Where exactly does The Facts of Life stand culturally today

[TMC]

I'm asking this question because this article says that in the context of TV history, there really isn't very remarkable about it. While the show did give George Clooney his big break in its later seasons, gave us an earworm of a theme song, and it did manage to last nine seasons (with over 200 episodes), it didn't particularly influence the shows that came after it. Nor did it win any Emmys or show up in many retrospectives about the medium of television.

The article also noted that when Lisa Whelchel showed up as a contestant on Survivor only the two oldest contestants recognized her. And bare in mind that Lisa outside of Charlotte Rae, was arguably the "face of the show" or at the very least, its biggest ambassador.

[FOL-FAN-ITA]

Facts has never been a huge hit like other shows, even Kim Fields said that people often treated it like it never existed. But I think very few shows can say they broke out of the shadow of their originator, like Facts did with Diff'rent Strokes. Many people forget it was a spinoff of that show, it kept its own identity. Very few shows can say a girl, ready to commit suicide, saved herself from death thanks to that show's message. The plot of a group of friends living together was then used on The Golden Girls and Friends. And let's not forget that Facts still holds the record as the first show with an all femal cast and has been NBC's longest running sitcom and #1 comedy of the network.

It may not have been a huge success but it sure was and still is, 40 years later, one of the most remembered and beloved shows of the 80s.

[Impressions]

I don't like this article. It didn't give Facts the credit that it's due. Facts of Life was groundbreaking and ahead of its time. It touched on so much subject matter that no other sitcom had touched before. Sure, it wasn't a hit by any means, but it deserves more credit than was given in this article.

Originally Posted by FOL-FAN-ITA

And let's not forget that Facts still holds the record as the first show with an all femal cast and has been NBC's longest running sitcom and #1 comedy of the network.

Not true. It may have been the first sitcom with an all-female cast. Fraiser ran for 11 seasons on NBC, for 264 episodes. Friends followed closely behind. The Facts of Life never was #1, and never broke the top 10.

[Christopher]

Originally Posted by TMC

it didn't particularly influence the shows that came after it.

The Facts of Life definitely influenced shows like The Golden Girls and Designing Women. The Facts of Life was the first sitcom to have an all female cast. They took this group of female friends and kept them living together as roommates and even working together from the house they live in. The Golden Girls even ripped off having a little kid in the show like the FOL when they had their spin off The Golden Palace. The Golden Girls only has the popularity it does because young people get a kick out of seeing old ladies act like stupid sluts or idiots. Old ladies will always have an advantage. That's the only reason Betty White has the fame she does now because of her age and appearance. Younger generations don't care about her acting when they think of Betty White. They just like how she looks like the grandmother they always wanted.

Originally Posted by Impressions

The Facts of Life never was #1, and never broke the top 10.

The Facts of Life was NBC's top rated sitcom during its third season. It's been mentioned a few times in the documentaries.

[FOL-FAN-ITA]

Originally Posted by Impressions

Not true. It may have been the first sitcom with an all-female cast. Fraiser ran for 11 seasons on NBC, for 264 episodes. Friends followed closely behind. The Facts of Life never was #1, and never broke the top 10.

By the time it went off the air, it was NBC's longest running sitcom but it was later surpassed by other shows. And during its third season (1981-82) it was NBC's first comedy (beating out Diff'rent Strokes) and #2 program of the network, right after Little House on the Prairie. But CBS and ABC had stronger shows, that's why Facts was never in the top 10

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by TMC

I'm asking this question because this article says that in the context of TV history, there really isn't very remarkable about it. While the show did give George Clooney his big break in its later seasons, gave us an earworm of a theme song, and it did manage to last nine seasons (with over 200 episodes), it didn't particularly influence the shows that came after it. Nor did it win any Emmys or show up in many retrospectives about the medium of television.

As others here have stated, the show was groundbreaking: the first network TV series to feature a cast of women; the first series to discuss teenage lesbianism (in its very first episode), and the first sitcom to feature a semi-regular performer with a handicap (Geri).

It certainly influenced the shows after it, including the recurring "four women" concept that shows like The Golden Girls and Designing women later incorporated. And who can forget the homages to The Facts of Life on The Goldbergs and other shows?

There have been at least seven documentaries about the show, which definitely indicates the series has been remembered over the last few decades.

Finally, I'm unconvinced that the lack of Emmy wins meant the show wasn't remarkable. Star Trek, Veronica Mars, and Good Times also never won an Emmy. And Charlotte Rae was Emmy-nominated for her role on FOL. The series did, however, win many other awards.

The article also noted that when Lisa Whelchel showed up as a contestant on Survivor only the two oldest contestants recognized her. And bare in mind that Lisa outside of Charlotte Rae, was arguably the "face of the show" or at the very least, its biggest ambassador.

If Charlotte Rae had appeared on Survivor, she certainly would have been recognized, and Lisa was, as well.

[FOL-FAN-ITA]

Although the show has never won an Emmy, it doesn't mean it's a bad product

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

It certainly influenced the shows after it, including the recurring "four women" concept that shows like The Golden Girls and Designing women later incorporated.

That is possible, but it's also possible it's coincidence. Maybe the creators of those shows didn't see Facts of Life or give it thought. I'm not claiming the opposite is true either; we don't know for sure. Either way is speculation until someone asks Susan or Linda if it ties in at all.

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

If Charlotte Rae had appeared on Survivor, she certainly would have been recognized, and Lisa was, as well.

That would have been great to see Charlotte participate, and win! (even though I never watched it, but maybe I would have to see "Wilderness Edna", lol)

[TMC]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

As others here have stated, the show was groundbreaking: the first network TV series to feature a cast of women; the first series to discuss teenage lesbianism (in its very first episode), and the first sitcom to feature a semi-regular performer with a handicap (Geri).

It certainly influenced the shows after it, including the recurring "four women" concept that shows like The Golden Girls and Designing women later incorporated. And who can forget the homages to The Facts of Life on The Goldbergs and other shows?

There have been at least seven documentaries about the show, which definitely indicates the series has been remembered over the last few decades.

Finally, I'm unconvinced that the lack of Emmy wins meant the show wasn't remarkable. Star Trek, Veronica Mars, and Good Times also never won an Emmy. And Charlotte Rae was Emmy-nominated for her role on FOL. The series did, however, win many other awards.



If Charlotte Rae had appeared on Survivor, she certainly would have been recognized, and Lisa was, as well.

I wouldn't necessarily blame younger people who competed on Survivor for not immediately recognizing Lisa. I didn't really get around to seeing the season that she was on it. But, to put things into proper perspective, The Facts of Life ended its run in 1988, which would've been almost 25 years prior to her being on Survivor.

While the show has always been syndicated somewhere, I don't know for sure if it's an '80s show that is at the level of say something like The Golden Girls in terms of its continued pop culture relevance. Then again, the resurging love and popularity of Betty White among the younger generation, I believe has a lot to do with that in the Golden Girls' favor.

Also, I'm guessing that that younger people wouldn't immediately recognize Lisa since she essentially gave up acting to get married and have kids as soon as TFOL ended. She would occasionally come out of retirement to do stuff like The Facts of Life reunion movie or A Madea Christmas.

I would be more inclined to believe that younger people might recognize or have more reverence for Kim Fields immediately than they would Lisa Whelchel because she also has Living Single as her main legacy besides TFOF. Heck, I almost associate Mindy Cohn now for being the voice of Velma on Scooby-Doo as I associate her as Natalie Green. The point that I'm trying to make is that Lisa never really did much acting-wise besides TFOL that was really noteworthy. So being Blair Warner is for all intent and purposes, her sole contribution to pop culture. And yes, I am aware that she was a Mouseketeer, but can you honestly think of her tenure on that show first-hand?

[80s Dude]

Originally Posted by TMC

I wouldn't necessarily blame younger people who competed on Survivor for not immediately recognizing Lisa. I didn't really get around to seeing the season that she was on it. But, to put things into proper perspective, The Facts of Life ended its run in 1988, which would've been almost 25 years prior to her being on Survivor.

While the show has always been syndicated somewhere, I don't know for sure if it's an '80s show that is at the level of say something like The Golden Girls in terms of its continued pop culture relevance. Then again, the resurging love and popularity of Betty White among the younger generation, I believe has a lot to do with that in the Golden Girls' favor.

Also, I'm guessing that that younger people wouldn't immediately recognize Lisa since she essentially gave up acting to get married and have kids as soon as TFOL ended. She would occasionally come out of retirement to do stuff like The Facts of Life reunion movie or A Madea Christmas.

I would be more inclined to believe that younger people might recognize or have more reverence for Kim Fields immediately than they would Lisa Whelchel because she also has Living Single as her main legacy besides TFOF. Heck, I almost associate Mindy Cohn now for being the voice of Velma on Scooby-Doo as I associate her as Natalie Green. The point that I'm trying to make is that Lisa never really did much acting-wise besides TFOL that was really noteworthy. So being Blair Warner is for all intent and purposes, her sole contribution to pop culture. And yes, I am aware that she was a Mouseketeer, but can you honestly think of her tenure on that show first-hand?

I think younger generations would recognize Molly Ringwald more than Lisa. When Lisa was on Survivor, Molly had a lead role in "The Secret Life of an American Teenager". Today Molly would still probably be more recognized due to her being in "Riverdale" and "The Kissing Booth" movies.

[valentina warner]

To be honest with you all: MOLLY is the only one i have known all my life (and JULIE ANN HADDOCK from her 'Wonder Woman' and 'Little House on the Prairie' episode).

I've only only discovered about 10 years ago by pure coincidence lol!

[Sitcommania]

I think Facts of Life even planted seeds for Sex and the City.

Lisa Whelchel has said the show kind of snuck in and stuck around. Mindy Cohn has also pointed out that the shows been around long enough to deserve its icon status (I’m paraphrasing).

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by Sitcommania

I think Facts of Life even planted seeds for Sex and the City.

You could be right.

Author Beatriz Oria has drawn parallels between the Sex and the City girls and the Golden Girls, specifically also mentioning Kate and Alley, Cagney and Lacey, and The Facts of Life as examples of 1980s shows which featured ladies' relationships; she says these shows demonstrated a powerful message: men may come and go, but female friendship is forever.

Without these 1980s groundbreaking series showcasing all-female casts, would Sex and the City ever have happened? I have never actually seen a full episode of SatC, but I doubt that without these 1980s female-led shows, which demonstrated there's audience for female-lead shows, there ever would have been a Sex and the City or other all-female-cast series.

...And I think we need more female viewers to pipe up about their opinions on the show!

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by valentina warner

To be honest with you all: MOLLY is the only one i have known all my life (and JULIE ANN HADDOCK from her 'Wonder Woman' and 'Little House on the Prairie' episode).

I've only only discovered about 10 years ago by pure coincidence lol!

Crazy. Here in the US, FOL was far, far more popular than Wonder Woman.