AKA the Beverly Ann/Cloris Leachman seasons towards the end of The Facts of Life's run. I thought about this after season the thread (https://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/showthread.php?t=412106) about how they might have handled the Jo-less Season 1 from 1979-80.

Could have been better episodes than what they were.

Different writers wouldn't have made a difference. Cloris Leachman would have still been a big downgrade from Charlotte Rae.