I totally forgot that this show was actually a spinoff from Different Strokes. It was so successful and took a life of it's own, always felt like an original series.

@probochronicles3991

Жыл бұрын

I forgot Molly Ringwald was briefly on the show

@user-ty6do8yz4l

Жыл бұрын

@@probochronicles3991 yes, then she exploded, and was too big for just TV. She became an 80s icon.

@user-ty6do8yz4l

Жыл бұрын

Gary Coleman single-handedly almost totally erased racism, and still gets no credit!

@Psychol-Snooper

Жыл бұрын

@@user-ty6do8yz4l You wouldn't have guessed it when she looked directly into camera at 5:40. 😊

@Lumencraft-

11 ай бұрын

I didn't realize it till just now, how does Pretty Little when this show is on. I never saw the first episode.

Rest in Peace, Dana, Gary, Conrad, and Charlotte. Thinking very fondly of you, Todd.

@toeliteclan5588

2 жыл бұрын

I love you Dana Gary conrad

@grantharrismusic

Жыл бұрын

It’s sad that the actors passed away but the episodes remain.

@angelg6565

Жыл бұрын

R.I.P All of them. 🙏🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

@shorty7363

Жыл бұрын

​​@Joseph Sanders That's why he wrote "thinking very fondly of you" instead of "rest in peace".

@Lillyxxxo

Жыл бұрын

@@grantharrismusic Todd Bridges is still alive

Cindy reminds me of an earlier Jo. A tomboyish character. She rocks.

Mrs. G always had some really good life lessons on each episode.

@Cybertron-HallOfRecords

Жыл бұрын

Yep, that's MRS. Garrett.

Always loved how Mrs Garrett always had the right way to settle a situation and give great advice.

@user-rf5vp4uc2e

5 ай бұрын

Yea it usually involves muleing a back of clothes up a flight of stairs!

Gary Coleman’s comedic timing was just brilliant. He ran circle’s around everyone in that opening scene.

So glad I grew up in this era...

Young Molly Ringwold!!! 80s Icon on this episode!

@1talldaddy

5 ай бұрын

she was cast member in the first season.

@nassauguy48

5 ай бұрын

Interestingly, she and Nancy were the two weakest characters. But what sweet revenge she would get on the producers who dumped her when she became a Brat Pack phenom!

The writing, acting, directing is what made this era of television pure gold.

Natalie was my favorite character. She was so adorable and it felt so affirming to see a beautiful, fashionable girl on television who wasn’t slim. I finally felt represented.

This Show Was Amazing. Charlotte Rae Was So Special especially with Those Life Lessons. Pure Gold.

RIP Charlotte Rae Gary Coleman Conrad Bain and Dana Plato

@shopsshire9282

Жыл бұрын

Gary Coleman, too , 5-28-2010 at 42 years old.

@Juliaflo

Жыл бұрын

@@shopsshire9282 RIP Also, Alan Thicke, who co-wrote the theme songs for this and its original show, 'Diff'rent Strokes'.

Funny thing is Cindy is the one who grew up to be a fashion model. LOL!

@nassauguy48

Ай бұрын

Although, in the Season 8 reunion episode, Blair could not resist one more shade. She said how she used to think that if Cindy appeared on the cover of any magazine, it would be Field and Stream!

I love The Facts Of Life. I grew up watching it. I like the earlier seasons the best. Watching these episodes brings back so many wonderful childhood memories. ♥️💕

@ninamartinez5171

Жыл бұрын

I wasn't even born yet when this program started in 1979 an i was only 2 years old when it was taken off the air yet luckily my parents had been recording fans for decades an we were raised watching these programs an that was wonderful except for our peers didn't have a clue of wth we were talking in school i understand now why our teachers were always smiling giggling even pretending to be interested in the stories i was telling LOL it was really something.

@Devo13

Жыл бұрын

Yes. I prefer the Season 1 episodes...

@Devo13

9 ай бұрын

@@Indyexpat Yeah,I think it captures that 1979 slumber party,freedom/fun loving atmosphere of the time. Me and my pals would stay up all night watching monster movies and eating pizza and then watching Saturday morning cartoons. It was a perfect time/life at that moment. There were problems but nothing too serious in our smalltown America Ohio area...It seemed like bliss...

@Devo13

9 ай бұрын

@@Indyexpat Yeah,1977-1979 was a perfect TV life era for me. Facts of Life. Bigfoot and Wildboy. Lucan. Bad News Bears TV series. Man from Atlantis. Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries. Battlestar Galactica. Buck Rogers. Loved it and still watch all my favorites from the time. I live in a total retro warp. Cartoons,too.

@Hezekiah-dj3bm

3 ай бұрын

I loved tootie, and her roller skates❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

This was my #1 favorite episode. RIP Charlotte, Dana & Gary. You're missed lots! I really felt for Cindy's challenge on a personal level.

@ebonyrushharrington2197

11 ай бұрын

Do - not forget about Conrad name/ spell

We need clean, wholesome shows like this again. I miss them.

Kim Fields just has a natural beauty. That's rare.

@kellybrus8663

2 жыл бұрын

her mom was on a few episodes of good times. they look a lot alike

@drewski1535

2 жыл бұрын

She is cute and still is

@michaelodonnell9756

2 жыл бұрын

@@drewski1535 I'm glad that she's still keeping herself busy.

@gretchennelson7056

2 жыл бұрын

She was gorgeous when she got older.

@juneberry1982

2 жыл бұрын

@Tara Honey I was going to say the same thing! Her name is Alexis Fields and she's looks almost identical to her mom Chip Fields!

Charlotte Rae singing the theme in the 1st season was funny.

@nassauguy48

Ай бұрын

Yes, but also gut wrenching!

I really miss them...they are the very core of who I became today....wish there was more sitcom like these no days ...but it's wishful thinking

@chrismayer3919

Жыл бұрын

You can’t re-live the past; you can only remember it… -old proverb

I remember seeing this pilot episode on NBC-TV in August 1979

@CodeBleu724

Жыл бұрын

1979 was the most forgettable year...

@erikavaleries

Жыл бұрын

Wow! It became classic 80’s tv

@Diostillrocks

Жыл бұрын

Not a pilot episode. This was the series premier.

@sharonisaac445

Жыл бұрын

On chanel 5 NYC

@scherzva

4 ай бұрын

Channel 4 KNBC in Los Angeles

They should have kept the entire cast from the pilot and put them in the series. My favorites were Cindy and Molly 😌👌💯

@SmurfySmurf12345

11 ай бұрын

I agree. They were some of my favorites too.

@tarabooartarmy3654

9 ай бұрын

My favorites were Natalie, Blair, and Tootie, so I’m glad they kept them. I also really liked Jo later.

@berealsupportive2744

8 ай бұрын

I thought Molly was unnecessary. I hate her hair there with a very strong passion. Though a gorp in the show is fun next to the beauties. That's why Natalie is great there. She's very funny and represents that type who isn't looking like a Barbie or tom boy. Everyone has their place. So I guess Molly would have been fine.

It's definitely interesting that a kids' show that premiered in 1979 should have its first episode focus on alleged lesbianism. Not such a big deal now, but certainly a big deal more than 40 years ago.

@nassauguy48

Ай бұрын

Yes, even to the point where Cindy tells Mrs. Garrett how worried she is about "not being normal".

The casting the 2nd year was genius!

One thing i love about these old shows is seeing actors/actresses long before i ever knew who they were. At 0:17, i was thinking "i recognize this woman", then i clued in that its Doug Heffernan's mom from "The King of Queens"

@robertjenkins5440

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, i saw molly ringwald in this 1, and saw george clooney in another episode...guess i didn't watch this show religiously enough...

@eugenekozma2697

10 ай бұрын

Jenny o hara was a delight on this show.

Blair's character was still being tweaked. She was a bit of a harsh "mean girl" during season 1. From season 2 on up she was fluffy and silly.

Please add more, I miss this show so bad!

@lusciousmayweather8385

2 жыл бұрын

It comes on TV Monday - Friday on DirecTV channel 272. They Show 10 episodes a Day.

@chriscushing3369

2 жыл бұрын

The whole series is on DVDs.

@gretchennelson7056

2 жыл бұрын

But seriously shortened to make room for commercials.

@lusciousmayweather8385

2 жыл бұрын

@@gretchennelson7056 Yeah It's almost a full 2 minutes of scene cut out for commercials.

@gretchennelson7056

2 жыл бұрын

@@lusciousmayweather8385 It’s just appalling how bad it’s getting. I swear I’ll watch an episode of Facts of Life or LHOTP on Uptv and the next day even more is cut out of it. If you’re a casual viewer you may not realize you’re missing anything but if you know the show well you know damn well what you’re missing.😖😖

This show underwent radical changes from the pilot .From the many cast changes to the theme song. And thank God they got Tootie out of the roller skates

@verlinden80

2 жыл бұрын

They only had her wearing em to make her look taller since the producers felt she was too short for her age at the time

@lindaeasley5606

2 жыл бұрын

@@nah....6151 No it wouldn't have lasted. Whoever took control after the initial airings knew what they were doing

@garycollins7750

2 жыл бұрын

One thing that really helped the show was that the characters matured and had some personality or depth beyond the one note characters in the beginning, like dealing with Blair’s vanity and selfishness. Diff’rent Strokes never really moved beyond the punchlines and catchphrases for humor.

@garycollins7750

2 жыл бұрын

@kirkrules66 when I was younger I liked the show but not so much now. I think the success was because in the early 80s sitcoms were showing their age and ending their runs and the ones replacing them weren’t that great. It’s not often the spin-off out performs the parents series with 9 seasons multiple back door pilots and to international TV movies. The end of Diff’rent Strokes began firing of Dana Plato and with the success of the Cosby Show which brought a bit of sophistication back to the sitcom. Toward the end the show wasn’t really about anything,it didn’t take on the the social issues or teach the life lessons of the early seasons, NBC canceled it in 85 only for ABC to pick up the show and cancel it halfway through season 8.

@SuperMarioBrosIII

2 жыл бұрын

@kirkrules66 Facts Of Life ran for 9 seasons to be exact! And Diff'rent Strokes ran for 8 seasons!

Thanks for the memories, please keep them coming. 70s, 80s, and 90s were the best!!! 🤩 I feel sorry for the kids now days. But thank God for KZread and y'all for keeping them grounded.

@albertandguitars

7 ай бұрын

I watch these shows and feel that they are better than shows nowadays. I was born in 2001, and I really hate the generation I grew up in.

Lisa Whelchel didn't even know what this episode was about until year's later.

@MrJumper282003

Жыл бұрын

How did you find this out?

@Diostillrocks

Жыл бұрын

@@MrJumper282003 because Lisa said so.

Thank you, especially, Alan Thicke, for co-writing a catchy theme song.

They had the best TV shows growing up

@Denise_Suzanne

Жыл бұрын

I am so glad I grew up in the 70s and 80s. I loved that America. 🥺

Watching the very beginning made me cry because I remember how Dana Plato died. Very, very sad.

@Bernie3000

9 ай бұрын

An absolutely heartbreaking story.

First season is still my fav! Especially the original theme song. :)

I'M SOOOOO HAPPY that i came across this first episode ❤

I like the chemistry between Arnold (Gary Coleman) and Tootie ( Kim Fields) .

@needles1987

2 жыл бұрын

He was older than her in real life.

@jordanbass481

2 жыл бұрын

@@needles1987 well only a year older than her he was born 1968 and she was born in 1969

@nassauguy48

2 жыл бұрын

@@jordanbass481 Wow. I suppose he already knew at that point that he would not be growing to an average height. Despite that, he made good humor of whatever condition that was.

@jordanbass481

2 жыл бұрын

@@nassauguy48 yes Gary Coleman was a great talent actor it was a shame what happen too him behind close doors

@tonyarceneaux286

2 жыл бұрын

@@jordanbass481 Yeah his parents robbed him blind.

My favorite 80's show.

I love this series and own Lisa Whelchel's workout DVD.

Well at least they had the common courtesy to give us a full version of this episode instead of the little snippets like the rest of the other episodes

I like The Facts of Life. I been watching it since the 80's. I like the earlier and later seasons the best.

This isn't the Pilot episode. It is the first episode of the series, however, the Pilot is actually the last episode of Season 1 of Different Strokes. The pilot is quite different from this episode. Most notably there is no Natalie or Cindy, no Mr. Bradley or Miss Mahoney and Blair plays guitar and smokes.

@maureenmeagher6415

4 ай бұрын

Is that the episode when Mrs Garrett goes to help out at the school with Kimberly?

@hfxmusicman

4 ай бұрын

@@maureenmeagher6415 yes

I never thought Cindy looked like a boy. But I do think she looks like she could be a sister to Chad Allen. I cannot be the only one who sees that.

@Diostillrocks

Жыл бұрын

Molly was the one who looks like a boy.

@SLoft7241

Жыл бұрын

Exactly. Amazing. I was totally thinking the exact same thing & cool you were too. I was wondering if she was.

@tzm777

6 ай бұрын

@@SLoft7241me too - until I realized it was Molly Ringwald (!!!) 😆

@Hezekiah-dj3bm

21 күн бұрын

Molly was wonderful a perfect touch to the rest of the cast🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

Blair was always my favorite

Charlotte Rae singing the intro!

I liked the bigger cast in the first season. Cindy was a favorite of mine

@Diostillrocks

2 жыл бұрын

Cindy was a favorite of many boys at this time.

@PantyhoseExperience

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah it was better in the beginning and then a lot of the kids left and it wasn’t the same

@sharonv4633

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, it was better with the bigger cast in the beginning.

@juneberry1982

2 жыл бұрын

@@PantyhoseExperience They didn't leave willingly. They got fired.

@christopherparrisjr.3146

2 жыл бұрын

New writers were hired following the First Season. They insisted that the cast be whittled down. It would make the writing much easier.

Been waiting all week for this one 🎉

I had no idea Molly Ringwald starred in this, too. And her character went by her first name, Molly. If I remember correctly, Natalie was one of my favorite characters.

i love this episode, the music from the first season was the best one

43 years. Where did the time go?

@mikeabbasi4551

5 күн бұрын

Wish I could tell you

"You could use a few inches." Not the first time I've heard that. 😥🤣

It's very interesting how they pared the cast to just Blair, Tootie, and Natalie.

@nassauguy48

5 ай бұрын

They were the only three characters who stood out. The snooty rich girl, the cute Black girl, and the wisecracking and chubby Jewish girl.

@ericpotter774

4 ай бұрын

​@@nassauguy48damn you wrong for that s***** 😂😂😂

The fact of life was my favorite show to watch on my TV

Season 1is my favorite. I was sad when they changed writers and cut the cast in half.

🎉 greetings from coastal Mississippi. I watched this series from beginning to end. NBC. Different Strokes spun this off and Hello Larry. Fortunate to be living in the 70's😂🎉

Just watched a great docu on Tubi on this show.

I used to get teased unmercilessly about being a Molly Rinwald, lol. Gingers always had it rough growing up, lol.

@thegingergyrl455

10 ай бұрын

Same here.

Mrs. Garrett was awesome!

Love it! Gotta love Mrs. Garrett! ❤ 😊

I loved the first season

@eugenekozma2697

10 ай бұрын

I liked the first season

I love how Mrs. Garrett burned Blair.

Can't wait to watch this 👍

I don't have cable so I hope to watch all the 80's shows soon.

I was born about half way through the show's run, so I had no idea what it was then. But now I watch reruns on RewindTV, and think it's still better than most of the crap that's on TV these days.

@christinaFaith84

Жыл бұрын

1984? That's when I was born. Never liked the show. My mom loved it. I thought I's watch it again. I'm sure I will figure out why I didn't like it. I still love old shows. Mostly things before this. Get Smart for example. I can't think of one 80's show I liked off the top of my head. Not including shows with Michael J. Fox.

@Lucailey

Жыл бұрын

@@christinaFaith84 "83" my self. I fell in love with this show when I was in my 20s and not ready to be a real adult yet! Watching Facts Of Life let me escape and feel like I was "one of the kids" at least for about 30 minutes per episode anyway!

Lisa Welchel was a big reason I tuned into the show! And when Nancy McKeon joined the cast the following season, and the show began to gel after the adjustments. I liked Jo's character.

@SLoft7241

Жыл бұрын

Me too

@samslick9000

Жыл бұрын

I had a crush on Molly

Wow what a great blast from the past❤❤

it’s funny how they almost never wore the eastland uniforms during season 1 and then during seasons 2-4 it was kinda rare to see them in casual clothes, i particularly love the uniform and i think it was probably more comfortable for them too

@Diostillrocks

Жыл бұрын

They wore the Eastland uniforms a lot when they were in classes or going to class.

@Diostillrocks

Жыл бұрын

If you go to Getty images, they took photos of the 8 actresses in their Eastland uniforms like they were actual school pictures.

@Hezekiah-dj3bm

2 ай бұрын

I liked their casual clothes, the short shorts were adorable🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

My goodness this season is practically a different show from the rest of the series.

My dad controlled the TV back then. This is my first time seeing this Thank you!!

I had Arnold's jacket back then. I totally forgot about that. It had patches of baseballs for many of the major league teams

@nassauguy48

2 жыл бұрын

Do they still make those?

@hbdhbd6611

Жыл бұрын

@@nassauguy48 even if they did we all know it's not gonna be of the same quality/craftsmanship 🥴

Please upload more full episodes of the facts of life the whole series would be even better!

I love this show so much ❤

I like it when TV shows cross paths. It happend sometimes back in the 80's sticoms.

@pikestance4219

Жыл бұрын

It was a spin-off like Laverne and Shirley and Happy Days. The Simpsons is also a spin-off- It was a series of shorts on the Tracy Ullman Show. Anyway, the connection is that Kimberly attended boarding school.

@adewilson132

Жыл бұрын

@@pikestance4219 The simpsons is not a spin off. A spin off is when you take supporting characters from one show and give them their own show.

@pikestance4219

Жыл бұрын

@@adewilson132 The Simpsons was a short on the Tracey Ullman show. It was popular short and then it was "spun off" to be its own show. The Characters were part of the Tracey Ullman show. (facepalm).

I miss this show♥️

Interesting episode. Glad to have come across it.

There was always something to learn from.these series.....

I was so in love with Lisa Whelchel at the time. LoL

Loved facts of life

💞 I Loved, Loved, Loved and use to watch " Facts of Life " TV Show faithfully every Saturday night after Different Strokes. * I even had a wallet size Lisa Whelcel/ Blair.. photo in my wallet I got from Show and an autograph Conrad Bain 8x10 photo too. Fun times!! ✌️🎥💓

Thank you! 😃

Great Episode

Wow - the pilot focused on Blaire calling out Cindy & it kept going Aah, the 70s & 80s when issues were addressed. Archie Bunker wouldn’t be on today 😂

Loved the show

Lisa was a Christian on this very first episode This season didn't have Jo on it, but it was one of my favorites!

This was the good old days I miss those days great show

what a great show this is what we need today !!

What a gem! Thank you

@thenormanleareffect

2 жыл бұрын

There's more Facts of Life to come, stay tuned!

@tonyarceneaux286

2 жыл бұрын

@@thenormanleareffect Who were the main producers of this show?

@Diostillrocks

2 жыл бұрын

@@tonyarceneaux286 Al Burton and Jerry Meyer.

I love this TV show

I can say that this program was teen tested parents approved little did i ot my siblings learn that these programs were long before our time ? an now im still watching reruns of these fantastic programs an i personally don't feel like i missed out on anything of today's programs. I actually feel blessed to have parents who cared about what we watched ect, i have the greatest parents in the world. Thank you Mom & Dad for being our 1st teachers we love and appreciate everything you have done for us.

@M_SC

Жыл бұрын

Sounds like cult brainwashing.

@taureanmay7480

10 ай бұрын

13:23 yes.

I still love this show

Classic!!!!!!

Call me strange but what I remember about these early episodes was how cute I thought Molly was!

@sylviaisgod6947

Жыл бұрын

She looked like a mushroom but I'd still plow.

@bobbyanderson8004

Жыл бұрын

She was almost kept on the show!!! She was the last one let go!!!

A catchy theme song :)

they sure made it clear that this was only a temporary gig so that she could easily return to DS. talk about padding your landing. :) Smart woman.

@Diostillrocks

Жыл бұрын

The was because the two actors who played the Ropers were left out to dry after their spinoff from Three's Company got canceled.

This is on one of my favorite shows!!!! ❤

@Cybertron-HallOfRecords

Жыл бұрын

My favorite is Suanne.

@jonathanlouis5363

Ай бұрын

Same here

An Oldie but a Goodie.

Oh no I love the fact of life I grow up watching them

I think I just saw Mrs. Garrett tell her first ever lie! She said "Oh I'll be back. I promise!" Though to be fair, had she returned, we would have never had such classic memories from this wonderful show. So I forgive her. Lol

@Diostillrocks

Жыл бұрын

She didn't lie. She just didn't say when.

@Lucailey

Жыл бұрын

I mean, that was her "out" in case the show didn't work. If Facts hadn't exploded in popularity, that line gave her an excuse to go back to the Drummand family.

Wise cracks in especially the beginning where kinda funny.

It's funny how they thought 32 was old. I'm 34 and they're making me feel old.

@Diostillrocks

2 жыл бұрын

At their age, you think 32 is old. You are dealing with 16 to 10 year olds here.

@nassauguy48

2 жыл бұрын

Do not feel bad. In a Brady Bunch episode, Marcia was complaining about having to wear braces. Her mother reminded her that, once they were taken off, she would be prettier than ever. Marcia replied how, by that time, she would be an old maid. Twenty!

@oooh19

2 жыл бұрын

@@nassauguy48 people married earlier then though lol

@oooh19

2 жыл бұрын

@@Diostillrocks yea but that lady looked way older than 32!

@Diostillrocks

2 жыл бұрын

@@oooh19 she was actually 38.

I wish they would have kept Molly. She was so cute. I always thought Different Strokes was a spin-off of Facts of life not the other way around.

@Diostillrocks

Жыл бұрын

Facts of Life came later.

@eugenekozma2697

10 ай бұрын

I like molly Ringwald too.her screen presence is so bright and evident.

When "The Facts Of Life" first premiered back in 1979, I'll bet a lot of people were wondering "What kind of name is Tootie?"

@Diostillrocks

2 жыл бұрын

You had Officer Toodie in "Car 54, Where Are You?" which Charlotte Rae played the wife of future Munster Grandpa Al Lewis.

@samsticka

2 жыл бұрын

@@Diostillrocks I've never seen it so I wouldn't know.

@Diostillrocks

2 жыл бұрын

@@samsticka it's on KZread.

@nassauguy48

2 жыл бұрын

Right. Her real name was Dorothy, and I fail to see how the nickname Tootie derives from that. Did she play with a horn when she was younger? Did she like electric trains? Did people think her voice sounded like it was tooting?

@Diostillrocks

2 жыл бұрын

@@nassauguy48 Dorothy sounds like an old fashion name. Though later, Kim preferred her character being called Dorothy over Tootie in the 2001 reunion movie because Tootie sounded like a kids name.