Why did Charlotte Rae leave the Facts of Life?! - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Nicole's Boy · 12-17-2000, 04:18 AM

I'm new here, but that's all I want to know (for now

). Was there a bitter disagreement among the cast members, or was it just your average contract dispute?

JohnMcMillin · 12-17-2000, 11:46 AM

well, Charlotte has been written down in 6 and 7 to the point where she was basically a guest star next to the 4 girls (even Andy and George had more screen time in season 7) that she felt like Mrs. Garrett didn't need to be guardian of the girls anymore. So she decided to leave and semi-retire.

Michele35 · 12-17-2000, 02:42 PM

John is right. I saw an interview with Charlotte Rae basically saying that the girls were grown up and could depend on each other. She felt that Mrs. Garrett was unnecessary after season 7. I guess the producers of the show felt differently since they brought on Cloris Leachman to replace Charlotte Rae.

12-17-2000, 04:18 AM	#1
Nicole's Boy Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Mar 20, 2000 Location: U.S. Posts: 68	Why did Charlotte Rae leave the Facts of Life?! I'm new here, but that's all I want to know (for now ). Was there a bitter disagreement among the cast members, or was it just your average contract dispute?

12-17-2000, 11:46 AM	#2
JohnMcMillin Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 29, 2000 Location: louisville, ky, USA Posts: 380	well, Charlotte has been written down in 6 and 7 to the point where she was basically a guest star next to the 4 girls (even Andy and George had more screen time in season 7) that she felt like Mrs. Garrett didn't need to be guardian of the girls anymore. So she decided to leave and semi-retire.

12-17-2000, 02:42 PM	#3
Michele35 Jazz Girl Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 08, 2000 Location: Los Angeles,CA Posts: 804	John is right. I saw an interview with Charlotte Rae basically saying that the girls were grown up and could depend on each other. She felt that Mrs. Garrett was unnecessary after season 7. I guess the producers of the show felt differently since they brought on Cloris Leachman to replace Charlotte Rae.