In Kim Fields' new book, Blessed Life, she talks about her relationship with the girls she worked with on the show. Included are memories about Nancy McKeon (Jo), Mindy Cohn (Natalie), and Lisa Whelchel (Blair). But she also talks about the Lost Girls: she name drops all four of them (Felice Schachter, Julie Piekarski, Julie Anne Haddock, and Molly Ringwald), and relates some funny stories about a couple of them. I really enjoyed this book because it's more thorough than what I've seen from other books about The Facts of Life. In fact, as far as I can tell, it is the most thorough, and I appreciate that, as a fan of the Lost Girls.

Since it's been requested that I paraphrase some of what Kim wrote in her memoirs, here is a little bit of what she wrote about the Lost Girls, paraphrased from what I can recall when I read it about a month ago.

Julie Piekarski

Kim writes that she and Julie were very close on the set; Kim called her Julie Pie from then on, and I guess that's how Julie got her nickname, which has stuck with Julie Pie all these years.

Kim says that she and Julie were like sisters, only one was white, and one was black. She said that they met during the casting process, and they quickly became close. You can definitely see this, as Kim and Julie can still be seen together on their Facebook or Instagram posts, even to this day, 40 years after they first met. They most recently posed together (with Mindy, Mackenzie Astin, and Kim's Aunt Pat) at Charlotte's memorial. Kim always makes an effort to include Julie in everything. Notice that it's Tootie (I mean, "Dorothy") who mentions Sue Ann in the reunion movie. I believe this was intentional.

Julie and Kim's relationship, like sisters, really reminds me of what Mindy has said about Felice: that they were soul sisters who became very close, very quickly (Felice's mom even became Mindy's agent). I really love the idea of the older girls bonding with the younger girls. It makes me feel as though it was a very warm, welcoming set... at least before the Cast Purge, which cruelly ripped the cast in half.

Felice Schachter

Kim relates a funny story about Felice on the set of The Facts of Life. It's too detailed of a story to elaborate here, but it turns out they all (especially Felice) had a crush on Mikhail Baryshnikov, and they were delighted when he showed up at the studio (which at that time was Metromedia Square in Hollywood).

The girls' love for Mikhail Baryshnikov was worked into two scripts, first as part of the plotline of episode 1-07, "Dieting", in the opening tag. It was also worked into episode 2-09, "Gossip", where Roger and Blair go to see Baryshnikov.

Julie Anne Haddock and Molly Ringwald

These two are only mentioned briefly in Kim's book. Unfortunate, because I know Kim at least has mentioned Julie Anne in the past, in that she liked her work in TV and film.

Kim says that it was difficult getting used to the Cast Purge, and relates what Mindy said: "Where'd everybody go?"

Nancy McKeon

Okay, Nancy isn't a Lost Girl, but it's been requested that I include info about her as well. During seasons 2-4, Kim became very close with Nancy. This is because not only did they work together, they went to school together. They were suddenly the only Facts girls in the studio school, after the Cast Purge. Lisa had already graduated early, and Mindy was still attending Westlake.

Oo, thanks for dishing!



Julie Piekarski

Kim writes that she and Julie were very close on the set

Kinda makes their moment in the opening credits of episodes 2, 3, and 4 nice and sweet, as they get to "play together" during their credits :)



Felice Schachter

Kim relates a funny story about Felice on the set of The Facts of Life. It's too detailed to elaborate here, but it turns out they all (especially Felice) had a crush on Mikhail Baryshnikov, and they were delighted when he showed up at the studio.

Why did he show up at the studio?? :confused: Appearing on another show?


The girls' love for Mikhail Baryshnikov was worked into two scripts, first as part of the plotline of episode 1-07, "Dieting", in the opening tag. It was also worked into episode 2-09, "Gossip", where Roger and Blair go to see Baryshnikov.

Do they, though? It's easy to argue they perhaps did not, after all.



Julie Anne Haddock and Molly Ringwald

These two are only mentioned briefly. Unfortunate, because I know Kim at least has mentioned Julie Anne in the past, in that she liked her work in TV and film.

Kim says that it was difficult getting used to the Cast Purge, and relates what Mindy said: "Where'd everybody go?"

So what did she say about the girls?? (J.A. and M.)

Kinda makes their moment in the opening credits of episodes 2, 3, and 4 nice and sweet, as they get to "play together" during their credits :)

Yep, and now that's what I see, every time I watch the opening credits for those episodes, or any other time there's a Sue Ann/Tootie scene.


Why did he show up at the studio?? :confused: Appearing on another show?

Yes, I believe so.


Do they, though? It's easy to argue they perhaps did not, after all.


Well, valid point!


So what did she say about the girls?? (J.A. and M.)

That they were also cast on the show, and that they left in the cast purge. Sorry, that's all I got! :(

That they were also cast on the show, and that they left in the cast purge. Sorry, that's all I got! :(


Aww, come on "Tootie", tell us some more about "Cindy" and "Molly"! Oh well...thanks for letting us know, Retro.

Aww, come on "Tootie", tell us some more about "Cindy" and "Molly"! Oh well...thanks for letting us know, Retro.

I wish I had more to tell you; unfortunately, I do not. It's clear that Kim and Julie were as close as Felice and Mindy were. The cast purge was hard on them. But that, of course, is show biz.

It's clear that Kim and Julie were as close as Felice and Mindy were.

I would say closer, just from what I've seen/heard.

I would say closer, just from what I've seen/heard.
Very possibly!

It also makes me wonder who Julie Anne and Molly were close to, if anyone. We know Molly didn't like Mindy, and that Lisa liked Geri, but not a whole lot else. I want to know who Julie Anne's best friend was, and who Molly's soul sister in the group was!

In Kim Fields' new book, Blessed Life, she talks about her relationship with the girls she worked with on the show. Included are memories about Nancy McKeon (Jo), Mindy Cohn (Natalie), and Lisa Whelchel (Blair). But she also talks about the Lost Girls: she name drops all four of them (Felice Schachter, Julie Piekarski, Julie Anne Haddock, and Molly Ringwald), and relates some funny stories about a couple of them. I really enjoyed this book because it's more thorough than what I've seen from other books about The Facts of Life. In fact, as far as I can tell, it is the most thorough, and I appreciate that, as a fan of the Lost Girls.

Since it's been requested that I paraphrase some of what Kim wrote in her memoirs, here is a little bit of what she wrote about the Lost Girls, paraphrased from what I can recall when I read it about a month ago.

Julie Piekarski

Kim writes that she and Julie were very close on the set; Kim called her Julie Pie from then on, and I guess that's how Julie got her nickname, which has stuck with Julie Pie all these years.

Kim says that she and Julie were like sisters, only one was white, and one was black. She said that they met during the casting process, and they quickly became close. You can definitely see this, as Kim and Julie can still be seen together on their Facebook or Instagram posts, even to this day, 40 years after they first met. They most recently posed together (with Mindy, Mackenzie Astin, and Kim's Aunt Pat) at Charlotte's memorial. Kim always makes an effort to include Julie in everything. Notice that it's Tootie (I mean, "Dorothy") who mentions Sue Ann in the reunion movie. I believe this was intentional.

Julie and Kim's relationship, like sisters, really reminds me of what Mindy has said about Felice: that they were soul sisters who became very close, very quickly (Felice's mom even became Mindy's agent). I really love the idea of the older girls bonding with the younger girls. It makes me feel as though it was a very warm, welcoming set... at least before the Cast Purge, which cruelly ripped the cast in half.

Felice Schachter

Kim relates a funny story about Felice on the set of The Facts of Life. It's too detailed of a story to elaborate here, but it turns out they all (especially Felice) had a crush on Mikhail Baryshnikov, and they were delighted when he showed up at the studio (which at that time was Metromedia Square in Hollywood).

The girls' love for Mikhail Baryshnikov was worked into two scripts, first as part of the plotline of episode 1-07, "Dieting", in the opening tag. It was also worked into episode 2-09, "Gossip", where Roger and Blair go to see Baryshnikov.

Julie Anne Haddock and Molly Ringwald

These two are only mentioned briefly in Kim's book. Unfortunate, because I know Kim at least has mentioned Julie Anne in the past, in that she liked her work in TV and film.

Kim says that it was difficult getting used to the Cast Purge, and relates what Mindy said: "Where'd everybody go?"

Nancy McKeon

Okay, Nancy isn't a Lost Girl, but it's been requested that I include info about her as well. During seasons 2-4, Kim became very close with Nancy. This is because not only did they work together, they went to school together. They were suddenly the only Facts girls in the studio school, after the Cast Purge. Lisa had already graduated early, and Mindy was still attending Westlake.

I heard that Nancy took Kim with her to her driver's test, is that true?
I already know that Nancy taught Kim how to shave her legs because that was in an old article way back then.......

Btw thank you for this thread and information.

We know Molly didn't like Mindy

No we don't; we know that Molly "felt that [she] wasn't very nice" and that she felt "intimidated" by Mindy, but not that she necessarily "didn't like" her.


I want to know who Julie Anne's best friend was, and who Molly's soul sister in the group was!

Maybe Julie Anne and Felice got along really well, as Julie Anne attended Felice's 18th birthday party. I have a feeling Molly didn't really find a "sister" in the group, but enjoyed being around most of them; just my speculations.

That's great! Thanks. I have to know is Julie Pie pronounced Julie P, like how her name is pronounced or the actual word pie like the dessert? I saw the movie so long ago, but do not remember any mention of Sue Ann. What did Tootie say about her?

That's great! Thanks. I have to know is Julie Pie pronounced Julie P, like how her name is pronounced or the actual word pie like the dessert? I saw the movie so long ago, but do not remember any mention of Sue Ann. What did Tootie say about her?

I used to think it was like "pea" too, but this summer I've gotten the impression from around here that it's actually "pie" like pumpkin pie, lol (yum!).

I heard that Nancy took Kim with her to her driver's test, is that true?
I already know that Nancy taught Kim how to shave her legs because that was in an old article way back then.......

Kim confirms the driving test and the leg shaving in her book! :) Well, not at the same time, obviously. That could get messy...


Btw thank you for this thread and information.

No problem! Glad to share with fellow fans!

I used to think it was like "pea" too, but this summer I've gotten the impression from around here that it's actually "pie" like pumpkin pie, lol (yum!).
Yes, it's "pie", like the delicious food (mmm...pumpkin!) or the mathematical symbol pi. Julie's last name is properly pronounced "Pie"-karski, although there are some announcers who have pronounced it wrong. Felice and Lisa pronounce it correctly in the documentaries.

Careful listeners can hear Kim say "Julie Pie" during Kim's interview where Lisa Whelchel shows up unannounced. I believe Kim realizes that Julie must have told Lisa where her interview would be, and so she starts to say, "Julie Pie..." This must have taken much sneakiness on the part of Julie and Lisa, to pull off! :lol:

Yes, it's "pie", like the delicious food (mmm...pumpkin!) or the mathematical symbol pi. Julie's last name is properly pronounced "Pie"-karski, although there are some announcers who have pronounced it wrong. Felice and Lisa pronounce it correctly in the documentaries.

Oh, so it's "Pie-karski"? Not "Pie-uh-karski"? I used to think it was "Pea-uh-karski", now I've been thinking it was "Pie-uh-karski", but now you're saying it's just "Pie-karski".

No we don't; we know that Molly "felt that [she] wasn't very nice" and that she felt "intimidated" by Mindy, but not that she necessarily "didn't like" her.

Oh, come on! She named her the "biggest mean girl" on the set!

She says she later discovered that she's actually a very nice person. But that statement in itself shows how she previously felt.


Maybe Julie Anne and Felice got along really well, as Julie Anne attended Felice's 18th birthday party. I have a feeling Molly didn't really find a "sister" in the group, but enjoyed being around most of them; just my speculations.

Good point: the photo of Julie Anne at Felice's birthday party is the best clue we have for Julie Anne's relationship to any of the girls. I wish we had more. But it's better than nothing!

Oh, come on! She named her the "biggest mean girl" on the set!

She says she later discovered that she's actually a very nice person. But that statement in itself shows how she previously felt.

She did not say "the biggest mean girl", Andy did. If you watch Molly's interview you can see she's reflective and sensitive, and not bitter or sassy or catty. She was forced to answer the question, and she did so with grace. It makes me like Molly even more.

Oh, so it's "Pie-karski"? Not "Pie-uh-karski"? I used to think it was "Pea-uh-karski", now I've been thinking it was "Pie-uh-karski", but now you're saying it's just "Pie-karski".

I don't really hear an "uh" in the documentaries or the interviews.

I don't really hear an "uh" in the documentaries or the interviews.

Interesting; see, I always read it as "Pea-uh" and then now as "Pi-uh", but now I'll read it as "Pie-karski", lol.

Couldn't she have just made a stage name in her childhood like "Julie Anderson"? :lol:

Wait its pronounced Pie-karski? Ohhhhhhhh!!!!! The more you know.....

Interesting; see, I always read it as "Pea-uh" and then now as "Pi-uh", but now I'll read it as "Pie-karski", lol.

Couldn't she have just made a stage name in her childhood like "Julie Anderson"? :lol:

Haha! I prefer more ethnic-sounding names. Heck, I even like Polniaczek! :lol:

Wait its pronounced Pie-karski? Ohhhhhhhh!!!!! The more you know.....

I know, right?? You and I both learned something tonight! I feel like we're buddies sitting side by side in Mr. Retro's class! :lol:

Haha! I prefer more ethnic-sounding names. Heck, I even like Polniaczek! :lol:

I like it when I haven't been pronouncing it wrong for decades! :lol:

I know, right?? You and I both learned something tonight! I feel like we're buddies sitting side by side in Mr. Retro's class! :lol:
Uh oh, will there be a quiz on this? :eek:

Uh oh, will there be a quiz on this? :eek:

Haha! No quiz; I'm sure at this point, even Julie herself is beyond caring about the pronunciation.

It doesn't help when the announcers on the documentaries get it wrong. But if you listen to Julie, Felice, or Lisa say her last name, they all pronounce it the same way (Charlotte said a completely different last name, but as she herself points out, she's 90 in that interview, and she can't remember everything anymore). :lol:

Uh oh, will there be a quiz on this? :eek:

:lol: If there were we could be study buddies!


H(Charlotte said a completely different last name, but as she herself points out, she's 90 in that interview, and she can't remember everything anymore). :lol:

haha, I forgot that---what did she say?

That's great! Thanks. I have to know is Julie Pie pronounced Julie P, like how her name is pronounced or the actual word pie like the dessert? I saw the movie so long ago, but do not remember any mention of Sue Ann. What did Tootie say about her?

Blair says something about how she can't run anymore, and then Tootie says something to the effect that Blair never could run, and that "Sue Ann was the runner". Now, I wish she had said "Sue Ann and Cindy were the runners", as it would be more accurate an inclusive, and would have doubled the number of Lost Girls mentioned in the movie, but I liked that line, anyway. Nice nod to one of the LGs.

(I also absolutely adored the fact that the producers rebuilt the Eastland Cafeteria (well, the second one) for just a five-minute scene, just to show how much they knew Eastland mattered to the fans. They didn't have to do that... but they did.)

:lol: If there were we could be study buddies!

Haha! But you're not going to wear Nat's hat, are you?


haha, I forgot that---what did she say?

It sounds to me like she says "Julie McWhirter (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julie_McWhirter)".

But you can judge for yourself (https://interviews.televisionacademy.com/interviews/charlotte-rae).

Blair says something about how she can't run anymore, and then Tootie says something to the effect that Blair never could run, and that "Sue Ann was the runner". Now, I wish she had said "Sue Ann and Cindy were the runners", as it would be more accurate an inclusive, and would have doubled the number of Lost Girls mentioned in the movie, but I liked that line, anyway. Nice nod to one of the LGs.

(I also absolutely adored the fact that the producers rebuilt the Eastland Cafeteria (well, the second one) for just a five-minute scene, just to show how much they knew Eastland mattered to the fans. They didn't have to do that... but they did.)

That's awesome! Yeah that sucks that they didn't mention Cindy, but if any lost girl deserved to be mentioned it was Sue Ann. Would've been even better if she were in the movie since Jo wasn't.

That's awesome! Yeah that sucks that they didn't mention Cindy, but if any lost girl deserved to be mentioned it was Sue Ann. Would've been even better if she were in the movie since Jo wasn't.

Oh, I think that would have ticked off the McKeon Army that was so active in the early 2000s.

I, personally, would have loved it.

Now, I wish she had said "Sue Ann and Cindy were the runners", as it would be more accurate an inclusive, and would have doubled the number of Lost Girls mentioned in the movie, but I liked that line, anyway.

Oh no no noooo...I'm glad they did not write Cindy into that line. Yes, she is my favorite Lost Girl, indeed my favorite season 1 girl, but she was not a runner. She was into team sports; Sue Ann was "the one that got [her] into running", presumably for maybe just a week or two. She tried it, but she was more oriented for team sports.

Unless, which I know you will point out, because I know the character of RetroGuy2000 ;) , "Cindy wore a track suit in the cafeteria years." I will agree on that point then that it's possible then Cindy did take up running more, but, to my recollection, she only wore that track suit in one scene, in ":gossip" ("Gossip", haha). So, what if she hadn't been running since "Running", and just wore it as a casual outfit? What if all her clothes were in the laundry, and it was Sue Ann's track outfit she was wearing? (after all, they are roommates and best friends) There are several possibilities.

Now, if they had had Tootie say, "Cindy and Sue Ann were the athletes", I would've been on board with that! :rockon:

Haha! But you're not going to wear Nat's hat, are you?

Are you kiddin'? A bolt short? I ain't workin' at no half-wattage, baby! :lol:

But you can judge for yourself.

Wait a minute, lemme get my Molly Parker book on body language so I can look at people with their arms crossed and tell them they have their "arms folded...kind of like a judge".

"Hear ye, hear ye!" :bash:

Oh, I think that would have ticked off the McKeon Army that was so active in the early 2000s.


Hahaha! It was crazy around here! The McKeon muskets were going left and right! (psst, Christopher might read this though, so make sure you say "a few years ago!" :D )

The army doesn't like Sue Ann?

The army doesn't like Sue Ann?

The army was totally "pro-Jo".

Oh no no noooo...I'm glad they did not write Cindy into that line. Yes, she is my favorite Lost Girl, indeed my favorite season 1 girl, but she was not a runner. She was into team sports; Sue Ann was "the one that got [her] into running", presumably for maybe just a week or two. She tried it, but she was more oriented for team sports.

Unless, which I know you will point out, because I know the character of RetroGuy2000 ;) , "Cindy wore a track suit in the cafeteria years." I will agree on that point then that it's possible then Cindy did take up running more, but, to my recollection, she only wore that track suit in one scene, in ":gossip" ("Gossip", haha). So, what if she hadn't been running since "Running", and just wore it as a casual outfit? What if all her clothes were in the laundry, and it was Sue Ann's track outfit she was wearing? (after all, they are roommates and best friends) There are several possibilities.


Now I know you like to play devil's advocate, '80s, but doesn't that seem like a stretch even for you? Cindy was wearing Sue Ann's track suit because she was low on laundry? :lol:

Julie Pie was visibly taller than Julie Anne, by a matter of inches. Sue Ann's track suit would not have fit Cindy very well. And wearing someone else's track suit seems odd: much like wearing a letterman's jacket when you are not a letterman, or wearing a school uniform when you are not enrolled in that school. Might as well make up a story about how some Eastland student wasn't actually an Eastland student, even though we saw her in an Eastland uniform. Laundry day!

You've had many great theories over the years, '80s, but this one seems quite silly.

Moreover, we know the track suit was intended for Cindy, not Sue Ann, because it had Cindy's name written on an internal label (it was later sold at auction).

Even if Cindy had been "more oriented for team sports", there are plenty of running events which are team events, including relay races.

No, Cindy clearly had caught the Running bug, and had obviously joined Eastland's track team.

Hahaha! It was crazy around here! The McKeon muskets were going left and right! (psst, Christopher might read this though, so make sure you say "a few years ago!" :D )

:lol: I guess I could say "...the early 2000s, a few years ago." :lol:

Now I know you like to play devil's advocate, '80s, but doesn't that seem like a stretch even for you? Cindy was wearing Sue Ann's track suit because she was low on laundry? :lol:

I didn't say it was my personal theory that I believe, or like to believe, I was just thinking up any kinds of possibilities (and regarding their heights, I noticed Sue Ann has heels on in those cafeteria scenes).


No, Cindy clearly had caught the Running bug, and had obviously joined Eastland's track team.

If you want to interpret it that way, and I know you do. ;) It is a definite possibility, just not actually stated.

Maybe she was an alternate filling in for someone for one last running gig before going back to her team sports? (see? fans can theorize anything :lol: )

And Cindy was a Yankees fan too. Makes sense since they're in NY.

-

--

LMAO!

:D

Bwahahahaha!

I forgot to mention that Kim mentions the fact that Felice had been up for the part of Kimberly in Diff'rent Strokes.

AND that Kim confirms they had heard there would be casting changes during the summer of 1980, including getting rid of some of the girls. She says she assumed she would be let go. (As if that would have ever happened).

I forgot to mention that Kim mentions the fact that Felice had been up for the part of Kimberly in Diff'rent Strokes.

AND that Kim confirms they had heard there would be casting changes during the summer of 1980, including getting rid of some of the girls. She says she assumed she would be let go. (As if that would have ever happened).

Cool! Glad she included that fact about Felice. Yeah, obviously Tootie and Blair were gonna stay. Third most likely I would've guessed was Sue Ann but....

Cool! Glad she included that fact about Felice. Yeah, obviously Tootie and Blair were gonna stay. Third most likely I would've guessed was Sue Ann but....

I know, right? :lol:

in Diff'rent Strokes.

Oh, you're in "that" camp, lol. ;) I'm a member of the camp that you're in the movies, but you're on television (so I guess we won't be sharing a cabin, lol).


AND that Kim confirms they had heard there would be casting changes during the summer of 1980, including getting rid of some of the girls. She says she assumed she would be let go. (As if that would have ever happened).

Yup, she's said something to that effect in one of the documentaries, based on her race. I'm glad more girls ("women") are stating this; so Lisa and Mindy, quit acting like it was such a big surprise at the season 2 table read! :lol:

Yeah, obviously Tootie and Blair were gonna stay. Third most likely I would've guessed was Sue Ann but....

Right?? I think anyone would have guessed that since she was one of the few front-burner girls that season. That was like a lesser pre-cursor to the whole Valerie debacle! :lol:

Cool! Glad she included that fact about Felice. Yeah, obviously Tootie and Blair were gonna stay. Third most likely I would've guessed was Sue Ann but....

I understand why Kim felt that she wasn't going to make it. Back in 1979-1980 there wasn't any successful minority little girls on tv like the Tootie character. Most of the baby cute characters were WHITE.

I understand why Kim felt that she wasn't going to make it. Back in 1979-1980 there wasn't any successful minority little girls on tv like the Tootie character. Most of the baby cute characters were WHITE.

But is that ("weren't any successful minority little girls") entirely true? Good Times, another Tandem Production, had Janet Jackson, a young black girl. Many of the Lear sitcoms starred or featured African-American actors. Tandem had made a name for itself with its progressive storylines and often inclusive casts.

Tootie was a genuine hit, thanks to clever writing and casting, and impeccable timing on Kim's part. NBC would have to be crazy to get rid of the funniest part of the show.

Tootie was a genuine hit, thanks to clever writing and casting, and impeccable timing on Kim's part. NBC would have to be crazy to get rid of the funniest part of the show.

Which makes it all the more astounding that they barely ever used her catchphrase! Why bother to think up one if you're only going to use it two or three times?

Oh wait, I know. Warren Littlefield. He thought there were already too many catchphrases on the show. You know, "there were 5, 6 catchphrases". ;)

Oh, you're in "that" camp, lol. ;) I'm a member of the camp that you're in the movies, but you're on television (so I guess we won't be sharing a cabin, lol).

I use them pretty interchangeably, which might be a regional linguistic variation.

When I worked for Disney, I had some co-workers from Alabama and Mississippi, and instead of saying they would have a picture taken, they kept saying they would have a picture made. That shocked me to my core. I had never heard that.

Well, if you won't have me in your cabin, maybe I can bunk with Lorimar.... *sniff* I'll bring S'mores.


Yup, she's said something to that effect in one of the documentaries, based on her race. I'm glad more girls ("women") are stating this; so Lisa and Mindy, quit acting like it was such a big surprise at the season 2 table read! :lol:

I think Lisa must just have mis-remembered events. The Cast Purge of '80 didn't affect her, so she's forgotten many of the details: she says no one knew that they were making casting changes, but Kim remembers, because Kim was worried. And the Lost Girls remembered because they obviously eventually were told.

It must have felt so very odd for Kim at the studio school, going from having five cast-mates at the school, to just one cast-mate there.


Right?? I think anyone would have guessed that since she was one of the few front-burner girls that season. That was like a lesser pre-cursor to the whole Valerie debacle! :lol:

Well, at least they didn't kill off Sue Ann in a horrific accident! :lol: Talk about a sitcom downer!

But yeah, cutting Sue Ann, who was a major lead, seems like a major twist, especially after the closing scene of Season One.

Which makes it all the more astounding that they barely ever used her catchphrase! Why bother to think up one if you're only going to use it two or three times?

Oh wait, I know. Warren Littlefield. He thought there were already too many catchphrases on the show. You know, "there were 5, 6 catchphrases". ;)

:lol:

I actually suspect it was Margie. She thought everything was racist. Even having Kim on rollerskates was racist, according to her.

When I worked for Disney

Whoa! I love Disney! Ever since I was a little boy I have passionately studied the works of Walt Disney and Jim Henson. :)


I had some co-workers from Alabama and Mississippi, and instead of saying they would have a picture taken, they kept saying they would have a picture made. That shocked me to my core. I had never heard that.

haha, that's funny...I bet they also used "buggies" when they went grocery shopping! lol


Well, if you won't have me in your cabin, maybe I can bunk with Lorimar.... *sniff* I'll bring S'mores.

Oh, no! Don't get me wrong, I'm not refusing too---I'm not excluding you on purpose like "The Group" does! (not to you, but to poor Nancy) I am fine with you as a cabin mate, I was just saying obviously we say our media terms differently, lol (hey, if you, Lorimar and I share a cabin, it'll be almost like the four girls sharing a room over the cafeteria, lol).


I think Lisa must just have mis-remembered events. The Cast Purge of '80 didn't affect her, so she's forgotten many of the details: she says no one knew that they were making casting changes, but Kim remembers, because Kim was worried. And the Lost Girls remembered because they obviously eventually were told.

Yeah. And that's not uncommon. I have caught Vicki Lawrence mis-remembering some things in interviews before (MF is my favorite sitcom of all time).


Well, at least they didn't kill off Sue Ann in a horrific accident! :lol: Talk about a sitcom downer!

Yup, I know, I was there! (watching Valerie in its original run, I mean---you probably were too, if you even saw something called Enos which hardly anyone else did, lol)


But yeah, cutting Sue Ann, who was a major lead, seems like a major twist, especially after the closing scene of Season One.

NO ONE was safe from "the purge"!

(well, besides Blair, Tootie, and Natalie. LOL)

I bet they also used "buggies" when they went grocery shopping! lol

Yes. And there were other strange terms, too.


Oh, no! Don't get me wrong, I'm not refusing too---I'm not excluding you on purpose like "The Group" does! (not to you, but to poor Nancy) I am fine with you as a cabin mate, I was just saying obviously we say our media terms differently, lol (hey, if you, Lorimar and I share a cabin, it'll be almost like the four girls sharing a room over the cafeteria, lol).

Where is the "s'mores cheers" emoji?


Yup, I know, I was there! (watching Valerie in its original run, I mean---you probably were too, if you even saw something called Enos which hardly anyone else did, lol)

Yeah, I was there. The show's opening titles kept changing, and then Valerie Hogan was dead, and Sandy Duncan was suddenly on TV again, and the TV news magazines were in full-on gossip mode, and...


NO ONE was safe from "the purge"!

(well, besides Blair, Tootie, and Natalie. LOL)

Haha! And Mrs. G, of course.

haha, "s'more cheers" emoji---I agree!

NO ONE was safe from "the purge"!

(well, besides Blair, Tootie, and Natalie. LOL)

Haha! And Mrs. G, of course.

Say, that would have made a GREAT promo for season 2: show a season 1 cast photo, with the theme song playing under Charlotte's voice: "Hi gang! School's back in session, and that goes for Eastland, too! We're back for another season on The Facts of Life, but there are some changes this semester: we've gone from 7 girls---to 4! Which of my girls are gone? Tune in November 19th to see if your favorite made the cut---or not!"

Say, that would have made a GREAT promo for season 2: show a season 1 cast photo, with the theme song playing under Charlotte's voice: "Hi gang! School's back in session, and that goes for Eastland, too! We're back for another season on The Facts of Life, but there are some changes this semester: we've gone from 7 girls---to 4! Which of my girls are gone? Tune in November 19th to see if your favorite made the cut---or not!"

The beginning of Season 2 was so rushed that I suspect they had very little time for proper promotion, but that would indeed have been a great way to promote the new season.

Right?? I think anyone would have guessed that since she was one of the few front-burner girls that season. That was like a lesser pre-cursor to the whole Valerie debacle! :lol:
Haha yeah. Atleast Sue Ann still appeared and wasn't killed off though...

I use them pretty interchangeably, which might be a regional linguistic variation.

When I worked for Disney, I had some co-workers from Alabama and Mississippi, and instead of saying they would have a picture taken, they kept saying they would have a picture made. That shocked me to my core. I had never heard that.

Well, if you won't have me in your cabin, maybe I can bunk with Lorimar.... *sniff* I'll bring S'mores.


You worked for Disney? OMG awesome! At the parks? I've never heard the term picture made either so I would be just as shocked.

Yeah, I was there. The show's opening titles kept changing, and then Valerie Hogan was dead, and Sandy Duncan was suddenly on TV again, and the TV news magazines were in full-on gossip mode, and...



I'm a bit younger than you guys, I got my first fill of FOL on nick at nite and didn't watch Valerie til episodes were online. I did watch Kevin Can Wait this last year which had a similar death.

I've never heard the term picture made either so I would be just as shocked.

lol, well I've got southern roots, so I may have heard that. It doesn't shock me, so I probably have heard it said somewhere, lol, even if perhaps just in an old movie or TV show.


I'm a bit younger than you guys, I got my first fill of FOL on nick at nite and didn't watch Valerie til episodes were online.

Aww, you're "the Tootie"! :lol:

N@N was your first "Facts" fill? Oh my...just a babe! lol (like "baby", not, like, "hot babe", haha) Well, several first years of "Facts" had passed before I came to know the show; what's funny to think about is that, when I was discovering DS and FOL on television, it was in syndicated daytime reruns in the early years, while, unknown to me, their current "later" seasons were airing at the same time weekly at night! :lol:

:crazy:

You worked for Disney? OMG awesome! At the parks?

Yes, I worked at Disney Feature Animation in Florida (the facility was mostly shut down by Eisner, but we still did the websites) and at Disney Photo Imaging, in three of the four parks.


I'm a bit younger than you guys, I got my first fill of FOL on nick at nite and didn't watch Valerie til episodes were online.

Wow! I cannot imagine watching Valerie online.


I did watch Kevin Can Wait this last year which had a similar death.

The death of Donna Gable on Kevin Can Wait was the most ridiculous and unnecessary character deaths I have ever seen. Just because they wanted Leah Remini on the show? And why did Kevin act like he couldn't care less that his wife had just died? It was... creepy. As if he killed her. I felt weird watching it. And they just kept making it worse when they'd joke about her death. I had to stop watching.

The death of Donna Gable on Kevin Can Wait was the most ridiculous and unnecessary character death I have ever seen.[/SIZE]

For me it was Frankie Frame on Another World. :(

For me it was Frankie Frame on Another World. :(

Oh, I wasn't even thinking of soap operas. Yes, I'm sure. Those shows often had some ridiculous deaths... and un-deaths.

Oh, I wasn't even thinking of soap operas. Yes, I'm sure. Those shows often had some ridiculous deaths... and un-deaths.

Well in Frankie's case, the actress was fired from the show to allow budget for a male actor to come onto the show as a new character, and when fans got wind of it, it hit the fan. One particular writer cruelly made Frankie's death a prolonged, violent, and pointless one. Alice Barrett did a fantastic job with the hour-long end of her character, but the way she was written out was disgusting and heart-wrenching.

Well in Frankie's case, the actress was fired from the show to allow budget for a male actor to come onto the show as a new character, and when fans got wind of it, it hit the fan. One particular writer cruelly made Frankie's death a prolonged, violent, and pointless one. Alice Barrett did a fantastic job with the hour-long end of her character, but the way she was written out was disgusting and heart-wrenching.
That does sound very bad. :/

That does sound very bad. :/

Yup, soap media was all over it, crucifying the decision on killing such a fan-favorite character in such a terrible way.

Yes, I worked at Disney Feature Animation in Florida (the facility was mostly shut down by Eisner, but we still did the websites) and at Disney Photo Imaging, in three of the four parks.



Wow! I cannot imagine watching Valerie online.



The death of Donna Gable on Kevin Can Wait was the most ridiculous and unnecessary character deaths I have ever seen. Just because they wanted Leah Remini on the show? And why did Kevin act like he couldn't care less that his wife had just died? It was... creepy. As if he killed her. I felt weird watching it. And they just kept making it worse when they'd joke about her death. I had to stop watching.


[/SIZE]
Oh very cool! Yeah it was so disrespectful. They easily could have had Donna on the show still, I was so saddened they decided to kill her off. I still watched, there were a few good eps and a few respectful Donna tributes. Like Sara trying to make cornbread for Thanksgiving like Donna had taught her.

Wow! I cannot imagine watching Valerie online.


I've been doing this a lot lately because it's the only access I have to the series.

I've been doing this a lot lately because it's the only access I have to the series.
Where are you watching it, DJM?

Oh very cool! Yeah it was so disrespectful. They easily could have had Donna on the show still, I was so saddened they decided to kill her off. I still watched, there were a few good eps and a few respectful Donna tributes. Like Sara trying to make cornbread for Thanksgiving like Donna had taught her.

I couldn't watch. It was like killing Judy Winslow: they take a character they don't like, and kill her off. The writing was so lazy that we never even find out what Donna died of. :(

Where are you watching it, DJM?

https://www.dailymotion.com/search/hogan%20family

Oh, I do love my DailyMotion!

Enjoy! :)

I couldn't watch. It was like killing Judy Winslow: they take a character they don't like, and kill her off. The writing was so lazy that we never even find out what Donna died of. :(

I mean Donna was relevant the whole season and appeared in every episode. Maybe if Judy disappeared after season 1 instead of 4 it would be a lot more noticeable and shocking since the season 1 finale had her and Laura have such a big part rapping in Eddie's video in the very end of the episode, besides other scenes she had.

Check it out!

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bmgot5xHijG/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Kim's Aunt Pat wrote, "Love you Julie❤️" on Julie's Instagram!

Awww how sweet!!!!

Awww how sweet!!!!

I know, right? It's adorable! 40 years later, and Julie's still getting love from Aunt Pat! :lol:

That's great! Thanks. I have to know is Julie Pie pronounced Julie P, like how her name is pronounced or the actual word pie like the dessert? I saw the movie so long ago, but do not remember any mention of Sue Ann. What did Tootie say about her?

I think Julie Pie came before Facts of Life. I've seen some of her long time friend call her just "Pie" on social media.