I applaud "Facts of Life" for not shying away from covering heavy subject matter, such as sex, drugs, abortion, breast cancer, prejudice, mental illness and other issues that have only been flirted with on previous television shows. And, one of the few programs where the "Very Special Episode" didn't center on pedophilia (although there was the one episode where Tootie is lured into child pornography, but that was very taboo on TV back then, so it still warrants praise). But I give this show high marks for tackling risky subject matter right from the get-go, as seen in this episode. I for one do not see why there'd be so much controversy aimed at this "Facts of Life" episode, being that since then, there have been programs with violence and sex. I felt that the very first "FOL" episode tackling possibly lesbianism was very commendable, especially since this is a show aimed at girls and young women. And many young girls go through that stage in there life where they don't know who they are, or who they're supposed to be, and, yes, that question regarding their true sexuality is often brought to mind, especially when we are often forced to comform to the roles of modern femininity. I mean not to trivialize young men who also feel the pressure of having to comform to traditional male stereotypes and who often get plastered for liking certain "female-oriented" things, but there have been plenty of TV shows and movies that have dealt with that...so, why can't a TV show deal with a young woman facing these issues?! And I personally feel they dealt with the subject matter very tastefully on "Facts of Life", especially this episode. They never once came out and said "lesbian", or "gay", but yet the viewer clearly knew what was being addressed. The first season of "Facts of Life" often gets panned and was ridiculed by TV critics, but I thought they did some great episodes in those days. Tackling other issues such as eating disorders and low self-esteem, as well as peer pressure, drugs and sex. I loved all 9 seasons of this show, and think it is one of the few shows that has truly evolved with time along with the characters, and one of the few all-female shows that has done so. I miss this show, being that today, we are either stuck with "Desperate Housewives"-type shows where the female characters are all at each other's throats, or shows where there is only one lone female character in a mostly male enssemble cast. But, not to get away from this episode, but it has broken new ground in television, as "Facts of Life" has always done so brilliantly.
3 Reviews
Not lesbian
wifenmommy2 April 2022
It wasn't about being lesbian it was about a girl telling another girl that being a normal girl was lesbianism you can't just be a girl today and be nice and kind to another person or a girl because then you're a lesbian lesbianism is wrong look it up in the Bible so yes I think that the facts of life did a good job showing that Blair was being a bully and was jealous because somebody was going to have competition. Mrs. Garrett talk to her and told her that being touching and loving to somebody isn't being a lesbian it's being a normal person.
Tough subject matter but weak beginning to the series
reb-warrior5 December 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Cindy doesn't want to enter the Harvest Ball because Blair makes a remark about her and the way she touches and hugs girls.
Cindy, a tomboy, may be gay, or she may be confused about her gender identity, or she may just be a tomboy who hasn't bloomed yet according to Mrs. Garrett. Blair is a jerk to her implying she's not normal and maybe is gay, tho she doesn't say those exact words. Mrs. Garrett talks to Cindy and Blair and Blair apologizes and Cindy enters the contest. To come full circle, Cindy really should have won, that would have made it poetic in a way I think.
We're never really clear on Cindy by the end of the episode. But I think a lot was said without actually saying things. Unfortunately, the episode is weak and doesn't get down to the nitty-gritty with a real discussion, or with Cindy coming to a realization.
It's 1979, and to be perfectly honest, society definitely was not accepting of LGBTQI. I mean, that's just a fact. So if you're looking back on this in the year 2021, guess what, that was everyone in 1979. I think strides were made in the 80s and definitely much more so in the 90s.
I can't stand the headmaster. Man, is he awful? Glad they got rid of him in season 2. The kids' acting is weak and they appear almost stunned to be there, but they start to improve later in the series. 5/10.
Cindy, a tomboy, may be gay, or she may be confused about her gender identity, or she may just be a tomboy who hasn't bloomed yet according to Mrs. Garrett. Blair is a jerk to her implying she's not normal and maybe is gay, tho she doesn't say those exact words. Mrs. Garrett talks to Cindy and Blair and Blair apologizes and Cindy enters the contest. To come full circle, Cindy really should have won, that would have made it poetic in a way I think.
We're never really clear on Cindy by the end of the episode. But I think a lot was said without actually saying things. Unfortunately, the episode is weak and doesn't get down to the nitty-gritty with a real discussion, or with Cindy coming to a realization.
It's 1979, and to be perfectly honest, society definitely was not accepting of LGBTQI. I mean, that's just a fact. So if you're looking back on this in the year 2021, guess what, that was everyone in 1979. I think strides were made in the 80s and definitely much more so in the 90s.
I can't stand the headmaster. Man, is he awful? Glad they got rid of him in season 2. The kids' acting is weak and they appear almost stunned to be there, but they start to improve later in the series. 5/10.
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