Should Roy the bakery delivery boy been barred from Eastland's campus - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 05-03-2022, 04:38 AM

He continues to pursue Jo over several episodes after she tells him no repeatedly and angrily makes it clear she isn't interested. And all of this is played for laughs. But wouldn't in real life, especially in a more modern context, Roy's behavior be rightfully considered stalking and harassment? I mean, didn't Jo when you get right down to it, have a justifiable cause to file a restraining order against Roy?

This is off topic, but what blows my mind is that Roy was played by Loren Lester, who would go on to portray Dick Grayson/Robin on Batman: The Animated Series.

80s Dude · 05-03-2022, 09:10 PM

Different era.

'80sSitcoms · 05-09-2022, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80s Dude

Different era.

Exactly. This was 1982. No one would have batted an eye.

FanO'The80s · 09-28-2022, 11:29 PM

If sexual harassment had been around in the 80s , then yes, Roy should have been barred from the Eastland campus . ( plus he couldn't be allowed within 100 feet of Jo )

80s Dude · 09-29-2022, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FanO'The80s

If sexual harassment had been around in the 80s , then yes, Roy should have been barred from the Eastland campus . ( plus he couldn't be allowed within 100 feet of Jo )

Sexual harrassment was around in the 80s. See the Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings.

FOL-FAN-ITA · 10-02-2022, 12:36 PM

For today's audience he would be creepy (but he was creepy even back then

)

FanO'The80s · 10-02-2022, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FOL-FAN-ITA

For today's audience he would be creepy (but he was creepy even back then

)

Yes...so true!!

hch · 01-27-2026, 08:03 PM

In a modern context, Roy would almost certainly be hit with a restraining order and lose his job at the bakery. His character is a prime example of the "persistent suitor" trope from 1980s sitcoms that has aged incredibly poorly.

Here is a breakdown of why Roy’s behavior was problematic, even by the standards of the time:

The "Stalking as Romance" Trope
In the Season 3 episode "Front Page", Roy's introduction sets the tone. He is significantly older than Jo (who is 15 or 16), yet he relentlessly pursues her. By today’s standards, this isn't "charming persistence"—it is harassment of a minor.

Ignoring Consent: Jo's "no" was frequent, loud, and angry. In the '80s, writers often used this as a "tsundere" dynamic, implying that the girl secretly liked the attention but was playing hard to get.

The Power Imbalance: Roy was an adult with a vehicle and a job, while Jo was a student restricted to a campus. His ability to show up at her school uninvited would be flagged by Campus Security today as a major safety breach.

The "Played for Laughs" Shield
The show used laugh tracks to tell the audience that Roy’s behavior was "cute." This served to gaslight the character of Jo, making her justifiable anger look like "feistiness."

The "Core Four" Reaction: Often, the other girls (especially Blair) would tease Jo about Roy rather than supporting her boundaries, which further normalized the harassment.

Mrs. Garrett’s Role: Even Mrs. Garrett, the moral compass of the show, rarely stepped in to bar him from the kitchen, prioritizing "politeness" over Jo's clear discomfort.

Restraining Order Potential
Under modern Stalking Laws, Roy’s repeated uninvited appearances at Jo’s place of residence and work (the school/shop) after being told to stay away would constitute "a course of conduct" intended to cause emotional distress. Jo would have had every right to involve the Peekskill Police Department.
It is a jarring contrast to the "progressive" themes of the show (like Natalie's body positivity) to see such a blatant disregard for personal boundaries in the Jo/Roy arc.

Do you think the writers used Roy as a "placeholder" because they weren't sure how to write a healthy romantic interest for a "tough girl" like Jo?

05-03-2022, 04:38 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 124,387	Should Roy the bakery delivery boy been barred from Eastland's campus He continues to pursue Jo over several episodes after she tells him no repeatedly and angrily makes it clear she isn't interested. And all of this is played for laughs. But wouldn't in real life, especially in a more modern context, Roy's behavior be rightfully considered stalking and harassment? I mean, didn't Jo when you get right down to it, have a justifiable cause to file a restraining order against Roy? This is off topic, but what blows my mind is that Roy was played by Loren Lester, who would go on to portray Dick Grayson/Robin on Batman: The Animated Series.
	Last edited by TMC; 05-05-2022 at 03:45 AM.

10-02-2022, 12:36 PM	#6
FOL-FAN-ITA Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 29, 2019 Location: Italy Posts: 1,473	For today's audience he would be creepy (but he was creepy even back then )
	__________________ The Facts Of Life Italian Fan

01-27-2026, 08:03 PM	#8
hch Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 07, 2001 Location: Montross, VA 22520 Posts: 983	In a modern context, Roy would almost certainly be hit with a restraining order and lose his job at the bakery. His character is a prime example of the "persistent suitor" trope from 1980s sitcoms that has aged incredibly poorly. Here is a breakdown of why Roy’s behavior was problematic, even by the standards of the time: The "Stalking as Romance" Trope In the Season 3 episode "Front Page", Roy's introduction sets the tone. He is significantly older than Jo (who is 15 or 16), yet he relentlessly pursues her. By today’s standards, this isn't "charming persistence"—it is harassment of a minor. Ignoring Consent: Jo's "no" was frequent, loud, and angry. In the '80s, writers often used this as a "tsundere" dynamic, implying that the girl secretly liked the attention but was playing hard to get. The Power Imbalance: Roy was an adult with a vehicle and a job, while Jo was a student restricted to a campus. His ability to show up at her school uninvited would be flagged by Campus Security today as a major safety breach. The "Played for Laughs" Shield The show used laugh tracks to tell the audience that Roy’s behavior was "cute." This served to gaslight the character of Jo, making her justifiable anger look like "feistiness." The "Core Four" Reaction: Often, the other girls (especially Blair) would tease Jo about Roy rather than supporting her boundaries, which further normalized the harassment. Mrs. Garrett’s Role: Even Mrs. Garrett, the moral compass of the show, rarely stepped in to bar him from the kitchen, prioritizing "politeness" over Jo's clear discomfort. Restraining Order Potential Under modern Stalking Laws, Roy’s repeated uninvited appearances at Jo’s place of residence and work (the school/shop) after being told to stay away would constitute "a course of conduct" intended to cause emotional distress. Jo would have had every right to involve the Peekskill Police Department. It is a jarring contrast to the "progressive" themes of the show (like Natalie's body positivity) to see such a blatant disregard for personal boundaries in the Jo/Roy arc. Do you think the writers used Roy as a "placeholder" because they weren't sure how to write a healthy romantic interest for a "tough girl" like Jo?
	__________________ "You don't own the rights or the patent on scuffling!" Willona from "Good Times" Last edited by hch; 01-27-2026 at 08:04 PM. Reason: Erase a mistake

05-03-2022, 09:10 PM	#2
80s Dude Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 24, 2019 Location: Toronto Posts: 3,810	Different era.

09-28-2022, 11:29 PM	#4
FanO'The80s Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Sep 26, 2022 Location: Earth Posts: 72	If sexual harassment had been around in the 80s , then yes, Roy should have been barred from the Eastland campus . ( plus he couldn't be allowed within 100 feet of Jo )