"Buddies Forever!" - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

'80sSitcoms · 01-10-2019, 03:05 PM

So, Sue Ann and Cindy were best friends "all year" in season 1---and, we can theorize, beyond that, as they are always seen palling around together when they make their cameo appearances in the cafeteria years.

Funnily, though, the writers did not emphasize this point strongly throughout the season. Granted, there were lots of problems with the scripts, but it is interesting that Mr. Warren Murray chose to make this point of Sue Ann and Cindy being besties in "Running", when it hadn't been continually established in the previous episodes up till then. Of course, we see they are good friends in "Rough Housing", and they have a moment in "Like Mother, Like Daughter", but after that, it's actually really rare that we see them interact (some episodes they don't even exchange any dialogue). Definitely odd for characters to be considered "best friends".

Many viewers might say Sue Ann and Blair were best friends, though they were really more "frienemies" (but more so friends than enemies, lol). In "Dope" Blair does claim Sue Ann is her best friend, and although Sue Ann does not return the claim, some could infer that Sue Ann thinks of Blair as her best friend as well.

After "Running" was filmed, where it was established Sue Ann and Cindy had "been best friends all year" (author and Molly's emphases), we then had "Flash Flood", followed by "The Facts of Love", which shows another look at the close friendship of Blair and Sue Ann, as Sue Ann tells us she and Blair have both played "How Far Have You Gone?", and Blair confides in her after the sex ed class in the classroom. And then came "Dope", where Blair makes the comment that Sue Ann is her best friend.

I was noticing that more often than Cindy and Sue Ann being shown as friends on the show, we also see friend moments of Cindy and Molly, and moments I like to interpret as friend moments between them. Since these are my two favorite Lost Girls, I of course love seeing when Cindy and Molly are paired up, or have these little moments together.

Even something as simple as going off as co-tag-alongs to watch Mrs. Garrett put a flower in Nancy's hair.

It's also very easy to pair them up, since otherwise you have Blair and Sue Ann, Natalie and Tootie, and Nancy is alone as wallpaper, so that leaves Cindy and Molly to pal around. This is also natural character-wise: with a tomboy and a feminist, two "untraditional" female roles in male eyes, they could easily bond as outsiders of the male world, who see themselves as capable (Cindy) and equal (Molly) as/to any boy.

There is also a funny little friendship shown between Cindy and Natalie. Martin A. Ragaway thought to have Cindy be smitten with Thrifty Market's Steve, who is already "claimed" by Natalie and therefore Cindy is perceived as a potential threat, lol, and Rowland Barber and Jerry Mayer ran with this little detail and re-visited it in "The Facts of Love", the two girls again friendly rivals fantasizing over the blonde bag boy god of love, lol. I wish we could have seen this humorous/potentially rivalrous friendship between them explored and developed more. And, of course, in Eastland history, it is Natalie who leads the famous chant in "Running": "Cindy, Cindy, Cindy, Cindy, Cindy, Cindy, Cindy, Cindy-" "Alright! Cindy it is!" "YAY!!!!!"

Feel free to discuss other "Facts" friendships in this thread. I will post some galleries below of besties Sue Ann and Cindy, friends Cindy and Molly, and friendly "rivals" Cindy and Natalie.

'80sSitcoms · 01-10-2019, 03:07 PM

Here in the Sue Ann and Cindy gallery, there are really only about 4 best friend moments between Sue Ann and Cindy in 13 episodes. Interesting that the first 2 of these come from the first two shows, the Mahoney era, then after the retool, other than "Running", their best friendness is all but forgotten save for one little moment in "The Facts of Love".

I also included the famous "Buddies Forever" poster-size print here, and a background moment where they are doing something together at a table in the background of "Molly's Holiday".

-

'80sSitcoms · 01-10-2019, 03:17 PM

Cindy and Molly: the "jock" and the "feminist":
-

'80sSitcoms · 01-10-2019, 03:20 PM

And the little look at Cindy and Natalie's friendly rivalry:

-

Lorimar Television · 01-10-2019, 06:23 PM

Then starting in season 2 they’re never shown apart! Til Sue Ann sneaks down alone in TLC.

'80sSitcoms · 01-10-2019, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lorimar Television

Then starting in season 2 they’re never shown apart! Til Sue Ann sneaks down alone in TLC.

You didn't specify which of these girls you're talking about, but of course I know you mean Cindy and Sue Ann.

RetroGuy2000 · 01-10-2019, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lorimar Television

Then starting in season 2 they’re never shown apart! Til Sue Ann sneaks down alone in TLC.

YEP! I'm surprised Cindy didn't trail down the stairs after Sue Ann! "Where ya goin', Buddy Forever?"

'80s, the galleries of friendship are appreciated. I hope you will upload some of those to the Sitcoms Online photo gallery so they can be appreciated by future generations of FOL fans!

'80sSitcoms · 01-10-2019, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

'80s, the galleries of friendship are appreciated. I hope you will upload some of those to the Sitcoms Online photo gallery so they can be appreciated by future generations of FOL fans!

I've never done that here before. Feel free if you'd like to.

By the way, did you notice the magic "40s" triangle?? Look at the Sue Ann/Cindy gallery: Cindy is wearing a #40 jersey, and then in the next show, a #42 jersey. But wait, what, no #41 jersey?? What are we to do about the number 41?

Well, in "Dope", Sue Ann tells us that her mother is 41! So she covered the missing number!

RetroGuy2000 · 01-10-2019, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

I've never done that here before. Feel free if you'd like to.

If you don't, I will have to, at some point. But I am super-busy right now, so I hope you will!

Quote:

By the way, did you notice the magic "40s" triangle?? Look at the Sue Ann/Cindy gallery: Cindy is wearing a #40 jersey, and then in the next show, a #42 jersey. But wait, what, no #41 jersey?? What are we to do about the number 41?

Well, in "Dope", Sue Ann tells us that her mother is 41! So she covered the missing number!

Lorimar Television · 01-10-2019, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

I've never done that here before. Feel free if you'd like to.

By the way, did you notice the magic "40s" triangle?? Look at the Sue Ann/Cindy gallery: Cindy is wearing a #40 jersey, and then in the next show, a #42 jersey. But wait, what, no #41 jersey?? What are we to do about the number 41?

Well, in "Dope", Sue Ann tells us that her mother is 41! So she covered the missing number!

You cracked the case!

'80sSitcoms · 01-27-2020, 04:14 PM

80s Dude · 01-27-2020, 05:19 PM

Thanks for bumping this.

80s Dude · 01-27-2020, 05:44 PM

Another question is why would Molly be hanging around with a girl like Margo in season 2 (other than that the writers and script said so)? Molly, who stood up for the underdog in season 1 and was not shy about speaking up for her beliefs, would allow Margo to go off on Jo other than saying a limp "Lay off, Margo"?

'80sSitcoms · 01-27-2020, 05:46 PM

Well, who knows what Molly went through over the summer? Or maybe she was vulnerable because she fell into a deep funk upon returning to school happy to see her 6 friends in the dorm and Mrs. Garrett, all who accept her for being a fellow female there yet with non-traditional interests, only to find Mrs. Garrett and half of her friends were now out of the dorm (not to mention, no Mr. Bradley, whom she was used to and perhaps felt comfortable having around for his familiarity).

80s Dude · 01-27-2020, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

Well, who knows what Molly went through over the summer? Or maybe she was vulnerable because she fell into a deep funk upon returning to school happy to see her 6 friends in the dorm and Mrs. Garrett, all who accept her for being a fellow female there yet with non-traditional interests, only to find Mrs. Garrett and half of her friends were now out of the dorm (not to mention, no Mr. Bradley, whom she was used to and perhaps felt comfortable having around for his familiarity).

Where were the other Lost Girls in this episode. Where was Molly's friend Cindy? Were they late in returning for the semester?

01-10-2019, 03:05 PM	#1
'80sSitcoms Member Forum Star Join Date: Jan 30, 2013 Posts: 12,474	"Buddies Forever!" So, Sue Ann and Cindy were best friends "all year" in season 1---and, we can theorize, beyond that, as they are always seen palling around together when they make their cameo appearances in the cafeteria years. Funnily, though, the writers did not emphasize this point strongly throughout the season. Granted, there were lots of problems with the scripts, but it is interesting that Mr. Warren Murray chose to make this point of Sue Ann and Cindy being besties in "Running", when it hadn't been continually established in the previous episodes up till then. Of course, we see they are good friends in "Rough Housing", and they have a moment in "Like Mother, Like Daughter", but after that, it's actually really rare that we see them interact (some episodes they don't even exchange any dialogue). Definitely odd for characters to be considered "best friends". Many viewers might say Sue Ann and Blair were best friends, though they were really more "frienemies" (but more so friends than enemies, lol). In "Dope" Blair does claim Sue Ann is her best friend, and although Sue Ann does not return the claim, some could infer that Sue Ann thinks of Blair as her best friend as well. After "Running" was filmed, where it was established Sue Ann and Cindy had "been best friends all year" (author and Molly's emphases), we then had "Flash Flood", followed by "The Facts of Love", which shows another look at the close friendship of Blair and Sue Ann, as Sue Ann tells us she and Blair have both played "How Far Have You Gone?", and Blair confides in her after the sex ed class in the classroom. And then came "Dope", where Blair makes the comment that Sue Ann is her best friend. I was noticing that more often than Cindy and Sue Ann being shown as friends on the show, we also see friend moments of Cindy and Molly, and moments I like to interpret as friend moments between them. Since these are my two favorite Lost Girls, I of course love seeing when Cindy and Molly are paired up, or have these little moments together. Even something as simple as going off as co-tag-alongs to watch Mrs. Garrett put a flower in Nancy's hair. It's also very easy to pair them up, since otherwise you have Blair and Sue Ann, Natalie and Tootie, and Nancy is alone as wallpaper, so that leaves Cindy and Molly to pal around. This is also natural character-wise: with a tomboy and a feminist, two "untraditional" female roles in male eyes, they could easily bond as outsiders of the male world, who see themselves as capable (Cindy) and equal (Molly) as/to any boy. There is also a funny little friendship shown between Cindy and Natalie. Martin A. Ragaway thought to have Cindy be smitten with Thrifty Market's Steve, who is already "claimed" by Natalie and therefore Cindy is perceived as a potential threat, lol, and Rowland Barber and Jerry Mayer ran with this little detail and re-visited it in "The Facts of Love", the two girls again friendly rivals fantasizing over the blonde bag boy god of love, lol. I wish we could have seen this humorous/potentially rivalrous friendship between them explored and developed more. And, of course, in Eastland history, it is Natalie who leads the famous chant in "Running": "Cindy, Cindy, Cindy, Cindy, Cindy, Cindy, Cindy, Cindy-" "Alright! Cindy it is!" "YAY!!!!!" Feel free to discuss other "Facts" friendships in this thread. I will post some galleries below of besties Sue Ann and Cindy, friends Cindy and Molly, and friendly "rivals" Cindy and Natalie.
	Last edited by '80sSitcoms; 01-10-2019 at 04:53 PM.

01-10-2019, 03:07 PM	#2
'80sSitcoms Member Forum Star Join Date: Jan 30, 2013 Posts: 12,474	Here in the Sue Ann and Cindy gallery, there are really only about 4 best friend moments between Sue Ann and Cindy in 13 episodes. Interesting that the first 2 of these come from the first two shows, the Mahoney era, then after the retool, other than "Running", their best friendness is all but forgotten save for one little moment in "The Facts of Love". I also included the famous "Buddies Forever" poster-size print here, and a background moment where they are doing something together at a table in the background of "Molly's Holiday". - Attached Images
	Last edited by '80sSitcoms; 01-10-2019 at 04:49 PM.

01-10-2019, 03:17 PM	#3
'80sSitcoms Member Forum Star Join Date: Jan 30, 2013 Posts: 12,474	Cindy and Molly: the "jock" and the "feminist": - Attached Images
	Last edited by '80sSitcoms; 01-10-2019 at 04:50 PM.

01-10-2019, 06:23 PM	#5
Lorimar Television Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 06, 2007 Posts: 7,034	Then starting in season 2 they’re never shown apart! Til Sue Ann sneaks down alone in TLC.
	__________________ Some of my favorite theme songs: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-e...89CsiJpV_irnNw

01-10-2019, 03:20 PM	#4
'80sSitcoms Member Forum Star Join Date: Jan 30, 2013 Posts: 12,474	And the little look at Cindy and Natalie's friendly rivalry: - Attached Images

01-27-2020, 04:14 PM	#11
'80sSitcoms Member Forum Star Join Date: Jan 30, 2013 Posts: 12,474

01-27-2020, 05:19 PM	#12
80s Dude Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 24, 2019 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,818	Thanks for bumping this.

01-27-2020, 05:44 PM	#13
80s Dude Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 24, 2019 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,818	Another question is why would Molly be hanging around with a girl like Margo in season 2 (other than that the writers and script said so)? Molly, who stood up for the underdog in season 1 and was not shy about speaking up for her beliefs, would allow Margo to go off on Jo other than saying a limp "Lay off, Margo"?

01-27-2020, 05:46 PM	#14
'80sSitcoms Member Forum Star Join Date: Jan 30, 2013 Posts: 12,474	Well, who knows what Molly went through over the summer? Or maybe she was vulnerable because she fell into a deep funk upon returning to school happy to see her 6 friends in the dorm and Mrs. Garrett, all who accept her for being a fellow female there yet with non-traditional interests, only to find Mrs. Garrett and half of her friends were now out of the dorm (not to mention, no Mr. Bradley, whom she was used to and perhaps felt comfortable having around for his familiarity).