1980: The most awkward Christmas cast party? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

RetroGuy2000 · 12-24-2018, 01:31 AM

Over in the Step By Step forum, Jarrett Lennon recounted his experiences on Step By Step, including how he enjoyed being on the show, worshiped Christine Lakin, and only learned that he'd been fired when he showed up to the SBS Christmas party and his replacement, Christopher Castile, was there. What an awkward Christmas party that must have been!

"Hi Christopher! What are you doing here?"

"Heh heh heh. Funny story..."

This made me think: how awkward might the Facts of Life Christmas party of 1980 have been? The show had just resumed taping in October, with "Gossip" (with three of the Lost Girls) taped the week of January 7th to the 13th. Presumably, they would have been invited to the show's Christmas party, two weeks earlier, but who knows? Do actors who appear in two or three episodes per season qualify as "cast"? Do guest stars get invited to show parties?

If it was awkward for one fired cast member to show up on SBS, imagine how awkward it would have been for four fired cast members to show up.

During the Paley Fest a few years ago, the girls were asked if it was awkward working with the Lost Girls after they had been "let go", and Lisa answered that she had had a long working relationship with Julie Pie, so no (seems she avoided discussing Julie Anne, Molly, and Felice). Nancy said no as well, but added that they were maybe not the right people to be asked.

So it wasn't awkward for Lisa or Nancy, but they admit it might have been awkward for the Lost Girls. And we know Molly didn't like it. (At least Molly, Felice, Julie Pie, and Julie Anne were told over the summer, and didn't have to come to the Christmas cast party and see Nancy McKeon in order to learn the truth about their employment).

Lorimar Television · 12-24-2018, 03:34 AM

Well obviously Julie and Lisa had worked together before FOL, and Nancy probably didn't watch season 1 of the show anyway so she probably didn't think about it. Is that interview around anywhere?

RetroGuy2000 · 12-24-2018, 04:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lorimar Television

Well obviously Julie and Lisa had worked together before FOL, and Nancy probably didn't watch season 1 of the show anyway

This is what I thought, too, but she stated in the Paley interview that she had watched the first season. She also stated later that she knew the Lost Girls and was a fan of the show, and stated that they were "supportive, kind, and lovely".

Quote:

so she probably didn't think about it. Is that interview around anywhere?

Pieces of the interview are on the PaleyFest DVD. Sadly, the part of the Paley Fest interview where they asked Nancy and Lisa about the Lost Girls (on stage) was not included on the short version of the DVD. It was recorded by some in the audience, though (I saw it on YouTube), so it must still exist somewhere. There is also a nearly 5-hour version, held at the Paley Center, which includes that interview. I haven't seen it anywhere online in a while.

Lorimar Television · 12-24-2018, 04:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

This is what I thought, too, but she stated in the Paley interview that she had watched the first season. She also stated later that she knew the Lost Girls and was a fan of the show, and stated that they were "supportive, kind, and lovely".

Pieces of the interview are on the PaleyFest DVD. Sadly, the part of the Paley Fest interview where they asked Nancy and Lisa about the Lost Girls (on stage) was not included on the short version of the DVD. It was recorded by some in the audience, though (I saw it on YouTube), so it must still exist somewhere. There is also a nearly 5-hour version, held at the Paley Center, which includes that interview. I haven't seen it anywhere online in a while.

Aww thats sweet of her to say.

Ah well, hopefully it shows up sometime.

RetroGuy2000 · 04-22-2019, 11:51 PM

Since it's recently been confirmed by Julie Piekarski that she dated Philip McKeon, Nancy's brother, maybe the Christmas party genuinely wasn't awkward for Julie Pie.

Lorimar Television · 04-23-2019, 12:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Since it's recently been confirmed by Julie Piekarski that she dated Philip McKeon, Nancy's brother, maybe the Christmas party genuinely wasn't awkward for Julie Pie.

Plus she and Kim are BFFs and she has long history with Lisa as well.

'80sSitcoms · 04-23-2019, 01:18 AM

Sue Ann and little Tommy??

lol...ya learn somethin' new ev'ry day!

RetroGuy2000 · 04-23-2019, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lorimar Television

Plus she and Kim are BFFs and she has long history with Lisa as well.

That's a good point: she was not only dating Nancy's brother, she'd known Lisa for years and was like a sister to Kim. Even Mindy has said Julie had a great head on her shoulders. So maybe not awkward at all for Julie Pie, but maybe a little awkward for Felice and Julie Anne? And way awkward for Molly, who felt intimidated and humiliated.

Lorimar Television · 04-23-2019, 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

That's a good point: she was not only dating Nancy's brother, she'd known Lisa for years and was like a sister to Kim. Even Mindy has said Julie had a great head on her shoulders. So maybe not awkward at all for Julie Pie, but maybe a little awkward for Felice and Julie Anne? And way awkward for Molly, who felt intimidated and humiliated.

Poor Moll

'80sSitcoms · 04-23-2019, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

And way awkward for Molly, who felt intimidated and humiliated.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lorimar Television

Poor Moll

IF she went.

RetroGuy2000 · 04-23-2019, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

IF she went.

Yep. Not sure she'd even go, after getting her 6 lines reduced to 4, and having to sit with mean ole Margo from Fargo, instead of with the Core Four.

Lorimar Television · 04-23-2019, 11:16 PM

Yeah I doubt she would go

'80sSitcoms · 04-23-2019, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Yep. Not sure she'd even go, after getting her 6 lines reduced to 4, and having to sit with mean ole Margo from Fargo, instead of with the Core Four.

You mean the Sweet-o Trio and "THAT GIRL WHO THEY REPLACED ME WITH".

Lorimar Television · 04-23-2019, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

You mean the Sweet-o Trio and "THAT GIRL WHO THEY REPLACED ME WITH".

RetroGuy2000 · 04-24-2019, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

You mean the Sweet-o Trio and "THAT GIRL WHO THEY REPLACED ME WITH".

Haha, yep! (I almost said "the Core... Three")

12-24-2018, 01:31 AM	#1
RetroGuy2000 Julie,Julie Anne,&Felice 4Ever Forum Star Join Date: Dec 27, 2013 Posts: 16,914	1980: The most awkward Christmas cast party? Over in the Step By Step forum, Jarrett Lennon recounted his experiences on Step By Step, including how he enjoyed being on the show, worshiped Christine Lakin, and only learned that he'd been fired when he showed up to the SBS Christmas party and his replacement, Christopher Castile, was there. What an awkward Christmas party that must have been! "Hi Christopher! What are you doing here?" "Heh heh heh. Funny story..." This made me think: how awkward might the Facts of Life Christmas party of 1980 have been? The show had just resumed taping in October, with "Gossip" (with three of the Lost Girls) taped the week of January 7th to the 13th. Presumably, they would have been invited to the show's Christmas party, two weeks earlier, but who knows? Do actors who appear in two or three episodes per season qualify as "cast"? Do guest stars get invited to show parties? If it was awkward for one fired cast member to show up on SBS, imagine how awkward it would have been for four fired cast members to show up. During the Paley Fest a few years ago, the girls were asked if it was awkward working with the Lost Girls after they had been "let go", and Lisa answered that she had had a long working relationship with Julie Pie, so no (seems she avoided discussing Julie Anne, Molly, and Felice). Nancy said no as well, but added that they were maybe not the right people to be asked. So it wasn't awkward for Lisa or Nancy, but they admit it might have been awkward for the Lost Girls. And we know Molly didn't like it. (At least Molly, Felice, Julie Pie, and Julie Anne were told over the summer, and didn't have to come to the Christmas cast party and see Nancy McKeon in order to learn the truth about their employment).
	__________________ The Facts of Life's "Lost Girls" Tribute to Julie Piekarski, Eastland Girl Join "The Group", Sitcoms Online's Facts of Life group!

12-24-2018, 03:34 AM	#2
Lorimar Television Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 06, 2007 Posts: 7,034	Well obviously Julie and Lisa had worked together before FOL, and Nancy probably didn't watch season 1 of the show anyway so she probably didn't think about it. Is that interview around anywhere?
	__________________ Some of my favorite theme songs: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-e...89CsiJpV_irnNw

04-22-2019, 11:51 PM	#5
RetroGuy2000 Julie,Julie Anne,&Felice 4Ever Forum Star Join Date: Dec 27, 2013 Posts: 16,914	Since it's recently been confirmed by Julie Piekarski that she dated Philip McKeon, Nancy's brother, maybe the Christmas party genuinely wasn't awkward for Julie Pie.

04-23-2019, 01:18 AM	#7
'80sSitcoms Member Forum Star Join Date: Jan 30, 2013 Posts: 12,474	Sue Ann and little Tommy?? lol...ya learn somethin' new ev'ry day!

04-23-2019, 11:16 PM	#12
Lorimar Television Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 06, 2007 Posts: 7,034	Yeah I doubt she would go