The Wonderful World of Disney (TV Series) The Facts of Life Reunion (2001) User Reviews

Cast chemistry was there, plot wasn't.

[oreo_cookiem · 6/10 · 28 January 2011]

Even without Jo being able to show up, this movie had so much more potential. The chemistry between the three girls and Ms. Garrett was there and I enjoyed seeing it again, but the plot sucked. I find it hard to believe that whoever wrote this script couldn't come up with a better plot than Natalie having two boyfriends at the same time. When shes found out they degrade themselves for her love and it's horrible to watch. The only old characters in this movie you will see is Blair, Tootie, Natalie, Ms. Garrett and her son Raymond. I think Tootie has a much more interesting story and I think the focus of the movie should have been on her and not Natalie, and Natalie was my favorite character. Lisa, Kim, Mindy and Charlotte must have really missed each other to agree to this script. It wasn't a terrible movie overall, it had it's good and bad moments, but it was no masterpiece either which is why I gave this movie a 6 out of 10. If the Facts Of Life cast ever decides to come together for another project like this, I hope they are more pickier about the plot.

Not terrible. Not great like the series. Silly at times. Fun other times. No plot really. But I actually sort of enjoyed it.

[reb-warrior · 5/10 · 4 December 2021]

The girls minus Jo meet up for a reunion in Peekskill with Mrs. Garrett for Thanksgiving.

Jo wasn't there. I read the actress was shooting her series, 'The Division,' at the time. Apparently, they wrote Jo as a cop now as a wink to the audience, which isn't consistent with the series as she was on the road to being a social worker. Her mini-me kid was there tho, Jaime.

I missed Jo but the chemistry, camaraderie, and warmth of friendship were still there for Blair, Natalie, and Tootie.

Blair at times seemed almost a parody of herself. And since when did Blair not want children? This was not consistent with the series, as she did state clearly that she did indeed want them in the series. Also, her story about Geri wasn't consistent. Blair wasn't afraid that others would associate Geri's condition with her. She was jealous of the attention Geri would get growing up.

Tootie, or Dorothy that she went by in most of the episode looked amazing. Kim Fields looked stunning really. She had such a warmth about her too.

Natalie couldn't decide between two boyfriends. This was essentially the entire so-called plot of the movie. But Nat herself was great.

There was a lot of slapstick, and the boyfriend contest was cringeworthy to watch. But then there were nice scenes with Blair talking to the kids after they were arrested, and later nice scenes with her husband. Tootie had nice scenes with Robert and her daughter. Mrs. Garrett seemed strange to me. I mean I love her but just really oddball here.

I did get a sense that the actresses and the whole cast were having fun. I mean I kind of enjoyed it. I watched it sort of on the side in a mini-player whilst doing some other things online. The sound editing and soundtrack were a big improvement over the previous two movies. I think it depends on your mood and how generous you are feeling when watching this as to whether you're ok with it or not. 5/10.

Not a bad reunion movie

[SkippyDevereaux · 19 November 2001]

After more than a decade, the cast of the show did this film and it is not a bad film. The only sad part was that "Jo" was not in it, and boy, did "Natalie" look OLD!! She looked like she was in her fifties!! But I enjoyed the film very much and it was also something to see the "Eastland School" cafeteria recreated so close to the original. Would have been nice if they had invited some of the girls from the first season to this movie reunion, but then, maybe they did not think the public would remember them. But, if you like the series, then you should enjoy this film!!

awful **Contains Spoilers**

[kyrat · 3/10 · 16 September 2002]

A group of us watched this film are were really disgusted. We were willing to forgive the fact that our favorite character Jo wasn't on (it's not like the writers/producers could do anything about that). The writing was poor, the script was sub-par. What REALLY annoyed us: 1. When the two guys realized they were both dating Natalie, they didn't just leave they put up with that stupid (and ultimately degrading) contest - but only because they were macho competing guys, not because they really wanted Natalie. 2. Despite being unable to choose between the two guys before the reunion, Natalie suddenly decides that she really loves one of the guys and is now ready to marry him? (and there was no foreshadowing that he was really a better guy, it's as if the writers flipped a coin and then just had her spit it out at some convenient point in the film). 3. Blair makes a point of talking about how she does not want children and then all of a sudden when her husband says he wants to have children, she blissfully agrees with him.

Where was Molly Ringwald?

[ken98465 · 1/10 · 19 November 2001]

Oh my, this was the worst reunion movie I have ever seen. (That is saying a lot.) I am ashamed of watching.

What happened in the script meetings? "Ooooooh, I know! Let's have two stud muffins fall madly in love with the Most-Annoying-Character-Since-Cousin-Oliver." "Yeah, that'll be cool!"

Even for sitcoms, this was the most implausible plot since Ron Popeil starting spray painting bald men.

Hope there will be another reunion!

[cagedeagle · 10/10 · 20 February 2006]

I know I'm going against the majority here when I say I LOVED the Facts Of Life Reunion. Natalie always was 'boy crazy' so it didn't surprise me at all that she had two guys fighting over her. As for the good looking guys even being interested in her, I have this to say...there is a LOT more to beauty than just looks and it surprises me that people are STILL so hung up on such a superficial thing! As for Tootie, she always loved the theater, and Blair, her looks and money always were important to her. I felt the writers kept everyone true to the characters we grew up with and loved. True, it would have been much better if Nancy McKeon had participated. But no matter the reason she didn't appear, I think the writers dealt with her absence in a realistic way.

I'd LOVE to see another reunion. Maybe they could address some of the things they left open in the last one. Natalie getting married, Mrs. Garrett working for Blair and the RETURN OF Jo!

The Return of the "Facts of Life" Girls

[trishadee · 7/10 · 17 May 2017]

Very nice reunion of "The Facts of Life" cast except for Nancy McKeon (Jo Polniaczek), whom I understand that she had to film the new season of the Lifetime Television police drama "The Division" at the time of filming the reunion movie, and George Clooney and Molly Ringwald were already movie stars, but I wish that three of the original "Facts of Life" girls Felice Schachter (Nancy), Julie Pierkarski (Sue Ann) and Julie Anne Haddock (Cindy) were invited back for the reunion, along with Cloris Leachman (Beverly Ann), Mackenzie Astin (Andy), Pamela Segall Adlon (Kelly), who was then working as a voice actress playing Bobby Hill on the Fox animated series "King of the Hill," and Sherrie Krenn (Pippa). Also, I wish that any one or more of the people who wrote and produced for the series such as Martha Williamson, who was the show runner for "Touched by an Angel" on CBS, Sara V. Finney and Vida Spears, who helmed "The Parkers" on the now defunct UPN network, or the writing-producing team who did turn the show around by changing it from senseless to focusing on real life topics that teenagers face for most of the episodes from Season 2 to midway through Season 6 -- Linda Marsh (retired) and Margie Peters (a professor of screen writing at a southern California university, maybe UCLA), did the teleplay instead of hiring three writers who never did work on the weekly series. Otherwise, it was not such a bad reunion movie.

Missing Jo but still great

[wfavreau · 8/10 · 26 September 2019]

Sure is sad "Jo" isn't here but the other girls, Mrs G and Raymond are back and are great as ever. The writers stay true to the characters and realistically build up their life to "present". This combines romance and fluffy humor. Unlike the early years there isn't topical humor unless you count Blair and Tad different desires for kids and not go car napping to have some fun. I think the only sad thing is Jo's lookalike daughter is here so it reminds you she is gone. Disney should have waited and brought her back for the ending scene. Thankfully, all got together at TV Land Awards and at interviews later on.

Just plain AWESOME!

[Charlotte Rae Fan · 11 March 2002]

I absolutely adore The Facts of Life, so I made sure to catch the reunion movie!I recorded it, and I watch it....... A LOT. It was completely hilarious, without overlooking the little "chats" the girls have with Mrs. G!!(which were always my favorite parts anyway!)It was a GREAT continuation of the show, and I don't know about the rest of the facts of life fans, but I'm hoping for another one just as awesome!!

All I can is WOW!!

[Ags2000 · 10/10 · 25 November 2001]

I thought the movie was GREAT! I loved the whole plot. I wish Nancy McKeon would have come back as Jo though. Blair just wasn't the same without Jo to bring her down a peg or two for stupid remarks she makes every now and then.

I loved the references to the original series such as George the Handyman and Sue Ann. It was great to hear some of my favorite quotes from the characters. Quotes such as Blair saying, "I just had another one of my brilliant ideas" or Tootie exclaiming "There's gonna be trouuuble" I was laughing hysterically.

All in all I think it was great, and if you missed it you missed a GREAT reunion movie.

FOL 2001

[SilentT · 9/10 · 20 November 2001]

It was great to see Mrs. Garrett, Blair, Natalie and Tootie -- oops I mean Dorothy -- again! Even though the cast had made a pact years ago to never do a reunion show, they were glad to sign on for this trip down memory lane once they read the script. Despite the absence of Nancy McKeon as Jo, it was an enjoyable TV movie. The best part was all the inside jokes that only true FOL fans would "get." There were plenty of references to past cast members and tie-ins to the old FOL episodes.

Nice movie missing only one thing

[tex-42 · 18 November 2001]

This nice reunion movie from the long-running sitcom reunites nearly all of the main characters of the Facts of Life. The plot concerns a Thanksgiving reunion in Peekskill for Natalie, Blair, Tootie, and Mrs. Garrett. The girls are now all grown up with families of their own, but it still hasn't stopped them from getting into zany situations and seeking life advice from Mrs. Garrett much like they did during the show's run. The women very obviously enjoy rehashing these parts with each other and there is a nice feeling that flows through the movie. One thing missing however is Nancy McKeon as "Jo" because she complimented the other girls so well and was such an integral part of the show. Still though a plug for her television show on Lifetime made its way into the movie, and the other women do make up for her absence.

The Wonderful World of Disney tv -movie "Facts of Life Reunion" was happy, silly and fun to watch.

[james362001 · 8/10 · 20 November 2001]

If you liked "The Facts of Life" tv series, then you will like this tv-movie. It was great to see 80% of the cast together again. What I really missed the most was Nancy McKeon who played "Jo". Miss McKeon could not do the reunion movie because of her commitment to the Lifetime cable network tv series "The Division". Talk about perfect timing, After the tv-movie was over on ABC, I was able to turn the channel to the Lifetime cable network to see Nancy McKeon on "The Division". The Wonderful World of Disney tv-movie was happy, silly and fun to watch. And I would watch this film again. Here's to many more Facts Of Life tv-movie reunions. Thanks Disney and ABC Network.

Back to the way it should be....

[kadinzaofelune · 10/10 · 13 March 2004]

I loved the Facts of Life reunion movie. I think we should all take a look at how things were in that show. We have all strayed so far from the morals we had at that time that there looks to be no way back without dramatic changes in America. The actors are great and I wish i could have a family like that. We should all be so lucky. Blair (Lisa) turned out exactly how we thought she would. Tootie- Dorothy is great in her part and I wish Jo(Nancy) could have made the movie. Seeing all of them back again has inspired me to seek out further options for my local clients to join in future projects in this arena. Also this move brings up the problem of family owned local business failing to the pressure of corporate America. I would also like to throw out there to do another reunion of the "girls" and their children at Eastland. Let's do it!

no Jo. enough said

[baconbit · 28 July 2004]

If they couldn't get Nancy McKeon, they shouldn't have done this movie. For most of the series, she WAS the show. I don't care if she showed up for a brief scene at the end, one that could have been filmed in an hour. It would have been better than nothing.

But no, getting another actress was not an option. Anyone who thinks it would have been good apparently doesn't watch TV, or at least not shows/movies in which that is done. EVERY one of them is routinely and thoroughly panned when they do it. Not to mention, the actresses mentions by one commenter would split their sides laughing so hard at the notion the that they would be asked to stoop to playing Jo in a Fact of Life TV reunion movie. "Hey, Ms. Bullock, I know you make $10+ million a movie. But would you like to take a hundred thousand of so bucks to be on the Facts of Life Reunion?" "Sure. I'll just put my major motion picture career on hold for a few months!" "Hey, Angelina, don't bother with those sequels to Tomb Raider and the ensuing $20 million dollars you will make. Do this TV movie instead!" While we are at it, let's suggest that they should have asked George Clooney to take a break from filming Ocean's Eleven in order to reprise his role.

The other bad thing about this movie was, did Beverly not exist? Cloris Leachman is still around. Why not get her. (And, unlike Angelina Jolie and Sandra Bullock, she would be more than happy to appear.) What, the girls don't love her anymore?

A Grin A Minute

[aesgaard41 · 9/10 · 9 January 2002]

I loved it. For me, "The Facts of Life" was little more than "The Lisa Whelchel Show," but this was a wonderful look back at a series I really loved. I really missed Jo, Nancy, Sue Anne, Pippa and the rest, but the few cast members really made this like old times. The plot was as whimsical as the series, even with "Psi Factor's" Barclay Hope, and even Blair back to being Blair (she hasn't aged a day in my book) and even Tootie and Natalie are irresistable. Thanks for the memories !

I actually loved it.

[alexbogue3889 · 10/10 · 29 December 2019]

I was disappointed that Jo wasn't there, but then again neither were the lost girls, Andy, Pippa, George, or Beverly Ann. It features the reunion of the characters we've all grown to know and love. Most of their personality traits have been retained, but that's okay as some things are just irreplaceable. All in all, an excellent movie!

Smarmy and sappy. Shame on Disney!!

[desmei · 19 November 2001]

I nearly fell off my seat when I saw the Facts of Life movie on the satellite listings. I tuned in and was all set to be whisked back into the lives of my favourite friends. I was sadly disappointed in the plot and the entire movie just seemed so tired and trite; I don't know if it was because my favourite character, Jo (Nancy McKeon), was missing or if it's because Disney was at the helm.

IMHO, a reunion movie was a great idea. I'd have preferred something closer to the original, perhaps with lots of juicy "flashbacks".

Another Disney creation...

[parodytonite13 · 19 November 2001]

I was very upset with the outcome of this made-for-TV-movie. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely adore the 80's TV series. But, the dialogue was cheesy and about 45% of the cast had nothing to do with the series. One last thing that was wrong with the movie was: Jo, Andy, Beverly Ann, & George all weren't there. Jo (Nancy McKeon) was busy with her police drama, "The Division" on Lifetime TV. Andy (Mackenzie Astin) very much wanted to do the film but was not called or written into the film. Beverly Ann (Cloris Leachman) did not know about the film and was not called, either. George (George Clooney) said "They fired me, so screw 'em." I'm telling you, this film was very "Disney-ized." If you're looking for Blair, Tootie, Natalie, Jo, Mrs. Garrett, Beverly Ann, Andy, & George... watch the series. And finally "You take the good," the series. "You take the bad," the made-for-TV-movie. "You take 'em both and then you have The Facts Of Life." If this movie is released on video it's a rental. Don't buy it.

Glad to see them again

[scs0 · 20 November 2001]

The Facts of Life Reunion disturbed me because it little uncomfortable knowing that I'm now old enough to begin seeing reunion movies of some of my favorite childhood shows. Aside from that, it was really refreshing seeing the cast again. The main cast really seemed to be enjoying themselves back in their old roles and the old chemistry was still there. The producers did a great job in staying true to events in the series and informing us of the changes in that time, fans will see many, sometimes minor, references to the past (like Mrs. Garrett's Peace Corps journey, Blair's purchase of Eastland and allowing boys to go to the school...etc) which makes it seem like someone behind the scenes cared enough to get the details right. The recreation of the Eastland Cafeteria was excellent and was upgraded from the bland 4-sided look of a TV sitcom set to the full 6-sided realistic looking sets found in hour long dramas. While the writers did a great job in packing a lot into this movie, they didn't really create a good plot. Natalie had 2 dates in one night and attempted to prevent both men from knowing about the other, that's about as sitcom cliche as replacing a friend's dead pet with a look-a-like, but who knows? Maybe a movie based on a sitcom should embrase their sitcom-ness! Some things I hoped for but didn't see: a tour of their old "Edna's Edibles" house, you'd think Beverly Anne might still be living there. I would have loved to have seen an upgraded 6-sided version of that significant set too! The main flaw was the lack of Nancy McKeon, her absense was very noticeable but the writers did a good job in acknowledging her importance by having her kid and husband show instead. McKeon supposedly wanted to put the Jo role behind her and move on, but sorry Nancy, skipping out of a reunion show doesn't help break a typecasting problem it just makes you look like an ungrateful David Caruso who couldn't be bothered with the role that made her famous in the first place. You stood out more by NOT being there. On a side note, the cast of "Facts" kids fortunately had enough smarts to stay away from the problems that plagued the "Diff'rent Strokes" kids. Maybe "Jo's" case involved a troubled Willis Drummond...

Wonderful to see our old friends once again!

[SmackDaddyB2002 · 23 November 2001]

I really enjoyed this reunion movie! It was wonderful to see Mrs. Garrett, Nat, Blair, and Tootie once again. Jo was missing, and I think Nancy M. could have taken a day or two to shoot a cameo in their, I mean its been 13 years! Give me a break! The movie itself is enjoyable itself, and a nice reunion and Thanksgiving treat! Hope that more are on the way and next time bring Jo back too!

Natalie juggling two hunky boyfriends strains credulity.

[filmaven-2 · 9 December 2001]

It was good to see the cast of Facts of Life together again after so many years. They all looked terrific and the movie was enjoyable with the exception of the plotline involving two studs fighting over Natalie. Being that it was a Disney production, the "Natalie plotline" was right out of Fantasyland.

take the good,take the bad

[AppleAsylum · 19 November 2001]

I had been waiting for this for a long time. When I finally got the scoop on it, I was very upset that "Jo" would not be there! Its okay though. "Ms." Garrett, Nat, Blair, & Dorthy(formally know as Tootie) reunite in this cute made-for-tv-movie. It appears that Tootie is now a talk-show host. Nat is a writer. Ms. Garrett, who left for Africa with her new husband has become a widow. & the ever-so popular & beautiful Blair went into the hotel business. The story is Natalie has two boyfriends who she has to choose from. They just so happen to show up at the reunion in Blair's hotel. The girls are once again learning the facts of life all over again with their crazy & exciting adventure. If thats not enough, Tisha (Tootie's daughter) & Jamie (Jo's daughter) are on their on adventure as well. I have a B I G feeling this will spawn the "All New Facts Of Life" or maybe two more Facts movies. It was good to see the girls (minus one) back together again. 1-10 (8)

If Nancy McKeon would not play as Jo, couldn't some other actress have played as Jo instead?

[mapmanmsl · 28 April 2002]

If I were the one who directed this reunion movie and the actor/actress who portrayed one of the characters didn't show up, I would have looked for another person to act as that character. So Nancy Mckeon didn't want to reprise her old role of Jo, you all could have found another actress to play as Jo. Actresses like Sandra Bullock, Anjelina Jolie, Tiffany Thiessen, or even Neve Campbell all look similar to Jo and could have played as Jo. Who needs Nancy McKeon to play today's version of Jo anyway. If you look at the noses of Jo and how Nancy McKeon's nose looks today, there would be a big difference. Jo's nose looked rather pudgy and round, while Ms. McKeon today has a roman arch type nose. So Nancy McKeon probably would not fit the part of Jo very well today. She just does not look like how Jo would probably look like today. Think about it. Other well known actresses could have, and would probably have been willing to play the part of Jo, but they (the producers) wanted Nancy McKeon to play the part right when she refused.