Why NBC stopped after the backdoor pilot?

It's curious that Tootie has never had her own backdoor pilot. Blair has two pilots (Graduation and the series finale), Jo has Graduation and Natalie has BAB. Probably she wasn't popular like the other three girls....

BAB was terrible, and I'm not surprised the network decided not to greenlight it. Can you imagine more than 13 episodes of Natalie hanging around with a bunch of SoHo freaks?

At this point in the show's run, they were throwing anything out there to see if anything stuck. Nothing did.

Thank God it didn't happen. It was the worst episode of the series in my opinion. Nobody had any redeeming qualities. It would have been cancelled after 1 episode or before the pilot hit the air.

Thank God it didn't happen. It was the worst episode of the series in my opinion. Nobody had any redeeming qualities. It would have been cancelled after 1 episode or before the pilot hit the air.
I feel the same way. The characters were hopeless. The premise was "they're weird". What kinds of plots could there even have been? "Natalie quickly realizes this living arrangement won't work and moves back to Peekskill"? :lol:

In my opinion, the reason TOOTIE never had any back door pilot is because she was the least popular out of the 'Core of 4' (she only gained popularity during the Golden era of season 1, when she was still a sassy/cute kid with the most memorable lines as the wise cracker of the 7 girls)....

Yep Tootie and Blair were the stars of season 1. With Sue Ann third.

In my opinion, the reason TOOTIE never had any back door pilot is because she was the least popular out of the 'Core of 4' (she only gained popularity during the Golden era of season 1, when she was still a sassy/cute kid with the most memorable lines as the wise cracker of the 7 girls)....

You know, you raise a good point, Valentina: by removing Tootie's sassiness after S1, they ended up making Tootie far less popular.

It's somewhat interesting that "Gossip" has Tootie return to some of that sassiness, with lines like, "Make a break for it." This is something S1 Tootie would say. Mrs. Garrett also feels much more like the kooky character of Season One, and of course the Lost Girls appear. We even get a headmaster for a single episode.

Yep Tootie and Blair were the stars of season 1. With Sue Ann third.

Who would you say was fourth?

Who would you say was fourth?
Well this is discounting the adults as obviously Mrs G was the star. Honestly I'd say early on it was Cindy or Molly then eventually Natalie. As always poor phone girl was Nancied :(

MRS G was definitely the star in season 1 along with BLAIR: those 2 had the best chemistry/dynamic right from the start!
In the episode 'Rough housing', you can tell how hurt BLAIR is about MRS G's assumption on her being a slut/easy (although we all know that 'our feisty red haired' was just trying to teach her a lesson) and afterwards they break the ice!

TOOTIE was definitely the second star, as the sassy/cheeky youngest one out of the 7 girls and her charm was contagious: you couldn't help loving her to bits and wanting to hug her!
Unfortunately as you say Retro, after the revamp all of that was gone to be replaced by a whiny/annoying kid (although not until season 3).

The third star as we all know was SUE ANN: she became quite a popular and very likable character due to her kind heart and easy going personality! She was torn between BLAIR and CINDY though! (always eager to hang around the popular kids, but perhaps she had more in common with our 'pig tailed blond haired tomboy'?).

As for the fourth star: i'd say it was a mixture between NATALIE and MOLLY lol!

Sorry NANCY, but that leaves you out....

MRS G was definitely the star in season 1 along with BLAIR: those 2 had the best chemistry/dynamic right from the start!
In the episode 'Rough housing', you can tell how hurt BLAIR is about MRS G's assumption on her being a slut/easy (although we all know that 'our feisty red haired' was just trying to teach her a lesson) and afterwards they break the ice!

TOOTIE was definitely the second star, as the sassy/cheeky youngest one out of the 7 girls and her charm was contagious: you couldn't help loving her to bits and wanting to hug her!
Unfortunately as you say Retro, after the revamp all of that was gone to be replaced by a whiny/annoying kid (although not until season 3).

The third star as we all know was SUE ANN: she became quite a popular and very likable character due to her kind heart and easy going personality! She was torn between BLAIR and CINDY though! (always eager to hang around the popular kids, but perhaps she had more in common with our 'pig tailed blond haired tomboy'?).

As for the fourth star: i'd say it was a mixture between NATALIE and MOLLY lol!

Sorry NANCY, but that leaves you out....
Well this is discounting the adults as obviously Mrs G was the star. Honestly I'd say early on it was Cindy or Molly then eventually Natalie. As always poor phone girl was Nancied https://www.sitcomsonline.com/ubb/frown.gif

So, it's great getting both your takes on this.

Lorimar, you mention how early on the "fourth girl" may have been Cindy or Molly early on, and then eventually became Natalie. Valentina, you mention the "fourth girl" was a mixture of Natalie and Molly.

I'm going to slightly disagree and say the "fourth girl" that season was... Cindy. I know that's a bit controversial because she definitely got Nancied during the last two episodes that season, but prior to that, she got the lead role in "Rough Housing", and also had a co-starring role in "Running". Molly only got "Molly's Holiday" and Natalie only got 'Adoption".

Of course, I think by the end of the season, the producers had changed course; by the final scene of the season, several girls are left Nancied downstairs, and only Blair, Tootie, Natalie, and Sue Ann are allowed in the "our group" final hug of the season, with Mrs. Garrett. I think the producers were telegraphing their intentions, although they may not have yet made any final decisions.

I’m not getting how Tootie was the least popular. She’s one of the most memorable. Most other sitcoms reference Tootie when they mention FOL (Golden Girls?’c Will and Grace, Step by Step, Mama’s Family).
Some of her sassiness returned in Season 6 and it was mixed in with some bossiness and eccentricity. I thought it was funny.

I agree Cindy was def big in the 1979 eps but she was sadly Nancied in the 80's eps besides Running while Molly and Natalie became more prominent. Despite having more storylines than each I'd say Cindy was fourth but eventually relegated to fifth or sixth.

I’m not getting how Tootie was the least popular. She’s one of the most memorable. Most other sitcoms reference Tootie when they mention FOL (Golden Girls?’c Will and Grace, Step by Step, Mama’s Family).
Some of her sassiness returned in Season 6 and it was mixed in with some bossiness and eccentricity. I thought it was funny.

Tootie definitely started out sassy, with funny lines and catchphrases and her distinct mode of transportation: roller skates. I mean, that's the Tootie most people are remembering: "There's gonna be trooooublllle..." But then Linda Marsh and Margie Peters watered her down; they felt as though she was just a stereotype. Gone were the skates, phased out was her catchphrase, and the little cute girl just became another student.

I do agree some of her sassiness returned late in the series' run, after Linda and Margie had left the show.

I agree Cindy was def big in the 1979 eps but she was sadly Nancied in the 80's eps besides Running while Molly and Natalie became more prominent. Despite having more storylines than each I'd say Cindy was fourth but eventually relegated to fifth or sixth.

Yeah, Cindy definitely goes from a major role in "Rough Housing" to a less significant role. By the end of the season, she, like Molly and Nancy, doesn't even appear on-screen at the end of the year.

Yeah, Cindy definitely goes from a major role in "Rough Housing" to a less significant role. By the end of the season, she, like Molly and Nancy, doesn't even appear on-screen at the end of the year.

Agreed!

BAB was terrible, and I'm not surprised the network decided not to greenlight it. Can you imagine more than 13 episodes of Natalie hanging around with a bunch of SoHo freaks?

I think I actually remember this. Was David Spade in this thing?

I think I actually remember this. Was David Spade in this thing?

Yep, that was it!

Yep, that was it!

Thanks. Next question. What's it mean that, as a casual FOL viewer, this particular episode stuck with me? :confused:

Thanks. Next question. What's it mean that, as a casual FOL viewer, this particular episode stuck with me? :confused:

About how old are you, were you young when the show was still on prime time TV? Was Natalie your favorite or identified with her and thus remember this episode the most?

About how old are you, were you young when the show was still on prime time TV? Was Natalie your favorite or identified with her and thus remember this episode the most?

It's probably the David Spade connection. I've always watched SNL so I must have seen this episode in syndication somewhere after he got on SNL, said "Woah, it's David Spade", and it always stuck with me.

You guys raise a good point: CINDY was definitely the fourth girl at the beginning of the show, and with 2 good episodes with her on it!
'Rough Housing' focused mainly on her, with BLAIR as her rival and MRS G as the peacemaker!
'Running' had CINDY and SUE ANN as the main one, and it was a very intense episode!
Nevertheless and even though MOLLY and NATALIE only had a whole episode on them, they had more lines than CINDY in all the other episodes not based on them lol!

So, it's great getting both your takes on this.

Lorimar, you mention how early on the "fourth girl" may have been Cindy or Molly early on, and then eventually became Natalie. Valentina, you mention the "fourth girl" was a mixture of Natalie and Molly.

I'm going to slightly disagree and say the "fourth girl" that season was... Cindy. I know that's a bit controversial because she definitely got Nancied during the last two episodes that season, but prior to that, she got the lead role in "Rough Housing", and also had a co-starring role in "Running". Molly only got "Molly's Holiday" and Natalie only got 'Adoption".

Of course, I think by the end of the season, the producers had changed course; by the final scene of the season, several girls are left Nancied downstairs, and only Blair, Tootie, Natalie, and Sue Ann are allowed in the "our group" final hug of the season, with Mrs. Garrett. I think the producers were telegraphing their intentions, although they may not have yet made any final decisions.




I really love your poster of the final season 1 episode Retro: it's really funny, although in a way sad cos it's the ending of the '7 musketeers'! (i kind of like calling them like that)

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

I’m not getting how Tootie was the least popular. She’s one of the most memorable. Most other sitcoms reference Tootie when they mention FOL (Golden Girls?’c Will and Grace, Step by Step, Mama’s Family).
Some of her sassiness returned in Season 6 and it was mixed in with some bossiness and eccentricity. I thought it was funny.



Maybe i choose the wrong word: i didn't exactly mean that TOOTIE was less popular: each one of the 'Core of 4' girls have their own fun club lol!
What i meant was, that she was a far better actress in the earlier seasons (especially 1 when she was the wise cracker kid, rolling around the school with her roller skates and saying her famous lines, 'there is going to be trouble!")
Unfortunately as Retro said, they took that magic/charm away from her, and by season 8 & 9, TOOTIE was really annoying and had turned into a POD: all she did was talk about JEFFREY, and she became very boring!!!!!!

:cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer:

I really love your poster of the final season 1 episode Retro: it's really funny, although in a way sad cos it's the ending of the '7 musketeers'! (i kind of like calling them like that)

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

It really was the ending of the Seven Musketeers (and I appreciate that name, which feels very appropriate, considering we get 'four musketeers' during the Cafeteria Years). Despite the fact that there were only thirteen episodes and a backdoor pilot, it feels like the end of an era, perhaps because those episodes (13+1) aired over the course of more than a year. The girls grew so much during that time that it's almost shocking to see how tall Molly has grown, when we see her in the 15th episode (TNG2).

It's probably the David Spade connection. I've always watched SNL so I must have seen this episode in syndication somewhere after he got on SNL, said "Woah, it's David Spade", and it always stuck with me.

I think it was the same for me. However, I never cared much for David Spade. I'm sure he's very talented, but it feels to me like he's only ever playing one sarcastic character: himself.

It really was the ending of the Seven Musketeers (and I appreciate that name, which feels very appropriate, considering we get 'four musketeers' during the Cafeteria Years). Despite the fact that there were only thirteen episodes and a backdoor pilot, it feels like the end of an era, perhaps because those episodes (13+1) aired over the course of more than a year. The girls grew so much during that time that it's almost shocking to see how tall Molly has grown, when we see her in the 15th episode (TNG2).



You're quite right Retro and i feel the same way: the season 1 definitely had 13 + 1 episodes, and the 'pilot' is the most crucial one! It introduces us to BLAIR who started as the bad/rebellious girl who would make FOL rock!:guitar::guitar::guitar:

NANCY as the leader/popularone (who later becomes the phone crazy/gossipy girl).phone2:phone2:phone2:

SUE ANN starts as the crazy/hyper girl who turns into the smartest/caring one!:rotflmao::rotflmao::rotflmao:

MOLLY starts as the bubbly/curious kid who becomes the feminist/activist,:read::read:

And finally little TOOTIE starts as the clumsy/nosy kid on her roller skates who would eventually turn FOL into a loud and lively 'Eastland' with her wicked/sassy charm that only she was allowed to get away with!!!!:cheer::cheer:

And lastly, our MRS G starts as the lady who saved an all girls school play, by sewing all the kids dresses and telling off the naughtiest girl at that school that in her home she would know her place: she eventually ends up staying there as the housemother to make sure the girls stay out of trouble, always lending a hand to the headmaster to help him run the school, winning everyone's heart just by being part of that unforgettable boarding school named 'Eastland'!
Later on, she takes a job as a nutritionists, adopting 4 unruly girls, and guiding them until their young adulthood......
:bighug::bighug:

I think it was the same for me. However, I never cared much for David Spade. I'm sure he's very talented, but it feels to me like he's only ever playing one sarcastic character: himself.

I’m into sarcasm. And yes, I don’t think he’s ever “acted”. He knows where the money is and keeps going there.

NANCY as the leader/popularone (who later becomes the phone crazy/gossipy girl).phone2:phone2:phone2:

It's kinda funny how group dynamics work: when there were 23 girls in the dorm, Nancy seemed to be Head Girl. Everybody hoped Nancy would stay.

But when the number of girls in the dorm was reduced to seven or eight (depending on if we include the unseen Nina), Nancy eventually becomes the least popular girl: the girl who doesn't make it into "The Group" because of her townie boyfriend, Roger (according to the original script) or because Blair just picked Sue Ann instead (as seen in the episode itself). Sue Ann gets in because she's Blair's friend, but Nancy... isn't even considered.

I’m into sarcasm. And yes, I don’t think he’s ever “acted”. He knows where the money is and keeps going there.

Bingo. For me, I don't want to see an actor. I want to see a character.

It's kinda funny how group dynamics work: when there were 23 girls in the dorm, Nancy seemed to be Head Girl. Everybody hoped Nancy would stay.

But when the number of girls in the dorm was reduced to seven or eight (depending on if we include the unseen Nina), Nancy eventually becomes the least popular girl: the girl who doesn't make it into "The Group" because of her townie boyfriend, Roger (according to the original script) or because Blair just picked Sue Ann instead (as seen in the episode itself). Sue Ann gets in because she's Blair's friend, but Nancy... isn't even considered.

Nancy O. is so preoccupied with Roger, why would any of the other girls really want to hang out with her?

Nancy O. is so preoccupied with Roger, why would any of the other girls really want to hang out with her?

That's a good point: did Nancy's preoccupation with Roger drive her friends away?

That's a good point: did Nancy's preoccupation with Roger drive her friends away?

Plus she was hogging the phone all the time. If anything that Nancy O. needed from that first season Christmas party that never made on the air was two of those ham radios that Molly used. Molly could have called her ham radio friend KN6YBV and say that her housemate Nancy needs two ham radios on the double for Christmas before the rest of the girls go Sue Ann on Cindy to Nancy O.

It's kinda funny how group dynamics work: when there were 23 girls in the dorm, Nancy seemed to be Head Girl. Everybody hoped Nancy would stay.

But when the number of girls in the dorm was reduced to seven or eight (depending on if we include the unseen Nina), Nancy eventually becomes the least popular girl: the girl who doesn't make it into "The Group" because of her townie boyfriend, Roger (according to the original script) or because Blair just picked Sue Ann instead (as seen in the episode itself). Sue Ann gets in because she's Blair's friend, but Nancy... isn't even considered.



I know NANCY was written as the leader on the pilot, but it comes of no surprise to me that BLAIR got chosen as the main girl afterwards: her dynamic with MRS G was quite strong, and her presence quite noticed! You see right away that she would also play an important character, and if NANCY had remained the leader in season 1, i'm absolutely sure she and BLAIR would have become frenemies and the show could have focused on NANCY vs BLAIR and MRS G as the peacemaker.....

What do you guys think? Isn't it a possibility? I think it would have been interesting indeed!!!

:yippee::yippee::yippee::yippee::yippee::yippee::yippee::yippee::yippee::yippee:

PS: i would have liked to see NANCY be friends with the girls rather than hanging on the phone to 'ROGER lol!

I know NANCY was written as the leader on the pilot, but it comes of no surprise to me that BLAIR got chosen as the main girl afterwards: her dynamic with MRS G was quite strong, and her presence quite noticed! You see right away that she would also play an important character, and if NANCY had remained the leader in season 1, i'm absolutely sure she and BLAIR would have become frenemies and the show could have focused on NANCY vs BLAIR and MRS G as the peacemaker.....

What do you guys think? Isn't it a possibility? I think it would have been interesting indeed!!!


A show with Nancy vs. Blair would have been quite a change: the frenemy relationship between wealthy Manhattanite Blair and hayseed Kansas City, Kansas resident Sue Ann became a central part of Season One. Nancy and Blair bickered somewhat, but because Nancy's role was so diminished, her screen time was minor, and that conflict wouldn't become important until "Gossip" in Season 2.

We do see, in "Gossip", what could have been, if things had been a little different: we see Nancy's jealous streak, we see Blair's sneakiness, and we see Tootie behind it all, pulling strings. In many ways, "Gossip" is sort of a bridge between the first and second season, with dynamics from both seasons in play. But "Gossip" also shows us "what could have been" in Season 1, if only Nancy had had a major role. The entire episode revolves around conflict: conflict between Blair and Nancy, Blair and Jo, Jo and Tootie, Blair and Tootie, Mrs. Garrett and Tootie, and Mrs. Garrett and Mr. Harris.

It really is a shame there weren't more episodes like "Gossip", where we not only see the Core Four, we get a recurring "fifth girl" mixing things up a little.

It would have been seeing Jo and Sue Ann going back and forth. Urban vs. Rural.

It would have been seeing Jo and Sue Ann going back and forth. Urban vs. Rural.

I, too, would have liked to have seen some Jo/Sue Ann interaction. There could have been all sorts of conflict between those two headstrong girls.

By the time we saw conflict between Jo and Sue Ann, in "The Little Chill", Sue Ann was no longer a girl from a rural area: she was now grown up and dressed like a socialite. Of course, Jo herself had come a long way, too.

Plus she was hogging the phone all the time. If anything that Nancy O. needed from that first season Christmas party that never made on the air was two of those ham radios that Molly used. Molly could have called her ham radio friend KN6YBV and say that her housemate Nancy needs two ham radios on the double for Christmas before the rest of the girls go Sue Ann on Cindy to Nancy O.

:lol:

I can't imagine Nancy using a HAM radio to reach Roger.

Ham radios and CB radios were the cell phones of those days.

You guys make interesting points, but in my opinion the best thing of all would have been to just leave the 7 girls and ad JO as the number 8: that way we could have seen her interact with ALL the 'Lost girls'!
In my imaginary world, this is how i pictured it: CINDY and JO become instant friends and clash constantly with socialite BLAIR WARNER and girly NANCY;
SUE ANN is torn between hanging out with popular BLAIR or staying faithful to tomboy CINDY: she is rather intrigued by JO but doesn't know how to approach the tough girl;
MOLLY on the other hand instantly join the CINDY/JO club and the 3 of them remain tight all through the series (although JO still has a 'Frenemy' relationship with BLAIR, who she secretly admires).
Lastly, TOOTIE and NATALIE are the best friends who enjoy hanging out with all of them!
And finally: MRS G is the surrogate mother of the '8 Musketeers' but she has a lot work dealing with the bikering between JO/BLAIR/CINDY and so on

PS: what did you guys think of it?