when gary coleman was out temporarily I was confused why Kim fields was a fill-in for Gary coleman? lol

Futhermore why couldn't they just do the show without him until he was able to come back?

Another interesting observation I've made is that Tootie at least on the few episodes of DS that she was in acts a bit intrusive, rude and a smartass, you know kind of in a way like..........Arnold?

Which kind of hints that her lines were meant for Arnold because Tootie on The Facts Of Life is nice and easy going.

Another interesting observation I've made is that Tootie at least on the few episodes of DS that she was in acts a bit intrusive, rude and a smartass, you know kind of in a way like..........Arnold?

Which kind of hints that her lines were meant for Arnold because Tootie on The Facts Of Life is nice and easy going.


And there is never any reference to Mrs. Garrett when she is on there like

"How is Mrs Garrett?


LOL

Another interesting question..... why was Kimberly hanging out with a little girl like Tootie? Kimberly was probably at least four years older maybe more.

Another interesting question..... why was Kimberly hanging out with a little girl like Tootie? Kimberly was probably at least four years older maybe more.


Yeah should have been Blair lol

Another observation if Tootie was staying over where was she sleeping? Obviously she wasn't bunking with Willis in Arnold's bed, was she sleeping in Kimberly's room? That would have made for another "very special episode"

Another observation if Tootie was staying over where was she sleeping? Obviously she wasn't bunking with Willis in Arnold's bed, was she sleeping in Kimberly's room? That would have made for another "very special episode"
What's the big freaking deal? I'm a female and when I was a kid, I had plenty of sleep overs at my girl friends houses where we would share a room. Believe me, nothing went on but sleep.

OF COURSE TOOTIE SLEPT IN KIMBERLY'S ROOM

Yeah she probably slept on the floor

when gary coleman was out temporarily I was confused why Kim fields was a fill-in for Gary coleman? lol

Futhermore why couldn't they just do the show without him until he was able to come back?

TVFactFan, I believe you are referring to the season four episodes "First Day Blues" and "The Team." Gary Coleman was indeed absent during those two episodes...he also made brief appearances in "The Ski Weekend" and "Hello Daddy." It was explained in both "First Day Blues" and "The Team" that Tootie (Kim Fields) was a houseguest of Kimberly's, and Arnold was sleeping over at Dudley's apartment.

I've actually discussed my theories regarding his absence on other threads in the past...my theory is that Coleman's parents were embroiled in yet another contract and/or salary dispute with "Strokes'" producers. Thus, because of Coleman's absence, the scripts for both "First Day Blues" and "The Team" were slightly rewritten, with Fields reciting lines and delivering one-liners originally intended for Coleman (her classic line in "First Day Blues"--"This has got to be the goofiest goldfish in New York!"--is a gem).

And here's a bit of trivia for you, TVFactFan: Future "Matlock" and "Walker: Texas Ranger" alum Clarence Gilyard, Jr. guest-starred in both "First Day Blues" and "The Team," playing two different characters! He also had a bit role in Coleman's 1983 television movie "The Kid With The 200 I.Q."! Isn't that something?

Another interesting observation I've made is that Tootie at least on the few episodes of DS that she was in acts a bit intrusive, rude and a smartass, you know kind of in a way like..........Arnold?

Which kind of hints that her lines were meant for Arnold because Tootie on The Facts Of Life is nice and easy going.


I agree with you completely, Mace Dolex! Though she guest-starred as Tootie, Kim Fields seems out of character in both of those season four episodes ("First Day Blues" and "The Team"). She was a little more sassier and more wisecracking than her previous appearances on "Strokes" ("The Girls' School," "Slumber Party," and "The Bank Job"), as well as her continuing role on "The Facts Of Life."

I've actually discussed this topic with another member, TVFactFan, in this very same thread (as well as other threads on the "Strokes" page). Feel free to check it out sometime...you will not be disappointed.

Thank you!

Yep - they clearly had to bring someone in very quickly to do those lines, and Kim Fields was a good choice. She was already in “the familiy” and she was a talented kid who could pull off the wisecracks.

Gary Coleman was ill and in the hospital during this time. That was why they had Tootie on the show.

Gary Coleman was ill and in the hospital during this time. That was why they had Tootie on the show.

I know that I was asking why was she chosen. I already know why he was out

I know that I was asking why was she chosen. I already know why he was out

Probably because she was closest to Arnold's age. Most of Arnold's lines were assigned to Tootie. The other 3 girls were closer to Willis's and Kimberly's age and wouldn't have fitted in as well.

Probably because she was closest to Arnold's age. Most of Arnold's lines were assigned to Tootie. The other 3 girls were closer to Willis's and Kimberly's age and wouldn't have fitted in as well.

What made it odd was Kimberly wasnt attending Eastland at all lol

Yeah, it was sort of weird that Tootie was a replacement for Arnold. Definitely an odd replacement. Did you like Tootie?

Yeah, it was sort of weird that Tootie was a replacement for Arnold. Definitely an odd replacement. Did you like Tootie?

Yeah I had a crush my whole childhood:lol:

Yeah I had a crush my whole childhood:lol:
I’m glad I’m not the only one who thought Tootie was and still is a hottie. Next to Samantha from Who’s The Boss, Tootie is my all time crush.

What made it odd was Kimberly wasnt attending Eastland at all lol
Yeah, after "The Slumber Party", it's like they gave up the pretense that Kimberly was attending Eastland. She wasn't seen there after "Rough Housing", and eventually, she transferred to public school. This was in Season 5, episode 2 of DS, which would have been early season 4 of FOL. There's just no explanation of why she's never seen at Eastland after "Rough Housing"... we even see her siblings there, but not her! :lol:

Yeah, after "The Slumber Party", it's like they gave up the pretense that Kimberly was attending Eastland. She wasn't seen there after "Rough Housing", and eventually, she transferred to public school. This was in Season 5, episode 2 of DS, which would have been early season 4 of FOL. There's just no explanation of why she's never seen at Eastland after "Rough Housing"... we even see her siblings there, but not her! :lol:

Right, Willis was at Eastland in the 1981 and Kimberly never was seen there

And there is never any reference to Mrs. Garrett when she is on there like

"How is Mrs Garrett?


LOL

This is really strange. She was never mentioned on these crossover episodes. Plus, I wonder why the producers allowed the girls from Facts to make guest appearences on DS but they never asked Charlotte Rae to appear with them.

She returned for Mr.Drummond's wedding but we never saw her or heard about her in seasons 3-5, 7-8

This is really strange. She was never mentioned on these crossover episodes. Plus, I wonder why the producers allowed the girls from Facts to make guest appearences on DS but they never asked Charlotte Rae to appear with them.

She returned for Mr.Drummond's wedding but we never saw her or heard about her in seasons 3-5, 7-8

There could have been so many more crossovers. Obvious ones include: the Drummonds coming over to Mrs. Garrett's new shop to wish her luck; the Drummonds attending Mrs. Garrett's wedding in S8; Mrs. Garrett catering some of their events; etc.

There could have been so many more crossovers. Obvious ones include: the Drummonds coming over to Mrs. Garrett's new shop to wish her luck; the Drummonds attending Mrs. Garrett's wedding in S8; Mrs. Garrett catering some of their events; etc.

They could have done a beautiful final crossover episodes. A two part episode, Part 1 as an episode of Facts (Mrs. Garrett and the girls are organizing the catering for Mr. Drummond's wedding) and Part 2 as an episode of DS (the wedding ceremony).

There could have been so many more crossovers. Obvious ones include: the Drummonds coming over to Mrs. Garrett's new shop to wish her luck; the Drummonds attending Mrs. Garrett's wedding in S8; Mrs. Garrett catering some of their events; etc.

They could have done a beautiful final crossover episode. A two part episode, Part 1 as an episode of Facts (Mrs. Garrett and the girls are organizing the catering for Mr. Drummond's wedding) and Part 2 as an episode of DS (the wedding ceremony).

This is really strange. She was never mentioned on these crossover episodes. Plus, I wonder why the producers allowed the girls from Facts to make guest appearences on DS but they never asked Charlotte Rae to appear with them.

She returned for Mr.Drummond's wedding but we never saw her or heard about her in seasons 3-5, 7-8

And when she returned to attend the wedding she never was in the same scene with Mr. Drummond:lol:

There could have been so many more crossovers. Obvious ones include: the Drummonds coming over to Mrs. Garrett's new shop to wish her luck; the Drummonds attending Mrs. Garrett's wedding in S8; Mrs. Garrett catering some of their events; etc.

DS was gone by that time

DS was gone by that time

I know, but if Mr. Drummond and Arnold can make a guest appearance/cameo on Fresh Prince, about a decade after cancellation, surely they could show up on FOL.

They could have done a beautiful final crossover episode. A two part episode, Part 1 as an episode of Facts (Mrs. Garrett and the girls are organizing the catering for Mr. Drummond's wedding) and Part 2 as an episode of DS (the wedding ceremony).

I would have loved that. What's worse is that they actually did that for Hello Larry and Diff'rent Strokes, but not for FOL/DS. Why?!

I know, but if Mr. Drummond and Arnold can make a guest appearance/cameo on Fresh Prince, about a decade after cancellation, surely they could show up on FOL.

Good Point lol

I would have loved that. What's worse is that they actually did that for Hello Larry and Diff'rent Strokes, but not for FOL/DS. Why?!

What did they do for HL and DS?

What did they do for HL and DS?

They did three sets of crossover episodes, both two episodes long. There was a Thanksgiving crossover, and two "trip" crossovers. Imagine all that for a show (HL) that only lasted a season and a half!

They did three sets of crossover episodes, both two episodes long. There was a Thanksgiving crossover, and two "trip" crossovers. Imagine all that for a show (HL) that only lasted a season and a half!

I think because HL was so bad in the ratings that they figured if they connect to one of their shows that was doing well it would gain more viewers but it never worked lol

Plus none of the crossovers were happy topics, larry was arguing with drummond because he didnt want to back him on a business deal and was nothing but a lot of bickering lol

I think because HL was so bad in the ratings that they figured if they connect to one of their shows that was doing well it would gain more viewers but it never worked lol

Plus none of the crossovers were happy topics, larry was arguing with drummond because he didnt want to back him on a business deal and was nothing but a lot of bickering lol

Hello, Larry was unwatchable in my opinion. I'm sorry for the people who love it but I always skip the crossovers. McLean Stevenson should have never left MASH

And when she returned to attend the wedding she never was in the same scene with Mr. Drummond:lol:

Yeah, only brief scenes with Pearl and the kids

I would have loved that. What's worse is that they actually did that for Hello Larry and Diff'rent Strokes, but not for FOL/DS. Why?!

It would have been wonderful. They were two of NBC's strongest shows, people would have watched it and fans of both shows would have loved it. It could have been a good piece of closure for both shows.

It would have been wonderful. They were two of NBC's strongest shows, people would have watched it and fans of both shows would have loved it. It could have been a good piece of closure for both shows.

Yeah the last crossover was in 1981. But they did have around 5 or 6

Yea it was a contract dispute