Two Jump the Shark Moments for Facts of Life??? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TVFactFan · 06-11-2008, 01:30 PM

JTSM #1-"Edna's Edibles being burned down"

JTSM#2-"Mrs. Garrett being replaced by Beverly Ann"

It was something about that CANDY store that just didn't feel right-lol

So does anyone agree?

Lastdaysofrain · 06-11-2008, 01:50 PM

I actually kind of prefer those seasons to the earlier ones.

Ireneparalegal · 06-11-2008, 01:53 PM

It was more than just a candy store.

I like many of the episodes in after Edna's Edibles and when Beverly Ann appeared. I think it was just time that eventually was FOL undoing. And the running out of story ideas.

painmakeyourway · 06-11-2008, 02:02 PM

I kind of agree with #1. I've always hated Over Our Heads; it just looked so tacky and awful. I loved the homeyness of Edna's Edibles. However, I prefer the Over Our Heads seasons as far as episodes; I think the cast was just, on the whole, alot funnier and more free to express their personalities than in previous years.

As far as Mrs. G being replaced, I think it was fine. I agree with Charlotte Rae, the time had come for her to leave. The girls didn't really need her anymore; they were figuring their problems out on their own and with each other. I don't particularly like Beverly Ann, but she is on occasion hilarious (especially in "Another Room," "A Winter's Tale," and "Golden Oldies").

I don't think those two things were the reasons FoL finally died. I just think the writers were running out of ideas, the actors were ready to move on, and the show's time had come. 9 years is a long time.

so yeah, there's my essay

TVFactFan · 06-11-2008, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

It was more than just a candy store.

I like many of the episodes in after Edna's Edibles and when Beverly Ann appeared. I think it was just time that eventually was FOL undoing. And the running out of story ideas.

Irene you know the show wasn't the same after the fire-lol

Nighthawk76 · 06-12-2008, 12:55 PM

I don't think FOL ever really jumped the shark. Except for the 9th and final season, the show was always good. Nine seasons is a long run and I think that the writers just began to run out of good ideas during the final season. Also, the 9th season tended to focus on the girls going out on their own in the world and not on them as a group. Even though this is, of course, life, I just didn't like how the stories were focusing on the girls moving away and on with their lives.

Personally, I love the Over Our Our Heads episodes during seasons seven and eight. I think those two years featured some of the funniest stories like "Seven Little Indianas" and "Cupid's Revenge". Also, one of the show's most powerful episodes, "Less Than Perfect" (oddly enough, from season nine), was an Over Our Heads episode. I also really like Beverly Ann. Sure, she wasn't Mrs Garrett, but she was a funny character and Cloris Leachman is a good comic actress.

Impressions · 06-12-2008, 02:49 PM

I actually think that during the Edna's Edibles era, it had some of the most dullest episodes of the series (Jazzbeau; The Interview Show) to name a few. The Over Our Heads was a refreshing because you had dream sequence episodes (albeit the writers were running out of ideas) and there was a return to more controversial episodes in season 9 with First Time, Less than Perfect, and On the Edge (albeit it was ratings bait). It was clear that the writers were trying to keep the show alive and I think it would've lasted another season, if Nancy McKeon agreed to it.

Jude The Obscure · 06-12-2008, 07:10 PM

I think as others have said, time was the key to FOL finally going by the wayside. I think some of the funniest shows happened during the Over Our Heads era. The 9th season doesn't count, because Over Our Heads was practically ignored and eventually closed--due to the URGENT bedroom situation with too many people living in the house. Why couldn't Pippa stay in the friggin dorms, For Land O Goshen's sake! (That sounds like Beverly Ann!

)

Mr. Television · 06-12-2008, 07:21 PM

My least favorite season was when Edna's Edibles burned down and George Clooney joined the cast.

hno: I do like the first season that Beverly Ann was on though. It sort of gave the series a jolt of fresh air.

Jude The Obscure · 06-12-2008, 07:26 PM

oh come on, Sonny, how can you not like the El Debarge episode? that is a CLASSIC!!! Jo: "I am not going to be known as Sexy Lingerie!"

And Cloris Leachman was a joy in my book

pfeifferobsessed · 06-12-2008, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jude86

oh come on, Sonny, how can you not like the El Debarge episode? that is a CLASSIC!!! Jo: "I am not going to be known as Sexy Lingerie!"

And Cloris Leachman was a joy in my book

how can someone not like "doo-wah"? blair singing like julie andrews is hysterically funny!

Jude The Obscure · 06-12-2008, 10:12 PM

Nat: "Do they have a machine to take out all the burping Tootie did throughout the song?......The girl drinks a ROOT BEER right before we go on!"

painmakeyourway · 06-12-2008, 10:49 PM

Doo Wah was a classic...one of my favorites.

DJ Guy: 'I was known as America's Favorite DJ."
Blair: "I've never heard of you." (she's kicked by Jo) "My...parents couldn't afford a radio...." HAHA. that episode is awesome.

Nighthawk76 · 06-12-2008, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pfeifferobsessed

how can someone not like "doo-wah"? blair singing like julie andrews is hysterically funny!

That is a great episode. However, I think that Andy steals the episode.

Nighthawk76 · 06-12-2008, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clint Eastwood Fan

I do like the first season that Beverly Ann was on though. It sort of gave the series a jolt of fresh air.

I think that she did too.

06-11-2008, 01:53 PM	#3
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	It was more than just a candy store. I like many of the episodes in after Edna's Edibles and when Beverly Ann appeared. I think it was just time that eventually was FOL undoing. And the running out of story ideas.
	__________________ DALLAS COWBOYS ARE HERE AT TRAINING CAMP!!!

06-11-2008, 02:02 PM	#4
painmakeyourway Daydream Believer Forum Regular Join Date: May 20, 2008 Location: Facts of Life Land Posts: 577	I kind of agree with #1. I've always hated Over Our Heads; it just looked so tacky and awful. I loved the homeyness of Edna's Edibles. However, I prefer the Over Our Heads seasons as far as episodes; I think the cast was just, on the whole, alot funnier and more free to express their personalities than in previous years. As far as Mrs. G being replaced, I think it was fine. I agree with Charlotte Rae, the time had come for her to leave. The girls didn't really need her anymore; they were figuring their problems out on their own and with each other. I don't particularly like Beverly Ann, but she is on occasion hilarious (especially in "Another Room," "A Winter's Tale," and "Golden Oldies"). I don't think those two things were the reasons FoL finally died. I just think the writers were running out of ideas, the actors were ready to move on, and the show's time had come. 9 years is a long time. so yeah, there's my essay
	__________________ Jo Polniaczek's philosophy on how to get guys: Step 1: If you like a guy, grab him and tell him he drives you out of your tree. Step 2: Just call and tell him, 'Hey Al, you dance with me in the contest or you'll never dance again.' Pretty effective, hey?

06-12-2008, 07:21 PM	#9
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	My least favorite season was when Edna's Edibles burned down and George Clooney joined the cast. hno: I do like the first season that Beverly Ann was on though. It sort of gave the series a jolt of fresh air.
	__________________ Sonny

06-11-2008, 01:30 PM	#1
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,065	Two Jump the Shark Moments for Facts of Life??? JTSM #1-"Edna's Edibles being burned down" JTSM#2-"Mrs. Garrett being replaced by Beverly Ann" It was something about that CANDY store that just didn't feel right-lol So does anyone agree?

06-11-2008, 01:50 PM	#2
Lastdaysofrain Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 13, 2005 Posts: 204	I actually kind of prefer those seasons to the earlier ones.

06-12-2008, 12:55 PM	#6
Nighthawk76 Rachel Berry Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 28, 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 23,254	I don't think FOL ever really jumped the shark. Except for the 9th and final season, the show was always good. Nine seasons is a long run and I think that the writers just began to run out of good ideas during the final season. Also, the 9th season tended to focus on the girls going out on their own in the world and not on them as a group. Even though this is, of course, life, I just didn't like how the stories were focusing on the girls moving away and on with their lives. Personally, I love the Over Our Our Heads episodes during seasons seven and eight. I think those two years featured some of the funniest stories like "Seven Little Indianas" and "Cupid's Revenge". Also, one of the show's most powerful episodes, "Less Than Perfect" (oddly enough, from season nine), was an Over Our Heads episode. I also really like Beverly Ann. Sure, she wasn't Mrs Garrett, but she was a funny character and Cloris Leachman is a good comic actress.

06-12-2008, 02:49 PM	#7
Impressions She died the way she lived Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 08, 2002 Posts: 4,640	I actually think that during the Edna's Edibles era, it had some of the most dullest episodes of the series (Jazzbeau; The Interview Show) to name a few. The Over Our Heads was a refreshing because you had dream sequence episodes (albeit the writers were running out of ideas) and there was a return to more controversial episodes in season 9 with First Time, Less than Perfect, and On the Edge (albeit it was ratings bait). It was clear that the writers were trying to keep the show alive and I think it would've lasted another season, if Nancy McKeon agreed to it.

06-12-2008, 07:10 PM	#8
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	I think as others have said, time was the key to FOL finally going by the wayside. I think some of the funniest shows happened during the Over Our Heads era. The 9th season doesn't count, because Over Our Heads was practically ignored and eventually closed--due to the URGENT bedroom situation with too many people living in the house. Why couldn't Pippa stay in the friggin dorms, For Land O Goshen's sake! (That sounds like Beverly Ann! )

06-12-2008, 07:26 PM	#10
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	oh come on, Sonny, how can you not like the El Debarge episode? that is a CLASSIC!!! Jo: "I am not going to be known as Sexy Lingerie!" And Cloris Leachman was a joy in my book

06-12-2008, 10:12 PM	#12
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	Nat: "Do they have a machine to take out all the burping Tootie did throughout the song?......The girl drinks a ROOT BEER right before we go on!"

06-12-2008, 10:49 PM	#13
painmakeyourway Daydream Believer Forum Regular Join Date: May 20, 2008 Location: Facts of Life Land Posts: 577	Doo Wah was a classic...one of my favorites. DJ Guy: 'I was known as America's Favorite DJ." Blair: "I've never heard of you." (she's kicked by Jo) "My...parents couldn't afford a radio...." HAHA. that episode is awesome.