So I was watching the Facts of Life episode The Little Chill. The writers obviously didn't follow continuity because Jo had meter the 4 original girls in a few episodes of the second season, however they were introduced in this one episode.

While watching this episode I couldn't help but feel annoyed at Sue Anne. Ever time Jo asked a question about a memory she would answer "You had to be there." I felt like that line was (intentionally or unintentionally you decide) a dig at Nancy McKeon because she basically took the four original girls jobs away from them. Not that it was her fault, I mean I have to admit Jo/Nancy McKeon, in my opinon, saved and made that show.

Why does everyone seem to think that JO was the only one who saved the show? What about BLAIR? (she was there from the very beginning + the main star in my eyes) or MRS. G? Never mind TOOTIE & NAT cos those 2 came 2d best......:mad:

I think what saved the show was that they trimmed the cast down and gave the girls more definite identities. The first series was fun, but it just seemed like a half-hour slumber party. It lacked focus. Even though Jo was a fun addition and perfect counterpoint to Blair.

I was never a big fan of them trimming the cast down. I'm also not entirely sure in trimming the cast down that they retained the three most talented girls of the first season although I can hazard a guess why they were each retained with the short answer being the three girls they retained were each unique enough in their own way to merit being brought back.

As for "The Little Chill" episode, the only thing that really can be said for it is it may be the single most indisputable homage to bad eighties fashion ever captured on film. What they did in this episode (aside from expanding the hole in the O-Zone layer with all the hair spray the actresses used) was take some incredibly naturally beautiful women and apply so much make up and affix their hair in ridiculous hairdos to the point where they were barely recognizable.

The juxtaposition between the flashback clips seen in this episode and the footage shot for this episode itself should be a stark reminder why it might not be prudent for further seasons of FOL to be issued on DVD as the fashion from the later seasons are far from flattering to the members of the cast.

I do think the writers had a good eye when it comes to talent: BLAIR was the best one from season 1 (she was such a natural flirt); TOOTIE was beyond cheeky (as the youngest cast she could get away with trouble); NAT was a wise cracker (she made everyone laugh with her mannerism). Finally MRS. G was here to guide the girls and teach them right from wrong (she was a confidante and a mother to the girls at the same time). As for the "Forgotten FOL girls", in my opinion only SUE ANN had personality (NANCY had hardly any lines, CINDY was a pain & MOLLY boring) with her cheerful attitude, as well as her "friendly rivalry" with BLAIR, so it is a shame she was not kept on.......:)

I do think the writers had a good eye when it comes to talent: BLAIR was the best one from season 1 (she was such a natural flirt); TOOTIE was beyond cheeky (as the youngest cast she could get away with trouble); NAT was a wise cracker (she made everyone laugh with her mannerism). Finally MRS. G was here to guide the girls and teach them right from wrong (she was a confidante and a mother to the girls at the same time). As for the "Forgotten FOL girls", in my opinion only SUE ANN had personality (NANCY had hardly any lines, CINDY was a pain & MOLLY boring) with her cheerful attitude, as well as her "friendly rivalry" with BLAIR, so it is a shame she was not kept on.......:)

BLAIR SAVED THE SHOW!!!!!! :rock: :rock:

BLAIR SAVED THE SHOW!!!!!! :rock: :rock:


Thank you for agreeing with me! BLAIR is definitely my favourite of the girls & also the one with the strongest personality (once you get past her snobbish & bratty behaviour she has sometimes): i tend to favor the "naughty" characters with "golden hearts" lol!:wave:

Thank you for agreeing with me! BLAIR is definitely my favourite of the girls & also the one with the strongest personality (once you get past her snobbish & bratty behaviour she has sometimes): i tend to favor the "naughty" characters with "golden hearts" lol!:wave:
People seem to think that that was there was with Blair. But if you look beneath the external "snobbish" part, there was that insecurity and that heart of gold that was covered by the masks of success and outward beauty.

Interestingly, Lisa talks about the defense mechanisms she lived behind with an emotional "wall" she built while growing up on her own in Hollywood. These were a perfect parallel to what she was portraying.

People seem to think that that was there was with Blair. But if you look beneath the external "snobbish" part, there was that insecurity and that heart of gold that was covered by the masks of success and outward beauty.

Interestingly, Lisa talks about the defense mechanisms she lived behind with an emotional "wall" she built while growing up on her own in Hollywood. These were a perfect parallel to what she was portraying.



Exactly! I am so glad to have finally met someone with a good taste in judgement (most of the online people only see what they wanna see when it comes to BLAIR). Out of all the girls BLAIR is the one with more issues, which is probably why MRS. G tends to reason + guide her more than the others.......
PS: I can tell you are a fan of her too? (with the "ABlairican Pie" nickname):talk:

Question to everyone:
Could someone tell me how to post my new story on this site? (i have read some of the members story) I have just finished my 1st FOL novel and would love to publish it.
Many thanks and i hope you can answer me that one!:D

Question to everyone:
Could someone tell me how to post my new story on this site? (i have read some of the members story) I have just finished my 1st FOL novel and would love to publish it.
Many thanks and i hope you can answer me that one!:D

If you mean you want to publish it like publish publish on Amazon then you can't because FOL characters are copyrighted

If you mean you want to publish it like publish publish on Amazon then you can't because FOL characters are copyrighted

I meant on the SITCOMS ONLINE SITE (not on amazon) like some of the members do here. Any suggestions?:eek:

Exactly! I am so glad to have finally met someone with a good taste in judgement (most of the online people only see what they wanna see when it comes to BLAIR). Out of all the girls BLAIR is the one with more issues, which is probably why MRS. G tends to reason + guide her more than the others.......
PS: I can tell you are a fan of her too? (with the "ABlairican Pie" nickname):talk:
Yeah, I used to have Captain ABlairica as my nickname, and I believe before that, Tad Warner!!!

That's interesting, did Mrs. G counsel Blair more than others? Maybe so, because she definitely seemed more problematic!!

Yeah, I used to have Captain ABlairica as my nickname, and I believe before that, Tad Warner!!!

That's interesting, did Mrs. G counsel Blair more than others? Maybe so, because she definitely seemed more problematic!!


Yeah, MRS. G and BLAIR had a sort of "mother daughter" relationship (she was motherly with the other girls too) which is why i wrote my 1st FOL fiction on this site about the 2 of them being the main characters. If you wanna read it, it's on the site where other people have posted their story: i'v got my one attached so you only have to click on the "download attachment" button.....:)

Why does everyone seem to think that JO was the only one who saved the show? What about BLAIR? (she was there from the very beginning + the main star in my eyes) or MRS. G? Never mind TOOTIE & NAT cos those 2 came 2d best......:mad:


Thank you! I totally agree. I keep hearing that. The format changed. Jo was one of the additions to the change but it was not her that was the main reason why the show got better. It was an ensemble effort.

So I was watching the Facts of Life episode The Little Chill. The writers obviously didn't follow continuity because Jo had meter the 4 original girls in a few episodes of the second season, however they were introduced in this one episode.

While watching this episode I couldn't help but feel annoyed at Sue Anne. Ever time Jo asked a question about a memory she would answer "You had to be there." I felt like that line was (intentionally or unintentionally you decide) a dig at Nancy McKeon because she basically took the four original girls jobs away from them. Not that it was her fault, I mean I have to admit Jo/Nancy McKeon, in my opinon, saved and made that show.


No. I don't see that as a dig. That was written in the script for her to say to Jo. Now, I thought they could have done a better job with the writing as Jo went to school with those girls, had classes with Sue Ann and Cindy and went to New York with them on a field trip. We should have gotten a flashback with one of them reminiscing about how Tootie told Nancy about Blair planning to go out with Roger to see the dancer in NYC. Then Blair and Jo have it out. That would have been a great flashback to include everyone.

Thank you! I totally agree. I keep hearing that. The format changed. Jo was one of the additions to the change but it was not her that was the main reason why the show got better. It was an ensemble effort.

Thank you so much for agreeing with me too: the 5 of them together made the show and not only one person lol!:)

Thank you so much for agreeing with me too: the 5 of them together made the show and not only one person lol!:)

No. You are not the only one. I loved the first season and am glad we got to see the first season girls recurr for the next two years although I wish they had remained longer and a bit more often but I took what I could get. Jo was a great addition and total opposite of Blair but she was not the entire show. You should have been here on these boards 12 and 13 years ago. If you didn't agree with somebody that was pro Jo, then you'd be burned at the steak for having your own opinion. LOL.

After buying the season 1 DVD and watching the early episodes, I grew accustomed to this season it quite enjoyed it. I'm tempted to say I like them more than the late episodes.

But I'm glad they decided to add a little 'edge' to the show with Jo, after everything is said and done.

After buy the season 1 DVD and watching the early episodes, I grew accustomed to this season it quite enjoyed it. I'm tempted to say I like them more than the late episodes.

But I'm glad they decided to add a little 'edge' to the show with Jo, after everything is said and done.

I can buy that. I still do think that it was an ensemble effort with retooling all around. To me, Jo was not the show. It was everyone to me.. Blair and Jo contrast was wonderful and was a gold striker to me. I still love the fact that the other girls from season one made appearances. I just wish they had kept that up with them at least until graduation.

I agree, they should have had the other girls appear every once and awhile up until graduation since, of course, they would be graduating with them.

And I agree that Jo wasn't the whole show by any means. However, I do think that if she hadn't been added, the show would have been cancelled.

After buying the season 1 DVD and watching the early episodes, I grew accustomed to this season it quite enjoyed it. I'm tempted to say I like them more than the late episodes.

But I'm glad they decided to add a little 'edge' to the show with Jo, after everything is said and done.

I agree with you, season 1 was very different from the others and very diverse: you had BLAIR as the 'naughty girl with a warm heart' and MRS G teaching her life lessons and guiding her too (as she did with the rest of the girls), SUE ANN kind of looked up to the 'debutante', NANCY was her best rival, CINDY a tomboy, MOLLY a pain on the neck and my least favourite, TOOTIE + NAT wise crackers and MR BRADLEY such a joke!:wave:

I agree with you, season 1 was very different from the others and very diverse: you had BLAIR as the 'naughty girl with a warm heart' and MRS G teaching her life lessons and guiding her too (as she did with the rest of the girls), SUE ANN kind of looked up to the 'debutante', NANCY was her best rival, CINDY a tomboy, MOLLY a pain on the neck and my least favourite, TOOTIE + NAT wise crackers and MR BRADLEY such a joke!:wave:


Mr. Bradley was a joke. LOL.

Mr. Bradley was a joke. LOL.

I liked MR PARKER too (he had good chemistry with MRS G lol):happyface

Totally true.

I agree with you, season 1 was very different from the others and very diverse: you had BLAIR as the 'naughty girl with a warm heart' and MRS G teaching her life lessons and guiding her too (as she did with the rest of the girls), SUE ANN kind of looked up to the 'debutante', NANCY was her best rival, CINDY a tomboy, MOLLY a pain on the neck and my least favourite, TOOTIE + NAT wise crackers and MR BRADLEY such a joke!:wave:

Season One was definitely more diverse, with more varied characters. When they fired half the cast, they lost not only that diversity, but also a lot of the continuity: they had to somehow shoehorn the remaining girls into roles where they didn't fit. For example, making Jo a street punk who can hot-wire a car and can fix a motorcycle... but she also plays piano?

...making Jo a street punk who can hot-wire a car and can fix a motorcycle... but she also plays piano?

She does not play piano. The writers were on acid (allegedly, haha). I can forgive some things, but there is no way I accept that street punk Jo Polniaczek secretly plays the piano!

She does not play piano. The writers were on acid (allegedly, haha). I can forgive some things, but there is no way I accept that street punk Jo Polniaczek secretly plays the piano!

I agree. The thing is, Nancy McKeon herself does not play the piano (http://fol4ever.tripod.com/lizfolsite2/id18.html), so it's not even something she could do that the producers were like, "let's showcase that talent!" They just forgot that Jo, as a poor street punk from the Bronx, wouldn't have taken years of piano lessons, as there's no way her waitress mom could afford that.

I agree. The thing is, Nancy McKeon herself does not play the piano (http://fol4ever.tripod.com/lizfolsite2/id18.html), so it's not even something she could do that the producers were like, "let's showcase that talent!" They just forgot that Jo, as a poor street punk from the Bronx, wouldn't have taken years of piano lessons, as there's no way her waitress mom could afford that.

It also bugs me that in season 1, the show's staff took the trouble to locate a piano and place it in a specific place in the common room of the dorm, yet we never saw any evidence that one girl in that dorm played the piano. If you put 7 girls in a room in 1979 (or "10, 12 girls" as Warren Bigexaggeration claimed, haha), chances are at least one of those girls will have had piano lessons, if not more than one girl. I just still can't believe they never let the piano have a moment! lol

Say, they could have had Nancy be a talented pianist, and she and Molly could have had jam sessions! :lol:

I think it was Blair who said to the "lost girls," "you remember Jo." So, that was an acknowledgment that she new them. She just wasn't a part of most of their experiences.

I think it was Blair who said to the "lost girls," "you remember Jo." So, that was an acknowledgment that she new them. She just wasn't a part of most of their experiences.

That's true; Blair did say that.

Jo did have some classes with the Lost Girls, and obviously was acquainted with them, but she was never their dorm-mate the way Natalie, Tootie and Blair were. And from what I can tell, it seems as though some of those seven girls may have been dorm-mates for several years.