Like say Molly Ringwald after she was cut from TFOL (https://www.metv.com/lists/what-ever-happened-to-the-cast-of-the-facts-of-life) after Season 1 (https://books.google.com/books?id=-n9FDgAAQBAJ&pg=PT25&lpg=PT25&dq=Julie+Anne+Haddock&source=bl&ots=rUtzRi0wSy&sig=ACfU3U1qbBYYrrthO28pxetni0WC2D4sdA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiypar_4ZzjAhUQHM0KHT5ZCk44MhDoATAFegQIBxAB#v=onepage&q=Julie%20Anne%20Haddock&f=false)? She was the only one of the girls with big screen experience (Scavenger Hunt, The Great Santini), and still had more TV experience (https://www.ultimate70s.com/actor/Julie_Anne_Haddock/-/-) (Little House on the Prairie (https://littlehouse.fandom.com/wiki/Julie_Anne_Haddock), Mulligans' Stew, Wonder Woman).

Like say Molly Ringwald after she was cut from TFOL (https://www.metv.com/lists/what-ever-happened-to-the-cast-of-the-facts-of-life) after Season 1 (https://books.google.com/books?id=-n9FDgAAQBAJ&pg=PT25&lpg=PT25&dq=Julie+Anne+Haddock&source=bl&ots=rUtzRi0wSy&sig=ACfU3U1qbBYYrrthO28pxetni0WC2D4sdA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiypar_4ZzjAhUQHM0KHT5ZCk44MhDoATAFegQIBxAB#v=onepage&q=Julie%20Anne%20Haddock&f=false)? She was the only one of the girls with big screen experience (Scavenger Hunt, The Great Santini), and still had more TV experience (https://www.ultimate70s.com/actor/Julie_Anne_Haddock/-/-) (Little House on the Prairie (https://littlehouse.fandom.com/wiki/Julie_Anne_Haddock), Mulligans' Stew, Wonder Woman).

She said in the DVD interviews that she felt as though the entertainment industry had changed, and she didn't really like it anymore. It really is a shame, though, because she was very good.

Having seen her 1982 interview, where she said she wanted to continue in the industry until she was very old, it's so sad that she'd apparently given up the business by about 1984. Two years must have really shifted her perspective.

I don't have an inside perspective, but the legacy behind the casting couch seems to be prevalent whether a talented actress continues to get "offers". Hollywood is full of ugliness and the merit of previous experience doesn't seem to factor in too much.

I don't have an inside perspective, but the legacy behind the casting couch seems to be prevalent whether a talented actress continues to get "offers". Hollywood is full of ugliness and the merit of previous experience doesn't seem to factor in too much.

I hope it wasn't anything like that.

She was one of my favorite first season girls! I loved her as a foil to Blair. Though I felt like she tried too hard with her acting sometimes, often over enunciating certain things. To me, Jo replaced her and there was really no use for her character any more.

She was one of my favorite first season girls! I loved her as a foil to Blair.

She was a pretty good foil to Blair. But once execs saw Little Darlings, the die was cast.


Though I felt like she tried too hard with her acting sometimes, often over enunciating certain things.

It's true, but she just needed stronger direction, as seen in her films.

To me, Jo replaced her and there was really no use for her character any more.

I respect that. But for me, there still could have been so many scenes where her character could have been useful. Take, for example, the scene in "Fear Strikes Back" where they needed someone athletic. They got Jo to do that scene, but it would have been more authentic to have the one person who had previously exhibited real athletic prowess on the show: Julie Anne, who was able to do backflips.

By only having four girls, the producers sort of limited themselves in what they could write. No more backflips, and no more pigs on the set. They could reproduce the scenes already made -- Cindy being mistaken for a boy, Cindy putting on her first dress -- with Jo, but they couldn't make her a real athlete. With Sue Ann also being cut, Athletics were out at Eastland. And since there were also now no more regular teachers at Eastland, there would be very few classroom scenes. With no gyms, no classrooms, and no offices, Eastland became... just a cafeteria. But it didn't need to be so restricted. Had they kept Julie Anne, they would have had many more storyline opportunities.

She was one of my favorite first season girls!

She was my FAVORITE first season girl! :loveya:


I loved her as a foil to Blair.

I appreciated them trying to make her a foil to Blair, but she didn't have the maturity to pull off being a formidable foil to Blair. Nancy McKeon did, and she was two years younger than Lisa! But she made it believable that she was older. I never really felt Nancy and Mindy were the same age, though they were in real life---Nancy always come off as older because of how strong and natural it is for her. So as soon as she came on the show, the Blair/Jo rivalry really did feel "on par" for me.


Though I felt like she tried too hard with her acting sometimes, often over enunciating certain things.

Not me. I mean, sure, I could pinpoint a few times where the acting could have been better, but I never ever get the feeling she's over enunciating. So to me it's interesting that you do.

To me, Jo replaced her and there was really no use for her character any more.

Well, word on the streets is Jo "replaced" Cindy, Sue Ann, and Molly. But they were such characters in and of themselves that Jo couldn't really replace them, and certainly not all three.

She was a pretty good foil to Blair.

I didn't really think she was (see above post). But it would have been nice if she could have been, and if it could have lasted past the first episode!


But once execs saw Little Darlings, the die was cast.

Huh? I thought that Hallmark commercial was the turning point? :confused:


With no gyms, no classrooms, and no offices, Eastland became... just a cafeteria. But it didn't need to be so restricted.

But that's still part of what I love so much about those years! :lol:

Huh? I thought that Hallmark commercial was the turning point? :confused:

The producers ripped off Little Darlings for a character they named "Foxy"; in the film, she clashes with the rich girl, and they eventually steal a school van, getting into serious trouble. Foxy evolved into Jo. While looking for actresses to fill the role, they saw Nancy McKeon in the Hallmark commercial. Charlotte approved Nancy over another girl who also auditioned.


But that's still part of what I love so much about those years! :lol:

Nothing wrong with loving those years. But imagine the episodes they could have done, if Julie Anne had stayed on the show! And would five girls really have been "too many girls" at a girls' school?

Well, word on the streets is Jo "replaced" Cindy, Sue Ann, and Molly. But they were such characters in and of themselves that Jo couldn't really replace them, and certainly not all three.

No way did Jo replace Molly: Molly's love of the camera went to Tootie; some of her feminism and love of journalism (she was in love with Dan Rather) were occasionally seen in Natalie. Jo got Sue Ann's scholarship student status and conflict with Blair, and Cindy's tomboy-ishness and outsider status.

But I agree she couldn't really replace them entirely, and part of her was quite unique anyway.

The producers ripped off Little Darlings for a character they named "Foxy"; in the film, she clashes with the rich girl, and they eventually steal a school van, getting into serious trouble. Foxy evolved into Jo. While looking for actresses to fill the role, they saw Nancy McKeon in the Hallmark commercial. Charlotte approved Nancy over another girl who also auditioned.

Ahh, I see what you mean now. And I remember LD being mentioned here before, I just couldn't place its placement, lol.


Nothing wrong with loving those years. But imagine the episodes they could have done, if Julie Anne had stayed on the show! And would five girls really have been "too many girls" at a girls' school?

Oh no no, I wasn't including Julie Anne in my comments, that's why I specifically didn't quote that part. I just strictly meant set-wise, with the cafeteria. :)

No way did Jo replace Molly: Molly's love of the camera went to Tootie; some of her feminism and love of journalism (she was in love with Dan Rather) were occasionally seen in Natalie. Jo got Sue Ann's scholarship student status and conflict with Blair, and Cindy's tomboy-ishness and outsider status.

But I agree she couldn't really replace them entirely, and part of her was quite unique anyway.

Hold up now, don't say "No way" so fast. Jo did get Molly traits too. She got Molly's angst of divorced parents, and heavy father resentment (not to mention Molly Ringwald claimed in the 1980s that Nancy McKeon replaced her in her slot as the 4th girl on the show). You may remember in my binging this year I was surprised to notice for the first time that Blair's pep talk to Jo in "The Secret" was really a rehash of her pep talk to Molly in "Molly's Holiday". And Jo's plan to get her parents back together in "The Second Time Around" was also like Molly's plan in MH---talk about recycling! So you can say Jo was the amalgamation of Cindy, Sue Ann, and perhaps to a lesser but specific extent Molly, with her own unique traits added in.

You could even say she replaced Nancy, as her actress name was "Nancy"! :lol: ;)

Hold up now, don't say "No way" so fast. Jo did get Molly traits too. She got Molly's angst of divorced parents, and heavy father resentment

But Blair and Cindy both have divorced parents, as well. That's not something unique to just Jo and Molly. If you're saying Jo replaced Molly because of that, you might as well say that Jo replaced Blair... which we know isn't true.


(not to mention Molly Ringwald claimed in the 1980s that Nancy McKeon replaced her in her slot as the 4th girl on the show).

Well, in one sense, Jo "replaced" four girls. But not exclusively Molly.


You may remember in my binging this year I was surprised to notice for the first time that Blair's pep talk to Jo in "The Secret" was really a rehash of her pep talk to Molly in "Molly's Holiday". And Jo's plan to get her parents back together in "The Second Time Around" was also like Molly's plan in MH---talk about recycling! So you can say Jo was the amalgamation of Cindy, Sue Ann, and perhaps to a lesser but specific extent Molly, with her own unique traits added in.

Okay, I buy that.


You could even say she replaced Nancy, as her actress name was "Nancy"! :lol: ;)

:lol:

I'd say there may have been some elements of Nancy in Jo: both scholarship students, both crazy enough for their boyfriends to do impulsive, stupid things (like have sex or elope), both went long periods without their boyfriends actually being seen, both were brunettes, both talked with their boyfriends on the phone, both were frenemies with Blair, both didn't know how to sew, Nancy hung around the clock a lot while Jo threatened to clean Blair's clock... :lol:

Okay, I buy that.

See? ;) That's what I meant, how those situations were specific to Molly and then copied the same for Jo. I bet if Molly Ringwald saw "The Secret" she would have really gone off: "They already did that with me in the first season! They're redoing it for the new girl who replaced me! :mad:"

Hmm while Cindy WAS the foil to Blair in RoughHousing, I feel like Sue Ann was more her foil the rest of the season. Even in GS Blair was picking on Sue Ann

Hmm while Cindy WAS the foil to Blair in RoughHousing, I feel like Sue Ann was more her foil the rest of the season. Even in GS Blair was picking on Sue Ann

Blair was picking on everybody in TGS: Mrs. Garrett, Sue Ann... heck, she probably scared Jennifer and Laura off, too! :lol:

Hmm while Cindy WAS the foil to Blair in RoughHousing,

Yeah, that's like I said I appreciated them "trying" to make her a foil for Blair, but Blair felt obviously older, so there wasn't much threat.


I feel like Sue Ann was more her foil the rest of the season. Even in GS Blair was picking on Sue Ann

Oh, of course---Blair versus Sue Ann was the great rival of the entire first season! (well, after the Mahoney overhaul) They were classic "frienemies"!


Blair was picking on everybody in TGS: Mrs. Garrett, Sue Ann... heck, she probably scared Jennifer and Laura off, too! :lol:

Haha, maybe that's why we never got to know Nina Branch either!

I still find it so interesting we meet 3 fathers at Eastland in season 1---and one of them is of a girl who's not even on the show! :lol: :crazy:

Blair versus Sue Ann was the great rival of the entire first season! (well, after the Mahoney overhaul) They were classic "frienemies"!

That's true, but I'd say Sue Ann and Blair were frenemies even earlier: even during TGS. It's only during RH that Blair sinks her claws into Cindy.

I think, despite their visible age differences, Blair and Cindy could have been foils for one another, as they clearly did just fine in RH. But with Sue Ann the hayseed already being a foil to Blair's snobbery, the writers instead focused on Sue Ann, considerably to the detriment of Cindy. Outside of "Running", poor Cindy was left with lines like "...Adopted?!" ten minutes after everyone else had left the scene. (And Nancy didn't even get a line like that).


Haha, maybe that's why we never got to know Nina Branch either!

Haha! But we know why we didn't get to know Nina: because Warren Littlefield would have blown a gasket! "Eight girls at a girls' school!? Are you people mad?! There can only be three girls at a girls' school! Four, tops!"


I still find it so interesting we meet 3 fathers at Eastland in season 1---and one of them is of a girl who's not even on the show! :lol: :crazy:

Hahaha! Good point! :lol:

It really is a shame we didn't meet more parents or family members during the brief period in Season One when it would have been possible. At least we got to meet Molly's dad.

That's true, but I'd say Sue Ann and Blair were frenemies even earlier: even during TGS. It's only during RH that Blair sinks her claws into Cindy.

I think Sue Ann is way too naive in TGS to be a "frienemy". She's more of a pitiful dolt there (albeit a caring dolt, for her friend Nancy :lol:). Then she more than happily takes advantage of Blair's angst in LMLD, and then, actually before the Mahoney overhaul that I mentioned earlier, I forgot about "The Return of Mr. Garrett" - that's when we get to enjoy the real "frienemy" aspect starting. :gossip :argue: :boxing: (:lol:)

In TGS, Blair is the resident just plain enemy! :snob: :lol: It's interesting to note that in the episode, we're not shown that she gives even half a hoot about Nancy's dilemma. It's like you can almost hear her carelessly say, "That's her problem" while flipping her hair over neck and reading a magazine (and what is with that guitar for her?? lol...makes you wonder if it was a leftover from that "naive fast-talking girl from Texas").


I think, despite their visible age differences, Blair and Cindy could have been foils for one another, as they clearly did just fine in RH.

To me, in RH Cindy seems more like a feisty little sister with Blair, so not a real threat. After all, Blair just dismisses her fist with a disdainful look and shaking of the head, not fazed at all.


Outside of "Running", poor Cindy was left with lines like "...Adopted?!" ten minutes after everyone else had left the scene. (And Nancy didn't even get a line like that).

Nancy got a much longer, meatier, better line than Cindy. Bit of paraphrasing: "Natalie, you don't look like either of your parents. They both have red hair."

You're looking at Cindy with the glass half empty, whereas I look at her with the glass half full. Cindy still got a lot of great moments outside her episodes. "Molly's Holiday" was her least screen time, but even then we got some good insight into her, learning she too was a child of divorce (who had apparently been able to cope all right by this point), even finding a silver lining in wearing the same clothes as your dad's new lady if she's young enough to be your older sister! :lol: And I like how we see Cindy reach out to her friend Molly inviting her to stay with her during spring break. Aww, Cinds! :loveya:


Haha! But we know why we didn't get to know Nina: because Warren Littlefield would have blown a gasket! "Eight girls at a girls' school!? Are you people mad?! There can only be three girls at a girls' school! Four, tops!"

:lol: Or, in Warren's math, I guess 8 girls would have equaled about "12, 14" girls!


It really is a shame we didn't meet more parents or family members during the brief period in Season One when it would have been possible. At least we got to meet Molly's dad.

And almost her mom!

And almost her mom!

Poor Judy Parker :(

Well, didn’t she end up becoming a social worker? Or am I thinking of someone else? Maybe she didn’t want to do be an actress the rest of her life. Maybe her idea of “bigger and better” is different from your perception. Maybe her “bigger and better” was more fulfilling than a career in acting. Not every child star wants to continue acting and some find a different calling that they’re more proud of.

Well, didn’t she end up becoming a social worker? Or am I thinking of someone else? Maybe she didn’t want to do be an actress the rest of her life. Maybe her idea of “bigger and better” is different from your perception. Maybe her “bigger and better” was more fulfilling than a career in acting. Not every child star wants to continue acting and some find a different calling that they’re more proud of.

She did get a degree in social work. Not sure she used it, but I hope she did.

I know she made her peace with it, but shortly before she left the industry, she was still excitedly making plans about being in the entertainment industry, as seen in the video interview with her mom. So something changed pretty quickly for her, and she later said she felt as though Hollywood had changed.

Poor Judy Parker :(

Is it bad that I'm kinda glad in a way that she got written out of history before she had to see ole frizz head? Angela, I mean, not Miss Mahoney. :lol:

Is it bad that I'm kinda glad in a way that she got written out of history before she had to see ole frizz head? Angela, I mean, not Miss Mahoney. :lol:

Haha! Well we know she approved of her

She was a pretty good foil to Blair. But once execs saw Little Darlings, the die was cast.



It's true, but she just needed stronger direction, as seen in her films.



I respect that. But for me, there still could have been so many scenes where her character could have been useful. Take, for example, the scene in "Fear Strikes Back" where they needed someone athletic. They got Jo to do that scene, but it would have been more authentic to have the one person who had previously exhibited real athletic prowess on the show: Julie Anne, who was able to do backflips.

By only having four girls, the producers sort of limited themselves in what they could write. No more backflips, and no more pigs on the set. They could reproduce the scenes already made -- Cindy being mistaken for a boy, Cindy putting on her first dress -- with Jo, but they couldn't make her a real athlete. With Sue Ann also being cut, Athletics were out at Eastland. And since there were also now no more regular teachers at Eastland, there would be very few classroom scenes. With no gyms, no classrooms, and no offices, Eastland became... just a cafeteria. But it didn't need to be so restricted. Had they kept Julie Anne, they would have had many more storyline opportunities.

They tried to make Jo an athlete, but Nancy McKeon was not the athlete that Julie Anne was.

They tried to make Jo an athlete, but Nancy McKeon was not the athlete that Julie Anne was.

They did a good job with her spinning a basketball on her finger, but Cindy could do backflips over Jo... literally. :lol:

They did a good job with her spinning a basketball on her finger

True! And she also carried a hockey stick with competence! :lol:


but Cindy could do backflips over Jo... literally. :lol:

:lol:

True! And she also carried a hockey stick with competence! :lol:


Very well phrased, 80s! :lol:

If she had stayed in show business, I'm sure Julie Anne would have had a remarkable career. Even John Lawlor once said she was very talented and hard working. I would have kept her on the show as the fourth girl

If she had stayed in show business, I'm sure Julie Anne would have had a remarkable career. Even John Lawlor once said she was very talented and hard working. I would have kept her on the show as the fourth girl

And then which of the Core Four would you have doomed to the Lost Girls' basement, ITA?

And then which of the Core Four would you have doomed to the Lost Girls' basement, ITA?

Jo. She wouldn't have stolen vans and sweaters if she was in the basement.

Without Jo, Cindy would have been my first choice

Without Jo, Cindy would have been my first choice

I see. Without Jo, the Core Four could have been Blair, Natalie, Tootie, and Cindy.

If she had stayed in show business, I'm sure Julie Anne would have had a remarkable career. Even John Lawlor once said she was very talented and hard working. I would have kept her on the show as the fourth girl

Yes, I love that he specifically called out Julie Anne, "our Cindy", for being extremely talented and hardworking! :loveya:

I see. Without Jo, the Core Four could have been Blair, Natalie, Tootie, and Cindy.


Wow! imagine that: if JO hadn't been discovered, then BLAIR & CINDY would have become besties! (starting as frenemies at first though)

:love::love::love::love::love::love::love::love::love::love::love::love::love:

Wow! imagine that: if JO hadn't been discovered, then BLAIR & CINDY would have become besties! (starting as frenemies at first though)

According to one documentary. According to others, and Molly Ringwald herself, the four would have been Blair, Natalie, Molly, and Tootie.

Which would have been very odd, to have Blair alone with three "kid sisters" and no one her own age to spar with or bounce off of. That really is hard to believe.

Yes, I love that he specifically called out Julie Anne, "our Cindy", for being extremely talented and hardworking! :loveya:

It's really easy to see why, too, when you watch "Rough Housing". That cupcake and milk scene is just so well done.

According to one documentary. According to others, and Molly Ringwald herself, the four would have been Blair, Natalie, Molly, and Tootie.

Which would have been very odd, to have Blair alone with three "kid sisters" and no one her own age to spar with or bounce off of. That really is hard to believe.

I believe network executives would have said anything to get someone to appear on the show, if that's what they wanted.

I doubt they really wanted three younger kids and one older one. But when Molly was in that office, she could have been told there was still a role for her.

Blair, Sue Ann, Cindy, and Tootie would be my pick

Blair, Sue Ann, Cindy, and Tootie would be my pick

Mine as well, if there HAD to only be four. But the idea that there could only be four girls at a girls' school was silly to begin with. If chintzy shows like Saved By the Bell could have six kids, and Head of the Class could have ten, there's no reason The Facts of Life couldn't have had seven or even eight.

Mine as well, if there HAD to only be four. But the idea that there could only be four girls at a girls' school was silly to begin with. If chintzy shows like Saved By the Bell could have six kids, and Head of the Class could have ten, there's no reason The Facts of Life couldn't have had seven or even eight.

But we already had 10, 12 girls :lol::lol::lol:

According to one documentary. According to others, and Molly Ringwald herself, the four would have been Blair, Natalie, Molly, and Tootie.

Molly's appearence in "The New Girl: Part 2" supports this version

I also found this post in Facebook that also supports that Molly was originally was going to be in the Core Four. This post was way back in 2013 and the guy that posted it works for NBC Sports.

I also found this post in Facebook that also supports that Molly was originally was going to be in the Core Four. This post was way back in 2013 and the guy that posted it works for NBC Sports.

Cool find!

...But did Charlotte really introduce Nancy McKeon to the producers? I had always heard it was Brandon Tartikoff who first spotted Nancy in a Hallmark commercial, and Charlotte later gave her blessing.

Honestly, I can't see Molly as Blair's opponent. Without Jo, the continuos clashes between a rich girl and a poor one could have worked with Sue Ann (the rural girl) or Cindy (the tomboy). And don't forget the age difference. Even Nancy could have functioned as a rival ,and we saw that in "Gossip". Molly is the only Lost Girl that couldn't have worked, but that's just my opinion. Love you all guys :lol: <3

Honestly, I can't see Molly as Blair's opponent. Without Jo, the continuos clashes between a rich girl and a poor one could have worked with Sue Ann (the rural girl) or Cindy (the tomboy). And don't forget the age difference. Even Nancy could have functioned as a rival ,and we saw that in "Gossip". Molly is the only Lost Girl that couldn't have worked, but that's just my opinion. Love you all guys :lol: <3



Agree 100% with you FOL FAN ITA!:happyface

MOLLY was way too young to be a foil to BLAIR (she was about TOOTIE's age lol!) and the same goes for NAT!
CINDY or SUE ANN on the other hand were the right age (the tomboy only a year younger, and the rural girl the same age).

:yourock::yourock::yourock::yourock::yourock::yourock::yourock::yourock:

Honestly, I can't see Molly as Blair's opponent. Without Jo, the continuos clashes between a rich girl and a poor one could have worked with Sue Ann (the rural girl) or Cindy (the tomboy). And don't forget the age difference. Even Nancy could have functioned as a rival ,and we saw that in "Gossip". Molly is the only Lost Girl that couldn't have worked, but that's just my opinion. Love you all guys :lol: <3

I agree. There could have been a back-and-forth between Blair and Molly regarding social issues, but Blair would have stuck out like a sore thumb being 2-3 years older than the other girls. They would have needed a "fifth girl" to make this combo work.

I agree. There could have been a back-and-forth between Blair and Molly regarding social issues, but Blair would have stuck out like a sore thumb being 2-3 years older than the other girls. They would have needed a "fifth girl" to make this combo work.

In other words, they really needed more than 4 girls.

In other words, they really needed more than 4 girls.

Yeah, Blair hanging around with 12- and 13-year-olds just wouldn't have worked. There's a reason Blair wasn't trying to get Molly into "The Group", wasn't trying to get Tootie a fake ID, and wasn't in a competition with Natalie about how far she'd been with a guy: those storylines wouldn't have worked with the age gap, and would have come across as weird.

If there was ever a plan for the Core four to be Blair, Natalie, Tootie, and Molly, it was doubtlessly short-lived. Molly was never a rival for Blair, couldn't have stolen her high-class boyfriends, and couldn't have been real competition with dating, modeling, sports, etc.

Yeah, Blair hanging around with 12- and 13-year-olds just wouldn't have worked. There's a reason Blair wasn't trying to get Molly into "The Group", wasn't trying to get Tootie a fake ID, and wasn't in a competition with Natalie about how far she'd been with a guy: those storylines wouldn't have worked with the age gap, and would have come across as weird.

If there was ever a plan for the Core four to be Blair, Natalie, Tootie, and Molly, it was doubtlessly short-lived. Molly was never a rival for Blair, couldn't have stolen her high-class boyfriends, and couldn't have been real competition with dating, modeling, sports, etc.

Considering how anti-materialistic, feminist and how against modeling Molly was, that would have never worked. Perhaps they were planning on focusing more on the younger girls.

Eventually, we do know that they decided having a 5 person cast show was too small.

Had Molly stayed, they should have dropped Natalie or Tootie and pick one of the remaining Lost Girls for the role of Jo

Had Molly stayed, they should have dropped Natalie or Tootie and pick one of the remaining Lost Girls for the role of Jo

There was talk of getting rid of Kim. They thought she was too short. It probably would have been Sue Ann since she and Blair locked heads in Season 1B.

Molly may have been only 12 years old, but she was taller than any of the other girls (except for Felice) and Mrs. Garrett. We saw how tall she got in the Tempest and Space Hunters. They could have bumped her age up a little bit to take more on Blair.

There was talk of getting rid of Kim. They thought she was too short. It probably would have been Sue Ann since she and Blair locked heads in Season 1B.

Molly may have been only 12 years old, but she was taller than any of the other girls (except for Felice) and Mrs. Garrett. We saw how tall she got in the Tempest and Space Hunters. They could have bumped her age up a little bit to take more on Blair.

Kim was the shortest but undoubtedly one of the most talented of the girls. I don't like how they wrote Tootie during the central seasons (from s3 to s5) but I really like her in seasons 1-2/6-9.

Considering how anti-materialistic, feminist and how against modeling Molly was, that would have never worked. Perhaps they were planning on focusing more on the younger girls.

Eventually, we do know that they decided having a 5 person cast show was too small.


I don't see how they were planning to focus on the younger girls, when it was more than obvious that LISA was the star lol! (at least in season 1)

:guitar::guitar::guitar::guitar::guitar::guitar::guitar::guitar::guitar::guitar:

I don't see how they were planning to focus on the younger girls, when it was more than obvious that LISA was the star lol! (at least in season 1)

:guitar::guitar::guitar::guitar::guitar::guitar::guitar::guitar::guitar::guitar:

Charlotte and Lisa were the main focus, particularly during the first season

Charlotte and Lisa were the main focus, particularly during the first season



Exactly! CHARLOTTE and LISA had the greatest chemistry during season 1, and that is one of the main reasons i love it so much: MRS G was always keeping an eye on the rebellious BLAIR and they shared a special bond!
Unfortunately after the revamp, when JO got introduced as the rebellious new girl the focus shifted on her, and the special bond BLAIR had with MRS G faded a little....

:welcome::welcome::welcome::welcome::welcome::welcome::welcome:

Exactly! CHARLOTTE and LISA had the greatest chemistry during season 1, and that is one of the main reasons i love it so much: MRS G was always keeping an eye on the rebellious BLAIR and they shared a special bond!
Unfortunately after the revamp, when JO got introduced as the rebellious new girl the focus shifted on her, and the special bond BLAIR had with MRS G faded a little

It faded a little, I agree, but in season 6 we still see Mrs. Garrett helping Blair. They have a beautiful relationship

I doubt they really wanted three younger kids and one older one. But when Molly was in that office, she could have been told there was still a role for her.

Oooorrrrr (I just thought of this), maybe she saw that promo on TV where it said "When Blair, Natalie, Tootie, and Molly teach Mrs. Garrett the facts of life!" and she inferred from that that she would be staying on. Maybe that fueled her belief...hmmmmm...or maybe she was indeed "told" by higher-ups that they would be keeping Blair, Natalie, Molly, and Tootie.

But then that begs the question, when did the show tell Molly they wanted another girl Blair's age to be her foil? Hmmmm....

Molly's appearence in "The New Girl: Part 2" supports this version

Well, Molly being the first Lost Girl to appear doesn't necessarily mean that. But it is possible that the show thought they would "do her a favor" by making her the first "semi-regular" to appear if they felt bad about axing her after (allegedly) telling her she would remain on.

Cool find!

...But did Charlotte really introduce Nancy McKeon to the producers? I had always heard it was Brandon Tartikoff who first spotted Nancy in a Hallmark commercial, and Charlotte later gave her blessing.

Yeah, unfortunately, that man loses some credibility by grossly getting his "facts" wrong. Charlotte didn't introduce Nancy to anyone. She had no idea what a "Nancy McKeon" was until Nancy was introduced to her in auditions.

But if there's all this Molly evidence, then why do have a documentary claiming Julie Anne Haddock was the last to be released? Hmmmmm? :lookaroun

Molly may have been only 12 years old, but she was taller than any of the other girls (except for Felice) and Mrs. Garrett. We saw how tall she got in the Tempest and Space Hunters. They could have bumped her age up a little bit to take more on Blair.

Exactly. All this talk of Molly being younger, but it doesn't matter. She "pulled a Nancy McKeon": She grew taller than the other girls and could have faced off with Blair more realistically than younger Natalie or Tootie or shorter, more willowy, insecure Cindy.

Not over the same issues as Jo exactly, but physically, yes.

I don't believe what I see :lol:. Eighty, are you saying our little Cindy can't held her own with Blair?

*Mrs. Garrett presses the dislike button*

:lol:

I don't believe what I see :lol:. Eighty, are you saying our little Cindy can't held her own with Blair?

*Mrs. Garrett presses the dislike button*

:lol:

:lol:

Yes, that is what I'm saying. :wave: Just look at their confrontation in "Rough Housing": When younger, smaller Cindy threatens Blair with a fist in her face (looking up at her, as Blair is taller) Blair just looks down at her and smirks. To me, it's not believable in the least that Cindy is actually a threat to Blair.

Cindy can't be a real threat to Blair but I can't imagine Molly, Sue Ann or Nancy taking Blair, Natalie or Tootie to the Chug a Lug with fake I.Ds :lol::lol:

:lol:

Yes, that is what I'm saying. :wave: Just look at their confrontation in "Rough Housing": When younger, smaller Cindy threatens Blair with a fist in her face (looking up at her, as Blair is taller) Blair just looks down at her and smirks. To me, it's not believable in the least that Cindy is actually a threat to Blair.

Well, then they could have put Cindy on roller skates. :lol::lol::lol::lol:

Well, then they could have put Cindy on roller skates. :lol::lol::lol::lol:

:rofl:

Margie Peters:

"No one.

Roller skates.

In.

The house."

lol

Well, then they could have put Cindy on roller skates. :lol::lol::lol::lol:

:lol::lol::lol:

She wasn't All American enough :lol::lol:

:lol::lol::lol:

She wasn't All American enough :lol::lol:

:lol:

She looked much more "All American" than Nancy for sure!*

*(by narrow-minded 1979 standards)

-

--

Cindy can't be a real threat to Blair but I can't imagine Molly, Sue Ann or Nancy taking Blair, Natalie or Tootie to the Chug a Lug with fake I.Ds :lol::lol:

I can imagine Sue Ann and Nancy going along.

Sue Ann: Blair thinks she's so sophisticated, running off to the Chug A Lug? I'm going to show her a thing or two about girls from Kansas City, Kansas.

Nancy: I don't think we should be doing this, Sue Ann. Roger would shtrangle me if he knew I was picking up guys at a bar.

Sue Ann: It'll only be for a few minutes, Nancy. Just long enough to prove to that glory-hungry rich girl she's not the only one who can land an older guy.

--

:lol::lol::lol::lol:

It faded a little, I agree, but in season 6 we still see Mrs. Garrett helping Blair. They have a beautiful relationship


Like in 'Working it out', right? (that is definitely a MRS G and BLAIR episode that feels like a daughter mother chemistry between them indeed!)

:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

Well, then they could have put Cindy on roller skates. :lol::lol::lol::lol:

Imagine Nancy O. on rollerskates. We have seen Felice and her sisters on rollerskates.

Imagine Nancy O. on rollerskates. We have seen Felice and her sisters on rollerskates.

Nancy was so tall already! There was no need to put Felice on rollerskates. If they had, she could have clung to the lighting rigs! :lol::lol::lol::lol:

:lol:

She looked much more "All American" than Nancy for sure!*

*(by narrow-minded 1979 standards)

:brent

Nancy was so tall already! There was no need to put Felice on rollerskates. If they had, she could have clung to the lighting rigs! :lol::lol::lol::lol:

:rofl:

:brent

;)

Oooorrrrr (I just thought of this), maybe she saw that promo on TV where it said "When Blair, Natalie, Tootie, and Molly teach Mrs. Garrett the facts of life!" and she inferred from that that she would be staying on. Maybe that fueled her belief...hmmmmm...or maybe she was indeed "told" by higher-ups that they would be keeping Blair, Natalie, Molly, and Tootie.

But then that begs the question, when did the show tell Molly they wanted another girl Blair's age to be her foil? Hmmmm....

How did I miss this? Well, no matter. I'm going to respond anyway. sorry for the delayed response, '80s!

It's possible Molly inferred they were keeping her based on the TV promo where she was featured with Blair, Natalie, and Tootie. But the way Molly talks, it seems like she was originally told she was going to be kept on. Like, she says, "Originally, it was going to be..." rather than, "I thought, based on the promos, that I'd be kept on." And we know, because Eve Brandstein tells us, that Molly was told the devastating news in the office, so it seems unlikely she got a phone call.

Contrast this to what Felice has stated: she was in her basement when she got the call. She says she was told that she, Julie Anne, Julie Pie, and Molly were being expelled from Eastland.

John, too, says he got a phone call from his agent. He was "made free".

Why did Felice and John get phone calls while Molly found out in the office? More importantly, was this office in the basement? :lol:

Why did Felice and John get phone calls while Molly found out in the office?

One word:

Mom!

(I'll bet, lol)

And I can almost guarantee you she did not bring any banana cream pies to the office with Molly!

Unless some NBC executives found their faces looking very much like banana cream pie! :lol:

How did I miss this? Well, no matter. I'm going to respond anyway. sorry for the delayed response, '80s!

It's possible Molly inferred they were keeping her based on the TV promo where she was featured with Blair, Natalie, and Tootie. But the way Molly talks, it seems like she was originally told she was going to be kept on. Like, she says, "Originally, it was going to be..." rather than, "I thought, based on the promos, that I'd be kept on." And we know, because Eve Brandstein tells us, that Molly was told the devastating news in the office, so it seems unlikely she got a phone call.

Contrast this to what Felice has stated: she was in her basement when she got the call. She says she was told that she, Julie Anne, Julie Pie, and Molly were being expelled from Eastland.

John, too, says he got a phone call from his agent. He was "made free".

Why did Felice and John get phone calls while Molly found out in the office? More importantly, was this office in the basement? :lol:

What this guy said on Facebook a decade ago backs up Molly's claims.

One word:

Mom!

(I'll bet, lol)

And I can almost guarantee you she did not bring any banana cream pies to the office with Molly!

Unless some NBC executives found their faces looking very much like banana cream pie! :lol:
:lol::lol::lol::lol:

You think they experienced "that pie bit"? ;)

What this guy said on Facebook a decade ago backs up Molly's claims.

Yep. That image is awesome, and definitely backs Molly's version of events. I'm so grateful to you for sharing this image with us, 80s Dude.

:lol::lol::lol::lol:

You think they experienced "that pie bit"? ;)

:rofl: