"It's a Fact of Life" by Carolyn Oakes

[lordstides]

"It's a Fact of Life" by CAROLYN OAKES (Contributor)

“It takes a lot to get it right / when you’re learning the facts of life.” Do these lyrics ring a bell? The popular eighties sitcom that, in its eight-year run, centered around the lives of four girls living under the care of the motherly Mrs. Garrett at a boarding high school, is back. “The Facts of Life” now airs regularly at 8:30p.m. weeknights on Nickelodeon, after being christened during the official “Nick at Nite” marathon.

Many people have not seen this show in several years, but remember how marvelous it seemed during its original run? Many of the people who consider this a masterful television show were children at the time. One might keep in mind how naive young people tend to be.

A particular episode that aired recently featured the young, smart-mouthed Tootie, played by a very young and particularly charismatic Kim Fields. The episode centers around the ramifications of Tootie finding and making public her fellow students’ I.Q. scores. This particular episode originally aired on September 14, 1979. Yes, it has been that long.

Not only does each episod end with an often awkward and unnecessary hug, it also ends with a moral that is often stated clearly and concisely. This particular episode’s message is “What really counts is how you use your abilities, and how hard you work,” from the wise words of Mrs. Garrett who reassures the students personally affected by the broadcasting of their suprising I.Q. scores. An avid fan of the show might take this message to heart, because after all, Mrs. Garrett, portrayed by the Emmy-nominated Charlotte Rae, is often correct in giving such advice. This cheesy premise could have lead to an early cancellation if it had not been for the charming and capable cast.

The series was a critical and commercial disaster in its first season. One of its major problems was having such a large ensemble. Beginning in season two, several of the boarding girls, including an eleven-year-old ingenue named Molly Ringwald, had disappeared. Nancy McKeon was then hired to play the “been there, done that” New Yorker, Jo, for the remainder of the series.

The main problem with the series are its cliche-filled plot lines and stereotypical main characters. Then again, isn’t that what most people love about sitcoms of the 1980s? The exaggeration of each character’s personality does create some hysterical moments. A show such as this would never make it to the air today, as characters in contemporary sitcoms are often more substainially complex. It must be said that many people are glad it succeeded despite its flaws. In fact, it was the most requested show by Nickelodeon viewers to be added to the “Nick at Nite” lineup.

It serves its purpose as a television show that is, if not brilliant, entertaining, funny if not always clever, and well-acted despite unremarkable writing. Sometimes it can be a great thing for a television show not to demand too much brain effort. “The Facts of Life” gives its viewers that option, and its fans are grateful."

[Gizmo1]

According TVGuide.com "My Life as a Teenage Robot" fills the 8:30pm time slot. When and where did you here this information from?