I think how Tootie's real name was handled in the series is very interesting.

Before the show came out on DVD, if you would've asked me how we knew Tootie's real name, I would've told you that during the cafeteria years, they mentioned several times that her real name was "Dorothy".

But that wasn't the case!

Only one time in those three seasons was it mentioned that her name was Dorothy, and that wasn't until the last cafeteria season. I was surprised at realizing this because among my many vivid Facts memories from childhood, one of them was of her name "Dorothy" coming up several times back then.

About the only other time I can think of is in a later season (6 or 7) when she proclaims she wants to go by "Dorothy", but Mrs. Garrett points out she wanted that last year but never answered when they said it, lol.

Since her true name wasn't revealed until season 4, it makes you wonder just when in the show's timeline they came up with it. When they named the character "Tootie" in 1979, did they cite why? We don't know. They didn't even tell us the meaning of "Tootie" until season 5! ("The Interview Show")

It seems not even the writers (or some of them) knew why she was named "Tootie" because in "Dope", after Tootie laughs about Bitsy, and Snitsy, and Poopy (lol), Mrs. Garrett says, "It's not nice to make fun of other people's names--Tootie!" as if Tootie is her given birth name.

Also: Why "Dorothy"?? That name doesn't fit her at all! :lol:

Tootie was actually called both Dorothy and Diane in the script for Overachieving. But neither name made it on the air.

Wasn't Diane the name of her mother?

Also, Natalie's middle name was Letisha and she revelead it in "The Older Man", when Facts was in its second season

Wasn't Diane the name of her mother?

Also, Natalie's middle name was Letisha and she revelead it in "The Older Man", when Facts was in its second season

Diane was eventually Tootie's mother's name. They just couldn't figure out what Tootie's name should be for "Overachieving".

Diane was eventually Tootie's mother's name. They just couldn't figure out what Tootie's name should be for "Overachieving".

Oh, got you ;)
Tootie's mother was credited Diane in season 5 and Pauline in season 7.

Which episode was it that "Dorothy" was first said out loud?

Which episode was it that "Dorothy" was first said out loud?

Season 4, episode 4, "The Oldest Living Graduate", when Mr. Parker introduces Eastland's oldest living graduate to Mrs. Garrett and the girls. ("And this is Dorothy Ramsey")

Tootie was actually called both Dorothy and Diane in the script for Overachieving. But neither name made it on the air.

Oh wow, so they knew as early as "O" that she would have a "legal birth name". How interesting that they toyed with it but it didn't make it into the script. That's a shame. That would have been so great to have had a "Tootie" explanation in the first season---instead of four seasons later! :lol:

Also, Natalie's middle name was Letisha and she revelead it in "The Older Man", when Facts was in its second season

Yup, it's interesting that the DS writers decided Natalie's middle name (though it may be spelled "Leticia"?) but her middle name was never revealed on her own show!

Tootie's mother was credited Diane in season 5 and Pauline in season 7.

That's a mistake in the end credits, right? Because she's always called "Diane" in dialogue.

Oh wow, so they knew as early as "O" that she would have a "legal birth name". How interesting that they toyed with it but it didn't make it into the script. That's a shame. That would have been so great to have had a "Tootie" explanation in the first season---instead of four seasons later! :lol:

You can find the script in Retro's "The Group". Just remember the secret knock to get in.

Yup, it's interesting that the DS writers decided Natalie's middle name (though it may be spelled "Leticia"?) but her middle name was never revealed on her own show!

I don't know if it's Letisha or Leticia

That's a mistake in the end credits, right? Because she's always called "Diane" in dialogue.

Exactly. Writers, what have you been smoking? :lol::lol: