While channel surfing I came across the Decades marathon and haven't seen these later episodes since they originally aired (33 years ago, makes me feel so old!) and looking at the store background set of "Over Our Heads", it's all plastic tacky junk that nobody in their right mind would ever buy, even in the mid 80's. Makes me wonder why on earth they would replace a gourmet store with....this? I'm also trying to recall if I found it "cool" when I originally watched it as a teen....I shudder to think that I possibly did lol.

I see a couple of life size ducks and what looks like a balloon cactus in the background. Who the hell shops for things like that?! I'm immensely enjoying this trip down memory lane, but sure missing the Edna's Edibles set. It seems I tuned in too late to see those episodes. :(

I agree that Over Our Heads was a crappy concept, I think the store would work if it was in New York City, but little ol' Peekskill? Hell no. There's no way that this shop was going to last, and I felt it was a last ditch effort to keep the show relevant and keep the girls together. It also felt like the writers purposely burned Edna's Edibles down because they were running out of ideas as far as plots they could have for Edna's Edibles, and were desperate to keep the show relevant and dramatic.

However, I'm not sure a rebuild of Edna's Edibles would work though, as Charlotte Rae was intent on leaving a season later after the shop burned down. Would they have to rename it to Peekskill's Edibles, if they rebuilt? Probably. Would Mrs. Garrett have stayed on the show if she was given her own shop for the next few seasons? Probably not, because Charlotte Rae felt she was not needed anymore, and knew that she could trust the girls to keep the shop running.

They should've started another business like a restaurant, which I think would have worked better and would have been interesting, although I'm not sure how good the waitressing would be judging based on the Fast Food episode, or Jo could start that pizza business again, who knows.

I guess you're right and Edna's Edibles had to go when Charlotte Rae gave her notice to leave the show. This is why i'm not a fan of main stars exiting series while they're still successful in their run. They should stay put for the entire run or don't sign up to begin with.

I remember when Cloris Leachman came on in 1986 and I despised her lol. She was no replacement for Mrs. Garratt and I hated that spiky hair of hers too. I still tuned in every Saturday night, but without Mrs. Garrett, it just wasn't the same.

By the final season, I tuned out completely and maybe caught an episode here and there while getting ready to go out (by then I was 17 and cared more about going out on Saturday nights than staying home for tv.)

So yeah, perhaps the gourmet shop had to go without Mrs. Garrett, but with it went a special essence of the series too. The kitsch shop was just a terrible replacement and really dates the series now. I think a bookstore probably would have been better. Or even a college bookstore which would have given plots with the girls' classmates coming in and out.

After Edna's Edibles burned down, they should have just rebuild the house and got rid of the store. Over Our Heads was never an element to the episode storylines like Edna's Edibles was. It was just a background setting. The store began fading out midway into season 6. They should have rebuild the store into an additional bedroom for two of the girls or an outside patio.

I agree. Still weird how they had them all move in together. They should’ve had them all stay at Eastland and have Blair and Jo volunteering there or something

I agree. Still weird how they had them all move in together. They should’ve had them all stay at Eastland and have Blair and Jo volunteering there or something

I remember thinking the same thing when it originally aired. That the school, which appeared to be pretty strict with it's rules never said anything about the girls just moving away from campus to live with Mrs. Garrett. Nor did any of their parents seem to care about it. (Then again none of their parents seemed to care about the girls since they dumped them off at Eastland in the first place, but that's a whole other post.)

Today, if a school cook moved in with 4 underage students you can be sure there'd be an investigation. But the changes did manage to keep the show fresh and therefore a long life.

That the school, which appeared to be pretty strict with it's rules never said anything about the girls just moving away from campus to live with Mrs. Garrett. Nor did any of their parents seem to care about it.

No, Mrs. Garrett does say something about having to clear it with Mr. Parker and the girls' parents. But of course, all of the parents on the show loved Mrs. Garrett (with perhaps the exception of Mr. Ramsey, though I like to think he came around), and they knew what a wonderful guardian and disciplinarian Mrs. Garrett was for their girls, and they would be learning more responsibility running a store with Mrs. Garrett, so who wouldn't support that?


(Then again none of their parents seemed to care about the girls since they dumped them off at Eastland in the first place, but that's a whole other post.)

Wow, I don't agree with that at all. This was a private boarding school that was tops in education.

No, Mrs. Garrett does say something about having to clear it with Mr. Parker and the girls' parents. But of course, all of the parents on the show loved Mrs. Garrett (with perhaps the exception of Mr. Ramsey, though I like to think he came around), and they knew what a wonderful guardian and disciplinarian Mrs. Garrett was for their girls, and they would be learning more responsibility running a store with Mrs. Garrett, so who wouldn't support that?



Wow, I don't agree with that at all. This was a private boarding school that was tops in education.

I admit it's been years....actually decades since I watched this series. Yesterday's marathon was the first time I viewed those episodes since the 80's so my memory is definitely foggy on the details. I really want to buy the series now to go through all episodes, but at $100, it's gonna have to wait a while. :(


When I think of boarding school I automatically think a place where parents send kids for punishment or to get rid of them. I think it stems from seeing Mommie Dearest as a kid when evil mother Joan Crawford sent Christina to boarding school to punish her. So I always associate boarding school as punishment lol.

I admit it's been years....actually decades since I watched this series. Yesterday's marathon was the first time I viewed those episodes since the 80's so my memory is definitely foggy on the details. I really want to buy the series now to go through all episodes, but at $100, it's gonna have to wait a while. :(

Well in the meantime, there's DailyMotion. I think all of the episodes are up there. :) Or you could start buying season set DVDs one at a time, if you wanted.


When I think of boarding school I automatically think a place where parents send kids for punishment or to get rid of them. I think it stems from seeing Mommie Dearest as a kid when evil mother Joan Crawford sent Christina to boarding school to punish her. So I always associate boarding school as punishment lol.

:lol: Well no wonder! When I think of boarding school, I usually think of a prospective wicked stepmother, where the dad's kids overhear her manipulating him with flirtation while bringing up the idea of boarding school for his kids, haha ("The Parent Trap", "Free Spirit" TV show, etc.).

Well in the meantime, there's DailyMotion. I think all of the episodes are up there. :) Or you could start buying season set DVDs one at a time, if you wanted.




:lol: Well no wonder! When I think of boarding school, I usually think of a prospective wicked stepmother, where the dad's kids overhear her manipulating him with flirtation while bringing up the idea of boarding school for his kids, haha ("The Parent Trap", "Free Spirit" TV show, etc.).

I think that's what i'm going to do. Just pick up a season at a time till I have them all. You can get some complete series for 20 bucks brand new but then there's some like FOL that's 100. I don't get it. I guess FOL is pretty popular.

I did catch Tootie's Graduation during the marathon yesterday and was surprised to learn that was Kim Field's real life Mom playing Tootie's mother. Back then, I had absolutely no idea that's who she was.
I know her from seeing her on Good Times as Penny's Mom when it played on Antenna TV and l looked her up and learned only a few years ago who she was.

Yup! Chip Fields first appears as Tootie's mom in a season 5 Edna's Edibles era episode, and, as an inside treat, she appeared in the "Facts of Life Goes to Paris", but not as Tootie's mom!

(and that's what I did, I bought each FOL set one at a time. I was gonna stop at 6, then I was like, well, okay, I'll get 7 and 8, then I was like, well dang it, I might as well finish it up and get 9! :lol: )

Yup! Chip Fields first appears as Tootie's mom in a season 5 Edna's Edibles era episode, and, as an inside treat, she appeared in the "Facts of Life Goes to Paris", but not as Tootie's mom!

(and that's what I did, I bought each FOL set one at a time. I was gonna stop at 6, then I was like, well, okay, I'll get 7 and 8, then I was like, well dang it, I might as well finish it up and get 9! :lol: )

Speaking of "Facts of Life Goes to Paris", I see it's available on the season 4 dvd as a bonus, but the "Down Under" movie is only on the complete series set. Bummer if I buy the separate seasons, but I see they're all uploaded to You Tube anyway so I guess it doesn't matter.

I admit it's been years....actually decades since I watched this series. Yesterday's marathon was the first time I viewed those episodes since the 80's so my memory is definitely foggy on the details. I really want to buy the series now to go through all episodes, but at $100, it's gonna have to wait a while. :(

Amazon has copies of the individual seasons for as little as $8.00. Here's a combo pack of Seasons 1 and 2. (https://www.amazon.com/Facts-Life-Seasons-1-2/dp/B00IJZW4KW/).


When I think of boarding school I automatically think a place where parents send kids for punishment or to get rid of them. I think it stems from seeing Mommie Dearest as a kid when evil mother Joan Crawford sent Christina to boarding school to punish her. So I always associate boarding school as punishment lol.

Christina Crawford's experiences at boarding school, and her cruel mother Joan Crawford, definitely don't seem similar to most of the girls' experiences. Well... maybe Blair and Prototype Monica. :schmack:

I agree. Still weird how they had them all move in together. They should’ve had them all stay at Eastland and have Blair and Jo volunteering there or something

That would have been better than the shop, as I prefer Eastland over Edna's Edibles.

That would have been better than the shop, as I prefer Eastland over Edna's Edibles.
True, but, that would have stunted Mrs. Garrett's character growth and life arc. So as much as I miss Eastland---and that is a LOT, I am grateful to see her go into business for herself as Edna's Edibles and find some success on her own as her own woman.

True, but, that would have stunted Mrs. Garrett's character growth and life arc. So as much as I miss Eastland---and that is a LOT, I am grateful to see her go into business for herself as Edna's Edibles and find some success on her own as her own woman.

Nah, she could still have gone into business for herself in Season Seven. And maybe the reason we don't see her very much is because she's off doing catering gigs. See? Character development, and we avoid the OOH fiasco entirely! :lol:

Nah, she could still have gone into business for herself in Season Seven. And maybe the reason we don't see her very much is because she's off doing catering gigs. See? Character development, and we avoid the OOH fiasco entirely! :lol:

But why would the girls be at Eastland after s7 when they all graduated?

Amazon has copies of the individual seasons for as little as $8.00. Here's a combo pack of Seasons 1 and 2. (https://www.amazon.com/Facts-Life-Seasons-1-2/dp/B00IJZW4KW/).



Christina Crawford's experiences at boarding school, and her cruel mother Joan Crawford, definitely don't seem similar to most of the girls' experiences. Well... maybe Blair and Prototype Monica. :schmack:

Thanks for the link. After I looked there, I went over to Ebay to compare and snagged a brand new copy for just $6.48 incl. shipping!

Though the other seasons seem to vary wildly in pricing at Amazon. Some are $19.99 like seasons 3, 5, 6 & 9 while the 8th season is just $13.29, 7th season is $13.94 and the 4th season is a bargain priced $7.67 all brand new. I don't get that. It's wacky.

I think a restaurant idea could of worked simply because it would of taken a staff to run it and that would of given a good reason for the girls and Mrs. Garrett to stay together.

I also agree that Over Our Heads sold some really stupid/weird products.

Personally I like this dvd set much better. The cover art should tell you why. ;) https://www.amazon.com/Facts-Life-Season-Charlotte-Rae/dp/B00H8P6SX8

However that backcover... ugh use the right lyrics! Plus poor Nancy got Nancied AGAIN!!!

I would have kept Edna’s Edibles around for another season. Then, after Tootie’s graduation (and Mrs. Garrett’s departure), I would have moved the storyline ahead a year or two and moved the setting to New York City. The girls are sharing an apartment, with Blair in grad school, Tootie an undergrad, Jo in her first job, and Natalie pursuing her writing.

That would have been a much less convoluted setup than living behind Over Our Heads with Mrs. Garrett’s sister, her foster son, and that ridiculous Pimppa.

Thanks for the link. After I looked there, I went over to Ebay to compare and snagged a brand new copy for just $6.48 incl. shipping!

Oo, sweet, cfr! :D You're gonna be all like: popcorn: :so


Though the other seasons seem to vary wildly in pricing at Amazon. Some are $19.99 like seasons 3, 5, 6 & 9 while the 8th season is just $13.29, 7th season is $13.94 and the 4th season is a bargain priced $7.67 all brand new. I don't get that. It's wacky.

Interesting...I would say go on and GRAB that season 4! It's the last of the classic cafeteria years, and that is a STEAL at less than 8 bucks!!

Heenan, a restaurant sounds fun too! Maybe a hotel with a restaurant, like "The Golden Palace", only much better, lol.


Plus poor Nancy got Nancied AGAIN!!!

Well, they don't call her "Nancy" for nothin'! :lol:

And TV Guy, that does sound like a really nice setup!

Personally I like this dvd set much better. The cover art should tell you why. ;) https://www.amazon.com/Facts-Life-Season-Charlotte-Rae/dp/B00H8P6SX8 (https://www.amazon.com/Facts-Life-Season-Charlotte-Rae/dp/B00H8P6SX8)
Oh, I agree, but I was trying to give CFR the best deal.


However that backcover... ugh use the right lyrics!

Only uber-fans are going to notice the lyrics used on the back cover of the Season One DVD aren't actually used during Season One. In fact, I'll defend this as a way of easing the transition between Seasons One and Two: by providing artwork which harkens to Season Two, the DVD artist has provided an interesting transition which makes the change to season two just slightly less jarring.


Plus poor Nancy got Nancied AGAIN!!!

:lol: Haha! Good point. That she did.

Someone in charge of that show clearly hated Felice. With a passion.

Thanks for the link. After I looked there, I went over to Ebay to compare and snagged a brand new copy for just $6.48 incl. shipping!

Wow, good deal!


Though the other seasons seem to vary wildly in pricing at Amazon. Some are $19.99 like seasons 3, 5, 6 & 9 while the 8th season is just $13.29, 7th season is $13.94 and the 4th season is a bargain priced $7.67 all brand new. I don't get that. It's wacky.

It is, but I suppose it's supply and demand at work. I suspect the DVDs were made in varying amounts, which could account for their varying prices.

I would have kept Edna’s Edibles around for another season. Then, after Tootie’s graduation (and Mrs. Garrett’s departure), I would have moved the storyline ahead a year or two and moved the setting to New York City. The girls are sharing an apartment, with Blair in grad school, Tootie an undergrad, Jo in her first job, and Natalie pursuing her writing.

That would have been a much less convoluted setup than living behind Over Our Heads with Mrs. Garrett’s sister, her foster son, and that ridiculous Pimppa.

Your scenario would certainly have been better than what the producers decided on: keep those girls together in Peekskill with a wacky mother figure, as many years as you can! :lol:

I also agree that Over Our Heads sold some really stupid/weird products.

I think that's something on which we can all agree! :lol::lol::lol::lol:

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Oh, I agree, but I was trying to give CFR the best deal.



Only uber-fans are going to notice the lyrics used on the back cover of the Season One DVD aren't actually used during Season One. In fact, I'll defend this as a way of easing the transition between Seasons One and Two: by providing artwork which harkens to Season Two, the DVD artist has provided an interesting transition which makes the change to season two just slightly less jarring.



:lol: Haha! Good point. That she did.

Someone in charge of that show clearly hated Felice. With a passion.

LOL I guess when you put it that way

Well she as in the original photo. The DVD company cut her out.

Well she as in the original photo. The DVD company cut her out.

OMG they did! HAHAHAHAHA! :rofl:

That is "hilarious"! I use quotes because to poor Nancy/Felice fans it's not, but with the history of Nancy getting "Nancied", the fact that they purposely cut her and ONLY her off of that photo, OMG, lol...wow! FORTY YEARS LATER and Nancy is STILL getting "Nancied"! :lol:

I would have kept Edna’s Edibles around for another season. Then, after Tootie’s graduation (and Mrs. Garrett’s departure), I would have moved the storyline ahead a year or two and moved the setting to New York City. The girls are sharing an apartment, with Blair in grad school, Tootie an undergrad, Jo in her first job, and Natalie pursuing her writing.

That would have been a much less convoluted setup than living behind Over Our Heads with Mrs. Garrett’s sister, her foster son, and that ridiculous Pimppa.

I would have loved to see the show go in that direction too. Sort of like how Glee split between NYC and the school back in Ohio in later seasons, with them following them in college. I wasn't a huge fan of the add-on characters in season 8 & 9 of FOL, they were annoying and un-needed, and it just didn't make sense to me.

OMG they did! HAHAHAHAHA! :rofl:

That is "hilarious"! I use quotes because to poor Nancy/Felice fans it's not, but with the history of Nancy getting "Nancied", the fact that they purposely cut her and ONLY her off of that photo, OMG, lol...wow! FORTY YEARS LATER and Nancy is STILL getting "Nancied"! :lol:

Seriously! I’m surprised all her scenes aren’t edited out in syndication at this point :lol:

Seriously! I’m surprised all her scenes aren’t edited out in syndication at this point :lol:

Ahhhhhh,hahahahahaha! :rofl:

Well, they edited out her anxiety-packing scene from "Overachieving" from the season 1&2 boxed set release---she must have stormed up to the Supreme Court to get it instilled back in for the complete series release! :lol:

Better grab all the uncut "Facts" ya can Lorsie, before Nancy is "Nancied" right out of existence! :lol:

Ahhhhhh,hahahahahaha! :rofl:

Well, they edited out her anxiety-packing scene from "Overachieving" from the season 1&2 boxed set release---she must have stormed up to the Supreme Court to get it instilled back in for the complete series release! :lol:

Better grab all the uncut "Facts" ya can Lorsie, before Nancy is "Nancied" right out of existence! :lol:

They did? I have no idea which version I saw online, is there a clip with the scene anywhere?

They did? I have no idea which version I saw online, is there a clip with the scene anywhere?

HURRY Lorsie! Watch it while you can, while Nancy is still with us!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo4UhEW2EO8&feature=youtu.be

Technically it's not a scene, it's just the first part of a scene where the rest of the scene is noticeably longer. But, it's fascinating in that it was "missing footage" for years!

HURRY Lorsie! Watch it while you can, while Nancy is still with us!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo4UhEW2EO8&feature=youtu.be

Technically it's not a scene, it's just the first part of a scene where the rest of the scene is noticeably longer. But, it's fascinating in that it was "missing footage" for years!

Wow great find! I don’t think I saw it

This will probably seem like a dumb question to the hardcore fans, but what does "Nancy getting Nancied" mean?! I'm lost here trying to follow lol.

I haven't watched the show in 3 decades and just rediscovering it again now so i'm admittedly ignorant of a lot of stuff regarding the show. The video in the post above gave me a clue....was Nancy someone no one liked from the early season?

This will probably seem like a dumb question to the hardcore fans, but what does "Nancy getting Nancied" mean?! I'm lost here trying to follow lol.

I haven't watched the show in 3 decades and just rediscovering it again now so i'm admittedly ignorant of a lot of stuff regarding the show. The video in the post above gave me a clue....was Nancy someone no one liked from the early season?

She was a season 1 character who was mostly relegated to the background

She was a season 1 character who was mostly relegated to the background

That doesn't sound too bad. From the posts above I got the feeling she was a hated character or something. I'll have to keep an eye out for her when my season 1 & 2 dvd combo arrive. I can't wait to view all these episodes again. That Decades marathon over the weekend left me wanting more.

I just finished watching the season 9 episode on You Tube where Natalie moved to NYC with a bunch of roommates. Never saw it before since I tuned out by then during the original airing. I think it could've been a pretty good spin off with a bit of retooling.

That doesn't sound too bad. From the posts above I got the feeling she was a hated character or something. I'll have to keep an eye out for her when my season 1 & 2 dvd combo arrive. I can't wait to view all these episodes again. That Decades marathon over the weekend left me wanting more.

I just finished watching the season 9 episode on You Tube where Natalie moved to NYC with a bunch of roommates. Never saw it before since I tuned out by then during the original airing. I think it could've been a pretty good spin off with a bit of retooling.

She’s not hated, but she gets very few lines. So technically the writers may have :lol:

That doesn't sound too bad. From the posts above I got the feeling she was a hated character or something. I'll have to keep an eye out for her when my season 1 & 2 dvd combo arrive. I can't wait to view all these episodes again. That Decades marathon over the weekend left me wanting more.

I just finished watching the season 9 episode on You Tube where Natalie moved to NYC with a bunch of roommates. Never saw it before since I tuned out by then during the original airing. I think it could've been a pretty good spin off with a bit of retooling.

I love Nancy and the other Lost Girls.

For whatever reason, Nancy/Felice gets treated the worst: after the backdoor pilot (where she was featured), she had very few lines, and often even those lines are cut in syndication. Felice even mentions noticing how small her part had become, in one of her interviews.

When someone gets a very small scene, or their role is reduced, etc., or their scene is suddenly missing, we say they've "been Nancyed", a term invented by '80sSitcoms.

It's surprisingly common on this show. As common as globes in the first season. :lol:

I love Nancy and the other Lost Girls.

For whatever reason, Nancy/Felice gets treated the worst: after the backdoor pilot (where she was featured), she had very few lines, and often even those lines are cut in syndication. Felice even mentions noticing how small her part had become, in one of her interviews.

When someone gets a very small scene, or their role is reduced, etc., or their scene is suddenly missing, we say they've "been Nancyed", a term invented by '80sSitcoms.

It's surprisingly common on this show. As common as globes in the first season. :lol:


Ah! Ok now I understand the term much better. Thanks.

This will probably seem like a dumb question to the hardcore fans, but what does "Nancy getting Nancied" mean?! I'm lost here trying to follow lol.

It's not a dumb question at all! It's only a "thing" at this board, until those of us here start taking it into the real world: "That sounds awful. I'm sorry you got all dressed up to go to that party only to be 'Nancied'!" lol

I haven't watched the show in 3 decades and just rediscovering it again. I can't wait to view all these episodes again. That Decades marathon over the weekend left me wanting more.

Isn't that a wonderful refreshing feeling? :)

Oh, by the way, cfr: you will undoubtedly see jokes and references around here about cheese dip. This stems from the 2nd episode, "Like Mother, Like Daughter" where Mrs. Garrett asks Cindy to go get the cheese dip, and she never does. :lol: RetroGuy2000 pointed this out, and that took off with a life of its own and has now become legendary around here, lol.


When someone gets a very small scene, or their role is reduced, etc., or their scene is suddenly missing, we say they've "been Nancyed", a term invented by '80sSitcoms.

Well, I spell it Nancy/Nancied, like bury/buried, carry/carried, marry/married. And Nancy sure got buried on that show by everyone else talking over her, lol (but thanks for the credit---not necessary, but appreciated, "aww", lol). Buried until she got carried away by Roger and married him! :lol:


It's surprisingly common on this show. As common as globes in the first season. :lol:

:lol: When I go into some collectibles places and see globes and grandfather clocks, I think of you guys and season 1! :lol:

It's not a dumb question at all! It's only a "thing" at this board, until those of us here start taking it into the real world: "That sounds awful. I'm sorry you got all dressed up to go to that party only to be 'Nancied'!" lol



Isn't that a wonderful refreshing feeling? :)

Oh, by the way, cfr: you will undoubtedly see jokes and references around here about cheese dip. This stems from the 2nd episode, "Like Mother, Like Daughter" where Mrs. Garrett asks Cindy to go get the cheese dip, and she never does. :lol: RetroGuy2000 pointed this out, and that took off with a life of its own and has now become legendary around here, lol.




Well, I spell it Nancy/Nancied, like bury/buried, carry/carried, marry/married. And Nancy sure got buried on that show by everyone else talking over her, lol (but thanks for the credit---not necessary, but appreciated, "aww", lol). Buried until she got carried away by Roger and married him! :lol:




:lol: When I go into some collectibles places and see globes and grandfather clocks, I think of you guys and season 1! :lol:

I'll keep my eye out for the cheese dip scene when the dvd arrives. And yes, it's not only a refreshing feeling rediscovering this show again, but also surreal.

While watching the marathon Sunday on Decades, it was up the the 1985-86 season at that point and it's hard to explain, but I immediately felt transported back to being 15 years old in my room watching it on Saturday night on my 19 inch color tv. I almost felt there again! It was weird.

I guess since it was the first time seeing it since then, it almost felt like going back in time, or deja vu....it's hard to explain the feeling. I watch a ton of classics, but this was the first time I had such a flood of memories (all good) rushing back when I started watching Sunday. It was a comforting feeling and why I stayed till midnight watching all I could of the marathon. It almost felt like the 80's all over again....until I looked in the mirror. :lol:

I know what you mean about that "feeling" of watching something again you hadn't seen since you were a young'un. :nod:


It was a comforting feeling and why I stayed till midnight watching all I could of the marathon. It almost felt like the 80's all over again....until I looked in the mirror. :lol:

:lol:

This will probably seem like a dumb question to the hardcore fans

There are no dumb questions. Only dumb people... who become dog catchers in Paramus, New Jersey. :lol:

</season one joke>

Oh, by the way, cfr: you will undoubtedly see jokes and references around here about cheese dip. This stems from the 2nd episode, "Like Mother, Like Daughter" where Mrs. Garrett asks Cindy to go get the cheese dip, and she never does. :lol: RetroGuy2000 pointed this out, and that took off with a life of its own and has now become legendary around here, lol.

I was just concerned, is all: how long did the cheese dip sit in the kitchen, waiting to be brought out to the common room? Did they actually have the entire Paris Night without the cheese dip?! Doesn't seem very French.


Well, I spell it Nancy/Nancied, like bury/buried, carry/carried, marry/married.

Makes sense.


:lol: When I go into some collectibles places and see globes and grandfather clocks, I think of you guys and season 1! :lol:

:lol: Glad we could help!

I saw a globe, myself, the other day, and instantly thought of FOL and my FOL friends. :lol:

I'll keep my eye out for the cheese dip scene when the dvd arrives. And yes, it's not only a refreshing feeling rediscovering this show again, but also surreal.

Yes, do look for the cheese dip scene! And also watch for globes (they're everywhere), the changing of the grandfather clock, the cat pillows, Tumpy's poster that stays on set for about a decade, and so much more...


While watching the marathon Sunday on Decades, it was up the the 1985-86 season at that point and it's hard to explain, but I immediately felt transported back to being 15 years old in my room watching it on Saturday night on my 19 inch color tv. I almost felt there again! It was weird.

I guess since it was the first time seeing it since then, it almost felt like going back in time, or deja vu....it's hard to explain the feeling. I watch a ton of classics, but this was the first time I had such a flood of memories (all good) rushing back when I started watching Sunday. It was a comforting feeling and why I stayed till midnight watching all I could of the marathon. It almost felt like the 80's all over again....until I looked in the mirror. :lol:

That's awesome! Glad you could experience that. I often feel a wave of nostalgia when watching Facts (and also Diff'rent Strokes). I remember not only how things were, but how I was feeling at the time. I can watch "Flash Flood" and remember exactly how I felt when my sister came in wearing a red raincoat just like Tootie's in that episode.

Yes, do look for the cheese dip scene! And also watch for globes (they're everywhere), the changing of the grandfather clock, the cat pillows, Tumpy's poster that stays on set for about a decade, and so much more...



That's awesome! Glad you could experience that. I often feel a wave of nostalgia when watching Facts (and also Diff'rent Strokes). I remember not only how things were, but how I was feeling at the time. I can watch "Flash Flood" and remember exactly how I felt when my sister came in wearing a red raincoat just like Tootie's in that episode.

I'll keep my eyes out for all that stuff. I do notice these things anyway. During the marathon on Sunday, in the later seasons I noticed one episode there would be that tall wooden bench by the stairs, and the next episode would be a piano, and the next the bench again, and then the piano back in the next.

I guess during original runs, viewers wouldn't notice the changes each week, but in syndication and marathons it's easy to spot.

I'll keep my eyes out for all that stuff. I do notice these things anyway. During the marathon on Sunday, in the later seasons I noticed one episode there would be that tall wooden bench by the stairs, and the next episode would be a piano, and the next the bench again, and then the piano back in the next.

I guess during original runs, viewers wouldn't notice the changes each week, but in syndication and marathons it's easy to spot.

Yeah, clearly the piano and bench episodes were run out of sequence in their original airings. As you say, the weekly viewer might not catch it, but marathon viewers sure do! :lol:

That gray bench was very strange. I don't think it looked very comfortable.

Yeah, clearly the piano and bench episodes were run out of sequence in their original airings. As you say, the weekly viewer might not catch it, but marathon viewers sure do! :lol:

That gray bench was very strange. I don't think it looked very comfortable.

Yeah that bench is weird. Im on ep 4, the piano is at the end of the intro but so far the episodes still have that weird bench.

Yeah, clearly the piano and bench episodes were run out of sequence in their original airings. As you say, the weekly viewer might not catch it, but marathon viewers sure do! :lol:

That gray bench was very strange. I don't think it looked very comfortable.

Actually the Decades marathon was in sequence to original air dates. I'm such a dork that while watching on Sunday, I had the Wikipedia page open of the list of Facts of Life episodes that includes original air dates, and it matched up with the episodes being shown.
So they really did take the bench away one week and put the piano there the next, and kept flipping it back and forth for weeks until the piano stayed till the end. It was during the 86-87 season where it happens.

Yeah it does look uncomfortable, but they're usually made to go next to the front door as a place just to sit and put shoes/boots on or take them off. Some are made with hooks on top to hang your coat. If I had a bigger house i'd want one. Here's a link to pic of one....I don't know how to insert pictures here :(

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-575BwhfO_9g/Vvnfrxh9l1I/AAAAAAAAHj4/vJC43S3_YH8Iq-Qx9XOlkYB9bGzq-J8uA/s400/65062b314fe0b76fc36bdcb5eb53a4da.jpg

Actually the Decades marathon was in sequence to original air dates. I'm such a dork that while watching on Sunday, I had the Wikipedia page open of the list of Facts of Life episodes that includes original air dates, and it matched up with the episodes being shown.

Hey, if that makes you "such a dork", then you are a solid citizen around this board! :D


So they really did take the bench away one week and put the piano there the next, and kept flipping it back and forth for weeks until the piano stayed till the end. It was during the 86-87 season where it happens.
Ahh, but, cfr, you would also need to check the production dates. They taped the episodes in one order, then rearranged some of them when they were airing them.

A fan in the past was so generous as to do this research years ago, in a thread he called "The Facts of Life Production Guide" (http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=287307&highlight=production+order) (linked right here for your convenience!). He even addresses the piano! It's very interesting to compare when episodes were taped versus what order they were actually aired.


Here's a link to pic of one....I don't know how to insert pictures here :(

Just click the little picture symbol in the upper ribbon that looks like a mountain against a yellow sky. If you click that, you can paste a URL for a picture.

If you have a picture you created/saved on your computer, then you go below the message-posting box and click the "Manage Attachments" button, and you can upload computer pics there. :typing:

:)

Hey, if that makes you "such a dork", then you are a solid citizen around this board! :D



Ahh, but, cfr, you would also need to check the production dates. They taped the episodes in one order, then rearranged some of them when they were airing them.

A fan in the past was so generous as to do this research years ago, in a thread he called "The Facts of Life Production Guide" (http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=287307&highlight=production+order) (linked right here for your convenience!). He even addresses the piano! It's very interesting to compare when episodes were taped versus what order they were actually aired.




Just click the little picture symbol in the upper ribbon that looks like a mountain against a yellow sky. If you click that, you can paste a URL for a picture.

If you have a picture you created/saved on your computer, then you go below the message-posting box and click the "Manage Attachments" button, and you can upload computer pics there. :typing:

:)


Ha ha thanks! I don't feel so dorky now. :crazy:

And thanks for the link to the production dates, I now see they did air some episodes out of order to the taping dates in season 8. I bookmarked it for future reference because i'm really into looking up that kind of info while watching shows.

I see the "manage attachments" below and missed it before. In fact I never scrolled that far down to even notice it before and that's what I was looking for earlier when I clicked the little mountain icon to insert a pic. I'll know to use it for next time now.

Actually the Decades marathon was in sequence to original air dates. I'm such a dork that while watching on Sunday, I had the Wikipedia page open of the list of Facts of Life episodes that includes original air dates, and it matched up with the episodes being shown.
So they really did take the bench away one week and put the piano there the next, and kept flipping it back and forth for weeks until the piano stayed till the end. It was during the 86-87 season where it happens.

As '80s has kindly mentioned, the production dates and air-dates don't match up.


Yeah it does look uncomfortable, but they're usually made to go next to the front door as a place just to sit and put shoes/boots on or take them off. Some are made with hooks on top to hang your coat. If I had a bigger house i'd want one. Here's a link to pic of one....I don't know how to insert pictures here :(

https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-575BwhfO_9g/Vvnfrxh9l1I/AAAAAAAAHj4/vJC43S3_YH8Iq-Qx9XOlkYB9bGzq-J8uA/s400/65062b314fe0b76fc36bdcb5eb53a4da.jpg

Thanks for the info on that kind of bench. It seems to me, then, that they were sort of misusing the bench, since someone would have to walk across the living room, tracking mud and snow across the room. Not that there reallu was room anywhere else, other than blocking the french doors in the back.

It seems to me, then, that they were sort of misusing the bench, since someone would have to walk across the living room, tracking mud and snow across the room.

Hahaha! Maybe "Airhead Sue Ann" donated the bench and set it there. ;) And the others would move it out to the front porch, but then "Airhead Sue Ann" would come back and put it back inside by the stairs again, haha.


Not that there really was room anywhere else, other than blocking the french doors in the back.

The French doors which were sadly, grossly underused! :(

Hahaha! Maybe "Airhead Sue Ann" donated the bench and set it there. ;) And the others would move it out to the front porch, but then "Airhead Sue Ann" would come back and put it back inside by the stairs again, haha.




The French doors which were sadly, grossly underused! :(

Airhead Sue Ann and smart Sue Ann coexist? :eek:

Airhead Sue Ann and smart Sue Ann coexist? :eek:

Haha, nope! Was just bein' funny, lol. :stooges:

Haha, nope! Was just bein' funny, lol. :stooges:

:wave::wave:

Well thank you for the shout out. I'm hch, writer of the production guide post

You bet, hbh! Thank you so much for doing that! :clap: What a wealth of information! :read:

Well thank you for the shout out. I'm hch, writer of the production guide post

It really has come in useful many times, hch, so thanks so much for creating it. We've referred to it many times.

RE: the gray bench and the piano. The gray bench was Edna’s, and the piano belonged to Beverly Ann and she had it shipped some weeks/months after she arrived in her Winnebago. IIRC, there is an episode where they actually put it in place.

If you look closely at the first episode of that season, the writers use both pieces of furniture to signify something is changing. When Nat is writing her story in the present day scenes, the piano is there. But for the “flashback” scenes, where she tells the story of Mrs. Garrett leaving, the bench is there.

RE: the gray bench and the piano. The gray bench was Edna’s, and the piano belonged to Beverly Ann and she had it shipped some weeks/months after she arrived in her Winnebago. IIRC, there is an episode where they actually put it in place.

If you look closely at the first episode of that season, the writers use both pieces of furniture to signify something is changing. When Nat is writing her story in the present day scenes, the piano is there. But for the “flashback” scenes, where she tells the story of Mrs. Garrett leaving, the bench is there.

Cool observations!

I for one thought Over Our Heads was awesome.

I for one thought Over Our Heads was awesome.
Why so?

As a kid, I was excited by the new theme and the new set. But I look back on it with regret.

Why so?

As a kid, I was excited by the new theme and the new set. But I look back on it with regret.

Haha it was cool for the late 80s. After that not so much.

Haha it was cool for the late 80s. After that not so much.

Yeah, that's the thing about making a show reflect the decade it's in: after the decade is over, it will instantly look dated.

The producers were so busy retooling the show to make it hip for the era that they didn't think about what would happen after the era was over. The clothes, hair, and characters that had been so avant-garde in 1986 looked dated and cheap by 1996. A show that had become the essence of the 1980s couldn't be viewed seriously after that decade.

Yeah, that's the thing about making a show reflect the decade it's in: after the decade is over, it will instantly look dated.

The producers were so busy retooling the show to make it hip for the era that they didn't think about what would happen after the era was over. The clothes, hair, and characters that had been so avant-garde in 1986 looked dated and cheap by 1996. A show that had become the essence of the 1980s couldn't be viewed seriously after that decade.

Exactly

Yeah, that's the thing about making a show reflect the decade it's in: after the decade is over, it will instantly look dated.

The producers were so busy retooling the show to make it hip for the era that they didn't think about what would happen after the era was over. The clothes, hair, and characters that had been so avant-garde in 1986 looked dated and cheap by 1996. A show that had become the essence of the 1980s couldn't be viewed seriously after that decade.

I dunno, it's still a very popular show, and "The Golden Girls" remains one of the best-loved sitcoms of all time, while also getting some jabs for it's '80s wardrobe (which, admittedly, I didn't even pick up on until I saw the Joan/Melissa Rivers featurette on it on the season 1 DVD set).

I dunno, it's still a very popular show, and "The Golden Girls" remains one of the best-loved sitcoms of all time, while also getting some jabs for it's '80s wardrobe (which, admittedly, I didn't even pick up on until I saw the Joan/Melissa Rivers featurette on it on the season 1 DVD set).

The Golden Girls never drenched itself in the 1980s the way The Facts of Life did during the final few seasons. Every episode which revolved around the 1980s store, selling 1980s kitsch, wearing 1980s clothes, and talking 1980s slang, dated itself. How many FOL episodes revolved around selling (for example) inflatable pastel blow-up palm trees?

I know Mackenzie loved that era, as he got to grow up being paid to pretend to work in a "candy store". But had it really been a candy store, the show wouldn't have become so dated.

Completely agreed. Those last few seasons seem much more dated now than the early seasons. I remember Dick Van Dyke saying that on his show, they tried not to reflect the latest fashions or refer to current events, so the show wouldn’t seem dated later on (too bad they didn’t shoot the show in color, because B&W really dated it).

Completely agreed. Those last few seasons seem much more dated now than the early seasons. I remember Dick Van Dyke saying that on his show, they tried not to reflect the latest fashions or refer to current events, so the show wouldn’t seem dated later on (too bad they didn’t shoot the show in color, because B&W really dated it).

Yeah, wise advice from Dick van Dyke. It kinda reminds me of "Poochie" from The Simpsons: designed to be hip, and then suddenly dated.

Yeah, wise advice from Dick van Dyke. It kinda reminds me of "Poochie" from The Simpsons: designed to be hip, and then suddenly dated.

:lol: Poochie!

:lol: Poochie!

Itchy: Look, Scratchy. It's our new friend...Poochie!
Scratcy: What's that name again? I forgot.

:lol:

Itchy: Look, Scratchy. It's our new friend...Poochie!
Scratcy: What's that name again? I forgot.

:lol:

:uplol:

Itchy: Look, Scratchy. It's our new friend...Poochie!
Scratcy: What's that name again? I forgot.

:lol:

Yep!

But my favorite part of that episode is "Roy" sitting on the Simpsons' sofa, his presence completely unexplained.

Yep!

But my favorite part of that episode is "Roy" sitting on the Simpsons' sofa, his presence completely unexplained.

Who was Roy?

Who was Roy?
That's the joke: Roy was suddenly there, without explanation, just like Poochie, who they were watching on TV. Lisa, talking about Poochie, mentions how adding new characters on a TV show is a "desperate attempt to boost ratings", and then Roy walks in. Roy's scenes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtvd5zz9C9Y).

That's the joke: Roy was suddenly there, without explanation, just like Poochie, who they were watching on TV. Lisa, talking about Poochie, mentions how adding new characters on a TV show is a "desperate attempt to boost ratings", and then Roy walks in. Roy's scenes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtvd5zz9C9Y).

Why don't I remember him? Ive seen the ep!

I completely agree. Edna loved that store and I thought that her reaction to it being burned down was so unrealistic. I liked her positive attitude but that store was a gift from her son and for her to accept that it was gone so suddenly. Why didn't she call and tell him about it? That would have made for a great show, and give her time to accept the loss. I really loved Edna's Edibles and I honestly wished that it was a real place because some of the stuff they made sounded/looked so good! Edna was a dietitian and food was her life. If nothing else they could have just redone the adjoining apartment/house and let the girls live there and then maybe someone else could have taken over the store or redone it into something completely different. Anyway, my mind is working overtime here so I may have to channel this into writing some fan fiction!

I loved EE too, and wish they had kept it for at least one more good season. It seemed cruel to just take it away, although they did write Mrs. Garratt as ready for the next chapter in her life. Still, for some of us fans at least, one more EE season would have been great.

I completely agree. Edna loved that store and I thought that her reaction to it being burned down was so unrealistic. I liked her positive attitude but that store was a gift from her son and for her to accept that it was gone so suddenly. Why didn't she call and tell him about it? That would have made for a great show, and give her time to accept the loss. I really loved Edna's Edibles and I honestly wished that it was a real place because some of the stuff they made sounded/looked so good! Edna was a dietitian and food was her life. If nothing else they could have just redone the adjoining apartment/house and let the girls live there and then maybe someone else could have taken over the store or redone it into something completely different. Anyway, my mind is working overtime here so I may have to channel this into writing some fan fiction!

Her reaction did feel very strange.

With each iteration they got further and further away from the roots of the show, and from what had made the show so watchable: Edna's interactions with her eight girls.