The Season 1 Props/Sets/Decor Discussion Thread

['80sSitcoms]

It's fun to notice the evolution of props, and what props were saved from the season 1 set and recycled for the cafeteria seasons! (and perhaps beyond?)

First, let's examine the globe.

In the first 4 shows, there is a beige/tan-looking (unless it's really dark lighting) globe atop the grandfather clock (where else would you keep a globe, right? haha)

Then, in the spring 1980 shows, there is a different blue globe on top of the clock.

However, there is also a globe in the girls' mainly-shown dorm room set---seen in the same episodes as the globe on the clock in the common room! So there were two globes in the dorm, one on each level; those girls must've really enjoyed looking at the world, lol.

And there's the globe's most famous legendary appearance, in season 2's "Gossip"---could one of these be the very same globe Nancy threatens to shove down Tootie's throat? lol...who knows??

[RetroGuy2000]

Thanks for the screenshots!

From these, it seems clear to me that there were at least three different globes:

1. An antique globe (or faux antique) on top of the grandfather clock, done in brown, which has a tall antique-style pedestal (it sits high above the clock). It has only one metal band: a meridian band that supports the globe.

2. A replacement globe which is done in blue. It is also placed on the grandfather clock, but it's clearly different: it doesn't have the high pedestal, and it has two metal bands: the meridian band and a second, moveable equatorial band. This was likely placed there to replace the original globe; likely some time after the first four episodes.

3 (and 4?). The blue globe in the dorm room, which has only a meridian band. This could be the same as "Nancy's globe" in Season Two, which also has just the meridian band and is blue. They look pretty similar, but they may have been different globes, since this style of globe was very common in the 1980s (I had one which my grandparents gave me in 1983-1984).

Do we ever see a globe in the classrooms?

['80sSitcoms]

I never thought I would be involved in such a detailed discussion on globes!

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Thanks for the screenshots!

From these, it seems clear to me that there were at least three different globes:

I agree, especially from your very detailed points!

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

3 (and 4?). The blue globe in the dorm room, which has only a meridian band. This could be the same as "Nancy's globe" in Season Two, which also has just the meridian band and is blue. They look pretty similar, but they may have been different globes, since this style of globe was very common in the 1980s (I had one which my grandparents gave me in 1983-1984).

The more I look at it, it seems like "Nancy's threat globe" (lol) is noticeably larger than either of the dorm's blue globes. Now granted, the one in the girls' room is seen from a further distance, but it still seems like Nancy's is somewhat larger.

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Do we ever see a globe in the classrooms?

Not in Mr. Gideon's room, but we do in the sex education classroom! It looks noticeably smaller than any globe yet seen so far, lol.

[RetroGuy2000]

That last image is also a GREAT screen capture because it also shows the dart board (seen in season one, on the door), the New Yorker poster (seen only in Tumpy's room in season one), and several plaques on the wall, which I think may be Blair's Harvest Queen awards (they are all the same, so likely all are the same award, but from different years).

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

That last image is also a GREAT screen capture because it also shows the dart board (seen in season one, on the door)

Darn it, you revealed one of my surprises! (see prepped shots below, lol)

But I thought you were going to say "that last image is also a GREAT screen capture" because it visibly shows all the girls in class---but I think I posted that while you were typing, lol.

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

and several plaques on the wall, which I think may be Blair's Harvest Queen awards (they are all the same, so likely all are the same award, but from different years).

Ooo, I like that idea!

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

Not in Mr. Gideon's room, but we do in the sex education classroom! It looks noticeably smaller than any globe yet seen so far, lol.

Weird that there wouldn't be a globe in the journalism room, but there's one in the sex ed room? I kid, I kid! I think that's the same classroom as IQ, so it was likely a general purpose classroom, not just reserved for sex education classes.

Still, that set sure had a ton of globes!

[RetroGuy2000]

Seeing close-ups of the dart board, it sure looks like the exact same dart board.

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Weird that there wouldn't be a globe in the journalism room, but there's one in the sex ed room? I kid, I kid! I think that's the same classroom as IQ, so it was likely a general purpose classroom, not just reserved for sex education classes.

And the same classroom for Mr. Bradley's genealogy class! (speaking of that, it sure gives a "small campus" feel if the headmaster has so much time on his hands that he has time to teach a class! lol)

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Still, that set sure had a ton of globes!

lol, as the kids today say, "ikr??" lol

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Seeing close-ups of the dart board, it sure looks like the exact same dart board.

Yeah, it must be. And in that classroom picture above, I love how Cindy and Sue Ann are seated next to each other. It gives credibility to Molly's assertion in "Running" that "You've been best friends all year long" So even if we didn't see that played out much, it's nice to have a visual credit.

Now here's one probably no one else has ever noticed---and I didn't until yesterday! It looks like there are recycled flowers from season 1 to season 2! I'm guessing the flowers are fake since they're still blooming a year later

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

And the same classroom for Mr. Bradley's genealogy class! (speaking of that, it sure gives a "small campus" feel if the headmaster has so much time on his hands that he has time to teach a class! lol)

True! And they even were having a housemother teach a class!

Yeah, it must be. And in that classroom picture above, I love how Cindy and Sue Ann are seated next to each other. It gives credibility to Molly's assertion in "Running" that "You've been best friends all year long" So even if we didn't see that played out much, it's nice to have a visual credit.

Nice find! We get a similar visual clue with the country hats in Cindy's room. We even get a passing mention that they're still rooming together the following season, so I'm glad that relationship lasted. "Buddies Forever" indeed!

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

Now here's one probably no one else has ever noticed---and I didn't until yesterday! It looks like there are recycled flowers from season 1 to season 2! I'm guessing the flowers are fake since they're still blooming a year later

Good eye!

Those flowers look like the fake flowers everyone decorated with in the late 1970s.

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

True! And they even were having a housemother teach a class!

Haha, that's right! The headmaster and a housemother teaching a class---it makes the whole campus feel like it's one acre.

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Nice find! We get a similar visual clue with the country hats in Cindy's room. We even get a passing mention that they're still rooming together the following season, so I'm glad that relationship lasted. "Buddies Forever" indeed!

Hear, hear!

Well, we've dissected the globes, now did you ever notice there were 2 grandfather clocks?? The first 4 shows have a very squared-off clock with a flat top, then the spring '80 shows feature one with a quite ornate top, and celestial bodies which move along the top of the face---what a great piece!

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

Haha, that's right! The headmaster and a housemother teaching a class---it makes the whole campus feel like it's one acre.

Along with the tiny cafeteria, the one-stall stable, plays being rehearsed in a dorm common room, and the distinct lack of faculty. Yes. But the first season is better than later seasons when it comes to things like having enough students being involved in projects (why were only Blair, Jo, Nat and Tootie the only ones involved in any school project, particularly in season four?), the overuse of the cafeteria (even for episodes that would have been better suited elsewhere), the lack of classroom scenes at what is supposed to be a school, etc.

At least Howard the Cook never taught a class.

Well, we've dissected the globes, now did you ever notice there were 2 grandfather clocks?? The first 4 shows have a very squared-off clock with a flat top, then the spring '80 shows feature one with a quite ornate top, and celestial bodies which move along the top of the face---what a great piece!

Yes, when you posted the globe photos, I could see there was an issue there with the clock. I wonder why they changed the clock. It's not as if they used the clock for anything, so why the need to change it?

Although the new clock is indeed quite lovely, and as you point out, the moving celestial bodies thing is very cool.

Maybe the old clock was Jenny O'Hara's, and when she departed the series, she took her clock with her.

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

the overuse of the cafeteria (even for episodes that would have been better suited elsewhere)

I can see what you're saying, and I can go along with that, but at the same time I just love the cafeteria so much (the architecture and colors of the seasons 2-4 sets as we mentioned elsewhere), that for me, if something isn't in a more appropriate place, I sure don't mind seeing that cafeteria set.

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

At least Howard the Cook never taught a class.

Hahaha, as far as we know!

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Yes, when you posted the globe photos, I could see there was an issue there with the clock.

Darn, I was hoping you hadn't noticed---I love pointing out "new things" here, lol.

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Although the new clock is indeed quite lovely

That would be my guess as to why it changed. Maybe prop guy went shopping around during the hiatus, found that clock, and thought, hey, that'd be a really nice piece for the dorm.

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

and as you point out, the moving celestial bodies thing is very cool.

I never noticed that until seeing the clock frozen in time (no pun intended, ha). Now the next time I watch season 1 I want to watch for: 1) if the celestial bodies ever move, or if that moon is always stopped there in the same place, and 2) if the time ever changes, lol.

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Maybe the old clock was Jenny O'Hara's, and when she departed the series, she took her clock with her.

"You think you can get rid of me, 'Facts'? Well, I'll show you---see how much of a good 'time' you can have without me!" [picks up clock and hauls it on her shoulder a la lumberjack, and storms off the dorm set]

And now, a look at the changing phones from season 1, as mentioned in another thread...a pay phone in shows 1-4 (perhaps mounted on the wall by the greedy Mr. Crock? lol), and then a normal "free" phone for shows 5-13.

Per this discussion elsewhere, we cannot be sure if the pay phone was actually taken down from the set for the spring shows when they installed the regular phone, or if they left it up. My guess would be they took it down because it would look odd to the audience to see two phones in the common room (especially one pay and one regular), but, interestingly enough, I don't believe in shows 5-13 that the camera ever does pan to the left of the front door so we could see if the pay phone is there or not (cue conspiracy theory, lol).

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

I can see what you're saying, and I can go along with that, but at the same time I just love the cafeteria so much (the architecture and colors of the seasons 2-4 sets as we mentioned elsewhere), that for me, if something isn't in a more appropriate place, I sure don't mind seeing that cafeteria set.

The cafeteria is totally appropriate for things like school dances, assemblies, luncheons (obviously), and many other things. It was brilliant of the producers to have that set built because it could be used for so many things. And yet there are times when the activities in it are out of place. Still, as you say, it's a gorgeous room, and that set is so cozy. Maybe in part because we've seen it for so many years, and it's a little like "comfort food".

Darn, I was hoping you hadn't noticed---I love pointing out "new things" here, lol.

Well, I only noticed when you included a screenshot in your post! So it was still your doing.

That would be my guess as to why it changed. Maybe prop guy went shopping around during the hiatus, found that clock, and thought, hey, that'd be a really nice piece for the dorm.

It's funny because we even see the "celestial bodies" grandfather clock in the revised opening credits for season one, behind both Nancy and Cindy. Isn't that odd?

I never noticed that until seeing the clock frozen in time (no pun intended, ha). Now the next time I watch season 1 I want to watch for: 1) if the celestial bodies ever move, or if that moon is always stopped there in the same place, and 2) if the time ever changes, lol.

I'll be checking that out, too. Likely it's just stopped, as a prop they didn't think about, but we'll see!

"You think you can get rid of me, 'Facts'? Well, I'll show you---see how much of a good 'time' you can have without me!" [picks up clock and hauls it on her shoulder a la lumberjack, and storms off the dorm set]

Haha! Well, I wasn't imagining that much drama, but sure!

And now, a look at the changing phones from season 1, as mentioned in another thread...a pay phone in shows 1-4 (perhaps mounted on the wall by the greedy Mr. Crock? lol), and then a normal "free" phone for shows 5-13.

You know, I wouldn't put it past The Crock!

Thanks goodness Mr. Bradley had a biiiit more common sense. No wonder Nancy needed a scholarship!

Per this discussion elsewhere, we cannot be sure if the pay phone was actually taken down from the set for the spring shows when they installed the regular phone, or if they left it up. My guess would be they took it down because it would look odd to the audience to see two phones in the common room (especially one pay and one regular), but, interestingly enough, I don't believe in shows 5-13 that the camera ever does pan to the left of the front door so we could see if the pay phone is there or not (cue conspiracy theory, lol).

Found it! We see to the left of the door in "Molly's Holiday", when we see Blair's luggage. No sign of a pay phone! Bradley must have had it removed!

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Still, as you say, it's a gorgeous room, and that set is so cozy. Maybe in part because we've seen it for so many years, and it's a little like "comfort food".

A "little"? It is enormous visual "comfort food" for me!

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

It's funny because we even see the "celestial bodies" grandfather clock in the revised opening credits for season one, behind both Nancy and Cindy. Isn't that odd?

But that's where the "celestial bodies" grandfather clock is---the 9 shows in spring 1980. It's the plainer squared-off clock that's in the first 4 shows in '79.

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I'll be checking that out, too. Likely it's just stopped, as a prop they didn't think about, but we'll see!

Yeah, if anything, they just probably manually changed the time in shows or between shows, lol.

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Thanks goodness Mr. Bradley had a biiiit more common sense. No wonder Nancy needed a scholarship!

Ha!

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Found it! We see to the left of the door in "Molly's Holiday", when we see Blair's luggage. No sign of a pay phone! Bradley must have had it removed!

Yes, but what do we see?? It looks like either a large poster/picture or curtain from the top down toward the bottom, but then some kind of white piece of furniture or chair/rack of some kind. lol..hmmmm...

And as we see from the first 4 shows, that pay phone was very close beside the front door.