Have the Earlier Seasons Aged Better Than the Later Ones?

[TMC]

I really don't know how to properly explain it other than the early seasons (roughly the first three or four years) didn't feel as much like it was a "product of the '80s" (at least visually like hairstyles and what not) than around the time that Cloris Leachman stepped in when Charlotte Rae left. Maybe part of the reason is because The Facts of Life started in 1979 (which is funny within itself because there have been episodes from the first season which mention or show 8-track tapes), so the 1980s style/look (whatever you want to call it) didn't really bled in until some time later.

I actually prefer Lisa Whelchel and Nancy McKeon's hairstyles in the earlier episodes because they looked more timeless. Later own, Blair and Jo (and to a lesser extent, Natalie) were sporting big, feathered (well, at least Blair and Natalie), teased hairdos. Oddly, I thought that Mindy Cohn looked her "hottest" so to speak towards the end of the FOL's run in 1988 (when she had the reddish looking hair).

The theme song revamp (I guess around the 1985-86 season) and the opening of Over Our Heads, kind sealed the deal in regards of it addressing what time period the show took place in.

[Jude The Obscure]

I prefer the later episodes because they are just funnier to me and the show had escaped that "very special episode syndrome" that was so commonplace amongst shows from the Norman Lear factory. Jo's ponytail had become so boring IMO. Although that last season BIG HAIR on her was/is ridiculous looking

[TMC]

Watching the "Front Page" episode from Season 3 on the Hub yesterday, it's still kind of hilarious watching back and seeing Jo use a typewriter (the old school laptop), references to cocaine (which were seemingly most common during the '80s among the yuppie set), and Blair mentioning Nancy Reagan (who of course, was the First Lady at the time).

[SurrealFox]

Originally Posted by TMC

I really don't know how to properly explain it other than the early seasons (roughly the first three or four years) didn't feel as much like it was a "product of the '80s" (at least visually like hairstyles and what not) than around the time that Cloris Leachman stepped in when Charlotte Rae left. Maybe part of the reason is because The Facts of Life started in 1979 (which is funny within itself because there have been episodes from the first season which mention or show 8-track tapes), so the 1980s style/look (whatever you want to call it) didn't really bled in until some time later.

I actually prefer Lisa Whelchel and Nancy McKeon's hairstyles in the earlier episodes because they looked more timeless. Later own, Blair and Jo (and to a lesser extent, Natalie) were sporting big, feathered (well, at least Blair and Natalie), teased hairdos. Oddly, I thought that Mindy Cohn looked her "hottest" so to speak towards the end of the FOL's run in 1988 (when she had the reddish looking hair).

The theme song revamp (I guess around the 1985-86 season) and the opening of Over Our Heads, kind sealed the deal in regards of it addressing what time period the show took place in.

The fashion is more dated in the later episodes over the beginning episodes, but that could also be because they had to wear uniforms over the style at that time. I like the later episodes personally because it brings back memories based on the fashion and hair styles. I also love the tacky neon lights/set that is in later episodes.

[DarkDante]

If you ever watch the episode (I think it's titled "The Little Chill") where all the girls from the first season reunite the amount of hairspray used in that episode is ungodly. I lived through the eighties and to this day have no idea why so many beautiful women chose to make their hair look incredibly unattractive.

I mean Lisa, Julie, Felice and Nancy all had gorgeous hair and in that "Little Chill" episode you can really see how the fashion of the day really was to no good effect.

[Ian905]

I loved Blair's hair in the earlier season, and I felt like Jo's hair really suited her. She wasn't the type to do her hair every morning.

Watching the show now some of the episodes are so cute, like the one from season five with the computer hacking.

[Kasey]

As the girls got older and the decade progressed, the "look" of the '80s really peaked around the time of Over Our Heads and Beverly Ann's arrival. So yes, I get what you're saying.

Personally, I didn't care for that era of the show because it was no longer being taped live (I actually prefer the Norman Lear-vibe they had going during the first five seasons or so) and seemed rather static, as was the case with a lot of marginal sitcoms of the time.

[Johnny be good!]

I liked the Over Our Heads era. Edna was still on the show when it opened.

[80s Dude]

I do think the earlier shows are less dated than the later shows with the 80s big hair era.

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by 80s Dude

I do think the earlier shows are less dated than the later shows with the 80s big hair era.

I would agree. However, I do like Nancy McKeon's hair in the later years. They really started feminizing her, late in the series. (I think at one point, she and George Clooney have the same haircut).

The first season has some badly dated styles. The Daisy Dukes, the short shorts, the ungodly outfits Molly wears (Facts of Facts Podcast said "she's dressed like a puppet"), and the suspenders-with-dress-pants ensemble we see Cindy wear once, but I think we see some fashion faux pas at that level throughout the series.

The later 80s have the girls wearing some bizarre choices, and with some bizarre hair styles. Tootie's green outfit, Blair's mullet, the Golden Girls-style outfits. What looked fashionable and timeless on Bea Arthur somehow just didn't work well on women who were 40 years younger.

[80s Dude]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I would agree. However, I do like Nancy McKeon's hair in the later years. They really started feminizing her, late in the series. (I think at one point, she and George Clooney have the same haircut).

The first season has some badly dated styles. The Daisy Dukes, the short shorts, the ungodly outfits Molly wears (Facts of Facts Podcast said "she's dressed like a puppet"), and the suspenders-with-dress-pants ensemble we see Cindy wear once, but I think we see some fashion faux pas at that level throughout the series.

The later 80s have the girls wearing some bizarre choices, and with some bizarre hair styles. Tootie's green outfit, Blair's mullet, the Golden Girls-style outfits. What looked fashionable and timeless on Bea Arthur somehow just didn't work well on women who were 40 years younger.

The suspender outfits was more of an early 70s fashion. I remember them in school. By 1979, they were definitely dated.

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by 80s Dude

The suspender outfits was more of an early 70s fashion. I remember them in school. By 1979, they were definitely dated.

I really wondered about the suspenders. I never remember them being popular, but I didn't enter kindergarten until 1979. I guess I missed that fad!

[80s Dude]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I really wondered about the suspenders. I never remember them being popular, but I didn't enter kindergarten until 1979. I guess I missed that fad!

I and a lot of the kids wore the stuff that Molly wore in Season 1. in the early 70s. I started in 1970. I am one year younger than Julie Pie, Lisa, and Felice. I think you also see Julie Pie wearing suspenders in some of the New Mickey Mouse Club shows.

['80sSitcoms]

Yes, seasons 2 through 4 are the most "timeless" seasons because there aren't really any visual tell-tales you're actually watching something in the '80s. Everything seems "neutral". It's when they move off campus that the '80s-ness starts coming in, and like gangbusters with OOH and the girls totally diving into the '80s fashions.

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

the ungodly outfits Molly wears (Facts of Facts Podcast said "she's dressed like a puppet")

I've been noticing in my DS binging that funnily enough they dressed Kimberly like Molly quite a bit!

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

the Golden Girls-style outfits. What looked fashionable and timeless on Bea Arthur somehow just didn't work well on women who were 40 years younger.

Yeah, except for things like that!

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

Yes, seasons 2 through 4 are the most "timeless" seasons because there aren't really any visual tell-tales you're actually watching something in the '80s. Everything seems "neutral". It's when they move off campus that the '80s-ness starts coming in, and like gangbusters with OOH and the girls totally diving into the '80s fashions.

I couldn't agree more! Although, like I mentioned, there are times in the final seasons where Jo's hair looks awesome, IMO.

I've been noticing in my DS binging that funnily enough they dressed Kimberly like Molly quite a bit!

I think, like you, I'll be getting the early DS DVDs. I need to see some Molly-dressed Kimberly. It's been too long! I do remember a lot of plaid blouses, and possibly a few bolo-style ties.