FOL Reunion Movie--NOT what I expected - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Homerun Helen · 09-19-2002, 12:33 AM

Just watched the Facts of Life Reunion Movie today and can say it was a major disappointment. I know I'll probably *tick off* some die-hard FOL fans by saying this, but it was, hands-down, one of the worst Reunion shows I've seen. The story/plot was pathetic. Like 2 hot, suave, sexy Chippendales are gonna fight over Natalie, YEAH RIGHT. If they were going to pick 2 guys to fight over Natalie, they should've chosen John Goodman and Jerry Lewis--that would've made more sense. Then we have the POOR cinematography. Who filmed this anyway? A first semester film student at NYU?? I got a headache watching the camera ZOOM from one scene to the next. Then we have the jumbeled up soap-opera like story switching from "Dorothy's " acting/passion for theater, then we switch over to Blair's posssibly, tenative failing marriage that ends up just being SECRET charity work for disadvantaged kids (Awwwwwww

), THEN we've got Pierce Brosnan and Patrick Swayze fighting over Mindy Cohen, not to mention some frugal gourmet getting hot pants over watching Mrs. G's @$$ shake in the kitchen!!

The ending is what really did it for me though. I must say I am embarassed for the cast while viewing this. They bump up Thanksgiving a day early because the hot, lucious, too hot to trot, I'm too sexy for my Slim Fast, Natalie has to work in PAKISTAN. So let's all up and change the course of history for Natalie! Let's all sit down to a fabulous gourmet cuisine prepared by Mrs. G and a couple of 12 year old girls and have the usual cheesy, all too perfect sermon by Mrs. Garrett. NOW, we'll all dance. Yeah, you heard me DANCE! To the Pointer Sisters and Devo!! Yee Haw! (Incidently, I'm writing this at almost 1 a.m. I'm finding it difficult to sleep after watching Charlotte Rae dance to Devo's "Whip It")

Altogether, this movie should've been postponed until a more entertaining and respectable script was written--for the sake of the casts' reputation's and for the fan's that have been waiting for this for over 10 years. Also, you cannot have a Facts of Life reunion without Nancy McKeon--she was JO for Christ's Sake!! You don't make cake without flour do you?? The Facts of Life Reunion was a flop; downright stupid jokes, too many inconsistencies, generic filming, ludicrous plot, no Nancy McKeon (instead we get Jo Jr. the electric guitar playing virtuoso), and lastly I thought we could've done without the Bugs Bunny type cartoon sound effects.

So there you go. One critical review of what could've been an otherwise entertaining and heart-warming reunion movie.

So much for that.

Czas na Zywiec · 09-19-2002, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Homerun Helen
Like 2 hot, suave, sexy Chippendales are gonna fight over Natalie, YEAH RIGHT. If they were going to pick 2 guys to fight over Natalie, they should've chosen John Goodman and Jerry Lewis--that would've made more sense.

Natalie had a great personality and an awesome sense of humor. Who cares if she's a little on the chubby side? I happened to think that Natalie looked beautiful, despite what some people said about her haircut, I thought it was great! They saw Natalie for what she was on the INSIDE, not on the OUTSIDE. That's what I hate about people like you, you always judge people by how hot they look or how thin they are. Well all that's fake, cause it's what inside that counts.

Flash72 · 09-19-2002, 01:15 AM

I am glad to see someone else that did not love the ill fated and poorly made FOL reunion. Having been an original viewer back in the 80's I was looking forward to the often postponed reunion and was glad they didn't continue with the idea of killing off Jo but was gravely disappointed after watching the film.

To me the reunion was full of slapstick foolishness (and full of "other" things) that did not belong in a fol movie and the storyline was atrocious to say the least. While it was great to see the fol stars again it was a disgrace to see the manner in which their famous roles were portrayed. The movie did not feel like "Facts of Life" to me and in my opinion that is the key ingredient in a successful reunion film; it has to recapture the "essence" of the tv show upon which the movie is based. Sadly this is not the case in many reunions with one of the lone exceptions being "Return to Mayberry." I felt that the reunion only had its moments during this travesty such as the somewhat faithful recreation of the Eastland cafeteria and the initial moments when characters reconnected. I am surprised that the writers did not resort to placing Charlotte Rae into a bikini and having her sing "Hot Stuff."

Hey the way in which this telefilm was scripted anything was possible.........

Hot4Pippa · 09-19-2002, 01:19 AM

Yeah, what's inside is what matters. We've all heard this and adhere to it with all of our will. But lets get serious here. This IS two guys like Pierce Brosnan and Patrick Swayze. So unless these hommes are like "Shallow Hal", I just don't see this scenario happening. Then again, this *is* TV. And FOL. I suppose this mix could lend itself to two Greek Gods fawning after good ol' Mindy.

Feh... they should've gone after Pippa! She's the real gem! w000t!!!

Oh, and my hats off to Nancy McKeon for not committing career suicide by starring in this ... uhh... movie ... disaster... whatever you wanna call it.

Hmm... someone should have a Brady Bunch VS FOL Reuinion!! Yeah, that would rock pretty hard. Eve Plumb could stand up to Tootie any day! And what about Ms. G and Alice!! It'd be a Brawl for All at Eastland!

Dude, Pippa owns me.

Shelley · 09-19-2002, 01:27 AM

I liked it despite you all said, except for Chris.

CinD · 09-19-2002, 05:48 AM

I'd have to agree with what some of you said, I also was disappointed in the script. Granted, I was absolutely THRILLED that they even had a FOL reunion in the first place (also being a fan and viewer of the series when it originally ran).

And to me the biggest disappointment by far was not having Nancy Mckeon reprise her role as Jo in the movie. Seems like they could've held out while they BEGGED, PLEADED, GROVELLED to Nancy to join and then made the reunion 8)

But i'm not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, even though it wasn't one of the greatest series reunion movies, at least they HAD one, yknow?

edit: added the Jo part

Czas na Zywiec · 09-19-2002, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hot4Pippa
Yeah, what's inside is what matters. We've all heard this and adhere to it with all of our will. But lets get serious here. This IS two guys like Pierce Brosnan and Patrick Swayze. So unless these hommes are like "Shallow Hal", I just don't see this scenario happening. Then again, this *is* TV. And FOL. I suppose this mix could lend itself to two Greek Gods fawning after good ol' Mindy.

Feh... they should've gone after Pippa! She's the real gem! w000t!!!

Oh, and my hats off to Nancy McKeon for not committing career suicide by starring in this ... uhh... movie ... disaster... whatever you wanna call it.

Hmm... someone should have a Brady Bunch VS FOL Reuinion!! Yeah, that would rock pretty hard. Eve Plumb could stand up to Tootie any day! And what about Ms. G and Alice!! It'd be a Brawl for All at Eastland!

Dude, Pippa owns me.

Why do msot of you have this weird notion that it was "wrong and "unbelievable" for two men chasing after Natalie? God all you people ever care about is looks looks looks looks looks. I bet if there were two guys after Jo (If she was in the movie at all and wasn't married) then there'd be no problem cause it's played by good ol "thin" Nancy McKeon. I swear some of the peoples obsessions (Not all of you) are getting to point where it's getting sick. Sorry for being so negative but I'm just mad because people are saying it's not natural for two guys to go after Nat.

ChickenLegz · 09-19-2002, 05:50 PM

Yeah-I think this was one of the worst reuion movies. IMO if you dont have all of the main cast back, you have no reuion movie. I think Nancy made the right choice not to contribute in this movie-yeah-she would have commited career suicide. Why would Jo's daughter go to her mothers reuion? I mean she could have went with Jo. I thought it was lame how they made Jamie an almost exact replica of her mother. This royally sucked.

Kristina · 09-19-2002, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Homerun Helen
Like 2 hot, suave, sexy Chippendales are gonna fight over Natalie, YEAH RIGHT.

that was fuuuuuuuuuunny!

ks · 09-19-2002, 06:27 PM

It wasn't the best movie I've ever seen, but I didn't expect it to be.

However, I agree with Chris, lay off Natalie!

ks

Homerun Helen · 09-19-2002, 07:56 PM

That shouldn't be too difficult.....

ABlairican Pie · 09-19-2002, 09:33 PM

I didn't see the re-airing of it last weekend, but I have it on tape.
I liked it, it was funny, it was cute, but I do agree that it could have been done a little better, it seemed that Blair's marital woes were not as central to the plot as they could have been. We barely saw Tad, and it could have mad a great storyline to see her more involved. (Which is why we should have had Jo.) I COULD see the part with two hunky guys going for Nat, it IS what's inside that counts. They are attracted to certain things about her personality--are any of us REALLY solely attracted to looks?? And I think as I saw it, Robert could have gone for Dorothy at the end, she was widowed and he shared in her interest in the theater.

You know what I think?.........................SEQUEL!!!!

And I could even write it...You should see the FOL major motion picture script I'm working on now!!!!

MrsGarrettRocksMySocks · 09-19-2002, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Blair's My Cherry Pie
I didn't see the re-airing of it last weekend, but I have it on tape.
I liked it, it was funny, it was cute, but I do agree that it could have been done a little better, it seemed that Blair's marital woes were not as central to the plot as they could have been. We barely saw Tad, and it could have mad a great storyline to see her more involved. (Which is why we should have had Jo.) I COULD see the part with two hunky guys going for Nat, it IS what's inside that counts. They are attracted to certain things about her personality--are any of us REALLY solely attracted to looks?? And I think as I saw it, Robert could have gone for Dorothy at the end, she was widowed and he shared in her interest in the theater.

You know what I think?.........................SEQUEL!!!! And I could even write it...You should see the FOL major motion picture script I'm working on now!!!!

GO FOR IT!!!lol...well, you already have my opinion on that

OK, WHAT IS WITH Y'ALL?!?! I mean HELLO!!! It seems like Natalie had more boyfriends than Tootie...I dunno, I'd have to go through the ep guides, but...I'm pretty sure, NATALIE had more boyfriends/dates/ whatever than Tootie did. So like, why is it so surprising that there are two guys chasing after her??
I have to admit, that the script was very...eh...odd. I mean, I could've written parts better than that. However, I don't really think it deserves all the harsh words mentioned in the first post...Like I said, I agree it could be better, but, it wasn't THAT bad!

Czas na Zywiec · 09-19-2002, 09:52 PM

Thank you for those people who actually can look beyond looks and to the personality. This coming from a guy who's a hell of a lot more attractive on the inside than the out.

MrsGarrettRocksMySocks · 09-19-2002, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Original Prankster
Thank you for those people who actually can look beyond looks and to the personality. This coming from a guy who's a hell of a lot more attractive on the inside than the out.

and that's why we love you, Chris!!!!!!!

09-19-2002, 12:33 AM	#1
Homerun Helen Member Forum Hawk Join Date: Sep 18, 2002 Location: Look....right behind you... Posts: 3	FOL Reunion Movie--NOT what I expected Just watched the Facts of Life Reunion Movie today and can say it was a major disappointment. I know I'll probably tick off some die-hard FOL fans by saying this, but it was, hands-down, one of the worst Reunion shows I've seen. The story/plot was pathetic. Like 2 hot, suave, sexy Chippendales are gonna fight over Natalie, YEAH RIGHT. If they were going to pick 2 guys to fight over Natalie, they should've chosen John Goodman and Jerry Lewis--that would've made more sense. Then we have the POOR cinematography. Who filmed this anyway? A first semester film student at NYU?? I got a headache watching the camera ZOOM from one scene to the next. Then we have the jumbeled up soap-opera like story switching from "Dorothy's " acting/passion for theater, then we switch over to Blair's posssibly, tenative failing marriage that ends up just being SECRET charity work for disadvantaged kids (Awwwwwww ), THEN we've got Pierce Brosnan and Patrick Swayze fighting over Mindy Cohen, not to mention some frugal gourmet getting hot pants over watching Mrs. G's @$$ shake in the kitchen!! The ending is what really did it for me though. I must say I am embarassed for the cast while viewing this. They bump up Thanksgiving a day early because the hot, lucious, too hot to trot, I'm too sexy for my Slim Fast, Natalie has to work in PAKISTAN. So let's all up and change the course of history for Natalie! Let's all sit down to a fabulous gourmet cuisine prepared by Mrs. G and a couple of 12 year old girls and have the usual cheesy, all too perfect sermon by Mrs. Garrett. NOW, we'll all dance. Yeah, you heard me DANCE! To the Pointer Sisters and Devo!! Yee Haw! (Incidently, I'm writing this at almost 1 a.m. I'm finding it difficult to sleep after watching Charlotte Rae dance to Devo's "Whip It") Altogether, this movie should've been postponed until a more entertaining and respectable script was written--for the sake of the casts' reputation's and for the fan's that have been waiting for this for over 10 years. Also, you cannot have a Facts of Life reunion without Nancy McKeon--she was JO for Christ's Sake!! You don't make cake without flour do you?? The Facts of Life Reunion was a flop; downright stupid jokes, too many inconsistencies, generic filming, ludicrous plot, no Nancy McKeon (instead we get Jo Jr. the electric guitar playing virtuoso), and lastly I thought we could've done without the Bugs Bunny type cartoon sound effects. So there you go. One critical review of what could've been an otherwise entertaining and heart-warming reunion movie. So much for that.
	__________________ ~Friends Don't Let Friends Use Windows~

09-19-2002, 01:15 AM	#3
Flash72 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 17, 2000 Location: Alabama Posts: 310	Amen I am glad to see someone else that did not love the ill fated and poorly made FOL reunion. Having been an original viewer back in the 80's I was looking forward to the often postponed reunion and was glad they didn't continue with the idea of killing off Jo but was gravely disappointed after watching the film. To me the reunion was full of slapstick foolishness (and full of "other" things) that did not belong in a fol movie and the storyline was atrocious to say the least. While it was great to see the fol stars again it was a disgrace to see the manner in which their famous roles were portrayed. The movie did not feel like "Facts of Life" to me and in my opinion that is the key ingredient in a successful reunion film; it has to recapture the "essence" of the tv show upon which the movie is based. Sadly this is not the case in many reunions with one of the lone exceptions being "Return to Mayberry." I felt that the reunion only had its moments during this travesty such as the somewhat faithful recreation of the Eastland cafeteria and the initial moments when characters reconnected. I am surprised that the writers did not resort to placing Charlotte Rae into a bikini and having her sing "Hot Stuff." Hey the way in which this telefilm was scripted anything was possible.........
	__________________ It is better to fail while attempting, then to fail to attempt... Flash72 http://www.tvlinksonline.com/boards/...&postid=799864

09-19-2002, 01:19 AM	#4
Hot4Pippa Member First Time Poster Join Date: Sep 19, 2002 Location: with Pippa Posts: 1	Gotta go with Homerun Helen here Yeah, what's inside is what matters. We've all heard this and adhere to it with all of our will. But lets get serious here. This IS two guys like Pierce Brosnan and Patrick Swayze. So unless these hommes are like "Shallow Hal", I just don't see this scenario happening. Then again, this is TV. And FOL. I suppose this mix could lend itself to two Greek Gods fawning after good ol' Mindy. Feh... they should've gone after Pippa! She's the real gem! w000t!!! Oh, and my hats off to Nancy McKeon for not committing career suicide by starring in this ... uhh... movie ... disaster... whatever you wanna call it. Hmm... someone should have a Brady Bunch VS FOL Reuinion!! Yeah, that would rock pretty hard. Eve Plumb could stand up to Tootie any day! And what about Ms. G and Alice!! It'd be a Brawl for All at Eastland! Dude, Pippa owns me. Attached Images
	__________________ Dude, Pippa RULES you. She is FINE! She will make me a nice bride!

09-19-2002, 01:27 AM	#5
Shelley Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 12, 2001 Location: St. George, Utah Posts: 1,081	I liked it despite you all said, except for Chris.
	__________________ I love Another World

09-19-2002, 05:48 AM	#6
CinD Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Feb 09, 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 41	I'd have to agree with what some of you said, I also was disappointed in the script. Granted, I was absolutely THRILLED that they even had a FOL reunion in the first place (also being a fan and viewer of the series when it originally ran). And to me the biggest disappointment by far was not having Nancy Mckeon reprise her role as Jo in the movie. Seems like they could've held out while they BEGGED, PLEADED, GROVELLED to Nancy to join and then made the reunion 8) But i'm not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, even though it wasn't one of the greatest series reunion movies, at least they HAD one, yknow? edit: added the Jo part
	Last edited by CinD; 09-19-2002 at 05:53 AM.

09-19-2002, 05:50 PM	#8
ChickenLegz Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Apr 16, 2002 Location: Sitcoms Online Message Boards Posts: 489	Yeah-I think this was one of the worst reuion movies. IMO if you dont have all of the main cast back, you have no reuion movie. I think Nancy made the right choice not to contribute in this movie-yeah-she would have commited career suicide. Why would Jo's daughter go to her mothers reuion? I mean she could have went with Jo. I thought it was lame how they made Jamie an almost exact replica of her mother. This royally sucked.
	__________________ -ChickenLegz

09-19-2002, 06:27 PM	#10
ks Certifiably Insane Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 21, 2000 Location: I live in my hole... Posts: 5,501	It wasn't the best movie I've ever seen, but I didn't expect it to be. However, I agree with Chris, lay off Natalie! ks
	__________________ "Ya gotta have a little faith." C.D. DeLerenzo

09-19-2002, 07:56 PM	#11
Homerun Helen Member Forum Hawk Join Date: Sep 18, 2002 Location: Look....right behind you... Posts: 3	That shouldn't be too difficult.....

09-19-2002, 09:33 PM	#12
ABlairican Pie Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 12, 2001 Location: Living where cats reign more Supreme than a pizza. Posts: 31,620	I liked the Reunion I didn't see the re-airing of it last weekend, but I have it on tape. I liked it, it was funny, it was cute, but I do agree that it could have been done a little better, it seemed that Blair's marital woes were not as central to the plot as they could have been. We barely saw Tad, and it could have mad a great storyline to see her more involved. (Which is why we should have had Jo.) I COULD see the part with two hunky guys going for Nat, it IS what's inside that counts. They are attracted to certain things about her personality--are any of us REALLY solely attracted to looks?? And I think as I saw it, Robert could have gone for Dorothy at the end, she was widowed and he shared in her interest in the theater. You know what I think?.........................SEQUEL!!!! And I could even write it...You should see the FOL major motion picture script I'm working on now!!!!

09-19-2002, 09:52 PM	#14
Czas na Zywiec what up Forum Star Join Date: Jun 28, 2001 Location: Southwest Side, Chicago Posts: 18,398	Thank you for those people who actually can look beyond looks and to the personality. This coming from a guy who's a hell of a lot more attractive on the inside than the out.