Which show do you see as a male version of Facts of Life?

[80s Dude]

What show do you find as the closest male version of the Facts of Life?

I think the shows before Facts of Life that would come the closest are Happy Days and Welcome Back, Kotter. The show I pick is Happy Days. Mainly for the following two reasons.

1. Jo was obviously a female hybrid version of Fonzie and Chauncey.

2. Happy Days had their own feisty red head mother figure giving sound advice in Mrs. C. (Played by Charlotte's friend Marion Ross).

[Impressions]

Happy Days would be the closest. However, I don’t think of it as a equivalent because it obviously wasn’t at a boarding/private school and didn’t have many lessons.

[80s Dude]

Originally Posted by Impressions

Happy Days would be the closest. However, I don’t think of it as a equivalent because it obviously wasn’t at a boarding/private school and didn’t have many lessons.

Actually Happy Days was a lessons show in it's early days.

[Impressions]

Originally Posted by 80s Dude

Actually Happy Days was a lessons show in it's early days.

Yes, but did they really address any serious topics like TFOL did?

[80s Dude]

Originally Posted by Impressions

Yes, but did they really address any serious topics like TFOL did?

They had shows on drinking and sex. But topics like homosexuality or suicide was not addressed on any show at that time, let alone one where the major characters were kids.

[valentina warner]

I clicked on others, because i have never watched 'Happy days' or 'Welcome back Kotter'.

I'm still trying to think of a sitcom that could come close to FOL.....

[RetroGuy2000]

I voted "other'. I think the closest might have been Saved By the Bell. Yes, there were female students, as well, but most plots resolved around Zach, Slater, and Screech. The girls were objectified more often than not, especially Kelly and Jessie.

Of course, Saved By the Bell wasn't quite the same quality as FOL, but it was a sitcom set at a school, it started off with a large cast in "Season Zero" before a Cast Purge saw half the cast (including both students and faculty members) depart, there were lessons and morals, and they eventually all went to college together, just like the Core Four.

[Lorimar Television]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I voted "other'. I think the closest might have been Saved By the Bell. Yes, there were female students, as well, but most plots resolved around Zach, Slater, and Screech. The girls were objectified more often than not, especially Kelly and Jessie.

Of course, Saved By the Bell wasn't quite the same quality as FOL, but it was a sitcom set at a school, it started off with a large cast in "Season Zero" before a Cast Purge saw half the cast (including both students and faculty members) depart, there were lessons and morals, and they eventually all went to college together, just like the Core Four.

Haha i could see Good Morning Miss Bliss as a FOL s1 for sure

[TV Guy]

The Academy! Oh, wait...

[valentina warner]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I voted "other'. I think the closest might have been Saved By the Bell. Yes, there were female students, as well, but most plots resolved around Zach, Slater, and Screech. The girls were objectified more often than not, especially Kelly and Jessie.

Of course, Saved By the Bell wasn't quite the same quality as FOL, but it was a sitcom set at a school, it started off with a large cast in "Season Zero" before a Cast Purge saw half the cast (including both students and faculty members) depart, there were lessons and morals, and they eventually all went to college together, just like the Core Four.

Hey that's quite a good example, Retro!

I have never watched 'Saved by the bell', but of course i'v heard of it and know it's set in a high school (mostly with boys as the main ones).

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by Lorimar Television

Haha i could see Good Morning Miss Bliss as a FOL s1 for sure

There are definitely a lot of parallels: nine or ten original cast members set at a school. Originally, most of the kids are in junior high, but they then attend high school together, and later college. Both shows aired on NBC in the 1980s. Both featured conflict between the blond preppy character and the brunette, more athletic, rough character.

After the first season, the cast is culled, removing some of the adults, as well as some of the kids. The brunette, more athletic rough character is added at that point, shaking up the show. The rivalry between the blond and the brunette becomes the main focus of the series: the two become frenemies.

At some point, the last original adult figure is removed from the show. Other characters, such a weightlifter or an Australian exchange student, are added, but by this point, the audience roll their collective eyes, and the show is mercifully cancelled.

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by valentina warner

Hey that's quite a good example, Retro!

I have never watched 'Saved by the bell', but of course i'v heard of it and know it's set in a high school (mostly with boys as the main ones).

I had no idea Saved By the Bell didn't air in the UK. Here it was ubiquitous. You couldn't get away from it. It was airing ten times a day on TBS.

[valentina warner]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

There are definitely a lot of parallels: nine or ten original cast members set at a school. Originally, most of the kids are in junior high, but they then attend high school together, and later college. Both shows aired on NBC in the 1980s. Both featured conflict between the blond preppy character and the brunette, more athletic, rough character.

After the first season, the cast is culled, removing some of the adults, as well as some of the kids. The brunette, more athletic rough character is added at that point, shaking up the show. The rivalry between the blond and the brunette becomes the main focus of the series: the two become frenemies.

At some point, the last original adult figure is removed from the show. Other characters, such a weightlifter or an Australian exchange student, are added, but by this point, the audience roll their collective eyes, and the show is mercifully cancelled.

Sounds like JO vs BLAIR alright ha ha!!!!

[valentina warner]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I had no idea Saved By the Bell didn't air in the UK. Here it was ubiquitous. You couldn't get away from it. It was airing ten times a day on TBS.

SAVED BY THE BELL did air in the UK, but at the time (during the late 80 s and early 90 s) i was watching THE WONDER YEARS, RAG FOR THE RICHES and FULL HOUSE.

[Impressions]

There’s also Head of the Class and Zoey 101. However, they both have people from both sexes. I’ve never seen the latter but it takes place at a boarding school.