Wow, I didn't know that. I'm glad that she put in the contract that she can return to Different Strokes of things didn't work out with "Facts".. Totally smart move!
Charlotte didn't want what happened to The Ropers happen to her. Flo from Alice would find herself out of work after her spinoff from Alice didn't work out after the second season and never returned to Alice shortly after the Facts of Life came on.
@@stephensundstrom6379 that was when Cloris Leachman was on the show and Andy (played by the original Gomez Adams son) was on the show. It was filmed between the 8th and 9th season during the Austrailain winter.
Different Strokes was never the same after Charlotte Rae left. Never underestimate the value of your supporting cast. I lost interest in Different Strokes within a year or so ... but I stuck with Facts of Life unto the end. Mindy Cohn was my favorite character. Her timing was impeccable.
I was more of a fan of different strokes my self. Didn't really care much for facts of life. I also remember watching Alf too Back then. I was mainly cartoons & such. I was born in 79. So wasn't even there much for first 2 seasons of diffrent strokes . Just never got into facts of life. I remember watching Different strokes,Alf Herbie I liked a lot back then
I met Todd at Stockton Con in 2016. I know about his troubles. But, lots of people forget him on The Waltons. He could actually cry on screen. People forget that he was a prominent black child actor. He was good. By the way. Tell your brother I said hi and thanks.
I totally agree! Todd Bridges was so good, particularly in the early seasons of Diff’rent Strokes. It’s kind of crazy that he’s the last of the main cast still alive. And I’ll tell my bro you said “hi”!
Note: It was not Charlotte's choice. The network executives decided to spin her off for own because they were desperate for a hit. NBC was last in this place among 3 networks.
@@stephensundstrom6379 here is one of the Facts of Life documentaries. While there is some inconsistency in some of them in some areas of the show, what is consistent is how Charlotte/Mrs. Garrett came onto Facts of Life. ua-cam.com/video/Q9WcTAOy6nE/v-deo.html
It sounds like Charlotte was a bit of a powerhouse back then in creating a spin off and covering herself in the event it fails as a show. Awesome. To me Facts of Life was best because of Jo. 😍 She was the perfect girl in my eyes. A fun friend to hang out with to be my buddy and yet super cute/sexy as a girl.
Charlotte Rae was so amazing. Great comedic actress. Starting with the Phil Silvers Show, then Car 54, Where Are You?, guest spots on various shows like Barney Miller, before gaining in popularity on Diff'rent Strokes and finally on The Facts of Life.
Charlotte thought about leaving the show during the first season. John Lawlor (who played Headmaster Mr. Bradley) said in the Reelz documentary earlier this year that he and Charlotte sat on a hay bail (which would indicate it was after the filming of the "Flash Flood" episode, and Charlotte started crying in his arms that she didn't know if she could take it anymore. No reason was given, but I think dealing with 5 teen girls and 2 preteen girls along with their parents was probably quite stressful. Especially when Charlotte had two sons and never dealt with a growing girl since her younger sister.
It may be possible as well that she was stressed about the pressure on her to make the new show work. Messing with Different Strokes was a HUGE risk and all that pressure was laid on Charlotte’s shoulders.
@@Diostillrocks One of the Facts Of Life producers saw a young Nancy McKean in a Hallmark commercial and decided to find her agent and quickly get her on the show for season 2 and the rest Stephen is history. Mckean hasn't appeared in any of the reunion shows and most recently the ABC reboot in December of 2021! 🤔
@@SuperMarioBrosIII Nancy McKeon has appeared in a few reunion events. The Paley Center reunion, the Good Morning America reunion. She also has appeared more recently in Kim's and MIndy's podcasts.
@@Diostillrocks Yes that's true but I was talking about the reunion movie appearing as her original character Jo. Which she declined and has said in interviews she doesn't want to go back to the past. Albeit she was filming her then tv series The Division during the time!
I worked for Conrad Bane in 1982-83. For his company MGM delevopment corp. In phoenix Az. He was not a decent person and was very condescending to anyone in his presence. A smart elec and mean spirited to most people in his company.
@@stephensundstrom6379 there was two different lyrics to the theme songs during the series run. Charlotte Rae even sang parts of the theme song in the first season.
@@Diostillrocks You're right. I was going off what I thought I remembered. I guess everyone on the show working in a clone of a SPENCER'S GIFT STORE threw my memory off.
There’s a couple wrong facts in the is video: 1. It’s EastLand School, not EastLakes 2. The School episode in Different Strokes was written in to introduce the characters of The Facts of Life and was a teaser of what was to come. 3. The Spin off was not Charlotte’s decision. Executives noticed that Mrs. Garret was the character getting all the attention. NBC was desperate for successful shows so they decided to spin off Charlotte Rae’s character into her own show to help save the company.
In the "Girls School" episode, it was called Eastlake. You can see it on the girls uniform. Since the Facts of Life was based on Westlake School for Girls (which Mindy Cohn came from), the producers probably thought they needed a more original name.
My fav character on facts of life is Blair. True beauty.
I totally agree. In fact, Lisa Whelchel still looks pretty good even today.
Yep had a big crush on her.
Wow, I didn't know that. I'm glad that she put in the contract that she can return to Different Strokes of things didn't work out with "Facts".. Totally smart move!
The more I’ve read about Charlotte Rae, the more impressed I am. She seems like a pretty amazing person.
Charlotte didn't want what happened to The Ropers happen to her. Flo from Alice would find herself out of work after her spinoff from Alice didn't work out after the second season and never returned to Alice shortly after the Facts of Life came on.
Another all time favorite...I don't think Lisa Welchel will ever age.
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Oh!! I Love that picture of Tootie, Blair & Mrs. Garrett!! I mean Kim Fields, Lisa Welchel & Charlotte Rae!! They all look GREAT! 💗💗💗
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They also went to Australia.
I did not remember that. I’m going to have to see if I can find that online somewhere.
@@stephensundstrom6379 that was when Cloris Leachman was on the show and Andy (played by the original Gomez Adams son) was on the show. It was filmed between the 8th and 9th season during the Austrailain winter.
Different Strokes was never the same after Charlotte Rae left. Never underestimate the value of your supporting cast. I lost interest in Different Strokes within a year or so ... but I stuck with Facts of Life unto the end. Mindy Cohn was my favorite character. Her timing was impeccable.
She was hilarious in the show! As you said, never underestimate the value of your supporting cast.
always a fan of Charlotte Rae, wish she was my mother.
I totally agree. She was great! Thanks for sharing your comments.
I was more of a fan of different strokes my self. Didn't really care much for facts of life. I also remember watching Alf too Back then. I was mainly cartoons & such. I was born in 79. So wasn't even there much for first 2 seasons of diffrent strokes . Just never got into facts of life. I remember watching Different strokes,Alf Herbie I liked a lot back then
Thanks Megatron!
It weird. Did The Facts Of Life have 2 pilots?
It was kind of like they did - one on Diff’rent Strokes and then one as The Facts Of Life.
I met Todd at Stockton Con in 2016. I know about his troubles. But, lots of people forget him on The Waltons. He could actually cry on screen. People forget that he was a prominent black child actor. He was good. By the way. Tell your brother I said hi and thanks.
I totally agree! Todd Bridges was so good, particularly in the early seasons of Diff’rent Strokes. It’s kind of crazy that he’s the last of the main cast still alive. And I’ll tell my bro you said “hi”!
@@stephensundstrom6379 it's good that his head on screwed on straight. People make mistakes. Glad this one wasn't fatal.
Note: It was not Charlotte's choice. The network executives decided to spin her off for own because they were desperate for a hit. NBC was last in this place among 3 networks.
Interesting...I read somewhere that she pitched the idea of the spin-off, but you could be correct. That sounds plausible as well. Thanks!
@@stephensundstrom6379 here is one of the Facts of Life documentaries. While there is some inconsistency in some of them in some areas of the show, what is consistent is how Charlotte/Mrs. Garrett came onto Facts of Life. ua-cam.com/video/Q9WcTAOy6nE/v-deo.html
Thanks!
She left to star in her new spinoff series
Thanks for sharing your comments Robert!
It sounds like Charlotte was a bit of a powerhouse back then in creating a spin off and covering herself in the event it fails as a show. Awesome.
To me Facts of Life was best because of Jo. 😍
She was the perfect girl in my eyes. A fun friend to hang out with to be my buddy and yet super cute/sexy as a girl.
I think it definitely shows how respected she was that they took her idea and ran with it. Thanks for your comments!
Tootie was my favorite and both shows were great.
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Wow, I was expecting some love for Tootie. She was the one I had a crush on.
Tootie was great, but I preferred Blair!
Charlotte Rae was so amazing. Great comedic actress. Starting with the Phil Silvers Show, then Car 54, Where Are You?, guest spots on various shows like Barney Miller, before gaining in popularity on Diff'rent Strokes and finally on The Facts of Life.
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Great stuff
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I remember seeing Molly Ringwald on that episode, but I didn’t know who she was!
She was so young!
Molly Ringwald was named Molly. She was the boyish looking one who talked fast.
Charlotte thought about leaving the show during the first season. John Lawlor (who played Headmaster Mr. Bradley) said in the Reelz documentary earlier this year that he and Charlotte sat on a hay bail (which would indicate it was after the filming of the "Flash Flood" episode, and Charlotte started crying in his arms that she didn't know if she could take it anymore. No reason was given, but I think dealing with 5 teen girls and 2 preteen girls along with their parents was probably quite stressful. Especially when Charlotte had two sons and never dealt with a growing girl since her younger sister.
I believe she had an autistic son in real life that she was raising as well. An incredible woman in my opinion!
@@stephensundstrom6379 yes, she talks about it in her book. It wasn't easy dealing with him.
It may be possible as well that she was stressed about the pressure on her to make the new show work. Messing with Different Strokes was a HUGE risk and all that pressure was laid on Charlotte’s shoulders.
Of the four girls, I liked Jo the best. 🥰 A pretty tomboy is always more attractive than girls like Blair.
Jo was definitely a popular character.
@@stephensundstrom6379 never got the appeal of her.
@@Diostillrocks One of the Facts Of Life producers saw a young Nancy McKean in a Hallmark commercial and decided to find her agent and quickly get her on the show for season 2 and the rest Stephen is history. Mckean hasn't appeared in any of the reunion shows and most recently the ABC reboot in December of 2021! 🤔
@@SuperMarioBrosIII Nancy McKeon has appeared in a few reunion events. The Paley Center reunion, the Good Morning America reunion. She also has appeared more recently in Kim's and MIndy's podcasts.
@@Diostillrocks Yes that's true but I was talking about the reunion movie appearing as her original character Jo. Which she declined and has said in interviews she doesn't want to go back to the past. Albeit she was filming her then tv series The Division during the time!
I worked for Conrad Bane in 1982-83. For his company MGM delevopment corp. In phoenix Az. He was not a decent person and was very condescending to anyone in his presence. A smart elec and mean spirited to most people in his company.
People who worked with him on the show said he was quite the opposite.
Sam, thanks for sharing your thoughts. That's sad to hear, and hopefully not how he was all the time.
Thanks Diostillrocks!
I thought "The Facts of Life" was an example of Norman Lear's success train simply sputtering out of ideas at the end of its run.
Unfortunately many show go on a few too many seasons.
That is common for many shows. Even classics like MASH.
I still can't understand what Alan Thicke is singing in the theme.
I didn't know until I just read your comment that Alan Thicke wrote the theme song for The Facts Of Life. Thanks!
@@stephensundstrom6379 there was two different lyrics to the theme songs during the series run. Charlotte Rae even sang parts of the theme song in the first season.
Awesome video
Thanks Dan!
I loved that Sherrie Austin was one of the original girls. Had a crush on her at the time due to her Australian accent.
Thanks for watching!
Sherrie Auston was not one of the original girls. She didn't appear until the 9th and final season.
@@Diostillrocks You're right. I was going off what I thought I remembered. I guess everyone on the show working in a clone of a SPENCER'S GIFT STORE threw my memory off.
I liked Jo on The Facts of Life. Tomboy. Loved it. She's still beautiful today.
Totally agree! Nancy McKeon was a great addition to the show.
i watch dave, he recommended i watch his brother.
Well...I appreciate it! Thanks for watching!
There’s a couple wrong facts in the is video:
1. It’s EastLand School, not EastLakes
2. The School episode in Different Strokes was written in to introduce the characters of The Facts of Life and was a teaser of what was to come.
3. The Spin off was not Charlotte’s decision. Executives noticed that Mrs. Garret was the character getting all the attention. NBC was desperate for successful shows so they decided to spin off Charlotte Rae’s character into her own show to help save the company.
Thanks for adding these details!
Both shows were great! Had a crush on Jo!
Thanks for watching!
00:55 its the Eastland School for girls, not Eastlake
Good catch Jeff! I usually listen to my recordings several times to try and catch any mistakes, but it’s always possible to miss something. 😁
In the "Girls School" episode, it was called Eastlake. You can see it on the girls uniform. Since the Facts of Life was based on Westlake School for Girls (which Mindy Cohn came from), the producers probably thought they needed a more original name.