Facts of Life

Watch Facts of Life

  • TV-PG
  • 1979
  • 9 Seasons
  • 6.8  (7,932)

The Facts of Life is a beloved sitcom that aired on NBC from 1979 to 1988. The series follows a group of girls attending the Eastland School, a prestigious all-girls boarding school. The show was a spin-off of Diff'rent Strokes and was created by Dick Clair and Jenna McMahon. The show initially focused on Mrs. Garrett (Charlotte Rae), the girls' housemother, and her efforts to mentor and guide the young women under her care. Over the course of the series, the show evolved to tackle a range of issues faced by teenagers in the 80s, such as peer pressure, body image, dating, drugs, and even rape. The ensemble cast was a major draw for the show, featuring Lisa Whelchel as Blair, the wealthy and popular mean girl who learns to become more compassionate; Kim Fields as Tootie, the youngest and most energetic of the group; Mindy Cohn as Natalie, the witty and sarcastic best friend to Tootie; and Nancy McKeon as Jo, the tough and independent tomboy who often clashes with Blair. The show also featured a number of notable guest stars, including Molly Ringwald as Molly Parker, a new student at Eastland who struggles with fitting in; Mackenzie Astin as Andy Moffett, a student at a nearby all-boys school who becomes close to Tootie; and George Clooney as George Burnett, a handyman at Eastland who briefly dates Blair. Later seasons of the show saw a number of changes, including the departure of Charlotte Rae and the introduction of new characters like Cloris Leachman as Beverly Ann Stickle, Mrs. Garrett's sister who takes over as the girls' housemother. The show also saw a change in setting, with the girls leaving Eastland to start their own business in a store called Over Our Heads. Throughout its run, The Facts of Life remained a popular and influential show, earning several Emmy nominations and even inspiring a popular rap song. The show tackled important issues of the time in a way that was both entertaining and informative, and its characters and storylines have remained beloved by fans for decades.

Facts of Life
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Seasons
The Beginning of the Beginning
24. The Beginning of the Beginning
May 7, 1988
Blair makes herself the new headmaster and works on her first task, convincing a young girl to stay in school.
The Beginning of the End
23. The Beginning of the End
April 30, 1988
When Eastland threatens to close due to bankruptcy, Blair comes through and purchases the school in order to keep it open, but needs to interview for a new headmaster and round up students.
Big Apple Blues
22. Big Apple Blues
March 19, 1988
Natalie's new roommates are not as she had expected when she makes her move into a Soho apartment in New York City.
On the Edge
21. On the Edge
March 12, 1988
Jo's job at the social services center puts her into action when the supervisor for suicide prevention threatens to jump from the top of the building.
Present Imperfect
20. Present Imperfect
March 5, 1988
Jeff's grandmother gives Tootie a pendant as an engagement gift, which she feels is too ugly to wear. But when Andy and Pippa throw a wild party, the necklace is battered and causes Tootie to panic.
Till Marriage Do Us Part
19. Till Marriage Do Us Part
February 27, 1988
Everyone is excited when Rick proposes to Jo, all that is except for Jo, who has yet to say yes or no.
Less Than Perfect
18. Less Than Perfect
February 20, 1988
Blair is worried how she will be perceived after her forehead receives a cut in an automobile accident, ruining her perfect appearance.
Let's Face the Music
17. Let's Face the Music
February 13, 1988
A day at the spa does not turn out as expected when Jo and Blair get invited as guests of a musical sponsor.
The First Time
16. The First Time
February 6, 1988
Natalie and Snake spend their first night together, and she fears the reaction both her friends will give and what Snake is feeling.
A House Divided
15. A House Divided
January 30, 1988
Natalie and Tootie's boyfriends don't exactly see eye-to-eye when they meet for the first time. Meanwhile, Jo is furious over a repair job on her bike.
Peekskill Law
14. Peekskill Law
January 23, 1988
Blair becomes an intern at a law firm and is assigned a murder case. He appears to be guilty to everyone, except for Blair.
Something in Common
13. Something in Common
January 16, 1988
Jo's father isn't to pleased when he hears that her new boyfriend has a job as a piano player at a restaurant.
A Thousand Frowns
12. A Thousand Frowns
January 9, 1988
Andy's new big brother is hiding a secret, which maybe why his is living each day as if it was his last.
Golden Oldies
11. Golden Oldies
January 2, 1988
A look in the future, 40 years ahead to be exact, where the girls are older but still live together in the same place.
It's a Wonderful Christmas
10. It's a Wonderful Christmas
December 12, 1987
Beverly Ann has a glimpse of what life would have been like if she had never come to Peekskill. Blair's finances, Tootie's engagement, Natalie's freedom , Pippa's self respect, Andy's home life and Jo's life are all affected.
Adventures in Baileysitting
9. Adventures in Baileysitting
December 5, 1987
Blair runs off for tea with a friend, leaving her baby sister with the gang, only to return to find out no one is sure where she is.
A Rose by Any Other Age
8. A Rose by Any Other Age
November 28, 1987
Blair is awestruck when the honor student she invites over for a study session, seems more interested in Beverly Ann.
The More the Marrier
7. The More the Marrier
November 21, 1987
Tootie goes on a date with another man when her boyfriend says he can't make it to the winter carnival.
Up from Down Under
6. Up from Down Under
November 14, 1987
A girl arrives from Australia named Pippa, who claims to be an new exchange student at Eastland.
Sweet Charity
5. Sweet Charity
November 7, 1987
Jo enjoys her new job at the community center doing social work, but soon finds out there is no money left in the budget to pay her salary.
Before the Fall
4. Before the Fall
October 24, 1987
Natalie is assigned to do a feature story on the school's ROTC program, but she fears the job when it is discovered that she must make a parachute jump from an airplane.
Rumor Has It
3. Rumor Has It
October 17, 1987
A professor with a reputation as a playboy causes rumors to be spread around school when Blair starts spending time with him.
Down and Out in Malibu (2)
2. Down and Out in Malibu (2)
October 3, 1987
Richard Moll returns home to find that a running bathtub has flooded his place while in Jo's responsibility.
Down and Out in Malibu (1)
1. Down and Out in Malibu (1)
September 26, 1987
Jo is given a job house sitting for actor Richard Moll in Malibu, which is fortunate since she is unemployed and homeless at the moment.
Description

The Facts of Life is a beloved sitcom that aired on NBC from 1979 to 1988. The series follows a group of girls attending the Eastland School, a prestigious all-girls boarding school. The show was a spin-off of Diff'rent Strokes and was created by Dick Clair and Jenna McMahon.

The show initially focused on Mrs. Garrett (Charlotte Rae), the girls' housemother, and her efforts to mentor and guide the young women under her care. Over the course of the series, the show evolved to tackle a range of issues faced by teenagers in the 80s, such as peer pressure, body image, dating, drugs, and even rape.

The ensemble cast was a major draw for the show, featuring Lisa Whelchel as Blair, the wealthy and popular mean girl who learns to become more compassionate; Kim Fields as Tootie, the youngest and most energetic of the group; Mindy Cohn as Natalie, the witty and sarcastic best friend to Tootie; and Nancy McKeon as Jo, the tough and independent tomboy who often clashes with Blair.

The show also featured a number of notable guest stars, including Molly Ringwald as Molly Parker, a new student at Eastland who struggles with fitting in; Mackenzie Astin as Andy Moffett, a student at a nearby all-boys school who becomes close to Tootie; and George Clooney as George Burnett, a handyman at Eastland who briefly dates Blair.

Later seasons of the show saw a number of changes, including the departure of Charlotte Rae and the introduction of new characters like Cloris Leachman as Beverly Ann Stickle, Mrs. Garrett's sister who takes over as the girls' housemother. The show also saw a change in setting, with the girls leaving Eastland to start their own business in a store called Over Our Heads.

Throughout its run, The Facts of Life remained a popular and influential show, earning several Emmy nominations and even inspiring a popular rap song. The show tackled important issues of the time in a way that was both entertaining and informative, and its characters and storylines have remained beloved by fans for decades.

Facts of Life is a series that is currently running and has 9 seasons (201 episodes). The series first aired on August 24, 1979.

Where to Watch Facts of Life

Facts of Life is available for streaming on the The Minisode Network website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Facts of Life on demand at Amazon.

  • Premiere Date
    August 24, 1979
  • IMDB Rating
    6.8  (7,932)
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