F is for...The Facts of Life

'The Facts of Life' was a spin-off of 'Diff'rent Strokes'. Mrs. Garrett, who was the housekeeper for Mr. Drummond in 'Diff'rent Strokes' is now the housemother at an all girl boarding school, Eastland School. It ran for almost 10 years, from 1979 til 1988.
I loved 'The Facts of Life'! It was so cheesy and 80's! It was the master of the 'very special' episodes...dieting, homosexuality, shop lifting, suicide, censorship, date rape, racism, alcoholism, drug addiction, breast cancer, abortion, etc.
After the first season, which included a very young Molly Ringwald, the show cast of characters was cut back to the four girls we know and love...Tootie, Jo, Blair and Natalie.
Tootie was my favorite...I think it was the roller skates.

I loved all the 'crazy shenanigans' the girls got into. I wanted Mrs. Garrett to be my chaperone/advice giver/surrogate auntie. I wanted to live above a shop...which I have done and it's not that exciting.
'The Facts of Life' also introduced me and the rest of the world to George Clooney! Though most of the rest of the world didn't jump on that band wagon until 'Sisters'. Check out that sweater! Amaze at the mullet. Le swoon...
'The Facts of Life' ended when the viewing audience tired of their safe, sexless shenanigans...come on, they were in their 20's and still sharing a room!

Related articles by Zemanta

• Battle Over Gary Coleman's Remains Goes To Court (eonline.com)
• Molly Ringwald talks to The Advocate about John Hughes and being replaced on “The Facts of Life” (pinkbananaworld.com)
• Four Funny Women Equals Comedy Gold, From 'Golden Girls' to 'Sex and the City' (tvsquad.com)
• TV Characters That Would Have Been Better As Lesbians: 80s + 90s Edition (pinkbananaworld.com)