Nancy McKeon Personality on Set

[Sitcommania]

Does anyone think she might have been demanding, for lack of a better word, on set?

There are examples like downsizing Pamela Adlon’s role, throwing a script across the room because she objected to the story. Even Andy Borowitz, one of the season 5 writers, said in a MOTH story that no one wants to deal with an “angry Jo”.

I’m not bringing up the Season 6 strike because her mangers probably orchestrated it, and it was inevitably the right thing to do. Downsizing the Kelly role could have been an act of management too, but I’m not sure.

Just curious what others think.

[Christopher]

If Nancy is the reason the character Kelly went away, we should send flowers or a basket of treats to her. Kelly was an imitation of Jo. It was ridiculous in season 5 they tried that again. Season 4 we had Alexandra that was like a version of Blair's character and then Kelly who's like Jo in season 5. We didn't need different versions of the same type of character. The show needed original characters which is something I like about Pippa even though she was annoying. She wasn't a copy of any of the characters in the show. Back to Pamela, I've never heard Nancy being involved with Pamela's dismissed though. I always heard, even from Pamela herself, that fans didn't like Kelly so that's why she was let go. She wasn't anything original for fans to like. We already had Jo being like Kelly's character.

What episode script did Nancy throw a fit to? I've never heard anything factual about this. The strike in season 6 has been addressed in behind the scenes specials like The E! True Hollywood Story so people pretty much know about that. Nancy knew she helped save The Facts of Life. Her character was a hit with fans so if she stood up for stuff, I hope it was reasonable and productive for the shows success.

[Lorimar Television]

No we didn’t need them, especially when we had characters like Molly, Nancy, Sue Ann who were different from the others

[Sitcommania]

I don’t think the show is really worth watching without Jo, and the show only thrived because of her.

Even if the show didn’t need Kelly, it doesn’t sound like Pamela Adlon was treated well. Here’s an interview: https://www.alisonrosen.com/2013/08/...ith-pam-adlon/.
She starts talking about Facts around 47.00. She pretty much says everyone but Lisa and Nancy were civil to her. (Without saying it). Pamela also politely suggests that Nancy didn’t want the character on the show.

Alex Rocco tells the story about tossing the script in Nancy McKeon’s Intimate Portrait. This is from memory, but Jo was supposed to experience sudden wealth, and Nancy was opposed because that would squelch the Blair/Jo dynamic. She finally got so frustrated she threw the script across the room and walked out. This must have been “Big Time Charlie”.

[Lorimar Television]

Originally Posted by Sitcommania

I don’t think the show is really worth watching without Jo, and the show only thrived because of her.

Even if the show didn’t need Kelly, it doesn’t sound like Pamela Adlon was treated well. Here’s an interview: https://www.alisonrosen.com/2013/08/...ith-pam-adlon/.
She starts talking about Facts around 47.00. She pretty much says everyone but Lisa and Nancy were civil to her. (Without saying it). Pamela also politely suggests that Nancy didn’t want the character on the show.

Alex Rocco tells the story about tossing the script in Nancy McKeon’s Intimate Portrait. This is from memory, but Jo was supposed to experience sudden wealth, and Nancy was opposed because that would squelch the Blair/Jo dynamic. She finally got so frustrated she threw the script across the room and walked out. This must have been “Big Time Charlie”.

Yeah that was a weird episode, I could sort of u derstand her frustration

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by Sitcommania

I don’t think the show is really worth watching without Jo, and the show only thrived because of her.

I disagree about "the show only thrived because of Jo".

In 1979, The Facts of Life was scheduled on Friday nights against ABC's Fantasy Island and CBS's The Incredible Hulk. With that kind of competition, the show had no chance for decent ratings. It is notable that nearly all of NBC's other shows on Friday nights that season were cancelled.

When the show was moved, the following season, to Wednesdays following its parent show, Diff'rent Strokes, ratings suddenly improved. This would not have been possible if the reason for the show's success was Jo: people weren't tuning in to watch a new girl they didn't yet even know about, because they hadn't even seen the revamped show. You would instead have seen gradually improved ratings.

But the truth is that NBC's ratings for the first season of The Facts of Life improved over Summer 1980, as viewers had already watched the episodes of FI and TIH. This was reported in newspapers at the time. Nancy McKeon had absolutely nothing to do with the improved ratings in Summer 1980: her first episode didn't air until November.

I also disagree with you that the show is not worth watching without Jo. There are at least 15 episodes where Jo doesn't appear, and several others where Jo's role is minimal. And yet, some of those episodes are among my favorites.

Even if the show didn’t need Kelly, it doesn’t sound like Pamela Adlon was treated well. Here’s an interview: https://www.alisonrosen.com/2013/08/...ith-pam-adlon/.
She starts talking about Facts around 47.00. She pretty much says everyone but Lisa and Nancy were civil to her. (Without saying it). Pamela also politely suggests that Nancy didn’t want the character on the show.

I understand why Nancy wouldn't want a Jo clone on the show, but it's very sad that Pamela felt mistreated on the set by Nancy and/or Lisa. Their frustrations with the producers shouldn't have carried over onto their interactions with Pamela.

(Also, I had previously listened to that podcast, and came to the same conclusion about who Pamela was talking about in a veiled way).

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by Christopher

If Nancy is the reason the character Kelly went away, we should send flowers or a basket of treats to her.

I'll chip in!!

I'll handmake a paper mache bust of Nancy in her honor, but only if Lorimar Television promises not to pinch off her nose!

I didn't like Kelly from the beginning, and I her unforgivable act was abusing and threatening and insulting Blair, bullying her into a crime victim, and smashing an item in Mrs. Garrett's store. That was the death knell for a character whom most fans probably didn't like anyway (like me). Whenever I watch later seasons and she comes up in the opening credits, I'm all like:

And great info, Retro (I was waiting for you to chime in with that!). Mr. Gideon has taught you well! Indeed, better than he taught Jo! #toosoonjo? (lol)

[Impressions]

I really can't blame Nancy. If it is true, so what if she threw a fit over the presence of Kelly's character? That makes Nancy more likeable in my eyes, because Kelly was such an unlikeable and unsympathetic character and also an almost complete clone of her character. She may have also felt threatened and been defensive because Kelly was so much like Jo, so I think it would be a natural reaction. To be honest, I think the audience would have the same reaction if they heard there were going to be more episodes with Kelly in it.

I've always heard from Lisa and Mindy that there was hardly any drama on set, and everyone got along very well, so I have a hard time believing the actress who played Kelly saying that she was mistreated. Maybe she was just bitter? Who are we going to believe, someone who was on during the entire run, or someone who was there for a few episodes?

[Lorimar Television]

Pinching her nose? What?!

I’m guessing Nancy was a part of why Kelly was so unlikable in the first place, to make sure nobody liked her.

[Christopher]

Originally Posted by Sitcommania

Alex Rocco tells the story about tossing the script in Nancy McKeon’s Intimate Portrait. This is from memory, but Jo was supposed to experience sudden wealth, and Nancy was opposed because that would squelch the Blair/Jo dynamic. She finally got so frustrated she threw the script across the room and walked out. This must have been “Big Time Charlie”.

I agree with Nancy on this. Look at the many episodes before Big Time Charlie where Jo is irritated by Blair's money. It wouldn't have made sense if they gave Jo money and turned her into a Blair type character. I'm glad she went against it. Big Time Charlie is actually one of the few episodes from season 7 I like though.

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

I'll chip in!!

I'll handmake a paper mache bust of Nancy in her honor, but only if Lorimar Television promises not to pinch off her nose!

I didn't like Kelly from the beginning, and I her unforgivable act was abusing and threatening and insulting Blair, bullying her into a crime victim, and smashing an item in Mrs. Garrett's store. That was the death knell for a character whom most fans probably didn't like anyway (like me). Whenever I watch later seasons and she comes up in the opening credits, I'm all like:

Deal! Anyone who got rid of Kelly is awesome in my book.

That whole tough act with Blair in the store was over the top. It's one of my least favorite moments from the show.

Originally Posted by Impressions

I've always heard from Lisa and Mindy that there was hardly any drama on set, and everyone got along very well, so I have a hard time believing the actress who played Kelly saying that she was mistreated. Maybe she was just bitter? Who are we going to believe, someone who was on during the entire run, or someone who was there for a few episodes?

I wouldn't believe Pamela. I didn't listen to the interview posted in the thread but if it's the same one where she says Jami Gertz was fired from the show, she doesn't have all her facts right. Jami was a guest star for a few episodes in season 5, however Pamela said she was fired the previous year even though she wasn't in the show at that time. I think Pamela is just trying to stir up rumors to make the show look bad. I don't believe there was any drama on the set. Look how close the girls have stayed together over all these years. That wouldn't happen if there was chaos going on behind the scenes. Mindy said in the Paley interview what really helped them stay out of trouble was their families at home and having their own lives. I think that's one of the biggest key elements to childhood actors is having a strong supportive system at home to keep them on the right track.

[Sitcommania]

Yes, we are just hearing Pamela’s side, but I can forgive the lapses in memory. If I were her, I would just want to get out of there and not look back. She also gave the interview 30 years later. She thought George Clooney was on the show before her. Memories get jumbled together, and she was in and out. Anyway, what does Pamela have to gain by stirring up rumors? I really like Pamela Adlon, and hated Kelly, but I kind of see Kelly in a different light after watching Better Things. She’s still not needed though...

I’m not sure what to make of Nancy being a tough customer. She did obviously knew her value, and so did her management. Look at the “and” credit. Maybe ratings would have improved without her with different writers and a new time slot, but the Blair/Jo relationship really boosted the show. Mindy even said in an interview that the other girls couldn’t service a role like Jo; not putting them down, I rewatch Se01 once in a while. They all seem like they are at peace with the way things turned out, too.

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by Lorimar Television

Pinching her nose? What?!

'80s is referencing the Jermaine Jackson episode. Clever, '80s!

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by Sitcommania

Yes, we are just hearing Pamela’s side, but I can forgive the lapses in memory. If I were her, I would just want to get out of there and not look back. She also gave the interview 30 years later. She thought George Clooney was on the show before her. Memories get jumbled together, and she was in and out. Anyway, what does Pamela have to gain by stirring up rumors?

I appreciate Pamela Adlon telling her side of the story, and agree that she's got no motive to tell untruths. The fact is that we know Felice has said the producers sort of... didn't follow through on their promises. We know Molly has said basically the same thing. Geri, too, began to feel unwelcome. And here we have Pamela saying she felt unwelcome on the set.

It's great that Mindy, Lisa, Kim, and Nancy feel there was no drama on the set. But as the Core Four, they were central to the show, and other actors weren't quite treated that way.

I’m not sure what to make of Nancy being a tough customer. She did obviously knew her value, and so did her management. Look at the “and” credit. Maybe ratings would have improved without her with different writers and a new time slot, but the Blair/Jo relationship really boosted the show.

You don't understand: ratings had already improved over Summer 1980, before Jo was even added. The Blair/Jo dynamic was great, but it cannot explain the ratings boost before Jo was even on the show.

Mindy even said in an interview that the other girls couldn’t service a role like Jo; not putting them down, I rewatch Se01 once in a while. They all seem like they are at peace with the way things turned out, too.

Molly wasn't. For 30 years, she didn't speak of the show, and her last word about the show in 1986 was that her cameo appearance was her "worst job ever". She's slowly coming around, but it was very hard for her to even speak of her experiences.

The winners write history. In this case, we have many, many interviews with the Core Four stating there was never any drama. But we also have interviews from Felice, Molly, Pamela, and Geri suggesting that they felt promises were broken, or they felt unwelcome, etc. And that's not good.

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by Christopher

I wouldn't believe Pamela.

I do. There are too many similarities between her story, Felice's story, Geri's story, and Molly's story: the producers weren't honest with them, they felt excluded by other members of the cast, they felt unwelcome, the offer of roles dried up, and eventually they left the show.

They are variations of the same thing: the producers decided who they wanted, other girls were excluded, and the actresses felt somewhat disrespected. Pamela blamed Nancy and Lisa ("I felt unwelcome by them", paraphrased). Geri blamed Charlotte ("She would welcome me and then not welcome me", paraphrased). Molly blamed Mindy ("I felt intimidated by her", paraphrased). Felice correctly blamed the producers ("They promised so many things", paraphrased.)

I don't believe there was any drama on the set.

The Core Four say that, but they also say things like there was no line-counting, and both John Lawlor and Felice have contradicted that in their interviews.

Lisa never needed to count her lines: she always had plenty.

John Lawlor, Felice, Molly, Pamela, Julie Pie, Julie Anne, Geri, and others had a very different experience. It doesn't mean they were lying; it means they had a different experience on the same set.

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by Impressions

Maybe she was just bitter? Who are we going to believe, someone who was on during the entire run, or someone who was there for a few episodes?

Someone who was only there for a few episodes.

What she is saying is that she felt unwelcome, and other actors have stated the same thing. I totally believe that Pamela felt unwelcome, because Geri and Molly have said variations on the same thing.

Ultimately, it was the producers who decided who would be welcome and who would not. But Nancy and Lisa may have exacerbated or telegraphed things, in Pamela's case. Nancy's fits about scripts may have intimidated a young girl. Lisa certainly felt comfortable enough by then to decline scripts if they didn't meet her puritanical standards.

But other actresses didn't have the same experience, and their experiences are no less genuine.