I just realized that Mrs Garrett's first name was revealed in the 3rd episode of FOL

[FOL-FAN-ITA]

Her name was revealed in the episode The Return of Mr. Garrett, after one year and 26 episodes. She was never called Edna on DS.

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by FOL-FAN-ITA

Her name was revealed in the episode The Return of Mr. Garrett, after one year and 26 episodes.

Yup, we finally know in episode 3.

Originally Posted by FOL-FAN-ITA

She was never called Edna on DS.

Ah, ah, ah, yes she was. In the DS season 2 episode "Mrs. Garrett's Romance" (a wonderful episode), her suitor frequently calls her "Edna"!

This occurred on October 12, 1979, after the first 4 FOL episodes of 1979, where the fourth aired on September 14, 1979. So nearly a month later, she was called "Edna" on DS in one episode by a guest star repeatedly, and we wouldn't hear "Edna" again until FOL came back on the air on March 12, 1980!

[Lorimar Television]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

Yup, we finally know in episode 3.




Ah, ah, ah, yes she was. In the DS season 2 episode "Mrs. Garrett's Romance" (a wonderful episode), her suitor frequently calls her "Edna"!

This occurred on October 12, 1979, after the first 4 FOL episodes of 1979, where the fourth aired on September 14, 1979. So nearly a month later, she was called "Edna" on DS in one episode by a guest star repeatedly, and we wouldn't hear "Edna" again until FOL came back on the air on March 12, 1980!

Wow only one DS ep?

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by Lorimar Television

Wow only one DS ep?

Only onesie, Lorsie!

In fact, I thought Charlotte was wrong in her book when she says Mrs. Garrett never had a first name on DS, so they had to come up with one for FOL. And I was like, "nuh-uh! She's called 'Edna' in 'Mrs. Garrett's Romance'!"

But then you have to realize that was in season 2 DS, after TGS and the first 4 episodes of FOL have already aired.

[TVFactFan]

It made sense because who in the Drummond Household was going to call her edna? LOL

Definitely not the kids and not Mr. Drummond since he was not her man


So it only would have been someone she was dating

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

It made sense because who in the Drummond Household was going to call her edna? LOL

Definitely not the kids and not Mr. Drummond since he was not her man


So it only would have been someone she was dating

True, but you never know; there could have been an introduction of her full name, or a phone call asking for her by first name, or her saying her own name herself (for example, "Not in Edna Garrett's kitchen!").

But, none of that ever happened. It could have, but it didn't. So it is interesting that we only heard her first name in one episode.

It is interesting the generational difference in such matters. Here these senior citizens and near-senior citizens say "Mr. Drummond" and "Mrs. Garrett", yet on "Who's the Boss?" with the 30-somethings it's "Tony" and "Angela".

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

True, but you never know; there could have been an introduction of her full name, or a phone call asking for her by first name, or her saying her own name herself (for example, "Not in Edna Garrett's kitchen!").

But, none of that ever happened. It could have, but it didn't. So it is interesting that we only heard her first name in one episode.

It is interesting the generational difference in such matters. Here these senior citizens and near-senior citizens say "Mr. Drummond" and "Mrs. Garrett", yet on "Who's the Boss?" with the 30-somethings it's "Tony" and "Angela".

GREAT point about the generation gap between the WTB adults and the DS adults, '80s.

And I suppose Charlotte likely believed that getting her own show would allow her character to grow... get her own bedroom, get a first name, introduce a family, etc. It's too bad the producers sort of lost sight of Mrs. G after about five years. IMO, focusing just a bit more on Mrs. G may have kept Charlotte on the show. What are your thoughts, guys?

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

GREAT point about the generation gap between the WTB adults and the DS adults, '80s.

Thanks, and we also have to mention the social and economic gap in such matters as well. While most viewers didn't know what it was like to be president of a company, Angela had a "comfortable" home lifestyle that many viewers could relate to (whether their own homes, or homes of relatives, friends, associates, etc.). They were in their 30s saying "Tony" and "Angela".

However, Fran on "The Nanny" was in her 30s as well (though 29 in season 1), and Mr. Sheffield could have been mid-30s to around 40, but they were "Mr. Sheffield" and "Miss Fine". This was in a lavish mansion of a millionaire. And DS was in a lavish penthouse of a millionaire. So it seems social and economic status would dictate first names or "titles" as well.

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

And I suppose Charlotte likely believed that getting her own show would allow her character to grow... get her own bedroom, get a first name, introduce a family, etc. It's too bad the producers sort of lost sight of Mrs. G after about five years. IMO, focusing just a bit more on Mrs. G may have kept Charlotte on the show. What are your thoughts, guys?

I agree, probably so. After all, "The Golden Girls" kept Sophia active and vital and needed in that house.

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

Thanks, and we also have to mention the social and economic gap in such matters as well. While most viewers didn't know what it was like to be president of a company, Angela had a "comfortable" home lifestyle that many viewers could relate to (whether their own homes, or homes of relatives, friends, associates, etc.). They were in their 30s saying "Tony" and "Angela".

However, Fran on "The Nanny" was in her 30s as well (though 29 in season 1), and Mr. Sheffield could have been mid-30s to around 40), but they were "Mr. Sheffield" and "Ms. Fine". This was in a lavish mansion of a millionaire. And DS was in a lavish penthouse of a millionaire. So it seems social and economic status would dictate first names or "titles" as well.

This is an interesting way of contrasting how different shows handled the relationship between "the help" and the home owners.

I always felt like the "Miss Fine"/"Mr. Sheffield" formal name system helped accentuate the sexual tension between them, as if they were each aware of the tension, and were overcompensating with those formal titles. It's interesting that I don't feel that way about Mr. Drummond/Mrs. Garrett at all.

I agree, probably so. After all, "The Golden Girls" kept Sophia active and vital and needed in that house.

Yeah, well, Sophia had her own bedroom, her own relatives who would visit, etc. The producers of FOL handled things very differently for Edna, around the halfway point. The focus became so centered on the Core Four that often, Mrs. G was just reduced to briefly flitting in and out from the kitchen. The show lost something special at that point, though we'd still see Mrs. Garrett for a while.

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

This is an interesting way of contrasting how different shows handled the relationship between "the help" and the home owners.

I always felt like the "Miss Fine"/"Mr. Sheffield" formal name system helped accentuate the sexual tension between them, as if they were each aware of the tension, and were overcompensating with those formal titles. It's interesting that I don't feel that way about Mr. Drummond/Mrs. Garrett at all.

Hahaha, funnily enough, I don't feel one ounce of that either! But I do agree that did add to that on "The Nanny". Also, I just realized: Mr. Drummond was already uber-wealthy while Mrs. Garrett came from modest means. And Mr. Sheffield was already uber-wealthy while Fran came from modest means. So it seems if you are a millionaire hiring "help" in several tax brackets below, you call them by a title, lol.

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

Hahaha, funnily enough, I don't feel one ounce of that either!

But I do agree that did add to that on "The Nanny". Also, I just realized: Mr. Drummond was already uber-wealthy while Mrs. Garrett came from modest means. And Mr. Sheffield was already uber-wealthy while Fran came from modest means. So it seems if you are a millionaire hiring "help" in several tax brackets below, you call them by a title, lol.

That may be the case... But then why were Mr. Drummond's next two housekeepers called by their first names?

[FOL-FAN-ITA]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

That may be the case... But then why were Mr. Drummond's next two housekeepers called by their first names?

When Adelaide first appeared on DS, she said: "Just call me Adelaide".

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by FOL-FAN-ITA

When Adelaide first appeared on DS, she said: Just call me Adelaide.

Sure, but why? Mrs. Drummond was on friendly terms with Mrs. Garrett, but there was this formality between them.

Do we remember what Mr. Drummond called the boys' mother, who had been his maid? I do not.

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Sure, but why? Mr. Drummond was on friendly terms with Mrs. Garrett, but there was this formality between them.

I get the sense that Mrs. Garrett was kind of keeping to her own self to a degree, and letting Mr. Drummond "remain in his world". Like she didn't want to disturb it, really, but would definitely step in when called for.

With Adelaide, I think because she was already so old, over 70, she didn't give a hoot about appearances of anything and just wanted it how she wanted it. I can see that.

But Pearl, though, now that really is a mystery! Who knows? Maybe when he hired her, off screen he called her Ms. Gallagher and she flinched and said, "Oh please Mr. Drummond, don't make me feel any older than I am! Just call me Pearl", lol.

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Do we remember what Mr. Drummond called the boys' mother, who had been his maid? I do not.

From binging seasons 1 and 2 this summer, I can't recall him calling her anything other than "your mother", "their mother".

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

I get the sense that Mrs. Garrett was kind of keeping to her own self to a degree, and letting Mr. Drummond "remain in his world". Like she didn't want to disturb it, really, but would definitely step in when called for.

With Adelaide, I think because she was already so old, over 70, she didn't give a hoot about appearances of anything and just wanted it how she wanted it. I can see that.

But Pearl, though, now that really is a mystery! Who knows? Maybe when he hired her, off screen he called her Ms. Gallagher and she flinched and said, "Oh please Mr. Drummond, don't make me feel any older than I am! Just call me Pearl", lol.

That does sound like both Pearl and Adelaide.

From binging seasons 1 and 2 this summer, I can't recall him calling her anything other than "your mother", "their mother".

That's not a good name to call your maid!