The Facts of Life - The Complete First and Second Seasons (DVD, 2006, 4-Disc Set)

What a catchy tune! :) You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and there you have THE FACTS OF LIFE... A spin-off of the tremendously popular Diff'rent Strokes, THE FACTS OF LIFE is the hilarious series that follows Mrs. Edna Garrett (Charlotte Rae) and her mission as housemother to instill values in the girls of Eastland School. The large first season cast included John Lawlor, Jenny O'Hara, Lisa Whelchel, Felice Schachter, Julie Piekarski, Kim Fields, Molly Ringwald, Julie Anne Haddock, and Mindy Cohn. By the second season, the show focused on Mrs. Garrett and just four Eastland girls - spoiled Blair, gossipy Tootie, wise-cracking Natalie, and rebellious Jo. Under Mrs. Garrett's guidance, these four go from wide-eyed school girls to mature young women...all while learning THE FACTS OF LIFE. Guest stars include the cast of Diff'rent Strokes, Helen Hunt and Richard Dean Anderson of TV's MacGyver. Includes all 29 laugh-packed episodes from Seasons One and Two.

Actors: Charlotte Rae, Cloris Leachman, Lisa Whelchel, Mindy Cohn, Kim Fields
Directors: John Bowab, Jim Drake
Format: Box set, Closed-captioned, Color, Full Screen, NTSC
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Number of discs: 4
Studio: Sony Pictures
DVD Release Date: May 9, 2006
Run Time: 610 minutes
DVD Features:
Available Audio Tracks: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)
Featurette: Remembering the Facts of Life
Featurette: After Facts

One of the great coming-of age shows of the 80's. What makes this disc set so interesting is that season 1 & 2 are almost entirely different shows. While both are set at Eastland, one is set in the dormitory and one is set in the commisary. The first season sported a large ensemble cast, including a young Molly Ringwold, while the second season focused on three girls in particular and a rowdy newcomer, although the other girls would make occasional cameos. While I enjoyed the first season, at times the story lines seemed a little unfocused and the girls could tend to get petty and whiny. The second season however was a breath of fresh air. Most notably when Jo showed up and challenged the accepted norms for the priveleged academy girls. Focusing on the four girls also allowed the writers to focus on the issues of the individuals and gave the viewers a more in depth look at their, and Mrs Garrett's, characters. Whether you have pre-teen to teen children, remember this series from your younger days, or are still in your younger days. You will enjoy this light hearted look at the trials and tribulations, though not all their troubles were light-hearted, of growing up.

I loved this boxed set. Facts of Life was always one of my favorites shows.
The girls are so funny and the show is based on some everyday challenges
some teenage girls go through.

I watched The Facts of Life as a child and teen growing up. When they stopped the show I was bummed. They didn't do many reruns of it like they do a lot of shows. I don't buy seasons on DVD normally, but when this was out and I saw it, I knew I had to have it! I would recomend all the seasons of The Facts of Life!
It is a great series!

I loved the show The Facts of Life. When I heard it was coming out on DVD I had to have it. I can't wait until the rest of the seasons come out.
A must have for any fan. Watch Jo, Blair, Nattalie, and Tootie learn the facts of life!