Facts of Life - The Little Chill

[StephJ4]

So I was watching the Facts of Life episode The Little Chill. The writers obviously didn't follow continuity because Jo had meter the 4 original girls in a few episodes of the second season, however they were introduced in this one episode.

While watching this episode I couldn't help but feel annoyed at Sue Anne. Ever time Jo asked a question about a memory she would answer "You had to be there." I felt like that line was (intentionally or unintentionally you decide) a dig at Nancy McKeon because she basically took the four original girls jobs away from them. Not that it was her fault, I mean I have to admit Jo/Nancy McKeon, in my opinon, saved and made that show.

[candycandy]

Why does everyone seem to think that JO was the only one who saved the show? What about BLAIR? (she was there from the very beginning + the main star in my eyes) or MRS. G? Never mind TOOTIE & NAT cos those 2 came 2d best......

[ABlairican Pie]

I think what saved the show was that they trimmed the cast down and gave the girls more definite identities. The first series was fun, but it just seemed like a half-hour slumber party. It lacked focus. Even though Jo was a fun addition and perfect counterpoint to Blair.

[DarkDante]

I was never a big fan of them trimming the cast down. I'm also not entirely sure in trimming the cast down that they retained the three most talented girls of the first season although I can hazard a guess why they were each retained with the short answer being the three girls they retained were each unique enough in their own way to merit being brought back.

As for "The Little Chill" episode, the only thing that really can be said for it is it may be the single most indisputable homage to bad eighties fashion ever captured on film. What they did in this episode (aside from expanding the hole in the O-Zone layer with all the hair spray the actresses used) was take some incredibly naturally beautiful women and apply so much make up and affix their hair in ridiculous hairdos to the point where they were barely recognizable.

The juxtaposition between the flashback clips seen in this episode and the footage shot for this episode itself should be a stark reminder why it might not be prudent for further seasons of FOL to be issued on DVD as the fashion from the later seasons are far from flattering to the members of the cast.

[candycandy]

I do think the writers had a good eye when it comes to talent: BLAIR was the best one from season 1 (she was such a natural flirt); TOOTIE was beyond cheeky (as the youngest cast she could get away with trouble); NAT was a wise cracker (she made everyone laugh with her mannerism). Finally MRS. G was here to guide the girls and teach them right from wrong (she was a confidante and a mother to the girls at the same time). As for the "Forgotten FOL girls", in my opinion only SUE ANN had personality (NANCY had hardly any lines, CINDY was a pain & MOLLY boring) with her cheerful attitude, as well as her "friendly rivalry" with BLAIR, so it is a shame she was not kept on.......

[ABlairican Pie]

Originally Posted by candycandy

I do think the writers had a good eye when it comes to talent: BLAIR was the best one from season 1 (she was such a natural flirt); TOOTIE was beyond cheeky (as the youngest cast she could get away with trouble); NAT was a wise cracker (she made everyone laugh with her mannerism). Finally MRS. G was here to guide the girls and teach them right from wrong (she was a confidante and a mother to the girls at the same time). As for the "Forgotten FOL girls", in my opinion only SUE ANN had personality (NANCY had hardly any lines, CINDY was a pain & MOLLY boring) with her cheerful attitude, as well as her "friendly rivalry" with BLAIR, so it is a shame she was not kept on.......

BLAIR SAVED THE SHOW!!!!!!

[candycandy]

Originally Posted by ABlairican Pie

BLAIR SAVED THE SHOW!!!!!!

Thank you for agreeing with me! BLAIR is definitely my favourite of the girls & also the one with the strongest personality (once you get past her snobbish & bratty behaviour she has sometimes): i tend to favor the "naughty" characters with "golden hearts" lol!

[ABlairican Pie]

Originally Posted by candycandy

Thank you for agreeing with me! BLAIR is definitely my favourite of the girls & also the one with the strongest personality (once you get past her snobbish & bratty behaviour she has sometimes): i tend to favor the "naughty" characters with "golden hearts" lol!

People seem to think that that was there was with Blair. But if you look beneath the external "snobbish" part, there was that insecurity and that heart of gold that was covered by the masks of success and outward beauty.

Interestingly, Lisa talks about the defense mechanisms she lived behind with an emotional "wall" she built while growing up on her own in Hollywood. These were a perfect parallel to what she was portraying.

[candycandy]

Originally Posted by ABlairican Pie

People seem to think that that was there was with Blair. But if you look beneath the external "snobbish" part, there was that insecurity and that heart of gold that was covered by the masks of success and outward beauty.

Interestingly, Lisa talks about the defense mechanisms she lived behind with an emotional "wall" she built while growing up on her own in Hollywood. These were a perfect parallel to what she was portraying.

Exactly! I am so glad to have finally met someone with a good taste in judgement (most of the online people only see what they wanna see when it comes to BLAIR). Out of all the girls BLAIR is the one with more issues, which is probably why MRS. G tends to reason + guide her more than the others.......
PS: I can tell you are a fan of her too? (with the "ABlairican Pie" nickname)

[candycandy]

Question to everyone:
Could someone tell me how to post my new story on this site? (i have read some of the members story) I have just finished my 1st FOL novel and would love to publish it.
Many thanks and i hope you can answer me that one!

[StephJ4]

Originally Posted by candycandy

Question to everyone:
Could someone tell me how to post my new story on this site? (i have read some of the members story) I have just finished my 1st FOL novel and would love to publish it.
Many thanks and i hope you can answer me that one!

If you mean you want to publish it like publish publish on Amazon then you can't because FOL characters are copyrighted

[candycandy]

Originally Posted by StephJ4

If you mean you want to publish it like publish publish on Amazon then you can't because FOL characters are copyrighted

I meant on the SITCOMS ONLINE SITE (not on amazon) like some of the members do here. Any suggestions?

[ABlairican Pie]

Originally Posted by candycandy

Exactly! I am so glad to have finally met someone with a good taste in judgement (most of the online people only see what they wanna see when it comes to BLAIR). Out of all the girls BLAIR is the one with more issues, which is probably why MRS. G tends to reason + guide her more than the others.......
PS: I can tell you are a fan of her too? (with the "ABlairican Pie" nickname)

Yeah, I used to have Captain ABlairica as my nickname, and I believe before that, Tad Warner!!!

That's interesting, did Mrs. G counsel Blair more than others? Maybe so, because she definitely seemed more problematic!!

[candycandy]

Originally Posted by ABlairican Pie

Yeah, I used to have Captain ABlairica as my nickname, and I believe before that, Tad Warner!!!

That's interesting, did Mrs. G counsel Blair more than others? Maybe so, because she definitely seemed more problematic!!

Yeah, MRS. G and BLAIR had a sort of "mother daughter" relationship (she was motherly with the other girls too) which is why i wrote my 1st FOL fiction on this site about the 2 of them being the main characters. If you wanna read it, it's on the site where other people have posted their story: i'v got my one attached so you only have to click on the "download attachment" button.....

[ThomasE]

Originally Posted by candycandy

Why does everyone seem to think that JO was the only one who saved the show? What about BLAIR? (she was there from the very beginning + the main star in my eyes) or MRS. G? Never mind TOOTIE & NAT cos those 2 came 2d best......

Thank you! I totally agree. I keep hearing that. The format changed. Jo was one of the additions to the change but it was not her that was the main reason why the show got better. It was an ensemble effort.