I recently visited the building that was used as Eastland. You can check out the photos at

http://rtrlocations.blogspot.com/2016/04/the-facts-of-life-1979-1988.html

"But 7 girls for a half hour show was overkill."

This has been a source of much discussion on this board. Many of us assert that 7 girls was a wonderful opportunity for a half hour show, and that NBC just uses "7 girls" as a scapegoat as to why season 1 didn't work (indeed, in one of the FOL documentaries Warren Littlefield falsely claims season 1 had "10, 12 girls"). There were several sitcoms that had as many or even more characters and were successful.

That said, I noticed several of your sitcom home posts around the boards, and thank you for sharing these; it's so interesting to see these houses 30 years later! And wow that school grounds look so different now...and no I never noticed that man back there either, LOL.

Glad you like the pics! I personally always thought 4 was the magic number for sitcoms - The Honeymooners, I Love Lucy, The Golden Girls, Seinfeld, Will & Grace. Not to say other shows with more haven't done well, like Friends. It could've been interesting if FOL took the soap opera route and didn't have every girl in each episode so they could just focus on a few that week.

I recently visited the building that was used as Eastland. You can check out the photos at

http://rtrlocations.blogspot.com/2016/04/the-facts-of-life-1979-1988.html

Wow! Thanks for sharing these photos.

I've always wanted to visit the Eastland Campus, including the dorms and the cafeteria. These photos are the next best thing. Love it!

Shame they removed the ivy (which made Eastland feel more "ivy league"), but it's cool that the dorm building is still there. The bushes and grass are far more manicured and well-kept than in 1979. And they've added a sidewalk in front of the bush, and paved over the grassy area.

Did you go inside? I suppose it's 100% completely different than the dorm set inside.

Some other fans have made the pilgrimage to "Eastland" over the years: Video here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6SByeLEi-E). Goofy fun!

"But 7 girls for a half hour show was overkill."

This has been a source of much discussion on this board. Many of us assert that 7 girls was a wonderful opportunity for a half hour show, and that NBC just uses "7 girls" as a scapegoat as to why season 1 didn't work (indeed, in one of the FOL documentaries Warren Littlefield falsely claims season 1 had "10, 12 girls"). There were several sitcoms that had as many or even more characters and were successful.


Couldn't agree more!

I like the first season the best. Eastland seemed more real with more students.
When they went with four,they also seemed to take out the uncredited extras.
There were only 13 episodes in the first season,and if they had at least another 3 good episodes that first season,I think that season would have did better in the ratings.
Many shows get better ratings the second season with no changes and if
they would left it alone and not went to four characters,it may have got better ratings without the changes and been more interesting.

Wow! Thanks for sharing these photos.

I've always wanted to visit the Eastland Campus, including the dorms and the cafeteria. These photos are the next best thing. Love it!

Shame they removed the ivy (which made Eastland feel more "ivy league"), but it's cool that the dorm building is still there. The bushes and grass are far more manicured and well-kept than in 1979. And they've added a sidewalk in front of the bush, and paved over the grassy area.

Did you go inside? I suppose it's 100% completely different than the dorm set inside.

Some other fans have made the pilgrimage to "Eastland" over the years: Video here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6SByeLEi-E). Goofy fun!


Thanks! No, I didn't go inside. I can't remember if that building is an actual dorm that you would need a security code, plus it was 7:30 in the morning so there wasn't too much activity.

I like the first season the best. Eastland seemed more real with more students.

I agree. After a while, it felt like the whole school revolved around just four students. The more students, the more it feels like a real school.

Why won't they just admit that the actresses had no IT factor nor any charisma, which was the REAL reason why they were cut. Plus they wanted ethnic diversity, which was what the lost girls didn't provide but our 4 girls did.

That's really cool!