I just saw "Dearest Mommie" and thought that Natalie's mother should have been there to give Natalie the name of her birth mother instead of just sending her a letter. That seemed pretty cold and cowardly. Should her mother been there for support and to see if she had any questions or to ask Natalie if she was ready for the name of her birth mother yet?

They also recycled a line from "Adoption" for this episode when they joked about Natalie's mother dumping her.

I feel Evie definitely should have been in Natalie's life more. Phone calls and letters are okay, but this is a woman who visited Peekskill twice in nine years. They should have shown her more often. At a bare minimum, we should have seen the parents twice a year, so we should have seen Evie 18 times.

You guys are forgetting the sweet ending, when EVIE has a 'heart to heart' talk with NAT (after she came back from visiting her biological mother)....

:bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:

You guys are forgetting the sweet ending, when EVIE has a 'heart to heart' talk with NAT (after she came back from visiting her biological mother)....

:bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:

I'n not forgetting the nice ending; I'm wondering why it almost never happened before or after.

You guys are forgetting the sweet ending, when EVIE has a 'heart to heart' talk with NAT (after she came back from visiting her biological mother)....

:bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:

Evie should have been there when she revealed the name of Natalie's birth mother instead of taking the coward's way out with a letter. This would be an emotional moment for Natalie and a mother needed to be there to answer any questions or even ask Natalie if she really wants to know the name of her birth mother yet.

I feel Evie definitely should have been in Natalie's life more. Phone calls and letters are okay, but this is a woman who visited Peekskill twice in nine years. They should have shown her more often. At a bare minimum, we should have seen the parents twice a year, so we should have seen Evie 18 times.

Natalie's father only appeared for a few minutes in 1 episode and then the decide to kill him off.

You guys are forgetting the sweet ending, when EVIE has a 'heart to heart' talk with NAT (after she came back from visiting her biological mother)....

:bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:

You might be forgetting that when Natalie went over to her mom's place, she told her that she asked for MRS. GARRETT'S PERMISSION to go there. Mrs. Garrett was much more of a mother to all of the girls than their bio "parents" who dumped them in boarding school.

Natalie's father only appeared for a few minutes in 1 episode and then the decide to kill him off.

At least he could speak! Natalie's sister was apparently mute! :lol:

You might be forgetting that when Natalie went over to her mom's place, she told her that she asked for MRS. GARRETT'S PERMISSION to go there. Mrs. Garrett was much more of a mother to all of the girls than their bio "parents" who dumped them in boarding school.

I feel that was about all the girls' parents, except for Jo's and Molly's. Both Jo's dad and Molly's dad love their daughters three times as much as Blair's, and that's canon.

At least he could speak! Natalie's sister was apparently mute! :lol:

And Natalie's brother didn't even make an appearance. I guest that is what happens when he called her "Buick Face" when making fun of her braces (which were never mentiioned, but we saw).

And Natalie's brother didn't even make an appearance. I guest that is what happens when he called her "Buick Face" when making fun of her braces (which were never mentiioned, but we saw).

:lol::lol::lol::D

I feel that was about all the girls' parents, except for Jo's and Molly's. Both Jo's dad and Molly's dad love their daughters three times as much as Blair's, and that's canon.Molly's dad was the only parent that I actually liked. I thought Jo's mom sucked by dumping her so her boyfriend Jack could move in. Even Blair said to Jo "that was a scuzzy thing to do..." I agree completely. Jo's father was just okay IMO. He could get on my nerves. Mr. Parker (Molly's dad) was definitely the nicest and most caring.

Molly's dad was the only parent that I actually liked. I thought Jo's mom sucked by dumping her so her boyfriend Jack could move in. Even Blair said to Jo "that was a scuzzy thing to do..." I agree completely. Jo's father was just okay IMO. He could get on my nerves. Mr. Parker (Molly's dad) was definitely the nicest and most caring.

Yeah, Molly's dad was very loving. We definitely see that throughout the episode. Tootie's father almost pulls her out of Eastland based on five minutes of interaction with Mrs. Garrett; Molly's father is the opposite: being lied to doesn't phase him in the slightest. He takes it in stride and make sure Molly knows that he still loves her. He's so patient he doesn't even yell at Molly, unlike Mrs. Garrett.

I feel as though Jo was an unreliable narrator (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unreliable_narrator) when it comes to her mother. At the time she comes to Eastland, she's very confused: she's mixed up with gangs, has vandalized, and has no problem stealing from stores. Her whole mode of thinking has been affected. I don't believe Rose sent Jo to Eastland just to get rid of her over a boyfriend: if she did, there are many ways of more cheaply dumping off kids; Rose is instead working her fingers to the bone to pay for Jo's tuition. I think Jo has convinced herself that Rose has dumped her at Eastland because she's angry at being separated from Eddie. But Eastland is an expensive school.

When Blair says it was crummy of Rose to dump Jo over a new boyfriend, it's because Blair doesn't know the full story; she's only heard Jo's side. When Blair meets Jo's parents, she says that Jo's father loves Jo three times as much as Blair's fathers love Blair; Blair realizes that Jo's parents love her very much.

But, of course, that's my interpretation, and I know other viewers will come to their own conclusions. One of the things I absolutely love about The Facts of Life is that there are so many layers of writing in the earlier seasons that it's possible for viewers to draw multiple different conclusions, none of them "incorrect", but all of them right in their own way. The complex relationship Jo has with both of her parents is one of the strongest things in The Facts of Life, and I think it was quite rare to see this type of complex emotional relationship, which is so the opposite of Blair's (original) superficial relationship with her parents, and especially her mother.

One of the most unfortunate things about the first season of The Facts of Life is that we do not get to meet the other girls' parents. We really should have met Nancy's parents in "The Girls' School": she's got the lead in the school play, and yet her parents aren't there to watch the play? Cindy is nominated for Harvest Queen and yet her parents (separately) aren't there for the crowning of their daughter as Corn Maiden? Sue Ann's parents live in Kansas City, Kansas, so I can see why they didn't attend Sue Ann's track meet.

One thing they could have done is made Nina's father be Nancy's father. Then Nancy could have introduced her own father at parents' night ("This is Justin Olsen, my father.") instead of introducing the father of a student we don't actually see. Then there would have been an added element of embarrassment for Blair: not only is Monica dating an old flame, he's the father of her own dorm mate! And it would have given Nancy a slightly bigger role, or a bigger profile in an episode where she's otherwise Nancied: here she's actually introducing fathers of students who aren't even on the show! What's next? Introducing Mr. Barksdale and Mrs. Hunt? :lol:


We do get interesting, tantalizing details about the Lost Girls' parents: Cindy's parents are divorced, and as '80sSitcoms points out, it is Cindy's father who has taught her about the "facts of life", not her mother. Where is her mother? Nancy's father lost his job and apparently is pretty strict with her, but we learn not much else. Molly's mother was just about to join Molly, so we know she was involved in her daughter's life. And Sue Ann's parents, back in Kansas City, Kansas, tried to instill family values in their daughter.

I don't believe Rose sent Jo to Eastland just to get rid of her over a boyfriend: if she did, there are many ways of more cheaply dumping off kids; Rose is instead working her fingers to the bone to pay for Jo's tuition. I think Jo has convinced herself that Rose has dumped her at Eastland because she's angry at being separated from Eddie. But Eastland is an expensive school.


I thought Jo was attending Eastland on an academic scholarship.

I thought Jo was attending Eastland on an academic scholarship.

Yes, but the scholarship doesn't cover everything. Her mother still has to work double shifts to pay for what isn't covered. Eventually, Jo's dad chips in, too, once he realizes what a good school it is.

I just saw "Dearest Mommie" and thought that Natalie's mother should have been there to give Natalie the name of her birth mother instead of just sending her a letter. That seemed pretty cold and cowardly. Should her mother been there for support and to see if she had any questions or to ask Natalie if she was ready for the name of her birth mother yet?

Wow. I don't see it as cold or cowardly at all. I can understand sending her the letter. And Natalie was away at a boarding school, so it seems natural to send a letter you separate from a fight at school (I just always grew up thinking boarding schools were for kids to be sent to with occasional family visits, hence all the Mrs. Garrett-ness of her being a surrogate guardian at Eastland made sense to me). I'm a regular viewer of "Long Lost Family", so I can understand where an adoptive parent would be coming from and how hard it is on them.

I feel Evie definitely should have been in Natalie's life more. Phone calls and letters are okay, but this is a woman who visited Peekskill twice in nine years. They should have shown her more often. At a bare minimum, we should have seen the parents twice a year, so we should have seen Evie 18 times.

She visited much more than that; all the parents did (except perhaps Blair's dad). To me that's clear in how familiar the girls are with her when she arrives. They just didn't show all the parental visits.

I feel that was about all the girls' parents, except for Jo's and Molly's. Both Jo's dad and Molly's dad love their daughters three times as much as Blair's, and that's canon.

I don't believe they loved them three times as much as Blair's dad. I believe they may have shown it three times as much, because Blair says her father does love her in his own way, and she came to accept that (in later seasons). That's kind of like dads you know who don't seem real close to their kids because it doesn't come as naturally to them. I liked David's appearances too and how they brought him on in the post-Eastland years more than once.

But, of course, that's my interpretation, and I know other viewers will come to their own conclusions.

Yes, the most flabbergasted thing I ever saw this board was how hostile you were about the parents. I couldn't believe that was coming from you. But then when you shared your own story of growing up and the authority figures you had in your life, I realized you come from an entirely different life experience and so that had input into your interpretation of the parents (forgive my amateur psychological reading, lol).

I don't believe they loved them three times as much as Blair's dad. I believe they may have shown it three times as much, because Blair says her father does love her in his own way, and she came to accept that (in later seasons).

Blair's father doesn't even attend his daughter's graduation, after she's spent at least six years at Eastland (four on the show plus two more years documented through Harvest Queen crowns). It's obvious he puts his businesses before his family. You don't have to demonstrate your love on a daily basis, but you sure as heck need to demonstrate it on special occasions. We see Blair's parents miss her birthdays, her special events, and even the daily humdrum stuff: Blair says her relationship with her mother is superficial, and Blair's mother has no problem lying to Blair about her cancer diagnosis. One gets the feeling Blair's father would lie to her about a medical diagnosis, as well: he certainly had no problem writing off his time spent with Blair as "business expenses": he made his peace with breaking the law and uses his daughter as a pawn in that money-making scheme. I think he loves his daughter, but doesn't love her enough to understand you never drag your family into your illegal activities. Blair was right to be devastated by this horrific revelation, even after she's made her peace with the fact that Jo's father loves Jo more than all of Blair's fathers and stepfathers love Blair combined.

Blair's father doesn't even attend his daughter's graduation, after she's spent at least six years at Eastland (four on the show plus two more years documented through Harvest Queen crowns).

This kind of criticism against Blair's dad hits a personal defensive button with me because my dad didn't always get to attend functions we were in because of his job. He's a farmer, one of the most important industries, and one of the hardest-working. That's not a 9-to-5 job. But we came to understand he couldn't always be at every school or academic function (he did attend our graduations though). And he's not the most perfect or affectionate father, but we know he does love us. And after losing both of his parents, he's come to show it a little easier. So I firmly believe parents can be loving and do love their children in their own way even if they're not the most natural at it. They do what they can.

Coincidentally, today's his 73rd birthday. He is still farming, albeit not full-time.

I'm very grateful I grew up with FOL and all my other extremely close things before the Internet. Before seeing other people disliked characters you loved or questioned any motives. Back then I just believed there was a collective love for the whole show among all its viewers, and that was such a warm happy feeling with me. It was blissful belief. Nothing took away from the pure joy of watching the show.

Yes, the most flabbergasted thing I ever saw this board was how hostile you were about the parents.

Not "hostile", but deeply disappointed. It's not just David Warner using his daughter to commit fraud (although that is the worst example), it is the lies (Monica), the affairs (Mr. Green), the overly-strictness (Rifle/Buffalo, Evie, Diane) and most importantly, the long absences from their daughter's lives. We don't see Diane until Season 7, which is crazy. As you say, they were supposed to be visiting off-camera, but when? Not at Tootie and Natalie's performances in South Pacific. Not at Blair's birthday party. Not when Natalie is almost raped. What mother wouldn't rush to her daughter's side when there's been an attempt to rape her? Evie Green, that's who. I'm sure she sent a letter, though: "Dearest Natalie, I heard from Mrs. Garrett that you were almost sexually assaulted. I certainly hope this won't have a detrimental effect on your grades. Your father and I expect you to attend a good college; we'll cut off all financial support if you choose to wait even a year. Love, mother.")

Monica is not only not a good mother, she's even a terrible aunt; the way she treats Geri in "A Friend in Deed" is so cold, so mean. And how she acted towards Geri doesn't even get addressed. Yes, she was upset, but she took it out on Geri, Blair's cousin who visits Blair at the school more often than Blair's own mother.


I couldn't believe that was coming from you. But then when you shared your own story of growing up and the authority figures you had in your life, I realized you come from an entirely different life experience and so that had input into your interpretation of the parents (forgive my amateur psychological reading, lol).

There's nothing to forgive; I love your psychological readings as it pertains to this forum and how you analyze each character, and naturally, this will extend to an analysis of how we viewers see those characters.

This kind of criticism against Blair's dad hits a personal defensive button with me because my dad didn't always get to attend functions we were in because of his job. He's a farmer, one of the most important industries, and one of the hardest-working. That's not a 9-to-5 job. But we came to understand he couldn't always be at every school or academic function (he did attend our graduations though). And he's not the most perfect or affectionate father, but we know he does love us. And after losing both of his parents, he's come to show it a little easier. So I firmly believe parents can be loving and do love their children in their own way even if they're not the most natural at it. They do what they can.

Coincidentally, today's his 73rd birthday. He is still farming, albeit not full-time.

Happy birthday to '80sSitcomsDad!

:birthday:

I had no idea that you guys were farmers; you never mentioned it. Not a single tractor joke in relation to your family!

As you say, your dad attended your graduations. That's wonderful. Even Monica, who would never win Mother of the Year, is aghast at David not appearing for Blair's graduation.

the overly-strictness (Rifle/Buffalo, Evie, Diane)

I don't see Diane and Evie as overly strict. I remember valentina thought she was too hard on Natalie about not letting her do the weekly New York teen article, but I think most mothers would react the exact same way: They love their kids, they do want them to be happy, but they're afraid it would get too much in the way of schoolwork, and they don't want them to be too burdened with responsibilities because "You have your whole life ahead of you. You only have a little while to be a teenager." (as a full-grown wistful adult, sadly I recognize the truth in that.

My mother is extremely loving of her kids, and I could easily see her being the exact same way in that scene. And I would hope she would be.


I'm sure she sent a letter, though: "Dearest Natalie, I heard from Mrs. Garrett that you were almost sexually assaulted. I certainly hope this won't have a detrimental effect on your grades. Your father and I expect you to attend a good college; we'll cut off all financial support if you choose to wait even a year. Love, mother.")

Ouch.


Monica is not only not a good mother, she's even a terrible aunt; the way she treats Geri in "A Friend in Deed" is so cold, so mean. And how she acted towards Geri doesn't even get addressed. Yes, she was upset, but she took it out on Geri, Blair's cousin who visits Blair at the school more often than Blair's own mother.

She just snapped at her, which I totally understand. I'm very forgiving: I wouldn't wish her problem on anyone.

Happy birthday to '80sSitcomsDad!

:birthday:

Haha, thanks. :wave:


I had no idea that you guys were farmers; you never mentioned it. Not a single tractor joke in relation to your family!

:lol: Oh? I thought I had mentioned something about farm life before. If not, I didn't realize I'd never mentioned anything (but I do recall saying how I grew up watching the show at my grandparents' a mile away in the summer daily re-runs, and how it was the Sue Ann setting being in farm country).


Even Monica, who would never win Mother of the Year, is aghast at David not appearing for Blair's graduation.

Yes, that's a great character point. Monica may not be the best mother (but I think she's so likeable), but she can be a fierce mama.

:lol: Oh? I thought I had mentioned something about farm life before. If not, I didn't realize I'd never mentioned anything (but I do recall saying how I grew up watching the show at my grandparents' a mile away in the summer daily re-runs, and how it was the Sue Ann setting being in farm country).


I don't recall you saying anything about farm life, but I do remember you talking about watching the show at your grandparents' house in the summer daily reruns (I was doing the same thing, which is awesome).


Yes, that's a great character point. Monica may not be the best mother (but I think she's so likeable), but she can be a fierce mama.

I think it shows she loves her daughter, but it also demonstrates she's not a great mother: the last thing Blair and Jo need during graduation week is their parents fighting. Yes, Monica is right that David needs to be there. Monica is also not right to b**** about David in front of Blair. That's just dragging Blair into the dispute when the focus should be on Blair's achievement.

I don't recall you saying anything about farm life, but I do remember you talking about watching the show at your grandparents' house in the summer daily reruns (I was doing the same thing, which is awesome).

I do remember pointing out the Sue Ann-ness of watching FOL at my grandparents. :wave:


I think it shows she loves her daughter, but it also demonstrates she's not a great mother: the last thing Blair and Jo need during graduation week is their parents fighting. Yes, Monica is right that David needs to be there. Monica is also not right to b**** about David in front of Blair. That's just dragging Blair into the dispute when the focus should be on Blair's achievement.

Well, all the parents there were in a free-for-all, lol.

I do remember pointing out the Sue Ann-ness of watching FOL at my grandparents. :wave:


Found one! (https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?p=5845162&highlight=grandparents#post5845162) :lol: Page 2, post 18. I knew it was somewhere, lol.

That's quite a heated and dynamic conversation we've got on this board tonight, ladies and gentlemen hee hee!

But in my point of view, i truly feel that BLAIR was the most neglected of all the girls (quite a common thing in most wealthy family) which is why she shared that special bond with MRS G: to her, our 'feisty red head' was the mother figure she had always craved to have (a role MONICA WARNER failed to fulfil) and although DAVID WARNER was not an exemplary father either (except later on during the later seasons where he repents himself and tells her how much she meant to him) he meant the world to BLAIR, which is why she forgave him so easily and accepted every bit of love of attention her could offer her.

And on a last note, i absolutely agree on a comment Christopher once posted on a thread: BLAIR's attachment to luxury and materialistic thing is due to DAVID WARNER, because thanks to him, she grew up to believe that was the
only way to attract men. By always being her best and looking beautiful.

Appearances.... (wasn't that MRS G's favourite reference lol?)

Comments?

:read::read::read::read::read::read::read::read::read::read::read::read:

Found one! (https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?p=5845162&highlight=grandparents#post5845162) :lol: Page 2, post 18. I knew it was somewhere, lol.

I stand corrected! I thought you were visiting the farm, not that you were on the farm! 🚜

That's quite a heated and dynamic conversation we've got on this board tonight, ladies and gentlemen hee hee!

No heat. I deeply respect and admire both '80sSitcoms and Wawwie, and can understand why they have a very different POV from me. I absolutely enjoyed this discussion because it's not everyone agreeing with one another.


But in my point of view, i truly feel that BLAIR was the most neglected of all the girls

How could Blair be the most neglected of all the girls when her mother visited, on average, about once per season, and her father nearly that? Poor Tootie's parents visited a total of three times in nine years! And neither one appeared with the other: she got one or the other.


And on a last note, i absolutely agree on a comment Christopher once posted on a thread: BLAIR's attachment to luxury and materialistic thing is due to DAVID WARNER, because thanks to him, she grew up to believe that was the
only way to attract men. By always being her best and looking beautiful.

Appearances.... (wasn't that MRS G's favourite reference lol?)

Comments?



That was a very wise comment from Christopher: it gets to the heart of why Blair starts off judging by appearances at Eastland, and how she has to be taught some harsh truths by Mrs. Garrett.

No heat. I deeply respect and admire both '80sSitcoms and Wawwie, and can understand why they have a very different POV from me. I absolutely enjoyed this discussion because it's not everyone agreeing with one another.



How could Blair be the most neglected of all the girls when her mother visited, on average, about once per season, and her father nearly that? Poor Tootie's parents visited a total of three times in nine years! And neither one appeared with the other: she got one or the other.



That was a very wise comment from Christopher: it gets to the heart of why Blair starts off judging by appearances at Eastland, and how she has to be taught some harsh truths by Mrs. Garrett.



Always happy to read your thoughts to my comments Retro: i truly appreciate and enjoy reading you!

:cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers:

No heat. I deeply respect and admire both '80sSitcoms and Wawwie, and can understand why they have a very different POV from me. I absolutely enjoyed this discussion because it's not everyone agreeing with one another.

Yeah, no heat. But I didn't absolutely enjoy this discussion, because it wasn't everyone agreeing with one another. Things are most enjoyable when people agree. Then you're not arguing or debating, but enjoying. :)

But I've become aware over the years that Retro craves debate. :lol: Which is fine for him, it's just not me. I like to indulge in mutual enjoyment and happiness. :wave:


BLAIR's attachment to luxury and materialistic thing is due to DAVID WARNER, because thanks to him, she grew up to believe that was the
only way to attract men. By always being her best and looking beautiful.

I can't agree with that on its own. It was Blair's entire upbringing, not just her father. Her mother bought only the most expensive and designer, fashionable things, and an example of how to act with men, and Blair's grew up with a whole family of Warners who were swimming in wealth. That was just the lifestyle she knew growing up, and it all contributed.


Appearances.... (wasn't that MRS G's favourite reference lol?)

Hahaha, and a great one! :lol:

I stand corrected! I thought you were visiting the farm, not that you were on the farm! 🚜

Nope, on it! I grew up with corn and soybean fields around, and cows basically in our backyard, lol.

🌽🌱🐮

Yeah, no heat. But I didn't absolutely enjoy this discussion, because it wasn't everyone agreeing with one another. Things are most enjoyable when people agree. Then you're not arguing or debating, but enjoying. :)

But I've become aware over the years that Retro craves debate. :lol: Which is fine for him, it's just not me. I like to indulge in mutual enjoyment and happiness. :wave:




I can't agree with that on its own. It was Blair's entire upbringing, not just her father. Her mother bought only the most expensive and designer, fashionable things, and an example of how to act with men, and Blair's grew up with a whole family of Warners who were swimming in wealth. That was just the lifestyle she knew growing up, and it all contributed.




Hahaha, and a great one! :lol:


MONICA WARNER definitely contributed and taught BLAIR, how to seduce and flirt with men indeed!
DAVID WARNER on the other hand was buying her expensive trips all over the world, cars, credit cards etc.....
Luckily, both of them tried to change to a certain degree later on: DAVID by spending more time with his eldest daughter, and MONICA by trying to bond and be something close to a mum (although her attempt made her more of a play pal to BLAIR)...

present:present:present:present:present:present:present:present:present:

Yeah, no heat. But I didn't absolutely enjoy this discussion, because it wasn't everyone agreeing with one another. Things are most enjoyable when people agree. Then you're not arguing or debating, but enjoying. :)

But I've become aware over the years that Retro craves debate. :lol: Which is fine for him, it's just not me. I like to indulge in mutual enjoyment and happiness. :wave:

But I disagree because... Oh, wait.

:lol:



I can't agree with that on its own. It was Blair's entire upbringing, not just her father. Her mother bought only the most expensive and designer, fashionable things, and an example of how to act with men, and Blair's grew up with a whole family of Warners who were swimming in wealth. That was just the lifestyle she knew growing up, and it all contributed.


Great point about Monica also contributing to Blair's perceptions of who she had to be. (I think that if Prototype Monica had stayed, things might have been a little different: yes, she got her a Christian Deor dress, and she was expected to entertain, but PM was a painter: an artist who wasn't so concerned about how Blair presented herself. She even made food from a recipe! Would Regular Monica ever do that? I think not!)

And of course, many of the Warners and Tylers would have contributed to how Blair felt about herself. Geri, though, was clearly different: she didn't mind performing in Moose or Elk lodges, or whatever.

Nope, on it! I grew up with corn and soybean fields around, and cows basically in our backyard, lol.

🌽🌱🐮

Understood. I didn't live on a farm, but I was definitely farm-adjacent!

But I disagree because... Oh, wait.

:lol:




Great point about Monica also contributing to Blair's perceptions of who she had to be. (I think that if Prototype Monica had stayed, things might have been a little different: yes, she got her a Christian Deor dress, and she was expected to entertain, but PM was a painter: an artist who wasn't so concerned about how Blair presented herself. She even made food from a recipe! Would Regular Monica ever do that? I think not!)

And of course, many of the Warners and Tylers would have contributed to how Blair felt about herself. Geri, though, was clearly different: she didn't mind performing in Moose or Elk lodges, or whatever.


Wow! You make an excellent observation Retro!:wave:


MONICA season 1/prototype was so different from the one who replaced her after the revamp: in fact, i know a lot of people prefer second MONICA, but in a way, the prototype MONICA character was more interesting and talented than the second one, and had the writers never been replaced and stuck to the original roots of FOL, then BLAIR could have continued her skills as the talented painter, who took after her mother (and less concerned in the materialistic things second MONICA installed on her).....

:trio:trio:trio:trio:trio:trio:trio:trio:trio:trio:trio:trio:trio

Wow! You make an excellent observation Retro!:wave:

MONICA season 1/prototype was so different from the one who replaced her after the revamp: in fact, i know a lot of people prefer second MONICA, but in a way, the prototype MONICA character was more interesting and talented than the second one, and had the writers never been replaced and stuck to the original roots of FOL, then BLAIR could have continued her skills as the talented painter, who took after her mother (and less concerned in the materialistic things second MONICA installed on her)....

Yeah, it was like, with the recasting of Monica, Monica went from a rich artist to a rich socialite. Someone who wouldn't mind giving cooking a try, to someone who wouldn't be caught dead in an apron. Second Monica wasn't as daring as Prototype Monica, and this not only affected how we saw Monica, it affected how Blair could behave around Monica.

By the end of the series, as '80sSitcoms has pointed out, Blair was covered from neck to foot in designer clothes. Long gone were the short shorts Blair originally wore. But gone, too, were Blair's artistic leanings, which we saw as late as the third season, when Blair had to paint bananas for South Pacific. Blair was no longer the creative daughter of a wealthy artist; she was now just a debutante law school student. She no longer played guitar. She no longer painted. She no longer tried to be adventurous. Important facets of her character had been lost. By the time of the 2001 TV movie, she had become a mincing socialite in a feathered boa.

This kind of criticism against Blair's dad hits a personal defensive button with me because my dad didn't always get to attend functions we were in because of his job. He's a farmer, one of the most important industries, and one of the hardest-working. That's not a 9-to-5 job. But we came to understand he couldn't always be at every school or academic function (he did attend our graduations though). And he's not the most perfect or affectionate father, but we know he does love us. And after losing both of his parents, he's come to show it a little easier. So I firmly believe parents can be loving and do love their children in their own way even if they're not the most natural at it. They do what they can.

Coincidentally, today's his 73rd birthday. He is still farming, albeit not full-time.

Aww I’m sorry Eightsy, Idt anyone meant any harm. Blair’s father was also very Rich though, surely he could afford a few days off

(PM was a painter: an artist who wasn't so concerned about how Blair presented herself. She even made food from a recipe! Would Regular Monica ever do that? I think not!)

Second Monica wasn't as daring as Prototype Monica

I can see Official Monica (:lol:) doing that kind of kitchen material for a very comedic scene. Like maybe Mrs. Garrett got stuck in a snowstorm so Monica has to help make the alumni dinner, and screws everything up. :lol: She's very willing and good-humored (after all, she deigned to be seen dining in public with an ex-con!). So I can see her jumping in with the girls in a very good-natured way ("Okay girls, show me what to do! Do we have a refrigerator?" :lol:)

I can see Official Monica (:lol:) doing that kind of kitchen material for a very comedic scene. Like maybe Mrs. Garrett got stuck in a snowstorm so Monica has to help make the alumni dinner, and screws everything up. :lol: She's very willing and good-humored (after all, she deigned to be seen dining in public with an ex-con!). So I can see her jumping in with the girls in a very good-natured way ("Okay girls, show me what to do! Do we have a refrigerator?" :lol:)

:lol::lol::lol::lol: That would have been hilarious!

Yes, Second Monica would be a disaster in the kitchen. But Prototype Monica actually made an actual dish, which was fantastic!

Aww I’m sorry Eightsy, Idt anyone meant any harm. Blair’s father was also very Rich though, surely he could afford a few days off

Even a half day off to drive a couple of hours up to Peekskill and back. Are you telling me the Warners don't have a car phone in the limo?

What's so interesting is that once Prototype Monica disappears, I don't think of her as "Blair's mom" anymore. I think of "Marj Monica".

Especially in "Molly's Holiday". The way Blair talks about her parents civilly fighting with smiles: "Oh, your favorite sweater?? I just put it down the garbage disposal!" I always see Marj Monica with that! :lol:

What's so interesting is that once Prototype Monica disappears, I don't think of her as "Blair's mom" anymore. I think of "Marj Monica".

Especially in "Molly's Holiday". The way Blair talks about her parents civilly fighting with smiles: "Oh, your favorite sweater?? I just put it down the garbage disposal!" I always see Marj Monica with that! :lol:

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

"Marj Monica" definitely could be catty and cutting, so it makes sense that we can see MM making those comments while smiling. But Prototype Monica was Blair's original mother during the first season, before the Face Transplant and Personality Change, so maybe she had her "divorcing mom" moments, too. We do witness that she can become very angry. :schmack:

Yeah, it was like, with the recasting of Monica, Monica went from a rich artist to a rich socialite. Someone who wouldn't mind giving cooking a try, to someone who wouldn't be caught dead in an apron. Second Monica wasn't as daring as Prototype Monica, and this not only affected how we saw Monica, it affected how Blair could behave around Monica.

By the end of the series, as '80sSitcoms has pointed out, Blair was covered from neck to foot in designer clothes. Long gone were the short shorts Blair originally wore. But gone, too, were Blair's artistic leanings, which we saw as late as the third season, when Blair had to paint bananas for South Pacific. Blair was no longer the creative daughter of a wealthy artist; she was now just a debutante law school student. She no longer played guitar. She no longer painted. She no longer tried to be adventurous. Important facets of her character had been lost. By the time of the 2001 TV movie, she had become a mincing socialite in a feathered boa.


Very well said Retro!:happyface

After the revamp, we saw slowly BLAIR's true facet disappear, and all the talents and traits she had were replaced!
Same thing goes for MONICA: not only was she physically changed (hey we got another woman lol!), but her character/personality was definitely drastically different than the original one!

I know i have said before, but i don't like it when they change things: it takes all the originality/roots away lol!

:bash::bash::bash::bash::bash::bash::bash::bash::bash::bash::bash::bash:

I know i have said before, but i don't like it when they change things: it takes all the originality/roots away lol!

True, change...well..."changes" things (lol), but Marj Monica was just so wonderful! I prefer her for sure. :nod:

Very well said Retro!:happyface

After the revamp, we saw slowly BLAIR's true facet disappear, and all the talents and traits she had were replaced!
Same thing goes for MONICA: not only was she physically changed (hey we got another woman lol!), but her character/personality was definitely drastically different than the original one!

I know i have said before, but i don't like it when they change things: it takes all the originality/roots away lol!

:bash::bash::bash::bash::bash::bash::bash::bash::bash::bash::bash::bash:

Yeah, that loss of originality hurt the show, in my opinion. Oddly, Lisa liked the broad comedy Blair over the multifaceted Blair, which I will never understand. Blair got flanderized: made into a cheap copy of herself.

One thing that still amuses me is how Blair's painting from "Like Mother, Like Daughter" ends up in the storage room that coincidentally, Blair and her dormmates end up moving into in "The New Girl". Ever since '80sSitcoms pointed that out, it makes me smile. The only painting I'd rather see in that scene is Blair's tennis painting of Sue Ann. Then we would have had a moment of "Sue Weaver" at the beginning of the season! :lol:

Yeah, that loss of originality hurt the show, in my opinion. Oddly, Lisa liked the broad comedy Blair over the multifaceted Blair, which I will never understand.

Maybe it just harkens back to her Mickey Mouse Club days: I guess she just loves being goofy, silly, and making people laugh with broad comedy.

But also, that interview was decades ago. Perhaps now that she is entering her golden years (or, excuse me, her "chestnut years with green and gold flecks") she may change her mind and embrace the classic years of the show in priority. Who knows?


One thing that still amuses me is how Blair's painting from "Like Mother, Like Daughter" ends up in the storage room that coincidentally, Blair and her dormmates end up moving into in "The New Girl". Ever since '80sSitcoms pointed that out, it makes me smile. The only painting I'd rather see in that scene is Blair's tennis painting of Sue Ann. Then we would have had a moment of "Sue Weaver" at the beginning of the season! :lol:

:lol:

Maybe it just harkens back to her Mickey Mouse Club days: I guess she just loves being goofy, silly, and making people laugh with broad comedy.

Maybe that is indeed it. Personally, I feel like most actors want a chance to show off all of their skills, not just broad comedy. "Double Standard" blows "Seven Little Indians" out of the water on both fronts.


But also, that interview was decades ago. Perhaps now that she is entering her golden years (or, excuse me, her "chestnut years with gold and green flecks")
:lol::lol::lol::lol:

Maybe that is indeed it. Personally, I feel like most actors want a chance to show off all of their skills, not just broad comedy. "Double Standard" blows "Seven Little Indians" out of the water on both fronts.

Oooo, don't say that to the fans who have SLI as their favorite episode of all 9 years! (They're out there; I've seen them say so on social media during Halloween season) I wouldn't call anything in DS "broad" though. It's not like SLI or Three's Company.


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

That should be "chestnut with green and gold flecks"--I fixed it! :lol:

You two really crack me up lol!:lol::lol:

I love how you refer to LISA as her golden years 80s!:happyface

As for you Retro: you couldn't have put it into better words, cos like you i also NEVER understood how LISA preferred her lighter/shallow self from the later years, over her deep and complex self of the early ones either...:talk:

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

Oooo, don't say that to the fans who have SLI as their favorite episode of all 9 years! (They're out there; I've seen them say so on social media during Halloween season) I wouldn't call anything in DS "broad" though. It's not like SLI or Three's Company.


Well, Three's Company was slapstick. It was a farce with the same misunderstanding premise each week. The Facts of Life only did the misunderstanding premise a few times, once when they hired a 3C writer to write an episode. Tellingly, this was one of the later episodes when the writing wasn't quite up to what I consider FOL level.

You two really crack me up lol!:lol::lol:


Glad to provide some entertainment!

Well, Three's Company was slapstick.

Exactly. And Beverly Ann's death scene was right up there with it! :lol:

i also NEVER understood how LISA preferred her lighter/shallow self from the later years, over her deep and complex self of the early ones either...:talk:

I don't think she's thinking of it on that level. I think she just loved getting to do broad comedy, slapstick, and outrageous things over calmer "dramedy".

Exactly. And Beverly Ann's death scene was right up there with it! :lol:

Definitely! :lol:

Definitely! :lol:

"No, not 'possibly,' Mr. Retro...'definitely'." [shrinks back in exposed shame]

"No, not 'possibly,' Mr. Retro...'definitely'." [shrinks back in exposed shame]

:brent

And I realize Tootie doesn't actually say "Mrs. Garrett" ("Mr. Retro") in the line, but it needed a little reference. :lol:

Jo's parents were the most present on the show. Evie and Diane made something like 2 or 3 appearences and Mr. Ramsey was gone after season 1

Jo's parents were the most present on the show.

Probably not a coincidence, seeing as Jo was the most popular girl with the show's viewers and the media. :lookaroun

In other words, I don't think the show minded at all writing Jo stories and bringing in her family to give Jo even more material.

You guys are forgetting BLAIR's parents: MONICA appeared even more so than ROSE, and you are wrong this time 80s: BLAIR was just as popular as JO (and even more so since she was right from the very beginning lol!)

:meangya::meangya::meangya::meangya::meangya::meangya::meangya:

You guys are forgetting BLAIR's parents: MONICA appeared even more so than ROSE, and you are wrong this time 80s: BLAIR was just as popular as JO (and even more so since she was right from the very beginning lol!)

Sorry valentina, I know you love Blair -- and I do too, she's my 4th favorite Eastland girl, and my second favorite of the Core Four! -- but while Blair was popular, yes, Jo seems to have always gotten the most attention from fans and the media since she joined the show.

Sorry valentina, I know you love Blair -- and I do too, she's my 4th favorite Eastland girl, and my second favorite of the Core Four! -- but while Blair was popular, yes, Jo seems to have always gotten the most attention from fans and the media since she joined the show.


If BLAIR is your second favourite from the Core of 4, then who is your first? (it can't be JO since i know you don't like her that much if i remember well?)
Is is NAT or TOOTIE?

:wasntme::wasntme::wasntme::wasntme::wasntme::wasntme::wasntme:

If BLAIR is your second favourite from the Core of 4, then who is your first? (it can't be JO since i know you don't like her that much if i remember well?)
Is is NAT or TOOTIE?

Okay, so here's the rundown:

My FAVORITE girl in all of Eastland history is Cindy!

Followed by Molly!

Then Tootie, then Blair/Then Blair, then Tootie!

Lemme explain. :lol:

See, in the cafeteria years Blair is my favorite, with Tootie runner-up, but in the EE and OOH years, Blair sadly morphs into conservative Blair "Sue Ann" Warner while Tootie gets older and a little sassier again like in season 1, so in the later years I favor Tootie over Blair. :crazy:

So Blair and Tootie kinda rotate on 3rd/4th place (I forgot about that when I was posting earlier, lol).

When I was a kid, Tootie was definitely my favorite of the Core Four!

Okay, so here's the rundown:

My FAVORITE girl in all of Eastland history is Cindy!

Followed by Molly!

Then Tootie, then Blair/Then Blair, then Tootie!

Lemme explain. :lol:

See, in the cafeteria years Blair is my favorite, with Tootie runner-up, but in the EE and OOH years, Blair sadly morphs into conservative Blair "Sue Ann" Warner while Tootie gets older and a little sassier again like in season 1, so in the later years I favor Tootie over Blair. :crazy:

So Blair and Tootie kinda rotate on 3rd/4th place (I forgot about that when I was posting earlier, lol).

When I was a kid, Tootie was definitely my favorite of the Core Four!



TOOTIE was my favourite kid on season 1: she was so sassy and cheeky indeed!

NAT on the other hand was my favourite kid from season 2 onward: she cracked me up with her jokes!

But yes: the new writers ruined BLAIR's personality by making her a clown of herself indeed!

:2help:2help:2help:2help:2help:2help:2help:2help:2help:2help:2help:2help

In the Facebook Groups I am part of, Blair is the most popular, but Jo is way down on the list. Doesn't get mentioned much.

In the Facebook Groups I am part of, Blair is the most popular, but Jo is way down on the list. Doesn't get mentioned much.

Who is your favorite girl?

Who is your favorite girl?

Cindy.

Cindy.

See, Retro, it's an "80s" thing. ;)

I'm with 80s. I like Tootie during the later years (and in the first two seasons) but in seasons 3-5 she was really irritating :lol:

I don't like the episode with her brother and the other one with her cousin. I would have expelled her from Eastland (and fired her from Edna's Edibles) :lol:

I'm with 80s. I like Tootie during the later years (and in the first two seasons) but in seasons 3-5 she was really irritating :lol:

I don't find her irritating, but I can see where she is the "bothersome kid sister" sometimes. But that's the dynamic in siblings or friends that are like siblings: IF there's an age difference in those youth years, it's gonna show. And the youngest will nearly always exhibit "annoying" behavior or be perceived as such by the older kid/s.


I don't like the episode with her brother and the other one with her cousin. I would have expelled her from Eastland (and fired her from Edna's Edibles) :lol:

Oh man, "Let's Party" is a classic!