Facts of Life

Hard to believe but 30 years ago the TV Show with that name was on and lasted almost a decade.  There was Blair, Jo, Tootie and Natalie who were from very different walks of life but came together in the end under the supervision of Mrs Garrett.  I am watching it now and laughing at their antics because I can remember it like it was yesterday.  I remember all the fights they had, the problems, the boyfriends, their adventures. They talked about book banning; the snobs and the people from the wrong side of town working together as well as dealing with each other; those who had a disability such as Geri who had CP; divorced parents and new marriages; death in the family; and even abortion are all things that people can go through as they grow up.  They would have to make decisions that could change their lives forever or affect friends and family.  

Then you saw Jo and Blair graduate from Eastland but it did not mean the girls were apart.  In fact they stayed together in the end because Mrs. Garrett decided to leave Eastland herself and open her own store.  Allowing Natalie and Tootie to become day students instead and all help with the store.  Through all the years we watched other celebrities come in and out such as George Clooney, Megan Follows (Anne of Green Gables), David Spade, and Cloris Leachman adding more to it.

It became one of the top TV programs watched by families and is now seen on various channels and I am glad.  Because those facts of life that the girls were dealing with then are still things that people, especially teenagers deal with today.   Maybe it is time that instead of having to search for reruns of shows we grew up with to watch, there is new shows instead.  Maybe it is time for the major networks like NBC, ABC and CBS to bring back shows that bring families together.  Forget reality, forget crime, forget soap operas, bring back family shows!