Another Room

[Sitcommania]

Today I listened to Let’s Face the Facts’ “Another Room” episode. They hated it. I don’t get why, I’ve always liked this one. They thought it was crazy that the door to new bedroom was built into the main bedroom. Uh, well it’s a TV show and the characters still need access to one another. It’s also easy access to the bathroom.

Another source of complaining on this podcast is the mentioning of traits or characters that were never mentioned before a particular episode; for example, Jo playing the piano. In general, why is it so wild to accept a TV character’s trait that is being introduced for the first time? A more recent example is the appearance of Mr. Big’s brother in And Just Like That. I saw at least one review in which the writer said something like “he’s never been mentioned before. Where’d he come from?”. What do people want, a family tree and dossier for every character the moment they first appear on screen? I think this come from shows like Game of Thrones, where everyone is connected and their hosties have an impact on the whole story; well, that works for Game of Thrones, but not FOL. I like finding out new details about characters over the run of the series. As Boots would say, “N’est pas?”

[80s Dude]

We have mentioned about Jo's sudden piano skills appearance in "Summer of 84". Why didn't we see these before? How was Jo's mother able to afford piano lessons and why didn't she use them at Eastland?

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by Sitcommania

Another source of complaining on this podcast is the mentioning of traits or characters that were never mentioned before a particular episode; for example, Jo playing the piano. In general, why is it so wild to accept a TV character’s trait that is being introduced for the first time?

It all depends on how it's done, ad how believable it is. We welcome Tootie's brother Marshall because in "Who Am I?" in season 2, she mentions having brothers. But Jo playing the piano is too much for our suspension of disbelief.

Originally Posted by 80s Dude

We have mentioned about Jo's sudden piano skills appearance in "Summer of 84". Why didn't we see these before? How was Jo's mother able to afford piano lessons and why didn't she use them at Eastland?

And how was Jo able to play so easily like a professional when there was no piano in the lounge to practice on? Sure, there was one in the auditorium, but what about sheet music to play? What about lessons to further herself? And when would she have had time to practice what with all of her kitchen and cafeteria/lounge chores on top of her full-time school work and her tinkering with her bike?

Are we just supposed to believe she's a natural-born piano prodigy who's the Liberace from the Bronx?

What's astounding is "Summer of '84" (the first piano episode) was written by show veterans Linda and Margie. The women knew these characters so well, yet expected us to believe that.

Then again, Linda and Margie also wrote "Best Sister," expecting us to believe Jo's sudden discovery of religion when she never revealed any inclination toward it before.

[RetroGuy2000]

I, too, thought it was weird that Nat and Tootie's bedroom didn't open onto the hallway, and instead opened into Blair and Jo's bedroom. That's not how you plan bedrooms, and since we'd previously seen them reach the attic in other ways, it just didn't make sense.

Jo's concert-level piano skills come out of nowhere. I don't buy them. Not that they were for sale, actually. If Jo could play piano, why wasn't she playing the piano in "Green-Eyed Monster"? Instead, Second Brenda (not Adequate Brenda) plays the piano, irritating Miss Downes with her flourishes.

[Sitcommania]

Originally Posted by 80s Dude

We have mentioned about Jo's sudden piano skills appearance in "Summer of 84". Why didn't we see these before? How was Jo's mother able to afford piano lessons and why didn't she use them at Eastland?

She said she learned from the piano player at her mom’s cocktail lounge, right?

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by Sitcommania

She said she learned from the piano player at her mom’s cocktail lounge, right?

That seemed like a contrived explanation. She would have had to have studied under that pianist for years to be at the talent level she allegedly had. And even if she did, going without practicing for years would have her skill regress.

[Sitcommania]

There are people who can learn the piano (and other instruments) by listening and playing by ear.

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by Sitcommania

There are people who can learn the piano (and other instruments) by listening and playing by ear.

Yes, including me, but her skill level was unbelievable for what they were asking us to believe based on our experience of Jo over the past several years.

[Lorimar Television]

It would’ve been better if we actually saw the room. We get to eventually in The First Time but then it’s never shown again.

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by Lorimar Television

It would’ve been better if we actually saw the room. We get to eventually in The First Time but then it’s never shown again.

That was The First Time -- and The Last Time!

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

That was The First Time -- and The Last Time!

[Lorimar Television]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

That was The First Time -- and The Last Time!

Exactly