Dana Plato Asked About Facts of Life - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Lorimar Television · 01-12-2019, 02:35 PM

I happened upon this interview with Dana Plato where she’s asked about the FOL. The season 1 theme is even briefly sung. I cued it up to that moment: https://youtu.be/KvS8mpyQB-8?t=7m29s

'80sSitcoms · 01-12-2019, 02:49 PM

She's interviewed by "Ed the Sock"?? You didn't tell us she was talking to a dirty sock!

So hilarious when he breaks into the song and imitates Mrs. Garrett!

And he is reminiscent of Oscar, haha!

It is interesting to hear her earlier talk about the original plan of moving Kimberly "down the hall", having the baby during hiatus, and the show marrying her off during the next season. Makes you wonder what all went down to change all that?

DJM77 · 01-12-2019, 04:06 PM

Ugh, I watched the whole video and I wish I hadn't. She was really off about how long she was on Diff'rent Strokes for, but I'm not surprised.

Lorimar Television · 01-12-2019, 04:57 PM

Poor Dana had a really tough life, I hope she’s at peace now.

You should do some photoshops of the dirty sock, Eights!

'80sSitcoms · 01-12-2019, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lorimar Television

You should do some photoshops of the dirty sock, Eights!

Haha!

"She took the key out of the sock?!"

Lorimar Television · 01-12-2019, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

Haha!

"She took the key out of the sock?!"

Yeah!!!!

Lorimar Television · 01-12-2019, 06:23 PM

The sock shoulda sung “when the books are what you’re there about”
Like Mrs G.

RetroGuy2000 · 01-12-2019, 11:53 PM

Thanks for sharing this, Lorimar!

I found it interesting; the sock puppet seemed very similar to the "Triumph the Insult Dog" that Conan O'Brien used to have on his show. Even sounds like the same guy.

Like '80s, I found the DS info interesting.

This was just two years before Dana's untimely passing. She looks good here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJM77

Ugh, I watched the whole video and I wish I hadn't. She was really off about how long she was on Diff'rent Strokes for, but I'm not surprised.

No, I'm not surprised, either. I suspect the later years of the show were a bit hazy for her.

Lorimar Television · 01-13-2019, 01:07 AM

So was she on until season 6 or 7 of DS? Does she appear in any episodes besides the bullemia one?

RetroGuy2000 · 01-13-2019, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lorimar Television

So was she on until season 6 or 7 of DS? Does she appear in any episodes besides the bullemia one?

Dana appeared in the first six seasons. She was fired after that, officially for getting pregnant, though there had been huge problems on the set for years.

She appeared in six more episodes, in the the later half of season 7 (7-16, 7-24), and the first half of season 8 (8-01, 8-02, 8-04, and 8-13). 8-13 was the Bullimia episode, her last on the show. Five years later would be the infamous video store hold-up, where the clerk identified the robber as Kimberly from Diff'rent Strokes.

Lorimar Television · 01-13-2019, 01:34 AM

Huge problems? We’re they any worse than Todd and Gary? She obviously had lots of issues, it’s really heartbreaking.

RetroGuy2000 · 01-13-2019, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lorimar Television

Huge problems? We’re they any worse than Todd and Gary? She obviously had lots of issues, it’s really heartbreaking.

Gary
-----
Forced to work while sick, by parents
Screamed for hamburgers on set
Couldn't get along with Dixie Carter, leading to her exiting after just one season
Sued parents
Sued by fan for assaulting her

Todd
------
Major drug problems
Sexually abused by publicist
Named his daughter Bo Bridges (seriously)
Tried for murder, but was acquitted

Dana
------
Major drug problems
Dyed hair in rebellion
Got pregnant and was fired from the show
Posed for Playboy
Robbed a video store for $160.00
Started adult film career
Stated she was a lesbian, then recanted
Father sued her for financial support
Died of drug overdose (judged a suicide)

Danny Cooksey
-----------------
No known issues

So, your mileage may vary.

'80sSitcoms · 01-13-2019, 03:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lorimar Television

So was she on until season 6 or 7 of DS? Does she appear in any episodes besides the bullemia one?

That makes it sound like you thought she only appeared in one episode of the whole series??

RetroGuy2000 · 01-13-2019, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

That makes it sound like you thought she only appeared in one episode of the whole series??

I'm sure Lorimar means "one episode after she was fired", not "one episode ever".

'80sSitcoms · 01-13-2019, 01:33 PM

I was wondering if maybe that's what he meant, but yeah, lol. But why would they let her on the show after firing her??

01-12-2019, 02:35 PM	#1
Lorimar Television Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 06, 2007 Posts: 7,034	Dana Plato Asked About Facts of Life I happened upon this interview with Dana Plato where she’s asked about the FOL. The season 1 theme is even briefly sung. I cued it up to that moment: https://youtu.be/KvS8mpyQB-8?t=7m29s
	__________________ Some of my favorite theme songs: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-e...89CsiJpV_irnNw

01-12-2019, 02:49 PM	#2
'80sSitcoms Member Forum Star Join Date: Jan 30, 2013 Posts: 12,474	She's interviewed by "Ed the Sock"?? You didn't tell us she was talking to a dirty sock! So hilarious when he breaks into the song and imitates Mrs. Garrett! And he is reminiscent of Oscar, haha! It is interesting to hear her earlier talk about the original plan of moving Kimberly "down the hall", having the baby during hiatus, and the show marrying her off during the next season. Makes you wonder what all went down to change all that?
	Last edited by '80sSitcoms; 01-12-2019 at 05:11 PM.

01-12-2019, 04:06 PM	#3
DJM77 Member Forum Veteran Join Date: May 15, 2001 Location: Missouri Posts: 5,564	Ugh, I watched the whole video and I wish I hadn't. She was really off about how long she was on Diff'rent Strokes for, but I'm not surprised.
	__________________ Marge: There are only 49 stars on that flag. Abe: I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missouri!

01-12-2019, 04:57 PM	#4
Lorimar Television Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 06, 2007 Posts: 7,034	Poor Dana had a really tough life, I hope she’s at peace now. You should do some photoshops of the dirty sock, Eights!

01-12-2019, 06:23 PM	#7
Lorimar Television Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 06, 2007 Posts: 7,034	The sock shoulda sung “when the books are what you’re there about” Like Mrs G.

01-13-2019, 01:07 AM	#9
Lorimar Television Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 06, 2007 Posts: 7,034	So was she on until season 6 or 7 of DS? Does she appear in any episodes besides the bullemia one?

01-13-2019, 01:34 AM	#11
Lorimar Television Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 06, 2007 Posts: 7,034	Huge problems? We’re they any worse than Todd and Gary? She obviously had lots of issues, it’s really heartbreaking.

01-13-2019, 01:33 PM	#15
'80sSitcoms Member Forum Star Join Date: Jan 30, 2013 Posts: 12,474	I was wondering if maybe that's what he meant, but yeah, lol. But why would they let her on the show after firing her??