Could a show like The Facts of Life work today - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 12-04-2021, 05:07 AM

Like I wonder if the idea of having Blair return to Eastland to be the headmistress (as toyed with in the final episode) could still work in a modern setting? I know that there was a made for TV reunion movie (sans Nancy McKeon) back in 2001 and that was essentially, the last that we saw of The Facts of Life franchise prior to the upcoming Live In Front of a Studio Audience restaging on ABC.

Maybe I thought about it since reviving classic sitcoms/franchises from the '80s-'90s have been popular as of late whether it be Fuller House, Cobra Kai, Girl Meets World, Saved by the Bell, or Punky Brewster.

80s Dude · 12-04-2021, 08:47 AM

Blair was way too young to be a headmistress back then and would still be too young today if she was the same age at taking over Eastland.

Facts of Life could work today if they didn't go to radical and make it like Welcome Back Kotter for girls (as Lisa said was one idea they wanted to do, but it was never picked up). They don't need to use code words of "strange" or "hormornes triggered" either.

JoPol_wannabe · 12-04-2021, 10:48 AM

I feel the show came out in the right era. Cause if it came out today they would make it way modern. Jo they would make a transgender and Blair would be gay and they would have Jo and Blair be a couple. They would have episodes dealing with the girls running around having sex, one of the girls probably would end up a pregnant teen, they would be doing hard core drugs not just pot, they would have episode where they try and join a group/club that into satanic rituals.

80s Dude · 12-04-2021, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoPol_wannabe

I feel the show came out in the right era. Cause if it came out today they would make it way modern. Jo they would make a transgender and Blair would be gay and they would have Jo and Blair be a couple. They would have episodes dealing with the girls running around having sex, one of the girls probably would end up a pregnant teen, they would be doing hard core drugs not just pot, they would have episode where they try and join a group/club that into satanic rituals.

They had one girl who was often mistaken as a boy. They had the lesbian angle. Blair certainly was "experimental" and advocating pre-marital sex. They did have a girl pregnant, though she was not a regular student. And let's not forget the Ouija board.

80s Dude · 12-04-2021, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoPol_wannabe

I feel the show came out in the right era. Cause if it came out today they would make it way modern. Jo they would make a transgender and Blair would be gay and they would have Jo and Blair be a couple. They would have episodes dealing with the girls running around having sex, one of the girls probably would end up a pregnant teen, they would be doing hard core drugs not just pot, they would have episode where they try and join a group/club that into satanic rituals.

JoPol_wannabe, welcome back. We don't get very many pioneers from the early days of the board on here.

JoPol_wannabe · 12-04-2021, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80s Dude

JoPol_wannabe, welcome back. We don't get very many pioneers from the early days of the board on here.

Yeah I am not on here very often but every once and i while like to stop by and see what people are discussing. One little tid bit i don’t share to much but I actually meant my husband on here and this was back in 2003 before internet dating was a real big fad. He was a Three’s company fan and he actually was the first to talk to me. He saw that there was another person from the same state on here and sent me a post and for the next year we posted back and forth and then exchanged emails. A year and a half later after we sent each other a picture of each other and we decided to meet and we both agreed to bring a friend along just incase. So we meant and hit it off. We dated for 6 years then got married and this next year we will be celebrating our 12th wedding anniversary

RetroGuy2000 · 12-04-2021, 12:18 PM

^^ How cool is that!? congratulations, JoPol and Three's Company member!

(Also, happy 3,000th post, after one more post)!

'80sSitcoms · 12-04-2021, 02:25 PM

I wouldn't wanna see it in a modern setting. Smartphones everywhere, Zoom classes, and sadly, they could have a one-hour show about a gunman in the school.

RetroGuy2000 · 12-04-2021, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

I wouldn't wanna see it in a modern setting. Smartphones everywhere, Zoom classes, and sadly, they could have a one-hour show about a gunman in the school.

valentina warner · 12-04-2021, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

I wouldn't wanna see it in a modern setting. Smartphones everywhere, Zoom classes, and sadly, they could have a one-hour show about a gunman in the school.

You are absolutely right about SMARTPHONES being everywhere 80s: that's the first thing you notice when you walk into a room lol!

80s Dude · 12-04-2021, 11:33 PM

Imagine Nancy O. on a smart phone.

valentina warner · 12-05-2021, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80s Dude

Imagine Nancy O. on a smart phone.

FELICE SCHACHTER would be the one on a smart phone: "Roger, where are you hiding????"

Impressions · 12-05-2021, 06:59 PM

I feel like the show has run its course and don't think a revival or reboot would work. That being said, I'd still watch if it happened. Maybe the girls resurrect Edna's Edibles or Over Our Heads, and try to run that business again. Or make Edna's Edibles a pot dispensary. I think the Eastland idea is kind of out of the picture since they closed it, and the spin-off attempt failed.

FOL-FAN-ITA · 12-06-2021, 12:13 PM

I think, more or less, every storyline could work today. Of course several details need to be reworked.

I would like if one of the girls becomes a teacher at Eastland and guides a group of girls, like Mrs. Garrett did a long time ago

valentina warner · 12-06-2021, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FOL-FAN-ITA

I think, more or less, every storyline could work today. Of course several details need to be reworked.

I would like if one of the girls becomes a teacher at Eastland and guides a group of girls, like Mrs. Garrett did a long time ago

What i would have liked, is for all the girls to be part of 'Eastland' in a way of the other: for instance, TOOTIE would be the drama teacher; NATALIE the English/Journalism teacher; JO would be the physical education teacher; CINDY would teach Karate/swimming and all sort of sports; MOLLY would be the art/Photography teacher; NANCY the biology teacher; SUE ANN would teach them how to sing and dance (i picture her doing the country singer songs somehow) and of course BLAIR WARNER would be the headmistress & confidante to the new generation (just like MRS G was to all of them)....

And to finish on a little note: BLAIR would also teach them how to paint portraits from time to time!

PS: does anyone like my ideas? Feel free to comments!

12-04-2021, 05:07 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 126,309	Could a show like The Facts of Life work today Like I wonder if the idea of having Blair return to Eastland to be the headmistress (as toyed with in the final episode) could still work in a modern setting? I know that there was a made for TV reunion movie (sans Nancy McKeon) back in 2001 and that was essentially, the last that we saw of The Facts of Life franchise prior to the upcoming Live In Front of a Studio Audience restaging on ABC. Maybe I thought about it since reviving classic sitcoms/franchises from the '80s-'90s have been popular as of late whether it be Fuller House, Cobra Kai, Girl Meets World, Saved by the Bell, or Punky Brewster.

12-04-2021, 08:47 AM	#2
80s Dude Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 24, 2019 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,811	Blair was way too young to be a headmistress back then and would still be too young today if she was the same age at taking over Eastland. Facts of Life could work today if they didn't go to radical and make it like Welcome Back Kotter for girls (as Lisa said was one idea they wanted to do, but it was never picked up). They don't need to use code words of "strange" or "hormornes triggered" either.
	Last edited by 80s Dude; 12-04-2021 at 10:33 AM.

12-04-2021, 12:18 PM	#7
RetroGuy2000 Julie,Julie Anne,&Felice 4Ever Forum Star Join Date: Dec 27, 2013 Posts: 16,914	^^ How cool is that!? congratulations, JoPol and Three's Company member! (Also, happy 3,000th post, after one more post)!
	__________________ The Facts of Life's "Lost Girls" Tribute to Julie Piekarski, Eastland Girl Join "The Group", Sitcoms Online's Facts of Life group!

12-04-2021, 02:25 PM	#8
'80sSitcoms Member Forum Star Join Date: Jan 30, 2013 Posts: 12,474	I wouldn't wanna see it in a modern setting. Smartphones everywhere, Zoom classes, and sadly, they could have a one-hour show about a gunman in the school.
	__________________ "The Facts of Life" - re-imagined episode guide with all 8 girls in all 9 seasons

12-06-2021, 12:13 PM	#14
FOL-FAN-ITA Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 29, 2019 Location: Italy Posts: 1,473	I think, more or less, every storyline could work today. Of course several details need to be reworked. I would like if one of the girls becomes a teacher at Eastland and guides a group of girls, like Mrs. Garrett did a long time ago
	__________________ The Facts Of Life Italian Fan

12-04-2021, 10:48 AM	#3
JoPol_wannabe Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 11, 2001 Location: Nebraska Posts: 3,036	I feel the show came out in the right era. Cause if it came out today they would make it way modern. Jo they would make a transgender and Blair would be gay and they would have Jo and Blair be a couple. They would have episodes dealing with the girls running around having sex, one of the girls probably would end up a pregnant teen, they would be doing hard core drugs not just pot, they would have episode where they try and join a group/club that into satanic rituals.

12-04-2021, 11:33 PM	#11
80s Dude Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 24, 2019 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,811	Imagine Nancy O. on a smart phone.

12-05-2021, 06:59 PM	#13
Impressions She died the way she lived Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 08, 2002 Posts: 4,640	I feel like the show has run its course and don't think a revival or reboot would work. That being said, I'd still watch if it happened. Maybe the girls resurrect Edna's Edibles or Over Our Heads, and try to run that business again. Or make Edna's Edibles a pot dispensary. I think the Eastland idea is kind of out of the picture since they closed it, and the spin-off attempt failed.