Season 1 – The Facts of Life

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isa e @RT65594135 09/29/2023 harmless fluff , holds up ok See more Mike P @RT77437476 07/09/2023 Excellent feminist/girl power sitcom from Norman Lear was way ahead of it's time; and which took a very positive view of Boarding Schools; interestingly enough. Because we all know Boarding Schools have a bad reputation... They're supposedly where rich people send their kids when they don't want them... But this show says not so fast! Some young girls in this situation love it; it becomes an ersatz family to them and very important in their development as people!! And so the show uses it's unique setting to immerse us in these girls lives as we track their Wonder Years.... And then the epilogue to their Wonder Years!.... And actually it starts as a boarding school show, and morphs in a work sitcom about halfway through; as the girls take over a new bakery/delicatessen called "Edna's Edibles"; and then later a tchocke store called "Over Our Heads." Series highlights include "Breaking Point"; when Cynthia, one of the girls, takes her own life! Also "The Source", which has Natalie writing a phony story about a student getting an abortion, and then it turns out to be true! Also "The Front Page"; when Jo writes a vindictive article about her journalism teacher: Mr. Gideon, getting busted at a cocaine party... But then the whole thing takes an unexpected turn for the worse when she realizes he might be innocent, and that she winds up getting him fired nonetheless!... There's " The Best Sister" where Blair's stepsister Meg (played by Eve Plumb) decides to chuck her blueblooded lifestyle to become a nun, and then Jo follows suit!... There's "All Or Nothing"; which has Jo getting elected to the Langley Board of Regents, (which is a high falutin term for School class president or member of the school board...) Jo winds up getting into an intense battle with the rest of the board over a scoreboard that an alumnus has donated to the school... There's "Ain't Misbeholden" which shows Jo on the chopping block of leaving Eastland due to her scholarship being eliminated; and the only way she can stay is if she can accept charity from her arch-nemesis, Blair Warner; and there's "The Halloween Episode" where the girls are convinced Mrs. Garrett might be possessed....And many, many more great episodes! The show was at its best from the second year; when Jo/Nancy McKeon joined the cast; until they shut down Edna's Edibles, at the end of Season 5; roughly from 1980-1985. The first year and the last two and a half had a cloying, phony feel to it at times; whereas the middle section of the show was when the show was at its best; there was great chemistry among the girls and the storylines where punchier... But even at its worst this show is always lots of fun; featuring an excellent cast and consistently funny and entertaining writing... And it's always enormously entertaining thanks to the charisma and the star power of it's four young leads; Lisa Welchel as snotty Blair; Nancy McKeon as tough-girl Jo; Kim Fields as Tootie, the cute little gossip girl; and Mindy Cohn as wisecracking Natalie... These girls helped elevate the show from a vapid teen sitcom; to a show about SISTERS; who form their own found family; and which really had an unexpected depth and a great resonance for the audience!!.... (A lot of people have compared it to a contemporary take on Little Women; another iconic show about girls growing up!...) For the first 5 years Charlotte Rae does amazing work as the housemother (and later boss) Mrs. Garrett. Later she leaves and her dizzy sister Beverly Sue (Chloris Leachman) takes over; who isn't quite as good; but still watchable overall. Overall this is an awesome show! Highly Recommended! 👍 Don't miss it; See more Read all reviews

The Facts of Life — Season 1

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