I'm not sure if this has been addressed before... searching for "Garrett's Girls" turned up a LOT of responses.

I just read on Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Facts_of_Life_(TV_series)#Casting)that "Actress Geri Reischl ("Fake Jan" of The Brady Bunch Hour) was given the role of Blair Warner in the television pilot Garrett's Girls (later renamed The Facts of Life), but was forced to give it up due to her contract with General Mills."

Does this pilot episode exist anywhere? Was this part of a Diff'rent Strokes episode? I'm curious if this has ever been seen... and where can I see it?

Thanks!

I think "Garret's Girls" refers to the backdoor pilot on Diff'rent Strokes season 1, episode 24 "The Girls School" (a.k.a Garret's Girls). I have not heard of an unaired pilot named that with Geri Reischl as Blair.

The only two I knew of was The Diff'rent Strokes," Girls School" episode and Facts of Life," Rough Housing" episode.

Ha Ha Ha! Cool pic. I'm friends with her on FB.

So, I'm still wondering if there really was an unaired pilot, where Geri Reischl played Blair. It doesn't seem like it, since there was an actually aired backdoor pilot with Lisa playing Blair. Still, this is what Wikipedia claims.

So, I'm still wondering if there really was an unaired pilot, where Geri Reischl played Blair. It doesn't seem like it, since there was an actually aired backdoor pilot with Lisa playing Blair. Still, this is what Wikipedia claims.

Really? I had no idea this was even a thing. I seriously doubt it though.

Really? I had no idea this was even a thing. I seriously doubt it though.
I also doubt it, but it's on Geri's Wikipedia biography (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geri_Reischl#Filmography).

I also doubt it, but it's on Geri's Wikipedia biography (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geri_Reischl#Filmography).

Well wikipedia can be edited by anyone so I always take what I see on there with a grain of salt.

Well wikipedia can be edited by anyone so I always take what I see on there with a grain of salt.
Yes, and in this case, I take it with much more than one grain of salt.

So, I'm still wondering if there really was an unaired pilot, where Geri Reischl played Blair. It doesn't seem like it, since there was an actually aired backdoor pilot with Lisa playing Blair. Still, this is what Wikipedia claims.

Supposedly, Geri Reischl was under an exclusive contract with a cereal company she was doing cereal commercials for General Mills.

Also, when Lisa Whelchel first auditioned, Blair was described as being "a naïve, fast-talking girl from Texas". However, when Lisa arrived for the first table read, she was surprised to learn that Blair was no longer a naïve, fast-talking girl from Texas, but a stuck-up, rich girl from Park Avenue. All of this was because of a particularly condescending line-reading (an insult directed at Sue Ann) during her audition with Julie Piekarski.

Supposedly, Geri Reischl was under an exclusive contract with a cereal company she was doing cereal commercials for General Mills.

Also, when Lisa Whelchel first auditioned, Blair was described as being "a naïve, fast-talking girl from Texas". However, when Lisa arrived for the first table read, she was surprised to learn that Blair was no longer a naïve, fast-talking girl from Texas, but a stuck-up, rich girl from Park Avenue. All of this was because of a particularly condescending line-reading (an insult directed at Sue Ann) during her audition with Julie Piekarski.

Lisa was looking at Julie Pie's butt when doing that? And Blair accused Cindy of being strange?

Lisa was looking at Julie Pie's butt when doing that? And Blair accused Cindy of being strange?

:lol:

Lisa was looking at Julie Pie's butt when doing that? And Blair accused Cindy of being strange?

Haha, well, it was for a good insult on her part though. lol

I just read on Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Facts_of_Life_(TV_series)#Casting)that "Actress Geri Reischl ("Fake Jan" of The Brady Bunch Hour) was given the role of Blair Warner in the television pilot Garrett's Girls (later renamed The Facts of Life), but was forced to give it up due to her contract with General Mills."

Does this pilot episode exist anywhere? Was this part of a Diff'rent Strokes episode? I'm curious if this has ever been seen... and where can I see it?

People are misinterpreting this. This was never taped before an audience. The note says she was only given the role, but was forced to give it up. This means she never even got in front of a camera at Eastlake. She was (if this is true) just tapped for the part. So Lisa was still the first actress to play Blair no matter what.

But I still wonder about the authenticity of this claim at all, as it has never been mentioned in any FOL material.

Lisa was looking at Julie Pie's butt when doing that? And Blair accused Cindy of being strange?

Julie: "Lisa, is that your hand on my leg?"

(Why, yes, i *did* watch The Brady Bunch Movie tonight)

If they had kept the Garrett's Girls title, what would have done when Mrs. Garrett left?

call it Stickles?

If they had kept the Garrett's Girls title, what would have done when Mrs. Garrett left?

Maybe they would've just left it. After all, they called "Valerie" "Valerie's Family" after they killed off Valerie.

But "Garrett's Girls" may not have even evolved into the same direction "The Facts of Life" did. Maybe it would have taken a different route.

Maybe they would've just left it. After all, they called "Valerie" "Valerie's Family" after they killed off Valerie.

But "Garrett's Girls" may not have even evolved into the same direction "The Facts of Life" did. Maybe it would have taken a different route.

Didn't they call it "The Hogan Family" after firing Valery Harper?

Didn't they call it "The Hogan Family" after firing Valery Harper?

Eventually, but not initially.

Yeah, it went from "Valerie" to briefly "Valerie's Family" to eventually "The Hogan Family".

Yeah, it went from "Valerie" to briefly "Valerie's Family" to eventually "The Hogan Family".

If Bob Crane had lived, maybe he would have been brought to replace Valerie Harper?

(yes, no joke is too obvious...)