80s Dude
06-19-2022, 12:54 PM
To celebrate Pride Month, let's remember the very first Facts of Life episode that was groundbreaking for having the first teen character questioning their orientation. Because since both the character and actress were 14 years old, the producers were very reluctant on having a gay character that age. There was much controversy over adult gay or adults pretending to be gay on Soap and Threes Company.
Notes: It was years later before Lisa Whelchel was aware of what the episode met because of the code word "strange". Julie Anne Haddock and her parents were both OK with having Cindy to be the first gay teen on network TV if they were willing to go that far. Mindy and Molly have said they knew at the time what the episode was about.
'80sSitcoms
06-21-2022, 01:09 PM
To celebrate Pride Month, let's remember the very first Facts of Life episode that was groundbreaking for having the first teen character questioning their orientation. Because since both the character and actress were 14 years old, the producers were very reluctant on having a gay character that age. There was much controversy over adult gay or adults pretending to be gay on Soap and Threes Company.
Notes: It was years later before Lisa Whelchel was aware of what the episode met because of the code word "strange". Julie Anne Haddock and her parents were both OK with having Cindy to be the first gay teen on network TV if they were willing to go that far. Mindy and Molly have said they knew at the time what the episode was about.
Wait, Molly?? What did she say?? When, and where?? :eek:
And yes, hooray for the show, although I've seen criticism thrown at Mrs. Garrett for ignoring the fact that Cindy could very well be gay. She just assures her, "Don't worry, you'll like boys when the time is right."
80s Dude
06-22-2022, 06:39 AM
Wait, Molly?? What did she say?? When, and where?? :eek:
And yes, hooray for the show, although I've seen criticism thrown at Mrs. Garrett for ignoring the fact that Cindy could very well be gay. She just assures her, "Don't worry, you'll like boys when the time is right."
Molly said that in a 2010 interview with Out Magazine, her first comment publicly of Facts of Life since the infamous, "Worse Job Ever" quote. Molly said she knew what gay met before Facts of Life because her family lived in San Francisco and her father had gay members in his band.
'80sSitcoms
06-22-2022, 01:07 PM
Oh that's right, I heard about that here in the past. I'd forgotten. I'd love to see the full quote of the question and answer about Facts from that.
80s Dude
06-24-2022, 05:40 PM
Oh that's right, I heard about that here in the past. I'd forgotten. I'd love to see the full quote of the question and answer about Facts from that.
Molly said that she had forgotten about the episode until the interviewer mentioned it and it jiggled her memory. She said she she knew what gay people were because her family lived in San Francisco and her father had gay people in his band.
'80sSitcoms
06-27-2022, 01:06 PM
Molly said that she had forgotten about the episode until the interviewer mentioned it and it jiggled her memory. She said she she knew what gay people were because her family lived in San Francisco and her father had gay people in his band.
Thanks, yeah, I just mean I'd love to see the actual black and white text from the interview page. :)