Episodes with the highest production values?

[RetroGuy2000]

We all have seen episodes where the girls never leave the dorm/cafeteria/shop, and where there were no guest stars. But we've also seen episodes where the producers spent money on additional sets, outdoor locations, guest stars, and unusual taping techniques.

Discounting the TV movies, what were the episodes with the highest production values, in your opinion?

[80s Dude]

The Interview Show.

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by 80s Dude

The Interview Show.

That was cool. That was recorded at Universal Studios. They did a GREAT job of making it look like Eastland: Tootie stands in front of trees where the leaves are turning yellow. Eastland girls in uniforms walk behind Natalie in the distance. I wish Blair's scenes had been taped in front of Harwood Court at Pomona, but I suppose the Eastland/Langley classroom set is okay. Jo's scene at Langley is okay, but is the only scene where the set has no connection to anything we've seen. The scenes with Mrs. Garrett in Edna's Edibles are wonderful, but I wish they hadn't used a laugh track.

That episode was intended to air in the fall, but they thought it made a better season ending. I agree, but then the fall leaves behind Tootie, and in Natalie's hand, make less sense. And of course, Natalie graduated from Eastland the previous week, so what is she doing back in her Eastland uniform? Summer school?

These criticisms aside, it is a strong episode, and one of the earliest times we saw the "confessional" style interviews we've become used to seeing with "reality" TV.

And a most wonderful moment with Mrs. Garrett touching Blair's face at the end. Not one word is needed. The only similar scene I can think of is when Mrs. Garrett half-embraces Nancy back in Season 3.

[80s Dude]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

That was cool. That was recorded at Universal Studios. They did a GREAT job of making it look like Eastland: Tootie stands in front of trees where the leaves are turning yellow. Eastland girls in uniforms walk behind Natalie in the distance. I wish Blair's scenes had been taped in front of Harwood Court at Pomona, but I suppose the Eastland/Langley classroom set is okay. Jo's scene at Langley is okay, but is the only scene where the set has no connection to anything we've seen. The scenes with Mrs. Garrett in Edna's Edibles are wonderful, but I wish they hadn't used a laugh track.

That episode was intended to air in the fall, but they thought it made a better season ending. I agree, but then the fall leaves behind Tootie, and in Natalie's hand, make less sense. And of course, Natalie graduated from Eastland the previous week, so what is she doing back in her Eastland uniform? Summer school?

These criticisms aside, it is a strong episode, and one of the earliest times we saw the "confessional" style interviews we've become used to seeing with "reality" TV.

And a most wonderful moment with Mrs. Garrett touching Blair's face at the end. Not one word is needed. The only similar scene I can think of is when Mrs. Garrett half-embraces Nancy back in Season 3.

I think the Interview Show was for Charlotte Rae, through Mrs. Garrett, telling the viewers that she was ready to move on from the show. At that time she was featured a lot less and missed several episodes in Season 6.

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by 80s Dude

I think the Interview Show was for Charlotte Rae, through Mrs. Garrett, telling the viewers that she was ready to move on from the show. At that time she was featured a lot less and missed several episodes in Season 6.

I do believe that may have been the intention of Mrs. Garrett's "change" monologue. Charlotte was already asking for reduced appearances by Season 6, so changes were already afoot. Somewhat similar to how Nancy/Felice doesn't get into "The Group" in what turns out to be her final episode as a regular cast member.

[valentina warner]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

That was cool. That was recorded at Universal Studios. They did a GREAT job of making it look like Eastland: Tootie stands in front of trees where the leaves are turning yellow. Eastland girls in uniforms walk behind Natalie in the distance. I wish Blair's scenes had been taped in front of Harwood Court at Pomona, but I suppose the Eastland/Langley classroom set is okay. Jo's scene at Langley is okay, but is the only scene where the set has no connection to anything we've seen. The scenes with Mrs. Garrett in Edna's Edibles are wonderful, but I wish they hadn't used a laugh track.

That episode was intended to air in the fall, but they thought it made a better season ending. I agree, but then the fall leaves behind Tootie, and in Natalie's hand, make less sense. And of course, Natalie graduated from Eastland the previous week, so what is she doing back in her Eastland uniform? Summer school?

These criticisms aside, it is a strong episode, and one of the earliest times we saw the "confessional" style interviews we've become used to seeing with "reality" TV.

And a most wonderful moment with Mrs. Garrett touching Blair's face at the end. Not one word is needed. The only similar scene I can think of is when Mrs. Garrett half-embraces Nancy back in Season 3.

'The Interview Show' is one of my favourite episode of season 6 (along with 'Working it out'): on both ones are feature MRS G special moments with her 4 girls, and for me the final scene when she touches BLAIR's cheek is heartwarming and sad as well, because it's the last time she will ever be herself and have a bond with those girls, who have been in her life for 7 years.

From season 7 on, our beloved 'feisty red head' turns into a POD of herself......

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by valentina warner

'The Interview Show' is one of my favourite episode of season 6 (along with 'Working it out'): on both ones are feature MRS G special moments with her 4 girls, and for me the final scene when she touches BLAIR's cheek is heartwarming and sad as well, because it's the last time she will ever be herself and have a bond with those girls, who have been in her life for 7 years.

From season 7 on, our beloved 'feisty red head' turns into a POD of herself......

Yep, both a heartwarming and sad moment. Quite bittersweet.

[A.C.]

Natalie's driver's license episode has to be right up there.

Rented a hearse, shot on location, fabricated a NYS license plate.

To me this is one of the most infamous episodes because they tried to pass off LA as Peekskill,NY.

The hearse is driving around with the orange NYS plates while everyone else has a blue California plate of the era

and trust me...living in upstate New York I can assure you there are no PALM TREES in Peekskill!

['80sSitcoms]

Tootie's driver's license.

Also "Cruising", and the "Sha-La-La-Sha-La-La-Sha-La-La-Las (lol), and El de Barge.

And, of course, "Down and Out in Malibu".

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by A.C.

Natalie's driver's license episode has to be right up there.

Rented a hearse, shot on location, fabricated a NYS license plate.

To me this is one of the most infamous episodes because they tried to pass off LA as Peekskill,NY.

The hearse is driving around with the orange NYS plates while everyone else has a blue California plate of the era

and trust me...living in upstate New York I can assure you there are no PALM TREES in Peekskill!

Yeah, I would not call that "high production". They didn't seem to bother to try making the area feel like New York. They could have shot on the Universal Studios backlot in the "New York" areas; instead, as you say, they just used streets in LA.

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by A.C.

and trust me...living in upstate New York I can assure you there are no PALM TREES in Peekskill!

Oh really?

-

['80sSitcoms]

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

Tootie's driver's license.

Also "Cruising", and the "Sha-La-La-Sha-La-La-Sha-La-La-Las (lol), and El de Barge.

And, of course, "Down and Out in Malibu".

I'm not a fan of "Cruisin'". That was a Paul Haggis episode, and it's not very good. True, at least it was shot at night, so it's not so obvious it's LA and not Peekskill, but the episode feels claustrophobic. I guess that's because they keep having to refer to adventures they're having, rather than showing the adventures: we see them being pulled over, but we never even see the ticketing. We see Blair running into her acquaintance, Cathy, but we don't ever even see or hear Cathy. They keep providing exposition rather than showing us anything interesting. The whole production feels cheap. Compare this to "The Interview Show", where we actually see Jo run into some frat guys, or where we see the reporter conducting the interview.

The "Down and Out in Malibu" Richard Moll beach house set is okay, but feels kind of cheap compared to modern standards.

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I'm not a fan of "Cruisin'". That was a Paul Haggis episode, and it's not very good. True, at least it was shot at night, so it's not so obvious it's LA and not Peekskill, but the episode feels claustrophobic. I guess that's because they keep having to refer to adventures they're having, rather than showing the adventures: we see them being pulled over, but we never even see the ticketing. We see Blair running into her acquaintance, Cathy, but we don't ever even see or hear Cathy. They keep providing exposition rather than showing us anything interesting. The whole production feels cheap. Compare this to "The Interview Show", where we actually see Jo run into some frat guys, or where we see the reporter conducting the interview.

Just an entire episode set in real cars is so different.

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

The "Down and Out in Malibu" Richard Moll beach house set is okay, but feels kind of cheap compared to modern standards.

The montage of them out in Malibu is more what I think of. Plus a huge guest star (literally and figuratively, haha) and it being a two-parter. And all those umpteen dozens of gallons of water destroying a set.

['80sSitcoms]

For me, the highest production value is "Rough Housing."