Who likes Geri?

[FOL-FAN-ITA]

Honestly, I don't like her. Her character was the same, no evolution or development. Nothing against Geri Jewell or her disability but, did we really need her? I feel bad saying this but i think it's true

['80sSitcoms]

Well, to be fair, her character was only in a handful of episodes, and most of those were as a supporting player.

But yes, it was groundbreaking having a person with a disability on a sitcom.

I like her. My favorite Geri appearance is her 3rd appearance, but the second "Cousin Geri" episode (about her, that is), "Cousin Geri Returns" (which I think is an odd title since she already returned for a previous episode, but anyway). CGR is the one where she dates Mr. Palmer the French teacher at the school. There was definitely development there, and I like that one a lot.

[RetroGuy2000]

I'm with '80s on this. I liked Geri, and I think it was important that someone on television acknowledge that disabled people should appear on television. At the time she appeared, it was groundbreaking. Having a semi-regular with a disability had never been done on US television before.

Geri dating Mr. Palmer was a nice way of developing the character. They should have done more of that type of thing.

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Geri dating Mr. Palmer was a nice way of developing the character. They should have done more of that type of thing.

I agree.

And you just spurred me onto another thought---stories where the Lost Girls could have interacted with Cousin Geri! Geri with an athlete, an activist, a conservative, and ...a phone hog? Well, the other 3 certainly make for terrific opportunities for story and development on both sides (Geri's, and the Lost Girls').

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

I agree.

And you just spurred me onto another thought---stories where the Lost Girls could have interacted with Cousin Geri! Geri with an athlete, an activist, a conservative, and ...a phone hog?

Well, the other 3 certainly make for terrific opportunities for story and development on both sides (Geri's, and the Lost Girls').

I'd watch!

Here are some scenarios:

Geri convinces Sue Ann and Cindy to compete in the cerebral palsy marathon in downtown Peekskill, but everyone's plans change when Blair schedules the Fall Gala on the same night.

Geri comes to Peekskill to perform at a local comedy club. However, things get crazy when Geri mistakenly believes Nancy's boyfriend Roger has fallen for her.

Geri and Molly stage a protest at Eastland when it's discovered a special needs student has not been admitted to the school.

[FOL-FAN-ITA]

I used the wrong words. I don't hate her (Kelly is the only character I hate), I wish she was used better, not being just there, because Geri (the actress) is so talented. Facts was great on this, the only show at the time with a cerebral palsy character and actress. I really apprecciate the message on Cousin Geri ("Questions don't hurt, ignorance does"). It was the writers fault, they never gave her an interesting story (except her first appearences). I don't appreciate the message from the episode All by Herself, where Geri organizes a (disastrous) event. It seems the writers want to say that a disabled person can't do anything well. I hope I explained better than before

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Geri convinces Sue Ann and Cindy to compete in the cerebral palsy marathon in downtown Peekskill, but everyone's plans change when Blair schedules the Fall Gala on the same night.

Geri comes to Peekskill to perform at a local comedy club. However, things get crazy when Geri mistakenly believes Nancy's boyfriend Roger has fallen for her.

Geri and Molly stage a protest at Eastland when it's discovered a special needs student has not been admitted to the school.

Nice!

I was thinking Cindy and Cousin Geri could be forming a friendship, only Cindy notices that Geri seems down and sad when Cindy talks about her practices and upcoming games. After some considerate gentle prodding, Cindy finally gets Geri to admit that, even though she likes who she is and accepts her differences, she still gets sad when she misses out on some things, like sports. Then Cindy could bring Geri along with her to a practice and tell the girls that Geri's a friend of hers who wants to play along and get the experience of being an athlete. ("Come on, Geri. The girls on my team are great! You'll be an athlete before you know it!") They welcome her aboard and schedule a game specifically where Geri can play.

Maybe Sue Ann could get on her high (Kansas City, Kansas) horse over some conservative issue, insisting she's right about this, but Geri challenges her by saying "the norm" isn't always right; "Just look at me, Sue Ann. I'm not what most people call normal, but I have rights just like anybody else. How can you be so sure that your opinion is the only one?"

And we were on the same track with a Molly story. I too was thinking of something about discrimination against disabilities, and Molly would lead the charge bringing Geri with her! "Come on, Geri. We'll show those scrawny nerfbags that if they try to mess with anybody with a disability, they'll having nothing but a fight on their hands!"

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

Nice!

I was thinking Cindy and Cousin Geri could be forming a friendship, only Cindy notices that Geri seems down and sad when Cindy talks about her practices and upcoming games. After some considerate gentle prodding, Cindy finally gets Geri to admit that, even though she likes who she is and accepts her differences, she still gets sad when she misses out on some things, like sports. Then Cindy could bring Geri along with her to a practice and tell the girls that Geri's a friend of hers who wants to play along and get the experience of being an athlete.They welcome her aboard and schedule a game specifically where Geri can play.

Maybe Sue Ann could get on her high (Kansas City, Kansas) horse over some conservative issue, insisting she's right about this, but Geri challenges her by saying "the norm" isn't always right; "Just look at me, Sue Ann. I'm not what most people call normal, but I have rights just like anybody else. How can you be so sure that your opinion is the only one?"

And we were on the same track with a Molly story. I too was thinking of something about discrimination against disabilities, and Molly would lead the charge bringing Geri with her! "Come on, Geri. We'll show those scrawny nerfbags that if they try to mess with anybody with a disability, they'll having nothing but a fight on their hands!"

Oh man. Again, I think you should have written for the show. Where's that time machine when we need it?

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by FOL-FAN-ITA

I don't hate her (Kelly is the only character I hate)

Originally Posted by FOL-FAN-ITA

I don't appreciate the message from the episode All by Herself, where Geri organizes a (disastrous) event. It seems the writers want to say that a disabled person can't do anything well. I hope I explained better than before

Yeah, it is sad that her final appearance is about her failing. But I think it's supposed to be on her as an inexperienced person about it, not necessarily disabled (but I see what you mean).

[FOL-FAN-ITA]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

Yeah, it is sad that her final appearance is about her failing. But I think it's supposed to be on her as an inexperienced person about it, not necessarily disabled (but I see what you mean).

I'm glad!



About Kelly, I can't stand her, even Brenda was more funny and entertaining than her

['80sSitcoms]

I too despise Kelly.

[Greenbeans]

Originally Posted by FOL-FAN-ITA

Honestly, I don't like her. Her character was the same, no evolution or development. Nothing against Geri Jewell or her disability but, did we really need her? I feel bad saying this but i think it's true

I don't dislike her but I don't like her either. I feel like she was put there to make a statement instead of being a necessary addition to the cast. Kind of like stunt casting, although I wouldn't go that far to call it that.

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Oh man. Again, I think you should have written for the show. Where's that time machine when we need it?

You would have written some good stories too, keeping all the original girls together. There were so many opportunities...

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

You would have written some good stories too, keeping all the original girls together. There were so many opportunities...

Thanks. I just don't believe that writing for seven students was all that challenging. Many other shows even in that era managed it.

[Chocolate Moose]

I definitely didn't like her.