What if one of the actresses got pregnant? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

80s Dude · 01-08-2021, 12:22 PM

I wonder if one of the main actresses had gotten pregnant during the series run, what would they have done?

Would they have fired her like they did with Dana Plato during Different Strokes run? Would they try to hide it with strategic placing, or would they had written it in the show.

RetroGuy2000 · 01-08-2021, 12:38 PM

That's a good question. The producers of DS always maintained that Dana was fired NOT for drug use, but for getting pregnant, something I think to our modern-day eyes feels backwards and not at all just or right. It feels sexist and antiquated: no way would they have fired Todd for impregnating his girlfriend.

I suspect they would have tried to hide the pregnancy with ridiculously oversized purses, strategically placed furniture, and thick, unflattering clothing, which is what other shows used to hide unwanted pregnancies.

'80sSitcoms · 01-08-2021, 01:29 PM

Vicki Lawrence was briefly "laid off" from The Carol Burnett Show for becoming pregnant. The producer pointed out that pregnancy was in the "deformity clause" of her contract.

True story.

80s Dude · 01-08-2021, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

Vicki Lawrence was briefly "laid off" from The Carol Burnett Show for becoming pregnant. The producer pointed out that pregnancy was in the "deformity clause" of her contract.

True story.

Wow, Didn't know that.

'80sSitcoms · 01-08-2021, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80s Dude

Wow, Didn't know that.

I'll show official documentation later.

F.A.C.T

Fast
Accurate
Concise
True

Impressions · 01-10-2021, 11:41 AM

Good question. I think there would be a few scenarios here. They'd either fire her (as sexist and discriminatory as it sounds now, it would happen in the '80s), the actress would voluntary quit, and the writers would find a replacement actress in either of these scenarios (maybe one of the lost girls comes back), or, they'd weave the pregnancy in the storyline. If the storyline involved Natalie, Tootie, or Jo, and the said pregnancy was out of wedlock, I think Lisa Whelchel would object and would leave the show. Or, what's more likely, is that the actress go pregnant would be forced to marry a boyfriend (if the pregnancy didn't involve Lisa they would probably do this to satisfy her since she was so against premarital sex), and then that'd be part of the show. If it was Lisa that got pregnant, I think she'd leave the show to take care of the baby.

'80sSitcoms · 01-10-2021, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80s Dude

Wow, Didn't know that.

Here ya go, 80s Dude. You can read hear about Vicki's "punishment" for daring to become impregnated by her husband while she had a career on a television show.

(from "Vicki!", her autobiography published in 1995)

-

RetroGuy2000 · 01-11-2021, 10:02 AM

Why is part of it redacted? Vicki revealed a secret about Carol, and Carol went out and censored each copy? The government didn't want super-secret info revealed about the Carol Burnett show? The top of page 126 proves the existence of aliens?

(Also, good for Vicki and Carol fighting for women's rights!)

RetroGuy2000 · 01-11-2021, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Impressions

Good question. I think there would be a few scenarios here. They'd either fire her (as sexist and discriminatory as it sounds now, it would happen in the '80s),

Sadly, it's quite true.

Quote:

If the storyline involved Natalie, Tootie, or Jo, and the said pregnancy was out of wedlock, I think Lisa Whelchel would object and would leave the show. Or, what's more likely, is that the actress go pregnant would be forced to marry a boyfriend (if the pregnancy didn't involve Lisa they would probably do this to satisfy her since she was so against premarital sex), and then that'd be part of the show. If it was Lisa that got pregnant, I think she'd leave the show to take care of the baby.

I don't think Lisa would have ever been pregnant on the show: she didn't get married until after the show ended, so it would have been impossible for her to become pregnant until then.

'80sSitcoms · 01-11-2021, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Why is part of it redacted? Vicki revealed a secret about Carol, and Carol went out and censored each copy? The government didn't want super-secret info revealed about the Carol Burnett show? The top of page 126 proves the existence of aliens?

Lol, because it has nothing to do with this story. It was the continuation from something else discussed on the previous page. I wanted to start from a good beginning point for storytelling purposes.

I did it to avoid a distraction, but instead, you found it -- distracting!

Quote:

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

(Also, good for Vicki and Carol fighting for women's rights!)

Molly Parker would whole-heartedly agree!

The feeling was that she should be at home with her feet up knitting booties...wow...

RetroGuy2000 · 01-11-2021, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

Lol, because it has nothing to do with this story. It was the continuation from something else discussed on the previous page. I wanted to start from a good beginning point for storytelling purposes.

I did it to avoid a distraction, but instead, you found it -- distracting!

Sorry. I have a vivid imagination!

Quote:

Molly Parker would whole-heartedly agree!

The feeling was that she should be at home with her feet up knitting booties...wow...

Crazy. Just crazy.

FOL-FAN-ITA · 01-11-2021, 02:54 PM

I think Dana's pregnancy was just an excuse to remove her from the set for the reasons we know. I don't know what the producers would have done for Facts, Phylicia Rashad was kept on The Cosby Show when she was pregnant

80s Dude · 01-11-2021, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

Lol, because it has nothing to do with this story. It was the continuation from something else discussed on the previous page. I wanted to start from a good beginning point for storytelling purposes.

I did it to avoid a distraction, but instead, you found it -- distracting!

Molly Parker would whole-heartedly agree!

The feeling was that she should be at home with her feet up knitting booties...wow...

There was a post made by Molly Ringwald somewhere where she summons her inner Molly Parker and went on a rant about stay at home mothers and how she would never depend on a man for her income. I made a post about it a few months ago here, but can't find it. I also made a post about Julie Anne talking about being a tomboy. It was a "Guest which Facts of Life actress made the following quote?" It was to show that the actresses made quotes you think their characters would make.

FOL-FAN-ITA · 01-11-2021, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80s Dude

There was a post made by Molly Ringwald somewhere where she summons her inner Molly Parker and went on a rant about stay at home mothers and how she would never depend on a man for her income. I made a post about it a few months ago here, but can't find it. I also made a post about Julie Anne talking about being a tomboy. It was a "Guest which Facts of Life actress made the following quote?" It was to show that the actresses made quotes you think their characters would make.

I'm surprised how many similarities the fictional Molly and the real Molly have

01-08-2021, 12:22 PM	#1
80s Dude Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 24, 2019 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,820	What if one of the actresses got pregnant? I wonder if one of the main actresses had gotten pregnant during the series run, what would they have done? Would they have fired her like they did with Dana Plato during Different Strokes run? Would they try to hide it with strategic placing, or would they had written it in the show.

01-08-2021, 12:38 PM	#2
RetroGuy2000 Julie,Julie Anne,&Felice 4Ever Forum Star Join Date: Dec 27, 2013 Posts: 16,914	That's a good question. The producers of DS always maintained that Dana was fired NOT for drug use, but for getting pregnant, something I think to our modern-day eyes feels backwards and not at all just or right. It feels sexist and antiquated: no way would they have fired Todd for impregnating his girlfriend. I suspect they would have tried to hide the pregnancy with ridiculously oversized purses, strategically placed furniture, and thick, unflattering clothing, which is what other shows used to hide unwanted pregnancies.
	__________________ The Facts of Life's "Lost Girls" Tribute to Julie Piekarski, Eastland Girl Join "The Group", Sitcoms Online's Facts of Life group!

01-08-2021, 01:29 PM	#3
'80sSitcoms Member Forum Star Join Date: Jan 30, 2013 Posts: 12,474	Vicki Lawrence was briefly "laid off" from The Carol Burnett Show for becoming pregnant. The producer pointed out that pregnancy was in the "deformity clause" of her contract. True story.
	__________________ "The Facts of Life" - re-imagined episode guide with all 8 girls in all 9 seasons

01-11-2021, 02:54 PM	#12
FOL-FAN-ITA Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 29, 2019 Location: Italy Posts: 1,473	I think Dana's pregnancy was just an excuse to remove her from the set for the reasons we know. I don't know what the producers would have done for Facts, Phylicia Rashad was kept on The Cosby Show when she was pregnant
	__________________ The Facts Of Life Italian Fan

01-10-2021, 11:41 AM	#6
Impressions She died the way she lived Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 08, 2002 Posts: 4,640	Good question. I think there would be a few scenarios here. They'd either fire her (as sexist and discriminatory as it sounds now, it would happen in the '80s), the actress would voluntary quit, and the writers would find a replacement actress in either of these scenarios (maybe one of the lost girls comes back), or, they'd weave the pregnancy in the storyline. If the storyline involved Natalie, Tootie, or Jo, and the said pregnancy was out of wedlock, I think Lisa Whelchel would object and would leave the show. Or, what's more likely, is that the actress go pregnant would be forced to marry a boyfriend (if the pregnancy didn't involve Lisa they would probably do this to satisfy her since she was so against premarital sex), and then that'd be part of the show. If it was Lisa that got pregnant, I think she'd leave the show to take care of the baby.

01-11-2021, 10:02 AM	#8
RetroGuy2000 Julie,Julie Anne,&Felice 4Ever Forum Star Join Date: Dec 27, 2013 Posts: 16,914	Why is part of it redacted? Vicki revealed a secret about Carol, and Carol went out and censored each copy? The government didn't want super-secret info revealed about the Carol Burnett show? The top of page 126 proves the existence of aliens? (Also, good for Vicki and Carol fighting for women's rights!)