So, as we know, in sharp contrast to the backdoor pilot "The Girls' School", Felice was not getting a lot of lines during the first season of FOL. She says she went to producer Al Burton and asked him about her part: "Where's my part? Where's my character? It had been severely diminished."

According to Felice, Al Burton told her that they were still working on her character. They gave her a boyfriend, Roger, but that was it. After "IQ", I don't think Felice ever had more than ten lines per episode during "that first year".

The producers decided to cull the cast in a Cast Purge between seasons 1 and 2. They said there were "too many girls", but as we know, many TV shows managed large casts just fine: Saved By the Bell, Head of the Class, Eight is Enough, The Brady Bunch, Degrassi, and Step by Step are among them.

Back in 2014-ish, I read a quote by producer Jack Elinson, which I couldn't find later on. I recently rediscovered it, and wanted to share it with you all. It comes from Funny You Should Ask: Oral Histories of Classic Sitcom Storytellers, by Scott Lewellen.

When asked about the Lost Girls, here is what Mr. Elinson had to say. But take what he said with a grain of salt. Keep in mind that John Lawlor was also "made free" at the same time, and there's no way he was "pouting" on the set. Nor was Julie Piekarski, I believe (she had nothing to pout about, since she had plenty of lines, and yet she was also "made free"):

-

Hmm interesting theory! I’d say Felice, Julie Anne, and maybe Mindy would have the most gripes

This makes no sense that Julie Pie would be one of the ones pouting since in reality Season 1 had a Core Three (Blair, Tootie, Sue Ann). Then you had the middle tier of Cindy, Molly, and Natalie (there were some episodes where Mindy didn't have many lines), and being wallpapered in was Nancy O.

I can see Molly being one of the ones who pouted. She said in interviews in the 80s that she was stubborn, opinionated (much like her character), and had a temper. Felice admitted several times of how she was not happy being wallpaper.

In addition, I am sure the writers and producers felt pressure from parents and agents too. Both Felice and Molly had parent agents.

This makes no sense that Julie Pie would be one of the ones pouting since in reality Season 1 had a Core Three (Blair, Tootie, Sue Ann). Then you had the middle tier of Cindy, Molly, and Natalie (there were some episodes where Mindy didn't have many lines), and being wallpapered in was Nancy O.

Yeah, it definitely doesn't seem like Julie Pie would have had anything to pout about.


I can see Molly being one of the ones who pouted. She said in interviews in the 80s that she was stubborn, opinionated (much like her character), and had a temper. Felice admitted several times of how she was not happy being wallpaper.

The situation with Felice was so messed up. For whatever reason, she doesn't get any lines. She complains to the producers and is later accused of pouting if she doesn't get any lines. The producers decide to cull the cast, keeping "the best". But Felice never had a chance, having had no lines. :eek:


In addition, I am sure the writers and producers felt pressure from parents and agents too. Both Felice and Molly had parent agents.

They did. Ironically, Felice's mom was also Mindy's agent.

Hmm interesting theory! I’d say Felice, Julie Anne, and maybe Mindy would have the most gripes

They did the most griping? Or they had the most to gripe about?

They did the most griping? Or they had the most to gripe about?

Gripe about.

I'm not Lorimar, but I'm interpreting for him until he comes back. :lol:

This makes no sense that Julie Pie would be one of the ones pouting since in reality Season 1 had a Core Three (Blair, Tootie, Sue Ann). Then you had the middle tier of Cindy, Molly, and Natalie (there were some episodes where Mindy didn't have many lines), and being wallpapered in was Nancy O.

I can see Molly being one of the ones who pouted. She said in interviews in the 80s that she was stubborn, opinionated (much like her character), and had a temper. Felice admitted several times of how she was not happy being wallpaper.

In addition, I am sure the writers and producers felt pressure from parents and agents too. Both Felice and Molly had parent agents.


That's a very good way of putting it and i never quite saw it that way, but the more i think about it, the more i agree:
The top team was definitely BLAIR, TOOTIE and SUE ANN (but don't forget MRS G cos she was the MAIN character)
And
The middle team was definitely CINDY, MOLLY and NAT
NANCY was unfortunately the WALLPAPER!!!

PS: interesting to notice, that although MINDY was a middle team she was chosen to remain in the next season (i know it was CHARLOTTE doing):D:D:D

:hello:hello:hello

PS: interesting to notice, that although MINDY was a middle team she was chosen to remain in the next season (i know it was CHARLOTTE doing):D:D:D

Actually Charlotte had nothing to do with saying who would leave and who would stay. It was the "new regime" of writers Linda Marsh & Margie Peters coming in with the show's producers.

And it's really no surprise that Natalie was kept. She was the "jokester" of the group and got lots of laughs.

I always had this theory.
They kept Blair because she was the pretty one and her character was "strong" (I don't mean the other girls were ugly).
They kept Tootie because she was the only black girl
They kept Natalie because she was discovered by Charlotte Rae

They fired Nancy, Molly and Cindy because their characters were never developed so much

I really don't understand why they fired Sue Ann. It became the Blair, Tootie and Sue Ann show (and Mrs. Garrett, I don't forget that, Valentina, I love Mrs. Garrett :lol:)

I would have kept Cindy or Sue Ann (but Cindy is my first option)

I always had this theory.
They kept Blair because she was the pretty one and her character was "strong" (I don't mean the other girls were ugly).
They kept Tootie because she was the only black girl
They kept Natalie because she was discovered by Charlotte Rae

I think they kept Tootie because she was clearly an audience favorite, getting so many laughs as the precocious youngster.

I think they kept Natalie because she was the "class clown" of the group and won over audiences. Also, "Nat & Toot" had a great best friendship.


They fired Nancy, Molly and Cindy because their characters were never developed so much

I think Cindy and especially Molly were plenty developed, they just weren't written for as heavily as Blair, Sue Ann, and Tootie.


I really don't understand why they fired Sue Ann. It became the Blair, Tootie and Sue Ann show (and Mrs. Garrett, I don't forget that, Valentina, I love Mrs. Garrett :lol:)

Haha yes, you have to keep peace with the United Kingdom here! :bash: :bash: :bash: :lol: ;)

It really is boggling about Sue Ann, but I understand what they say. They wanted the "real girl" for audiences to identify with, someone who came from a rough neighborhood/upbringing. It just should not have been at the expense of 4 other girls.


I would have kept Cindy or Sue Ann (but Cindy is my first option)

Oh mio amico italiano, sapevo che saremmo stati grandi amici! :lol: Saluti! :cheers:

I think they kept Tootie because she was clearly an audience favorite, getting so many laughs as the precocious youngster.

I think they kept Natalie because she was the "class clown" of the group and won over audiences. Also, "Nat & Toot" had a great best friendship.




I think Cindy and especially Molly were plenty developed, they just weren't written for as heavily as Blair, Sue Ann, and Tootie.




Haha yes, you have to keep peace with the United Kingdom here! :bash: :bash: :bash: :lol: ;)

It really is boggling about Sue Ann, but I understand what they say. They wanted the "real girl" for audiences to identify with, someone who came from a rough neighborhood/upbringing. It just should not have been at the expense of 4 other girls.




Oh mio amico italiano, sapevo che saremmo stati grandi amici! :lol: Saluti! :cheers:

I really don't understand why Julie Anne's career suddenly stopped. She was really talented, she deserved her own show

I really don't understand why Julie Anne's career suddenly stopped. She was really talented, she deserved her own show

Hear, hear!

It seems she got disillusioned with "the industry" (acting in Hollywood) in the early 1980s.

I always had this theory.
They kept Blair because she was the pretty one and her character was "strong" (I don't mean the other girls were ugly).
They kept Tootie because she was the only black girl
They kept Natalie because she was discovered by Charlotte Rae

But Charlotte insisted that she had nothing to do with who was to stay or who was to go... Of course, she did approve the hiring of Nancy McKeon, so in a way, that's somewhat contradicted: she decided Nancy would come on board.


They fired Nancy, Molly and Cindy because their characters were never developed so much

While we never go to see Nancy or Cindy's family, we did get to see Molly's.


I really don't understand why they fired Sue Ann. It became the Blair, Tootie and Sue Ann show (and Mrs. Garrett, I don't forget that, Valentina, I love Mrs. Garrett :lol:)

It must have been quite a shock for Julie Pie... although we did get to meet Natalie's sister, and we never did get to meet anyone in Sue Ann's family.


I would have kept Cindy or Sue Ann (but Cindy is my first option)

Keeping Cindy would have been an excellent choice. She had this wistful, willow quality. She could have played well with both the older girls and the younger girls. She would have been a nice bridge between them. We never got a gymnastics episode, or a sports-related episode. We could have had both, had they kept Cindy.

But Charlotte insisted that she had nothing to do with who was to stay or who was to go... Of course, she did approve the hiring of Nancy McKeon, so in a way, that's somewhat contradicted: she decided Nancy would come on board.

But IIRC, wasn't that more like an "approval just to be sure" kind of thing? In that case though you can kind of understand, 'cause if they're gonna have one small intimate group of core girls and a newcomer coming in, you want some "insurance" from the get-go that you can safely bet she's gonna fit right in and be just fine.


We never got a gymnastics episode, or a sports-related episode. We could have had both, had they kept Cindy.

Well, "Running" is sports-related, but not sportsy-sports. lol

But IIRC, wasn't that more like an "approval just to be sure" kind of thing? In that case though you can kind of understand, 'cause if they're gonna have one small intimate group of core girls and a newcomer coming in, you want some "insurance" from the get-go that you can safely bet she's gonna fit right in and be just fine.


But then that's something to say with who is to be on the show... :lol:


Well, "Running" is sports-related, but not sportsy-sports. lol

I just meant post-Season 1.

But then that's something to say with who is to be on the show... :lol:

Yes, lol. Maybe her comments were strictly about the cast purge. Not the cast "build-up" (of 1 actress, lol).


I just meant post-Season 1.

Ahh, yes. The most sports we got after Cindy was gone was Jo coming in dirty one day with a field hockey stick. :rolleyes:

Molly leaving was no loss, she was really annoying. Felice/Nancy was attractive, but the producers didn't seem to like her much or know how to write for her. Sue Ann was featured a lot in season 1, so I doubt Julie P would have complained about lack of lines. Jo was a good addition who added to the show, but would have been nice to keep Sue Ann as a regular. Cindy was featured a decent amount too. They could have still had what were the 4 main girls all in probation in that upstairs cafeteria room, but kept Sue Ann and Cindy as roommates who still lived in the dorms and appearing more frequently on FOL. It might not have been all up to the producers though, with FOL struggling at first NBC might have ordered them to trim the cast. When FOL became more successful later, would have been allowed more latitude bringing in the new actors like George Clooney and Mackenzie Astin.

Gripe about.

I'm not Lorimar, but I'm interpreting for him until he comes back. :lol:

Haha yes :lol: thats what I meant

Molly leaving was no loss, she was really annoying. Felice/Nancy was attractive, but the producers didn't seem to like her much or know how to write for her. Sue Ann was featured a lot in season 1, so I doubt Julie P would have complained about lack of lines. Jo was a good addition who added to the show, but would have been nice to keep Sue Ann as a regular. Cindy was featured a decent amount too. They could have still had what were the 4 main girls all in probation in that upstairs cafeteria room, but kept Sue Ann and Cindy as roommates who still lived in the dorms and appearing more frequently on FOL. It might not have been all up to the producers though, with FOL struggling at first NBC might have ordered them to trim the cast. When FOL became more successful later, would have been allowed more latitude bringing in the new actors like George Clooney and Mackenzie Astin.

I agree, the Julie's should have been recurring throughout the show!

[COLOR="Green"]Molly leaving was no loss, she was really annoying.

Some people find her annoying, but she was a big loss to the show. Without Molly, the show lost a character who exhibited:


feminism
environmental activism
health consciousness
musical showmanship
tech geek interests

I agree, the Julie's should have been recurring throughout the show!

I think many of us would have appreciated that. Even just seeing The Julies from time to time would have been nice, with the core Four visiting Regular Students in the dorm, getting to feel what it was like for students not on probation... and then having to go back to kitchen drudgery.

But Charlotte insisted that she had nothing to do with who was to stay or who was to go... Of course, she did approve the hiring of Nancy McKeon, so in a way, that's somewhat contradicted: she decided Nancy would come on board.

Well, if you count that:
- She "discovered" Mindy
- She went to Westlake
- She approved Nancy M.
- She sang the theme in s1
- She vetoed that gay joke in the script
- She insisted that the producers upgrade the food on the set

She contradicted herself :lol:

Some people find her annoying, but she was a big loss to the show. Without Molly, the show lost a character who exhibited:


feminism
environmental activism
health consciousness
musical showmanship
tech geek interests



All very good points, '80s. When we lost Molly, we lost the show's ability to show feminism, activism, and technical episodes. I'll skip Molly's showmanship episodes, as I don't think she exhibited much talent there (but her Disney recordings are great, so she certainly deserved another chance).

Well, if you count that:
- She "discovered" Mindy
- She went to Westlake
- She approved Nancy M.
- She sang the theme in s1
- She vetoed that gay joke in the script
- She insisted that the producers upgrade the food on the set

She contradicted herself :lol:

But could she have prevented four young actresses from being fired, even if she wanted to? Charlotte's interviews indicate that she, too, was convinced by the producers/network that there were "too many girls" at a girls' school. So she went along with it. But Charlotte didn't feel like she was a part of management. By the end, she didn't even feel like she was part of the show. Her character didn't even have a bedroom!

But could she have prevented four young actresses from being fired, even if she wanted to? Charlotte's interviews indicate that she, too, was convinced by the producers/network that there were "too many girls" at a girls' school. So she went along with it. But Charlotte didn't feel like she was a part of management. By the end, she didn't even feel like she was part of the show. Her character didn't even have a bedroom!

No no, I believe her when she said she had no voice when they fired the girls. I was only saying she always said that she wasn't part of the managament but she decided something (see Mindy or the food)

But could she have prevented four young actresses from being fired, even if she wanted to? Charlotte's interviews indicate that she, too, was convinced by the producers/network that there were "too many girls" at a girls' school. So she went along with it. But Charlotte didn't feel like she was a part of management. By the end, she didn't even feel like she was part of the show. Her character didn't even have a bedroom!

That is interesting to wonder if any input she may have put in between seasons 1 and 2 would have been effective enough to influence anyone (as far as we know, she didn't speak up, but who knows now, lol).

I always had this theory.
They kept Blair because she was the pretty one and her character was "strong" (I don't mean the other girls were ugly).
They kept Tootie because she was the only black girl
They kept Natalie because she was discovered by Charlotte Rae

They fired Nancy, Molly and Cindy because their characters were never developed so much

I really don't understand why they fired Sue Ann. It became the Blair, Tootie and Sue Ann show (and Mrs. Garrett, I don't forget that, Valentina, I love Mrs. Garrett :lol:)

I would have kept Cindy or Sue Ann (but Cindy is my first option)




I could never forget MRS G FO FAN ITA: i love the 'feisty red haired' just as much as BLAIR!;););):

:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

I could never forget MRS G FO FAN ITA: i love the 'feisty red haired' just as much as BLAIR!;););):

:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

None could forget Mrs. Garrett.
Mrs. Garrett, Blair and Natalie are my favourites.
Jo and Tootie are in the category "Characters you like in later seasons"
Andy, Mr. Bradley, Sue Ann and Beverly Ann are ok
Cindy and Nancy are my favourite Lost Girls, Molly my least favourite
George, Miss Mahoney and Pippa are indifferent
Kelly is the worst

The End:lol::lol:

:lol:

None could forget Mrs. Garrett.
Mrs. Garrett, Blair and Natalie are my favourites.
Jo and Tootie are in the category "Characters you like in later seasons"
Andy, Mr. Bradley, Sue Ann and Beverly Ann are ok
Cindy and Nancy are my favourite Lost Girls, Molly my least favourite
George, Miss Mahoney and Pippa are indifferent
Kelly is the worst

The End:lol:



I agree a lot on that one with you FOL FAN ITA!

BLAIR and MRS G have been my favourite since the 'pilot' as you know: they had the greatest 'DYNAMIC' right from the beginning!;););)

As next i liked best JO/NAT (TOOTIE is my least favourite):D:D:D

From the 'lost girls': SUE ANN and NANCY were my favourites.:p:p:p

My least favourites 'lost girls' were: MOLLY and CINDY (apologies to the FANS up there!)

MR BRADLEY was my favourite headmaster, but MR PARKER comes as next.

PS: i also quite liked THE CROCK and how he clashed with MRS G (a housekeeper then):happyface:happyface

I also would loved if they'd kept MISS MAHONEY: she brought lots of laughs to the show!

THE END for me too!:cheers::cheers::cheers:

I know NO ONE agrees with me: but i would have kept KELLY instead of STREET URCHIN (hey you're brushing up on me cfr1970!)

Molly leaving was no loss, she was really annoying. Felice/Nancy was attractive, but the producers didn't seem to like her much or know how to write for her. Sue Ann was featured a lot in season 1, so I doubt Julie P would have complained about lack of lines. Jo was a good addition who added to the show, but would have been nice to keep Sue Ann as a regular. Cindy was featured a decent amount too. They could have still had what were the 4 main girls all in probation in that upstairs cafeteria room, but kept Sue Ann and Cindy as roommates who still lived in the dorms and appearing more frequently on FOL. It might not have been all up to the producers though, with FOL struggling at first NBC might have ordered them to trim the cast. When FOL became more successful later, would have been allowed more latitude bringing in the new actors like George Clooney and Mackenzie Astin.

But ironically, they gave Nancy O. more lines in some shows in Season 2 and 3 as a part timer than they did in Season 1 when she was a "full timer.".

Mindy was just not Charlotte's discovery, but Al Burton's as well and he was the head of production and I don't think they wanted their green, but talented discovery (Mindy) to be shown the door after the first season.