Kim Fields talks about the Lost Girls in her new book

[RetroGuy2000]

In Kim Fields' new book, Blessed Life, she talks about her relationship with the girls she worked with on the show. Included are memories about Nancy McKeon (Jo), Mindy Cohn (Natalie), and Lisa Whelchel (Blair). But she also talks about the Lost Girls: she name drops all four of them (Felice Schachter, Julie Piekarski, Julie Anne Haddock, and Molly Ringwald), and relates some funny stories about a couple of them. I really enjoyed this book because it's more thorough than what I've seen from other books about The Facts of Life. In fact, as far as I can tell, it is the most thorough, and I appreciate that, as a fan of the Lost Girls.

Since it's been requested that I paraphrase some of what Kim wrote in her memoirs, here is a little bit of what she wrote about the Lost Girls, paraphrased from what I can recall when I read it about a month ago.

Julie Piekarski

Kim writes that she and Julie were very close on the set; Kim called her Julie Pie from then on, and I guess that's how Julie got her nickname, which has stuck with Julie Pie all these years.

Kim says that she and Julie were like sisters, only one was white, and one was black. She said that they met during the casting process, and they quickly became close. You can definitely see this, as Kim and Julie can still be seen together on their Facebook or Instagram posts, even to this day, 40 years after they first met. They most recently posed together (with Mindy, Mackenzie Astin, and Kim's Aunt Pat) at Charlotte's memorial. Kim always makes an effort to include Julie in everything. Notice that it's Tootie (I mean, "Dorothy") who mentions Sue Ann in the reunion movie. I believe this was intentional.

Julie and Kim's relationship, like sisters, really reminds me of what Mindy has said about Felice: that they were soul sisters who became very close, very quickly (Felice's mom even became Mindy's agent). I really love the idea of the older girls bonding with the younger girls. It makes me feel as though it was a very warm, welcoming set... at least before the Cast Purge, which cruelly ripped the cast in half.

Felice Schachter

Kim relates a funny story about Felice on the set of The Facts of Life. It's too detailed of a story to elaborate here, but it turns out they all (especially Felice) had a crush on Mikhail Baryshnikov, and they were delighted when he showed up at the studio (which at that time was Metromedia Square in Hollywood).

The girls' love for Mikhail Baryshnikov was worked into two scripts, first as part of the plotline of episode 1-07, "Dieting", in the opening tag. It was also worked into episode 2-09, "Gossip", where Roger and Blair go to see Baryshnikov.

Julie Anne Haddock and Molly Ringwald

These two are only mentioned briefly in Kim's book. Unfortunate, because I know Kim at least has mentioned Julie Anne in the past, in that she liked her work in TV and film.

Kim says that it was difficult getting used to the Cast Purge, and relates what Mindy said: "Where'd everybody go?"

Nancy McKeon

Okay, Nancy isn't a Lost Girl, but it's been requested that I include info about her as well. During seasons 2-4, Kim became very close with Nancy. This is because not only did they work together, they went to school together. They were suddenly the only Facts girls in the studio school, after the Cast Purge. Lisa had already graduated early, and Mindy was still attending Westlake.

['80sSitcoms]

Oo, thanks for dishing!

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Julie Piekarski

Kim writes that she and Julie were very close on the set

Kinda makes their moment in the opening credits of episodes 2, 3, and 4 nice and sweet, as they get to "play together" during their credits

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Felice Schachter

Kim relates a funny story about Felice on the set of The Facts of Life. It's too detailed to elaborate here, but it turns out they all (especially Felice) had a crush on Mikhail Baryshnikov, and they were delighted when he showed up at the studio.

Why did he show up at the studio?? Appearing on another show?

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

The girls' love for Mikhail Baryshnikov was worked into two scripts, first as part of the plotline of episode 1-07, "Dieting", in the opening tag. It was also worked into episode 2-09, "Gossip", where Roger and Blair go to see Baryshnikov.

Do they, though? It's easy to argue they perhaps did not, after all.

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Julie Anne Haddock and Molly Ringwald

These two are only mentioned briefly. Unfortunate, because I know Kim at least has mentioned Julie Anne in the past, in that she liked her work in TV and film.

Kim says that it was difficult getting used to the Cast Purge, and relates what Mindy said: "Where'd everybody go?"

So what did she say about the girls?? (J.A. and M.)

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

Kinda makes their moment in the opening credits of episodes 2, 3, and 4 nice and sweet, as they get to "play together" during their credits

Yep, and now that's what I see, every time I watch the opening credits for those episodes, or any other time there's a Sue Ann/Tootie scene.

Why did he show up at the studio?? Appearing on another show?

Yes, I believe so.

Do they, though? It's easy to argue they perhaps did not, after all.

Well, valid point!

So what did she say about the girls?? (J.A. and M.)

That they were also cast on the show, and that they left in the cast purge. Sorry, that's all I got!

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

That they were also cast on the show, and that they left in the cast purge. Sorry, that's all I got!

Aww, come on "Tootie", tell us some more about "Cindy" and "Molly"! Oh well...thanks for letting us know, Retro.

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

Aww, come on "Tootie", tell us some more about "Cindy" and "Molly"! Oh well...thanks for letting us know, Retro.

I wish I had more to tell you; unfortunately, I do not. It's clear that Kim and Julie were as close as Felice and Mindy were. The cast purge was hard on them. But that, of course, is show biz.

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

It's clear that Kim and Julie were as close as Felice and Mindy were.

I would say closer, just from what I've seen/heard.

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

I would say closer, just from what I've seen/heard.

Very possibly!

It also makes me wonder who Julie Anne and Molly were close to, if anyone. We know Molly didn't like Mindy, and that Lisa liked Geri, but not a whole lot else. I want to know who Julie Anne's best friend was, and who Molly's soul sister in the group was!

[Gemini_89]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

In Kim Fields' new book, Blessed Life, she talks about her relationship with the girls she worked with on the show. Included are memories about Nancy McKeon (Jo), Mindy Cohn (Natalie), and Lisa Whelchel (Blair). But she also talks about the Lost Girls: she name drops all four of them (Felice Schachter, Julie Piekarski, Julie Anne Haddock, and Molly Ringwald), and relates some funny stories about a couple of them. I really enjoyed this book because it's more thorough than what I've seen from other books about The Facts of Life. In fact, as far as I can tell, it is the most thorough, and I appreciate that, as a fan of the Lost Girls.

Since it's been requested that I paraphrase some of what Kim wrote in her memoirs, here is a little bit of what she wrote about the Lost Girls, paraphrased from what I can recall when I read it about a month ago.

Julie Piekarski

Kim writes that she and Julie were very close on the set; Kim called her Julie Pie from then on, and I guess that's how Julie got her nickname, which has stuck with Julie Pie all these years.

Kim says that she and Julie were like sisters, only one was white, and one was black. She said that they met during the casting process, and they quickly became close. You can definitely see this, as Kim and Julie can still be seen together on their Facebook or Instagram posts, even to this day, 40 years after they first met. They most recently posed together (with Mindy, Mackenzie Astin, and Kim's Aunt Pat) at Charlotte's memorial. Kim always makes an effort to include Julie in everything. Notice that it's Tootie (I mean, "Dorothy") who mentions Sue Ann in the reunion movie. I believe this was intentional.

Julie and Kim's relationship, like sisters, really reminds me of what Mindy has said about Felice: that they were soul sisters who became very close, very quickly (Felice's mom even became Mindy's agent). I really love the idea of the older girls bonding with the younger girls. It makes me feel as though it was a very warm, welcoming set... at least before the Cast Purge, which cruelly ripped the cast in half.

Felice Schachter

Kim relates a funny story about Felice on the set of The Facts of Life. It's too detailed of a story to elaborate here, but it turns out they all (especially Felice) had a crush on Mikhail Baryshnikov, and they were delighted when he showed up at the studio (which at that time was Metromedia Square in Hollywood).

The girls' love for Mikhail Baryshnikov was worked into two scripts, first as part of the plotline of episode 1-07, "Dieting", in the opening tag. It was also worked into episode 2-09, "Gossip", where Roger and Blair go to see Baryshnikov.

Julie Anne Haddock and Molly Ringwald

These two are only mentioned briefly in Kim's book. Unfortunate, because I know Kim at least has mentioned Julie Anne in the past, in that she liked her work in TV and film.

Kim says that it was difficult getting used to the Cast Purge, and relates what Mindy said: "Where'd everybody go?"

Nancy McKeon

Okay, Nancy isn't a Lost Girl, but it's been requested that I include info about her as well. During seasons 2-4, Kim became very close with Nancy. This is because not only did they work together, they went to school together. They were suddenly the only Facts girls in the studio school, after the Cast Purge. Lisa had already graduated early, and Mindy was still attending Westlake.

I heard that Nancy took Kim with her to her driver's test, is that true?
I already know that Nancy taught Kim how to shave her legs because that was in an old article way back then.......

Btw thank you for this thread and information.

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

We know Molly didn't like Mindy

No we don't; we know that Molly "felt that [she] wasn't very nice" and that she felt "intimidated" by Mindy, but not that she necessarily "didn't like" her.

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I want to know who Julie Anne's best friend was, and who Molly's soul sister in the group was!

Maybe Julie Anne and Felice got along really well, as Julie Anne attended Felice's 18th birthday party. I have a feeling Molly didn't really find a "sister" in the group, but enjoyed being around most of them; just my speculations.

[Lorimar Television]

That's great! Thanks. I have to know is Julie Pie pronounced Julie P, like how her name is pronounced or the actual word pie like the dessert? I saw the movie so long ago, but do not remember any mention of Sue Ann. What did Tootie say about her?

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by Lorimar Television

That's great! Thanks. I have to know is Julie Pie pronounced Julie P, like how her name is pronounced or the actual word pie like the dessert? I saw the movie so long ago, but do not remember any mention of Sue Ann. What did Tootie say about her?

I used to think it was like "pea" too, but this summer I've gotten the impression from around here that it's actually "pie" like pumpkin pie, lol (yum!).

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by Gemini_89

I heard that Nancy took Kim with her to her driver's test, is that true?
I already know that Nancy taught Kim how to shave her legs because that was in an old article way back then.......

Kim confirms the driving test and the leg shaving in her book! Well, not at the same time, obviously. That could get messy...

Btw thank you for this thread and information.

No problem! Glad to share with fellow fans!

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

I used to think it was like "pea" too, but this summer I've gotten the impression from around here that it's actually "pie" like pumpkin pie, lol (yum!).

Yes, it's "pie", like the delicious food (mmm...pumpkin!) or the mathematical symbol pi. Julie's last name is properly pronounced "Pie"-karski, although there are some announcers who have pronounced it wrong. Felice and Lisa pronounce it correctly in the documentaries.

Careful listeners can hear Kim say "Julie Pie" during Kim's interview where Lisa Whelchel shows up unannounced. I believe Kim realizes that Julie must have told Lisa where her interview would be, and so she starts to say, "Julie Pie..." This must have taken much sneakiness on the part of Julie and Lisa, to pull off!

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Yes, it's "pie", like the delicious food (mmm...pumpkin!) or the mathematical symbol pi. Julie's last name is properly pronounced "Pie"-karski, although there are some announcers who have pronounced it wrong. Felice and Lisa pronounce it correctly in the documentaries.

Oh, so it's "Pie-karski"? Not "Pie-uh-karski"? I used to think it was "Pea-uh-karski", now I've been thinking it was "Pie-uh-karski", but now you're saying it's just "Pie-karski".

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

No we don't; we know that Molly "felt that [she] wasn't very nice" and that she felt "intimidated" by Mindy, but not that she necessarily "didn't like" her.

Oh, come on! She named her the "biggest mean girl" on the set!

She says she later discovered that she's actually a very nice person. But that statement in itself shows how she previously felt.

Maybe Julie Anne and Felice got along really well, as Julie Anne attended Felice's 18th birthday party. I have a feeling Molly didn't really find a "sister" in the group, but enjoyed being around most of them; just my speculations.

Good point: the photo of Julie Anne at Felice's birthday party is the best clue we have for Julie Anne's relationship to any of the girls. I wish we had more. But it's better than nothing!