What if Felice Schachter played Kimberly instead of Dana Plato

[TMC]

She was apparently pulled out and replaced by Dana Plato at the last minute. To make up for this she was the first girl cast in the spin-off The Facts of Life.

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by TMC

She was apparently pulled out and replaced by Dana Plato at the last minute. To make up for this she was the first girl cast in the spin-off The Facts of Life.

First girl cast, and also first girl let go.

Had Felice stayed on DS, things would have been very different: Dana had introduced Todd to drugs, and she herself had developed a habit. Felice wasn't into drugs, and instead wanted to go to college and had already selected Brown University. With Felice in the role, there would have been no "Diff'rent Strokes curse": just Gary Coleman acting like a brat on set.

[stevea]

Never knew this--I wonder if Todd would have gotten into less trouble much later without Dana. Her story alone is a sad one.

I'd also heard Gary caused a lot of trouble on the set. I read someplace he heavily factored into Dixie's departure. I know many fans of the show didn't like her, but I did--I think she livened things up when they needed it.

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by stevea

Never knew this--I wonder if Todd would have gotten into less trouble much later without Dana. Her story alone is a sad one.

I think it's likely Todd would have stayed out of trouble if it hadn't been for Dana. Todd said Dana was the one who introduced him to bad stuff.

Dana's story is sad indeed. I still remember the moment I learned of her passing.

I'd also heard Gary caused a lot of trouble on the set.

Kim Fields' book confirms this. She stated that both Dana and Gary were unprofessional on the set. There's a story that Gary, one time, was screaming for hamburgers because he didn't want to eat the craft service. I guess someone must have gone across the street to THE Denny's.

I read someplace he heavily factored into Dixie's departure.

I believe he was the sole reason. She certainly didn't leave because she didn't like network TV or sitcoms: she went on to Designing Women.

I know many fans of the show didn't like her, but I did--I think she livened things up when they needed it.

I liked Maggie and felt like she freshened up the show, continuing the storyline of a blended family with new blended family members.

[stevea]

Yep, she freshened the show, and really so did Sam. I really didn't even mind him (so many couldn't stand him) except when he tried to sing (almost as bad as Ricky on the Partridges).

I really did like the seventh season, but except for a few episodes, the eighth season never should have happened.

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by stevea

Yep, she freshened the show, and really so did Sam. I really didn't even mind him (so many couldn't stand him) except when he tried to sing (almost as bad as Ricky on the Partridges).

This is a minority opinion, but I agree with you: Sam was okay when he wasn't singing.

I really did like the seventh season, but except for a few episodes, the eighth season never should have happened.

I like "Bulimia" and "Willis Goes to College", but I largely agree. Too many episodes focused on Sam, not enough on the original family dynamic, and some episodes felt forced. Couldn't they have gotten Charlotte Rae to make a few guest spots?

[stevea]

With Sam's dad played by Hoyt Axton, I guess that started the singing, unfortunately. I haven't seen that episode in awhile.

Nor have I seen Willis Goes to College in quite awhile, but thumbs up to Bulimia. I think i wrote in another thread that there was even some pretty good comedy in that otherwise-serious episode.

I remember years ago BET always skipped Bulimia for some reason. Then when Starz Black picked up the show, they showed it.

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by stevea

With Sam's dad played by Hoyt Axton, I guess that started the singing, unfortunately. I haven't seen that episode in awhile.

Nor have I seen Willis Goes to College in quite awhile, but thumbs up to Bulimia. I think i wrote in another thread that there was even some pretty good comedy in that otherwise-serious episode.

I remember years ago BET always skipped Bulimia for some reason. Then when Starz Black picked up the show, they showed it.

Yeah, it was the same with The Facts of Life: Nick at Nite and USA both skipped certain episodes, mostly the controversial ones, so no "The Facts of Love", no "Dope", and no "Fear Strikes Back".

Which brings me back to Felice. I wonder if she had stayed in the role of Kimberly, would they have actually allowed her any lines? Felice only ended up with lines in "The Girls' School" (DS), "IQ" (FOL), "Gossip" (FOL) and "The Little Chill" (FOL). Her parts in the other episodes were tiny.

[stevea]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Yeah, it was the same with The Facts of Life: Nick at Nite and USA both skipped certain episodes, mostly the controversial ones, so no "The Facts of Love", no "Dope", and no "Fear Strikes Back".

Which brings me back to Felice. I wonder if she had stayed in the role of Kimberly, would they have actually allowed her any lines? Felice only ended up with lines in "The Girls' School" (DS), "IQ" (FOL), "Gossip" (FOL) and "The Little Chill" (FOL). Her parts in the other episodes were tiny.

Yet there seemed to be no problem with the Bicycle Man episodes, and those make me cringe, esp. the second part. IIRC TV Land showed them with the Conrad Bain warning at the beginning.

You do have to wonder what would have happened with her as Kimberly. For one thing, Kimberly would have been a regular part of the 7th season.

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by stevea

Yet there seemed to be no problem with the Bicycle Man episodes, and those make me cringe, esp. the second part. IIRC TV Land showed them with the Conrad Bain warning at the beginning.

I haven't seen The Bicycle Man in years, and don't want to now.

You do have to wonder what would have happened with her as Kimberly. For one thing, Kimberly would have been a regular part of the 7th season.

With Felice's luck, the producers would have written Kimberly as having gone to France in Season 2.

Felice is still a bit bitter about being replaced by the "All-American" Dana Plato. Felice's air quotes around "All-American" are legendary on the Facts board! She's a bit salty, and I love it!

[icecream]

Dana Plato is a much better actress than Felice Schachter. I am glad the role didn't stay with Felice.

[stevea]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I haven't seen The Bicycle Man in years, and don't want to now.

Nor have I. Unfortunately, once you've seen it, you can't "un-watch" it.

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by icecream

Dana Plato is a much better actress than Felice Schachter. I am glad the role didn't stay with Felice.

But maybe if Dana had not become a child star overnight, she could have gotten some help. There's no doubt Dana was a very good actress: she played squeaky- clean Kimberly while engaging in a lot of adult, even illegal, behavior. Many never would have suspected, based on her "All-American" looks and pretty face, that she was capable of holding up a video store.

Kimberly Drummond wasn't Dana's first acting role, but it was the role which launched her into the public's conscience. Dana could have been an Olympic skater, which could have kept her away from drug use, what with mandatory drug screenings. She could have still been famous, but in an environment that supported a healthier lifestyle.

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by stevea

Nor have I. Unfortunately, once you've seen it, you can't "un-watch" it.

Exactly.

[RetroGuy2000]

Felice just couldn't top Dana in the "All-American looks" category.