Does anyone else in here think season 8 gets an unfair shaft from the fans?

When it initially aired in 86-87, part of me couldn't accept it without Mrs. Garrett, but when N@N aired the reruns in Dec 2000, I fell in love with the season instantly. IMO, the season only comes short next to seasons 2 and 3. I think this should've been the final season because season 9 was when everything went downhill IMO. The season 8 finale where Jo heads for CA on her motorcycle in the background would've been a more emotional, and all around fitting closure ending for FOL, than the group shot that didn't even contain Natalie at the end of the series finale. Beverly Ann was downright annoying in season 9, but in season 8, she did serve a purpose and had some great lines. Of course, she's not Mrs. Garrett, but who is? The 4 girls carried this season by themselves.

Is there any other closet season 8 lovers afraid to admit that they think this was one of their best seasons?

Originally posted by Johnny McBeal

Is there any other closet season 8 lovers afraid to admit that they think this was one of their best seasons?

I DEFINALY think that this is one of the best seasons
Seasons 7, 8, and 9 are my favorite seasons ever!

Season 1 was ok, but like I have said before it wasn't my favorite, there are several eps. I don't like in it.

Personally, I think season's 2-9 Rocked!

I think Season 8 had some of the best episodes. Beverly Ann is the highlight of the season, her sense of humor stands out the most, and so do the girls as they lead their own lives. I would have to say this is definately one of my all-time favorites seasons.

Originally posted by Jo_Marie
Season 1 was ok, but like I have said before it wasn't my favorite, there are several eps. I don't like in it.

Personally, I think season's 2-9 Rocked!

I agree

Seasons 1-4 are my fav...bu I like all the seasons of course!

OMG I love seasons 7,8, and 9. People are like "They ran outta material, so every episode sucked." Not true. There was a few eps that did suck like "The Beginning of the End 1&2" and others. But for the most part the eps were still funny. I love season 8 the best.

Season 1 was Mrs. Garrett's season, so it was cool to see Charlotte the focus around most of the. eps.

Season 2 was great! The one season where everyone's hair was normal!

Season 3 is my fav season of all time! All the episodes were great, and everyone looked great except for Tootie's hair in the first part of it.

Season 4 got a little boring except for the last coupe of eps.

Season 5 was my 2nd fav season! It was just great and I loved the whole store and the eps they did with it.

Season 6 got a lot more boring. I don't know what, but the eps weren't as great as the previous years, and as soon as Jo lost the ponytail, she lost her humor. I liked it best when she was head to head with Blair with all the one liners, but from season 6 and on, she got boring.

Season 7 was great for the first couple of eps, but the eps without Mrs. G just didn't do it for me. Ya either have to have Ms. G or Bev there, or else it got a bit boring.

Season 8 was my favorite out of the OOH years. Bev was hilarious, and there was no Pippa to interfere with the girls.

Season 9 I have to say is the worst. Except for a few eps, it was the worst season they had. Especially Jo's and Tootie's hair. I thought they had horrible doos!

I only watched it every so often on Nick at Nite, and never saw much of the 8th season until Hallmark. I have to admit, it was much better than I thought. Season 9, the show really lost it's touch. All the girls had were one liners. The introduction of Pippa today had to be the worst. I mean, I don't know what it was about the episode, but is it me or does it seem like the focus was less on Tootie and Natalie in Seasons 8 and 9, all they ever have (so far) are quick one liners. Season 9, again, like I said, lost it's touch.

Season 1, I did like. Seasons 2 and 3 are huge faves of mine, Seasons 4 - 6 are decent and pretty good. Season 7 was "eh" Mrs. G being absent in some episodes really didn't sit well with me. Like another poster said, you either have Mrs. G or Bev. Were the writers testing what it would be like without a parental figure? Was that the reason Mrs. G was missing? Or is it something completely different, LOL.

Season 8, I like more than I thought I would.

That is an interesting point you make Johnny about ending the entire series with Jo leaving. Actually, I think it is an AWESOME idea! It would have led for so much speculation, perhaps a spin off, and a heck of a lot better reunion movie. That was such an emotional episode. It had me in tears and truly captivated the humor and friendship within FOL. I must admit, ending the entire show with that scene does seem fitting...cool!









ks

Originally posted by Original Prankster

I thought they had horrible doos!

lol..hair don'ts!!! I know what you mean...

ANYWAYS...I'm going to say something now, that I will never ever say again...

I like season 8...*hides in a cave for a few minutes then comes out*

Beverly Ann wasn't AWFUL in season 8...she was trying to be like Mrs. Garrett...making up stories, giving the girls advice....blah blah blah...but, I mean, she wasn't THAT horrible...

YUCK...now that THAT'S over with...*runs back into the cave*

I like seasons 2-9...but i like everything up to "over our heads" better...but thats just me

I really liked season eight. Most of the episodes were very funny, and i think the writing got more sophisticated. Of course, it wasn't the same without Mrs. G., but Bev added something different. Pippa, on the other hand, was totally useless. I think the writers were desperate. And I agree, the hair could be a bit...disconcerting at times. But a lot of life-changing events happened to the girls in those last two seasons.

yes i agree, Season 8 is very Underrated. The writing in this season is so much more mature and clever than the earlier years. And having an Academy & Emmy award winning actress -Cloris Leachman- also helped.

puke: :banana: :barf: blah season 9 i think the writers just gave up after season 8 it was stii the facts on some shows but there wasnt a proper series finale . With better writing it could have stayed on 2 more yeasr the ratings were not as bad as other shows they drag out thats just my opinion.

I really like season eight. There are some really good episodes during that season.

I really like season eight. There are some really good episodes during that season.

I AGREE! HEY DAX-BEEN MISSIN YA BRO:wave:

Season 8 is probably my favorite season. The show got so much more life in that season that it needed. I was always a fan of the later years for some reason and I think season 8 had some of the show's best episodes. The cast was funny and witty in the 8th season and the writing was pretty good. I think that's why we even got a season 9. I couldve seen the show ending with Season 8 but the producers did such a good job with S8 that NBC probably greenlit another season.

You can tell it was my fave season too, Ive had the Season 8 cast pic as my avatar forever now, LOL!

I AGREE! HEY DAX-BEEN MISSIN YA BRO:wave:


Hi JO :wave: I've missed you as well. :)

I love the 8th season. There are great episodes like "Seven Little Indians" and "This Is Only A Test".

season 8 was one of the worst seasons... they did a lot of shows that were based around andy or pippa or beverly ann... who weren't big parts in eh show imo, plus, they did a lot of slapstick, dream sequence... help boost the ratings type of shows. It just was not classic FOL to me... if you ask me, the series went downhill when mrs. g left

season 8 was one of the worst seasons... they did a lot of shows that were based around andy or pippa or beverly ann... who weren't big parts in eh show imo, plus, they did a lot of slapstick, dream sequence... help boost the ratings type of shows. It just was not classic FOL to me... if you ask me, the series went downhill when mrs. g left

Are you sure you're not thinking of Season 9? Pippa wasn't on in Season 8. She wasn't introduced until the last season.

:crazy: :crazy: :crazy: :notworthy :banana: :p :p to me season 8 was n't so bad it could have been better. From what I remember some of the Episodes were pretty funny. But I do remember thinking is this the end after Jo taking the job in California. That episode could have been a Series finale . I do think to a degree season 8 was underaterd it was funnier than season 9 everwas. But thats just my opinion.

Are you sure you're not thinking of Season 9? Pippa wasn't on in Season 8. She wasn't introduced until the last season.


you are right, i am thinking of season 9... i felt both seasons 8 and 9 were a desperate attempt to keep the show running, specially after mrs. g left... but i think season 8 was a tad better than season 9

I may be in the minority but I loved the store "Over Our Heads" because of it's cool 80's stuff but I didn't really care for hte store itself as a "character" if you know what I mean. I know they had to find a way to pay rent and make some money and yes the store was a "tribute" to the 80's but I didn't feel like it fit in with the series. Sorry, i can't really explain this the way I want to in words LOL....

I may be in the minority but I loved the store "Over Our Heads" because of it's cool 80's stuff but I didn't really care for hte store itself as a "character" if you know what I mean. I know they had to find a way to pay rent and make some money and yes the store was a "tribute" to the 80's but I didn't feel like it fit in with the series. Sorry, i can't really explain this the way I want to in words LOL....

Well, while I certainly probably thought it was cool at the time being a kid, I get your point. I do think it was odd that they went from running a gourmet food store (since food was Mrs. G's specialty) to deciding to run a novelty store. It was odder in the sense that it seemed like the last type of store Mrs. Garrett would want to own and run, but to the writers credit they did address at the beginning that Mrs. Garrett was a bit out of her element in the new setting.

As much as I love the show too, that store certainly is very 80's and does date the show a bit more than the Edna's Edibles years. Very kitschy. I remember hearing that the cast loved the "Our Our Heads" set though because of all the fun random things they had to play with.

What's weird is that I always thought Edna's Edibles lasted longer than two seasons. Poor Mrs. Garrett finally gets her dream of owning her own business and it burns down two years later.

i definately agree, the over our heads store was just not "them" and it didn't seem that it would do very well in peekskille. I mean, maybe the college would keep in a few bucks, but generally those kind of stores only do well in tourist attraction spots. It was also odd to all of a sudden have the hardware store there... i guess they just tried to realy stretch a few things with the new store.

And i too cannot belive that mrs. g finally got her dream of the food shop and it was doing MARVELOUS and then all of a sudden it burns down... there wasn't really a point for the writers to do that either... it was like they just wanted to redo the scenery and that was the way they decided to instead of just doing a little remodling over the summer or something... that is definately one of the few thigns that bugged me about the series!

my favorite set was the eastland cafateria

IS EVERYONE OUT OF THEIR MIND HERE?!
I don t believe what i m hearing: SEASON 8 one of the best?! you got to be kidding me!
First of all, CHARLOTTE RAE made the show, as well as LISA WHELCHEL, NANCY MCKEON, MINDY COHN & KIM FIELDS: as soon as AUSTIN MCKENZIE + BEVERLY ANN came in, the show went downhill! (the writers seemed to be short of ideas, the acting got from excellent to poor, MRS. G had left, the stories became absurd & the rating went down anyway)
SO WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO SAY?

IS EVERYONE OUT OF THEIR MIND HERE?!
I don t believe what i m hearing: SEASON 8 one of the best?! you got to be kidding me!
First of all, CHARLOTTE RAE made the show, as well as LISA WHELCHEL, NANCY MCKEON, MINDY COHN & KIM FIELDS: as soon as AUSTIN MCKENZIE + BEVERLY ANN came in, the show went downhill! (the writers seemed to be short of ideas, the acting got from excellent to poor, MRS. G had left, the stories became absurd & the rating went down anyway)
SO WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO SAY?
Season 8 had great highlights. Like when Beverly Ann adopted Andy, that touched my heart. And as far as sliding ratings go, as Forrest Gump would say, "**** happens".

Season 8 had great highlights. Like when Beverly Ann adopted Andy, that touched my heart. And as far as sliding ratings go, as Forrest Gump would say, "**** happens".

The only reason i watched season 7 to 9 was because of BLAIR s & JO s greatest friendship, nothing else.......

The only reason i watched season 7 to 9 was because of BLAIR s & JO s greatest friendship, nothing else.......


This show is called Facts of Life not Jo and Blair, why watch 3 seasons just for 2 characters? I watch it for everybody which includes not only jo and blair but also tootie, natalie, mrs. Garrett, andy and beverly ann, yes beverly ann who was funnier then Mrs. garrett.

This show is called Facts of Life not Jo and Blair, why watch 3 seasons just for 2 characters? I watch it for everybody which includes not only jo and blair but also tootie, natalie, mrs. Garrett, andy and beverly ann, yes beverly ann who was funnier then Mrs. garrett.

That s just a matter of opinion: i watched it for MRS. G, BLAIR, JO, NATALIE, TOOTIE + PIPPA (hated BEVERLY ANN & ANDY cos in my opinion they ruined the show).
COMMENTS?

I just finished watching Season 8 today and I really enjoyed it. I am looking forward to beginning Season 9 later this week. There weren't any seasons that I didn't like, although I liked all the other seasons better than the first one but it was still good. There haven't been any people on this show I didn't like. Although I did find some of those fantasy episodes in 7 and 8 to be a little odd and out of place.

That s just a matter of opinion: i watched it for MRS. G, BLAIR, JO, NATALIE, TOOTIE + PIPPA (hated BEVERLY ANN & ANDY cos in my opinion they ruined the show).
COMMENTS?


hate is a strong word, how you can u hate beverly ann? cloris leachman is great! some people just cant over the fact that mrs. garrett was gone and now we have her sister, and beverly ann was so different from mrs. garrett, which was good because we did not need a clone of mrs. garrett.

hate is a strong word, how you can u hate beverly ann? cloris leachman is great! some people just cant over the fact that mrs. garrett was gone and now we have her sister, and beverly ann was so different from mrs. garrett, which was good because we did not need a clone of mrs. garrett.
Very true.

hate is a strong word, how you can u hate beverly ann? cloris leachman is great! some people just cant over the fact that mrs. garrett was gone and now we have her sister, and beverly ann was so different from mrs. garrett, which was good because we did not need a clone of mrs. garrett.

Ok, i didn t hate BEVERLY ANN but i found her rather irritating & very immature (she was hardly any help to those girls) always meddling where she wasn t needed: i d say she annoyed the hell out of BLAIR & JO who never quite bonded with her, the way they did with MRS. G.......

But I know Jo and Blair loved her nonetheless.

Is this the season where George Clooney was introduced? Yuck. he wasn't right for this show.

Is this the season where George Clooney was introduced? Yuck. he wasn't right for this show.

He was in the one before this, Season 7.

I thought Season 8 was the best of the later seasons. We got a return of the Lost Girls. Better plots.

I thought Season 8 was the best of the later seasons. We got a return of the Lost Girls. Better plots.
Mrs. Garrett's two-part farewell and the Return of the Lost Girls made the first part of Season 8 decent. But soon, it all began to fall apart, as episodes like 8-11 and 8-19 flatly contradicted one another. No-one was paying attention anymore. No-one cared. Soon, even the structural integrity of the house came under question, as floors buckled, rooms were added randomly, and doors moved to accommodate the scripts. Eventually, the FOL universe imploded with a mighty "G'day, Mate!", as boomerangs and urchins flew every which way.

Does anyone else in here think season 8 gets an unfair shaft from the fans?

When it initially aired in 86-87, part of me couldn't accept it without Mrs. Garrett, but when N@N aired the reruns in Dec 2000, I fell in love with the season instantly. IMO, the season only comes short next to seasons 2 and 3. I think this should've been the final season because season 9 was when everything went downhill IMO. The season 8 finale where Jo heads for CA on her motorcycle in the background would've been a more emotional, and all around fitting closure ending for FOL, than the group shot that didn't even contain Natalie at the end of the series finale. Beverly Ann was downright annoying in season 9, but in season 8, she did serve a purpose and had some great lines. Of course, she's not Mrs. Garrett, but who is? The 4 girls carried this season by themselves.

Is there any other closet season 8 lovers afraid to admit that they think this was one of their best seasons?

Yep! S8 is the best season post s5 imo

While this season has some unbelievable episodes overall it's underrated. Besides Mrs G's wedding and the lost girls reunion we have Blair and Jo's graduation. We also have Seven Little Indians a great spoof of 80s horror flicks. When Andy is adopted we see a slap to foster system and anger of kid bounced around. (Of course the earlier Grandma episode was horrible. I hate that. ) The girls are great friends and are the mature ones helping Beverly Ann deal with her life's changes. If only season 9 continued this trend.

Besides Mrs G's wedding and the lost girls reunion we have Blair and Jo's graduation.

To me, that graduation pales in comparison to the real graduation, four years earlier.

We also have Seven Little Indians a great spoof of 80s horror flicks.

I'm not a fan of the spoofs and parodies, although I enjoyed SLI on its first run.

When Andy is adopted we see a slap to foster system and anger of kid bounced around. (Of course the earlier Grandma episode was horrible. I hate that. )

Yeah, I just wish they hadn't had an episode which introduced us to his grandmother and talked about his parents, and then, just eight episodes later, told us he was living with foster parents and had no other family. It felt so weird. They had to have known by episode 8-11 what episode 8-19 would be about.

I agree with Retro. There are a few gems in there (Edna’s farewell, the reunion, Jo’s farewell), but a whole lot of mediocrity. Irma Kalish, who produced most of that season (and all of season 9), was the worst “Facts” showrunner.

I agree with Retro. There are a few gems in there (Edna’s farewell, the reunion, Jo’s farewell), but a whole lot of mediocrity. Irma Kalish, who produced most of that season (and all of season 9), was the worst “Facts” showrunner.

To me, that graduation pales in comparison to the real graduation, four years earlier.



I'm not a fan of the spoofs and parodies, although I enjoyed SLI on its first run.



Yeah, I just wish they hadn't had an episode which introduced us to his grandmother and talked about his parents, and then, just eight episodes later, told us he was living with foster parents and had no other family. It felt so weird. They had to have known by episode 8-11 what episode 8-19 would be about.




I agree with you Retro!:wave::wave::wave:

The 'Graduation' episode from season 4 is a lot better than the one on season 8!:banana::banana::banana:

The season 4 one had still MRS G on it, and it was a very warm moment when she hands her two oldest girls (who are about to leave to go to college) a gift, and the speech she delivers to each of them comes straight from the heart!:loveya::loveya::loveya:

In the one from season 8: there is no MRS G, and although BLAIR delivers a great speech in JO's honour, it just doesn't feel the same as when the '4 musketeers' were still a gang, and real family in every sense....:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

:cheers::cheers::cheers:

I DEFINALY think that this is one of the best seasons
Seasons 7, 8, and 9 are my favorite seasons ever!

Seasons 7, 8, and 9 are my favorites as well. I like it best when the ladies were older. And I like Beverly Ann and Andy.

Seasons 7, 8, and 9 are my favorites as well. I like it best when the ladies were older. And I like Beverly Ann and Andy.


You are really in the minority here lol!:eek::eek::eek:

As far as i'm concerned: the later seasons are the WORST (especially 7) cos everyone is just a POD, and the writing is very bad, as well as the acting along with the new characters they bring in (especially ANDY)!!!!!puke:puke:puke:

offtopic:offtopic:offtopic:

You are really in the minority here lol!:eek::eek::eek:

As far as i'm concerned: the later seasons are the WORST (especially 7) cos everyone is just a POD, and the writing is very bad, as well as the acting along with the new characters they bring in (especially ANDY)!!!!!puke:puke:puke:

offtopic:offtopic:offtopic:

I know.

I love all the seasons, though. However, my least favorite is the first season.

I know.

I love all the seasons, though. However, my least favorite is the first season.
GASPPPPPP :eek:

Bite your tongue on such blasphemy :mad:;):lol:

I know.

I love all the seasons, though. However, my least favorite is the first season.



My first two favourites are actually, the 'pilot' and 'season 1': I've always preferred the rebelliousand wild side of BLAIR (before they changed her character for the snobbish and vain we see after the retool):wave::wave::wave:

My first two favourites are actually, the 'pilot' and 'season 1': I've always preferred the rebelliousand wild side of BLAIR (before they changed her character for the snobbish and vain we see after the retool):wave::wave::wave:

The pilot isn’t a season though it’s just an episode of another series

The pilot isn’t a season though it’s just an episode of another series


I know, but the 'pilot' is where it all began!!!:happyface:happyface:happyface

My first two favourites are actually, the 'pilot' and 'season 1': I've always preferred the rebelliousand wild side of BLAIR (before they changed her character for the snobbish and vain we see after the retool):wave::wave::wave:

Yeah. She was more rebellious then. :) :wave:

I wonder why they decided to change her. Was it possibly to contrast her personality with Joe's rougher personality?

GASPPPPPP :eek:

Bite your tongue on such blasphemy :mad:;):lol:

Oh, sorry. :o :wave:

I agree with Retro. There are a few gems in there (Edna’s farewell, the reunion, Jo’s farewell), but a whole lot of mediocrity. Irma Kalish, who produced most of that season (and all of season 9), was the worst “Facts” showrunner.

Definitely. When looking back, we can see some pretty obvious missteps during the Kalish era.

One that has always bugged me is that they started using the exact same interstitial music on both Facts and Silver Spoons, I guess in an effort to save money. But imagine Friends using the same scene establishing music as Saved By the Bell and you will understand why that should never happen on two different shows. This is really Show Production 101. :eek:

Oh, sorry. :o :wave:

Say four “Our lost girls” and a “Hail Cindy” before bed and all will be forgiven. ;)

:brent

:brent

Glad I could provide a laugh bud :D

Hail Cindy,
Run the race.
Award is with thee.
Fastest are you among women,
And fleetest of the foot
Is thy friend, Sue Ann.
Sporty besties,
Runners we laud,
Run for us viewers now,
And train how to control your breath.
Amen.

I recently watched most of season 7 - 9 and really enjoyed them. I think one of the reasons is these were "newer" episodes for me. I had watched the show growing up, and the earlier seasons were rerun for years on NBC daytime and then syndication, but the last few seasons didn't see as many reruns, so I didn't really remember many episodes. Also, since I'm older now, I relate better to the more "adult" type episodes, versus the high school episodes.

Seasons 6, 7, and 8 had the funniest writing. Season 9 had some moments. I think the last 4-5 seasons don’t really get their due with fan praise. When I was a kid I preferred the school years; now I mostly land on the adult years. It’s nice to have a show with so many different eras. You really get a little of everything. Other than Cheers, are there many shows where you can have a preference to one iteration to the next; for instance Rebecca vs. Diane, OOH vs Edna’s Edibles.