MovieChat Forums > The Facts of Life (1979) Discussion > I'm dancing as fast as i can, the MALE S...

I'm dancing as fast as i can, the MALE STRIP CLUB episode?! really?!

posted 7 years ago by schmitztracy
3 replies | jump to latest

the 1983 episode really was stretching it for a family show doesn't everyone think?

i wonder then and now who thought this storyline up for a family show about a head mistress and her young students/charges?

in hindsight and retrospect, pretty racy, risque and tacky...

1) jo and blair how old were they supposed to be on the show at the time? in real life one was 20 and the other was 17.. they couldn't have got in the club much less been drinking!

2) tootie and natalie: talking about the strip club and strippers when they were even younger then jo and blair?! in real life, one was 14 and the other was 17? way too young to be discussing such things!

3) what was up with the "flirtation" between blair's boyfriend cliff who they find out is stripping and mrs. garrett? he even kisses her ON THE MOUTH after he and blair sing happy birthday to her? really?!

4) mrs. garret shown having had too many drinks and a loving it participant at the club?

geez, if this episode had been shot today, they would have made her a cougar going home with one of the strippers! the waiter who also made flirty eyes and suggestive come on with her?

could this episode be seen as the 1st sign of desperation and jumping the shark?!..

[–] magdalene_1024 7 years ago

In regards to point 1....actually, in 1983 New York State, Blair and Jo might have been possibly old enough to buy alcohol. New York didn't raise the drinking age to 21 until 1985. In December of 1982, New York had raised it to 19 (it had previously been 18), but I believe some states 'grandfathered' those who had already been legally old enough to purchase alcohol prior to the passing of the law--meaning Blair and Jo, presumably 18 years old (since they were college freshmen) would still be allowed to buy alcohol since they had been doing it already prior the age limit being raised to 19, but Natalie (who was presumably 17 at the time the age limit was raised to 19) would have had to wait until she was 19. But if Natalie was 17 in 1983, and 18 in 1984, then depending on when her 19th birthday fell in 1985 and when New York raised the limit to 21, she may or may not have slid under the grandfather ruling (if she turned 19 before New York raised the limit to 21, she would still be allowed to buy liquor legally for the next two years. If she turned 19 after they raised it to 21, then she would have to wait another two years.)

[–] jeffnova 7 years ago

Also they ordered beer and wine respectively. I know where I'm from in DC, beer and wine had a lower drinking age than liquor til they changed it in the mid '80s.

[–] sjbradford 7 years ago

My God, did we need to see EDNA at the strip club, screeching and with her head wobbling around?