The most talented girl

[FOL-FAN-ITA]

Which one of the girls was the most talented and which one the worst? My ranking is:

1. Kim: Kim was the most talented of the bunch, especially when the show premiered. I don't think she was the best during the later years but she sure was during the Eastland years.

2. Nancy: Nancy was the best when it came to dramatic moments. Her acting in "Double Standard", "Teacher's Pet" and the first episode with her father was superb.

3. Lisa: Lisa was talented, her best was during seasons 1-6.

4. Mindy: At the beginning Mindy was unexperienced but she grew a lot as an actress and the later seasons were the best. I did like her during the cafeteria years but, since she wasn't an actress, I'll give her the last position.


If you want to include the Lost Girls, here's my ranking:

1. Julie Anne: the most talented of the first season girls.
2. Felice: she was good too.
3. Julie Pie: there were several scenes where she was overacting but she was okay after all.
4. Molly: I didn't like Molly's acting on FOL, she was good on Annie (which was before Facts), she grew a lot after she was fired from the show.

[RetroGuy2000]

1. Lisa: There's a reason the show started with "head girl" Felice and quickly transitioned to Lisa: Lisa could play a self-absorbed girl so very easily. She stole the show out from under Felice without even trying to do so, and without even noticing Felice was counting her lines... and counting her days, which were soon numbered.

2. Kim: Kim knew how to deliver a line to get the biggest laughs. Over and over... not just once, but every time.

3. Julie Anne: She could pull off even clunky material and still deliver an excellent performance. Her willowy wistfulness served her well. There's a reason she had so much respect on the set from John Lawlor.

4. Nancy M: She was a solid young actress who could cry on cue.

5. Julie Pie: She had so much to do that first season, and did most of it quite well.

6. Felice: She had almost nothing to do that first season, but performed well with what little she was given.

7. Molly: She was sometimes wooden, and her character was clunky, but what a hidden talent!

8. Mindy: She grew into her role, but it was rough at first.

[valentina warner]

I'll second Retro on that one: BRAVO!!!

[Lorimar Television]

I agree with that list Retro. I might switch Nancy M and Julie Anne, but other than them you’re spot on.

['80sSitcoms]

I think my personal list would go:

• Lisa
• Kim
• Julie Anne
• Nancy
• Felice
• Molly
• Mindy
• Julie Pie

[80s Dude]

John Lawlor thought Julie Anne and Molly was the most talented. Jerry Meyer wanted to bring Molly over as one of the Core 4.

[valentina warner]

I actually think LISA and KIM were the most talented of all the girls: they just had the best lines and dialogues!

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by valentina warner

I actually think LISA and KIM were the most talented of all the girls: they just had the best lines and dialogues!

Not only did they have good dialogue, you can tell they knew how to deliver those lines.

Lisa had a very bad line reading when she was in the stable and Blair saw that the bridge had washed out. The way she delivered that line ("Oh no!") was very bad.

Kim's line about the nightie with instructions was hilarious, but it wasn't actually delivered correctly. She paused before she said the word "instructions!?"

John flubbed his line about Chinese food, putting the emphasis on the word "food" weirdly. Charlotte flubbed the word "electricity" when talking about Cindy and the basement. I only bring these two instances up to give a comparison: Kim and Lisa were making about the same amount of mistakes as the adult actors on the show, as far as I can tell.

[80s Dude]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Not only did they have good dialogue, you can tell they knew how to deliver those lines.

Lisa had a very bad line reading when she was in the stable and Blair saw that the bridge had washed out. The way she delivered that line ("Oh no!") was very bad.

Kim's line about the nightie with instructions was hilarious, but it wasn't actually delivered correctly. She paused before she said the word "instructions!?"

John flubbed his line about Chinese food, putting the emphasis on the word "food" weirdly. Charlotte flubbed the word "electricity" when talking about Cindy and the basement. I only bring these two instances up to give a comparison: Kim and Lisa were making about the same amount of mistakes as the adult actors on the show, as far as I can tell.

I think the pause for "with Instructions" was intentional. That was the way the writers wanted it.

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by 80s Dude

I think the pause for "with Instructions" was intentional. That was the way the writers wanted it.

Exactly. I'm surprised Retro didn't see that. Tootie pauses because she can't believe what she's reading. She has to process they are indeed instructions before she can't say this revelation. That's what makes it hilarious. It's natural, and very funny. ("Retro, what've you been smokin'?" )

Now, a time Kim did deliver a very line in season 1 was "The Return of Mr. Garrett". Up in the poker den, after they're caught, she tries to defend themselves by saying, "N-not that we were listening!" but she way overdoes it, like Lisa's "Oh NOOOO!"