The Facts of Life Reunion

I nearly fell off my seat when I saw the Facts of Life movie on the satellite listings. I tuned in and was all set to be whisked back into the lives of my favourite friends. I was sadly disappointed in the plot and the entire movie just seemed so tired and trite; I don't know if it was because my favourite character, Jo (Nancy McKeon), was missing or if it's because Disney was at the helm.

IMHO, a reunion movie was a great idea. I'd have preferred something closer to the original, perhaps with lots of juicy "flashbacks".

I really enjoyed this reunion movie! It was wonderful to see Mrs. Garrett, Nat, Blair, and Tootie once again. Jo was missing, and I think Nancy M. could have taken a day or two to shoot a cameo in their, I mean its been 13 years! Give me a break! The movie itself is enjoyable itself, and a nice reunion and Thanksgiving treat! Hope that more are on the way and next time bring Jo back too!

If they couldn't get Nancy McKeon, they shouldn't have done this movie. For most of the series, she WAS the show. I don't care if she showed up for a brief scene at the end, one that could have been filmed in an hour. It would have been better than nothing.

But no, getting another actress was not an option. Anyone who thinks it would have been good apparently doesn't watch TV, or at least not shows/movies in which that is done. EVERY one of them is routinely and thoroughly panned when they do it. Not to mention, the actresses mentions by one commenter would split their sides laughing so hard at the notion the that they would be asked to stoop to playing Jo in a Fact of Life TV reunion movie. "Hey, Ms. Bullock, I know you make $10+ million a movie. But would you like to take a hundred thousand of so bucks to be on the Facts of Life Reunion?" "Sure. I'll just put my major motion picture career on hold for a few months!" "Hey, Angelina, don't bother with those sequels to Tomb Raider and the ensuing $20 million dollars you will make. Do this TV movie instead!" While we are at it, let's suggest that they should have asked George Clooney to take a break from filming Ocean's Eleven in order to reprise his role.

The other bad thing about this movie was, did Beverly not exist? Cloris Leachman is still around. Why not get her. (And, unlike Angelina Jolie and Sandra Bullock, she would be more than happy to appear.) What, the girls don't love her anymore?

I absolutely adore The Facts of Life, so I made sure to catch the reunion movie!I recorded it, and I watch it....... A LOT. It was completely hilarious, without overlooking the little "chats" the girls have with Mrs. G!!(which were always my favorite parts anyway!)It was a GREAT continuation of the show, and I don't know about the rest of the facts of life fans, but I'm hoping for another one just as awesome!!

I was very upset with the outcome of this made-for-TV-movie. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely adore the 80's TV series. But, the dialogue was cheesy and about 45% of the cast had nothing to do with the series. One last thing that was wrong with the movie was: Jo, Andy, Beverly Ann, & George all weren't there. Jo (Nancy McKeon) was busy with her police drama, "The Division" on Lifetime TV. Andy (Mackenzie Astin) very much wanted to do the film but was not called or written into the film. Beverly Ann (Cloris Leachman) did not know about the film and was not called, either. George (George Clooney) said "They fired me, so screw 'em." I'm telling you, this film was very "Disney-ized." If you're looking for Blair, Tootie, Natalie, Jo, Mrs. Garrett, Beverly Ann, Andy, & George... watch the series. And finally "You take the good," the series. "You take the bad," the made-for-TV-movie. "You take 'em both and then you have The Facts Of Life." If this movie is released on video it's a rental. Don't buy it.