The Facts of Life

The Facts of Life: Summary

Originally on:NBC
Status:Ended
Premiered:August 24, 1979
Last Aired:September 10, 1988
Show Categories:Comedy, Drama

The Facts of Life began in August of 1979 and aired on NBC. It was a spin-off to the sitcom Diff'rent Strokes on which Charlotte Rae played Mrs. Garrett, housekeeper to Philip Drummond's household.

In The Facts of Life, Mrs. Garrett has become headmistress to an exclusive girls school, Eastland. Although the series had a rocky start, including low ratings and a cast overhaul. The series went on to becomes one of the longest running sitcoms of the 80's.

In the first season the stories revolved around Mrs. Garrett and her adjustment to her new job. The first season also introduced to us seven girls, Nancy, Blair, Sue Ann, Cindy, Molly, Natalie and Tootie. At the beginning of the second season, the cast was trimmed down to Mrs. Garrett and four primary girls, Blair, Tootie, Natalie and a new girl, Jo. These four girls would remain until the end of the series with Mrs. Garrett re-marrying and leaving in 1986 and Cloris Leachman coming in to play Mrs. Garrett's sister, Beverly Ann from 1986-1988.

On November 18, 2001, ABC aired The Facts of Life Reunion, in which Mrs. Garrett, Natalie, Blair and Tootie reunite.

First Telecast: August 24, 1979
Last Telecast: September 10, 1988

Episodes: 209 Color Episodes

Theme Song:

"The Facts of Life"

Written by: Alan Thicke, Gloria Loring and Al Burton

Sung by: Charlotte Rae (Season 1) and Gloria Loring (Seasons 2-9)

Spin-off of : Diff'rent Strokes

NBC Broadcast History

August-September 1979----Fridays----8:30 p.m.
March-May 1980----Fridays----8:30 p.m.
June-July 1980----Wednesdays----9:30 p.m.
August-October 1980----Fridays----8:30 p.m.
November 1980-October 1981----Wednesdays----9:30 p.m.
October 1981-August 1985----Wednesdays----9:00 p.m.
September 1985-June 1986----Saturdays----8:30 p.m.
June 1986-May 1987----Saturdays----8:00 p.m.
June-July 1987----Wednesdays----9:00 p.m.
July 1987-September 1988----Saturdays----8:00 p.m.

Nielsen Ratings:
(Top 35 or Better)

#26 in the 1980-1981 Season
#24 in the 1981-1982 Season
#24 in the 1983-1984 Season
#32 in the 1984-1985 Season
#27 in the 1985-1986 Season
The Facts of Life began in August of 1979 and aired on NBC. It was a spin-off to the sitcom Diff'rent Strokes on which Charlotte Rae played Mrs. Garrett, housekeeper to Philip Drummond's household.

In The Facts of Life, Mrs. Garrett has become headmistress to an exclusive girls school, Eastland. Although the series had a rocky start,...

The Facts of Life Reunion

Aired: Sunday November 18, 2001

Thirteen years later, Mrs. Garrett's "girls" have all grown into successful, independent women. After a stint in the Peace Corps with her husband, a widowed Mrs. Garrett is heading back to America, ready for a new life and new romance, and also looking forward to seeing the girls again. Blair is wealthier than ever, after building a hotel empire with her husband, Tad. But she suspects he is having an affair. "Tootie," now preferring to be called by her real name, Dorothy, has forsaken her acting hopes to host her own talk show. Natalie is a dedicated TV news producer, juggling an active love life with a frenetic work schedule that takes her all over the world. Jo, ever the free spirit, is a devoted cop, wife, and mother. It's been years since Natalie has had a Thanksgiving back in America, so she's talked all the girls and Mrs. Garrett into spending the holiday together back in Peekskill, NY. When Jo is unable to attend the reunion, her teenage daughter, Jamie, and husband, Rick, come instead. They're all in for a surprise when Natalie's not one, but two boyfriends unexpectedly show up at the reunion. Trouble soon starts, as both men compete for Natalie's attention and exclusivity, so it's up to the girls to help solve Natalie's predicament.

Growing Pains (Episode Clip)

When Blair, Natalie and Jo tease Tootie for being the youngest, she feels left out.

Posted: 10/25/06
Views: N/A
Comments: N/A

Sorry, no blogs exist at this time.

'70s, '80s shows to be shrunk for Net
Sony cutting down "classic" programs like Silver Spoons, Facts of Life to mere minutes for online digestion.
- 05/01/07 2:16 PM
- 15 comments \ add yours

Charlotte RaeEdna Garrett (1979-1986)
Lisa WhelchelBlair Warner
Mindy CohnNatalie Green
Kim FieldsDorothy "Tootie" Ramsey
Molly RingwaldMolly Parker (1979-1980) (photos)

9
00
kb55592
member since: Jun 8, 2008
The Bottom Line: "A decent show"
man i loved dis show even though i only watched 4 episodes. ...Continue »
07/02/08 07:27pm | report abuse
10
00
Animefan91tx
member since: Jan 3, 2007
The Bottom Line: "Classic"
I love this show. ...Continue »
01/23/08 07:19pm | report abuse
8
00
ubhfs
member since: Jan 13, 2008
The Bottom Line: "Unoriginal"
I'm giving it an 8 and an "unoriginal" rating classification because - well it is unoriginal. Sub-classification that matters to *me* most though is - "Guilty Pleasure". ...Continue »
01/13/08 09:38pm | report abuse
9.1
00
mammalazz
member since: Oct 5, 2006
The Bottom Line: "Classic"
you take the good you take the bad you take them both and there you have the facts of life ...Continue »
03/26/07 07:41am | report abuse
10
00
TashaC06
member since: Mar 5, 2007
The Bottom Line: "Personal favorite"
I love this show! ...Continue »
03/04/07 08:28am | report abuse