Is Blair Dressed Sexier in Season One?

[Justwondering]

I've watched nearly every episode from the new Facts of Life DVDs, and I am wondering if anyone else noticed this:

Notice how much sexier the producers had Lisa Whelchel dress in Season 1 as opposed to Season 2? In the first season, with the larger cast, Lisa Whelchel wore, in a couple of episodes, really short, shorts and a blouse with a knot tied in it. In the "Emily Dickison" episode, could Lisa's jeans have been in tighter (and sexier!) when Mrs. Garrett slapped her on the rear end and then Blair turned around and did the same to her? She also wore a lot less makeup in Season 1 as well.

Put in the Season 2 DVD and notice that the girls are wearing their school uniforms in the majority of the episodes. Lisa is often wearing long jean skirts, when not in the school uniform. In "Double Standard," Lisa's wearing her tight Gloria Vanderbilt jeans for one of the few times in season two, but it is easy to tell Lisa had already gained some weight.

Don't mistake my commenting on her weight gain. I think she was stunning either way! And by the way, even though "Gloria Vanderbilt" jeans had gone out of fashion by the mid- '80s, notice how really good Lisa can still make them look 25 years later!

I'm convinced Lisa Whelchel was one of the most beautiful young women ever on TV.

[Nighthawk76]

It seemed that the producers tried to make all of the characters look really sexy first season. Not just Blair, but Sue Ann and Nancy too.

[raya]

It was addressed in the E True Hollywood story that the writers for Season 2 wanted to do away with the sexier outfits of Season 1. They mention that they thought it was a bit unrealistic to have girls parading around New York in the middle of winter in short shorts and tight t-shirts.

That's why by Season 2 they opted for the school uniform and clothes that left them more covered.

But yes, Lisa was dressed sexier in Season 1. But so were all the girls.

[Ireneparalegal]

Originally Posted by raya

It was addressed in the E True Hollywood story that the writers for Season 2 wanted to do away with the sexier outfits of Season 1. They mention that they thought it was a bit unrealistic to have girls parading around New York in the middle of winter in short shorts and tight t-shirts.

That's why by Season 2 they opted for the school uniform and clothes that left them more covered.

But yes, Lisa was dressed sexier in Season 1. But so were all the girls.

what i don't get is that Lisa is strict regarding her religion, so why would she allow herself to dress that way? She spoke up before when she didn't want her character to do certain things...why didn't she say anything abt the style of clothing?

[Brieannas21]

I don't think they dressed sexy at all, what was so sexy about it

[Justwondering]

I guess you gotta be a guy to appreciate it!

[Justwondering]

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

what i don't get is that Lisa is strict regarding her religion, so why would she allow herself to dress that way? She spoke up before when she didn't want her character to do certain things...why didn't she say anything abt the style of clothing?

The same thought crossed my mind. Today, Lisa is very particular about what she allows her own daughters to wear, claiming that guys respond to the visual, so girls should not dress in tight clothing or clothing which shows a lot of skin.

My own guess is that because she was only 16 that first season and fortunate to have a job on TV, maybe she didn't feel that she was in a position to rock the boat, so to speak.

[raya]

I agree with JustWondering. I think Lisa, if she had a problem with the clothes, probably didn't have much of a say at that point--or she didn't feel too comfortable voicing her opinion yet. As a young person in Hollywood on a non established show, if Lisa was seen as too difficult, who knows...she might have worried they'd replace her and young starlets looking to get a job on television are a dime a dozen.

By later on, Lisa was established enough to voice her opinions without fear of being replaced. Plus at that point FOL was already a hit show, so Lisa had some bargaining power on her plate.

[Pavan]

When I think of S1, I think of that black dress Blair had on when she was coming down the stairs!

[Ireneparalegal]

Originally Posted by pavanbadal

When I think of S1, I think of that black dress Blair had on when she was coming down the stairs!

or that light blue one when she was in the contest for the Harvest Queen Contest. That is when Blair got pissed because Mrs. G. inferred that Blair was probably "experienced"...

Not only that, when the show returned and it was just the four girls, notice how much heavier Lisa was...her hips were much bigger. I believe she wore a dress and her school uniform all the time other than the episode when she wore that motorcycle outfit in the cotillion episode. She had on jeans and her heaviness was so obvious.

[Nighthawk76]

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

or that light blue one when she was in the contest for the Harvest Queen Contest. That is when Blair got pissed because Mrs. G. inferred that Blair was probably "experienced"...

Not only that, when the show returned and it was just the four girls, notice how much heavier Lisa was...her hips were much bigger. I believe she wore a dress and her school uniform all the time other than the episode when she wore that motorcycle outfit in the cotillion episode. She had on jeans and her heaviness was so obvious.

Who cares if Lisa put on a few pounds.

[Ireneparalegal]

Originally Posted by DAX

Who cares if Lisa put on a few pounds.

Um, I don't care...but if you understand the thread and why i put that post referring to her weight, you would understand. Let me change it for you.

Lisa having put on weight probably meant the "sexier" look was no longer feasible as it was on season one. Not to imply that girls who are heavier can't be sexy, but the kind of dresses Lisa wore in season one would no longer be fitting for her to be wearing in season 2. Got it. Oh my God, I can't believe you misconstrued my post.

[Ags2000]

Lisa talks about the weight gain in one of her books...I believe it was THe Facts of Life and Other thing smy Father taught Me...or whatever the book was called.

Lisa talked about doing the first season then coming home not knowing if they would renew the show or not. Back home in Texas she didn't exactly eat the healthiest and gained weight. When she got the phonecall that it had been renewed, well, she had put on weight by then. End of story.

D

[Ireneparalegal]

Originally Posted by Ags2000

Lisa talks about the weight gain in one of her books...I believe it was THe Facts of Life and Other thing smy Father taught Me...or whatever the book was called.

Lisa talked about doing the first season then coming home not knowing if they would renew the show or not. Back home in Texas she didn't exactly eat the healthiest and gained weight. When she got the phonecall that it had been renewed, well, she had put on weight by then. End of story.

D

Which proves what I just posted earlier abt her heavier look. But it was so obvious abt the weight gain. It didn't take away from her beauty at all. I for one was glad they got rid of that part of the character, the sexiness. It made me not like Blair that much in season one. Her character had changed somewhat and made her more appealing.

[Nighthawk76]

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

Which proves what I just posted earlier abt her heavier look. But it was so obvious abt the weight gain. It didn't take away from her beauty at all. I for one was glad they got rid of that part of the character, the sexiness. It made me not like Blair that much in season one. Her character had changed somewhat and made her more appealing.

Lisa actually has had a life long battle with her weight. At one point (I believe it was during the third season) the producers threatened to fire her if she did not take off the weight. Though I think it was an empty threat. After all, what would FOL be without Blair?