Does Nancy McKeon have a love-hate relationship with the show - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 12-09-2021, 03:47 AM

I hope that I don't sound like I'm jumping to conclusions, but I like many others wondered where Nancy was at during the Live in Front of a Studio Audience special, when Mindy Cohn and Kim Fields joined Lisa Whelchel on stage, as Lisa was singing the Facts of Life theme song.

I can't never verify it, but I have read comments online that suggest that Nancy has all but divorced herself from The Facts of Life. That isn't to say that she has never participated in anything FOL related. I mean, she was at the TV Land Awards when TFOL was honored back in 2011.

And Lisa Whelchel claims that Nancy couldn't make it to the Life in Front of a Studio Audience special because she and her family recently moved and her kids just got into school.

But supposedly, Nancy was always concerned about being typecast as Jo Polniaczek. That's allegedly one of the main reasons (besides her commitment to the show The Division) why she was absent from the 2001 reunion movie.

RetroGuy2000 · 12-09-2021, 03:55 AM

Nancy McKeon is living in Texas and has very little interest in The Facts of Life. She's willing to appear at award shows, such as the TV Land Awards or the Paleyfest honors, but she's never going to make an appearance as Jo, wear an Eastland uniform, etc.

FOL-FAN-ITA · 12-09-2021, 06:00 AM

Thanks for sharing, TMC!
I think Nancy is still grateful for her role on Facts but, like many actors did before her, has always tried to distance herself from the role. On the other hand, Lisa has always appeared in documentaries, reunions and specials

80s Dude · 12-09-2021, 08:29 AM

She does have a love/hate relationship with the show during the years. She wanted Jo killed off for the 2001 reunion movie as a condition if she appeared.

FOL-FAN-ITA · 12-09-2021, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80s Dude

She does have a love/hate relationship with the show during the years. She wanted Jo killed off for the 2001 reunion movie as a condition if she appeared.

I read she said she was joking. It sure is a bad thing to say on the character that brought you fame and fortune but I can't judge her if she wants to concentrate on her future rather than her past

ChrisW · 12-09-2021, 09:30 PM

I don't know why she hasn't done more of them but I assume the reason she appeared in the 2011 and 2014 public get-togethers was because they were running out of chances to have all four girls together with Charlotte Rae (and then Kim wasn't able to show up for 2014.)

They've all appeared individually on Youtube shows with Kim and Mindy, why not just do that, in character? They have more contact with each other these days than the girls would but they would belong to a website for Eastland graduates and given their history, they'd have a private group called "Over Our Heads." If nothing else, we should see their reactions to living in a world without Mrs. Garrett. "The Facts of..."

I absolutely do not write fan-fiction but I have definitely been putting a lot of thought into how this could work.

RetroGuy2000 · 12-10-2021, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisW

I don't know why she hasn't done more of them but I assume the reason she appeared in the 2011 and 2014 public get-togethers was because they were running out of chances to have all four girls together with Charlotte Rae (and then Kim wasn't able to show up for 2014.)

They've all appeared individually on Youtube shows with Kim and Mindy, why not just do that, in character?

Welcome, Chris!

I think Nancy McKeon has made it clear that she does NOT want to be known for Jo. She has moved on, and clearly feels as though the viewers should, too. Mindy, Kim, and Lisa can have their little reunions... but without Nancy M.

'80sSitcoms · 12-10-2021, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Nancy McKeon is living in Texas and has very little interest in The Facts of Life.

I hope you mean that you think she has very little interest in The Facts of Life regarding any new projects, because I hate the thought of her having very little interest at all, period in the show that brought her fame and fortune. She has to be grateful for it for that.

But she is so open to talking about it like in that podcast episode with her a few years ago. She shared wonderful memories about the show and, as far as I recall, didn't express any kind of remorse or regret or bitterness. She was an absolute delight the whole time.

What's really a shame is that they didn't just carry a laptop onto the "Live" set and have her on Zoom. With technology now there's pretty much no excuse why she couldn't be there unless she absolutely did not want to take part.

Sitcommania · 12-11-2021, 02:42 PM

As far as the school excuse goes, it’s almost Christmas, and I think Nancy’s kids are teens. Do they really want mom around that badly? It’s not like “Live” needed her for rehearsal. She could have gone in and out. At this point, the lack of acknowledgment is just getting tired.

I think she was inclined to to do the other shows because she wanted to honor Charlotte Rae, who had been battling cancer; and I think she did well!

RetroGuy2000 · 12-12-2021, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sitcommania

As far as the school excuse goes, it’s almost Christmas, and I think Nancy’s kids are teens. Do they really want mom around that badly? It’s not like “Live” needed her for rehearsal. She could have gone in and out. At this point, the lack of acknowledgment is just getting tired.

She just isn't interested. She definitely could have gone out, but why? To see someone do a caricature of Jo? I can see why she wouldn't be interested in that, although it's not clear anyone knew how poor Kathryn's impression of Jo would be until it hit the airwaves.

Quote:

I think she was inclined to to do the other shows because she wanted to honor Charlotte Rae, who had been battling cancer; and I think she did well!

Yeah, she said so herself: to honor Charlotte.

RetroGuy2000 · 12-12-2021, 04:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

I hope you mean that you think she has very little interest in The Facts of Life regarding any new projects, because I hate the thought of her having very little interest at all, period in the show that brought her fame and fortune. She has to be grateful for it for that.

But she is so open to talking about it like in that podcast episode with her a few years ago. She shared wonderful memories about the show and, as far as I recall, didn't express any kind of remorse or regret or bitterness. She was an absolute delight the whole time.

I think from time to time, she doesn't mind reminiscing. But she's been very clear that Jo is dead to her: literally, in a coffin. Never again. No.

Quote:

What's really a shame is that they didn't just carry a laptop onto the "Live" set and have her on Zoom. With technology now there's pretty much no excuse why she couldn't be there unless she absolutely did not want to take part.

She absolutely did not want to take part. Everyone else showed up. Jo is permanently playing hooky from Eastland.

RetroGuy2000 · 12-12-2021, 04:58 AM

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valentina warner · 12-12-2021, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

.

Ha ha that's the poster from MEAN GIRLS lol!

RetroGuy2000 · 12-12-2021, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valentina warner

Ha ha that's the poster from MEAN GIRLS lol!

Yes, it sure is! It's Christmas season, now, so a Regina-George-Christmas-themed meme seemed in order!

James28 · 12-15-2021, 01:56 PM

Is it safe to say that Nancy McKeon sucks, and the Jo Polniaczek character sucks, too?

12-09-2021, 03:47 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 126,332	Does Nancy McKeon have a love-hate relationship with the show I hope that I don't sound like I'm jumping to conclusions, but I like many others wondered where Nancy was at during the Live in Front of a Studio Audience special, when Mindy Cohn and Kim Fields joined Lisa Whelchel on stage, as Lisa was singing the Facts of Life theme song. I can't never verify it, but I have read comments online that suggest that Nancy has all but divorced herself from The Facts of Life. That isn't to say that she has never participated in anything FOL related. I mean, she was at the TV Land Awards when TFOL was honored back in 2011. And Lisa Whelchel claims that Nancy couldn't make it to the Life in Front of a Studio Audience special because she and her family recently moved and her kids just got into school. But supposedly, Nancy was always concerned about being typecast as Jo Polniaczek. That's allegedly one of the main reasons (besides her commitment to the show The Division) why she was absent from the 2001 reunion movie.

12-09-2021, 03:55 AM	#2
RetroGuy2000 Julie,Julie Anne,&Felice 4Ever Forum Star Join Date: Dec 27, 2013 Posts: 16,914	Nancy McKeon is living in Texas and has very little interest in The Facts of Life. She's willing to appear at award shows, such as the TV Land Awards or the Paleyfest honors, but she's never going to make an appearance as Jo, wear an Eastland uniform, etc.
	__________________ The Facts of Life's "Lost Girls" Tribute to Julie Piekarski, Eastland Girl Join "The Group", Sitcoms Online's Facts of Life group!

12-09-2021, 06:00 AM	#3
FOL-FAN-ITA Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 29, 2019 Location: Italy Posts: 1,473	Thanks for sharing, TMC! I think Nancy is still grateful for her role on Facts but, like many actors did before her, has always tried to distance herself from the role. On the other hand, Lisa has always appeared in documentaries, reunions and specials
	__________________ The Facts Of Life Italian Fan

12-12-2021, 04:58 AM	#12
RetroGuy2000 Julie,Julie Anne,&Felice 4Ever Forum Star Join Date: Dec 27, 2013 Posts: 16,914	. Attached Images

12-15-2021, 01:56 PM	#15
James28 Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 14, 2007 Posts: 3,981	Is it safe to say that Nancy McKeon sucks, and the Jo Polniaczek character sucks, too?
	__________________ "When the run of a network TV show has ended, some go out with a bang, some with a whimper, but all are...Future Endeavored." "Stay Safe"? More like "Stay Sad". #2020Hurts

12-09-2021, 08:29 AM	#4
80s Dude Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 24, 2019 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,811	She does have a love/hate relationship with the show during the years. She wanted Jo killed off for the 2001 reunion movie as a condition if she appeared.

12-09-2021, 09:30 PM	#6
ChrisW Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Dec 07, 2021 Posts: 33	I don't know why she hasn't done more of them but I assume the reason she appeared in the 2011 and 2014 public get-togethers was because they were running out of chances to have all four girls together with Charlotte Rae (and then Kim wasn't able to show up for 2014.) They've all appeared individually on Youtube shows with Kim and Mindy, why not just do that, in character? They have more contact with each other these days than the girls would but they would belong to a website for Eastland graduates and given their history, they'd have a private group called "Over Our Heads." If nothing else, we should see their reactions to living in a world without Mrs. Garrett. "The Facts of..." I absolutely do not write fan-fiction but I have definitely been putting a lot of thought into how this could work.

12-11-2021, 02:42 PM	#9
Sitcommania Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 01, 2018 Location: New york Posts: 309	As far as the school excuse goes, it’s almost Christmas, and I think Nancy’s kids are teens. Do they really want mom around that badly? It’s not like “Live” needed her for rehearsal. She could have gone in and out. At this point, the lack of acknowledgment is just getting tired. I think she was inclined to to do the other shows because she wanted to honor Charlotte Rae, who had been battling cancer; and I think she did well!