Molly's Holiday episode - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Wawwie · 02-09-2022, 01:49 PM

Molly's dad, (Dr. Parker) is the only FOL parent that I liked. He seemed very nice and genuinely caring.

'80sSitcoms · 02-09-2022, 01:57 PM

I love the Eastland parents (which is another thread with a poll), save for Dr. Green. I'm not much on him. But yes, I think everyone agrees Dr. Parker is wonderful.

Wawwie · 02-09-2022, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

I love the Eastland parents (which is another thread with a poll), save for Dr. Green. I'm not much on him. But yes, I think everyone agrees Dr. Parker is wonderful.

Dr. Parker was a billion times better than Blair's neglectful father or Jo's loser dad. Yeah, and he was better than Natalie's womanizing father. He was also much better than Tootie's overbearing, controlling, know it all dad.

'80sSitcoms · 02-09-2022, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wawwie

Dr. Parker was a billion times better than Blair's neglectful father or Jo's loser dad. Yeah, and he was better than Natalie's womanizing father. He was also much better than Tootie's overbearing, controlling, know it all dad.

They still loved their children, which is the important thing. Mr. Warner developed a closer relationship with Blair in progressing seasons. And Mr. Polniaczek really worked hard to reform himself and get back into his daughter's life, which he did, becoming very close with her.

And it was nice to see Mrs. Garrett put "Buffalo Ramsey" in his place.

FOL-FAN-ITA · 02-09-2022, 04:42 PM

He's fine. From best to worst I put:

Mr. Polniaczeck: as 80s said, he really worked hard and improved a lot
Mr. Parker (not the headmaster

) : you can tell he really cared about his daughter
Mr. Warner: not the best father in the world but I give him a pass
Mr. Green: what he did to his wife and his daughter was terrible
Mr. Ramsey: he was the worst, not present for his daughter. If you have a problem with an employee, you should talk to her and find a solution, your daughter has no fault. And I don't understand why he doesn't like beauty schools :lol

RetroGuy2000 · 02-09-2022, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wawwie

Dr. Parker was a billion times better than Blair's neglectful father or Jo's loser dad. Yeah, and he was better than Natalie's womanizing father. He was also much better than Tootie's overbearing, controlling, know it all dad.

I like Doctor Parker a lot, and also feel as though he's way better than Blair's father; Blair says as much, herself: she envies Molly for her dad. And in "Daddy's Girl", she says her allowance check is her father. Blair's mother isn't all that better, yelling at Geri and treating Blair more like her friend than her daughter.

I also have issues with Natalie's womanizing father and her controlling mother, and Tootie's controlling parents. I do, however, give Jo's parents credit: yes, Charlie made a huge mistake, but he remains a part of Jo's life. And her mother is just doing the best she can.

'80sSitcoms · 02-09-2022, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I like Doctor Parker a lot, and also feel as though he's way better than Blair's father; Blair says as much, herself: she envies Molly for her dad. And in "Daddy's Girl", she says her allowance check is her father. Blair's mother isn't all that better, yelling at Geri and treating Blair more like her friend than her daughter.

I also have issues with Natalie's womanizing father and her controlling mother, and Tootie's controlling parents. I do, however, give Jo's parents credit: yes, Charlie made a huge mistake, but he remains a part of Jo's life. And her mother is just doing the best she can.

I think Evie was a wonderful mother and not controlling at all. I don't see many mothers letting their teenagers go into the city on a school day once a week for a writing gig. I could see my mom being exactly the same way, if I wanted to do an activity that took me out of school once a week, and she is not "controlling" at all. She's kind of like Evie, very pleasant, nice, likable, easygoing--Mom even had some nightwear like Evie's at home.

I've gotten the impression at this board that the viewpoints of the Eastland parents seems to be strongly influenced by parents/authority figures from one's formative years. I was shocked when I discovered here that everyone didn't love the Eastland parents.

I still treasure the little touch of how all the parents affectionately address their daughters' friends when they visit the school, and how the girls always affectionately address their friends' visiting parents.

RetroGuy2000 · 02-09-2022, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

I think Evie was a wonderful mother and not controlling at all.

When Natalie says she's going to take some time off and not immediately go to college, Evie Green doesn't support her. She says she's cutting Natalie off financially, and won't support her. But this is Natalie's life they're talking about, not Evie's life. Evie is trying to control her by forcing Natalie into doing something she's not ready to do.

Quote:

I've gotten the impression at this board that the viewpoints of the Eastland parents seems to be strongly influenced by parents/authority figures from one's formative years.

I think that's true. I certainly learned some tough lessons by listening to controlling authority figures who didn't have my best interests at heart, and seeing Evie force her daughter into doing something she repeatedly states she's not ready for was heartbreaking.

'80sSitcoms · 02-09-2022, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

When Natalie says she's going to take some time off and not immediately go to college, Evie Green doesn't support her. She says she's cutting Natalie off financially, and won't support her. But this is Natalie's life they're talking about, not Evie's life. Evie is trying to control her by forcing Natalie into doing something she's not ready to do.

Oh I wasn't thinking of that at all.

I was thinking of the magazine gig "in the city" during the cafeteria years.

But it's hard to blame Evie for the college thing. I mean, pouring out how many (assumedly) tens of thousands of dollars grooming your daughter for her college education--and then she won't go?

Ouch.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

and seeing Evie force her daughter into doing something she repeatedly states she's not ready for was heartbreaking.

Not for me. lol

I grew up in a household where, like I assume it's pretty common, it's expected you'll go to college. It's just what you do. It seemed normal life to me. So I did.

And I love my parents.

RetroGuy2000 · 02-09-2022, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

Oh I wasn't thinking of that at all.

I was thinking of the magazine gig "in the city" during the cafeteria years.

But it's hard to blame Evie for the college thing. I mean, pouring out how many (assumedly) tens of thousands of dollars grooming your daughter for her college education--and then she won't go?

Ouch.

Not for me. lol

I grew up in a household where, like I assume it's pretty common, it's expected you'll go to college. It's just what you do. It seemed normal life to me. So I did.

And I love my parents.

But if you had said to your parents, "Mom, Dad, turn off the tractor for a minute. I need to talk to you. I'm not ready to leave Kansas City, Kansas, and go off to college. I need some time to find myself," would their response have been, "Okay, we're cutting you off." ???

'80sSitcoms · 02-09-2022, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

But if you had said to your parents, "Mom, Dad, turn off the tractor for a minute. I need to talk to you. I'm not ready to leave Kansas City, Kansas, and go off to college. I need some time to find myself," would their response have been, "Okay, we're cutting you off." ???

Lol, I don't know. I mean I would still be living "at home," so that wouldn't have really affected me. I guess I would have just gotten a job for my own "fun money".

RetroGuy2000 · 02-09-2022, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

Lol, I don't know. I mean I would still be living "at home," so that wouldn't have really affected me. I guess I would have just gotten a job for my own "fun money".

Exactly. Your parents never would have, for example, thrown you out, which is basically what was happening to Natalie: even though she didn't live at home, her parents had supported her financially. But they were no longer willing to do that, if she dared do something outside of their plan for her.

It's classic Manipulation 101.

Wawwie · 02-09-2022, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

It's classic Manipulation 101.

Exactly. Natalie's mom was only willing to support her if she conformed to her (Evie's) wishes. I agree that she was selfish and controlling.

80s Dude · 02-09-2022, 09:01 PM

Blair's father almost had his daughter in trouble for tax evasion. Some father.

'80sSitcoms · 02-09-2022, 09:04 PM

Evie was parenting. Most kids don't always like some parenting they get. They paid for Natalie's education, and she was expected to finish it. Then she's free to do what she wants with the rest of her life. Often when you hear people want to take time off to find themselves before going to college, they never go. It was nice that Natalie did eventually go.

And Blair's father loved her in his own way, and they became closer as the seasons progressed.

I still find it hard to believe some fans exaggerate what they see as negative attributes in some of the parents, but I know some will think I'm exaggerating good attributes. Again, I think it depends a lot on when you met these characters and what kind of real people you had as influences in your life. While maybe not perfect, I'm thankful to have the parents I have, and I met all these characters in my earliest most formative years watching TV.

As Retro has been saying lately around here, "To each their own."

I'll watch some FOL parent episodes with Lorsie---well, when he gets back from Disney World. And if our residences were near enough.

02-09-2022, 01:49 PM	#1
Wawwie Member Forum Star Join Date: Jul 26, 2006 Location: New York Posts: 14,376	Molly's Holiday episode Molly's dad, (Dr. Parker) is the only FOL parent that I liked. He seemed very nice and genuinely caring.

02-09-2022, 01:57 PM	#2
'80sSitcoms Member Forum Star Join Date: Jan 30, 2013 Posts: 12,474	I love the Eastland parents (which is another thread with a poll), save for Dr. Green. I'm not much on him. But yes, I think everyone agrees Dr. Parker is wonderful.
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02-09-2022, 04:42 PM	#5
FOL-FAN-ITA Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 29, 2019 Location: Italy Posts: 1,473	He's fine. From best to worst I put: Mr. Polniaczeck: as 80s said, he really worked hard and improved a lot Mr. Parker (not the headmaster ) : you can tell he really cared about his daughter Mr. Warner: not the best father in the world but I give him a pass Mr. Green: what he did to his wife and his daughter was terrible Mr. Ramsey: he was the worst, not present for his daughter. If you have a problem with an employee, you should talk to her and find a solution, your daughter has no fault. And I don't understand why he doesn't like beauty schools :lol
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02-09-2022, 09:01 PM	#14
80s Dude Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 24, 2019 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,811	Blair's father almost had his daughter in trouble for tax evasion. Some father.

02-09-2022, 09:04 PM	#15
'80sSitcoms Member Forum Star Join Date: Jan 30, 2013 Posts: 12,474	Evie was parenting. Most kids don't always like some parenting they get. They paid for Natalie's education, and she was expected to finish it. Then she's free to do what she wants with the rest of her life. Often when you hear people want to take time off to find themselves before going to college, they never go. It was nice that Natalie did eventually go. And Blair's father loved her in his own way, and they became closer as the seasons progressed. I still find it hard to believe some fans exaggerate what they see as negative attributes in some of the parents, but I know some will think I'm exaggerating good attributes. Again, I think it depends a lot on when you met these characters and what kind of real people you had as influences in your life. While maybe not perfect, I'm thankful to have the parents I have, and I met all these characters in my earliest most formative years watching TV. As Retro has been saying lately around here, "To each their own." I'll watch some FOL parent episodes with Lorsie---well, when he gets back from Disney World. And if our residences were near enough.