1986-1987 SERIES INFORMATION
Information from the show during 1986.


  • Year Information
    Two weeks before the Facts of Life's eighth season was to begin, Charlotte Rae's (Edna Garrett) contract ended and feeling the girls had out-grown the need for Mrs. Garrett's advice, she decided to leave the series. To take her place as her recently divorced sister Beverly Ann Stickle, was Cloris Leachman. NBC didn't cancel the series after Charlotte left because The Facts of Life still had a very strong cast, and was one of the most popular shows on the network at the time. After eight years of many changes, NBC decided to renew the 1979 sitcom once again.

    The Facts of Life distinguishes itself as a show that kept evolving. If one had not seen the show since the early 1980's one would not recognize it as the same show. The writing/comedy has clearly gotten much better, characters grew from nearly little girls to adult women, and the down-to-earth mother figure Edna Garrett (Charlotte Rae) was no where to be seen. Mindy Cohn stated, "I personally loved working with Cloris, she brought a new energy and life into this show."

    In the season premeire Edna Garrett marries Dr. Bruce Gains and departs to Africa to join the Peace Corps. Beverly Ann, Edna's sister, comes in to look over the shop and take care of the girls. At mid-point in the season, Beverly Ann adopts Andy Moffett (Mackenzie Astin) because his foster parents were splitting up, meaning he would return to the foster home. At the end of the season all the girls had goals to pursue, leaving Peekskill.
    During The Facts of Life's eighth season, it ranked in the top 50 of the Nielson Television rankings, coming in at number 31. This season beat out seasons 1, 4, 6 and 9.

  • Did you Know
    Tooties rollar skates are blue, however, in the first episodes they are white. And also in season 8 where Tootie is auditioning for a role that requires rollar skates, she says she has a pair of her own, they would still fit her fit when she's twenty?.

    Charlotte Rae's real life sister is named Beverly Ann.

    In the episode Out of Peekskill the very last step on the top of the staircase is missing the blue carpet and re-appears in previous and future episodes.

    In the episode Another Room, Blair states, "I have never seen a sewing machine like this before, come to think of it I've never seen a sewing machine before." However, in season one, episode 2, she watches Mrs. Garrett sew on the same sewing machine.

  • 1986 Cast
    Cloris Leachman -- Beverly Ann Stickle
    Lisa Whelchel -- Blair Warner
    Kim Fields -- Dorothy "Tootie" Ramsey
    Mindy Cohn -- Natalie Green
    Nancy McKeon -- Jo Polniaczek
    Mackenzie Astin -- Andy Moffett
    George Clooney -- George Burnett (occasional)

  • 1986 Guest Appearances
    Episode Name Guest Star/Character Name
    158. Out of Peekskill (1) Eve Smith (Eve) Ruth Gillette (Ruth) Beverly Leech (Blond Girl) Robert Mandan (Bruce)
    159. Out of Peekskill (2) Charlie Dell (Minister) Eve Smith (Eve) Ruth Gillette (Ruth) Marc Mantell (Paramedic #1) Richard M. Newkirk (Camper) Robert Mandan (Bruce)
    160. Ready or Not Claude Brooks (Rudy) Lois Nettleton (Radio Voice)
    161. Another Room Kent Perkins (Virgil)
    162. Off-Broadway Baby Barbara Sharma (Elayne) Tom Henschel (Stage Manager) Darrow Igus (Police Officer) Stacey Q (Cinnamon)
    163. The Little Chill Felice Schachter (Nancy Olson) Julie Anne Haddock (Cindy Webster) Julie Piekarski (Sue Ann Weaver)
    164. The Ratings Game Bradley White (Bob) Larry Spinak (Don) Paul Feig (Ron) Kevin Spirtas (Doug (credited as Kevin Blair))
    165. The Wedding Day Nick Corri (Enrico Quinterez) Robert Phalen (Arnold Jensen) Lewis Dauber (Floyd Barton)
    166. Fast Food Alan Blumenfeld (Mr. Simmons) Meg Wyllie (Mrs. Webster) Orson Bean (Oliver Thompson) Blake Clark (Trucker)
    167. Where's Poppa? Nicolas Coster (David Warner)
    168. Write and Wrong George Clooney (George Burnett) Billie Bird (Polly) Dennis Drake (Jack)
    169. Seven Little Indians George Clooney (George Burnett) Maurice LaMarche (Rod Sperling)
    170. The Greek Connection Penelope Ann Miller (Kristen Morgan) Brenda James (Debbie) Lela Rochon (Diana) Kristin Cumming (Becky) Signy Coleman (Amy)
    171. Post-Christmas Card Charles Levin (Looney Lou)
    172. A Star is Torn George Clooney (George Burnett) Stacey Q (Cinnamon) Sam Whipple (Stan)
    173. A Winter's Tale Doug Savant (Dwayne) Tom Hodges (Ernie) Mark Savalle (Hopper)
    174. Cupid's Revenge Orson Bean (Oliver Thompson) Woody Brown (Cliff) Todd Hollowell (Jeff) Loren Lester (Roy)
    175. 62 Pick-Up Fabian (Himself) Bobby Rydell (Himself) Cloris Leachman (Mrs. Krebbs)
    176. Boy About the House Jay Johnson (Ray Rollins) Jean Sincere (Dorothy Newell)
    177. Ex Marks the Spot Dick Van Patten (Frank Stickle) Orson Bean (Oliver Thompson) Lois Nettleton (Noreen Stickle) Jeffrey Alan Chandler (Doctor) Randy Brenner (Orderly) Takayo Fischer (Nurse)
    178. Younger Than Springtime Alex Rocco (Charlie Polniaczek) Susan Walters (Cynthia Parks) Linda Henning (Margaret Parks)
    179. This is Only a Test John O'Leary (Elmore Rusk)
    180. Rites of Passage (1) Nicolas Coster (David Warner) Marj Dusay (Monica Warner) Sheldon Leonard (Josef Polniaczek) Ben Piazza (Dean Howard Jones) Alex Rocco (Charlie Polniaczek), Claire Malis (Rose Polniaczek)
    181. Rites of Passage (2) Jonathan Perpich (Eric Sandler) Adam Carl (Jeremy Bennett)

  • Episode Guide
    Season Eight Episode Guide

  • Pictures
    Season Eight Photo Gallery

    Season Eight Photo Gallery Two

  • Audio
    Season Eight Theme Song (1985-1988 Version)

    Season Eight Closing Theme Song (1985-1988 Version)

  • Video
    Season Eight Opening Credits (1986-1987)

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