What would you like to see covered in the new documentary?

[80s Dude]

What subjects would you like to see in the new documentary? First thing I hope that it's not a rehash of information we knew from past documentaries.

I would like to see:

* The order that the lost girls got fired. Who was the original 4th girl to have stayed?

* What was it like on Molly's last appearance. What were the other lost girl reactions.

* How much say that Charlotte Rae have in who stayed and in scripts.

* Were Pamela Adlon allegations of altered scripts to make her character more unlikable and the cold shoulders from Lisa and Nancy M. true?

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by 80s Dude

* How much say that Charlotte Rae have in who stayed and in scripts.

Well we know she had zero say in who stayed.

And I don't think she had any script input, but we'd have to check sources again.

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by 80s Dude

What subjects would you like to see in the new documentary? First thing I hope that it's not a rehash of information we knew from past documentaries.

I would like to see:

* The order that the lost girls got fired. Who was the original 4th girl to have stayed?

I would definitely like clarification about this. "The Facts of Life Girls" says it was Julie Anne, another biography says Molly felt to do film.

* What was it like on Molly's last appearance. What were the other lost girl reactions.

I would love to get this info!

* How much say that Charlotte Rae have in who stayed and in scripts.

As you say, Charlotte was able to get some scripts amended. She got the slur amended, after all. (Conversely, Margie takes the credit for Cynthia dying).

* Were Pamela Adlon allegations of altered scripts to make her character more unlikable and the cold shoulders from Lisa and Nancy M. true?

I don't think Pamela will appear in this documentary. But I think we have seen enough from other girls -- who have revealed the producers weren't always honest/forthcoming with them -- to see where the trouble really was.

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by 80s Dude

What subjects would you like to see in the new documentary? First thing I hope that it's not a rehash of information we knew from past documentaries.

Same here. But I think we'll definitely get some new info, because the focus clearly won't be as much on the Core Four, and we'll possibly have some in-depth discussion with John, Geri, Felice, Julie, and Julie Anne. The documentary is two hours long, which might allow for some juicy details to be revealed.

What I fear is that, because the project was filmed by Peacock, a branch of NBC, is that we'll get the same old tired explanations ("ten, twelve girls", "low ratings", etc.) from the same people in previous documentaries. I don't need to hear from Warren Littlefield laughing about Molly getting canned. But because he's already appeared in an episode of Behind Closed Doors, I strongly suspect he will appear. It's almost inevitable.

What I hope for is more balance to this documentary. But I guess we shall see...

[80s Dude]

Just because Charlotte Rae said she had no decision or influence on casting change doesn't make it true. After all, she was influential on getting Mindy Cohn on the show and I don't think they would have fired her after the first season because she was Charlotte's project.

Charlotte Rae did change a reference to a gay person one time in a script because she viewed it as a slur. I also read that she suggested that Molly's mother be taken out of Molly's Holiday because the ending was too happy and unrealistic. The way the episode ended was much more real.

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by 80s Dude

Just because Charlotte Rae said she had no decision or influence on casting change doesn't make it true. After all, she was influential on getting Mindy Cohn on the show and I don't think they would have fired her after the first season because she was Charlotte's project.

She was saying she had no say in who stayed and who left at the end of season 1. That excludes Mindy and Nancy McKeon.

Originally Posted by 80s Dude

Charlotte Rae did change a reference to a gay person one time in a script because she viewed it as a slur.

It would be interesting to know what episode that was, because other than "Rough Housing", there wasn't really anything that could be thought of as "gay" that came up in an episode (at least none that I can think of right now).

Originally Posted by 80s Dude

I also read that she suggested that Molly's mother be taken out of Molly's Holiday because the ending was too happy and unrealistic. The way the episode ended was much more real.

That is interesting, if that is true. Odd how it's never appeared in a documentary/interview or her own book.