 |
The following is a list of episodes for The Facts of Life , which ran for nine seasons from 1979 to 1988 on NBC. There were 201 regular episodes and three television movies (Paris, Down Under, Reunion). Two of the movies, Paris and Down Under, were originally broadcast as TV movies, but in syndication, they were split into four 30-minute episodes, bringing the total number of syndicated episodes to 209.
| Season | Episodes | Originally aired | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First aired | Last aired | |||
| Pilot | May 4, 1979 | |||
| 1 | 13 | August 24, 1979 | June 11, 1980 | |
| 2 | 16 | November 19, 1980 | March 25, 1981 | |
| 3 | 24 | October 28, 1981 | May 5, 1982 | |
| 4 | 24 + movie | September 25, 1982 | May 4, 1983 | |
| 5 | 26 | September 21, 1983 | May 9, 1984 | |
| 6 | 26 | September 26, 1984 | May 15, 1985 | |
| 7 | 24 | September 14, 1985 | May 10, 1986 | |
| 8 | 24 + movie | September 27, 1986 | May 9, 1987 | |
| 9 | 24 | September 26, 1987 | May 7, 1988 | |
| Reunion | November 18, 2001 | |||
The Diff'rent Strokes season 1 finale served as the backdoor pilot for The Facts of Life.
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | 24 | "The Girls School" "Garrett's Girls" | Herbert Kenwith | Story by : Dick Clair & Jenna McMahon and Howard Leeds & Ben Starr Teleplay by : Howard Leeds & Ben Starr | May 4, 1979 | 122 |
Mrs. Garrett helps out the girls of the chaotic dormitory at Eastland. | ||||||
The first season begins with ten main characters: housemother Edna Garrett (Charlotte Rae), headmaster Steven Bradley (John Lawlor), teacher Emily Mahoney (Jenny O'Hara), and seven students: Blair Warner (Lisa Whelchel), Cindy Webster (Julie Anne Haddock), Molly Parker (Molly Ringwald), Nancy Olsen (Felice Schachter), Natalie Green (Mindy Cohn), Sue Ann Weaver (Julie Piekarski), and Tootie Ramsey (Kim Fields). O'Hara's character was dropped after the fourth episode.
Though counted as a single season, the show aired in discrete blocks of episodes. The show aired four weekly episodes on Wednesday nights in August and September, technically before the 1979/80 TV season actually began. Then the show was off the air for six months, returning in March through early May for a run of seven episodes. (The initial episode was a special presentation on Wednesday night after Diff'rent Strokes; the show then moved to Fridays.) After a month off, the series moved back to Wednesday nights for the season's two final episodes in June.
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Rough Housing" | Nick Havinga | Teleplay by : Brad Rider Story by : Brad Rider & Glenn Padnick | August 24, 1979 | 101 |
Blair thinks she is a shoe-in for Harvest Queen and is upset when tomboy Cindy gets nominated- leading to speculation about Cindy’s sexuality. Mrs. Garrett gets a visit from the Drummond family. Note: This was the show's first episode, but is not the pilot. The cast of Diff'rent Strokes guest star only for this episode. The actual pilot episode, used to sell the show to NBC, was the Diff'rent Strokes first season finale, "The Girls' School (aka) Garrett's Girls". This episode features the first two verses of the season's theme. | ||||||
| 2 | 2 | "Like Mother, Like Daughter" | Jim Drake | Jerry Mayer | August 31, 1979 | 102 |
The girls dream up a Parisian theme for Parents’ Night. Blair’s mother makes quite an impression on male visitors- particularly a married one. Blair worries about being perceived as “easy”. Notes: This episode features the third and final verse of the season's theme. Pam Huntington played Monica Warner (Blair's mother) in this episode only. In 1981, as the show airs its third season, Marj Dusay replaces Huntington in a recurring role as Monica. | ||||||
| 3 | 3 | "The Return of Mr. Garrett" | Jim Drake | Martin A. Ragaway | September 7, 1979 | 103 |
Mrs. Garrett’s ex-husband (Robert Alda) comes to visit and tries to rekindle their relationship, which Mrs. Garrett considers. Meanwhile, he gets the girls hooked on cards, but Mr. Bradley wants them to focus on their studies. | ||||||
| 4 | 4 | "I.Q." | Jim Drake | Jane Gould & Shelly Landau | September 14, 1979 | 104 |
Tootie peeks at a list of IQ scores which rattles Sue Ann (who got the lowest score) and Nancy (who got the highest). Mrs. Garrett ends up in a battle of smarts with Mr. Bradley. Note: Jenny O'Hara makes her final appearance on the show and as a main cast regular. After this episode, the show was put on a six-month hiatus. | ||||||
| 5 | 5 | "Overachieving" | Lee Lochhead | Jerry Mayer | March 12, 1980 | 105 |
Tootie's father (Robert Hooks) thinks Mrs. Garrett's influence over his daughter is holding her back as Tootie (Kim Fields) has aspired to open a beauty salon. The rest of the girls contemplate their futures with career day looming. Note: After a six-month absence, the series was essentially relaunched. To help the show gain an audience, this episode was immediately preceded by an episode of Diff'rent Strokes ("The Slumber Party") that featured several of the student characters who would be featured on The Facts of Life. Jenny O'Hara has left the show. | ||||||
| 6 | 6 | "Emily Dickinson" | Lee Lochhead | Stan Dreben | March 14, 1980 | 106 |
Blair plagiarizes an Emily Dickinson poem about beauty, but must come clean when Mr. Bradley submits the poem to a competition and it wins third prize. | ||||||
| 7 | 7 | "Dieting" | John Bowab | Martin A. Ragaway | March 21, 1980 | 108 |
Blair sets Sue Ann up on a date, which leads her to go on a crash diet. Mrs. Garrett gets caught up in the diet craze when she realizes her new dress is up a size from her usual. | ||||||
| 8 | 8 | "The Facts of Love" | John Bowab | Rowland Barber & Jerry Mayer | April 4, 1980 | 111 |
To the chagrin of Mr. Bradley, Mrs. Garrett holds a sex education class. Blair and Sue Ann have different ideas about physicality in a relationship, and Blair considers experimenting with her boyfriend. | ||||||
| 9 | 9 | "Flash Flood" | John Bowab | Jerry Mayer | April 11, 1980 | 112 |
Blair and Tootie get stranded at the stable during a storm. Mr. Bradley comes to their rescue, and Blair sees him in a new light. Meanwhile, Nancy frets that Roger can’t get to her, and Molly keeps up with the news on the radio. | ||||||
| 10 | 10 | "Adoption" | John Bowab | Migdia Chinea Varela | April 25, 1980 | 109 |
The girls get an assignment to make a family tree, and Natalie (Mindy Cohn) reveals that she is adopted. Blair tries to help her find her birth mother, but Nancy ties up the phone line with calls to Roger. | ||||||
| 11 | 11 | "Running" | John Bowab | Warren Murray | May 2, 1980 | 110 |
Sue Ann would rather coach Cindy than take her own place on the track team- until her record is threatened. Molly experiments with her new camera and all the girls are willing models. Note: This is the final episode to air on a Friday night. NBC moved the series to Wednesday nights for the final two episodes of the season and during the retooling for the second season. | ||||||
| 12 | 12 | "Molly's Holiday" | Gary Shimokawa | Story by : Albert Lewin & Skip Usen Teleplay by : Albert Lewin | June 4, 1980 | 107 |
Molly’s parents are getting divorced, and she hatches a scheme to get them back together. Mr. Bradley takes off for Club Med without a second thought about the girls’ issues. | ||||||
| 13 | 13 | "Dope" | John Bowab | Jerry Mayer | June 11, 1980 | 113 |
Sue Ann and Blair get in with a new group, but find themselves in over their heads when they realize their new friends smoke pot. Molly, Cindy, and Mrs. Garrett try to set up a new stereo. [note 1] Helen Hunt appears in this episode. | ||||||
The main cast is reduced to five main characters: Mrs. Edna Garrett (Charlotte Rae), Blair Warner (Lisa Whelchel), Natalie Green (Mindy Cohn), Tootie Ramsey (Kim Fields), and new girl Jo Polniaczek (Nancy McKeon).
Two more crossovers with Diff'rent Strokes gave the show a boost in the fall of 1980: Tootie appeared in the Diff'rent Strokes episode "The Bank Job" (Parts 1 and 2) on Nov. 12, 1980, and Arnold from Diff'rent Strokes appeared in "The New Girl" (Part 1), the Facts of Life season premiere.
There would be two additional crossovers this season in the winter of 1981: Blair and Natalie appeared in the Diff'rent Strokes episode "The Older Man," and Willis from Diff'rent Strokes appeared in the Facts of Life episode "Bought and Sold."
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 1 | "The New Girl: Part 1" | Bob Claver | Jerry Mayer | November 19, 1980 | 201 |
Blair struggles to bond with new girl Jo Polniaczek (Nancy McKeon), after Mrs. Garrett sets them up as roommates. Natalie and Tootie tag along when they head to a bar in a borrowed van with fake IDs, and soon they all end up in trouble. Meanwhile Mrs. Garrett has a visit with Arnold Jackson (Gary Coleman), who has designs on Tootie. | ||||||
| 15 | 2 | "The New Girl: Part 2" | Bob Claver | Jack Elinson | November 26, 1980 | 202 |
The girls are put on probation, and Mrs. Garrett takes custody of them as they work off the damage to the school van in the cafeteria. Blair tries to help Jo when another student bullies her about her background. [note 2] | ||||||
| 16 | 3 | "Double Standard" | Asaad Kelada | Linda Marsh & Margie Peters | December 10, 1980 | 204 |
Blair’s childhood friend invites Jo to a cotillion, but it isn’t dancing he has in mind. Natalie, Tootie, and Mrs. Garrett get competitive playing a game of scrabble. | ||||||
| 17 | 4 | "Who Am I?" | Lee Lochhead | Linda Marsh & Margie Peters | December 17, 1980 | 205 |
Tootie meets a Black teen who makes her think more deeply about her identity as a person of color. Meanwhile everyone gets ready for the annual dance contest, and Tootie designs a new dress for Blair. | ||||||
| 18 | 5 | "Cousin Geri" | Asaad Kelada | Ann Gibbs & Joel Kimmel | December 24, 1980 | 206 |
Blair's cousin Geri (Geri Jewell), a comedian who has cerebral palsy, visits. Blair is up for an award, and struggles with Geri’s presence at her special dinner. This episode marks Jewell's first appearance in the series. | ||||||
| 19 | 6 | "Shoplifting" | Lee Lochhead | Sally Sussman | December 31, 1980 | 203 |
Jo, Tootie, and Natalie struggle to buy a birthday gift for Mrs. Garrett that will compete with Blair’s gift- and Jo ultimately resorts to desperate measures. | ||||||
| 20 | 7 | "Teenage Marriage: Part 1" | John Bowab | Jerry Mayer | January 7, 1981 | 207 |
Jo’s boyfriend Eddie, AWOL from the Navy, surprises her with a marriage proposal. Blair uses her influence on the debating team to dissuade Jo from accepting. | ||||||
| 21 | 8 | "Teenage Marriage: Part 2" | John Bowab | Jerry Mayer | January 14, 1981 | 208 |
Mrs. Garrett and the girls try to stall Jo with a bridal shower until her mom can arrive. Jo and Eddie start to realize they have different visions of their future together. | ||||||
| 22 | 9 | "Gossip" | Lee Lochhead | Paul L. Friedman & Gayle MacDonald | January 21, 1981 | 209 |
Upset that she is excluded from a field trip, Tootie uses gossip to get in with the older girls. This leads to fights between Nancy, Blair, and Jo- not to mention a rumor that Mrs. Garrett has a drinking problem. [note 3] | ||||||
| 23 | 10 | "Breaking Point" | John Bowab | Linda Marsh & Margie Peters | January 28, 1981 | 210 |
Blair feels like the world is ending when she loses the student council president race, and she falls into a depression. But all the girls struggle after the winner resorts to drastic action. | ||||||
| 24 | 11 | "Sex Symbol" | John Bowab | Teleplay by : Linda Marsh & Margie Peters and Ann Gibbs & Joel Kimmel and Sally Sussman Story by : Sally Sussman | February 4, 1981 | 211 |
A boy Natalie studies with starts spreading lies about what happened between them. When the other girls insinuate that Natalie could never be the kind of girl the boy says she is, she starts to embrace the attention. [note 3] | ||||||
| 25 | 12 | "The Secret" | John Bowab | Story by : Jerry Mayer & Robyn Knapton Teleplay by : Jerry Mayer | February 25, 1981 | 212 |
Tootie accidentally opens a letter from Jo’s dad that reveals a truth about him that no one else knows. Jo then visits her dad in prison and finds out he will be released in time to attend an award ceremony. | ||||||
| 26 | 13 | "Pretty Babies" | Bob Claver | Ann Gibbs & Joel Kimmel | March 4, 1981 | 214 |
A photographer comes to Eastland to find a new muse and surprises everyone (especially Blair) by choosing Tootie. Mrs. Garrett is concerned that the photographer is making Tootie too mature. [note 4] | ||||||
| 27 | 14 | "Bought and Sold" | John Bowab | Teleplay by : Linda Marsh & Margie Peters Story by : Linda Marsh & Margie Peters and Susan Haven & Philip Ross | March 11, 1981 | 213 |
Blair sells cosmetics by Countess Calvert and gives Natalie an expensive makeover, which changes Natalie’s priorities and causes tension among the girls. Mrs. Garrett has a visit from Willis. Todd Bridges appears as Willis, and Zsa Zsa Gabor also guest stars. | ||||||
| 28 | 15 | "Free Spirit" | Bob Claver | Ann Gibbs & Joel Kimmel | March 18, 1981 | 215 |
Mrs. Garrett’s son Alex inspires Natalie with his free-wheeling life, but Blair thinks he is exaggerating his adventures. Meanwhile Natalie’s schoolwork falls to the side as she gets more and more distracted. | ||||||
| 29 | 16 | "Brian and Sylvia" | John Bowab | Jack Elinson | March 25, 1981 | 216 |
Tootie and Natalie go to Buffalo to visit Tootie's uncle Brian (Richard Dean Anderson) and aunt Sylvia (Rosanne Katon), who are an interracial couple. Sylvia, a local news anchor, has received a job offer in New York City, but Brian does not want to move. | ||||||
Mr. Parker (Roger Perry) is a recurring character as the school's new headmaster. Linda Marsh and Margie Peters join Jerry Mayer as producers. Jack Elison and Jerry Mayer were the executive producers.
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | 1 | "Growing Pains" | Asaad Kelada | Linda Marsh & Margie Peters | October 28, 1981 | 302 |
Tootie takes her job as dorm monitor very seriously- much to the annoyance of the other girls, who sneak wine and beer into their room. Mrs. Garrett tries to get money for new kitchen equipment. [note 5] Note: Starting this season, Kim Fields began wearing braces. | ||||||
| 31 | 2 | "Fear Strikes Back" | Asaad Kelada | Deidre Fay & Stuart Wolpert | November 4, 1981 | 306 |
Natalie gets assaulted on the way home from a party and struggles to move past it. Jo and Blair battle over Halloween costumes, and eventually all the girls take a self-defense class. | ||||||
| 32 | 3 | "A Baby in the House" | Asaad Kelada | Story by : Jerry Winnick Teleplay by : Stuart Wolpert & Deidre Fay and Jerry Winnick | November 11, 1981 | 308 |
A former student who has a baby comes back for a visit and leaves without something important. Blair tries to convince Jo to join her on a double date while Natalie struggles to find time to study. | ||||||
| 33 | 4 | "A Friend in Deed" | Asaad Kelada | Linda Marsh & Margie Peters | November 18, 1981 | 307 |
Blair’s mom comes for a visit and it is revealed that her plastic surgery is for something much more serious. Her cousin Geri needs to update her comedy act. Meanwhile, Jo stresses about a job interview. Note: This is Marj Dusay's first episode playing Monica Warner. | ||||||
| 34 | 5 | "Front Page" | Asaad Kelada | Mike Mayer & Larry Swimer | November 25, 1981 | 309 |
Jo writes a story for the school newspaper that gets a teacher in trouble- but she may not have all her facts straight. As the editor, Natalie struggles with the decision to print it. [note 6] | ||||||
| 35 | 6 | "Give and Take" | Asaad Kelada | Linda Marsh & Margie Peters | December 2, 1981 | 303 |
Mrs. Garrett has a financial crisis and takes another job. The girls are oblivious to her plight thanks to their own problems- especially Blair who needs helping planning an art club luncheon. | ||||||
| 36 | 7 | "Sweet Sorrow" | Asaad Kelada | Linda Marsh & Margie Peters | December 9, 1981 | 310 |
Jo is surprised when she feels she has to choose between her class project partner and her boyfriend Eddie. Blair isn’t quite as enamored with her assigned partner. | ||||||
| 37 | 8 | "From Russia with Love" | Asaad Kelada | Story by : Jerry Mayer & Emily Mayer Teleplay by : Jerry Mayer | December 16, 1981 | 301 |
Blair and Tootie prepare for a ski trip. Natalie’s doting grandma Mona (Molly Picon) visits, and Natalie is annoyed that she has to cancel a date. The other girls, however, are fascinated with Mona’s stories. | ||||||
| 38 | 9 | "Dear Me" | Asaad Kelada | Lloyd Turner & Howard Liebling | December 23, 1981 | 311 |
The girls plan a camping trip with a group of Bates boys and try to set Tootie up with a date for the occasion. Tootie creates a fake boyfriend so that she doesn’t have to go along. [note 7] | ||||||
| 39 | 10 | "Cousin Geri Returns" | Asaad Kelada | Ann Gibbs & Joel Kimmel | December 30, 1981 | 305 |
Blair hosts a big, important party, but worries when someone shows interest in her cousin Geri. The rest of the girls get caught up in Geri’s fantasy romance with the handsome French teacher. | ||||||
| 40 | 11 | "Legacy" | Judi Elterman | Deidre Fay & Stuart Wolpert | January 6, 1982 | 312 |
Natalie writes a newspaper article on Blair’s grandfather and discovers ties to racist organizations- just as his money is about to be used for a new library. Blair starts treating Tootie differently after finding out. | ||||||
| 41 | 12 | "Green-Eyed Monster" | Asaad Kelada | Story by : Bill Shinkai Teleplay by : Linda Marsh & Margie Peters | January 13, 1982 | 313 |
Natalie is dying for the lead role in “South Pacific”. Tootie casually wins it, causing tension between the friends. Meanwhile Blair focuses on set design and laments that no one appreciates her vision. [note 8] | ||||||
| 42 | 13 | "The Americanization of Miko" | Asaad Kelada | Stephen W. Spears & Bill Shinkai | January 20, 1982 | 314 |
Miko (Lauren Tom), a Japanese student with a very strict and traditional father (Mako), tries to explore more fun and laid-back things- including learning how to ride Jo’s motorcycle. | ||||||
| 43 | 14 | "The Marriage Brokers" | Alejandro Rey | Mitch Markowitz | January 27, 1982 | 315 |
Mrs. Garrett has a handsome visitor (Norman Alden) and the girls are shocked to realize the nature of the relationship. Blair dates a family friend out of obligation but finds he is much different than she remembers. | ||||||
| 44 | 15 | "Starstruck" | Asaad Kelada | Story by : Marvin Braverman Teleplay by : Marvin Braverman and Deidre Fay & Stuart Wolpert | February 3, 1982 | 316 |
Tootie begs Mrs. Garrett to bring her to a Jermaine Jackson concert, believing that the singer personally invited her. She also forgets about the scholarship fair, leaving Jo in the lurch. Note: Jermaine Jackson appears as himself in this episode. | ||||||
| 45 | 16 | "The Four Musketeers" | Asaad Kelada | Deidre Fay & Stuart Wolpert | February 10, 1982 | 304 |
When the heat and water in the building go haywire, the girls end up at each other’s throats. Just in time, Mrs. Garrett reveals they can move back into the dorms- but do they really want to? | ||||||
| 46 | 17 | "The Affair" | Asaad Kelada | Migdia Chinea-Varela | February 17, 1982 | 318 |
On a visit to an exclusive NYC restaurant, the girls and Mrs. Garrett spot Natalie’s father (Norman Burton) with another woman. Natalie then becomes upset with Blair because of her dating habits. | ||||||
| 47 | 18 | "Runaway" | Asaad Kelada | Bernard Burnell Mack | February 24, 1982 | 317 |
Tootie tries to connect with the older girls in NYC and instead connects with a young prostitute (Tammy Lauren) who tries to recruit her. The other girls miss the show they were trying to see and spend the day chasing down Tootie. | ||||||
| 48 | 19 | "New York, New York" | Asaad Kelada | Peter Noah | March 3, 1982 | 319 |
Blair and Jo visit old friends and realize how much they have each changed- Blair is more independent and less spoiled, while Jo has softened and sees the value in respecting her neighborhood. | ||||||
| 49 | 20 | "Kids Can Be Cruel" | Asaad Kelada | Jerry Mayer | March 17, 1982 | 320 |
The upperclassmen create dinner boxes to auction off, and Natalie hopes a certain Bates boy bids on hers. Meanwhile a sweet unsuspecting Bates boy gets caught up in slambook drama. This episode was reenacted for the third edition of Live in Front of a Studio Audience . | ||||||
| 50 | 21 | "Mind Your Own Business" | Selig Frank | Jerry Jacobius & Steven Gore | March 24, 1982 | 321 |
Mrs. Garrett tries to write a speech for the dietitians convention. Blair reads Natalie’s diary with good intentions but finds out Natalie’s true feelings about her, leading to a set of disastrous privacy rules. | ||||||
| 51 | 22 | "The Academy" | Asaad Kelada | Jerry Mayer | March 31, 1982 | 322 |
Focus shifts to Jo’s friend and his roommates at their military academy, where they have a big dance coming up. Jo sets Blair up with her friend, without telling her he is a juvenile delinquent. | ||||||
| 52 | 23 | "Jo's Cousin" | Asaad Kelada | Linda Marsh & Margie Peters | April 14, 1982 | 324 |
Jo gets caught up in family drama while celebrating her cousin Terry’s (Megan Follows) birthday, and even calls in Blair’s help when Terry decides she wants to be more ladylike. | ||||||
| 53 | 24 | "Read No Evil" | Dolores Ferraro | Story by : Deidre Fay & Stuart Wolpert and Hendrik Van Leuven Teleplay by : Deidre Fay & Stuart Wolpert | May 5, 1982 | 323 |
Natalie decries the school’s book banning policy and puts her job as editor of the school paper on the line. Meanwhile, Geri gets the girls hooked on soap operas while trying to get material for a new comedy act. | ||||||
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| -- | -- | "The Facts of Life Goes to Paris" | Asaad Kelada | Jerry Mayer & Jack Elinson, Linda Marsh & Margie Peters, Deidre Fay & Stuart Wolpert | September 25, 1982 | -- | ||||||
Mrs. Garrett attends a prestigious cooking academy in Paris while the girls escape their cultural exchange program and have adventures- Blair soaks in the city and looks for romance, Jo heads for Le Mans and meets a charming biker, and Natalie and Tootie spend time with a struggling writer and try to inspire him. Note: Originally a two-hour movie, is shown in four half-hour episodes in syndication. | ||||||||||||
| 54 | 1 | "Ain't Miss Beholden" | Asaad Kelada | Stephen Neigher | September 29, 1982 | 403 | ||||||
When Jo’s scholarship fund dries up, she decides she would rather take odd jobs and earn the money herself than apply for a scholarship sponsored by Blair’s family business. | ||||||||||||
| 55 | 2 | "The Source" | Asaad Kelada | Peter Noah | October 6, 1982 | 404 | ||||||
Natalie writes a riveting article about abortion for the school paper, but the headmaster threatens to expel her if she doesn’t reveal who the story is really about. Blair especially is dying to know. | ||||||||||||
| 56 | 3 | "The Sound of Silence" | Asaad Kelada | Kimberly Hill | October 27, 1982 | 401 | ||||||
Tootie begins to struggle with her classwork and personal life. Geri has a theory about why, which is related to hearing loss. | ||||||||||||
| 57 | 4 | "The Oldest Living Graduate" | Asaad Kelada | John Markus | November 3, 1982 | 407 | ||||||
Eastland's oldest living graduate, Marie Thornwell (Amzie Strickland), a wealthy eccentric, was all set to donate her fortune to the school, but meeting Jo changes her mind- and then she tries to change Jo. Note: Margaret Hamilton was originally cast in the role of Marie Thornwell. The TV Guide ad for this episode even featured her picture. An editor's note was added under the encapsulated description which said that Amzie Strickland was her "last minute replacement." | ||||||||||||
| 58 | 5 | "Different Drummer" | Asaad Kelada | Dianne Messina & Lou Messina | November 10, 1982 | 408 | ||||||
Blair thinks she is doing a good deed by tutoring an intellectually disabled young man, but the student misinterprets her good intentions after Blair pushes him too far. Jo struggles to ward off delivery boy Roy's romantic advances. | ||||||||||||
| 59 | 6 | "Dearest Mommie" | Asaad Kelada | Deidre Fay & Stuart Wolpert | November 17, 1982 | 409 | ||||||
Natalie and her mom (Mitzi Hoag) argue about a journalism opportunity, and it leads her to seek out her biological mother. Jo finds her old yo-yo and Blair bets that she can learn all of Jo’s tricks in a week. | ||||||||||||
| 60 | 7 | "A Woman's Place" | Asaad Kelada | Story by : David Chambers and Ruth Bennett Teleplay by : David Chambers | November 24, 1982 | 410 | ||||||
Jo gets promoted over her boyfriend, causing friction between them. Still she offers to help Blair, who is having trouble with her dad’s Porsche. Meanwhile Natalie gets really into her Psychology class and can’t stop analyzing everyone. | ||||||||||||
| 61 | 8 | "Daddy's Girl" | Asaad Kelada | Howard Meyers & Paul Haggis | December 1, 1982 | 402 | ||||||
Mrs. Garrett takes inventory with the girls’ help, and tries to order healthy food for the school. Blair is a bit too nonchalant when the IRS wants to talk to her about the allowance her father (Nicolas Coster) pays to her. | ||||||||||||
| 62 | 9 | "The Big Fight" | Asaad Kelada | Jerry Mayer | December 8, 1982 | 406 | ||||||
The boys at the academy prepare for a big boxing match. A boy named Alfred asks Natalie to come watch, but he struggles with his matchup against a very tough and intimidating classmate. | ||||||||||||
| 63 | 10 | "For the Asking" | Asaad Kelada | Nick Gore & Jerry Jacobius | December 15, 1982 | 411 | ||||||
Natalie is too stressed to ask the boy she likes to the Sadie Hawkins dance. Blair worries about the optics of a girl asking a guy for a date, while Tootie embraces the opportunity and courts many boys at once. | ||||||||||||
| 64 | 11 | "September Song" | Asaad Kelada | Bob Peete | December 22, 1982 | 405 | ||||||
Mrs. Garrett’s jogging partner Henry (Murray Matheson) expresses interest in creating a future together, but he quickly becomes overbearing. The girls think he is too old for her and resent him when he starts bossing them around. | ||||||||||||
| 65 | 12 | "A Royal Pain" | Asaad Kelada | Jerry Mayer | January 5, 1983 | 413 | ||||||
Alex, the daughter of royals, enrolls at Eastland. Blair isn’t as taken with her as the other girls, and Tootie ends up in a tough spot when she catches Alex trying to sneak out with a boy. Guest-starring Heather McAdam as Princess Alexandra 'Alex' Lambarti | ||||||||||||
| 66 | 13 | "Magnificent Obsession" | Asaad Kelada | Linda Marsh & Margie Peters | January 12, 1983 | 412 | ||||||
Blair’s new boyfriend, Chad, is incredibly demanding and doesn’t treat her well. The rest of the girls struggle to get through to her while working on a fundraiser to save the seals, and Jo tries to keep her from taking a call from him. | ||||||||||||
| 67 | 14 | "Under Pressure" | Asaad Kelada | Sandra Kay Siegel | January 19, 1983 | 414 | ||||||
Mrs. Garrett has high blood pressure, and the girls’ efforts to ease her stress have the opposite effect. She ends up with her car stolen, and the one task that she wanted to work on is the one that gets taken away. | ||||||||||||
| 68 | 15 | "Teacher's Pet" | Asaad Kelada | Deidre Fay & Stuart Wolpert | January 26, 1983 | 415 | ||||||
Jo is upset when she learns her favorite teacher (Deborah Harmon) is leaving school, but it’s not what she thinks. Meanwhile, Blair’s cousin Geri is in town to help plan her surprise birthday party. | ||||||||||||
| 69 | 16 | "Let's Party" | Asaad Kelada | Jerry Mayer | February 9, 1983 | 417 | ||||||
Tootie's college-age brother Marshall (Kevin Rodney Sullivan) comes to Peekskill for a visit. After drinking at a party, he insists on driving the girls home and gets into an accident. Jo is a little preoccupied with her garden project. | ||||||||||||
| 70 | 17 | "Best Sister: Part 1" | Asaad Kelada | Linda Marsh & Margie Peters | February 16, 1983 | 418 | ||||||
Blair's stepsister Meg (Eve Plumb) drops some surprising news- she’s going to join a convent. Blair struggles to accept this. Jo plans to go on a college weekend with an old friend, but spends time with Meg instead. | ||||||||||||
| 71 | 18 | "Best Sister: Part 2" | Asaad Kelada | Linda Marsh & Margie Peters | February 23, 1983 | 419 | ||||||
Jo is incredibly inspired by Meg and wants to follow in her footsteps, but Blair is still in disbelief and it leads to a fight between the friends. Mrs. Garrett tries to help Blair sort out her feelings about faith. | ||||||||||||
| 72 | 19 | "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?" | Asaad Kelada | Deidre Fay & Stuart Wolpert | March 9, 1983 | 416 | ||||||
Mrs. Garrett hosts a dinner for the cooking instructor from her Paris culinary school, but doesn’t realize his family speaks very little English. The girls try to capture a squirrel that has made its way into their bedroom. | ||||||||||||
| 73 | 20 | "Who's on First" | Asaad Kelada | Kimberly Hill | March 30, 1983 | 420 | ||||||
Natalie has a new boyfriend, and she thinks Tootie wouldn’t understand what it's like to be in love. Tootie feels slighted and starts lying so she can spend more time with Natalie. Jo and Blair get involved in the stock market. | ||||||||||||
| 74 | 21 | "Help from Home" | Asaad Kelada | Jerry Mayer | April 6, 1983 | 421 | ||||||
Blair and Jo anxiously watch college acceptances roll in. Jo’s neighbors in the Bronx are ready to celebrate her, but she gets stuck in her parents’ fights about finances and considers giving up going to college. | ||||||||||||
| 75 | 22 | "Take My Finals, Please" | Asaad Kelada | Deidre Fay & Stuart Wolpert | April 27, 1983 | 422 | ||||||
The girls pull an all-nighter trying to study for exams, but keep getting distracted with nostalgia, gossip, and hunger. Mrs. Garrett tries to persuade them to focus on getting a good night’s sleep. | ||||||||||||
| 76 | 23 | "Graduation" | Asaad Kelada | Kimberly Hill and Linda Marsh & Margie Peters | May 4, 1983 | 423 | ||||||
| 77 | 24 | 424 | ||||||||||
Part 1: Mrs. Garrett tries to get graduation to run smoothly, but Alex and Roy bring more annoyance than assistance. Tootie is sad about all the changes. Jo stresses out about her valedictorian speech, and Blair gives fellow graduates makeovers. Part 2: Blair’s dad is going to miss graduation, and her mom can’t get over it. Meanwhile Jo is in the middle of her own parents’ arguments. When it is time to give her speech, Jo reminisces about her time at Eastland, and then all the girls struggle to say goodbye. | ||||||||||||
Blair and Jo start college, and Mrs. Garrett quits Eastland and opens her own gourmet food shop and catering business. Blair, Jo, Tootie, and Natalie all move in with her. Pamela Segall joins the cast this season, beginning with the episode "Just My Bill". Her final appearance is in the episode "Seems Like Old Times", and her character is dropped following that episode. Blair and Jo have been kicked out of the dorms and placed on probation. Mrs. Garrett offers Jo a place to live and a job in her store. Tootie and Natalie also move into the apartments above the store. Blair is reluctant to move in and decides to pledge a sorority.
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78 | 1 | "Brave New World" | Asaad Kelada | Linda Marsh & Margie Peters | September 21, 1983 | 501 | ||||||
| 79 | 2 | 502 | ||||||||||
Part 1: Jo’s job falls through and it leads to financial struggles- which she tries to solve by moving in with Blair. Natalie and Tootie visit Langley and worry about looking young. Mrs. Garrett struggles with Mr. Parker’s demands and then gets a visit from her son, Raymond (Joel Brooks). Part 2: Jo and Blair try to manage things in the tight quarters of Blair’s dorm room. Mrs. Garrett resigns from Eastland and tries to get her store, Edna's Edibles, off the ground, but Natalie and Tootie lament how things are at Eastland since she left. Mrs. Garrett thinks up a solution to everyone’s problems. Note: This is the final episode to feature Eastland Academy as the main setting of the show. | ||||||||||||
| 80 | 3 | "Gamma Gamma or Bust" | Asaad Kelada | Story by : George Tricker & Neil Rosen Teleplay by : George Tricker & Neil Rosen and Andy Borowitz | September 28, 1983 | 503 | ||||||
Blair decides not to move in above the store and instead tries to rush a sorority, but causes trouble when she asks Mrs. Garrett to cater an event. Tootie, Natalie, and Jo try to mediate the disagreement and end up doing the cooking themselves- with disastrous results. Note: Jami Gertz makes the first of four appearances as Blair's sorority sister Boots St. Clair. [note 9] Note: This was the last episode of the Eastland backdrop in the opening credits. This was also the last episode showing Mindy Cohn and Nancy McKeon's scenes from the two previous seasons. | ||||||||||||
| 81 | 4 | "Just My Bill" | Asaad Kelada | Dianne Messina & Lou Messina | October 12, 1983 | 505 | ||||||
Jo has a new secret boyfriend. Blair recognizes him as the son of an esteemed millionaire, and it leads to a conflict. Natalie and Tootie are very invested in the outcome of the dates. Note: Edna's Edibles was marked the season's new backdrop at the beginning of the opening credits until the 3rd episode of the show's 7th season. Mindy Cohn and Nancy McKeon were marked new original scenes in the opening credits of this episode. Starting this episode, Pamela Segall joins the on-and-off regular blockage as Kelly Affinado. | ||||||||||||
| 82 | 5 | "What Price Glory?" | Asaad Kelada | Alan Spencer | October 19, 1983 | 506 | ||||||
Blair tries to get her cousin Geri to perform at an Eastland event. Tootie meets a charming customer from Bates, and he asks for her help with a questionable endeavor. Meanwhile everyone struggles to finish inventory. Note: Geri Jewell guest stars as Blair's cousin, comedian 'Geri Tyler'. | ||||||||||||
| 83 | 6 | "The Halloween Show" | Asaad Kelada | Jerry Mayer | October 26, 1983 | 507 | ||||||
On Halloween, a mysterious customer tells the girls scary stories, then never returns to pick up his order- leading them to suspect Mrs. Garrett had something to do with his disappearance. Mrs. Garrett is just frustrated that the girls aren’t getting their work done. | ||||||||||||
| 84 | 7 | "Advance Placement" | Asaad Kelada | Bob Myer & Bob Young | November 2, 1983 | 510 | ||||||
Natalie is invited to take a class at Langley and becomes a popular figure on campus, much to Blair and Jo’s annoyance. Tootie is upset that Natalie’s priorities have changed, and Natalie struggles to keep up with her Eastland work. [note 10] | ||||||||||||
| 85 | 8 | "I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can" | Asaad Kelada | Jim Geoghan | November 9, 1983 | 509 | ||||||
Blair and Jo bring Mrs. Garrett to a strip club for her birthday, and Blair is shocked when she realizes one of the dancers is her new boyfriend Cliff (Woody Brown). Tootie and Natalie, too young to go, just want all the details. | ||||||||||||
| 86 | 9 | "Small But Dangerous" | Asaad Kelada | Andy Borowitz | November 16, 1983 | 508 | ||||||
The store is vandalized with gang-related graffiti. A young neighborhood girl named Kelly, who Jo once caught shoplifting, turns out to be in the middle of it. Jo vows to handle it herself and finds out Kelly’s surprising motives. | ||||||||||||
| 87 | 10 | "Store Games" | Asaad Kelada | Story by : Andy Borowitz and Howard Meyers Teleplay by : Andy Borowitz | November 30, 1983 | 512 | ||||||
Another gourmet food shop opens nearby. When Blair goes to scope it out, she is charmed by the seemingly charismatic owner (William Windom) who then starts taking jobs from Mrs. Garrett. Natalie uses her new computer to figure out what else he is taking. | ||||||||||||
| 88 | 11 | "The Second Time Around" | Asaad Kelada | Linda Marsh & Margie Peters | December 14, 1983 | 511 | ||||||
Jo’s divorced parents (Alex Rocco and Claire Malis) come to watch her compete in a motorcycle race, and she schemes to get them back together, but her dad has big news. Natalie drags Tootie on a blind date that turns out to be a disaster. | ||||||||||||
| 89 | 12 | "The Christmas Show" | Asaad Kelada | Jerry Mayer | December 21, 1983 | 515 | ||||||
Tootie and Blair scheme to help Jo get to Miami so she can spend Christmas with her dad. Mrs. Garrett tries to sell holiday fruitcakes. Natalie learns about Christmas traditions, with help from Tootie and a customer, Mr. Lasaroni. | ||||||||||||
| 90 | 13 | "The Chain Letter" | Asaad Kelada | Bob Myer & Bob Young | December 28, 1983 | 504 | ||||||
Mrs. Garrett stresses about the board of health inspection and she is counting on the girls to help. They get distracted by a chain letter and the bad luck that they assume the chain letter brought with it. | ||||||||||||
| 91 | 14 | "Next Door" | Linda Day | Milt Rosen & Glenn Padnick | January 4, 1984 | 513 | ||||||
Tootie befriends a latchkey kid (Taliesin Jaffe) who lives in the building next door with his single mother (Jean Smart). The boiler gives everyone trouble despite Jo’s attempts to repair it, and it is up to Tootie to save the day. Meanwhile, Blair scores tickets to a popular play. | ||||||||||||
| 92 | 15 | "Crossing the Line" | Mark W. Travis | Andy Borowitz | January 11, 1984 | 516 | ||||||
Natalie starts to date Tootie’s cousin and it opens up everyone’s minds about how interracial relationships work. In the midst of her conflicting feelings, Tootie tells an elaborate lie to slow the relationship down. | ||||||||||||
| 93 | 16 | "All or Nothing" | Asaad Kelada | Bob Myer & Bob Young | January 18, 1984 | 518 | ||||||
Jo is elected to the Langley board of regents. She is shocked to find out how the board allocates funds and tries to make changes, but the moment starts to go to her head and she loses sight of the goal. | ||||||||||||
| 94 | 17 | "A Death in the Family" | Asaad Kelada | Linda Marsh & Margie Peters | February 1, 1984 | 519 | ||||||
Mrs. Garrett arranges for the store to have a float in the Founder’s Day parade. Natalie’s dad suddenly passes away, and the girls struggle to understand her way of grieving. Tootie is overwhelmed wanting to help Natalie. | ||||||||||||
| 95 | 18 | "Big Fish/Little Fish" | Asaad Kelada | Linda Marsh & Margie Peters | February 8, 1984 | 520 | ||||||
Natalie continues to struggle with grief. Jo wins the contest the store set up for the queen of the parade float, which makes Blair question everything and Jo doubts her ability to be “popular”. Tootie and Mrs. Garrett wait out in the cold for concert tickets. | ||||||||||||
| 96 | 19 | "Star at Langley" | Asaad Kelada | Andy Borowitz | February 15, 1984 | 521 | ||||||
A famous movie star, Heather Hunt, enrolls at Langley. Blair has been wanting to slow things down with her boyfriend, but she gets suspicious when Heather takes an interest in him. The rest of the girls are just tickled to have her as a customer at Edna’s Edibles. | ||||||||||||
| 97 | 20 | "Dream Marriage" | Asaad Kelada | Jerry Mayer | February 22, 1984 | 522 | ||||||
When Cliff proposes to Blair, she imagines what her life, and the lives of the other girls, might be like in the year 2000. It scares her to realize everyone else is accomplishing great things and they aren’t interested in reminiscing about old times. | ||||||||||||
| 98 | 21 | "Mother and Daughter" | Norman Cohen | Jerry Mayer | February 29, 1984 | 517 | ||||||
Tootie’s lawyer mother (played by Kim Fields' mother Chip) gives a lecture. Jo is inspired and considers a career in law, while Tootie struggles with bad news about an audition and worries that her mom doesn’t understand her. Natalie and Kelly plan a “TP party”, and Blair searches for a punk costume. | ||||||||||||
| 99 | 22 | "All by Herself" | Judi Elterman | Story by : Bob Myer & Bob Young and Cheri Eichen & Bill Steinkellner Teleplay by : Bob Myer & Bob Young | March 14, 1984 | 514 | ||||||
Geri (Geri Jewell) asks for Blair’s help planning an event, but Blair totally takes over and as a result, Geri doesn’t want any help from anyone. Tootie and Natalie struggle to balance helping Blair, working for Mrs. Garrett, and doing schoolwork. Note: This episode marks Geri Jewell's final appearance. | ||||||||||||
| 100 | 23 | "Seems Like Old Times" | Asaad Kelada | Linda Marsh & Margie Peters | March 21, 1984 | 524 | ||||||
Jo's former boyfriend Eddie (Clark Brandon), comes to town for a visit. Blair is shocked by how cultured he seems, while everyone else is tickled to have him back. Jo tries not to get too attached, but finds out he has a secret. Note: This is Pamela Segall's final appearance in the series. | ||||||||||||
| 101 | 24 | "Joint Custody" | Asaad Kelada | Bob Myer & Bob Young | May 2, 1984 | 523 | ||||||
Mrs. Garrett's son, Raymond (Joel Brooks), who also owns the building where Edna's Edibles is located, visits with his wife Doris (Kim Darby). Their impending separation puts the store in jeopardy, so the girls plan a party to remind the couple of their good times. But Mrs. Garrett soon finds out the source of the stress in their marriage, and it is a surprise to her. | ||||||||||||
| 102 | 25 | "The Way We Were" | Asaad Kelada | Jerry Mayer | May 9, 1984 | 525 | ||||||
| 103 | 26 | 526 | ||||||||||
As the girls prepare for their summer vacations, they look back on the past, as seen in clips from previous episodes. Blair and Jo ultimately get into a major argument, so Natalie and Tootie try to patch things up between the two. Note: The clips shown are taken from "Rough Housing", "I.Q.", "Overachieving", "Emily Dickinson", "Running", "Dope", "The New Girl: Part 1", "The New Girl: Part 2", "Double Standard", "Who Am I?", "Teenage Marriage: Part 1", "Gossip", "The Secret", "Front Page", "Dear Me", "Green-Eyed Monster", "The Four Musketeers", "New York, New York", "Kids Can Be Cruel", "September Song", "Let's Party", "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?", "Take My Finals, Please", "Crossing the Line" and "Big Fish/Little Fish". | ||||||||||||
Mrs. Garrett (Charlotte Rae) was absent from several episodes in season 6 per Rae's request for reduced appearances. Deidre Faye & Stuart Wolpert are now executive producers until season 8.
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 104 | 1 | "The Summer of '84" | Asaad Kelada | Linda Marsh & Margie Peters | September 26, 1984 | 605 | ||||||
The girls recount their summer breaks: Tootie tried to act more grown up while Natalie attracted the attention of a precocious kid, Mrs. Garrett recounts a summer romance, Jo played the piano, and Blair spent time on a farm in Iowa. John Astin (Mackenzie Astin's real life father) appears in this episode as Mrs. Garrett's summer love. | ||||||||||||
| 105 | 2 | "A Slice of Life" "Slices of Life" | Asaad Kelada | Jerry Mayer | October 3, 1984 | 604 | ||||||
Natalie invests in Jo’s new pizza business on Tootie’s behalf without her permission, and all three soon find themselves in a mess. Blair refuses to help, and Jo soon has to take some unauthorized short cuts. | ||||||||||||
| 106 | 3 | "Love at First Byte" | Asaad Kelada | Bob Myer & Bob Young | October 17, 1984 | 606 | ||||||
Natalie uses a computer dating system to find dates for Blair and Jo and isn’t completely honest with them (or her own date) about the process. Mrs. Garrett searches for a new bridge partner, and Tootie is unwillingly recruited. | ||||||||||||
| 107 | 4 | "My Boyfriend's Back" | Asaad Kelada | Bob Myer & Bob Young | October 24, 1984 | 601 | ||||||
Mrs. Garrett is feeling the pressure of a busy shop with Jo at home for the week and Tootie distracted by her boyfriend Jeff, who seems to have changed at college. She worries that she has to take a big step in order to keep him. Note: Nancy McKeon does not appear in this episode. This is her first absence in the season. This is also the first taped episode of this season. | ||||||||||||
| 108 | 5 | "Cruisin'" | John Bowab | Paul Haggis | October 31, 1984 | 609 | ||||||
The girls spend the evening driving around Peekskill. Blair worries about being seen cruising, Tootie tries to win a radio contest, Jo is excited to spot cars and motorcycles, and Natalie just wants to scout guys. Notes: This is the first episode to feature Kim Fields without her braces since season three. Nancy McKeon returns after her first absence from the previous episode. This is also the first and only episode that premiered without a laugh track and live audience. Due to that reason, this episode was filmed in single-camera format for the only time. | ||||||||||||
| 109 | 6 | "Taking a Chance on Love" | Asaad Kelada | Gail Honigberg | November 7, 1984 | 607 | ||||||
| 110 | 7 | 608 | ||||||||||
Part 1: Jo begins to see her photography professor, Sam (Kristoffer Tabori), and the rest of the girls are super invested in the relationship. Blair worries that other students at the college might be gossiping, and Sam soon tells Jo he has a son. Part 2:Jo meets Sam’s son and ends up getting wrapped up in his life. Blair is worried, and shares her own experiences with step parents. Mrs. Garrett tries some new things to liven up the shop including themed costumes. | ||||||||||||
| 111 | 8 | "E.G.O.C. (Edna Garrett on Campus)" | John Bowab | Janis Hirsch | November 14, 1984 | 610 | ||||||
Blair and Jo convince Mrs. Garrett to take a Shakespeare class at Langley with them, but they don’t take her seriously as a student. Meanwhile Natalie and Tootie make some unauthorized changes to the pastries at the shop. | ||||||||||||
| 112 | 9 | "Dear Apple" | John Bowab | Story by : Deidre Fay & Stuart Wolpert Teleplay by : Paul Haggis | November 21, 1984 | 611 | ||||||
After one forgets to give the other an important message, Jo and Blair end up in a bitter back and forth while Blair vies to win a “Helen of Troy” contest. Jo tries to sort out the fight by talking to a computer. | ||||||||||||
| 113 | 10 | "Talk, Talk, Talk" | John Bowab | Bob Myer & Bob Young | November 28, 1984 | 614 | ||||||
After a series of unfortunate incidents, Jo winds up with a ton of time to kill and no music to play during her shift at the college radio station. The girls and Mrs. Garrett try to help but they have their own issues- especially Blair, who really needs romance advice. | ||||||||||||
| 114 | 11 | "Smile" | Asaad Kelada | Story by : Mark Miller Teleplay by : Linda Marsh & Margie Peters | December 5, 1984 | 602 | ||||||
Mrs Garrett receives daily roses from a secret admirer. Natalie stresses about a job interview at a newspaper office while her boyfriend stresses about a wrestling match. Note: This is Nancy McKeon's second and final absence in the series. This is the second episode filmed for the season. | ||||||||||||
| 115 | 12 | "The Rich Aren't Different" | John Bowab | J.P. Duffy | December 12, 1984 | 613 | ||||||
Jo and Blair end up in small claims court when Jo breaks Blair’s watch. Natalie and Tootie end up taking sides, much to Mrs. Garrett’s chagrin. | ||||||||||||
| 116 | 13 | "Christmas in the Big House" | John Bowab | Jerry Mayer | December 19, 1984 | 615 | ||||||
Blair organizes a Christmas show at what she thinks is a home for young boys but is really a prison. She is hesitant to go, but Jo convinces everyone that the men there deserve some Christmas cheer. | ||||||||||||
| 117 | 14 | "Me and Eleanor" | John Bowab | Paul Haggis | January 2, 1985 | 616 | ||||||
Mrs. Garrett needs help for a big catering job, and hires an eager neighborhood boy named Andy. Tootie tries to write her own play for the theater competition but Natalie, who used to write Tootie’s plays for her, hates it. Note: Mackenzie Astin marks his first appearance as Andy Moffett in this episode. He is credited as a guest star in four other episodes (16, 18, 21, 24) in the season and departs after the twenty-fourth episode. Starting in the seventh season, he is added as an semi-regular and becomes a main cast member in the eighth and ninth seasons. | ||||||||||||
| 118 | 15 | "Working it Out" | Asaad Kelada | Linda Marsh & Margie Peters | January 9, 1985 | 603 | ||||||
After breaking up with Cliff, Blair changes her dating habits and flouts the house rules, to Mrs. Garrett’s shock. Tootie tries to change her style. Natalie stresses about her permanent record, and Jo stresses about picking a major. | ||||||||||||
| 119 | 16 | "Jazzbeau" | Ellen Chaset Falcon | Rick Lombardo & Patrick Cleary | January 16, 1985 | 617 | ||||||
Andy is bummed that he has to spend the evening with Mrs Garrett and the girls. Tootie and Natalie recount their summer working in the Poconos with an unassuming waiter who is secretly a jazz legend. Guest starring Bill Henderson as Art 'Jazzbeau' Jackson. | ||||||||||||
| 120 | 17 | "Two Guys from Appleton" | John Bowab | Paul Haggis | January 23, 1985 | 618 | ||||||
Mrs Garrett’s high school sweetheart Ted and his son Kevin stop by the shop on their way to Canada. Kevin charms the girls while Mrs Garrett and Ted rekindle their romance… and make some rash decisions. Note: Ryan Cassidy marks his first appearance as Kevin Metcalf in this episode. He is the guest star in episodes 18–, 21, 24 in the season and departs the series after the twenty-fourth episode. | ||||||||||||
| 121 | 18 | "With a Little Help from My Friends" | John Bowab | Deidre Fay & Stuart Wolpert | January 30, 1985 | 619 | ||||||
With the freezer on the fritz, Mrs Garrett opens the shop on Sunday and enlists Tootie, Natalie, and Andy to sell cheesecakes. Blair realizes her boyfriend is buying cocaine, and Jo helps her see the severity of the situation. Note: This is the first episode that marks Mackenzie Astin as a guest star. He is the guest star in episodes 21 and 24 along with Ryan Cassidy. | ||||||||||||
| 122 | 19 | "Gone with the Wind: Part 1" | John Bowab | Kimberly Hill | February 13, 1985 | 621 | ||||||
The girls jet down to Florida to spend spring break at Natalie’s grandmother’s condo. Tootie gets caught up in the moment and invites a ton of strangers over for a party, Jo gets wooed by a rockstar, and Natalie frets about a hurricane. Note: Charlotte Rae was absent in this episode. This is her first absence in the season. She was absent in the five following episodes. Michael Damian makes his first appearance as rock singer Flyman. | ||||||||||||
| 123 | 20 | "Gone with the Wind: Part 2" | John Bowab | Kimberly Hill | February 20, 1985 | 622 | ||||||
The girls clean up the condo after the party. Jo and Natalie get sunburn, which threatens to ruin their dates. Blair hesitates about her crush on the handyman, and Tootie is just determined to have a good time. Note: This is Charlotte Rae's second absence in the series. | ||||||||||||
| 124 | 21 | "Man in the Attic" | John Bowab | Paul Haggis | February 27, 1985 | 623 | ||||||
Kevin is desperate for a place to live, so he moves into the attic. When he quickly becomes a nuisance, the girls try to create some boundaries. Everyone finds out that Jo and Kevin have been keeping a secret, and things get complicated. Note: This is Charlotte Rae's third absence in the series. | ||||||||||||
| 125 | 22 | "The Last Drive-In" | John Bowab | Paul Haggis, Kimberly Hill and Stuart Wolpert | March 13, 1985 | 624 | ||||||
Chaos erupts as the girls attend the last night at the drive-in theater. Blair is desperate to get home after the car is stolen, Tootie harps on the details, Jo wants to steal a souvenir, and Natalie refuses to believe the place should close. Note: This is Charlotte Rae's fourth absence in the series. | ||||||||||||
| 126 | 23 | "Sisters" | John Bowab | Bob Myer & Bob Young | March 20, 1985 | 625 | ||||||
The girls try to handle the shop without Mrs. Garrett on Langley’s busy alumni weekend. A visit by Blair’s mother overlaps with a visit by Jo’s father, and they spend time together while Jo and Blair are busy- which leads to a fight. Note: This is Charlotte Rae's fifth absence in the series. | ||||||||||||
| 127 | 24 | "It's Lonely at the Top" | John Bowab | Jerry Mayer | March 27, 1985 | 626 | ||||||
When a competing croissant shop opens, Blair takes it upon herself to make sure Edna’s Edibles remains on top, and the power goes to her head. Tootie and Natalie think Jo should be in charge, but Jo is wrapped up in a float for the student council parade. Note: This is Charlotte Rae's sixth absence in the series. This is also Ryan Cassidy's final appearance on the show. After this episode, he was quietly dismissed. Mackenzie Astin also marks his final guest star appearance in this episode before returning in season seven. This is the final episode taped for the sixth season. | ||||||||||||
| 128 | 25 | "Bus Stop" | Judi Elterman | Story by : Brian Pollack & Rick Shaw Teleplay by : Kimberly Hill | May 8, 1985 | 620 | ||||||
When Natalie graduates from Eastland, she shocks her mother and her friends by deciding not to go to college. Note: Charlotte Rae returns in this episode after her six-episode absence. | ||||||||||||
| 129 | 26 | "The Interview Show" | John Bowab and Stuart Wolpert | Deidre Fay & Stuart Wolpert | May 15, 1985 | 612 | ||||||
A former student who is planning on writing a book on Eastland interviews Mrs. Garrett and the girls. | ||||||||||||
Mrs. Garrett (Charlotte Rae) was again absent from several episodes per Rae's request for reduced appearances. Starting this season, Mackenzie Astin, who plays Andy Moffett, and George Clooney, who plays George Burnett, receive billing in the opening credits.
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 130 | 1 | "Out of the Fire..." | John Bowab | Paul Haggis | September 14, 1985 | 701 |
The girls return from summer break to find the store gutted by a fire, and they are shocked when Mrs. Garrett reveals that she might not want to rebuild. Tootie and Natalie have an idea for a new business. Note: Starting this season, Mackenzie Astin as Andy Moffett becomes a main character. The Edna's Edibles backdrop is used only for the first three episodes in this season. Also, starting with this episode, the writing and directing credits are moved to the beginning and the producer credits are moved to the end. | ||||||
| 131 | 2 | "Into the Frying Pan" | John Bowab | Deidre Fay & Stuart Wolpert | September 21, 1985 | 702 |
Mrs. Garrett hires a handsome young contractor to fix up the shop. Blair, Tootie, and Natalie keep distracting him, but Jo isn’t impressed. The girls workshop names for their new store. Note: George Clooney as George Burnett starts his recurring character run in this episode. | ||||||
| 132 | 3 | "Grand Opening" | John Bowab | Bob Bendetson & Howard Bendetson | September 28, 1985 | 703 |
Over Our Heads, the new novelty shop, has its grand opening. The girls struggle to connect with any customers, and they find out one of their products is counterfeit. Mrs. Garrett has second thoughts about running the store. Note: This is the last episode of the Edna's Edibles backdrop in the opening credits. In the next episode, Over Our Heads become the series' new backdrop. | ||||||
| 133 | 4 | "Teacher, Teacher" | John Bowab | Story by : Cheri Eichen & Bill Steinkellner Teleplay by : Bruce Ferber & David Lerner | October 5, 1985 | 705 |
Jo thinks she has her future figured out when she begins student teaching, but a big company wants to talk to her about a software position. Mrs. Garrett and the rest of the girls help Jo host a retirement party for her teaching mentor. Irene Tedrow and Joyce Bulifant guest star as Jo's coworkers at the elementary school. Note: Over Our Heads is marked the season's new backdrop at the first scene of the opening credits in this episode until the show's series finale. | ||||||
| 134 | 5 | "Men for All Seasons" | John Bowab | Fredi Towbin & Larry Strauss | October 19, 1985 | 704 |
Langley threatens to pull their merchandise from Over Our Heads if the store insists on selling a controversial calendar of the swim team. Natalie, who pushed Mrs. Garrett to sell the calendar to make her swimmer boyfriend happy, tries to take responsibility. | ||||||
| 135 | 6 | "A New Life" | John Bowab | Linda Elstad | October 26, 1985 | 706 |
Blair’s mother comes for a visit with big news- she’s pregnant, and Blair doesn’t agree with her plans. Mrs. Garrett and Fred, the hardware store owner, drum up ideas to win business back from a new shopping center. | ||||||
| 136 | 7 | "Doo-Wah" | John Bowab | Bob Bendetson & Howard Bendetson | November 2, 1985 | 709 |
Andy enters the girls into a contest to sing backup for El DeBarge, but the girls don't like Andy's questionable taste level. Meanwhile, Tootie leads everyone in setting up the new store computer for inventory, and Mrs. Garrett is desperate to finish her last term paper. Siedah Garrett also guest stars. | ||||||
| 137 | 8 | "Come Back to the Truck Stop, Natalie Green, Natalie Green" | John Bowab | Michael Maurer | November 9, 1985 | 708 |
Natalie, trying to get writing ideas by travelling around the country, comes up with a wild one while waiting for a bus at a small diner. Charo appears in this episode. | ||||||
| 138 | 9 | "Born Too Late" | John Bowab | Bob Brush | November 16, 1985 | 710 |
Andy develops a crush on Tootie when she helps him prepare to audition for a role in his school's production of West Side Story. | ||||||
| 139 | 10 | "3, 2, 1" | John Bowab | Paul Haggis | November 23, 1985 | 711 |
Jo and Blair are assigned to work at the campus TV station, but they end up arguing over the content of news stories and editorials. | ||||||
| 140 | 11 | "We Get Letters" | John Bowab | Story by : Deidre Fay & Stuart Wolpert Teleplay by : Susan Beavers | November 30, 1985 | 707 |
Mrs. Garrett's old friend Gwen (Anne Jackson) visits and accuses her of having an affair with her late husband. | ||||||
| 141 | 12 | "Ballroom Dance" | John Bowab | Story by : Carlo Allen Teleplay by : Deidre Fay & Stuart Wolpert | December 7, 1985 | 712 |
Jo takes up ballroom dance lessons. | ||||||
| 142 | 13 | "Christmas Baby" | John Bowab | David Lerner & Bruce Ferber | December 14, 1985 | 715 |
Blair's mother Monica goes into labor on Christmas Eve - six weeks before her due date - and gives birth to a baby girl, Bailey. | ||||||
| 143 | 14 | "Tootie Drives" | John Bowab | Story by : Paul Haggis and Stuart Wolpert Teleplay by : Paul Haggis | December 21, 1985 | 713 |
Tootie drives everybody crazy when she gets her learner's permit and wants help learning how to drive. | ||||||
| 144 | 15 | "Stake-Out Blues" | John Bowab | Jake Weinberger & Michael Weinberger | January 11, 1986 | 716 |
The girls don't want Mrs. Garrett to worry when the police plan a stakeout at the shop to catch criminals selling counterfeit bus passes. Note: Mrs. Garrett is planning on meeting her sister Beverly (who has just been divorced). Beverly will take over Mrs. Garrett's place in Season 8. | ||||||
| 145 | 16 | "The Agent" | John Bowab | Jack Elinson | January 18, 1986 | 717 |
In order to boost the career of an aspiring comic, Tootie stages a performance where Jim McCawley, the talent coordinator for 'The Tonight Show', will be in attendance. | ||||||
| 146 | 17 | "The Reunion" | John Bowab | Racelle Friedman | February 1, 1986 | 719 |
George takes Jo to his high school reunion where he passes her off as a duchess to impress a girl he once admired. | ||||||
| 147 | 18 | "Concentration" | John Bowab | Martha Williamson | February 8, 1986 | 718 |
Blair learns a valuable lesson when she becomes trapped in an elevator with her baby sister Bailey and a concentration camp survivor (Nehemiah Persoff). | ||||||
| 148 | 19 | "Atlantic City" | John Bowab | Paul Haggis | February 15, 1986 | 721 |
The girls travel to Atlantic City to see Flyman, Jo's fling from spring break. Michael Damian makes his third and final appearance as Flyman. | ||||||
| 149 | 20 | "The Lady Who Came to Dinner" | John Bowab | Story by : Patrick Cleary Teleplay by : Bart Lindsay & Robert Billson | February 22, 1986 | 722 |
After a misunderstanding about Blair's birthday wishes, the party performer herself (vaudevillian Betty Kean) ends up staying with the girls. Note: Mindy Cohn is absent for the first and only time. This is Charlotte Rae's fourth absence in the season and overall her tenth absence in the series. This is also George Clooney's last episode in the season. He made four guest star appearances in Season 8, and did not appear in Season 9. | ||||||
| 150 | 21 | "The Candidate" | Valentine Mayer | Michael Maurer | March 1, 1986 | 723 |
Blair and Natalie go head-to-head when Natalie learns a big political secret about the current mayor. | ||||||
| 151 | 22 | "Big Time Charlie" | Steven Robman | Bob Myer & Bob Young | March 29, 1986 | 720 |
Jo's father Charlie goes on an extravagant shopping spree after winning $300,000 in a magazine contest. Also, Natalie returns from Florida with the wrong suitcase, losing Tootie's new camera in the process. | ||||||
| 152 | 23 | "The Graduate" | John Bowab | Barry Vigon | May 3, 1986 | 724 |
In part one of the season seven finale, Mrs. Garrett returns for Tootie's graduation in time to learn what she and Natalie plan to do about their own futures. Note: This is Mackenzie Astin's final episode as a recurring character. Starting in the eighth season, he becomes a series regular. | ||||||
| 153 | 24 | "The Apartment" | John Bowab | Jane Anderson | May 10, 1986 | 725 |
In the conclusion of the season seven finale, Natalie and Tootie move into a new apartment and quickly learn that living on their own is not all it's cracked up to be. Note: This is Charlotte Rae's last episode as a main cast member. Rae made her final appearances in the eighth season two-part premiere "Out of Peekskill Part 1" and "Out of Peekskill Part 2". | ||||||
Mrs. Garrett (Charlotte Rae) remarries and leaves the series after the two part season premiere. Her sister, Beverly Ann Stickle (Cloris Leachman), moves in to care for the house and business. George Burnett, played by George Clooney, becomes a recurring character. Richard Gurman is the executive producer for this season.
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 154 | 1 | "Out of Peekskill" | John Bowab | Michael Maurer, Richard Gurman and Paul Haggis | September 27, 1986 | 801 | ||||||
| 155 | 2 | 802 | ||||||||||
Mrs. Garrett becomes reacquainted with Dr. Bruce Gaines (Robert Mandan), a man she met when she was serving in the Peace Corps. He proposes marriage to her, and she accepts. Her sister, Beverly Ann Stickle (Cloris Leachman), comes to the wedding in her Winnebago. In spite of a scare at Depressed Person's Cliff, Mrs. Garrett and Bruce are married, and they rejoin the Peace Corps, leaving for Africa. Beverly Ann takes over Edna's duties at Over Our Heads. Notes: Starting this season, both Cloris Leachman and Mackenzie Astin become main cast regulars. Charlotte Rae made a guest star appearance and departs the series after this two-part one hour season opening. | ||||||||||||
| 156 | 3 | "Ready or Not" | John Bowab | Jane Anderson | October 4, 1986 | 803 | ||||||
Beverly Ann and the girls are concerned that Tootie is getting much too serious about her new boyfriend Rudy. | ||||||||||||
| 157 | 4 | "Another Room" | John Bowab | Story by : Katherine Green Teleplay by : Michael Maurer & Martha Williamson | October 11, 1986 | 805 | ||||||
Fed up with having no privacy, Jo considers moving out, until Beverly Ann suggests remodeling the attic into a room, but Jo has concerns about the construction costs. | ||||||||||||
| 158 | 5 | "Off-Broadway Baby" | John Bowab | Martha Williamson | November 1, 1986 | 807 | ||||||
Beverly Ann and the girls head for New York City, when Tootie decides to audition for her first Broadway show. However, when she arrives, she quickly learns that she has plenty of competition working against her. Pop star Stacey Q guest stars as Cinnamon. | ||||||||||||
| 159 | 6 | "The Little Chill" | Valentine Mayer | Phil Doran & Douglas Arango | November 8, 1986 | 808 | ||||||
Three of the original Eastland girls (Cindy, Nancy, and Sue Ann) return for a reunion and Jo feels left out because she didn't know them very well. [note 11] | ||||||||||||
| 160 | 7 | "The Ratings Game" | John Bowab | Ross Brown | November 15, 1986 | 809 | ||||||
Blair's computerized date-rating system is the focus when she makes a bet with Jo dealing with whether or not the system really works. However, when Beverly Ann accidentally erases a computer disk, Jo tampers with some of the ratings. | ||||||||||||
| 161 | 8 | "The Wedding Day" | John Bowab | Story by : Shirley Brown Teleplay by : Ross Brown and Michael Poryes | November 22, 1986 | 811 | ||||||
Jo offers to marry an immigrant so he can stay in the country. Note: George Clooney's character George Burnett appears in this episode and three others this season. Episode #15 A Star is Torn is his last appearance. | ||||||||||||
| 162 | 9 | "Fast Food" | Marian Deaton | Michael Maurer | November 29, 1986 | 810 | ||||||
Natalie hires Blair as an employee at Señor Sombrero, the Mexican restaurant where she is assistant manager. | ||||||||||||
| 163 | 10 | "Where's Poppa?" | John Bowab | Micki Raton and Irma Kalish & Phil Doran & Douglas Arango | December 6, 1986 | 804 | ||||||
Blair is distraught after her father pleads guilty to charges of insider trading. | ||||||||||||
| 164 | 11 | "Write and Wrong" | John Bowab | Jane Anderson & Ross Brown | December 13, 1986 | 806 | ||||||
A furious Natalie is determined to identify and sue the plagiarist who sold her short story to a magazine. Vaudeville comedienne Billie Bird appears as Andy's grandmother. | ||||||||||||
| 165 | 12 | "Seven Little Indians" | John Bowab | John Boni | January 3, 1987 | 812 | ||||||
On a dark and stormy night, the girls and their friends are stalked by a mysterious killer. Maurice LaMarche appears as "Rod Sperling" in this The Twilight Zone-ish episode. | ||||||||||||
| 166 | 13 | "The Greek Connection" | John Bowab | Sara V. Finney & Vida Spears | January 10, 1987 | 813 | ||||||
Assigned by the newspaper to investigate Pledge Week at Langley College, Natalie crashes the rush party of the sorority Tootie wants to join. Penelope Ann Miller guest stars. | ||||||||||||
| 167 | 14 | "Post-Christmas Card" | John Bowab | Matt Gellar | January 17, 1987 | 815 | ||||||
As a post-Christmas gift, Natalie gets her first credit card and promptly goes on a spending spree. | ||||||||||||
| 168 | 15 | "A Star Is Torn" | John Bowab | Martha Williamson | January 31, 1987 | 816 | ||||||
Cinnamon (Stacey Q), who bested Tootie in the audition for a Broadway rock musical, arrives. She claims that she has been replaced in the show, but it is not the real story. Note: George Clooney marks his final appearance on the show, billed as a special guest star. | ||||||||||||
| 169 | 16 | "A Winter's Tale" | John Bowab | Bob Underwood | February 7, 1987 | 814 | ||||||
The girls go to a ski resort. Doug Savant guest stars as an engaged young man who falls in love with Blair. | ||||||||||||
| 170 | 17 | "Cupid's Revenge" | John Bowab | John Boni | February 14, 1987 | 817 | ||||||
Romantic perversity occurs when all the girls' old boyfriends happen to show up just before the Valentine's Day dance. | ||||||||||||
| -- | -- | "The Facts of Life Down Under" | Stuart Margolin | Gordon Cotler | February 15, 1987 | -- | ||||||
A cultural exchange program sends Beverly Ann and the girls (with Andy) to Australia where they find love and intrigue: Blair and Jo dodge a couple of jewel thieves, Natalie gets lost in the outback, Tootie makes friends with a handsome stranger (Mario Van Peebles), and Beverly Ann and Andy visit a sheep ranch. Note: Originally a two-hour movie, is shown in four half-hour episodes in syndication. | ||||||||||||
| 171 | 18 | "'62 Pick-Up" | John Bowab | Phil Doran & Douglas Arango | February 21, 1987 | 819 | ||||||
A flashback to the early 1960s, replete with teen idols, beatniks, and girl groups. Bobby Rydell and Fabian guest star. | ||||||||||||
| 172 | 19 | "Boy About the House" | John Bowab | Austin and Irma Kalish | February 28, 1987 | 818 | ||||||
Beverly Ann decides to adopt Andy when his foster parents divorce. Jay Johnson appears in this episode's sub-plot. | ||||||||||||
| 173 | 20 | "Ex Marks the Spot" | John Bowab | Story by : Katherine Green & Richard Gurman Teleplay by : Michael Maurer & Michael Poryes | March 7, 1987 | 820 | ||||||
Beverly Ann's ex-husband, Frank Stickle (Dick Van Patten), comes to visit and suffers a heart attack. Lois Nettleton guest stars. | ||||||||||||
| 174 | 21 | "Younger Than Springtime" | John Bowab | Lawrence H. Levy | March 21, 1987 | 821 | ||||||
Jo is unhappy that Blair is playing matchmaker for Jo's father Charlie, but she is really upset with the final results. | ||||||||||||
| 175 | 22 | "This Is Only a Test" | Valentine Mayer | Ross Brown & Martha Williamson | April 18, 1987 | 822 | ||||||
Blair discovers that even she cannot buy admission to law school if she does not pass a four-hour admissions test for which she has not studied. | ||||||||||||
| 176 | 23 | "Rites of Passage: Part 1" | John Bowab | Matt Geller & Racelle Friedman | May 2, 1987 | 823 | ||||||
After her commencement speech is rejected, Jo refuses to make a speech at all, but then learns that her grandfather (Sheldon Leonard) has come all the way from Poland to hear it. | ||||||||||||
| 177 | 24 | "Rites of Passage: Part 2" | Marian Deaton | Michael Poryes | May 9, 1987 | 824 | ||||||
Summer offers a variety of options for everyone, especially Jo, who is offered a tempting job in Los Angeles. | ||||||||||||
Pippa McKenna, played by Sherrié Austin, is introduced as a recurring character. Irma Kalish is the executive producer for the final season.
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 178 | 1 | "Down and Out in Malibu: Part 1" | John Bowab | Martha Williamson | September 26, 1987 | 903 |
Jo is stranded in Malibu for the summer and gets a job housesitting for Richard Moll. | ||||||
| 179 | 2 | "Down and Out in Malibu: Part 2" | John Bowab | Ross Brown | October 3, 1987 | 904 |
Richard Moll has Beverly Ann, Blair, Tootie and Natalie arrested when he discovers his house has been damaged. | ||||||
| 180 | 3 | "Rumor Has It" | John Bowab | Michael Poryes | October 17, 1987 | 901 |
Things get interesting in Blair's law class when a rumor goes around campus about her and the professor. | ||||||
| 181 | 4 | "Before the Fall" | John Bowab | R.J. Colleary | October 24, 1987 | 905 |
Natalie lands a freelance assignment from the local newspaper to do an undercover article on Langley's ROTC, which may lead to more assignments. But she must face her fears when the job entails skydiving from an airplane. Dennis Haysbert has a small role as a drill sergeant. | ||||||
| 182 | 5 | "Sweet Charity" | John Bowab | Phil Doran & Douglas Arango | November 7, 1987 | 907 |
Jo goes looking for a job only to find one in the least likely place, and it is up to Blair to save the community center from going under. | ||||||
| 183 | 6 | "Up from Down Under" | John Bowab | Austin and Irma Kalish | November 14, 1987 | 910 |
Pippa McKenna, a teenage girl from Eastland's Australian sister school Colunga Academy, enrolls at Eastland as part of its exchange program. Notes: Sherrie Krenn marks her first appearance as Pippa McKenna in this episode, she is marked on/off regular in few episodes and then becomes a main regular in the thirteenth episode. This episode also features new opening credit sequences for Lisa Whelchel and Mackenzie Astin. | ||||||
| 184 | 7 | "The More the Marrier" | Valentine Mayer | Lawrence H. Levy | November 21, 1987 | 908 |
It's winter carnival time and Tootie has her hands full when her boyfriend Jeff shows up. Natalie's boyfriend Snake (Robert Romanus) is introduced. | ||||||
| 185 | 8 | "A Rose by Any Other Age" | John Bowab | Mark Tuttle & Barbara Berkowitz | November 28, 1987 | 902 |
Blair has the hots for her study partner, but he is more interested in Beverly Ann. Meanwhile, Andy tries to get help with a bully. | ||||||
| 186 | 9 | "Adventures in Baileysitting" | John Bowab | Story by : Jeri Barchilon & Michele Gendleman Teleplay by : Jeri Barchilon | December 5, 1987 | 912 |
Blair's baby sister Bailey gets lost while in the girls' care; Tootie gets her engagement ring. | ||||||
| 187 | 10 | "It's a Wonderful Christmas" | Valentine Mayer | Marily Anderson & Renee Orin | December 12, 1987 | 909 |
Beverly Ann feels unwanted at Christmas and wonders what it would be like if she had never come to Peekskill. | ||||||
| 188 | 11 | "Golden Oldies" | John Bowab | John Boni | January 2, 1988 | 906 |
The girls imagine what their lives will be like decades in the future. Bill Macy appears as Jo's "ex-husband." | ||||||
| 189 | 12 | "A Thousand Frowns" | John Bowab | Harvey Weitzman and David DiGregorio & Arnie Wess | January 9, 1988 | 911 |
Jo meets Rick Bonner (Scott Bryce in his first of four appearances) at a community center while trying to find Andy a male role model. Rick is turning 30, and believes he will die soon, as no men in his family have lived longer than his upcoming age. Note: This is Sherrie Krenn's last episode as a recurring character, becoming a main cast member in the next episode and for the rest of the season. This is also the final episode showing the eighth season cast scene at the end of the opening credits. | ||||||
| 190 | 13 | "Something in Common" | John Bowab | Michael Poryes | January 16, 1988 | 917 |
Jo's dad comes for a visit and finds Rick has more in common with him than he likes. Meanwhile, after consulting with the girls and Mrs. Garrett, plans are made by Beverly Ann to close unprofitable Over Our Heads and convert the retail space into bedrooms for Pippa and Andy. Notes: Kim Fields is absent for the first and only time in this episode. Sherrie Krenn continues the season as a main cast member in this episode. A new ninth season cast scene set around the piano is seen at the end of the opening credits and continues the rest of the season. This is also the final episode to feature the Over Our Heads store set. | ||||||
| 191 | 14 | "Peekskill Law" | John Bowab | Mark Tuttle | January 23, 1988 | 918 |
Blair gets involved in a big law case but the lawyer ends up being her ex-professor. | ||||||
| 192 | 15 | "A House Divided" | John Bowab | Mark Tuttle | January 30, 1988 | 913 |
Natalie and Tootie plan the perfect evening with their boyfriends, only to have the two end up fighting and causing the girls to take sides. | ||||||
| 193 | 16 | "The First Time" | Marian Deaton | Ross Brown | February 6, 1988 | 915 |
Natalie loses her virginity to her boyfriend Snake (Robert Romanus) on their one-year anniversary. Note: This is the only episode of the series in which Blair does not appear, said to be on a trip to Beverly Hills with her mother. The show’s producers originally planned for Blair to lose her virginity in the episode; however, actress Lisa Whelchel refused and had been written out of that controversial episode to take part due to her religious beliefs. | ||||||
| 194 | 17 | "Let's Face the Music" | John Bowab | Phil Doran & Douglas Arango | February 13, 1988 | 916 |
A slip-up at a beauty parlor turns Jo's hair blonde and Blair's hair green, causing problems at a fundraiser event. Later, in a fantasy sequence, Pippa's band and the girls perform at the event. | ||||||
| 195 | 18 | "Less Than Perfect" | Valentine Mayer | Martha Williamson | February 20, 1988 | 914 |
Blair gets into a serious car accident when she falls asleep at the wheel, and she is devastated when it results in a large cut across her forehead. Note: The ninth season cast piano scene from the opening credits was taken during the filming of this episode. | ||||||
| 196 | 19 | "Till Marriage Do Us Part" | John Bowab | Ross Brown | February 27, 1988 | 922 |
Rick proposes to Jo and after some thought and reflection she accepts, becoming the first of the girls to get married. | ||||||
| 197 | 20 | "Present Imperfect" | John Bowab | Kathy Lette | March 5, 1988 | 920 |
When Jeff's grandmother (Beah Richards) gives Tootie an ugly pendant, Pippa loses it and then it gets damaged. Tootie then has to stand up to Jeff's grandma to get her blessing. | ||||||
| 198 | 21 | "On the Edge" | John Bowab | R.J. Colleary | March 12, 1988 | 919 |
Jo finds herself in a tough spot when the suicide counselor decides she wants to die, and it is up to Jo to talk her out of it. | ||||||
| 199 | 22 | "Big Apple Blues" | John Bowab | Martha Williamson | March 19, 1988 | 921 |
Natalie moves to an apartment in SoHo, where she meets some eccentric characters. David Spade and Richard Grieco guest star. | ||||||
| 200 | 23 | "The Beginning of the End" | John Bowab | Austin and Irma Kalish | April 30, 1988 | 923 |
When Blair discovers that Eastland is in dire financial straits, she decides she has to make a tough decision about her future: she uses her trust fund to buy the school and save it from closing – and Eastland becomes coed. Juliette Lewis, Mayim Bialik, Seth Green, Meredith Scott Lynn and Kathleen Freeman appear in this two-part finale. Note: This is part one of the two-part series finale, with less focus on the core group and the introduction of many new characters in what seems to be the set up for a spin-off that never happened. It is also the 200th episode of the show and Mackenzie Astin's final appearance. | ||||||
| 201 | 24 | "The Beginning of the Beginning" | John Bowab | Austin and Irma Kalish | May 7, 1988 | 924 |
Blair faces her first challenge as headmistress of Eastland as she helps a student who is trying to get expelled. Note: This is the conclusion of the series; the girls end up going their own ways: Blair is at Eastland, Tootie is off to acting school in London, Natalie has moved to SoHo to pursue her writing career, and Jo's husband Rick returns from his European tour to start their married lives. | ||||||
| Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "The Facts of Life Reunion" | Charles Herman-Wurmfeld | Max Enscoe & Annie de Young | November 18, 2001 | |
Blair, Natalie and Tootie reunite in Peekskill, New York to spend Thanksgiving with Mrs. Garrett, but trouble soon starts when Natalie receives two different marriage proposals and her two boyfriends unexpectedly show up. Nancy McKeon was unable to reprise her role as Jo due to scheduling conflicts with her then-starring role in the Lifetime series The Division . Note: Originally aired as a presentation of The Wonderful World of Disney . | ||||
The Facts of Life is an American television sitcom created by Dick Clair and Jenna McMahon and a spin-off of Diff'rent Strokes that originally aired on NBC from August 24, 1979, to May 7, 1988, making it one of the longest-running sitcoms of the 1980s. The series focuses on Edna Garrett, as she becomes a housemother at the fictional Eastland School, an all-girls boarding school in Peekskill, New York.
Mary Ann Mobley was an American actress, television personality, and Miss America 1959.
Charlotte Rae Lubotsky was an American character actress and singer whose career spanned sixty-six years.
Lisa Diane Whelchel is an American actress, singer, songwriter, author, and life coach. She is known for her appearances as a Mouseketeer on The New Mickey Mouse Club and her nine-year role as the preppy and wealthy Blair Warner on The Facts of Life. In 1984, she was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Inspirational Performance for her contemporary Christian album All Because of You. In 2012, Whelchel participated as a contestant on the CBS competitive reality series Survivor: Philippines and tied for second place. She was also voted fan favorite and was awarded $100,000.
Todd Anthony Bridges is an American actor. He portrayed Willis Jackson on the sitcom Diff'rent Strokes and had a recurring role as Monk on the sitcom Everybody Hates Chris. Bridges worked as a commentator on the television series TruTV Presents: World's Dumbest... from 2008 to 2013.
Kim Fields Morgan is an American actress and director. She first gained fame as a child actress on the television series Good Times (1978–1979), and rose to greater prominence for her role as Dorothy "Tootie" Ramsey in the NBC sitcom Diff'rent Strokes (1979–1981), as well as its spin-off The Facts of Life (1979–1988).
Alice Margaret Ghostley was an American actress and singer on stage, film and television.
Mary Jo Catlett is an American actress. She is a main cast member on the animated series SpongeBob SquarePants, providing the voice of Mrs. Puff. She is also known for originating the role of Ernestina in the 1964 Broadway production of Hello, Dolly! and for playing Pearl Gallagher, the third housekeeper on Diff'rent Strokes.
Julie Anne Haddock is an American actress, music executive, and producer.
Felice Schachter is an American actress, best known for her roles as Nancy Olson on The Facts of Life and Bernadette in the cult teen comedy Zapped!.
Julie Ann Piekarski is an American actress, best known for her role as Sue Ann Weaver on The Facts of Life.
The Facts of Life Reunion is a 2001 American made-for-television comedy-drama film based on the 1979–1988 NBC sitcom The Facts of Life which reunited original cast members Charlotte Rae, Lisa Whelchel, Mindy Cohn and Kim Fields. Nancy McKeon was unable to participate due to scheduling conflicts with her then-starring role in the television series The Division.
Diff'rent Strokes is an American television sitcom, which aired on NBC from November 3, 1978, to May 4, 1985, and on ABC from September 27, 1985, to March 7, 1986. The series stars Gary Coleman and Todd Bridges as Arnold and Willis Jackson, respectively, who are two boys from Harlem taken in by a wealthy Park Avenue businessman and his daughter. Phillip Drummond is a widower for whom their deceased mother previously worked; his daughter, Kimberly, is played by Dana Plato. During the first season and the first half of the second season, Charlotte Rae also starred, as Mrs. Edna Garrett, the Drummonds' first housekeeper, who ultimately spun off into her own sitcom, The Facts of Life, as a housemother at the fictional Eastland School. The second housekeeper, Adelaide Brubaker, was played by Nedra Volz. The third housekeeper, Pearl Gallagher, was played by Mary Jo Catlett, first appearing as a recurring character, later becoming a main cast member.
The 5th Youth in Film Awards ceremony, presented by the Youth in Film Association, honored outstanding youth performers under the age of 21 in the fields of film, television and theater for the 1982-1983 season, and took place on December 4, 1983, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.
The Facts of Life Goes to Paris is a 1982 American made-for-television comedy film based on the sitcom The Facts of Life which featured the main characters of that series. It originally aired on NBC on September 25, 1982, four nights before the start of season four. The film was later split into four individual half-hour episodes when the series entered syndication.
The Facts of Life Down Under is a 1987 American made-for-television comedy film based on the sitcom The Facts of Life which featured the main characters of that series. This is the second television film made for the series following The Facts of Life Goes to Paris (1982). It originally aired on NBC on February 15, 1987, between the 17th and 18th episodes of season eight. The film was later split into four individual half-hour episodes when the series entered syndication.
Betty Kean was an actress and part of the 1950s era comedy duo the Kean Sisters with her sister Jane Kean. She married four times, to actors including Jim Backus and her last husband Lew Parker. She died in 1986 of cancer in Hollywood.
Live in Front of a Studio Audience is a series of live television specials that was first broadcast by ABC on May 22, 2019. Conceptualized and hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, the specials feature all-star casting for live recreations of sitcom episodes of various television shows created by companies run by the renowned producer, Norman Lear, that originally aired in the 1970s and 1980s.