1981-1982 Series Information
Information on the show during the year 1981.


  • Year Information
    Since the second season drastically helped NBC with their ratings for the 1980-1981 year, NBC producers decided to hold onto the show. The critics backed off on the critisim of the show that they predicted would end the NBC network. The thrid season had the almost exactly same premise of the second, however; this season offered the girls to get out into the world more and deal with problems in the outside world. Episodes The Affair, where Natalie finds her father is having an affair at a restaurant; New York, New York, where Blair and Jo meet up with old friends and find out they've changed more than they thought; and Runaway where Tootie is persuaded into prostitution.

    During The Facts of Life's third season, it ranked in the top 25 of the Nielson Television rankings, coming in at number 24. This is the highest rank it ever recieved on television tieing this season with season five. This season also tried to make a spin-off show based of the episode 'Jo's Cousin'.

  • Bloopers!

    • In the episode New York, New York actress Lisa Whelchel tries to hold in an out of character laugh at the remark "Turn Blue", in The Coffee Shop.

  • Did You Know!

    • Geri Jewell's character name changed after season 2 to Geri Tyler for the rest of the series run, before they credited her as Geri Warner.

  • 1981 Cast
    Charlotte Rae -- Mrs. Edna Garrett
    Lisa Whelchel -- Blair Warner
    Kim Fields -- Dorothy "Tootie" Ramsey
    Mindy Cohn -- Natalie Green
    Nancy McKeon -- Jo Polniaczek
    Geri Jewell -- Geri Tyler (occasional)
    Roger Perry -- Headmaster Mr. Parker (occasional)

  • 1981 Guest Appearances
    30.Growing Pains
    Roger Perry (Mr. Parker)

    31.Fear Strikes Back
    Louis Welch (Instructor) Paige Conner (Lucy)

    32.A Baby In The House
    32. A Baby in the House Heather Kerr (Alison)
    Danielle Nathanson (Emily (alternating))
    Kristin Nathanson (Emily (alternating))

    33.A Friend In Deed
    Marj Dusay (Monica Warner)
    Geri Jewell (Geri Tyler)

    34.Front Page
    Julie Anne Haddock (Cindy Webster)
    Julie Piekarski (Sue Ann Weaver)
    Steven Anderson (Professor Gideon)
    Loren Lester (Roy)

    35.Give And Take
    Roger Perry (Mr. Parker)

    36.Sweet Sorrow
    Clark Brandon (Eddie Brennan)
    Shawn Stevens (Bob Perkins)

    37.From Russia With Love
    Molly Picon (Grandma Mona)

    38.Dear Me
    Todd Hollowell (Zack Peters)
    David Wallace (Paul)
    Philip Linton (Lenny)
    Felice Schachter (Nancy)

    39.Cousin Geri Returns
    Geri Jewell (Geri Tyler)
    Lou Richards (Mr. Palmer)

    40.Legacy
    Roger Perry (Mr. Parker)
    Loren Lester (Roy)

    41.The Green-Eyed Monster
    Felice Schachter (Nancy)
    Hazel Shermet (Miss Downes)
    Heidi Helmer (Girl #1)
    Beverly Nero (Pianist)

    42.The Americanization of Miko
    Lauren Tom (Miko)
    Mako (Mr. Wakamatsu)

    43.The Marriage Brokers
    Norman Alden (Ernest Melbourne)
    Scott Strader (Barnett Thornwood III)
    William Marquez (Carlos)
    Pepe Crow (Renaldo)

    44.Star Struck
    Fitzhugh Huston (Fitz)
    Jermaine Jackson (Himself)
    Pamela Springsteen (Sally)
    Geri Jewell (Geri Tyler)
    Sal Landi (Sal)
    Cheryl Epps (Terry)
    Marcus Chong (Young Boy)
    Tonia G. Smith (Fan #1)
    Jere Fields (Georgia)
    Sheila Monique (Fan #2)
    Danielle Bateman (Girl #1)
    Mark Davitt (Mark)
    Jill Tandy (Girl #2)
    Rick Fitts (P.R. Man)
    Paris Robinson (Guard)
    Tamara Taylor (Teen Fan)

    45.The Four Musketeers
    Susan Blackstone (Brenda)

    46.The Affair
    Norman Burton (Dr. Green)
    Peter Reckell (Alan Cooke)
    Benito Prezia (Luigi)

    47.Runaway
    Lauren Tom (Miko)
    Tammy Lauren (Kristy)
    Darrell Fetty (Mike)
    Linda Darlow (Waitress)
    Larry Gelman (Man)
    Belle Ellig (Woman)

    48.New York, New York
    Alexa Kenin (Jesse)
    Dana Kimmell (Dina Becker)
    Bunny Summers (Hildy)
    David Bond (Checkers Player)
    Jan Rabson (Waiter)

    49.Kids Can Be Cruel
    Dan Frischman (Carl)
    Scott McGinnis (Dink)
    Marc Poppel (Tim)
    Wendell Baker (Boy #1)
    Andrew J. Lederer (Boy #2)

    50.Mind Your Own Business
    No Guest Stars

    51.The Academy
    David Ackroyd (Major Dorsey)
    Jimmy Baio (Buzz Ryan)
    Peter Frechette (Knight)
    David Raynr (Chip)
    Ben Marley (Hank)
    John P. Navin, Jr. (Alfred)

    52.Jo's Cousin
    Donnelly Rhodes (Sal)
    Megan Follows (Terry Largo)
    John Mengatti (Paul Velentti)
    Grant Cramer (Tony)
    D.W. Brown (Bud)

    53.Read No Evil
    Roger Perry (Mr. Parker)
    Susan Davis (Betty)
    Ed Penn (Man #1)
    Beverly Dixon (Woman #1)
    W. Perren Page (Man #2)
    Geri Jewell (Geri Tyler)

  • Episode Guide
    Season Three Episode Guide

  • Pictures
    Season Three Photo Gallery

    Season Three Opening Credits Gallery

  • Audio
    Season Three Theme Song (1980-1985 Version)

    Season Three Closing Theme Song (1980-1985 Version)

  • Video
    Season Three Opening Credits (1981-1982 Version)

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