Lessons learned

[I Love Lamp]

You know how on kids shows, the message they want you to learn is really blunt and you pick it up really easily because they verbalize it? I was just thinking of how many "facts of life" I learned without it being so blatantly obvious. I like how relating to the show actually taught me the real "facts of life". And sometimes there were more than one "morals of the story" in one episode. Just a thought.

[krazykay]

Yes, I know what you mean. Even though there were quite a few episodes of FOL where they made it PAINFULLY obvious to what issue they were dealing with, there were also alot in there where you watched the whole show without thinking that anything came out of it, but when you think about it later, it's like a little light bulb goes on in your brain and you immedeatly know the lesson for that show.

One of my favorite episodes is "Front Page" from the third season. When I first saw that episode, I thought the whole thing was just about the journalism teacher getting caught at the cocaine party and his personal life being blown up in the school paper. Then afterwards, when I thought about it...I realized that the show did have a lesson...Which was not to presume the worst from people and to think before doing something drastic as Jo did with printing the story in the Eastlander.

I like the less 'obvious' shows better than the 'obvious' ones because it gave the show a bit more reality and depth, and it made you think even after the show was long over. I like your questions and thoughts...Me and you are alot alike in that department...I always have odd and thoughtful questions swimming around in my brain...Lol I hope you found my 'little' rant interesting...Lol...L8r. Baiz!

Krystina

[JO jr]

Did You Know That The Writers Wrote As If The Girls Were 25?

That Tells You A Lot Not Only About The The Show, Including The Fab 4 (characters), But Also Nancy, Lisa, Mindy And Kim As Actresses Who Got It, As Well As Us Fans. Especially If You Were Watching That Show When It First Aired, Because We Got It Too. The Writers Were Banking On That, And The Long-run Success Of The Show Proved Everyone Was Right.

I've Always Said This Show Was Unparelleled And Ahead Of It's Time, And After 25 Years Of Its First Airing, I Still Hold True To That Feeling. I Swear I Knew When I Was Watching Facts That It Was Something So Special.

I Am Only All-too Glad That It Has Been Re-aired, Although Not Nearly Enough, On The Cable Stations, And Now Preserved Onto Dvd.

Because I Am Thinking For Many Who Watch This Show For Any Length Of Time, That They Too Are Aware Of What An Outstanding, Signifigant And Precious Show This Was.
And Perhaps For Some, Like Me, Life Changing And Life Saving As Well.

[ecb1117]

That is the exact reason why I love Facts of Life so much. I was born in '86, so I never watched the show when it aired...neither did anyone else my age. I watch Nick at Nite and TV Land all the time, so I saw commercials for the marathon before it aired and I told my self I had to watch it because the commercials made it seem like something I would absolutely LOVE (which I do). I completely fell in love with the show within the first 5 minutes of the first episode I saw. I don't know anyone else who watched it when it was on Nick at Nite, though, so none of my friends that are my age have any idea what this Facts of Life business I always talk about is. I think that is a real shame though, because I can honestly say, with all my heart, that I am a better person because I watch(ed) the Facts of Life.

I am going to graduate from college this year, and I see the way most people my age (and even younger - I know people still in high school) act and I see the things they do and it makes me so sad. I think it's because there is nothing really out there today for people around my age to watch/listen to/whatever that is a good, positive message for growing up. I mean, I seriously can't name one single show on tv today that teaches people lessons. There is nothing like the Facts of Life or Leave it to Beaver, or any show that has a positive influence on kids. Maybe it's just because I want to be a teacher and help kids that makes me care so much, but I think it is horrible that kids now don't have anything in the media to look up to when growing up. I think a show like Facts is so important and necessary to have because it does so much good. I learned so much from that short time when it aired on Nick and Nite when I was a freshman (I think) in high school. I remember just after watching the episode "Growng Pains" (one of my absolute favorites) for the first time back then, I went to a small "party" at a friend's house, while her parents were away. It was the first party I ever went to where people were drinking. The only thing I thought of the whole time was Mrs. Garrett saying, "getting drunk isn't a grown up thing to do, even when a grown up does it" and that one line totally prevented me from acting like a fool. And, to this day (I'm 20), I have never had an illegal drink. Ever. And I go to one of the top "party" schools in the country. I contribute that completely to that episode of FOL. I seriously believe that it helped develop me into what I hope is a good person.

This is really long, and probablly boring for all of you, but I just had to throw that out there. I will end your misery now.

[JO jr]

Originally Posted by ecb1117

That is the exact reason why I love Facts of Life so much. I was born in '86, so I never watched the show when it aired...neither did anyone else my age. I watch Nick at Nite and TV Land all the time, so I saw commercials for the marathon before it aired and I told my self I had to watch it because the commercials made it seem like something I would absolutely LOVE (which I do). I completely fell in love with the show within the first 5 minutes of the first episode I saw. I don't know anyone else who watched it when it was on Nick at Nite, though, so none of my friends that are my age have any idea what this Facts of Life business I always talk about is. I think that is a real shame though, because I can honestly say, with all my heart, that I am a better person because I watch(ed) the Facts of Life.

I am going to graduate from college this year, and I see the way most people my age (and even younger - I know people still in high school) act and I see the things they do and it makes me so sad. I think it's because there is nothing really out there today for people around my age to watch/listen to/whatever that is a good, positive message for growing up. I mean, I seriously can't name one single show on tv today that teaches people lessons. There is nothing like the Facts of Life or Leave it to Beaver, or any show that has a positive influence on kids. Maybe it's just because I want to be a teacher and help kids that makes me care so much, but I think it is horrible that kids now don't have anything in the media to look up to when growing up. I think a show like Facts is so important and necessary to have because it does so much good. I learned so much from that short time when it aired on Nick and Nite when I was a freshman (I think) in high school. I remember just after watching the episode "Growng Pains" (one of my absolute favorites) for the first time back then, I went to a small "party" at a friend's house, while her parents were away. It was the first party I ever went to where people were drinking. The only thing I thought of the whole time was Mrs. Garrett saying, "getting drunk isn't a grown up thing to do, even when a grown up does it" and that one line totally prevented me from acting like a fool. And, to this day (I'm 20), I have never had an illegal drink. Ever. And I go to one of the top "party" schools in the country. I contribute that completely to that episode of FOL. I seriously believe that it helped develop me into what I hope is a good person.

This is really long, and probablly boring for all of you, but I just had to throw that out there. I will end your misery now.

I REST MY CASE! THANKU FOR SHARING YOUR STORY. I ENJOYED IT VERY MUCH. SINCE INTRODUCING MY NEICE, WHO IS NOW 14 TO FACTS, I AM HOPING SHE WILL FOLLOW IN WHAT YOU TOOK AWAY FROM FACTS TOO.

I TOTALLY AGREE THAT THERE IS NOTHING ON TV THESE DAYS FOR KIDS, LET ALONE GIRLS OR YOUNG WOMEN, TO LOOK AT FOR GOOD, SOUND ADVICE, OR PEERS TO IDENTIFY WITH AND EVEN LOOK UP TO. THIS SHOW WAS SO BEAUTIFUL AND POIGNANT FOR SO MANY REASONS

[ecb1117]

Originally Posted by JO jr

I REST MY CASE! THANKU FOR SHARING YOUR STORY. I ENJOYED IT VERY MUCH. SINCE INTRODUCING MY NEICE, WHO IS NOW 14 TO FACTS, I AM HOPING SHE WILL FOLLOW IN WHAT YOU TOOK AWAY FROM FACTS TOO.

I TOTALLY AGREE THAT THERE IS NOTHING ON TV THESE DAYS FOR KIDS, LET ALONE GIRLS OR YOUNG WOMEN, TO LOOK AT FOR GOOD, SOUND ADVICE, OR PEERS TO IDENTIFY WITH AND EVEN LOOK UP TO. THIS SHOW WAS SO BEAUTIFUL AND POIGNANT FOR SO MANY REASONS

You're welcome
I hope your neice does too. She probably will, I don't see how one cannot. I think they either need to bring back Facts to a national audience, or make a new show like it geared towards young girls/women. Or even better, they should do both.

[sofie_ms2005]

If FOL is released in this era, I think it could probably fetch a higher rating. Most sitcoms shown on TV today are not worth watching. 80s is the best era for TV shows, be it sitcoms, cop shows or family dramas. All the good values we learned from these shows contributed a lot in making us a better person. I'm glad that my niece who is 14 loves FOL as much as I do. Infact I'm kind of surprised to see my nephew who is about the same age enjoys the show too.

[FOL85NatandMrsGRock]

Originally Posted by ecb1117

That is the exact reason why I love Facts of Life so much. I was born in '86, so I never watched the show when it aired...neither did anyone else my age. I watch Nick at Nite and TV Land all the time, so I saw commercials for the marathon before it aired and I told my self I had to watch it because the commercials made it seem like something I would absolutely LOVE (which I do). I completely fell in love with the show within the first 5 minutes of the first episode I saw. I don't know anyone else who watched it when it was on Nick at Nite, though, so none of my friends that are my age have any idea what this Facts of Life business I always talk about is. I think that is a real shame though, because I can honestly say, with all my heart, that I am a better person because I watch(ed) the Facts of Life.

I am going to graduate from college this year, and I see the way most people my age (and even younger - I know people still in high school) act and I see the things they do and it makes me so sad. I think it's because there is nothing really out there today for people around my age to watch/listen to/whatever that is a good, positive message for growing up. I mean, I seriously can't name one single show on tv today that teaches people lessons. There is nothing like the Facts of Life or Leave it to Beaver, or any show that has a positive influence on kids. Maybe it's just because I want to be a teacher and help kids that makes me care so much, but I think it is horrible that kids now don't have anything in the media to look up to when growing up. I think a show like Facts is so important and necessary to have because it does so much good. I learned so much from that short time when it aired on Nick and Nite when I was a freshman (I think) in high school. I remember just after watching the episode "Growng Pains" (one of my absolute favorites) for the first time back then, I went to a small "party" at a friend's house, while her parents were away. It was the first party I ever went to where people were drinking. The only thing I thought of the whole time was Mrs. Garrett saying, "getting drunk isn't a grown up thing to do, even when a grown up does it" and that one line totally prevented me from acting like a fool. And, to this day (I'm 20), I have never had an illegal drink. Ever. And I go to one of the top "party" schools in the country. I contribute that completely to that episode of FOL. I seriously believe that it helped develop me into what I hope is a good person.

This is really long, and probablly boring for all of you, but I just had to throw that out there. I will end your misery now.

So you and i are the same age AND we started watching it at the same time (you probably a few weeks earlier)... so now you shouldn't feel so "alone" in your age group... i contribute most of my growing up to my upbringing by my mom and my christianity... those two things can REALLY help you see right from wrong... but i'm not going to lie... when i was in high school (especially the end of my freshman year and my whole sophomore year) i was bad... i tried smoking (which i'm shocked FOL never did an episode on), i went to parties and drank, i also was in a slump... i had the worst case of depression and thought about committing suicide daily, hourly! But there was always somethign that kept me going... and at that point it wasn't religion... it was FOL!! I mean... i had somethign to look forward to, i was writing fanfics about episodes that had the same troubles I was going through.... if i hadn't found the show and found somethign in life to keep my going, who knows if i'd be here... if i would have meet my boyfriend and now fiance, who knows if i would have went to college even!!! I may have been a horrible child, but i kept my life going cuz of the show!!

[krazykay]

Originally Posted by FOL85NatandMrsGRock

So you and i are the same age AND we started watching it at the same time (you probably a few weeks earlier)... so now you shouldn't feel so "alone" in your age group... i contribute most of my growing up to my upbringing by my mom and my christianity... those two things can REALLY help you see right from wrong... but i'm not going to lie... when i was in high school (especially the end of my freshman year and my whole sophomore year) i was bad... i tried smoking (which i'm shocked FOL never did an episode on), i went to parties and drank, i also was in a slump... i had the worst case of depression and thought about committing suicide daily, hourly! But there was always somethign that kept me going... and at that point it wasn't religion... it was FOL!! I mean... i had somethign to look forward to, i was writing fanfics about episodes that had the same troubles I was going through.... if i hadn't found the show and found somethign in life to keep my going, who knows if i'd be here... if i would have meet my boyfriend and now fiance, who knows if i would have went to college even!!! I may have been a horrible child, but i kept my life going cuz of the show!!

I think alot of girls growing up in the late eighties, early nineties did alot of things they regret when they were in high school...Lol. I know I did...And I love that FOL shows all of the issues the girls went through in high school and to move on and show the issues they went through in college as well! And FOL also showed me that people went thorugh the things i was going throgh all the time and there is always a way out...And the fact that Jo, Natalie, Tootie and Blair graduated high school and Jo and Blair graduated college with many many obstacles in their ways, really inspired me to not drop out of school and now...Now I'm leaving for California in the fall to start my 4th year of college and launch my acting career. Like my signature says, FOL was a quintessential teacher of values and life's hard knocks...

And they did do an episode about smoking...In the first season when Blair and Sue Anne wanted to join that ummmm...club or something in school...They had to smoke weed to really fit in with the group...I think it had Helen Hunt in it...Lol...But that's what I'm thinking you meant...Unless you meant cigarette smoking, cause if you did, then sry for this rant...Lol. Baiz.

[FOL85NatandMrsGRock]

Originally Posted by krazykay

I think alot of girls growing up in the late eighties, early nineties did alot of things they regret when they were in high school...Lol. I know I did...And I love that FOL shows all of the issues the girls went through in high school and to move on and show the issues they went through in college as well! And FOL also showed me that people went thorugh the things i was going throgh all the time and there is always a way out...And the fact that Jo, Natalie, Tootie and Blair graduated high school and Jo and Blair graduated college with many many obstacles in their ways, really inspired me to not drop out of school and now...Now I'm leaving for California in the fall to start my 4th year of college and launch my acting career. Like my signature says, FOL was a quintessential teacher of values and life's hard knocks...

And they did do an episode about smoking...In the first season when Blair and Sue Anne wanted to join that ummmm...club or something in school...They had to smoke weed to really fit in with the group...I think it had Helen Hunt in it...Lol...But that's what I'm thinking you meant...Unless you meant cigarette smoking, cause if you did, then sry for this rant...Lol. Baiz.

hahah yes i did mean cigarettes... i was impressed that they didn't do a cigarette episode, i think i wrote a fanfic way WAY back in my day on that one... but yea, haha... it really does inspire you to keep going and you can make it through, granted we ALL wish we had a mrs. g at that age, the girls were just lucky

[ecb1117]

Originally Posted by FOL85NatandMrsGRock

So you and i are the same age AND we started watching it at the same time (you probably a few weeks earlier)... so now you shouldn't feel so "alone" in your age group... i contribute most of my growing up to my upbringing by my mom and my christianity... those two things can REALLY help you see right from wrong... but i'm not going to lie... when i was in high school (especially the end of my freshman year and my whole sophomore year) i was bad... i tried smoking (which i'm shocked FOL never did an episode on), i went to parties and drank, i also was in a slump... i had the worst case of depression and thought about committing suicide daily, hourly! But there was always somethign that kept me going... and at that point it wasn't religion... it was FOL!! I mean... i had somethign to look forward to, i was writing fanfics about episodes that had the same troubles I was going through.... if i hadn't found the show and found somethign in life to keep my going, who knows if i'd be here... if i would have meet my boyfriend and now fiance, who knows if i would have went to college even!!! I may have been a horrible child, but i kept my life going cuz of the show!!

Good to hear that FOL helped you too! Seriously, there is not one person (my age) I know who has seen the show, with the exception of one of my friends who I made watch an episode with me. And she thought it was too cheesy . I can't imagine either what my life might have been like if I didn't have this show as a guide during what was a hard time for me.

[ecb1117]

Originally Posted by krazykay

I think alot of girls growing up in the late eighties, early nineties did alot of things they regret when they were in high school...Lol. I know I did...And I love that FOL shows all of the issues the girls went through in high school and to move on and show the issues they went through in college as well! And FOL also showed me that people went thorugh the things i was going throgh all the time and there is always a way out...And the fact that Jo, Natalie, Tootie and Blair graduated high school and Jo and Blair graduated college with many many obstacles in their ways, really inspired me to not drop out of school and now...Now I'm leaving for California in the fall to start my 4th year of college and launch my acting career. Like my signature says, FOL was a quintessential teacher of values and life's hard knocks...

I agree, that's why the show was so powerful. While it was obviously fictional, the writers and actors made it seem so real, and seem like they were REAL girls going through REAL issues.

And good for you for staying in school and trying to start your career. I wish you good luck!