80s TV Ladies: The Facts of Life w/ Director Asaad Kelada

[TMC]

https://www.80stvladies.com/episode/...-kelada-part-1

“There was a sense of discovery about what this series was going to be about. It was going to be about young people -- with all of their shenanigans, and the maneuvering, and all the silliness that takes place with that. But it was also going to be about growing up. These five people, and the fabric that holds them together.” -- Asaad Kelada - producer/director, The Facts of Life

The Conversation

• WHAT I REALLY WANT TO DO IS DIRECT! - How getting accepted to the Yale School of Drama taught Asaad which side of the stage he really wanted to be on.
• THE 5-YEAR DIRECTING SCHOOL: Observing all the MTM shows from the bleachers, for five years, got Asaad ready for his first TV job: Directing Valerie Harper in Rhoda!
• DAY ONE: On his first day directing The Facts of Life, the only person he recognized that he had worked with before was… Tootie (Kim Fields)!
• DOUBLE STANDARD: In this early episode of The Facts of Life, Asaad realized the potential of the show: “It was just like being in the theater, like working on a play -- with substance, with humor, with intelligence -- and yet they were young girls. This was television in a new form.
• RUNAWAY TRAIN: Asaad describes the increasing tension and hi-stakes artistry of a show as it speeds thru its season -- and how he learned to not fall off!
• ON CHARLOTTE RAE: “She and I were the grownups in the room. She was the centerpiece in a show about four girls.”
• STORY CONFERENCE -- WITH THE CAST: “After the table read, we’d just talk -- talk about what the episode is dealing with, what it’s about, how it all ties together.”
• FACTS OF LIFE GOES TO PARIS: “It was a trial by fire. Every single shot, every single frame was filmed on location. We were at Notre Dame, the Champs Elysee… How can this be called a job?”

So join Susan and Sharon -- and Asaad -- as they talk George Clooney, The Bob Newhart Show, Grant Tinker, Geri Jewel, speaking French, Bill Haley & the Comets, Nancy McKeon -- and being ready when your opportunity finally comes!

GET READY FOR PART 2 -- NEXT EPISODE! Don't miss more Facts of Life stories, plus Family Ties and Who's The Boss!!

['80sSitcoms]

These interviews are fantastic. And Asaad sounds like such a warm and cuddly grandfather.

He got the number of girls wrong in season 1 though, saying 9. At least he didn't overblow it at "10 to 12" like infamous W*rr*n L*ttl*f**ld.

And he said glowing things about our Molly!

[80s Dude]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

These interviews are fantastic. And Asaad sounds like such a warm and cuddly grandfather.

He got the number of girls wrong in season 1 though, saying 9. At least he didn't overblow it at "10 to 12" like infamous W*rr*n L*ttl*f**ld.

And he said glowing things about our Molly!

Apparently a lot of the producers had good things to say about Molly. Jerry Meyer, Asaad. There is tons of evidence that she was to be included in the original Core Four. John Lawlor said he though Molly and Julie Anne were the best actresses among the kids.

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by 80s Dude

Apparently a lot of the producers had good things to say about Molly. Jerry Meyer, Asaad. There is tons of evidence that she was to be included in the original Core Four. John Lawlor said he though Molly and Julie Anne were the best actresses among the kids.

So cool.

[FOL-FAN-ITA]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

So cool.

Look who's here. Welcome back