Did The Facts of Life Have Re-Runs on ABC in the Mid-80's?

[Petrocelli Root Beer]

Hello,

I'm doing some research for a project that I'm working on, and I was just wondering if anyone can confirm (my memory) whether or not The Facts of Life had re-runs on ABC in the early-to-mid 80's?

I know that it was a show that (originally) aired on NBC, but I seem to recall that it had played back-to-back after Diff'rent Strokes in the late afternoon on weekdays, whether it was the 4PM to 5PM, or the 5PM to 6PM time slot, and it might have been on ABC (WDAZ-8 Grand Forks). At least that's how I remember it.

Now it would make more sense if it was on NBC (WDIV-4 Detroit), and perhaps I'm just misremembering it. A part of what's leading to my confusion, is that Diff'rent Strokes was picked up by ABC for that final season; as far as newer episodes were concerned.

While we're here, has anyone ever noticed that Felice Schachter had a limp (at times)? I've noticed this in 3 specific scenes (even when her character returned after that first season), and I was wondering if this was a problem for her, that they had to work around? Maybe it's just sleepy feet, or circulation problems.

Anyway, I'd appreciate any feedback. Thank you!

[80s Dude]

Originally Posted by Petrocelli Root Beer

Hello,

I'm doing some research for a project that I'm working on, and I was just wondering if anyone can confirm (my memory) whether or not The Facts of Life had re-runs on ABC in the early-to-mid 80's?

I know that it was a show that (originally) aired on NBC, but I seem to recall that it had played back-to-back after Diff'rent Strokes in the late afternoon on weekdays, whether it was the 4PM to 5PM, or the 5PM to 6PM time slot, and it might have been on ABC (WDAZ-8 Grand Forks). At least that's how I remember it.

Now it would make more sense if it was on NBC (WDIV-4 Detroit), and perhaps I'm just misremembering it. A part of what's leading to my confusion, is that Diff'rent Strokes was picked up by ABC for that final season; as far as newer episodes were concerned.

While we're here, has anyone ever noticed that Felice Schachter had a limp (at times)? I've noticed this in 3 specific scenes (even when her character returned after that first season), and I was wondering if this was a problem for her, that they had to work around? Maybe it's just sleepy feet, or circulation problems.

Anyway, I'd appreciate any feedback. Thank you!

Once a show goes into syndication, it can be shown on any network.

Felice Schachter was an athlete and somewhat of a tomboy, thus may have had some kind of injury.

[stevea]

If it was a late afternoon airing, it was probably rerun by local channel WDAZ, not ABC.

[PF7074]

Reruns of the show aired on NBC daytime from mid-82 to late 85, as per "The Complete Directory to Primetime and Cable TV Shows".

[Petrocelli Root Beer]

Originally Posted by 80s Dude

Once a show goes into syndication, it can be shown on any network.

Felice Schachter was an athlete and somewhat of a tomboy, thus may have had some kind of injury.

Thank you. I actually had to do a little homework after you posted this, as to how a TV show would qualify for off-network syndication; good to know going forward.

[Petrocelli Root Beer]

Originally Posted by stevea

If it was a late afternoon airing, it was probably rerun by local channel WDAZ, not ABC.

Originally Posted by PF7074

Reruns of the show aired on NBC daytime from mid-82 to late 85, as per "The Complete Directory to Primetime and Cable TV Shows".

I sort of learned quite a bit, from both of these posts. I never really put much thought into differentiating between how the affiliates - of which ever network they're linked to - fill up the remainder of their schedule (late afternoon, middle of the night, etc), outside of what they show on their prime time, daytime, and late night scheduling.

Btw, would "The Complete Directory to Primetime and Cable TV Shows" be much different than the "Lists of United States network television schedules"? For example, would "The Complete Directory..." book include rare/obscure tv shows like Dorothy (1979)? I noticed that it's not listed under CBS/Wednesday on "Lists of United States..." (via Wikipedia).

Granted, it only had 4 episodes aired, but I'm really looking for something that would capture the schedule as it was originally, especially for all of those shows that only showed a pilot episode, or a trial run of 4 episodes (like Dorothy), etc. I know that IMDB has "some" of that information as well, but they have a number of errors when it comes to precise information like that.

I appreciate the help/feedback. Thank you!

[i29u]

Originally Posted by Petrocelli Root Beer

Btw, would "The Complete Directory to Primetime and Cable TV Shows" be much different than the "Lists of United States network television schedules"? For example, would "The Complete Directory..." book include rare/obscure tv shows like Dorothy (1979)? I noticed that it's not listed under CBS/Wednesday on "Lists of United States..." (via Wikipedia).

I believe "The Complete Directory..." does list Dorothy, and gives a synopsis for each and every TV series listed, although not an episode-by-episode listing.

[80s Dude]

Originally Posted by i29u

I believe "The Complete Directory..." does list Dorothy, and gives a synopsis for each and every TV series listed, although not an episode-by-episode listing.

You can find clips from "Dorothy" on YouTube. Last year they had all 4 episodes, but they were taken down.

We sometimes have a discussion on here why Facts of Life succeeded and Dorothy did not. Both debutted at the same time. Dorothy had 4 main girls. Girls that were similar to Blair, Jo/SueAnn, Cindy, and Molly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyZMpYsgeRw

[Petrocelli Root Beer]

Originally Posted by i29u

I believe "The Complete Directory..." does list Dorothy, and gives a synopsis for each and every TV series listed, although not an episode-by-episode listing.

That's exactly what I'm looking for. Thank you!

Originally Posted by 80s Dude

You can find clips from "Dorothy" on YouTube. Last year they had all 4 episodes, but they were taken down.

We sometimes have a discussion on here why Facts of Life succeeded and Dorothy did not. Both debutted at the same time. Dorothy had 4 main girls. Girls that were similar to Blair, Jo/SueAnn, Cindy, and Molly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UyZMpYsgeRw

That sucks that they're not up anymore. There were a few channels on YouTube that loaded up a gazillion episodes of various lesser-known series (like All's Fair for example), all during the Winter Holiday, and they're not there any more. Hopefully someone will post them again. I'm ALWAYS checking for shows like Kaz, Sword of Justice, Tenafly, and a bunch of other shows, but have only found the very odd episode for a number of series, or none at all (Husbands, Wives & Lovers, We've Got Each Other or Flatbush for example).

Probably going back to late 2020 (on YouTube), I did get that clip of Dorothy where they're in the classroom, and one of the girls mentioned The Incredible Hulk.

If I was a betting man in that August summer of '79, having to chose between either series without ever watching an episode, I would have gone with Dorothy strictly off of the fact that Linda Manz was the most recognizable gal off of both series; coming off of Days of Heaven in '78 and The Wanderers in July of '79. I would have also recognized Michele Greene, who played Willie Aames' girlfriend Jill (in several episodes of Eight is Enough).

Is there an argument to be made that Dorothy Loudon was a bigger name than Charlotte Rae? Rather, was she a bigger name than Charlotte Rae in '78, prior to Rae landing her spot on Diff'rent Strokes?

[80s Dude]

Charlotte Rae was better known on TV. In addition to Different Strokes, she was on Car 54, Where Are You? as Grandpa Al Lewis's wife. Dorothy was known mainly in Broadway.

[Petrocelli Root Beer]

Originally Posted by 80s Dude

Charlotte Rae was better known on TV. In addition to Different Strokes, she was on Car 54, Where Are You? as Grandpa Al Lewis's wife. Dorothy was known mainly in Broadway.

Interestingly enough, take a look at who else was in the production of The Fig Leaves are Falling (not named David Cassidy)...

['80sSitcoms]

Our beloved Jenny "Miss Mahoney" O'Hara!

Also, out of all my re-watchings of the show, I never noticed that Felice appeared to be limping anytime.

[Petrocelli Root Beer]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

Our beloved Jenny "Miss Mahoney" O'Hara!

Also, out of all my re-watchings of the show, I never noticed that Felice appeared to be limping anytime.

LOL, glad you caught that!

I'll dig it up a bit later today [time stamps/episodes]. I had worked on a video roughly 2 years ago - not completed - and I was noticing the smallest of details. Like how many times Molly looks at the cue cards, or any of them looking directly at the camera, how one of the extras in the (Diff'rent Strokes) episode "The Girls School" looks like Laurie Hendler (of course it's not actually her), and that same girl was used in one of the promos; wonder if it's the daughter of one of the show's producers?

[Petrocelli Root Beer]

Just to be clear, I'm just speculating. I don't want that to be lost. Take all of this with a grain of salt, please. And for the record, I LOVE that 1st season of The Facts of Life, and really like Felice Schachter. A part of me, thinks that when I hear interviews with Schachter, and O'Hara, we're not really getting the whole story; and maybe it IS the real story, but I'm highly skeptical about their being let go. Also, I like Roger Perry, but I don't quite get why they didn't bring John Lawlor back for that 2nd season.

Anyway, here we go...

"Gossip" Episode 9/Season2

[23:35] Nancy (as well as the other girls seated) gets out of her chair, appears to stumble while simultaenously knocking into the chair beside her.

Not only that, but some of the audience members laugh (likely not when they're supposed to). I wondered if she continued to stumble a bit, but we can't see that because it's off-camera.

This was the second time I'd noticed this, and immediately replayed the scene multiple times over. I initially just chalked it up to her being a bit of a klutz, or it was some simple gaffe that happens to everyone.

I also noticed not long prior to that, in the episode "Dieting" Episode 7/Season 1, that after her zipping up those VERY tight jeans, that she seemed to be limping once she got up and left the scene. Yes, I know that the jeans are supposed to be tight, she "could" have just been joking around for the audience, but... The scene had already moved on once she starts (unnaturally) walking away in the background; meaning I don't think that she was acting for laughs by that point. That's not exactly proof, but it got the mind percolating that she had a limp, or that something was off.

After that, I just always started to pay attention to how she moved, throughout each episode. Why? It never added up to me, why the producers of the show had her in mind initially - as a key character - on TFOL, making her the first girl hired (once she didn't get the role on Diff'rent Strokes when she had auditioned for it), and letting her go first when Margie Peters and Linda Marsh decided to retool the show.

Even prior to Peters and Marsh being brought on, I think the original writers/producers were quickly phasing Nancy's character out, anyway. And again, it doesn't make much sense to me. Specifically with the first batch of 4 episodes that came out in the late summer, she had a key role in "I.Q." and that's about it.

And while I don't mind the episode, it's a hot mess. Mrs. Garrett's caterwauling was at its apex, and I'm not sure that she was all there that episode either. It helps to connect the pen/pencil to paper when scribbling. Nancy and Sue Ann had their worst scenes (IMO), but I get the sense that the producers were rushing this episode, to get it in the can. Meaning, it seems like they were behind schedule here. I also wonder if making that episode, helped Jenny O'Hara decide to jump ship and grab that role on Secrets of Midland Heights on CBS. Either she was let go, or perhaps, she REALLY wanted to be let go.

By the time the 2nd batch of 9 episodes came around, Nancy was reduced to being a 1-trick pony. She was like one of those giant Muppets that you see in the intro to The Muppet Show, that you rarely ever see in any episode/skit. That's her. Outside of her phone calls with Roger, she's the girl most likely standing behind the sofa.

And even though it's 42 years later, I feel bad for those girls on that first season. But sticking with Felice Schachter, I have to believe that since no one has ever given a good reason as to why they (quickly) reduced her character's role, I'm left to guess what the reason - or reasons - would be.

I also don't get why Sue Ann was the 2nd actress to be let go, when they were propping her up the last few episodes. If they already had an idea of where they wanted that show to be going, it seems like they already knew, why have her play such a large role down the stretch?

I'm getting off-topic, sorry, but other than that 4th episode, I don't see what Schachter did to warrant having her character being reduced. So, I wonder if she has/had a limp, or better yet, perhaps a lateral pelvic tilt. And with that, maybe if that was an ongoing problem for setting up shots/camera angles and such, they just quietly started to reduce her character's role on the show. Maybe they weren't aware of it when she had auditioned for the role of Kimberly on Diff'rent Strokes in '78, but picked up on it once they were filming "The Girls School".

If you see her in the Season 4 episode of Alice "Here Comes Alice Cottontail" her dancing/movement looks fluid enough - mind you she unintentionally looks like a klutz when she puts down two beers cans if you watch closely enough - but you can see (at least I do) that her right hip is slightly higher than her left hip; though one wouldn't notice this unless they were specifically looking for it. She looks fantastic in this episode btw!

Moving along to post TFOL, we can see her in Zapped!, which is her breakout performance, but she's already sporting a Brown University sweater [01:17:20], so I guess she already had that conversation with Christopher Reeve to go to University over sticking with acting. Which is a shame, because she's charming (in her own way) in this movie; that gets bashed WAY too much btw. It's a bit unfair - in retrospect - that the other girl is the 1982 version of Heather Thomas, so you can see how Schachter could have been overlooked back then, but rewatching it now, she really stands out.

I put some time stamps on Zapped!, which are almost all of Schachter's scenes with movement.

[00:14:28] She seemingly comes out of nowhere to catch up to Baio and Aames, who are walking. After going from sideview to the front view, you can see that her right hip is higher than her left hip.

[00:15:30] Side tangent, Boof from Teen Wolf is doing one helluva Jack Tripper as Grandma Jack impersonation when she's sitting down. I mean, what's going on there? Oddly enough, Corinne Bohrer is also in this scene, and she would play on E/R (the one from '84-'85), to which one of Schachter's last TV appearances would be in an episode of that series. George Clooney went from that version of E/R to TFOL. I wonder if Schachter and Bohrer were friends?

[00:41:30] Schachter, favoring one side.

[00:45:50] Again, right hip up, left hip down.

[00:55:05] She comes to a slanted stop, again, right hip up, left hip down.

[01:00:50] A bit of a limp getting up off of the sofa, favoring one side.

[01:34:52] After receiving a handkerchief, and JUST before the scene transitions to the next one, she seems to be dragging (her feet).

Back to The Facts of Life, with time stamps.

Season 2 - Episode 9 - "Gossip"

[01:45] walking unnaturally, though she is wearing high boots, but most specifically at [01:59] after she says that she has plans meeting Roger in New York, and approaches Tootie.
[08:40] has to adjust her body when coming to a stop
[09:30] unnaturally walks away after dumping ice in Blair's blouse
[23:35] gets out of chair, appears to stumble/knocks into chair; audience laughs

Season 2 - Episode 13 - "Pretty Babies"

[7:10] seemingly difficult time getting up out of the chair

Season 3 - Episode 9 - "Dear Me"

[4:16] difficult time getting up out of the chair – right hip
[04:40] seems to be grimacing while smiling, turning her chair around

Season 8 - Episode 6 - "The Little Chill"

[05:30] walks unnaturally toward the sofa
[09:55] going up the steps in the bedroom

Season 1 - Episode 3 - "The Return of Mr. Garrett"

[10:40] when leaving, right hip up, left down
[19:50] the girls all get up off of the bed to talk to Mrs. Garret, and Nancy comes to an abrupt halt; it's in the background, but it's awkward compared to the other girls
[14:18] a bit awkward getting up from the sofa, has to readjust standing straight

Season 1 - Episode 4 - "I.Q."

[01:30] leaning to her left coming down the stairs, a bit of a hop step soon after, before she comes to a stop
[10:40] gets up, dragging/pulling Blair off of the bed, again, right hip up

Season 1 - Episode 5 – "Overachieving"

[16:05] – at a standstill position, right hip up again

Season 1 - Episode 7 – "Dieting"

[2:26] Jeans scene, she is limping; yes I know that the jeans are supposed to be tight, but she is limping as she walks away (and it doesn't look acted/for laughs)

Season 1 - Episode 9 – "Flash Flood"

[10:15] walks away, with a towel on her head, again, right hip up, most noticeable as she exits the scene, going around the corner

In the last episodes, #10 through #13, she moves fine, but she also spends her minimal screen time either talking to Roger, or standing behind the sofa. In the episode "Running", she's doing an exaggerated run for laughs (likely); at least that's how I'm seeing it. I wonder if Schachter is checked-out during this last stretch of the show; like maybe the other girls don't know their own fate going forward, but that she knows that the writing is on the wall for her; fewer lines, no storyline about her, her being reduced to diorama, etc.

Again, I really don't know at the end of the day, I'm only speculating, and crafting a theory stemming from her being phased out early on (even before they were retooling the show). It just seems very odd, to keep someone in mind for an entire year, and once that show begins, you don't want her anymore; seemingly right from the jump. To see her in Zapped! with one foot out the door from acting altogether (by that point in time), it's really too bad that they (TFOL and Hollywood) couldn't see what she brought to the table.

Literally every actor on the face of the planet would suck if they had to act out "I.Q.", and waiting close to 6 months until the next episode airs, gives the writers/producers (and low ratings in large part because of the inconsistent time slot) enough time to dwell on that episode and all of its shortcomings.

[80s Dude]

Felice was in a bad car accident when she was really young so that could have something to do with it.