Well I had thought we'd have a nice interesting thread on props/sets/decor, but seeing as season 1 extended out to 8 pages (as of this writing, lol), I thought I'd start a new one for the cafeteria years.

This thread will, for the most part, being going chronologically through seasons 2 - 4, starting with the first episode in the cafeteria, and ending with Blair and Jo's graduation.

First off, a look at some of the first views of the cafeteria and the lounge.

A few things of note:

1) Girls! lol...could these be a couple of the girls in the back row of Mrs. Garrett's Sex Education class? A possibility. Also with this first look at the cafeteria, I love those architectural arches; they help give such a "feel" to the room. Also, I wonder if Cindy Webster donated any of her trophies to the trophy case?

2) The cafeteria windows - I forgot there were side windows! I love seeing all the greenery of the outdoor trees through those windows. I also love that their are plants in them, too (on the sill, and even hanging)

3) The "side path" so to speak, lol...instead of going through the kitchen door, taking that path that juts out behind/around the kitchen, which also leads to the basement; I love that there are windows back there too! I'm also curious what that brown thing is hanging on the wall, lol (you'll also note there is some sort of table back in that area, as well) - I have always loved this unique architectural touch, and I love that the characters use it so often!

4) They have a Ouija board in the lounge! Not sure if it's the same one as in season 1's 4th show, but it's neat they have that there even if it's "unintended continuity", lol.

5) Among the games I thought at first one was "Operation", but it's "Concentration" as you can see in the 2nd lounge pic (and come to think of it looks nothing like "Operation", lol)

6) And, of course, expelled former Eastland student and Linda Ronstadt look-alike Tumpy Barksdale's stereo!

And the warm, cozy, safe, lovely room of Mrs. Edna Garrett :-) And I love that the architecture of the cafeteria arches carries upstairs into the arches of the upstairs room windows too.

And guess what? She has a couple of refugees from season 1 in her room!

First you will notice the wall-mounted corner shelf for knick-knacks between her bedroom door and closet door---which was between her bedroom door and her closet in season 1---and she took part of the pink hanging discs decoration which adorned her windows in season 1 (the girls got the white version).

I was also excited that maybe her lamp was from the girls' room in season 1, but I checked the gambling scene (where I remembered seeing it vividly in a close-up of Tootie), and is eerily similar, yet still different.

Also of note: you'll see by the peeks in the hallway there is a chair at the end of the hall, and a shorter shelving unit/table by Mrs. Garrett's door in the hallway.

The homey browns, the reassuring green plants, the cozy knick-knacks...how could you not love this room? :)

Here's a look at the deep pink hanging discs from seasons 1 to 2, and the very similar-yet-just-different-enough lamps (oh, how I wish it had been the same one! lol).

And here's a look at her door wall (I never really registered the table there before), and look, she took the cat pillow from the girls from season 1! :lol:

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And what's possibly another refugee from season 1---a globe! :lol:

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I never noticed before that the Peekskill police station has a portrait of a pistol! :lol:

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Well I had thought we'd have a nice interesting thread on props/sets/decor, but seeing as season 1 extended out to 8 pages (as of this writing, lol), I thought I'd start a new one for the cafeteria years.

Good idea! I'm drowning in information overload, lol!


I wonder if Cindy Webster donated any of her trophies to the trophy case?

Maybe... But shouldn't Sue Ann's track trophy be there, too, then?


2) The cafeteria windows - I forgot there were side windows! I love seeing all the greenery of the outdoor trees through those windows. I also love that their are plants in them, too (on the sill, and even hanging)

It is the most beautiful set they ever built for this show, and that is saying a LOT.


3) The "side path" so to speak, lol...instead of going through the kitchen door, taking that path that juts out behind/around the kitchen, which also leads to the basement; I love that there are windows back there too! I'm also curious what that brown thing is hanging on the wall, lol (you'll also note there is some sort of table back in that area, as well) - I have always loved this unique architectural touch, and I love that the characters use it so often!

The indoor veranda around the kitchen is indeed a beautiful touch. I think the brown thing hanging on the wall is either a menu board or a wall plaque. I do believe there is one brief scene where we get a fairly close look at the veranda area, so maybe we'll see a better shot sometime during season 2.


4) They have a Ouija board in the lounge! Not sure if it's the same one as in season 1's 4th show, but it's neat they have that there even if it's "unintended continuity", lol.

It could be a different one, but it's the same make and model, so why bother getting a new one? Also, both the Ouija board and the Monopoly game are used in FOL episodes, so it's kinda cool that they're both gathered together in the lounge. The top box appears to be a 100-piece jigsaw puzzle, and the other box, as you observed, is Concentration.


6) And, of course, expelled former Eastland student and Linda Ronstadt look-alike Tumpy Barksdale's stereo!

So many important items gathered together in one place!</geek>

Good idea! I'm drowning in information overload, lol!

Who knew there'd be so much to go into?? lol


Maybe... But shouldn't Sue Ann's track trophy be there, too, then?

No, because Eastland didn't get to keep it; not unless she ran the 1980 race and won it, but we can only speculate on what happened with that whole Sue Ann/Cindy/race thing since that part of the story was never told to us.

But it would be nice if a framed "Buddies Forever" were back there---or anywhere! lol

And guess what? She has a couple of refugees from season 1 in her room!

First you will notice the wall-mounted corner shelf for knick-knacks between her bedroom door and closet door---which was between her bedroom door and her closet in season 1---

Isn't that a candle holder? Not too different than these ones (http://www.laurencemedioni.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/creative-fashionable-wall-decor-candle-sconces-holders-styles-box-square-shades-black-bronze-vintage.jpg), I think. But great catch!


and she took part of the pink hanging discs decoration which adorned her windows in season 1 (the girls got the white version).

Another great catch!


I was also excited that maybe her lamp was from the girls' room in season 1, but I checked the gambling scene (where I remembered seeing it vividly in a close-up of Tootie), and is eerily similar, yet still different.

They do look very similar! Maybe the same artisan made them both?


Also of note: you'll see by the peeks in the hallway there is a chair at the end of the hall, and a shorter shelving unit/table by Mrs. Garrett's door in the hallway.


It looks to me like that chair is inside another room, looking through a doorway.

Isn't that a candle holder? Not too different than these ones (http://www.laurencemedioni.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/creative-fashionable-wall-decor-candle-sconces-holders-styles-box-square-shades-black-bronze-vintage.jpg), I think. But great catch!

Hmm, I wouldn't think so, I think it's a knick-knack shelf. I'll try to scope out any closer looks if I see any (in either season, lol), but it looks like there are a few things sitting on it.


They do look very similar! Maybe the same artisan made them both?

They're really nifty! They should be re-released as a vintage Peekskill line of lamps! :lol:


It looks to me like that chair is inside another room, looking through a doorway.

Ah, I can see where you would see that, but it's actually against the wall at the end of the hall, beside the door that's the secret passage to the housemother's fireplace (haha); you'll see in upcoming screenshots, lol.

And here's a look at her door wall (I never really registered the table there before), and look, she took the cat pillow from the girls from season 1! :lol:

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The cat pillow! Awwww!

The close-ups of the photos are appreciated. Looks like... Gandhi, JFK, Bob Hope(?)... the woman with the clock looks very familiar, but I can't place it.

Wow, I forgot about the "grand arch" in the cafeteria! I feel like we don't see it that often, but maybe it's shown more than I remembered...

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The close-ups of the photos are appreciated. Looks like... Gandhi, JFK, Bob Hope(?)... the woman with the clock looks very familiar, but I can't place it.

Is that other woman Eleanor Roosevelt? And while that's not Bob Hope, I can't tell exactly who it is; I wonder if it's a politician from earlier in the century? Possibly, but I don't know.

And the woman with the clock, could that be an author?

You'll also notice a certificate on the wall, perhaps Mrs. Garrett's dietitian certificate? Although, in DS we learn she is also a registered nurse.

I never noticed before that the Peekskill police station has a portrait of a pistol! :lol:

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Bygone times, when even the picture of a gun was all the cops were armed with. Now, they're a paramilitary organization, armed to the teeth! :eek:

And now, our first looks at the girls' room!

Note the highest-ever view we get inside there, when Tootie goes to collapse on her top bunk. Also, a view of the hallway from inside their room.

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Is that other woman Eleanor Roosevelt? And while that's not Bob Hope, I can't tell exactly who it is; I wonder if it's a politician from earlier in the century? Possibly, but I don't know.

And the woman with the clock, could that be an author?

You'll also notice a certificate on the wall, perhaps Mrs. Garrett's dietitian certificate? Although, in DS we learn she is also a registered nurse.

I did see a certificate a little like this behind Edna's bed in the S1 screenshots.

This one looks like it says "Certificate of Excellence".

And what's possibly another refugee from season 1---a globe! :lol:

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Ahahah! :lol: Yet another room with a globe!

I did see a certificate a little like this behind Edna's bed in the S1 screenshots.

This one looks like it says "Certificate of Excellence".

For dispensing excellent advice! :lol: :D

And now the upstairs hall---and my, what a busy hall it is! A chair, a set of shelves, wall shelves, small pictures, a bigger picture---when I picture the hall I just think of the yellow hall with the 3 doors, I forget about all the "life" it has! lol

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Ah, I was right, that is indeed Eleanor Roosevelt.

And after realizing after first glance it's not Don Rickles, lol, I thought that one man might be a politician, and I was right--Winston Churchill! (I believe a different picture of him is on Mr. Belvedere's bedroom wall, along with the Queen). I knew it had to be someone progressive/liberal/humanitarian since you have to be someone in those arenas to be included in "Garrett's Gallery", lol.

Now if we could just figure out who that woman is who's not Emily Dickinson (but there are very similar pictures of ED out there, sans clock...I have emailed a good friend of mine who is a whizz at this kind of thing, so we'll see if she can crack the case!)

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Mystery solved! My friend came through---it's Clara Barton. :) This photo is even on her Wikipedia page.

Now we know everyone so far viewable in Garrett's Gallery! :D

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And regarding the girls' room, I think it's so cool that we the viewers get to see the room that is to be their new bedroom before even they do!

Ah, I was right, that is indeed Eleanor Roosevelt.

And after realizing after first glance it's not Don Rickles, lol, I thought that one man might be a politician, and I was right--Winston Churchill! (I believe a different picture of him is on Mr. Belvedere's bedroom wall, along with the Queen). I knew it had to be someone progressive/liberal/humanitarian since you have to be someone in those arenas to be included in "Garrett's Gallery", lol.

Now if we could just figure out who that woman is who's not Emily Dickinson (but there are very similar pictures of ED out there, sans clock...I have emailed a good friend of mine who is a whizz at this kind of thing, so we'll see if she can crack the case!)

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Gandhi, JFK, Clara Barton, Winston Churchill, and Eleanor Roosevelt... nice detective work, '80s and Friend of '80s!

:lol:

I knew I had seen the lady and clock before.

Oh, and like you, I tend to forget that the upstairs hallway is far from empty.

Oh, and like you, I tend to forget that the upstairs hallway is far from empty.


Right?? It's also quite wider than I've kept it in my memory bank. I'll have to stop thinking of it as just yellow and narrow. :lol:

(and not sure if you saw the girls' room yet, but those screenshots are at the bottom of page 1)

And now, our first looks at the girls' room!

Note the highest-ever view we get inside there, when Tootie goes to collapse on her top bunk. Also, a view of the hallway from inside their room.

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It seems very weird to see the girls' desk turned 90 degrees! As far as I can recall, they always had it turned to face the "fourth wall".

Nice shot of the gable end of the building!

It seems very weird to see the girls' desk turned 90 degrees! As far as I can recall, they always had it turned to face the "fourth wall".

Yeah, and my memory says that in some shows the desk isn't even there (but maybe it is).

Also, there's a painting stashed behind some stuff by he window wall in the room's very first scene. I hope that's not another of Blair's treasures! lol


Nice shot of the gable end of the building!

Right?? It's so nice to freeze that moment and really appreciate that ceiling area of the room!

And I think I've found 2 more season 1 housemother's room refugees in Mrs. Garrett's new room! Possibly the same glass bowl of seashells, and definitely the pink painting. :)

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I think I've found 2 more season 1 housemother's room refugees in Mrs. Garrett's new room! Possibly the same glass bowl of seashells, and definitely the pink painting. :)

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It's quite nice to see these little touches of continuity on the set. As a school dietician, Edna didn't make a whole lot of money (she tells us). It stands to reason, then, that she wouldn't have gone out and bought all new items after her transition to her new job. The set decorator seems to have been aware of this, and moved many of the props in Edna's room in season one over to her room in season two. A lesser show wouldn't have done so; the prop people wouldn't have cared to provide that level of detail.

It is the same with the girls' room; a few items make the transition.

We see a lot fewer items transition between the old common room and the new cafeteria because the rooms have (mostly) different functions. But the stereo and the Ouija board make it to the lounge.

It's quite nice to see these little touches of continuity on the set. As a school dietician, Edna didn't make a whole lot of money (she tells us). It stands to reason, then, that she wouldn't have gone out and bought all new items after her transition to her new job. The set decorator seems to have been aware of this, and moved many of the props in Edna's room in season one over to her room in season two. A lesser show wouldn't have done so; the prop people wouldn't have cared to provide that level of detail.

I don't know how much of that was a conscientious decision or just coincidence when choosing items for her room (I would love to give them the credit you do, though), but her room comes together beautifully with that combination of old (season 1) and new (season 2). It also begs the question, what of Mrs. Garrett's room decor was already in place before she moved in? (i.e., what did the previous dietitian leave behind, if anything?)


It is the same with the girls' room; a few items make the transition.

The New Yorker poster and the tiger with the sombrero always jumped out at me, and even as a little kid I loved noticing those and "getting" that they came from the short first season. :)


We see a lot fewer items transition between the old common room and the new cafeteria because the rooms have (mostly) different functions. But the stereo and the Ouija board make it to the lounge.

I was thinking of this yesterday: Why did Mrs. Garrett put the stereo in the lounge? She bought it herself, to install in her dorm's common room. Well, if by moving into the cafeteria building she wanted to bring everything with her that was hers in the dorm, she left the girls without music in the common room (unless one of them takes up piano lessons, HAHA). On one hand it could seem rude of her to suddenly remove the stereo some of them were probably excited about having, since she got it for the dorm; on that hand, I would then like to think that Mrs. Garrett told the girls she did pay her own $ for that stereo, so she wants it near her for safekeeping, and that she was going to even put it in the lounge instead of her own room so that all the girls can enjoy it when they want to go have fun in the lounge. :)

I don't know how much of that was a conscientious decision or just coincidence when choosing items for her room (I would love to give them the credit you do, though), but her room comes together beautifully with that combination of old (season 1) and new (season 2).

I think it definitely was a conscientious decision: the sheer number of items that made it from Edna's old room to her new room indicate that they largely kept many of those items.

It's much harder to find anything that made the transition between the dorm commons room to the cafeteria and lounge.


It also begs the question, what of Mrs. Garrett's room decor was already in place before she moved in? (i.e., what did the previous dietitian leave behind, if anything?)

I'm not sure there was a previous dietician, just a cook who served mystery meat. When we look on that table, we see cinnamon rolls and mystery meat. This is not a well-balanced diet! No school dietician would serve this.


I was thinking of this yesterday: Why did Mrs. Garrett put the stereo in the lounge? She bought it herself, to install in her dorm's common room. Well, if by moving into the cafeteria building she wanted to bring everything with her that was hers in the dorm, she left the girls without music in the common room (unless one of them takes up piano lessons, HAHA). On one hand it could seem rude of her to suddenly remove the stereo some of them were probably excited about having, since she got it for the dorm; on that hand, I would then like to think that Mrs. Garrett told the girls she did pay her own $ for that stereo, so she wants it near her for safekeeping, and that she was going to even put it in the lounge instead of her own room so that all the girls can enjoy it when they want to go have fun in the lounge. :)

I think so, too: she's very generous, and knows the girls would enjoy listening to music, so when she moved, she put it in the lounge.

I think it definitely was a conscientious decision: the sheer number of items that made it from Edna's old room to her new room indicate that they largely kept many of those items.

I want to think it was, but I don't know; I'm assuming they stored everything from the season 1 set and had that as an inventory to pull what they wanted. Maybe they thought about the character of Mrs. Garrett and her circumstances, or maybe they just chose some things to pull that had been in her previous set (though I would like to think the former).


It's much harder to find anything that made the transition between the dorm commons room to the cafeteria and lounge.

And that makes sense, as they're completely different settings. You wouldn't expect to find anything there anyway, so it's a large "bonus Easter egg" indeed that Tumpy Barksdale's stereo turns up in the lounge! lol


I'm not sure there was a previous dietician, just a cook who served mystery meat. When we look on that table, we see cinnamon rolls and mystery meat. This is not a well-balanced diet! No school dietician would serve this.

I believe they were "retconning" at this point. Season 1 has that cafeteria, and this one in season 2 is a completely different one---yet it's still the same campus, lol. So I think in season 2 they want us to forget about the cafeteria in season 1 and any implications about it, and "assume" this was how the cafeteria was all along. So I believe the previous dietitian (or "food provider") lived in that room up there.

The hallway changed a bit between "New Girl 2" and "Gossip"; you can see the knick-knacks on the shelves have changed a bit, the chair has been moved, and there is a large picture hanging over the chair.

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Okay, I am astounded. I wasn't going to show The Chugalug Bar because I didn't think there was much interest in it, but boy, was I wrong! It is a veritable smorgasbord of season 1 refugees!! :lol: Who knew all this stuff was thrown in here??

Take a look at this!

There's the tiger's sombrero

AND the dark pink sombrero

AND the dartboard

AND the bust from the piano

AND presumably the bike outside the dorm

AND presumably an American flag from the set

AND ---Tootie's roller skates!!

There might be even more! lol...wow!!

And also, a view of the "4th wall" from outside!

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I want to think it was, but I don't know; I'm assuming they stored everything from the season 1 set and had that as an inventory to pull what they wanted. Maybe they thought about the character of Mrs. Garrett and her circumstances, or maybe they just chose some things to pull that had been in her previous set (though I would like to think the former).

They absolutely stored everything from season one over the hiatus; that's done on every show. But it seems to me as though the set decorator specifically pulled out the stuff from Edna Garrett's room, to use in the new room, simply because of the sheer number of "returning" items.


I believe they were "retconning" at this point. Season 1 has that cafeteria, and this one in season 2 is a completely different one---yet it's still the same campus, lol. So I think in season 2 they want us to forget about the cafeteria in season 1 and any implications about it, and "assume" this was how the cafeteria was all along. So I believe the previous dietitian (or "food provider") lived in that room up there.

There is also the small possibility that the S1 cafeteria is meant to be a small part of the S2 cafeteria, but from a different angle. Suppose the walls we see in S1 are the walls we don't see in S2.

I don't entirely believe this theory, but it should be brought up so we can discuss it. There is one point in this theory's favor: the similarities in floors between S1 and S2 cafeterias.

They absolutely stored everything from season one over the hiatus; that's done on every show. But it seems to me as though the set decorator specifically pulled out the stuff from Edna Garrett's room, to use in the new room, simply because of the sheer number of "returning" items.

Me too, I just don't know how deeply they were considering her character and circumstances, or if they just pulled some items because they were used in her room before. I would love to believe though they did put that much thought into it.


There is also the small possibility that the S1 cafeteria is meant to be a small part of the S2 cafeteria, but from a different angle. Suppose the walls we see in S1 are the walls we don't see in S2.

Well, if you want to suppose, but not me, lol. They're clearly different styles (so I'm glad you don't entirely believe that theory, lol). I still think they just retconned it.

Okay, I am astounded. I wasn't going to show The Chugalug Bar because I didn't think there was much interest in it, but boy, was I wrong! It is a veritable smorgasbord of season 1 refugees!! :lol: Who knew all this stuff was thrown in here??

Take a look at this!

There's the tiger's sombrero

AND the dark pink sombrero

AND the dartboard

AND the bust from the piano

AND presumably the bike outside the dorm

AND presumably an American flag from the set

AND ---Tootie's roller skates!!

There might be even more! lol...wow!!

And also, a view of the "4th wall" from outside!

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WOW! I don't even know where to start with all of this!

1. Why would they even put roller skates on the wall of a bar? Seems like a weird decoration choice.

2. Why is the bust in a bar? Might as well put in a globe! ;)

3. What the heck is the girls' sombrero and Cindy's bike doing in a bar? Has Cindy been sneaking into the Chug a Lug, too? :lol:

WOW! I don't even know where to start with all of this!

LOL, I know, right?? I just happened to notice the tiger's sombrero, then I saw the other one, and the dartboard, and then---it just kept going! :lol:


1. Why would they even put roller skates on the wall of a bar? Seems like a weird decoration choice.

Haha, the bust of a classical music composer seems the oddest to me! :lol:


2. Why is the bust in a bar? Might as well put in a globe! ;)

lol, might as well, they certainly had enough on hand!


3. What the heck is the girls' sombrero and Cindy's bike doing in a bar? Has Cindy been sneaking into the Chug a Lug, too? :lol:

She's a tomboy, I bet she could chug good if she tried! :lol:

And here's a (rather claustrophobic) look at the headmaster's office as of season 2...

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And look, Mrs. Garrett got a BIG bureau by the time of "Gossip"!

(Also, I wonder if her bed came from season 1 somewhere in that dorm?)

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And "Garrett's Gallery" has been updated! Some of the photos have moved around, and now there's a man where JFK used to be whom I can't yet figure out...I may need to call on that friend of mine again...

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And another golden find, look closely behind Mrs. Garrett and the plant---there's a Diff'rent Strokes cast photo on her wall!

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And "Garrett's Gallery" has been updated! Some of the photos have moved around, and now there's a man where JFK used to be whom I can't yet figure out...I may need to call on that friend of mine again...

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Isn't that a picture of MLK?

Isn't that big bureau the same bureau we see in The Girls' School? Looks similar.

Could be MLK; let's go with that so we can say "mystery solved". :lol:

And I didn't think about TGS for the bureau; I hope it is the same!

And THE most GOLDEN find of the day---just when I thought things couldn't get more exciting than the Chugalug!---look closely behind Mrs. Garrett and the plant!

THERE IS A DIFF'RENT STROKES CAST PHOTO ON HER WALL!!!

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Nicely spotted!

I'm glad she looks back fondly on her time with the Drummonds. This is why set decoration is so important, and the sort of reason why I think there was a great deal of thought and attention to detail, which went into designing Edna's room.

I'm glad she looks back fondly on her time with the Drummonds. This is why set decoration is so important, and the sort of reason why I think there was a great deal of thought and attention to detail, which went into designing Edna's room.

Oh wait, then that means this isn't as big a deal as I thought. :lol: (I have edited my initial post to lessen the excitement, lol)

My first instinct when I saw was OMG what a great "inside joke" for fans! They knew she came from DS!

But this is the same character who worked there, so of course it's no secret! :lol:

It is interesting that instead of bringing over most of Edna's things, they took some, but not all. I think they wanted to bridge the gap of the old show/retooled show by giving her some new decor, but including things from her first Eastland room too.

And now, the first and last time we ever see the girls serve lunch "cafeteria style". :lol: This was part of their probation, but we never see them do it again! lol

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And now our first look at the kitchen! From the opening scene of "Shoplifting".

I just love the beautiful view of the trees through those windows in that side passage back there between the kitchen and the cafeteria. And there's a nice large picture on the wall too, and one of those lovely archways (I'm also enjoying the nice cozy wallpaper).

One thing I never noticed before---the paper towels. There's a holder of paper towels on the stair wall behind Natalie; they're yellow, with designs on them.

I also never really registered the counter and cabinets by the kitchen swinging door, and how they curve a bit; nice touch.

I forgot about the window in the exterior stair wall! And it's nice to see it has that lovely architectural touch up top to keep it uniform with the building's arches and other windows. I also love how the stairs are "open" and you can see them, and the plants they have sitting there. Nice to have a little greenery there, complimenting all the trees outside the windows and the side door.

Also, there MAY be two season 1 relics here; I NEVER thought we'd see anything from season 1 in the kitchen! lol...the cart and the gray tub in the first screenshot could very well be the same cart and one of the same gray tubs seen in the season 1 cafeteria; possibly...

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Funny how I always picture the back door brown, like the kitchen and upstairs windows, but it's the same yellow as the walls and downstairs windows.

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Harrison's department store...a drinking fountain at the entrance to a department store? lol

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Her photos have changed again! :lol:

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Also, I think Mrs. Garrett's certificate is a "Certificate of Accomplishment"

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And more of the lounge, including wider views.

2 lesser interesting things of note:

1) The notices board has been moved to the "outside wall" (the right-hand wall), and pictures are now over the water fountain, where the notices board was.

2) There are now plants atop the vending machines

And 2 greater interesting things are:

1) The door to the lounge opens into a hallway, so it is connected indoors of opening to the outside world as it will in the future

2) There's no pay phone yet!

Also, I always forget that you can still see the cafeteria inner entrance from the lounge.

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Oo, the hallway has an arch!

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I agree that the unidentified brown object on the wall in the side path looks like a board (possibly a combination writing/pushpin board).

Since there are side windows in the cafeteria where you can see trees without, but that wall comes inward at an angle, as does the board-wall of the side path, that means outside it must form a little outdoor alcove there in the landscaping. Nice. :)

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1) I don't think we often see this head-on angle facing the kitchen door wall

2) The inside of a vintage vending machine! :lol:

3) There is now a pay phone!

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More of the kitchen; I never noticed all the arches in here before! By the baker's rack, over the stairs, the "window" in the stairs...nice...(and another look at the beautiful baker's rack of plants)

And look, you can see brick outside the back door.

And, the fridge!

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Hey Retro, here's another episode where the girls' desk (or, "table-masquerading-as-a-desk", lol) is the "wrong way":

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Way to go Nat for recycling a season 1 wardrobe! (I usually notice this when I watch the show, but had forgotten about it)

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Interesting, the vending machine on the right got a "makeover", I forgot about Tootie's faux friends with she and Terry here, and OMG WHO STOLE THE TROPHY CASE??? :lol:

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The cafeteria's first "event" under the guidance of Mrs. Garrett! Get down, Edna! :lol:

(and I wonder who that man she's dancing with is? Hopefully an unidentified faculty member, as Eastland seems to be extremely low on those! lol)

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Isn't that big bureau the same bureau we see in The Girls' School? Looks similar.

Oo, good eye, RetroGuy! Not only is it the same bureau from TGS, it's the same one from season 1 as well! Wow, a BIG piece made it over---maybe that is her same bed too!

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Interesting, the vending machine on the right got a "makeover", I forgot about Tootie's faux friends with she and Terry here, and OMG WHO STOLE THE TROPHY CASE??? :lol:

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I was going to remark on that with the last batch, in the photo with Blair running into the lounge! Unfortunately, I was interrupted from our "Facts" fun.

I absolutely love the green Mickey Mouse sweatshirt Natalie wears. Outfit continuity between seasons is rare on TV.

More of the kitchen; I never noticed all the arches in here before! By the baker's rack, over the stairs, the "window" in the stairs...nice...(and another look at the beautiful baker's rack of plants)

And look, you can see brick outside the back door.

And, the fridge!

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I have a baker's rack very similar to that one, but it's shorter.

I really wonder if it's smart to hang those pans from the ceiling. Who's going to get them down to use them?!

And more of the lounge, including wider views.

2 lesser interesting things of note:

1) The notices board has been moved to the "outside wall" (the right-hand wall), and pictures are now over the water fountain, where the notices board was.

2) There are now plants atop the vending machines

And 2 greater interesting things are:

1) The door to the lounge opens into a hallway, so it is connected indoors of opening to the outside world as it will in the future

2) There's no pay phone yet!

Also, I always forget that you can still see the cafeteria inner entrance from the lounge.

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I know I have seen episodes where the lounge door goes directly outside.

Who is the person randomly installing and then uninstalling payphones at Eastland!?!?

I guess we can add Scrabble to the list of games available for play in the lounge!

I agree that the unidentified brown object on the wall in the side path looks like a board (possibly a combination writing/pushpin board).

Yes. I knew we'd get a closer view of the veranda area there. From there, it's easy to see the bulletin board and slate combo thingy.


Since there are side windows in the cafeteria where you can see trees without, but that wall comes inward at an angle, as does the board-wall of the side path, that means outside it must form a little outdoor alcove there in the landscaping. Nice. :)
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Yes, with a shape that looks a little like this: \|

Maybe there's a little bench which looks out on the gardens and trees, where students can spend some time chilling, after having spent so many hours on their studies.

I was going to remark on that with the last batch, in the photo with Blair running into the lounge! Unfortunately, I was interrupted from our "Facts" fun.


So odd! Why did they have to temporarily remove the entire case?? :lol:

I really wonder if it's smart to hang those pans from the ceiling. Who's going to get them down to use them?!


Haha! Maybe the Lost Girls come over in a tower like a totem pole to retrieve them, lol.

I know I have seen episodes where the lounge door goes directly outside.

Yup, "Brian and Sylvia", Blair and Jo going to visit Dina/Dena and Jesse, and the girls sans Tootie going to NY. How interesting they made it a hallway and then retconned it, lol.


IWho is the person randomly installing and then uninstalling payphones at Eastland!?!?

Haha, I guess that's how they get their jollies! At least they left this one up for a couple of years uninterrupted, lol.

So odd! Why did they have to temporarily remove the entire case?? :lol:
Maybe another show needed a trophy case more??? :lol:

The wall looks so barren without it!

Haha! Maybe the Lost Girls come over in a tower like a totem pole to retrieve them, lol.

When Mrs. Garrett lets them out of the basement, hmmm? :lol:

A few discoveries in "Cousin Geri"

The pay phone isn't the normal pay phone! It has a "cold" steel metal cord and a gray receiver, just like the dorm had in the first 4 shows of 1979! Hmmmm, coincidence, or, could it be yet another refugee from season 1? I never realized before that the phone they installed in the lounge wasn't always the phone with the black receiver and warm thick black coiled cord. I don't know why they changed the pay phone out, but I'm sure glad they did.

And look downstage from the pay phone---they have now put up a wall!

Also, I am pleased to say that NO ONE stole the trophy case; it just changed positions in the entry hall! :lol: It started out far left, and now it is sitting farther to the right. So that explains why now, during scenes in the lounge, you can't see the trophy case; it's not "gone", it's just out of view.

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Looks like they used the alleged season 1 pay phone in only "Cousin Geri", for by the very next episode, "Teenage Marriage Part 1", it's the warm black thickly-coiled pay phone

Also, note how Jo is calling out to the others in the cafeteria, leaning over to her left---that's where they had put up a wall in "Cousin Geri", but now apparently it's gone, lol.

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Our first venture off of Eastland's campus since the show's retooling! What an oh-so-classy restaurant and lovely ladies' room...

Also, a shot of those three most dreaded words to see on this show when you were watching it as a child!

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The vending machine on the left has been changed out, or gotten a makeover!

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It's so weird seeing Tootie wearing "non-wheeled" shoes! :lol:

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Where did the kitchen go?? :lol:

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Wow, I completely forgot we saw Howard ever wear anything but his chef's uniform!

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And our second look off campus...the crummy motel, lol...and look, it's The Golden Girls' future "Uncle Angelo"! :lol:

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I just love that kitchen door alcove space...so beautiful...

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3 Lost Girls all got to use the side path in "Gossip"!

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Just one Lost Girl shy of a complete reunion!

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There we go! Molly walking in to join the others---a complete reunion! ;)

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Based on the look of the doorway trim in "Shoplifting", I am wondering if they used the same door frame of Harrison's rear entry as the same door frame for the restaurant ladies' room in "Teenage Marriage Part 1". Maybe not, but they are similar.

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Full-length Mrs. Garrett! Having to stand on assistance to get up into that cabinet :lol:

And look, I do believe this may be the widest shot we ever see from this angle, and the farthest we ever see to the right of the swinging door---we get a view into part of the cafeteria!

But now I'm confused because of Natalie's close-up; it looks like there's counterspace behind her across the cafeteria, that recesses back into the wall, with some objects on it. But that doesn't make sense, there's nothing like that in that far cafeteria wall. So I can't figure out what that is exactly...(did someone tape a horizontally long poster on the wall? lol)...UPDATE: Aha, I think I've got it! I think the dark part against the wall is actually the cart they use with the gray bins on it for clean-up after lunch. I think it's the cart, and the shadow of it under the top shelf between the next shelf.

Also, where there was once a coat hook, now there's a phone! :lol:

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Saddest dorm room ever. :(

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Fancy Lost Girls! lol..."Sex Symbol" opens with the camera on Sue Ann, and follows her over to Jo.

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And yes, the wall Tootie was scrubbing while eavesdropping on Blair in "Cousin Geri" has definitely been removed. So it was probably already gone by the next episode "Teenage Marriage Part 1", as Jo was calling out to the others leaning over to that side of the column.

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Who is this by Natalie's bed? (the picture, not the tiger in the sombrero, lol)

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The Facts of Life Goes to Jail, lol

And check out Unidentified Girl - she's thrilled to see whoever she came to visit! :lol:

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Wow, I never really registered before that our foursome had their own stereo upstairs...

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Oh NO "Facts" fans...I have just made a very disheartening discovery: Tumpy's stereo did not survive as a refugee prop beyond season 1. :(

If anything, the stereos in the lounge and the girls' room look more similar with each other than they do with Tumpy's.

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I wonder who this man is above Blair's bed/nightstand??

Interestingly enough, he appears in one more episode I noted, but shortly after that---he's gone!

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That is Jonathan Dutton! lol

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Another episode with the table length-wise!

And now a look at a high-fashion photography studio in New York...

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A lovely angle of Mrs. Garrett's room, and a nice wide shot...

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And Natalie with the Mickey Mouse shirt again! :lol: Wow, I had remembered she wore it once post-season 1, but I forgot she wore it twice!

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A unique lower-to-the-floor angle view in the lounge...

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Oo, in "Brian and Sylvia" we don't know if the lounge door goes into that little hallway or if goes directly outside, because as soon as Mrs. Garrett opens it the scene changes! :lol:

But since this is still the first season for the lounge, it's probably safe to assume it still goes into that little hallway. I'm assuming it definitely leads directly outside in season 3.

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Thank goodness for a Richard Dean Anderson site having this episode online, because it's not at YT or DM!

Oh, actually "Brian and Sylvia" is at DM, but not under its episode title. Some of the FOL episodes there don't match the episode titles they're filed under.

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And a bonfide (fake) New York television studio!

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This opening shot of "Growing Pains" may be one of the farthest-left-of-the-bunk-beds shot we get; you can see Jo lift something off of a little table/desk/stand there.

Also, I'm loving the lamp/table combo over by the window, and the girls now have a hanging plant in the window, too. Lovely. :)

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And the trophy case hobbles back on over to its right for the start of season 3! :lol:

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Good view of the floor!

And I love the cozy nighttime glow of that lamp :)

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Okay, I think my favorite purpose for Mr. Charles Parker at Eastland School for Girls is pointing out the unlocked window on the stairs! And Mrs. Garrett closes and locks it! The only time in 3 years this window will get any attention! Thank you Mr. Parker! :lol:

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And a nice long shot from this angle...

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Hahaha! When Mr. Heartless Parker (due to refusing Edna a bun warmer, lol) exits out the kitchen door, he crouches down and slinks away into the night! What the heck?? :lol:

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The one time we see the girls coming up from the basement! :)

Also, a look at the hallway with characters facing away from us, whereas usually they're coming toward us, lol.

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It's extremely rare for anyone to sit against the far right wall in the lounge!

And whoawhoawhoa, what happened to the trees?? I hope they come back! lol

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Self-defense at Eastland!

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So, we know everyone pictured in "Garrett's Gallery", but what about "Ramsey's Relics"? Can all of these photos be identified? We see this set-up in many episodes.


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WOW! I-I don't believe it! :eek: I found a season 1 refugee in the hallway! In the hallway!! Who knew??

This weird funky bird picture started out in the girls' rooms in the dorm 1979, then Mrs. Garrett took into her own room (or was gifted it?) in 1980, and then in 1981 it's migrated to the upstairs hallway over the cafeteria! Nice sutble touch, Mrs. Garrett!

This is the highlight of my day!! :lol:

Man, that bird sure got around! I can't believe it showed up in season 3! Now that makes me wonder if if it was there in season 2 all along, but we never saw the right side of Mrs. Garrett's door, so who knows. However, it does seem like the hallway got a makeover between seasons 2 and 3---the walls look more vivid, and more pink; I don't recall it looking so pink before!


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The infamous Shaun Cassidy pillowcase!

(not that his brother Ryan would fare much better in a later season of "Facts", haha)

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And now for some peaceful homey tranquility, Edna Garrett's bedroom at nighttime. :) (she even switches on her funky '70s table lamp)

Ironing in the cafeteria? :lol: Well, I guess it might be closer to the laundry, particularly if the washer and dryer are in the basement.


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Okay, this is something unique and rare in sitcoms: a scene with none of the show's regulars! Only two recurring characters here. I've always appreciated that about this scene. I don't know if this show even did this anymore over the course of its run, but it's so interesting...

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Hmm, most of the trees outside the kitchen door seem to have vacated the premises as well...

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A rather interestingly-decorated hotel room in Peekskill...(I do like how the bedding matches the hallway wallpaper, lol)

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Hmm, those bakery boxes of Roy's look awfully suspiciously like Countess Calvet Cosmetics boxes... ;)

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Professor Gideon's room of higher learning...after season 1, I believe this is the lone time we see a classroom on campus! :lol:

And look at what a classroom this is...those big beautiful bay windows, those floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, that wall-length chalkboard...dang, this is a "luxury classroom" compared to season 1's! No wonder he got pissed when Jo got him ousted! lol

Cindy, Natalie, Sue Ann, Blair...over half the original cast is in Mr. Gideon's journalism class!

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I believe this is the only time we see Mrs. Garrett sitting an arm of the lounge sofa while giving advice to someone in the right-hand lounge chair.

You get to examine a copy of "The Eastlander"!

Also, a special end credit screen grab for we Lost Girls fans ;)

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Professor Gideon's room of higher learning...after season 1, I believe this is the lone time we see a classroom on campus! :lol:

:lol: Crazy.


And look at what a classroom this is...those big beautiful bay windows, those floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, that wall-length chalkboard...dang, this is a "luxury classroom" compared to season 1's! No wonder he got pissed when Jo got him ousted! lol

Not only is it a beautiful classroom, with many cool amenities, the set decorator did a really great job of creating a set that feels like a real journalism classroom: the newspaper article clippings, the journalism posters, the newspaper rack, and of course all those bookshelves give a credible feeling to the room as "this is a place where journalism is studied".

Considering all the episodes where Journalism comes up as a topic, they should have used this classroom more often, instead of having all the Journalism discussions in the cafeteria.


Cindy, Natalie, Sue Ann, Blair...over half the original cast is in Mr. Gideon's journalism class!


I like to think they signed up together, so as to make sure they all got into the same class. How else would Cindy, Sue Ann, Natalie, and Blair, all dorm mates from Season One, have made it in to the same class?

This must have been a lower-level journalism class, if Cindy and Natalie, apparently both freshmen that year (based on Natalie's graduation year), could get in without any prerequisites.

Then again, maybe I'm overthinking this: the sex education class had students from four different years (12-15), learning the same material.

Good view of the floor!

And I love the cozy nighttime glow of that lamp :)

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And it's nicely illuminating Senor Tiger! :lol:

I believe this is the only time we see Mrs. Garrett sitting an arm of the lounge sofa while giving advice to someone in the right-hand lounge chair.

You get to examine a copy of "The Eastlander"!

Also, a special end credit screen grab for we Lost Girls fans ;)

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These photos are great, '80s!

Why would they put this style of student desks so close together like this, in pairs? I'd think it would make difficult for Cindy, for example, to get out of her chair.

Also, I notice outside the door is a bay of gray lockers. Would boarding school students need lockers? Wouldn't they just bring them from their rooms? Then again, it might be nice to have room for books between classes. I just don't remember seeing lockers elsewhere at Eastland... then again, classrooms themselves were a rarity! :lol:

Farewell, Cindy and Sue Ann! Although this would be your final scene for the next five years, you would not be forgotten by fans!

It's extremely rare for anyone to sit against the far right wall in the lounge!

And whoawhoawhoa, what happened to the trees?? I hope they come back! lol

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Aren't they just dormant and leafless from the winter?

It's hard to tell from the screenshots.

Hahaha! When Mr. Heartless Parker (due to refusing Edna a bun warmer, lol) exits out the kitchen door, he crouches down and slinks away into the night! What the heck?? :lol:

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HAHAHA! Nice catch! I just watched that scene, and it's so weird. Why is the Headmaster of Eastland ducking into the bushes?!

(On DM videos, are you setting the resolution to the highest level by clicking on the icon in the upper right-hand corner? By default, DM videos may play at a lower resolution, but you can set it higher for clearer screen captures).

Self-defense at Eastland!

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Weirdly, Julie Piekarski and Julie Anne Haddock are credited cast members in the Getty Images collection of "Fear Strikes Back", even though they are not actually in that episode. It makes me wonder if they were originally scheduled to be in that episode, since they both did an episode just a few weeks later (and they always appeared in the same FOL episodes, befitting "buddies forever").

And the trophy case hobbles back on over to its right for the start of season 3! :lol:

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The janitors must have needed to wax the floor under the trophy case, hence the temporary move. Glad they finally got to it over the summer break! :lol:

And our second look off campus...the crummy motel, lol...and look, it's The Golden Girls' future "Uncle Angelo"! :lol:

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That is the most disgusting motel blanket I have ever seen. It looks like it was run over by multiple vehicles on the freeway, and then put right back on the bed. Who would DO that?!?!

Don't sleep there, Jo! You'll be leaving that place with more than just a husband! :eek:

A rather interestingly-decorated hotel room in Peekskill...(I do like how the bedding matches the hallway wallpaper, lol)

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AND the pillows on the sofa, and the curtains! That is one well-matched hotel!

Oh NO "Facts" fans...I have just made a very disheartening discovery: Tumpy's stereo did not survive as a refugee prop beyond season 1. :(

If anything, the stereos in the lounge and the girls' room look more similar with each other than they do with Tumpy's.

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Huh. I see what you're saying. Then the Sitcoms Online episode guide (http://www.sitcomsonline.com/folepisodeguide.html) is wrong.

Well, at least we have Tumpy's New Yorker poster!

Our first venture off of Eastland's campus since the show's retooling!

Well, the Chug A Lug bar was off-campus, too, so I don't think that's altogether true.


Also, a shot of those three most dreaded words to see on this show when you were watching it as a child!


Haha! "To Be Continued..."

We always were in agony, waiting a full week between episodes. :lol:

:lol: Crazy.

Hey, I think I know why there was only 1 cafeteria episode that had a classroom in it: Warren Littlefield probably watched season 1, noted a classroom appeared 3 times in 13 episodes, and his mathematically-challenged mind probably thought there were "like, 20, 22" classroom episodes in a very short season; so, in his "logic", it stood to reason to balance things out having 1 classroom episode every 5 or 6 years. lol


Not only is it a beautiful classroom, with many cool amenities, the set decorator did a really great job of creating a set that feels like a real journalism classroom

Yes, it's great.


Considering all the episodes where Journalism comes up as a topic, they should have used this classroom more often, instead of having all the Journalism discussions in the cafeteria.

Well maybe they balanced it out by eating some meals in the journalism classroom. :lol:


I like to think they signed up together, so as to make sure they all got into the same class. How else would Cindy, Sue Ann, Natalie, and Blair, all dorm mates from Season One, have made it in to the same class?

That'd be very cool.


Then again, maybe I'm overthinking this: the sex education class had students from four different years (12-15), learning the same material.

They had very odd criteria indeed! lol

And it's nicely illuminating Senor Tiger! :lol:


Si, si, I noticed that too :lol:

Also, I notice outside the door is a bay of gray lockers. Would boarding school students need lockers? Wouldn't they just bring them from their rooms? Then again, it might be nice to have room for books between classes. I just don't remember seeing lockers elsewhere at Eastland... then again, classrooms themselves were a rarity! :lol:


Yup, the only classroom in this era, and yeah, for some reason locker, lol. And there are 3 rows of lockers! They're all small ones, like they expect hundreds and hundreds of students who will need all these tons of lockers, lol.

Aren't they just dormant and leafless from the winter?

It's hard to tell from the screenshots.


I was hoping maybe that was it, but I thought in the very previous episode they were all green and lush. Maybe Peekskill just has no autumn. :lol:

HAHAHA! Nice catch! I just watched that scene, and it's so weird. Why is the Headmaster of Eastland ducking into the bushes?!

Right?? That doesn't look good! :lol: It is so odd to see that! Hahahaha!


(On DM videos, are you setting the resolution to the highest level by clicking on the icon in the upper right-hand corner? By default, DM videos may play at a lower resolution, but you can set it higher for clearer screen captures).

I'd been doing strictly YouTube until today; well, except for the DS episodes, which are only on DM. But when I looked up episodes I started trying the DM versions more and more, and I noticed the "Facts" videos there are already crystal clear!

Weirdly, Julie Piekarski and Julie Anne Haddock are credited cast members in the Getty Images collection of "Fear Strikes Back", even though they are not actually in that episode. It makes me wonder if they were originally scheduled to be in that episode, since they both did an episode just a few weeks later (and they always appeared in the same FOL episodes, befitting "buddies forever").


Yup, I remember you posting that a couple of years ago. If only they were in it!

Jo "Bonner"?? Not for about 7 more years!

That is the most disgusting motel blanket I have ever seen. It looks like it was run over by multiple vehicles on the freeway, and then put right back on the bed. Who would DO that?!?!

Don't sleep there, Jo! You'll be leaving that place with more than just a husband! :eek:


Hahaha, then the set dresser really did their job well!! lol

Huh. I see what you're saying. Then the Sitcoms Online episode guide (http://www.sitcomsonline.com/folepisodeguide.html) is wrong.

Ahh, I see, yes. Well, maybe there's a chance it turns up somewhere on the series again along the way?? We can always keep an eye out for it!


Well, at least we have Tumpy's New Yorker poster!

Yes! At least that is a definite refugee!

The janitors must have needed to wax the floor under the trophy case, hence the temporary move. Glad they finally got to it over the summer break! :lol:


lol...ya know, we never did see any custodians there; maybe it was the girls' duties to just do everything in the cafeteria building, hence no need for janitors? After all, they do all the cleaning in the kitchen and the cafeteria---windows, tables, floors, trash---so I guess the janitors on campus maybe had some cushy free time on their hands every day! lol

Well, the Chug A Lug bar was off-campus

Yes, you will be kind to forgive me as I was doing dozens of these at high-speed today, so I forgot about that since we covered that last week. But the restaurant feels even more "off campus" to me, like actually in the "happening" town of Peekskill, lol. It's funny that the adult bar though is just 5 miles away. :lol:


Haha! "To Be Continued..."

We always were in agony, waiting a full week between episodes. :lol:

Week schmeek, it was agonizing to wait a whole day being exposed to these in reruns! :lol: Or, the worst was if I unknowingly watched part 1 of something on a Friday, and then saw those horrid words at the end, and I had to wait a whole weekend before I saw how it resolved! :lol: But I had my own TBC "real time" agonies as well...heck, Friends made you wait a quarter of a year!! lol

But now I'm confused because of Natalie's close-up; it looks like there's counterspace behind her across the cafeteria, that recesses back into the wall, with some objects on it. But that doesn't make sense, there's nothing like that in that far cafeteria wall. So I can't figure out what that is exactly...(did someone tape a horizontally long poster on the wall? lol)


Okay, I think I might be onto something now...I'm thinking the lower tan portion is a tabletop, and the objects are a napkin holder, salt & pepper shakers, etc. But that still doesn't explain why there's a large vertical gray "strip" that looks like it's going across the wall on the opposite side of the cafeteria...how odd...

You know, here I was so impressed with that French restaurant in "Teenage Marriage" and thinking it was so classy and elegant and sophisticated, including a high-class ladies' room---but then I noticed them---bars of soap on the sink! No pumps, but bars that everyone in there has to touch and rub with their hands! Ewww! :lol:

Now I know some people use bars of soap in their homes, but in a public restroom?? I can't even recall ever seeing bars of soap in any public restroom at the moment. I know this was 1980, but still, lol.

Okay, this is going to be investigated...I am certain that we see these two items in the girls' rooms in season 1. The brown one looks kind of like a brown Mickey Mouse, and the other thing is a doggie with a pink hat. They seem sooooo familiar, and I'm really thinking (and hoping) these are indeed season 1 refugees! I would bet dollars to (Edna's Edibles) doughnuts they are...

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Yup, the only classroom in this era, and yeah, for some reason locker, lol. And there are 3 rows of lockers! They're all small ones, like they expect hundreds and hundreds of students who will need all these tons of lockers, lol.

Haha! However, I will say this:

As a child, I attended two private schools, as well as a larger number of public schools.

The first private school I attended, during the 1981-1982 school year, was just 38 miles from Westlake School, the model for FOL, although I didn't know any of that at the time. This elementary school wasn't large, but it wasn't exactly small, either. There were probably 50 students per grade, and my cousin was in the same grade as me, but in a different classroom. We did have uniforms, but it wasn't a boarding school.

The second private school I attended, from 1986-1989, was a combination junior high and high school in the Midwest. This was a tiny school with approximately 12 students per grade, and a total enrollment of (I believe) about 80 in 6 grades. My junior high graduating class was 9. Each student had two full-sized lockers, with one empty locker between each student.

It was a huge shock for me to go back to public school, with only ONE locker, and no space between lockers, so everyone had to squeeze together between classes.

It seems authentic to me that Eastland wasn't huge. Yes, there were times when I, as a viewer, thought it was bizarre that Jo, Blair, Natalie and Tootie did everything at Eastland, from serving the food to handing out the diplomas. But there are other times when I felt like Eastland being quite small seemed very realistic.

Having that big bay of lockers, most of which would never be used, seems quite authentic to me, as someone who attended a small private school.

You know, here I was so impressed with that French restaurant in "Teenage Marriage" and thinking it was so classy and elegant and sophisticated, including a high-class ladies' room---but then I noticed them---bars of soap on the sink! No pumps, but bars that everyone in their has to touch and rub with their hands! Ewww! :lol:

Now I know some people use bars of soap in their homes, but in a public restroom?? I can't even recall ever seeing bars of soap in any public restroom at the moment. I know this was 1980, but still, lol.

I don't recall ever seeing soap dispensers in the early 1980s. Everyone still used bars of soap. I believe the AIDS crisis changed that. Public restrooms changed to the pump dispensers, and also got rid of those rotating towel machines at the same time.

I still remember a time when men's restroom stalls usually had no doors. That is bizarre to think of, now! :lol:

those rotating towel machines at the same time.

Oh yeah, those too! :lol:

I also like calling bars of soap "cakes" of soap. :)


I still remember a time when men's restroom stalls usually had no doors. That is bizarre to think of, now! :lol:

Well, prison, sure, lol, but regular ones in public?? lol

Week schmeek, it was agonizing to wait a whole day being exposed to these in reruns! :lol: Or, the worst was if I unknowingly watched part 1 of something on a Friday, and then saw those horrid words at the end, and I had to wait a whole weekend before I saw how it resolved! :lol:

Yep, even the weekends could be agony!


But I had my own TBC "real time" agonies as well...heck, Friends made you wait a quarter of a year!! lol

Very true! I hadn't watched the first season of Friends, although I was vaguely familiar with the premise. I was working in a bookstore at the time, and so many people came in looking for the Friends 1995-1996 calendar (https://www.picclickimg.com/d/l400/pict/163057970944_/Friends-tv-show-1996-calendar-RARE-collectable.jpg) (we'd only received, like, six copies and we had quickly sold out), that my interest was piqued. So I started watching in mid-season two. This meant that I saw all of the season two episodes out of order, and didn't catch season one until a couple of years later, when they ran in syndication.

So I missed the big cliffhanger in season one, but I caught all of the later cliffhangers, like you must have, too.

Our 3rd and final look at a headmaster's office at Eastland (not counting Blair's office in the disappointing series finale). I like his desk and classy lamp---and that grand schooner!

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Mrs. G working that menu board!

Howard was seen working this once, too. But we viewers never see it, so they must put it up in the entrance hall.

Or near the 4th wall, lol.

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The lounge door now officially leads outdoors! :)

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A pizzeria in Peekskill...I like the touch of those bottles on the wall :)

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I find it odd that Tootie would sleep with her head toward the bedroom door. I always assumed she slept with her head by the window, like Natalie.

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Look, Blair's mystery photo man is back! But now he's coyly hidden behind the lamp! :lol:

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Hmm, and that poster to the right of Tootie looks like something Star Wars-related, but it's not Yoda, and I can't tell what it is...

And that unidentified "famous" man by Natalie's bed in a previous episode? Well now he's back, only in a MUCH bigger print! lol

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Wow, it's extremely rare to see a guest character use the pay phone!

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Some changes in Mrs. Garrett's room:

1) Her funky '70s lamp has been moved back by the window, on a little stand all its own

2) There is a newer much less interesting lamp on her night stand

3) Her jar of seashells have been moved to other side of her bed

4) Her cat pillow is multiplying! :lol:

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Whoa, check out the hallway! The shelf unit which was on the left side of Mrs. Garrett's door has been moved to the back between the stairs and the mystery door, and a large picture has been hung there as well! I never noticed!

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Did you ever notice there's a place on the wall where Mrs. Garrett hangs her clipboard? Well, now you will! lol

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After examining Mr. Gideon's classroom and Mr. Parker's office, I believe the two rooms are the same set, with some modifications.

The wall is pushed back further for the classroom version, and it is moved forward for the office version. The bay window opening for the classroom is replaced with a flat-fronted window for Mr. Parker's office.

That's very clever Hollywood magic!

Oo, great catch! Yes, those bookcases and doors are obviously the same. Wow!

And a horizontally shorter wall as well, making the room smaller and not "classroom-size".

Oo, great catch! Yes, those bookcases and doors are obviously the same. Wow!

And a horizontally shorter wall as well, making the room smaller and not "classroom-size".

Yep! And I never would have noticed, were it not for your careful screenshot work!

Her cat pillow is multiplying! :lol:

This makes me wonder if there were always two cat pillows, and we just didn't see one... or if a second pillow was added later.

Yep! And I never would have noticed, were it not for your careful screenshot work!

Most of this stuff I would never have noticed! lol...it all started with season 1 when I kept "cross-referencing" back and forth jumping around episodes for different shots; that's when I started noticing things you would never notice if you just watched the episodes straight through "in order". With the handy-dandy Internet, that changes the game. As Cindy would say, "Once he showed me how to jump around various episodes on the Internet, it was a cinch!"


This makes me wonder if there were always two cat pillows, and we just didn't see one... or if a second pillow was added later.

The beige one must have been added, as we only ever saw the white/calico one before.

Hmm, and that poster to the right of Tootie looks like something Star Wars-related, but it's not Yoda, and I can't tell what it is...

Can we get a close-up? It almost looks like something from The Dark Crystal.


And that unidentified "famous" man by Natalie's bed in a previous episode? Well now he's back, only in a MUCH bigger print! lol
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Looks like a member of Menudo, although I couldn't tell you which one.

The picture by Blair's bed looked like Grizzly Adams, but that doesn't seem at all like Blair.

Can we get a close-up? It almost looks like something from The Dark Crystal.

Hmm, I don't think it is (I am a big DC fan). I thought the red looked kind of like a light saber. It's hard to tell exactly what it is, though.


Looks like a member of Menudo, although I couldn't tell you which one.

Hmm, interesting.


The picture by Blair's bed looked like Grizzly Adams, but that doesn't seem at all like Blair.

"ikr??" lol...and look, he's come out from behind the lamp! :lol:

So I wonder if the guy on the left in glasses could be "Raj" from What's Happenin'!, and if the boy on the right could be Michael Jackson?

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Mrs. Garrett ascends her cabinet ladder once again! :lol:

And Mr. Palmer is 30---according to 12-year-old Natalie, age 30 is when you "won't even have your own teeth!" lol

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It looks like season 3's "Legacy" is the first time that that dividing wall with a door into the lounge appears. Interesting they thought to do that yet only have it there from time to time:

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The new Eastland library underway:

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It looks like season 3's "Legacy" is the first time that that dividing wall with a door into the lounge appears. Interesting they thought to do that yet only have it there from time to time:

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That is really weird. Is it possible that that wall is a temporary dividing wall that might be used to partition areas for special events?

It could be, but it looks like a permanent part of the set; I mean it's obviously not as it goes away for most episodes, but it has that look like it's a part of that wall over there. It's also in the next episode, "Green-Eyed Monster".

If it was for partitioning off for special events, maybe they were getting ready early to prepare for holding "South Pacific" auditions there---Miss Downes probably wanted to make sure everything was set up well beforehand! lol.

I find it odd that Tootie would sleep with her head toward the bedroom door. I always assumed she slept with her head by the window, like Natalie.

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Now, the world don't move
To the beat of just one drum
What might be right for Toot
May not be right for soooome

They got, Diff'rent Strokes
It takes, Diff'rent Strokes
It takes, Diff'rent Strokes
To move the world

Everybody's got a special kind of sleeping
Everybody finds a way to lay
It don't matter that you sleep wrong way up
So what
They'll have theirs, you'll have yours, and I'll have mine
And together we'll sleep fine

Because it takes, Diff'rent Strokes to move the world
Yes it does
It takes, Diff'rent Strokes to move the world

That Blair sure can paint! It's so nice how they kept a point of continuity in her character for at least the first 3 seasons of the show.

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Now, the world don't move
To the beat of just one drum
What might be right for Toot
May not be right for soooome

They got, Diff'rent Strokes
It takes, Diff'rent Strokes
It takes, Diff'rent Strokes
To move the world

Everybody's got a special kind of sleeping
Everybody finds a way to lay
It don't matter that you sleep wrong way up
So what
They'll have theirs, you'll have yours, and I'll have mine
And together we'll be fine

Because it takes, Diff'rent Strokes to move the world
Yes it does
It takes, Diff'rent Strokes to move the world

Hahahaha! :lol:

Yes "Toot", you can sleep any way you like; I'm not saying it's wrong, it's just unexpected by me, lol.

Haha!

Wow, so that temporary door they insert dividing off the lounge? It has no doorknob! I always assumed it was a regular door, with a doorknob. But no knob, not even a handle. I would hope it would therefore swing on the hinges when pushed, lol.

Here's a great wide shot, then a closer view where you can see there is nothing to turn to open it, lol.

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Backstage, and the auditorium...

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We used to have a laundry basket that was this exact model and color! :lol:

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An extremely rare moment of staging stationary dialogue on the stairs!

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6 people? This kitchen's starting to get a bit crowded! lol...this is definitely one of the most-populated kitchen scenes in the show.

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We used to have a laundry basket that was this exact model and color! :lol:

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We had the same one, but in blue! :lol:

Elegance comes to the lounge...just check out that vegetable tray and that wine, lol. Pillows have found their way to the sofa as well.

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WHOA! A couple of nice long shots here, and check out the girls' room---this is obviously the longest shot we ever get of it, and you can see the trim and upper wall way above! Cool!

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A Mexican restaurant in Peekskill---which is the same set as the "Slumber Party" restaurant on Diff'rent Strokes! :lol:

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A long shot of the girls' room in the dark...and this time Natalie follows Tootie in sleeping "the wrong way"! (haha) But this makes sense for blocking and staging, for this way we are able to see Blair's face while she is talking to them.

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A Mexican restaurant in Peekskill---which is the same set as the "Slumber Party" restaurant on Diff'rent Strokes! :lol:

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Nicely spotted! They clearly changed from a Continental menu to a Mexican one... maybe they are under new ownership?

I see the new owners swapped out the kitchen door, with a round window in it, to one without... bad move! Those windows provided much greater visibility. They will end up with more collisions.

WHOA! A couple of nice long shots here, and check out the girls' room---this is obviously the longest shot we ever get of it, and you can see the trim and upper wall way above! Cool!

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Looks like a gelfling on that poster.

I see the new owners swapped out the kitchen door, with a round window in it, to one without... bad move! Those windows provided much greater visibility. They will end up with more collisions.

Haha, true...they also got rid of the wall with the archway that extends further back beyond the wall the kids entered in.

Looks like a gelfling on that poster.

I would love it if it were, and I want it to be!---that would be two Jim Henson posters on Tootie's wall!---but I'm just afraid to commit to it before someone really examines it up close (like if I pop in a DVD for a good look or something).

I see the new owners swapped out the kitchen door, with a round window in it, to one without... bad move! Those windows provided much greater visibility. They will end up with more collisions.

Even Charlie's restaurant on Sesame Street knew to have kitchen doors with round windows! :D Here is "Señor Grover" on a Mexican day, lol:

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I would love it if it were, and I want it to be!---that would be two Jim Henson posters on Tootie's wall!---but I'm just afraid to commit to it before someone really examines it up close (like if I pop in a DVD for a good look or something).
Oh, I agree we need a close-up before anyone gets excited... but that would be very cool. Hope we get a close-up shot to solve this mystery!

The Dark Crystal was one of my favorites, as a kid.

Even Charlie's restaurant on Sesame Street knew to have kitchen doors with round windows! :D Here is "Señor Grover" on a Mexican day, lol:

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HAHA! Yep!

Oh, I agree we need a close-up before anyone gets excited... but that would be very cool. Hope we get a close-up shot to solve this mystery!

Oh, yes! If there's one thing Mr. Gideon taught me in his class, it is to be Fast, Accurate, Concise, and True! :lol:

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The Dark Crystal was one of my favorites, as a kid.

It's one of my favorites as an adult. I really liked it as a kid, but now as a grown-up I appreciate it so much more on so many levels.

HAHA! Yep!

I have always revered classic SS!

Oh, yes! If there's one thing Mr. Gideon taught me in his class, it is to be Fast, Accurate, Concise, and True! :lol:

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As someone who has taught journalism classes, I can only concur with Mr. Gideon, and applaud your efforts on getting the details right.

Although these days, you'd be hard-pressed to find a journalist who checks his/her facts before running a story, in this era of 24-hour news, TV channels with ideological positions, and newspapers struggling to survive...

I wonder if any of the Eastland Chapter of the Jermaine Jackson Fan Club shirts or buttons still exist? lol

Ah, pin-back buttons...gotta love those '80s :)

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I have always revered classic SS!

The pre-Elmo years were magical. My sister and I not only watched when we were young, we also had a series of tie-in books.

The infamous Jermaine Jackson sculpture! :lol:

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This may be the only time we see all 4 girls at the pay phone!

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The pre-Elmo years were magical. My sister and I not only watched when we were young, we also had a series of tie-in books.

Yes, utter magic from 1969-1989. I enjoy collecting vintage Muppet merchandise, including SS from back in the day.

Oo, I just noticed that at this point there are some potted flowers back in the window...

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I wonder if any of the Eastland Chapter of the Jermaine Jackson Fan Club shirts or buttons still exist? lol

Ah, pin-back buttons...gotta love those '80s :)

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Hey, Eastland has more African-American girls than we were led to believe! These are different girls than in "Who Am I?"

Backstage at a New York City concert arena:

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By the way Retro, I don't know if you gotten to see every post or page here, as I know a few times I have submitted pages and pages of posts all at once, lol, but I was curious in particular if you saw posts # 80 on page 6, and 112 on page 8; 80 for my futile fan fantasy, and 112 for the discovery that astounded me!

There we go! Molly walking in to join the others---a complete reunion! ;)

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'80s, your version is my preferred version, as well. But let's make your fantasy a "reality"! :lol:

^---oooo, that is great doctoring!

WOW! I-I don't believe it! :eek: I found a season 1 refugee in the hallway! In the hallway!! Who knew??

This weird funky bird picture started out in the girls' rooms in the dorm 1979, then Mrs. Garrett took into her own room (or was gifted it?) in 1980, and then in 1981 it's migrated to the upstairs hallway over the cafeteria! Nice sutble touch, Mrs. Garrett!

This is the highlight of my day!! :lol:

Man, that bird sure got around! I can't believe it showed up in season 3! Now that makes me wonder if if it was there in season 2 all along, but we never saw the right side of Mrs. Garrett's door, so who knows. However, it does seem like the hallway got a makeover between seasons 2 and 3---the walls look more vivid, and more pink; I don't recall it looking so pink before!


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I think the "pink" wallpaper is just a lighting effect, caused by having the wrong color of spotlight on. You can see in later episodes that the wallpaper is back to being more beige.

The funky bird picture from season one is a nice find! Will we spot it continuously until Edna's wedding day in season eight? Who knows! :lol:

^---oooo, that is great doctoring!
Why, thank you! Just something I whipped up!

Why, thank you! Just something I whipped up!

Well you sure whipped it up to look like the real thing!


I think the "pink" wallpaper is just a lighting effect, caused by having the wrong color of spotlight on. You can see in later episodes that the wallpaper is back to being more beige.

I wondered about that, because I don't remember it ever looking so candy cane-ish before. :lol:


The funky bird picture from season one is a nice find! Will we spot it continuously until Edna's wedding day in season eight? Who knows! :lol:

Haha, who knows indeed! I was just floored when I noticed it here!

By the way Retro, I don't know if you gotten to see every post or page here, as I know a few times I have submitted pages and pages of posts all at once, lol, but I was curious in particular if you saw posts # 80 on page 6, and 112 on page 8; 80 for my futile fan fantasy, and 112 for the discovery that astounded me!

Sometimes there is just so much to respond to that I forget to respond to some stuff. But I read it all, if I see it. Sometimes, I can't think of anything more to say.

For the "Gossip" screenshot, I had hoped to post the alternate version sooner, but once I hopped in the time machine and went back to Fall 1980, it was difficult to get Molly back on the FOL set for such a small part. I had to promise to get her an audition with a major Hollywood director. And the rest, as they say, is history. :lol:

Ha! Nice job!

The famous bathroom! I smell soapiness whenever I see this. :lol:

One very interesting thing about this scene is that, whereas usually the 4th wall is kind of "open" to the audience, here in the bathroom we are "behind" the "closed" 4th wall (this statement is brought to you by quotations, lol); it's like an invisible partition between us and the bathroom sink. The wall would be against the back of the sink and its shelves, as is evidenced by when the girls and Mrs. Garrett look in "the mirror".

And look, you can see the opposite end of the hall!

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The famous bathroom! I smell soapiness whenever I see this. :lol:

One very interesting thing about this scene is that, whereas usually the audience kind of "is" the 4th wall, here in the bathroom we are "behind" the 4th wall; it's like an invisible partition between us and the bathroom sink. The wall would be against the back of the sink and its shelves, as is evidenced by when the girls and Mrs. Garrett look in "the mirror".

Yes, I'm not sure we've ever seen that set-up elsewhere on FOL... Except possibly in the kitchen, where we can see the back side of the counter and stove, which would normally be against a wall.


And look, you can see the opposite end of the hall!

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Yep! And Jo's pajamas almost match the wallpaper! :lol:

Yes, I'm not sure we've ever seen that set-up elsewhere on FOL... Except possibly in the kitchen, where we can see the back side of the counter and stove, which would normally be against a wall.

Ah yes, good catch.


Yep! And Jo's pajamas almost match the wallpaper! :lol:

lol, so they do! Another good catch!

And here is the girls' room under "renovation", lol:

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It's Pagliacci's! The trystiest---I mean, trendiest---restaurant in town! ;)

(with recycled arches!)

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Please tell me this is not a globe! :lol:

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Hey, the door with the round window is back!!!! :lol:

Please tell me this is not a globe! :lol:

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Ahahahahahaha!

It does look like it could be a globe...

What was with this show and globes?! I mean, sure, they went to Paris and Australia, but traveling the world wasn't a regular theme...

Hey, the door with the round window is back!!!! :lol:

Yes it is! I noticed it but forgot to point it out, good catch...and Waiter Grover is back too!! :lol:

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Ahahahahahaha!

It does look like it could be a globe...

Right??


What was with this show and globes?! I mean, sure, they went to Paris and Australia, but traveling the world wasn't a regular theme...

So many globes they're overflowing off the campus! :lol: Maybe Pagliacci's wanted their customers to be able to find where Italy is located if they so desired? lol

Yes it is! I noticed it but forgot to point it out, good catch...and Waiter Grover is back too!! :lol:

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At least he doesn't have to wear the silly Mexican costume anymore, now that they're serving Italian! :lol:

At least he doesn't have to wear the silly Mexican costume anymore, now that they're serving Italian! :lol:

lol, true, but they might make him wear a silly Italian costume! :lol:

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One thing that bugs me about TV shows is how they always make the characters crowd around three sides of a table, with the "fourth wall" side empty. Jo and Blair look clearly crowded and uncomfortable, here, at a table for four which could conceivably seat five, but only if everyone spread out a little.

Jo and Blair look clearly crowded and uncomfortable, here, at a table for four which could conceivably seat five, but only if everyone spread out a little.

Well, to be fair, they look uncomfortable because they just saw Natalie witness her dad's tryst. But that aside, I do know what you mean, lol. It can be odd, but oh well.

You knew this was going to happen. :lol:

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You knew this was going to happen. :lol:

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I did know! :lol:

You'd think Tootie would be more excited, being a Muppets fan!

I did know! :lol:

You'd think Tootie would be more excited, being a Muppets fan!

Hahaha! Well, maybe this is the exact moment where she juuust starts to turn her head in Grover's direction, in response to his overenthusiastic "Hellllllo 'dere! I am your waiter today, Italian Grover!" :lol:

Jo looks bored. Not a fan of Grover, I guess. More of a Mumford girl?

Jo looks bored. Not a fan of Grover, I guess. More of a Mumford girl?

Hahaha she does! Who could be so jaded they wouldn't be excited by Italian Grover? :lol:

I could see her being a closet Bert & Ernie fan: "lol, man, those two crack me up!" lol

Hahaha she does! Who could be so jaded they wouldn't be excited by Italian Grover? :lol:

I could see her being a closet Bert & Ernie fan: "lol, man, those two crack me up!" lol

Haha! I could see that, too. :lol: I think she'd also like Barkley.

Haha! I could see that, too. :lol: I think she'd also like Barkley.

I can totally picture her on SS playing with Barkley in the arbor/courtyard. :lol:

And yeah it's not hard at all to think of her loving Bert & Ernie, especially when you have little moments like Willis teasing Tootie over her feetie pajamas he sees in the girls' room, only for Jo to plant herself right in front of him and toughly tell him: "They're mine." :lol:

I can totally picture her on SS playing with Barkley in the arbor/courtyard. :lol:

And yeah it's not hard at all to think of her loving Bert & Ernie, especially when you have little moments like Willis teasing Tootie over her feetie pajamas he sees in the girls' room, only for Jo to plant herself right in front of him and toughly tell him: "They're mine." :lol:

Yes, she would!

So which muppets would Blair and Natalie like? Wait... we did already see the girls with muppets, in the retro articles thread!

A few lounge notes:

1) I don't believe we've ever seen this angle of the lounge before; this far over.

2) You will notice that notices board and the pictures have switched places! They are now where they both started off in "New Girl", the board above the water fountain, the pictures on the far right wall.

3) The lounge door again shown leading directly outdoors, and, the magazine rack by the water fountain actually has magazines in it, lol.

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"Grand Pimping Station"...a.k.a. "Darlow's Coffee Shop" (but they left out the apostropohe, ugh!)

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Either they borrowed the paper towel roll from Eastland's cafeteria kitchen, or they got an identical one; and who knows, that might be the original pay phone!

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And outside a NY theater...(or, "theatre", if you will). Note the trash can: it's a "real life" trash can! We've all seen those! lol

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Either they borrowed the paper towel roll from Eastland's cafeteria kitchen, or they got an identical one; and who knows, that might be the original pay phone!

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Could be! Gray receiver? Check. Steel cord? Check. Black case? Check.

To me, in some ways this coffee shop and that disgusting motel room in "Teenage Marriage" have a bit of an Alice vibe to them.

Another lounge door-opening. :)

And look, why, it's the very same coffee shop we saw just one episode earlier! :lol:

Or wait, no it's not---I guess the set decorator covering up "Darlows" over "Coffee Shop" makes it a completely different establishment. :lol:

I think, from what I recall, that Blair and Jo's dialogue gives the feeling it is a different place? One that Blair's never been in before? If I'm remembering right...they did do some subtle changes, such as putting a menu board up where the paper towels used to be, and moving the cash register from over by the kitchen door to its own counter by the front door.

Neat to see a full magazine rack from back then!

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Becker's kitchen!

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And the community center...with the lounge's pastry machine...and its notices board*...and its water fountain*...and its board games*...and the girls' dartboard, lol...

*(allegedly)

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Okay, the combination table/lamp (sounds like something from The Land of Wuz, lol [Disney's The Wuzzles] ) which is in the girls' room over the cafeteria, I thought came from the dorm's common room when I happened to notice it in there today. But, as Mr. Gideon taught me with FACT - "Fast, Accurate, Concise, True" - they are in fact two different fixtures! Their shades, however, do look identical.

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loved blair's hair anyone else