"The Facts of Afterlife" (or "Eastland Ghosts")

['80sSitcoms]

So I've fallen in love with the new show "Ghosts" on CBS, and that show just proves even more that "Facts" could have indeed worked with "10, 12" girls.

"Ghosts" has 10 main characters, along with some recurring ones.

"Facts" had 10 main characters in its 1979 episodes.

"Ghosts" has clearly identified characters with a vast array of personalities that work perfectly within its show.

And one thing that it does which is a fresh take on a show is that even though the 8 ghosts are all main characters, they're not all in every episode. Each ones takes their turn being "Nancied" out of certain scripts. So if "Facts" wanted to make its original format work, that's something they could have considered: Just not have every girl in every episode.

And it doesn't feel odd on "Ghosts" because the mansion and grounds are enormous, so who knows what "missing" ghosts are doing on the property during any given episode if they're not on screen.

Same with "Facts": We could assume Cindy's at sports practice during one episode, or Blair's out with a boy, or Molly's engaging in activist causes, or Sue Ann's having a track day.

What a simple solution to tweaking the show's format. And of course, balancing the writing out in general would have been an enormous help.

['80sSitcoms]

Let's see if can make some counterparts between Eastland and Woodstone:

Nancy - Flower (Nancy's kind of in her own little world, as Flower is in her own little "high" world [and Nancy left to have a flower put in her hair] )

Blair - Trevor (Blair's self-centered, loves money and success, and was "naughty" in her earlier days)

Sue Ann - Hetty (both terribly traditional and conservative)

Cindy - Isaac (Cindy's a tomboy and Isaac is a Revolutionary War soldier, and both are linked to homosexuality--Cindy implied for it in Rough Housing, and Isaac a closeted gay man)

Molly - Pete (the intelligent, resourceful dorks of the groups)

Natalie - Sasappis (observer, sardonic, wise-cracker of the groups)

Tootie - Alberta (ambitious stage performers)

Jo - Thorfinn (the most masculine ones, lol)

👻👻👻👻👻👻👻👻

['80sSitcoms]

And since on "Ghosts" Samantha can see and hear the ghosts but Jay cannot, maybe Mrs. Garrett could see and hear the girls but Mr. Bradley couldn't. And "spirited" shenanigans ensue!

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

So I've fallen in love with the new show "Ghosts" on CBS, and that show just proves even more that "Facts" could have indeed worked with "10, 12" girls.

"Ghosts" has 10 main characters, along with some recurring ones.

"Facts" had 10 main characters in its 1979 episodes.

"Ghosts" has clearly identified characters with a vast array of personalities that work perfectly within its show.

And one thing that it does which is a fresh take on a show is that even though the 8 ghosts are all main characters, they're not all in every episode. Each ones takes their turn being "Nancied" out of certain scripts. So if "Facts" wanted to make its original format work, that's something they could have considered: Just not have every girl in every episode.

And it doesn't feel odd on "Ghosts" because the mansion and grounds are enormous, so who knows what "missing" ghosts are doing on the property during any given episode if they're not on screen.

Same with "Facts": We could assume Cindy's at sports practice during one episode, or Blair's out with a boy, or Molly's engaging in activist causes, or Sue Ann's having a track day.

What a simple solution to tweaking the show's format. And of course, balancing the writing out in general would have been an enormous help.

I haven't watched Ghosts, but some good points, there. Nowadays, it is crazy to think that a tiny, five-person cast makes any sense. And after the cast was reduced to just five, they kept trying to enlarge the cast with new cast members who just didn't last long.

[80s Dude]

You can find the first episode here first.
https://www.cbs.com/shows/ghosts/vid.../ghosts-pilot/

[80s Dude]

The house reminds me of the house in Highcliff Manor, the comedy Miss Mahoney was in a short time before Facts of Life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApmzA9Bxyu8&t=184s

[FOL-FAN-ITA]

Ahah, great topic, Eighty.

Now we know the Ouija board belongs to Mrs. Garrett

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

I haven't watched Ghosts, but some good points, there.

I think you would enjoy it. It's very cleverly written, very funny, with great interaction of different personalities. And it's not just all laughs. It has made me laugh out loud very hard at times, but at times it has sweet moments that catch you off guard and touch you in an unexpected way. It's amazing and rare to find a show that makes you both belly laugh and get choked up with tears in your eyes.

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by 80s Dude

You can find the first episode here first.
https://www.cbs.com/shows/ghosts/vid.../ghosts-pilot/

And if you have On Demand, all 13-so-far episodes are on there. That's where I started binging and fell in love with the show.

Originally Posted by 80s Dude

The house reminds me of the house in Highcliff Manor, the comedy Miss Mahoney was in a short time before Facts of Life.

Haha, great Facts connection!

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by FOL-FAN-ITA

Ahah, great topic, Eighty.

Now we know the Ouija board belongs to Mrs. Garrett

Hahaha! She can summon the girls!

[80s Dude]

I can see Warren Littlefield commenting on this "There are a two dozen, three dozen ghosts. There are too many. I don't care who you exorcise, get rid of some of them."

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by 80s Dude

I can see Warren Littlefield commenting on this "There are a two dozen, three dozen ghosts. There are too many. I don't care who you exorcise, get rid of some of them."

['80sSitcoms]