I wonder if they knew they had been renewed when they taped the season 8 finale - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TV Guy · 03-13-2018, 01:57 PM

Just watched the season 8 finale, and it plays like it could have also doubled as a series finale. Tootie is going off to summer stock and gives a tearful goodbye to everyone. And then Jo leaves for a new job in California. I think they wrote the episode so it could serve either purpose - a season finale or a series finale.

I have to say: there was no need for yet another Blair/Jo graduation episode, especially since the Eastland version was so perfect. And I don’t like what they turned Blair into during the last couple of seasons. She becomes a spoiled airhead. The episode where she tries to buy her way into law school is completely out of character for her. Jo tells her, “You’re spoiled and shallow and have never had to work for anything in your whole life.” Uh, no. Blair was consistently shown to be a high achiever at Eastland. The new writers turned her into that during season 8. Jo and Blair had become so close over the years, but during season 8, their friendship makes no sense due to the change in Blair.

Johnny be good! · 03-18-2018, 08:07 AM

I know right!

Wildchats · 03-23-2018, 04:15 AM

When I first saw the episode on Nick At Nite years ago, it did seem like the last one. Even not knowing what season it was in. It just felt it with that last scene.

FOL85NatandMrsGRock · 04-04-2018, 09:54 PM

Season 8 felt like a complete loss for me. The girls truly were all grown up. There was no need for Beverly Ann to be around. And trying to bring pills and Andy in as the “next generation” just felt odd. It was showing its age. Would have been much better to have had the girls still roommates but completely on their own. I definitely wish the finale would have been a full blown finale. The last scene feels like it’s thrown in because they finally found out they got the boot. A true finally with mrs. g’s return was what it really needed.

RoryGilmore · 04-17-2018, 02:58 AM

I see where you are coming from, the girls all said goodbye during the season 8 finale and it felt like much more of finale than season 9 gave us

RetroGuy2000 · 05-18-2018, 01:52 PM

I do think the last season eight episode was meant to be the finale.

80s Dude · 05-21-2020, 09:29 AM

I wonder if the renewal for Season 9 was still in limbo when the finale of Season 8 was filmed or written?

Fallon97 · 05-21-2020, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FOL85NatandMrsGRock

Season 8 felt like a complete loss for me. The girls truly were all grown up. There was no need for Beverly Ann to be around.

She wasn't just around for the girls. She was there to operate the store and she was their landlady. However, Tootie and Natalie were still teenagers and Blair and Jo were young adults. Young adults and teenagers do sometimes seek guidance and advice from their older friends, family members etc. I didn't view Beverly Ann as a mother to the girls. I viewed her as the fun, free-spirited aunt or older friend.

Christopher · 05-21-2020, 01:12 PM

I don't think they planned that to be the finale. It has the 'To Be Continued..." after Jo says goodbye so they must have known they were coming back in the fall.

'80sSitcoms · 05-21-2020, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christopher

I don't think they planned that to be the finale. It has the 'To Be Continued..." after Jo says goodbye so they must have known they were coming back in the fall.

Yeah, that's a big factor, lol. But I do prefer the "feel" of that as a series finale as opposed to the actual series finale.

TV Guy · 05-21-2020, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Christopher

I don't think they planned that to be the finale. It has the 'To Be Continued..." after Jo says goodbye so they must have known they were coming back in the fall.

It aired on May 9, 1987, which would typically be the same week that networks announce fall schedules. So it would have been easy to superimpose the To Be Continued on or take it off months after the episode was produced, depending on renewal. I’m not saying that’s what happened - just that it’s a possibility.

cfr1970 · 05-21-2020, 02:38 PM

If that were to be a series finale it would've been TERRIBLE!

Tootie is tossed out the door within the first 5 minutes and never seen again, and when it's time for Jo to go, she just hugs everyone, walks to the door, says "Bye" like she's going out for a cheeseburger and will be right back and splits.

No party, no big sendoff...just "Bye!"....Um, no no no!

After 9 seasons it deserved so much better than that. And I haven't seen the actual series finale in 30 years but I have a feeling i'm not going to be happy with that either.

I have just vague memories of Blair as the headmistress and I think the others were just gone by then. (Don't spoil me!!

) and i'm half anticipating and half dreading watching it when I get to it.

RetroGuy2000 · 05-21-2020, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfr1970

If that were to be a series finale it would've been TERRIBLE!

Tootie is tossed out the door within the first 5 minutes and never seen again, and when it's time for Jo to go, she just hugs everyone, walks to the door, says "Bye" like she's going out for a cheeseburger and will be right back and splits.

No party, no big sendoff...just "Bye!"....Um, no no no!

After 9 seasons it deserved so much better than that. And I haven't seen the actual series finale in 30 years but I have a feeling i'm not going to be happy with that either.

I have just vague memories of Blair as the headmistress and I think the others were just gone by then. (Don't spoil me!!

) and i'm half anticipating and half dreading watching it when I get to it.

No spoilers. I think it's a decent send-off.

'80sSitcoms · 05-21-2020, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

No spoilers. I think it's a decent send-off.

I'm surprised you think that, considering most fans are so unhappy with the series finale. It's not about the girls as a group and they don't get a proper send-off. Natalie's not even there; she phones in her final scene. I know you like the new co-ed PseudoEastland, but it's looking to be a spin-off and is not a proper series finale (sadly, for all those fans who watched loyally for nine years...!).

(highlight hidden text to reveal spoilerish comment

)

RetroGuy2000 · 05-21-2020, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

I'm surprised you think that, considering
(highlight hidden text to reveal spoilerish comment

)

I totally get what you're saying, but I just feel different about it.

03-13-2018, 01:57 PM	#1
TV Guy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 25, 2001 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 3,419	I wonder if they knew they had been renewed when they taped the season 8 finale Just watched the season 8 finale, and it plays like it could have also doubled as a series finale. Tootie is going off to summer stock and gives a tearful goodbye to everyone. And then Jo leaves for a new job in California. I think they wrote the episode so it could serve either purpose - a season finale or a series finale. I have to say: there was no need for yet another Blair/Jo graduation episode, especially since the Eastland version was so perfect. And I don’t like what they turned Blair into during the last couple of seasons. She becomes a spoiled airhead. The episode where she tries to buy her way into law school is completely out of character for her. Jo tells her, “You’re spoiled and shallow and have never had to work for anything in your whole life.” Uh, no. Blair was consistently shown to be a high achiever at Eastland. The new writers turned her into that during season 8. Jo and Blair had become so close over the years, but during season 8, their friendship makes no sense due to the change in Blair.

03-18-2018, 08:07 AM	#2
Johnny be good! Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 18, 2007 Location: Westland, Michigan Posts: 1,633	I know right!
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03-23-2018, 04:15 AM	#3
Wildchats Me Senior Member Join Date: Jul 15, 2001 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,076	When I first saw the episode on Nick At Nite years ago, it did seem like the last one. Even not knowing what season it was in. It just felt it with that last scene.
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04-04-2018, 09:54 PM	#4
FOL85NatandMrsGRock The Lovable Sarah Senior Member Join Date: Nov 07, 2000 Location: Wisconsin (Same Place Charlotte's From and where That 70's Show takes place!) .... Wish I was in Mayfield USA! Posts: 1,770	Season 8 felt like a complete loss for me. The girls truly were all grown up. There was no need for Beverly Ann to be around. And trying to bring pills and Andy in as the “next generation” just felt odd. It was showing its age. Would have been much better to have had the girls still roommates but completely on their own. I definitely wish the finale would have been a full blown finale. The last scene feels like it’s thrown in because they finally found out they got the boot. A true finally with mrs. g’s return was what it really needed.
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04-17-2018, 02:58 AM	#5
RoryGilmore Always and Forever Forum Veteran Join Date: Oct 30, 2004 Location: Wherever he is, that's where I'll be Posts: 6,529	I see where you are coming from, the girls all said goodbye during the season 8 finale and it felt like much more of finale than season 9 gave us
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05-18-2018, 01:52 PM	#6
RetroGuy2000 Julie,Julie Anne,&Felice 4Ever Forum Star Join Date: Dec 27, 2013 Posts: 16,914	I do think the last season eight episode was meant to be the finale.
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05-21-2020, 09:29 AM	#7
80s Dude Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 24, 2019 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,811	I wonder if the renewal for Season 9 was still in limbo when the finale of Season 8 was filmed or written?

05-21-2020, 01:12 PM	#9
Christopher The OG Core Four Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 15, 2001 Posts: 14,833	I don't think they planned that to be the finale. It has the 'To Be Continued..." after Jo says goodbye so they must have known they were coming back in the fall.

05-21-2020, 02:38 PM	#12
cfr1970 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 13, 2017 Location: Kissimmee, Florida Posts: 3,368	If that were to be a series finale it would've been TERRIBLE! Tootie is tossed out the door within the first 5 minutes and never seen again, and when it's time for Jo to go, she just hugs everyone, walks to the door, says "Bye" like she's going out for a cheeseburger and will be right back and splits. No party, no big sendoff...just "Bye!"....Um, no no no! After 9 seasons it deserved so much better than that. And I haven't seen the actual series finale in 30 years but I have a feeling i'm not going to be happy with that either. I have just vague memories of Blair as the headmistress and I think the others were just gone by then. (Don't spoil me!! ) and i'm half anticipating and half dreading watching it when I get to it.