In a typical episode of this NBC situation comedy, one of our four young heroines learns a lesson about life and resolves to be nicer. The house- mother beams, somebody sniffles. Everybody goes down to the kitchen for ice cream.
The Facts of Life is exactly the sort of series that normally makes my teeth grind and my right eye twitch: wall-to-wall cute kids and one of those squeaky-clean, wholesome settings where the furniture looks edible. It's the kind of show that builds stories around serious life situations (suicide for instance) and then kisses them off with platitudes, hugs and buttery sentiments.
I suppose I am no more impervious to schmaltz than the next customer; I find myself sniffling along with those huggy endings, annoyed at myself all the while. To be fair about it, the writers save the hugging for the final few minutes. Up until then, the four girls behave like normal brats and trade catty lines that are often very funny. Even Mrs. Garrett (Charlotte Rae), who resembles a pillow physically and spiritually, has a funny line sometimes. "It's so depressing watching a rump roast shrink," she'll cluck. then she gives one of the girls a wise chat about the meaning of life, and everyone has some more ice cream.
One reason I like the show, I think, is that it is one of the few series in which I can tell the kids apart. Children in TV comedies come in brady bunches; squads of little clones who spout precocious lines (the younger the kid, the more cynical and suggestive the lines). The four girls in Facts are not complex creations, but I can tell Blair from Jo and Tootie from Natalie. They have different attitudes and individual styles of cracking wise.
They appear to be the only steady customers of a boarding school in upstate New York. No schooling goes on in camera range, and the only conspicuous adult is Mrs. Garrett, who referees the fights and dishes up sympathy. Blair (Lisa Whelchel) is rich and spoiled, a rah-rah blonde with a star complex. Jo (Nancy Mckeon) is a street tomboy, poker-faced and quick-lipped. Tootie (Kim Fields) black, tiny and volatile. Natalie (Mindy Cohn) is overweight and wry, an amused observer of the constant war between Blair and Jo.
One very effective episode introduced Geri, a cousin of Blair's. The girl had cerebral palsy and was beginning a career as a nightclub comedienne. Blair appeared to be embarrassed by her cousin's handicap, but in fact was jealous of the attention she got. Blair worked her way through these feelings, with counsel and cushioning from Mrs. Garrett, and came to a happy reconciliation with her cousin. Geri Jewel, who in fact is a young nightclub performer with cerebral palsy, played herself with great charm.
Miss Rae has a big dumpling face with large eyes, and the producers love to frame her in, close- up, as she moistens up over one of her girls' problems. I admire her skill, but I'm glad she isn't around the house, giving me advice every minute.
The girls are likable and you can always count on a funny line or two. As for the schmaltz, you can build up your tolerance. Watch the first 15 minutes and proceed with caution from there.