because they are just funnier to me and the show had escaped that "very special episode syndrome" that was so commonplace amongst shows from the Norman Lear factory. Jo's ponytail had become so boring IMO. Although that last season BIG HAIR on her was/is ridiculous looking :lol:

Watching the "Front Page" episode from Season 3 on the Hub yesterday, it's still kind of hilarious watching back and seeing Jo use a typewriter (the old school laptop), references to cocaine (which were seemingly most common during the '80s among the yuppie set), and Blair mentioning Nancy Reagan (who of course, was the First Lady at the time).

I really don't know how to properly explain it other than the early seasons (roughly the first three or four years) didn't feel as much like it was a "product of the '80s" (at least visually like hairstyles and what not) than around the time that Cloris Leachman stepped in when Charlotte Rae left. Maybe part of the reason is because The Facts of Life started in 1979 (which is funny within itself because there have been episodes from the first season which mention or show 8-track tapes), so the 1980s style/look (whatever you want to call it) didn't really bled in until some time later.

I actually prefer Lisa Whelchel and Nancy McKeon's hairstyles in the earlier episodes because they looked more timeless. Later own, Blair and Jo (and to a lesser extent, Natalie) were sporting big, feathered (well, at least Blair and Natalie), teased hairdos. Oddly, I thought that Mindy Cohn looked her "hottest" so to speak towards the end of the FOL's run in 1988 (when she had the reddish looking hair).

The theme song revamp (I guess around the 1985-86 season) and the opening of Over Our Heads, kind sealed the deal in regards of it addressing what time period the show took place in.

The fashion is more dated in the later episodes over the beginning episodes, but that could also be because they had to wear uniforms over the style at that time. I like the later episodes personally because it brings back memories based on the fashion and hair styles. I also love the tacky neon lights/set that is in later episodes.

If you ever watch the episode (I think it's titled "The Little Chill") where all the girls from the first season reunite the amount of hairspray used in that episode is ungodly. I lived through the eighties and to this day have no idea why so many beautiful women chose to make their hair look incredibly unattractive.

I mean Lisa, Julie, Felice and Nancy all had gorgeous hair and in that "Little Chill" episode you can really see how the fashion of the day really was to no good effect.

I loved Blair's hair in the earlier season, and I felt like Jo's hair really suited her. She wasn't the type to do her hair every morning.

Watching the show now some of the episodes are so cute, like the one from season five with the computer hacking. :lol:

As the girls got older and the decade progressed, the "look" of the '80s really peaked around the time of Over Our Heads and Beverly Ann's arrival. So yes, I get what you're saying.

Personally, I didn't care for that era of the show because it was no longer being taped live (I actually prefer the Norman Lear-vibe they had going during the first five seasons or so) and seemed rather static, as was the case with a lot of marginal sitcoms of the time.

I liked the Over Our Heads era. Edna was still on the show when it opened.

I do think the earlier shows are less dated than the later shows with the 80s big hair era.

I do think the earlier shows are less dated than the later shows with the 80s big hair era.

I would agree. However, I do like Nancy McKeon's hair in the later years. They really started feminizing her, late in the series. (I think at one point, she and George Clooney have the same haircut).

The first season has some badly dated styles. The Daisy Dukes, the short shorts, the ungodly outfits Molly wears (Facts of Facts Podcast said "she's dressed like a puppet"), and the suspenders-with-dress-pants ensemble we see Cindy wear once, but I think we see some fashion faux pas at that level throughout the series.

The later 80s have the girls wearing some bizarre choices, and with some bizarre hair styles. Tootie's green outfit, Blair's mullet, the Golden Girls-style outfits. What looked fashionable and timeless on Bea Arthur somehow just didn't work well on women who were 40 years younger.

I would agree. However, I do like Nancy McKeon's hair in the later years. They really started feminizing her, late in the series. (I think at one point, she and George Clooney have the same haircut).

The first season has some badly dated styles. The Daisy Dukes, the short shorts, the ungodly outfits Molly wears (Facts of Facts Podcast said "she's dressed like a puppet"), and the suspenders-with-dress-pants ensemble we see Cindy wear once, but I think we see some fashion faux pas at that level throughout the series.

The later 80s have the girls wearing some bizarre choices, and with some bizarre hair styles. Tootie's green outfit, Blair's mullet, the Golden Girls-style outfits. What looked fashionable and timeless on Bea Arthur somehow just didn't work well on women who were 40 years younger.

The suspender outfits was more of an early 70s fashion. I remember them in school. By 1979, they were definitely dated.

The suspender outfits was more of an early 70s fashion. I remember them in school. By 1979, they were definitely dated.

I really wondered about the suspenders. I never remember them being popular, but I didn't enter kindergarten until 1979. I guess I missed that fad! :lol:

I really wondered about the suspenders. I never remember them being popular, but I didn't enter kindergarten until 1979. I guess I missed that fad! :lol:

I and a lot of the kids wore the stuff that Molly wore in Season 1. in the early 70s. I started in 1970. I am one year younger than Julie Pie, Lisa, and Felice. I think you also see Julie Pie wearing suspenders in some of the New Mickey Mouse Club shows.

Yes, seasons 2 through 4 are the most "timeless" seasons because there aren't really any visual tell-tales you're actually watching something in the '80s. Everything seems "neutral". It's when they move off campus that the '80s-ness starts coming in, and like gangbusters with OOH and the girls totally diving into the '80s fashions.


the ungodly outfits Molly wears (Facts of Facts Podcast said "she's dressed like a puppet")

I've been noticing in my DS binging that funnily enough they dressed Kimberly like Molly quite a bit!


the Golden Girls-style outfits. What looked fashionable and timeless on Bea Arthur somehow just didn't work well on women who were 40 years younger.

Yeah, except for things like that! :lol:

Yes, seasons 2 through 4 are the most "timeless" seasons because there aren't really any visual tell-tales you're actually watching something in the '80s. Everything seems "neutral". It's when they move off campus that the '80s-ness starts coming in, and like gangbusters with OOH and the girls totally diving into the '80s fashions.

I couldn't agree more! Although, like I mentioned, there are times in the final seasons where Jo's hair looks awesome, IMO.


I've been noticing in my DS binging that funnily enough they dressed Kimberly like Molly quite a bit!

I think, like you, I'll be getting the early DS DVDs. I need to see some Molly-dressed Kimberly. It's been too long! :lol: I do remember a lot of plaid blouses, and possibly a few bolo-style ties.

I couldn't agree more! Although, like I mentioned, there are times in the final seasons where Jo's hair looks awesome, IMO.

Oh yeah, it does look great sometimes. Just while surrounded by so much other '80sness. :lol:


I think, like you, I'll be getting the early DS DVDs. I need to see some Molly-dressed Kimberly. It's been too long! :lol: I do remember a lot of plaid blouses, and possibly a few bolo-style ties.

Yup! And like Tootie, some of that thick yarn to hold back some hair.

I have the first 2 seasons, but after going through them I saw that the entire series is on On Demand. So I've been taking advantage of this time to binge some (I'm not gonna go through all 9 seasons; I did that on cable a few years ago), and since I was brought up on this at the same time I was watching FOL at my grandparents', it's a lot of memories (I assume the daily reruns of FOL were aired right after the DS reruns).

For me, the show was more "woke" in the earlier seasons. They were very cutting edge when they spoke about controversial topics. Topics that are still prominent today.

As far as the fashion, it comes and goes, but I doubt we'll see a resurgence in the '80s fashion and decor, which is cringeworthy. Earlier seasons hairstyles and fashion and decor don't look as dated because some of that came back.

I look at the later episodes and think they actually regress because it's during the Reagan eras. They shy away from these topics and suddenly, topics like premartial sex become a no-no and verboten.

We also see a touch of xenophobia. With George making fun of Muslims and everyone seemingly making fun of Pippa's accent and her vernacular.

For me, the show was more "woke" in the earlier seasons. They were very cutting edge when they spoke about controversial topics. Topics that are still prominent today.

As far as the fashion, it comes and goes, but I doubt we'll see a resurgence in the '80s fashion and decor, which is cringeworthy. Earlier seasons hairstyles and fashion and decor don't look as dated because some of that came back.

I look at the later episodes and think they actually regress because it's during the Reagan eras. They shy away from these topics and suddenly, topics like premartial sex become a no-no and verboten.

We also see a touch of xenophobia. With George making fun of Muslims and everyone seemingly making fun of Pippa's accent and her vernacular.

This is the post of the day.

I don't think I've ever heard the theory that FOL steered away from the woke storylines because of the Reagan administration -- I always believed it was because of the change of writers and the change from Norman Lear's production company to the corporate Coca-Cola-owned production company -- but I can see what you're saying. They did shift away from the controversial topics, for the most part, and when there was a very controversial episode, Lisa refused to appear in it. We know the Reagan administration did influence storylines on sitcoms, with Nancy Reagan even appearing on DS to push the "just say 'no'" campaign (ironic, no?), so I buy your theory.

The George making fun of Muslims thing is a little odd, but sure was a product of its time. It hasn't dated well. IMO, the making light of Australian terminology hasn't changed in our era: it's still done, to this day, in the media. I know John Oliver just recently did a bit, mocking the Aussie lingo.

I dunno, there's also the possibility the new writers weren't as daring as the previous regime, or even that they may have figured, hey, the show already did a lot of heavy topics in the past, why not have more fun now?

I like the first 5 or 6 seasons the best of the series. When the Over Our Heads era began, I kind lost some interest. I also noticed they must have got new cameras because the show has a different tech look.

Speaking of fashions, I watched the first season of Dallas (1978-79) not to long ago.In the episode where Pam(Victoria Principal) falls and has a miscarriage during the Ewing Barbecue, she is wearing her hair and a dress similar to the way Blair looked in the first episode of Facts "Rough Housing". That was a very popular glamour look for the late 70's.

https://pics.livejournal.com/rpowell/pic/001ta3ph/s640x480

https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/rough-housing-episode-1-aired-82479-pictured-lisa-whelchel-as-blair-picture-id143482380

I like the first 5 or 6 seasons the best of the series. When the Over Our Heads era began, I kind lost some interest. I also noticed they must have got new cameras because the show has a different tech look.

Speaking of fashions, I watched the first season of Dallas (1978-79) not to long ago.In the episode where Pam(Victoria Principal) falls and has a miscarriage during the Ewing Barbecue, she is wearing her hair and a dress similar to the way Blair looked in the first episode of Facts "Rough Housing". That was a very popular glamour look for the late 70's.

https://pics.livejournal.com/rpowell/pic/001ta3ph/s640x480

https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/rough-housing-episode-1-aired-82479-pictured-lisa-whelchel-as-blair-picture-id143482380


That's some great photos you've downloaded Hoagie78!

I totally agree: BLAIR had the 1970 s fashion all over during the pilot and season 1!

I love the girl's fashion in season 1 best: in the 1970 s people really knew how to dress! (if you watched 'CHARLIE's ANGELS' you'll know what i'm talking about).
On the other hand, i HATED the late seasons fashion! (the music was great in the 80 s but the fashion boohoo!)
BLAIR, who was the most beautiful girl in the early seasons starts wearing weird hairdos during the 'Over our heads' era, and it makes her look AWFUL!!!:eek::eek::eek:

PS: i used to watch 'DALLAS' too, and VICTORIA PRINCIPAL was my favourite!

:cheers::cheers::cheers: