The first two eps..

[Michele35]

The first episode in the series shown Wednesday nite on Nick deals with subliminal lesbian issues with Cindy and the second one dealt with Blair's mother on the brink of having an affair with a married man.

Now if N@N can show these two eps why can't they show the many other 'controversial' ones they have skipped?

[The Obsolete Man]

Because the affair was never shown or consummated (like in the skipped episode "The Affair", when nat's dad is caught having an affair with another woman), and because the word "Strange" is used, not "lesbian".

It's a matter of degree. These two episodes skirt the issues, while the skipped ones tackle the issues head on. It's a small thing, but to Nick at Nite's way of thinking, it makes the difference between skipping a show and airing it.

N@N really sucks.

[This message has been edited by The Obsolete Man (edited 12-27-2000).]

[Natluver4ever]

hey? i totally agree with u! and the things that i don't understand:

1.) if nick at nite is trying so desperately to distance itself from nickelodeon, then why are they acting as if the shows that they're airing are actually being watched by a very young audience? it just doesn't make sense. first of all, if the kids aren't supposed to be watching it, then the parents will turn it off; second, it's CABLE television, so not EVERYONE is watching it; third, it IS on pretty late for young kids!

2.) talking about drugs, affairs, sex, rape, etc. was much more taboo in the 80's than it is now, so why is it acceptable for a major broadcasting channel (nbc) to broadcast it in the 80's, but a CABLE channel can't broadcast it in the 90's? i mean, we see and hear a lot more about the 'controversial' issues in the news and on other shows that are broadcasted earlier than 9-10pm....i just don't understand.

anyone else agree?

[natalie green]

well, i still think they should show all of their shows but if n@n wants to be like that so be it.

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oh great. i'm losing a bolt! now i'm only working half watt-age!

who wants to be a skinny pencil. i would rather be a happy magic marker!

[Michele35]

N@N is definitely crossing the line when they decide to skip episodes of a popular '80's tv show that they run at 10:00 pm. You hit the nail on the head, Nat, when you said NBC was running these same shows at 8:00 pm in 1979.

I think we all knew what Blair was talking about when she called Cindy 'Strange.' Actually, I must say that was a pretty risky subject matter especially for the first episode of a new show targeted for young viewers. It's funny how NBC took bigger risks in the early '80's than a cable network like N@N is willing to do in 2000.

I remember reading interviews from both Mindy and Nancy regarding FOL years ago. They both referenced the suicide episode(which N@N chose not to air) as one of the eps that was particularly memorable. They both felt like it had a positive impact and were very proud of it but Nick still refuses to air it.

[FOL85NatandMrsGRock]

SURE DO!!! GOD FRUCKING DAMN YOU NICK AT NITE!!! I mean when i was like 9 or 10 (we first got cable) I used to watch nick allllll the time!! and i woudl stay up to watch nick at nite but i coudl only make it until like 8:30 them my mom woudl make me turn it off... but hey byt he time i was 9 i had seen a porno movie already and been aroudn drugs and alcohol and i KNEW what sex was no big deal on that... and so what i dont understand is why nick at nite is being liek a parent to kids who dont even barely watch nick at nite!! I mean kids no waht sex is, they know what drugs and alcohol are and do to a person and if they are liek me have tried them.. I mean i have tried cigarrettes, gotten drunk a few times, seen people have sex and im only 15... i knwo its soudns liek i am hanging aroudn teh wrong people... but if you didnt know thats waht a lot of teenagers are liek aroudn there.. I am still a virgin proud to say, but i have seen a porno movie (only once and common everyones seen ONE at least if they are not perverts who have seen liek 50 bagillion) I have been exposed to drugs before and tried it.. but belive me taht stuff is NASTY!!!! and i have gotten drunk liek 2 times.. just the average typical teenager who isnt a goody goody... hehe... so i totally agree with you on why can't nick at nite air them cuz kids know what drugs are have probably watched soem channel or tv show that talks abtou sex... i was watchign hbo when i was liek 11 and came across the worng show... i quickly turned the channel but i was at a bad scene lets just say that... hehe... i mean common!!! IT's LIKE GOD DAMNIT!!! show the frucking shows!!! hehe.. ok now you're probably thinking god what a frucked up child.. i'm really not... i get straight a's in school and i am a good writer HOPEFULLY A GOOD WRITER!!! well i gotta go my eyes hurt from looking at the computer for 4 hours straight!! hehe bye

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jo: mrs. g gone on ahead I KNOW i can fix the problem
MRs. G: jo only twice in my life have i spoke in an arbitrary manner, once when my ex husband morgaged our home to pay the bookee, and now, GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE OR I'LL BEAT YOU WITH MY FRYING PAN!!!

Jo: Woaw Nat!! (grabs blairs palm tree from nat) Nice Girls Don't Throw Trees!!!

blair: now jo i know we usually dont agree but that was a scuzy thing for your mother to do!
tootie: wahts so scuzy about it!?!? dont you read the national enquirer, some of the best people are Shacking up!!
mrs. g: TOOTIE!!! im surrounded by x-rated kids!!!
~FOL85NatandMrsGRock~
*Sarah Lynn*

[LaverneShirley]

Oh I know! I seem to remember hearing (I believe it was the E! True Hollywood Story) Mindy Cohn saying that after the suicide episode aired, they got a letter from a depressed teenager who was on the verge of suicide when she saw the episode of FOL and decided to live. That must mean that the episode isn't telling kids to COMMIT suicide, it's telling them NOT to. I myself have had a personal experience with depression, and an episode like that could've helped me overcome it sooner. I dunno. But if something about suicide or marijuana or drunk driving or pre-marital sex can be aired in the late 70's, and all of the 80's, on a channel everyone gets, cable or not, then why can't they air it in 2000/2001 on a CABLE station? I mean, like TVLand always says, "Times change. Great TV doesn't." Well, the times HAVE changed. These issues aren't as taboo as they were in the 80's. They're everywhere on television. Suddenly Susan had an episode with suicide. And every show today is filled with sex, mostly pre-marital. And N@N--owned by the same people as TVLand--IS changing FOL. Not just by editing it, but by skipping episodes. It's changing the fact that FOL touched on deeper issues than boycotting a school dance or gossip. It's changing the fact that The Facts of Life IS all about us. It's changing the fact that The Facts of Life is about the TRUE facts of life... and I think I've said the word fact too many times. Anyway...

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"Well, Laverne is sort of childish" -Shirley

"Childish? Childish? Coming from a grown woman who throws tea parties for her stuffed cat!" -Laverne

"Well at least I don't sew L's on everything I wear!" -Shirley

"Well that would be pretty stupid considering your name's Shirley!" -Laverne

[iluvfacts14]

You go L&S!!!

[Cokies]

Very, very well said Laverne...
You really got into it near the end there, I totally agree.

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"It was just like Saturday Night Fever, except it was a Friday."

[ks]

L&S I read that article as well and if an episode touched someone's life so deeply, and for the positive, then I don't see ANYTHING wrong with N@N airing it. It might actually HELP someone who is considering doing harm to themselves. I dealt with depression as well, and it's the simplest things that can help you out of it-such as a TV show. I wish N@N would wake up and see that they me be doing more harm than good by not airing these 'controversial' episodes...