I'll use this tread to share articles and data I've collected. Any questions or episode requests, let me know.

First up: Feb 9-15 1987. Cupid's Revenge, and Facts of Life Down Under

Top Rated Season Eight Episodes:
Facts of life Down Under #13, 21.4 Rating/ 32 Share (Sun Feb 15 9PM)
Boy About the House #25, 18.3 Rating/ 31 Share (Sat Feb 28 8PM)
The Little Chill #20, 18.2 Rating/ 31 Share (Sat Nov 8 8PM)
Another Room #21, 18.1 Rating/ 32 Share (Sat Oct 11 8PM)
Wedding Day #23, 17.9 Rating/ 30 Share (Sat Nov 22 8PM)
62 Pick UP #26, 17.1 Rating/ 31 Share (Sat Feb 21 8PM)


Web Brass Dissect Past 86-87 Season: Variety April 22 1987.
Brandon Tartikoff NBC Ent President:
"I was surprised that 'ALF' worked as well as it did, not because of any fault of the writers and pro- ducers, but because I have had flops with high-concept shows in the past — 'Misfits Of Science' and 'Mam- mal' — and I couldn't bring myself to believe that one would finally work for me. And I was surprised that 'The Facts of Life' performed well this season, as, with a major cast change and all, I thought it might not perform as it had in the past" as NBC misjudged the ratings potential of ABC's "Life With Lucy." "Facts" has been renewed for next season.

top rated season 7 episodes: (based on ratings points)

3,2,1, #13, 21.1 Rating/ 34 Share (Nov 23 830PM)
Born Too Late, #15, 20.8 Rating/ 33 Share (Nov 16 830PM)
Come Back to the Truck Stop Natalie Green 19.3 Rating/ 31 Share (Nov 8 830PM)
We Get Letters #20, 19.0 Rating/ 31 Share (Nov 30 830PM)
The Reunion #22, 18.8 Rating/ 32 Share (Feb 1 830PM)
Atlantic City #23, 18.8 Rating/ 29 Share (Feb 15 830PM)
Out of the Fire #11, 18.7 Rating (Sep 14 830PM)
Into the Frying Pan #8, 18.6/ 34 Share (Sept 21 830PM)
Christmas Baby #20, 18.6/31 Share (Dec 14 830PM)

Did the Hub change the scheduling for Mork and Mindy and Sabrina the Teenage Witch because of poor Nielsen ratings? You can only see Mork and Mindy in the wee hours of the morning once a week. And every now and then instead of the Wednesday marathon of FOL they air the Scooby Doo movie for the millionth time. Are they phasing out the classic sitcoms to become just another kid's network or what?

Sorry, it just dawned on me you were talking about ratings for the original run.

Emmy advert Variety magazine July 1987

"We make America laugh."

Do you know where it placed in the full season rankings during it's run?

As for episodes I'm curious about the first one with Geri, the one where Natalie lost her virginity and the final episode, don't know the titles.

I think The First Time, the episode where Natalie lost her virginity, was the highest rated episode of the whole series during the series' original run.

Do you know where it placed in the full season rankings during it's run?

As for episodes I'm curious about the first one with Geri, the one where Natalie lost her virginity and the final episode, don't know the titles.

I don't have the final numbers on Geri's first appearance yet - but i'll keep you posted. As for THE FIRST TIME - it was not the highest rated (it aired opposite the Calgary Olympics). Season 9 highest rated was A Rose By Any Other Age. The Finale ranked poorly as it aired in May on a Saturday Night - no one is home watching TV. If you want specific numbers i can provide.

I have about 95% of the numbers. it looks like Breaking Point and Fear Strikes Back are the highest rated episodes.

I think The First Time, the episode where Natalie lost her virginity, was the highest rated episode of the whole series during the series' original run.

No, The First Time was not the highest rated (it aired against the 1988 Calgary Olympics), but did place #22 for the week. Brave New World and Fear Strikes Back are the highest rated

Facts of life Ep "We get Letters" from Nov 30th placed #20 for the week.

Jo's "Secret"

The Finale ranked poorly as it aired in May on a Saturday Night - no one is home watching TV.

But this was back in the '80s, when Saturday night was the night to watch TV. NBC had a Top 10 smash with The Golden Girls, and big hits with Empty Nest, 227, and Amen.

In 1988 when 227 took over Facts of life's 8pm timeslot - ratings plummeted to below Facts of life average - and it placed #35 for the year. Empty Next had 9:30 and 9PM slots,
8PM is what Norman Fell of Three's company called the deadzone, he used the phrase when criticizing ABC for moving the show to Saturday at 8pm - where no one would be home to watch.
In my earlier post I was giving a reason why the a specific episode in May 1987 was lower than average. Historically Spring ratings are lower than winter months, especially in early timeslots...

The First Time - 16.5/27, 23rd place
Finale Part 2 - 13.2/29, 32nd place
Fear Strikes Back - 22.2/34, 6th place
The Four Musketeers - 20.1/31, 17th place
Kids Can Be Cruel - 20.2/32, 19th place
Jo's Cousin - 20.2/32, 15th place
Big Fish/Little Fish - 20.4/30 15th place
Star at Langley - 20.6/30, 13th place
Born Too Late - 20.8/33, 15th place
3,2,1 - 21.1/34, 13th place
Graduation - 20.2/32, 5th place

The Facts of Life - 14.6 rating, 38th place (1987-88)
227 - 14.6 rating, 38th place (1988-89)

227 ratings plummeted next season reaching only 10% of households.

In 1988 when 227 took over Facts of life's 8pm timeslot - ratings plummeted to below Facts of life average - and it placed #35 for the year. Empty Next had 9:30 and 9PM slots,

227 did rank at #35 when it took over FOL's slot, but FOL's holding their last season was below that, at #37.

Plus, that was the the year Jackee "left" mid-way through that season of 227, so the show lost some fan base/interest.

227 did rank at #35 when it took over FOL's slot, but FOL's holding their last season was below that, at #37.

Plus, that was the the year Jackee "left" mid-way through that season of 227, so the show lost some fan base/interest.

You don't compare the #rankings, actual rating points are the most accurate.
227:
1987–1988: #27 (16.44 rating) 8:30PM
1988-1989: #35 (14.47 rating) 8PM
FOL:
1987-88: #37 (14.6 rating) 8PM

Again, Saturday at 8PM timeslot is one of the toughest timeslots, especially in warmer months of the year. FOL was a strong 8pm with a young audience, which is why NBC wanted it back for a 10th season.

I read through all the posts and it's a very interesting read through, thanks for posting. It also brought back memories seeing the schedule.

You don't compare the #rankings, actual rating points are the most accurate.
227:
1987–1988: #27 (16.44 rating) 8:30PM
1988-1989: #35 (14.47 rating) 8PM
FOL:
1987-88: #37 (14.6 rating) 8PM

Again, Saturday at 8PM timeslot is one of the toughest timeslots, especially in warmer months of the year. FOL was a strong 8pm with a young audience, which is why NBC wanted it back for a 10th season.

Interesting that 227 was bigger than FOL in its 4th season ranking than FOL was the previous year, despite the point differentiation. And amazing that for a show that never rose above #24 in any season, FOL is one of the top shows from '80s remembered and loved today. :)


The Facts of Life - 14.6 rating, 38th place (1987-88)
227 - 14.6 rating, 38th place (1988-89)

227 was #35 for '88-'89, not #38.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/227_(TV_series)#Ratings

227 was #35 for '88-'89, not #38.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/227_(TV_series)#Ratings

This chart has it at 38th place

http://postimg.org/image/hn60f1isx/

Interesting that 227 was bigger than FOL in its 4th season ranking than FOL was the previous year, despite the point differentiation. And amazing that for a show that never rose above #24 in any season, FOL is one of the top shows from '80s remembered and loved today. :)


The Facts of Life - 14.6 rating, 38th place (1987-88)
227 - 14.6 rating, 38th place (1988-89)

227 was #35 for '88-'89, not #38.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/227_(TV_series)#Ratings[/QUOTE]



I agree, I watched it from age of 4 to 13


227 was CRAPPY and never could get into it

Check out these huge ratings for the January 1981 episode "Breaking Point". The season 2 retool really made a difference...

Check out these huge ratings for the January 1981 episode "Breaking Point". The season 2 retool really made a difference...

#4, wow, awesome...and to think N@N wouldn't air that episode because it was one of the controversial ones. :rolleyes:

It's been theorized elsewhere on this board though that perhaps what really helped the show wasn't the retooling after season 1, but the change in the show's time slot. Season 1 pitted FOL against Fantasy Island and The Incredible Hulk, where it didn't have a chance. Then finally for season 2 they actually aired FOL after its parent show, Diff'rent Strokes. So some people think the retooling made a difference, some think the time change made the difference, some think the combination did. But whichever theory you subscribe to, the important thing is the show went on for so many more seasons. :)

#4, wow, awesome...and to think N@N wouldn't air that episode because it was one of the controversial ones. :rolleyes:

It's been theorized elsewhere on this board though that perhaps what really helped the show wasn't the retooling after season 1, but the change in the show's time slot. Season 1 pitted FOL against Fantasy Island and The Incredible Hulk, where it didn't have a chance. Then finally for season 2 they actually aired FOL after its parent show, Diff'rent Strokes. So some people think the retooling made a difference, some think the time change made the difference, some think the combination did. But whichever theory you subscribe to, the important thing is the show went on for so many more seasons. :)


what the hell was so controversial about it if NBC aired it? Wasn't like the show was on cable in 1981

what the hell was so controversial about it if NBC aired it? Wasn't like the show was on cable in 1981
Suicide episode. I guess it was too controversial for N @ N. I remember watching it when it originally aired. It was a great episode and a show young people should have been able to watch.

Suicide episode. I guess it was too controversial for N @ N. I remember watching it when it originally aired. It was a great episode and a show young people should have been able to watch.


N@N should not be picking up shows if fans are not getting the entire season

Great numbers for this ep. Ratings from week Nov 2-8 1981.

what the hell was so controversial about it if NBC aired it?

Suicide episode. I guess it was too controversial for N @ N. I remember watching it when it originally aired. It was a great episode and a show young people should have been able to watch.

N@N skipped over several episodes that they deemed "too controversial" to air. These included the suicide and marijuana episodes for sure, and I believe also the abortion one and the drunk driving one, to name two more. There was a thread here about it from all those years ago if you want to do a search for it (it was over 10 years ago---!).

And yes Stuck, regardless of suicide being a controversial issue, the way the episode was written it is wonderful for younger viewers to see.

N@N skipped over several episodes that they deemed "too controversial" to air. These included the suicide and marijuana episodes for sure, and I believe also the abortion one and the drunk driving one, to name two more. There was a thread here about it from all those years ago if you want to do a search for it (it was over 10 years ago---!).

And yes Stuck, regardless of suicide being a controversial issue, the way the episode was written it is wonderful for younger viewers to see.


They skipped over a marijuana episode for Three;s company too

During its first season (1979-80), The Facts of Life was originally not a ratings winner on Friday nights in its summer tryout in 1979 or in its spring tryout in 1980. It ranked 74th out of 79 network TV shows that aired during the season, and was actually NBC's lowest-rated series. It averaged only a 4.5 rating, which would usually have justified a quick cancellation.

227 did rank at #35 when it took over FOL's slot, but FOL's holding their last season was below that, at #37.

Plus, that was the the year Jackee "left" mid-way through that season of 227, so the show lost some fan base/interest.


It was not that season that Jackee left. It was season five when she left. She did seven episodes and then left. The last time she was referred to was in the Christmas 1989 episode. It was said that she spent the holiday with her new boyfriend in the Bahama Islands.

Season four ratings did drop but it was not due to Jackee leaving as she remained until after the beginning of the next season. Plus, "The Golden Girls" was moved to that spot in its final season (1991) and finished in 32nd (I believe) the previous season had the show in 5th overall (If memory serves correct). 8pm slot is like the beginning of a party just starting. Most people don't come until after the party has started.

It was not that season that Jackee left. It was season five when she left. She did seven episodes and then left. The last time she was referred to was in the Christmas 1989 episode. It was said that she spent the holiday with her new boyfriend in the Bahama Islands

Ah, I researched that, and see that you're right. I need to remember what Mr. Gideon told Jo: FACT = Fast, Accurate, Concise, True

;)

80's sitcoms, you're all right. LOL.

Yes they were.

I'm compiling the ratings information for the show, and thought i'd share this:
There is a pattern of FOL being consistently in the top 5 shows during the summer months (throughout the series run). It placed #1 during the first week of August 1981, building momentum for it's strong season 3 numbers. #1 is an impressive feat - even in reruns.

FOL beat out Major League Baseball?? LOL, that's hilarious :lol: ---and awesome! :D

It placed #1 during the first week of August 1981, building momentum for it's strong season 3 numbers. #1 is an impressive feat - even in reruns.

I would say #1 is an impressive feat especially in re-runs! :eek: :D

yes, very impressive!

I recently heard a podcast about FOL, it said the show never cracked the top 20. Do your research people...

yes, very impressive!

I recently heard a podcast about FOL, it said the show never cracked the top 20. Do your research people...

And it didn't... overall.

The highest rated seasons were 3, 5, and 6, which placed the show 24th in the year-end ratings.

Now, sure, individual episodes may have been wildly successful... but overall, the show wasn't a top 20 show, though still pretty successful. Even the final season was 37th at the end of the year, which would normally have been enough to get it renewed, IIRC.

And it didn't... overall.

The highest rated seasons were 3, 5, and 6, which placed the show 24th in the year-end ratings.

Now, sure, individual episodes may have been wildly successful... but overall, the show wasn't a top 20 show, though still pretty successful. Even the final season was 37th at the end of the year, which would normally have been enough to get it renewed, IIRC.

Yes, the overall season averages are easy to find the internet. but when talking about specific eps, a little research goes a long way. It helps in better understanding the long broadcast history of this often dismissed series.

Still strong in its timeslot, NBC wanted to renew Facts of Life for a 10th season, but two of the girls (one being Mindy Cohn) decided that season 9 should be the end.

1) 1979–80: #74 (4.5 million viewers)
2) 1980–81: #26 (19.3 million viewers)
3) 1981–82: #24 (19.1 million viewers)
4) 1982–83: #32 (17.1 million viewers)
5) 1983–84: #24 (17.3 million viewers)
6) 1984–85: #24 (16.3 million viewers)
7) 1985–86: #27 (17.7 million viewers)
8) 1986–87: #31 (16.3 million viewers)
9) 1987–88: #37 (14.6 million viewers)


I would have loved to have seen a 10th season.

Me too.

Still strong in its timeslot, NBC wanted to renew Facts of Life for a 10th season, but two of the girls (one being Mindy Cohn) decided that season 9 should be the end.

1) 1979–80: #74 (4.5 million viewers)
2) 1980–81: #26 (19.3 million viewers)
3) 1981–82: #24 (19.1 million viewers)
4) 1982–83: #32 (17.1 million viewers)
5) 1983–84: #24 (17.3 million viewers)
6) 1984–85: #24 (16.3 million viewers)
7) 1985–86: #27 (17.7 million viewers)
8) 1986–87: #31 (16.3 million viewers)
9) 1987–88: #37 (14.6 million viewers)


I would have loved to have seen a 10th season.

TV Guide has FOL at 30th place with 16.2/24 for 1984-85 season.
85-86 17.7/30 27th place
86-87 16.3/29 31st place

Still strong in its timeslot, NBC wanted to renew Facts of Life for a 10th season, but two of the girls (one being Mindy Cohn) decided that season 9 should be the end.

Who was the other? Nancy McKeon?

Still strong in its timeslot, NBC wanted to renew Facts of Life for a 10th season, but two of the girls (one being Mindy Cohn) decided that season 9 should be the end.

1) 1979–80: #74 (4.5 million viewers)
2) 1980–81: #26 (19.3 million viewers)
3) 1981–82: #24 (19.1 million viewers)
4) 1982–83: #32 (17.1 million viewers)
5) 1983–84: #24 (17.3 million viewers)
6) 1984–85: #24 (16.3 million viewers)
7) 1985–86: #27 (17.7 million viewers)
8) 1986–87: #31 (16.3 million viewers)
9) 1987–88: #37 (14.6 million viewers)


I would have loved to have seen a 10th season.

So many great shows would never get this kind of chance nowadays. #74 in the first year? It would have been yanked quickly. Shoot, now they will pull you after two or three episodes. Just think of no FOL, Cheers, Family Ties, and many other great shows that would never be given the chance to grow in today's world.

By the way, thanks for all the great info.

:wave:

:happyface

:wave:

Just a note- as those posts mention, that was the rating/share reported- the viewers count would have been notably higher (20m+ has been reported as an average).

Does ANY show get ratings like the top 20 used to get now? I highly doubt it.

At which point did The Facts of Life start regularly beating Diff'rent Strokes in the weekly Nielsen ratings? And when was the last time Diff'rent Stokes beat The Facts of Life in the weekly Nielsen ratings?

1980-81 was the only season in which both shows were in the Nielsen Year-End Top 30 together, and DS never made the Year-End Top 30 after its season three. Both DS's and TFoL's series highs came on January 28, 1981, with DS having a two-point edge over TFoL (29.4 for DS vs. 27.4 for TFoL).