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Ags2000 · 09-10-2001, 02:22 PM

You can find this at http://people.aol.com/people/feature...128812,00.html

I don't know if this is the new article, but I found it on the People Magazine website.

D

Lisa Whelchel
TATIANA SIEGEL

In 1988, when the prestigious Eastland School closed its doors for the last time, it was the end of an era for America's favorite prep school teens: Blair, Jo, Tootie and Natalie from The Facts of Life. But it was a whole new beginning for Lisa Whelchel, who played the privileged and self-infatuated Blair Warner.
Whelchel, a native of Fort Worth, Texas, and born-again Christian who says she never really fit in with Hollywood's all-too-pampered, self-destructive teen crowd, left the limelight at the height of her acting and singing career. That career included a stint as a Disney Mouseketeer, guest spots on hit shows such as The Love Boat, nine years on The Facts of Life, several movie roles and a Grammy-nominated inspirational album. At 25, Whelchel went into a self-imposed exile. She married a pastor, settled down in the San Fernando Valley and had three children. Son Tucker is now 10, and daughters Haven and Clancy are 9 and 8, respectively.

Now, more than a decade after her hit TV series ended, '80s culture is back in and that's brought The Facts of Life back to life: It was recently the subject of an E! True Hollywood Story special and is now enjoying a run on Nick at Nite.

Disney jump-started her career

Whelchel, 37, got her Hollywood start, like so many other teen stars, via Disney. She read that auditions were being held for The New Mickey Mouse Club and with the help of her mother, Jenny French, a real estate agent, Whelchel bombarded Disney with letters and landed a West Coast audition. She says she beat out 6,000 other hopefuls for the show's one vacant slot with a routine that included singing and ventriloquism. At the age of 12, she packed her bags for Los Angeles, saying goodbye to her father, Jimmy French, an electrician, and her younger brother, Cody.

Whelchel says that achieving fame at a young age is a lose-lose situation. "Either you're successful and have everything you want," she said during a recent phone interview, in a Southern accent that snooty Blair would have sneered at. "But where do you go from there? Or you're subjected to rejection: 'You're too fat. You're not right for the part.' . . . It's like gambling in Las Vegas. Chances are you are going to go home broke."

Still, Whelchel feels that she left Hollywood relatively unscathed. "I was fortunate because, before The Facts of Life, I found a reason for my life, that God had a purpose for me." Nowadays that purpose can be best realized with the help of a literary agent instead of an acting coach. By signing a three-book deal with a small, family-oriented publishing house, Whelchel has begun to reinvent herself as an author and hopes to continue reaching an audience with a message that touts the merits of clean living.

Her first book, Creative Correction, is a guide for parents that offers alternative ways to discipline children and hits bookstores in October. Her next two books, tentatively titled Beyond Bible Stories and The Adventure of Christmas, are aimed at children. Although she may no longer be a household name, Whelchel still sees herself as a role model -- this time for young mothers who likely grew up watching her as Blair.

"I don't know why it was such a surprise to me, being that she is so talented at so many things. But it was a happy surprise that she was such a good writer," says Whelchel's husband, Steven Cauble, 49.

Keeping in touch with the girls

While parenting and writing have replaced the glamorous Hollywood life, Whelchel (who now goes by the name Cauble) still keeps in touch with many of her Facts of Life co-stars. Last year, the cast members got together for the 30th birthday party for Kim Fields (Tootie). And Whelchel says she speaks to Nancy McKeon (Jo) every few months on the phone. There are also tentative plans for a Facts of Life reunion show, though Welchel says ABC has yet to approve a script.

If plans are made, Welchel says she'll happily attend that reunion. "(Facts is) a nice balance, with its timeless messages, without the taintedness of primetime television today," she says.

And, as it turns out, there are certain Hollywood perks Whelchel misses. For one thing, she wouldn't mind working again with George Clooney, who played handyman George Burnett on the show for two years.

"I would love to be working with him today," says Whelchel with a laugh. "He always had that something special. But he got much more handsome after Facts of Life. And he became a much better actor. I guess he grew up."

As for the current crop of teen celebrities, Whelchel finds them disappointing as role models. "You really do grow up to be a fuddy-duddy. You know, now I see some of these girls and I'm like, 'Do they really have to show their belly button? Pull that shirt down a little!' "

Blair would have understood.

[This message has been edited by Ags2000 (edited 09-10-2001).]

jayman75 · 09-10-2001, 02:37 PM

There are also tentative plans for a Facts of Life reunion show, though Welchel says ABC has yet to approve a script.

When was this article published/written? I'm confused... Great article, but it doesn't seem too current. Is this the one that is out on newsstands today?? If so, People needs to step up and get its groove on!

------------------
*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#

The Facts of Life are all about you...

Who DOESN'T love 80's TV?

Ags2000 · 09-10-2001, 02:47 PM

I don't know if its the current. I don't think it is because of that line. I fust did a search on the people magazine website and found that article.

D

Warner520 · 09-10-2001, 03:19 PM

That is an older article, because I remember reading that part about teen celebrities at the end.

"As for the current crop of teen celebrities, Whelchel finds them disappointing as role models. "You really do grow up to be a fuddy-duddy. You know, now I see some of these girls and I'm like, 'Do they really have to show their belly button? Pull that shirt down a little!' "

Kay Scarpetta · 09-10-2001, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Warner520:
"As for the current crop of teen celebrities, Whelchel finds them disappointing as role models. "You really do grow up to be a fuddy-duddy. You know, now I see some of these girls and I'm like, 'Do they really have to show their belly button? Pull that shirt down a little!' "

Well having read that statement...I doubt her kids know who Britney Spears is.
-Karli

------------------
I am Queen Karli Blair Warner, Queen of the Koalas and INSANITY along with Queen Kaley Jinny Exstead Queen of the Penguins, Pigs, and INSANITY!

IM me at:
Eastlandgal7988

Lisa Whelchel will always be in my heart as the greatest actress who ever lived
And the New York Yankees ROCK! the Boston
Red FLOPS SUCK!

Warm & Fuzzy · 09-10-2001, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lisa Whelchel Forever:
Well having read that statement...I doubt her kids know who Britney Spears is.
-Karli

LOL! I think Britney's disgusting!

MrsGarrettRocksMySocks · 09-10-2001, 05:38 PM

I went to a store with People Magasinze today, and I looked through EVERY SINGLE PAGE of it, and I found NOTHING on Lisa Whelchel! IT MAKES ME SOOOOOO MAD!!!

------------------
*Blair:I just had another one of my brilliant ideas!
*************************
my e-mail is charlotte_rae_fan@yahoo.com e-mail me!!
*************************
I think that CHARLOTTE RAE is the BEST ACTRESS that EVER lived!!She is incredible!!SOMEDAY...I *WILL* meet HER!!
*************************
Estelle:You're lucky I'm a lady, or I'd knock your teeth out!
*************************
IM me using piggy2111 or The GGirls R Koo
*************************
Tootie:WE ARE IN TROUBLLEEEEE!!!!
*************************
Estelle:There's more to life than football, Jimmy!
Jimmy: Yea, but there's nothing more important!
************************************
you have to admit, you CAN'T ARGUE WITH MRS.GARRETT!!

JMPolniaczek15 · 09-10-2001, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Charlotte Rae Fan:
I went to a store with People Magasinze today, and I looked through EVERY SINGLE PAGE of it, and I found NOTHING on Lisa Whelchel! IT MAKES ME SOOOOOO MAD!!!

I know, me too! What's going on?

JoJoJoJoJoJoJoJoJo · 09-10-2001, 07:34 PM

For everyone that doesn't know....I don't know if it's still ont he racks...but i was a bout a week ago cause i remember reading it at work....but there is a special of edition of People all about the 80's and there is a quick breif in there about FOL....not a big brief though, wans't big enough that I was willing to pay 8 dollars for the issue, even if it did have my baby Mel Gibson in it!!! lOL...just thought I would let ya'll know!

JMPolniaczek15 · 09-10-2001, 07:38 PM

What? NOOOOOOO! Did it have good pictures? And about the 80's issue, i just got a copy of that today, and didn't see anyhting about FOL. Where is it?

Kay Scarpetta · 09-10-2001, 09:00 PM

Does ANYONE know when the People episode with Lisa is comin out??? I need that magazine!!!!

-Karli

------------------
I am Queen Karli Blair Warner, Queen of the Koalas and INSANITY along with Queen Kaley Jinny Exstead Queen of the Penguins, Pigs, and INSANITY!

IM me at:
Eastlandgal7988

Lisa Whelchel will always be in my heart as the greatest actress who ever lived
And the New York Yankees ROCK! the Boston
Red FLOPS SUCK!

CourtGI44 · 09-10-2001, 09:19 PM

Charlotte Rae Fan said: (I still dunno how to quote other peoples posts in my own)<<<I went to a store with People Magasinze today, and I looked through EVERY SINGLE PAGE of it, and I found NOTHING on Lisa Whelchel! IT MAKES ME SOOOOOO MAD!!!>>>

ME TOO! Only I didnt have time to look through it at the store so I just bought it. I was soo mad when I couldnt find a FOL related thing! Although it was worth buying 'cuz of the hilarious "Gilligan's Island" thing on page 20...but thats for another message board.

~Courtney

09-10-2001, 02:22 PM	#1
Ags2000 Red 2/13/90 -1/5/06 Forum Veteran Join Date: May 02, 2001 Location: Candyland Posts: 5,544	People Magazine You can find this at http://people.aol.com/people/feature...128812,00.html I don't know if this is the new article, but I found it on the People Magazine website. D Lisa Whelchel TATIANA SIEGEL In 1988, when the prestigious Eastland School closed its doors for the last time, it was the end of an era for America's favorite prep school teens: Blair, Jo, Tootie and Natalie from The Facts of Life. But it was a whole new beginning for Lisa Whelchel, who played the privileged and self-infatuated Blair Warner. Whelchel, a native of Fort Worth, Texas, and born-again Christian who says she never really fit in with Hollywood's all-too-pampered, self-destructive teen crowd, left the limelight at the height of her acting and singing career. That career included a stint as a Disney Mouseketeer, guest spots on hit shows such as The Love Boat, nine years on The Facts of Life, several movie roles and a Grammy-nominated inspirational album. At 25, Whelchel went into a self-imposed exile. She married a pastor, settled down in the San Fernando Valley and had three children. Son Tucker is now 10, and daughters Haven and Clancy are 9 and 8, respectively. Now, more than a decade after her hit TV series ended, '80s culture is back in and that's brought The Facts of Life back to life: It was recently the subject of an E! True Hollywood Story special and is now enjoying a run on Nick at Nite. Disney jump-started her career Whelchel, 37, got her Hollywood start, like so many other teen stars, via Disney. She read that auditions were being held for The New Mickey Mouse Club and with the help of her mother, Jenny French, a real estate agent, Whelchel bombarded Disney with letters and landed a West Coast audition. She says she beat out 6,000 other hopefuls for the show's one vacant slot with a routine that included singing and ventriloquism. At the age of 12, she packed her bags for Los Angeles, saying goodbye to her father, Jimmy French, an electrician, and her younger brother, Cody. Whelchel says that achieving fame at a young age is a lose-lose situation. "Either you're successful and have everything you want," she said during a recent phone interview, in a Southern accent that snooty Blair would have sneered at. "But where do you go from there? Or you're subjected to rejection: 'You're too fat. You're not right for the part.' . . . It's like gambling in Las Vegas. Chances are you are going to go home broke." Still, Whelchel feels that she left Hollywood relatively unscathed. "I was fortunate because, before The Facts of Life, I found a reason for my life, that God had a purpose for me." Nowadays that purpose can be best realized with the help of a literary agent instead of an acting coach. By signing a three-book deal with a small, family-oriented publishing house, Whelchel has begun to reinvent herself as an author and hopes to continue reaching an audience with a message that touts the merits of clean living. Her first book, Creative Correction, is a guide for parents that offers alternative ways to discipline children and hits bookstores in October. Her next two books, tentatively titled Beyond Bible Stories and The Adventure of Christmas, are aimed at children. Although she may no longer be a household name, Whelchel still sees herself as a role model -- this time for young mothers who likely grew up watching her as Blair. "I don't know why it was such a surprise to me, being that she is so talented at so many things. But it was a happy surprise that she was such a good writer," says Whelchel's husband, Steven Cauble, 49. Keeping in touch with the girls While parenting and writing have replaced the glamorous Hollywood life, Whelchel (who now goes by the name Cauble) still keeps in touch with many of her Facts of Life co-stars. Last year, the cast members got together for the 30th birthday party for Kim Fields (Tootie). And Whelchel says she speaks to Nancy McKeon (Jo) every few months on the phone. There are also tentative plans for a Facts of Life reunion show, though Welchel says ABC has yet to approve a script. If plans are made, Welchel says she'll happily attend that reunion. "(Facts is) a nice balance, with its timeless messages, without the taintedness of primetime television today," she says. And, as it turns out, there are certain Hollywood perks Whelchel misses. For one thing, she wouldn't mind working again with George Clooney, who played handyman George Burnett on the show for two years. "I would love to be working with him today," says Whelchel with a laugh. "He always had that something special. But he got much more handsome after Facts of Life. And he became a much better actor. I guess he grew up." As for the current crop of teen celebrities, Whelchel finds them disappointing as role models. "You really do grow up to be a fuddy-duddy. You know, now I see some of these girls and I'm like, 'Do they really have to show their belly button? Pull that shirt down a little!' " Blair would have understood. [This message has been edited by Ags2000 (edited 09-10-2001).]

09-10-2001, 02:37 PM	#2
jayman75 I Love the 80s! Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 27, 2000 Location: THE GREAT UNITED STATES Posts: 3,809	There are also tentative plans for a Facts of Life reunion show, though Welchel says ABC has yet to approve a script. When was this article published/written? I'm confused... Great article, but it doesn't seem too current. Is this the one that is out on newsstands today?? If so, People needs to step up and get its groove on! ------------------ ########################*# The Facts of Life are all about you... Who DOESN'T love 80's TV?

09-10-2001, 02:47 PM	#3
Ags2000 Red 2/13/90 -1/5/06 Forum Veteran Join Date: May 02, 2001 Location: Candyland Posts: 5,544	I don't know if its the current. I don't think it is because of that line. I fust did a search on the people magazine website and found that article. D

09-10-2001, 03:19 PM	#4
Warner520 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 05, 2000 Location: Eastland Academy for Girls, Michigan Posts: 488	That is an older article, because I remember reading that part about teen celebrities at the end. "As for the current crop of teen celebrities, Whelchel finds them disappointing as role models. "You really do grow up to be a fuddy-duddy. You know, now I see some of these girls and I'm like, 'Do they really have to show their belly button? Pull that shirt down a little!' "

09-10-2001, 05:38 PM	#7
MrsGarrettRocksMySocks Actors over 60 Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 20, 2001 Location: The cookie jar--Any "Anyone Can Whistle" fans out there? Posts: 4,077	I went to a store with People Magasinze today, and I looked through EVERY SINGLE PAGE of it, and I found NOTHING on Lisa Whelchel! IT MAKES ME SOOOOOO MAD!!! ------------------ Blair:I just had another one of my brilliant ideas! ********************** my e-mail is charlotte_rae_fan@yahoo.com e-mail me!! *********************** I think that CHARLOTTE RAE is the BEST ACTRESS that EVER lived!!She is incredible!!SOMEDAY...I WILL meet HER!! *********************** Estelle:You're lucky I'm a lady, or I'd knock your teeth out! ********************* IM me using piggy2111 or The GGirls R Koo ********************* Tootie:WE ARE IN TROUBLLEEEEE!!!! ********************* Estelle:There's more to life than football, Jimmy! Jimmy: Yea, but there's nothing more important! ********************************** you have to admit, you CAN'T ARGUE WITH MRS.GARRETT!!

09-10-2001, 07:34 PM	#9
JoJoJoJoJoJoJoJoJo A and J Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 31, 2001 Location: .S.C. Posts: 3,070	For everyone that doesn't know....I don't know if it's still ont he racks...but i was a bout a week ago cause i remember reading it at work....but there is a special of edition of People all about the 80's and there is a quick breif in there about FOL....not a big brief though, wans't big enough that I was willing to pay 8 dollars for the issue, even if it did have my baby Mel Gibson in it!!! lOL...just thought I would let ya'll know!

09-10-2001, 07:38 PM	#10
JMPolniaczek15 Member Forum Regular Join Date: May 16, 2001 Location: Amongst the cornfields in Indiana... Posts: 706	What? NOOOOOOO! Did it have good pictures? And about the 80's issue, i just got a copy of that today, and didn't see anyhting about FOL. Where is it?

09-10-2001, 09:00 PM	#11
Kay Scarpetta Defy Gravity 8.26.05 Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 04, 2001 Location: La Vie Boheme Posts: 28,013	Does ANYONE know when the People episode with Lisa is comin out??? I need that magazine!!!! -Karli ------------------ I am Queen Karli Blair Warner, Queen of the Koalas and INSANITY along with Queen Kaley Jinny Exstead Queen of the Penguins, Pigs, and INSANITY! IM me at: Eastlandgal7988 Lisa Whelchel will always be in my heart as the greatest actress who ever lived And the New York Yankees ROCK! the Boston Red FLOPS SUCK!

09-10-2001, 09:19 PM	#12
CourtGI44 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 27, 2000 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 125	Charlotte Rae Fan said: (I still dunno how to quote other peoples posts in my own)<<<I went to a store with People Magasinze today, and I looked through EVERY SINGLE PAGE of it, and I found NOTHING on Lisa Whelchel! IT MAKES ME SOOOOOO MAD!!!>>> ME TOO! Only I didnt have time to look through it at the store so I just bought it. I was soo mad when I couldnt find a FOL related thing! Although it was worth buying 'cuz of the hilarious "Gilligan's Island" thing on page 20...but thats for another message board. ~Courtney