Back in the late ’70s and the early ’80s, two of the biggest shows on television were Diff’rent Strokes and its spinoff The Facts of Life. Because of that you have to wonder if two of the shows’ stars, Kim Fields and Todd Bridges, did a crossover of their own when the cameras weren’t rolling?
Today for Willis’ 52nd birthday, Tootie came clean with the above 1980 cover from Right On and said, “WHHAA?!! SUPERFAN on my FB came THROUGH with this! Re the headline: never had a chance, was ALWAYS in #friendzone #lilsiszone.” I am like totally bummed because I was hoping that there was going to be trouble between them as they took the good, they took the bad, they took them both and there you have The Facts of Life! As much trouble as two kids of their age could get into. There would be no, whatcha talkin’ about Willis for them at just 14 and 11. Just some sweet, innocent kissing that we all tried when we were young. Diff’rent strokes came a little later.
OK! I will stop now because I am even annoying myself at this rate!
Before Charlotte Rae was making us laugh with her as Mrs Garrett on Diff’rent Strokes and The Facts of Life, she had us in hysterics on This Is Show Business. What a beauty she was back when she was just 28 in that 1954 episode.
Five days ago Charlotte Rae turned 91 years young, but last Monday her doctors gave her some bad news. The beloved actress told People that they told her she was diagnosed with bone cancer.
She also told them that about 7 years ago, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The Facts of Life star opted to through six months of chemo and was cancer free after the treatment. That was then, she says, “So now, at the age of 91, I have to make up my mind. I’m not in any pain right now. I’m feeling so terrific and so glad to be above ground.” She continued her thought, “Now I have to figure out whether I want to go have treatment again to opt for life. I love life. I’ve had a wonderful one already. I have this decision to make.”
Even though she is a nonagenarian, she is still as feisty as ever. I hope she decides to fight it, but the decision is up to her. Whatever she decides, we will be there for her when she needs it.
Blair and Jo might not have gotten along when they went to Eastland Academy, but in real life Lisa Whelchel and Nancy McKeon are still good friends after nearly 35 years. Can you believe it has been that long since Jo Polniaczek joined The Facts of Life? I can’t because both actresses look phenomenal. I think they look even better now, then when they worked at Edna’s Edibles.
If any ’80s show deserves a reboot, I say it is The Facts of Life! Who’s with me? Maybe Blair, Jo, Natalie and Tootie can be teachers at their alma mater? Or they come back for their reunion and decide to go into business together? Who cares, I want just Edna’s girls together again!
Kim Fields was on Good Morning America this morning to promote her Hallmark movie, For Better or For Worse (that airs this Saturday), with her The Facts of Life co-star, Lisa Whelchel, and I couldn’t stop looking at Tootie’s hair. What’s is up with it? Was she going for the Bride of Frankenstein hairdo? Or did she stick her finger in an electrical socket instead of plugging in the blow dryer? Seriously, it’s like it has a mind of it’s own. It’s so big that I think we finally found out where Nancy McKeon has been hiding all of these years. BTW, where is Nancy McKeon?
