From Mad Magazine #235, December 1982
037 - S3E8 "From Russia With Love" with Steve Purnick
Extras Available Exclusively at FaceTheFactsPod.com!
Steve is very good friends with Buddy Flowers, of the Hollywood Public Works department at Citizens Of Hollywood.
Steve’s early-early improv work: Unexpected Company back in 1985. (Steve is the one in all white at the far right.)
Steve’s Favorite Commercials:
“The Factors Of Life” from Cracked Magazine
From Cracked Magazine #181, October 1981
036 - S3E7 "Sweet Sorrow" with Bob Brandenburg
Well look at cutie Shawn Stevens and his non-permed hair appearing in a teeny-bopper fanzine!
GAH!!
Fashion Fails!
Multiple this week… ?? Starting with Tootie’s Tea Party Sweater:
Followed by Blair’s mismatched rose-vest-and-fuschia-shirt combination:
And Blair’s Little House On The Prairie nightgown! Yikes!
BUT! Honorable Mention: Mrs. Garrett’s uncharacteristic colorful bold print blouse. Score!
The Door In The Parlor!
The photo below answers the question I posed on the show… was the door always there? Turns out it was.
(How this fits in with the 2001 Reunion Movie where that door is supposedly next to a door that leads to a stairwell…. I really don’t know.)
“The Flakes Of Life” from Bananas Magazine
From Bananas Magazine #55, Spring 1982:
This is the first of 3 humor magazine spoofs of “The Facts Of Life” that I’ll be sharing… Bananas was a magazine I read sporadically as a kid… it was a scholastic publication, meant for kids 12 and up, vs. it’s more popularly known Dynamite Magazine which was for kids 9-12. So it wasn’t as widespread in its release. Also, I was a DIE-HARD Cracked Magazine fan and felt no need to stray. (Mad was slightly too mature for me at the time, i would later grow to love it also.)
To my surprise, I was able to find the spoof that Bananas did, which I had never read before. And to my even greater surprise, Samuel B. Whitehead is the artist… and he also did the art for the spoof that appeared in Cracked! (Coming soon…)
035 - S3E6 "Give And Take" with Austin Paz
Austin & I met in 2014 doing “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” at the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden, FL.
We eat a lot in our home.
We hang with Wesley!
We go to concerts with my sister and my BFF Steve!
We visit each other at theme parks! (Here is Austin’s very good friend Hashtag The Panda from the Jimmy Fallon Race Through New York ride at Universal Studios.)
Austin has been preparing a LONG TIME for his work with the upcoming Jurassic World Live tour.
… and we have fun.
Back to nit-picking the show apart…
Extras Available Exclusively at FaceTheFactsPod.com!
Coyote Caliente!
Some of Austin’s body paint work…
034 - S3E5 "Front Page" with Joe Llorens
Extras Available Exclusively At FaceTheFactsPod.com!
Here is a commercial Joe recently did:
Charlotte Rae in the movie "Hair"
As Logan and I discussed in the most recent episode, Charlotte Rae had a tiny role in the film version of “Hair.” It came out in 1979, so it was most likely filmed in 1978, and her hairstyle pretty much matches the way it looked on Diff’rent Strokes’ first season (1978-1979). Little more than a cameo, it’s still fun to see her among all the hippie chaos of this doomed dinner party. (She is occasionally shown in the scene, but you get the most of her during the song which starts around 6:00.)
Her role as “Lady In Pink” was originally larger, with an entire song that ended up on the cutting room floor. The audio still remains:
As one of the older, posh people at the dinner party, the Lady In Pink is one of the precious few in The Establishment who ‘gets’ the hippies and totally signs off on the way they dress and act:
“I would just like to say that it is my conviction
That longer hair and other flamboyant affectations
Of appearance are nothing more
Than the male's emergence from his drab camouflage
Into the gaudy plumage
Which is the birthright of his sex.
There is a peculiar notion that elegant plumage
And fine feathers are not proper for the men
When ac------tually
That is the way things are
In most species!”
033 - S3E4 "A Friend In Deed" with Logan Donahoo
Audio Extras Available only at FaceTheFactsPod.com!
Find Logan!
Monologist Pronunciation
OK, according to dictionary.com, either of the pronunciations I used are acceptable. Whew. Maybe I’m not stupid after all. Maybe.
Stuff From The Extras:
Our conversation about Logan’s friend matching stills of Sarah Paulson crying, the video I was thinking of was the one below of Julianne Moore and how often she has cried in pretty much every one of her films.
And of course, the famous “Ryan Gosling Won’t Eat His Cereal:”
Gloria Loring and Carl Anderson singing "Friends And Lovers"
I have shared several Gloria Loring performances, and constantly mention what an amazing singer she is. Here is her biggest hit, “Friends And Lovers” - written for and first performed on “Days Of Our Lives” in 1985.
032 - S3E3 "A Baby In The House" with Wesley Slade
David and Wesley: A Theatrical Friendship
It all started over 6 years ago…
A year and a half later, we were thrilled to be cast in the lead roles of “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” at the Garden Theatre in Winter Garden, FL (January 2014). That’s me as Lawrence, Wesley as Freddy (disguised as Ruprecht - he’s very affectionate).
Including this pic not just because I love it, but also because Jillian Gizzi was our Christine, and she is an AMAZING talent.
Nowadays we get to work together at Sleuths Mystery Dinner Theatre.
And we can both be found at Hollywood Studios (though at different places)…
David’s friend Officer Friskem with the Citizens of Hollywood
Wesley’s friend Erik, one of the story-tellers at the Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
Some of my closest buds: Justin (he’s the one who texts in one of the outtake extras - he is the one who bought me my Tootie doll last Christmas!), Wesley, Steve, and me. GOD I love these boys.
This is the comic Justin texted us during the show. Hilarious!
And just needed to put this here… WTFFFFFFFF?
Wesley’s Danny Kaye tribute cabaret. Graphic design by ME!
2019-06-05 6:30pm.
OMG! Matthew Arter just texted me some important info about Heather Kerr … I didn’t realize she was the one who played young Eunice in a flashback episode of “Mama’s Family” — and she is AMAZING! Here is the episode where she amazingly channels a young Carol Burnett. (from 1988, she appears around 9:45)
Dilbert Weighs In On Podcasts
Just so you know, Dear Listeners, I do not agree with this philosophy. In my case, the “dumb” factor is ME… committing 4 years of my life to synopsizing an old sitcom every week. AND YET I LOVE IT!
031 - S3E2 "Fear Strikes Back" with Ken Reid
Extras Available Only At FaceTheFactsPod.com!
The Many (Handsome) Faces of Ken Reid
Sorry, David, er— I mean, folks, Ken is straight and married. To a woman. *sigh*
Did you see this tweet when it went viral? That’s Ken!
My Hometown Baseball Shirt That I Got Because Of Ken
The 1980s Headband Was The Best Thing Ever In The History Of Things
Fan Letter To Ken!
Here is one Of The fan emails I wrote to Ken (yes, my obsessions extend far beyond “The Facts Of Life…” In fact, the podcast came very close to being about “Laverne & Shirley.” (And, I will add, once I complete “The Facts Of Life,” that is not out of the running for the future.)
“Hi Ken!
David from Brockton here. We’ve corresponded before, FWIW. I have a Brockton Shoemakers baseball shirt thanks to you. :-) Thought I’d write you more fan mail.
Two things:
(1) Listening to you & John Hodgman talk extensively about ShaNaNa brought back so many memories! I loved that show when I was a kid. Interesting fact you may not know: Lennie Baker, sax player and vocalist for the group during its TV-show years, was from Whitman. I had heard when I was a kid that he was from Stoughton, but he may just have lived there in the 1970s/1980s. Or I’m associating it with my father meeting him and getting his autograph at the Cedar Lodge in Stoughton on 27 just north of the Westgate Mall area — where Nocera’s is now. Lennie is easily identified as “the fat one” (bald with a goatee like most Greasers in the 1950s - LOL). I was very happy to hear John crediting the group as great singers and musicians, because they were; Lennie beautifully sings the vocals for “Blue Moon” on the Grease movie soundtrack album. According to Wikipedia, he passed away early last year. :-( Otherwise I’d say you should get him on the show.
(2) COMPLETE CHANGE OF SUBJECT: I love every time you point out that “Happy Days” and “Laverne & Shirley” were period shows that forgot they were period shows. I thought of you watching a later episode of L&S on Hulu recently: Season 8, Episode 19, the one where David L. Lander (Squiggy) plays his own sister Squendolyn in drag. (This is a post-Cindy-Williams episode, obviously.) At the top of the episode, when he approaches Carmine about taking his sister on a date, Squiggy offers him $200. Um, excuse me? Ken, would you offer a friend $200 TODAY in 2017 to do you a favor? That’s a lot of money! Then factor in that this episode aired in 1983, at which time $200 was more than an average week’s salary - about $500 in 2017 dollars. THEN take into account that L&S’s final season takes place in 1967 (oops, forgot it was period!) when $200 was more than TWO week’s average salary! Nearly $1500 in 2017 dollars! WHAT THE FUCK!?! Just more proof that in the later seasons, the writers just didn’t give a shit.
OK, I’m running out of exclamation points. Thanks for letting me geek out a little bit. Love the show. Keep doing what you’re doing. I’ll keep listening!
David Almeida”
Fruzen Gladje Ice Cream
Ken reminded me of these commercial gems, tucked in the recesses of my memory.
The Hollywood Squares!
Here is the run-down of who hosted “The Hollywood Squares” … which incidentally WAS on NBC’s daytime lineup. When this episode of FOL was made, the Peter Marshall version was just winding up.
Peter Marshall (1966–1981)
Jon Bauman (1983–1984)
John Davidson (1986–1989)
Tom Bergeron (1998–2004)
In the Extras, Ken and I talk about the oft-forgotten Jon Bauman version which was an hour-long mashup called “The Match Game / Hollywood Squares Hour.” As a kid I was fascinated with the set-change, which you can see here around 16:00.
“Rita Hayworth: Love Goddess” starring Lynda Carter
Also discussed in the Extras, here is a forgotten gem (?) of a TV movie… Thanks to my Unofficial Historian/Researcher Bob for finding this and posting it to YouTube. This includes all of the extras on the home video release.
I said it so much during our Skype call and on the show, but I CANNOT THANK KEN ENOUGH for so readily agreeing to be on my show.
THANKS AGAIN, KEN!
My New Theme Song!
Did you notice the new music? (How could you miss it?) I’ve really been wanting to standardize my ‘end credits’ and have some music to underscore it … so I wrote a theme song for myself. My friend Ned Wilkinson arranged it and laid down the tracks, and I think it came out AMAZING! So I put it at the top of the show also now. You can look forward to hearing it in every show from now on!
030 - S3E1 “Growing Pains” with Matthew Arter
Gulp and Gasp
Extras Available Exclusively At FaceTheFactsPod.com!
The AYDS Diet Plan
Matthew’s Favorite Toy: 2-XL by Mego
A later version by Tiger, which used a cassette tape:
Superman 2: Director’s Cut
We discuss this in the Extras… here is one of the ‘restored’ scenes (it’s actually screen test footage … and it has some SERIOUS continuity problems with Christopher Reeve’s hair and glasses). I think it’s pretty awful. So please watch it.
Willie Tyler and Lester!
An appearance on Lola Falana’s variety show in the 1970s:
A later appearance on David Letterman:
“Hello, Larry” Crossover Episode!
In an effort to bolster the fledgling ratings for “Hello, Larry,” NBC decided to connect it to its lead-in show, “Diff’rent Strokes” … even though the shows were not at all related in their creation. They had Philip Drummond purchase the radio station where his war buddy Larry works, and thus we had reason for the DF cast to visit HL. Which they did 3 times, including this episode which included Charlotte Rae as Mrs. Garrett. (As we discuss on the show, “Hello Larry” would be canceled after 1 season, giving way for “The Facts Of Life” to take over its slot and build on the audience already watching NBC that night, thanks to DF and the 8:00-9:00 show: “Real People.”
PERTINENT TO THE FACTS OF LIFE CINEMATIC UNIVERSE (FOLCU):
When Mr. Drummond offers to bring Mrs. Garrett to Portland, OR, she happily explains to Arnold that Portland is near Seattle, and “it will give me a chance to visit my sister Beverly; she’s only an hour away!” GOOD WORK, FACTS OF LIFE WRITERS!
Lisa Whelchel Says Her “Facts Of Life” Co-Stars Are Like Her Sisters
Read the article here at United Press International
029 - S2E16 "Brian And Sylvia" with Cameron Francis
The Many Faces Of Cameron Francis:
(Maybe by posting all of these nobody will notice I forgot to take a picture of the two of us together. GRRRR)
Nice Guy!
Dramatic Actor
Mesmerizing Magician
Goofy Comedic Interactor
Extras Available Only At FaceTheFactsPod.com!
Interracial Couples On TV
Check out this article on Screen Rant ...
Petula Clark and Harry Belafonte
Here is a full account on pophistorydig.com of that time some TV sponsors lost their shit because a famous white woman touched a famous black man’s arm:
Cameron’s Favorite Commercial: NAIR!
Rosanne Katon!
Playboy Playmate of the Month September 1978
in “Bachelor Party”
The Wall (And We Ain’t Talkin’ Pink Floyd Here)
Kim Fields on "Dancing With The Stars" in 2016
…including a short bio about her early days and how the Mrs. Butterworth syrup commercial was her FIRST AUDITION! With a sweet cameo from Charlotte Rae… and sets and costumes inspired by her “Facts Of Life” roots.
(Um, who is performing the song during the dance? Little pitchy, dawg.)
028 - S2E15 "Free Spirit" with Mark Baratelli
The Daily City!
Learn about Mark Baratelli’s latest events and projects at TheDailyCity.com.
Oops, I did it again.
Once again, I have mis-remembered Natalie’s date of birth. In S1 E10, Blair clearly states on the phone that Natalie’s DOB was 9/2/1966. I wrongly said 1965. Not the first time I’ve messed this up; it probably won’t be the last. HOWEVER, I was correct that Natalie saying she’s a Taurus in this week’s show is wrong. Someone born on September 2nd would be a Virgo. So there.
My Notebook
This is where (and how) I take my copious notes for each episode.
Carnac The Magnificent
a character of the late Johnny Carson when he hosted The Tonight Show.
Rona Barrett, Gossip Columnist
photo from the 1970s
Barbara Walters, Journalist
photo from the 1970s
Ricardo Montalban
Young and HOT movie star in the 1950s…
…older, and STILL attractive in the 1980s (best known for playing Mr. Rourke on “Fantasy Island”).
Carly Simon
and her teeth
Gloria Loring on "The Carol Burnett Show"
Just some random fun to share. This spoof of “Valley of the Dolls” is from the very first season of the Carol Burnett Show. S1 E19, first broadcast 1/29/68. It features Carol and Vicki Lawrence, but the uncredited actress in the Sharon Tate role is none other than our own Gloria Loring, co-writer and singer of the theme song to “The Facts Of Life.” ENJOY!
