The Facts of Life 1979
“You take the good, you take the bad...”
- Status
- Ended
- First Aired
- August 24, 1979
- Last Aired
- May 7, 1988
- Format
- 9 seasons · 201 eps
- Total Runtime
- ~100.5 hours (30 min/ep)
- Essential Runtime
- ~99.8 hours (skips filler)
- Highest Rated Episode
- S1E1 "Rough Housing" (★ 3.5/10)
- Created By
- Dick Clair, Norman Lear, Jenna McMahon
- Network
- NBC
- Where to Stream
- The Roku Channel, Tubi TV, Amazon Video
Streaming data from JustWatch
★ TMDB users: 7.1/10 from 106 votes TV-PG DramaComedy 9 seasons · 201 eps Ended
Where to watch:
The Roku ChannelTubi TVAmazon VideoApple TV Store
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Quick answer
What is The Facts of Life?
The Facts of Life is an American television sitcom that aired on NBC for nine seasons. The series premiered on August 24, 1979, and concluded on May 7, 1988.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 1979
- Status
- Ended
- Episodes
- 201
- Runtime
- 30 minutes
- First aired
- Aug 24, 1979
- Last aired
- May 7, 1988
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- US
- Networks
- NBC
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy
- Updated
Series guide
At a glance
- Rating
- ★ TMDB users: 7.1/10 from 106 votes
- Format
- 9 seasons · 201 episodes
- Episode runtime
- ~30 minutes
- Status
- Ended
- Network
- NBC
Availability by region
Where to watch in United States
With ads
The Roku Channel
Tubi TVBuy
Amazon Video
Apple TV StoreStreaming availability data provided by JustWatch via TMDB. Availability changes by country and date; verify on the provider before subscribing or purchasing.
Planning tool
How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 201 episodes and an average 30-minute runtime.
Trailer
No official trailer is available for this title yet.
Find the trailer on YouTube ↗Overview
The Facts of Life is an American television sitcom that aired on NBC for nine seasons. The series premiered on August 24, 1979, and concluded on May 7, 1988. Created by Dick Clair, Jenna McMahon, Howard Leeds, Jerry Mayer, and Ben Starr, the program centers on the experiences of students at the Eastland School. The narrative follows Mrs. Edna Garrett, who serves as the housemother and dietitian at the institution. In this role, she guides a group of girls in her charge, helping them navigate and solve the various challenges that teenagers typically face. The cast of the series includes Lisa Whelchel, Kim Fields, Mindy Cohn, and Nancy McKeon. The show focuses on the interpersonal development of these characters as they mature under the supervision of Mrs. Garrett. By documenting these formative years, the series explores the common obstacles encountered during adolescence within a school setting.
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Should you watch it?
“A dedicated housemother guides a group of students through the challenges of growing up at school.”
Reasons to watch
- focuses on relatable teenage experiences
- features a supportive mentor figure
Keep in mind
- limited to the school setting
Watch it if you enjoy stories about mentorship and navigating the difficulties of adolescence.
The series explores common teenage issues within an educational environment.
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Your verdict
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Cast
Lisa Whelchel
Blair Warner
Kim Fields
Tootie Ramsey
Mindy Cohn
Natalie Green
Nancy McKeon
Joanne Jo Polniaczek
Charlotte Rae
Edna Garrett
Mackenzie Astin
Andy Moffett
Cloris Leachman
Beverly Ann Stickle
Pamela Adlon
Kelly Affinado
Sherrié Austin
Pippa McKenna
George Clooney
George Burnett
Felice Schachter
Nancy Olson
Julie Piekarski
Sue Ann Weaver
Comprehensive Directory
Episode guide
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Season 1 · 13 episodes
Open the complete Season 1 guide & lore primer →- E1 Rough Housing Mytharc Aug 24, 1979
- E2 Like Mother, Like Daughter Core Aug 31, 1979
- E3 The Return of Mr. Garrett Core Sep 7, 1979
- E4 I.Q. Core Sep 14, 1979
- E5 Overachieving Core Mar 12, 1980
- E6 Emily Dickinson Core Mar 14, 1980
- E7 Dieting Core Mar 21, 1980
- E8 The Facts of Love Core Apr 4, 1980
- E9 Flash Flood Core Apr 11, 1980
- E10 Adoption Core Apr 25, 1980
- E11 Running Core May 2, 1980
- E12 Molly's Holiday Mytharc Jun 4, 1980
- E13 Dope Mytharc Jun 11, 1980
Season 2 · 16 episodes
Open the complete Season 2 guide & lore primer →- E1 The New Girl (1) Mytharc Nov 19, 1980
- E2 The New Girl (2) Core Nov 26, 1980
- E3 Double Standard Core Dec 10, 1980
- E4 Who Am I? Core Dec 17, 1980
- E5 Cousin Geri Core Dec 24, 1980
- E6 Shoplifting Core Dec 31, 1980
- E7 Teenage Marriage (1) Core Jan 7, 1981
- E8 Teenage Marriage (2) Core Jan 14, 1981
- E9 Gossip Core Jan 21, 1981
- E10 Breaking Point Core Jan 28, 1981
- E11 Sex Symbol Core Feb 4, 1981
- E12 The Secret Core Feb 25, 1981
- E13 Pretty Babies Core Mar 4, 1981
- E14 Bought and Sold Core Mar 11, 1981
- E15 Free Spirit Mytharc Mar 18, 1981
- E16 Brian and Sylvia Mytharc Mar 25, 1981
Season 3 · 24 episodes
Open the complete Season 3 guide & lore primer →- E1 Growing Pains Mytharc Oct 28, 1981
- E2 Fear Strikes Back Core Nov 4, 1981
- E3 A Baby in the House Core Nov 11, 1981
- E4 A Friend in Deed Core Nov 18, 1981
- E5 Front Page Core Nov 25, 1981
- E6 Give and Take Core Dec 2, 1981
- E7 Sweet Sorrow Core Dec 9, 1981
- E8 From Russia with Love Core Dec 16, 1981
- E9 Dear Me Core Dec 23, 1981
- E10 Cousin Geri Returns Core Dec 30, 1981
- E11 Legacy Core Jan 6, 1982
- E12 Green-Eyed Monster Core Jan 13, 1982
- E13 The Americanization of Miko Core Jan 20, 1982
- E14 The Marriage Brokers Core Jan 27, 1982
- E15 Starstruck Core Feb 3, 1982
- E16 The Four Musketeers Core Feb 10, 1982
- E17 The Affair Core Feb 17, 1982
- E18 Runaway Core Feb 24, 1982
- E19 New York, New York Core Mar 3, 1982
- E20 Kids Can Be Cruel Core Mar 17, 1982
- E21 Mind Your Own Business Core Mar 24, 1982
- E22 The Academy Core Mar 31, 1982
- E23 Jo's Cousin Mytharc Apr 14, 1982
- E24 Read No Evil Mytharc May 5, 1982
Season 4 · 24 episodes
Open the complete Season 4 guide & lore primer →- E1 Ain't Miss Beholden Mytharc Sep 29, 1982
- E2 The Source Core Oct 6, 1982
- E3 The Sound of Silence Core Oct 27, 1982
- E4 The Oldest Living Graduate Core Nov 3, 1982
- E5 Different Drummer Core Nov 10, 1982
- E6 Dearest Mommie Core Nov 17, 1982
- E7 A Woman's Place Core Nov 24, 1982
- E8 Daddy's Girl Core Dec 1, 1982
- E9 The Big Fight Core Dec 8, 1982
- E10 For the Asking Core Dec 15, 1982
- E11 September Song Core Dec 22, 1982
- E12 A Royal Pain Core Jan 5, 1983
- E13 Magnificent Obsession Core Jan 12, 1983
- E14 Under Pressure Core Jan 19, 1983
- E15 Teacher's Pet Core Jan 26, 1983
- E16 Let's Party! Core Feb 9, 1983
- E17 Best Sister (1) Core Feb 16, 1983
- E18 Best Sister (2) Core Feb 23, 1983
- E19 Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? Core Mar 9, 1983
- E20 Who's on First? Core Mar 30, 1983
- E21 Help from Home Core Apr 6, 1983
- E22 Take My Finals, Please Core Apr 27, 1983
- E23 Graduation (1) Mytharc May 4, 1983
- E24 Graduation (2) Mytharc May 4, 1983
Season 5 · 26 episodes
Open the complete Season 5 guide & lore primer →- E1 Brave New World (1) Mytharc Sep 21, 1983
- E2 Brave New World (2) Core Sep 21, 1983
- E3 Gamma Gamma or Bust Core Sep 28, 1983
- E4 Just My Bill Core Oct 12, 1983
- E5 What Price Glory? Core Oct 19, 1983
- E6 The Halloween Show Core Oct 26, 1983
- E7 Advance Placement Core Nov 2, 1983
- E8 I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can Core Nov 9, 1983
- E9 Small but Dangerous Core Nov 16, 1983
- E10 Store Games Core Nov 30, 1983
- E11 The Second Time Around Core Dec 14, 1983
- E12 The Christmas Show Core Dec 21, 1983
- E13 The Chain Letter Core Dec 28, 1983
- E14 Next Door Core Jan 4, 1984
- E15 Crossing the Line Core Jan 11, 1984
- E16 All or Nothing Core Jan 18, 1984
- E17 A Death in the Family Core Feb 1, 1984
- E18 Big Fish/Little Fish Core Feb 8, 1984
- E19 Star at Langley Core Feb 15, 1984
- E20 Dream Marriage Core Feb 22, 1984
- E21 Mother and Daughter Core Feb 29, 1984
- E22 All by Herself Core Mar 14, 1984
- E23 Seems Like Old Times Core Mar 21, 1984
- E24 Joint Custody Core May 2, 1984
- E25 The Way We Were (1) Mytharc May 9, 1984
- E26 The Way We Were (2) Mytharc May 9, 1984
Season 6 · 26 episodes
Open the complete Season 6 guide & lore primer →- E1 The Summer of '84 Mytharc Sep 26, 1984
- E2 Slices of Life Core Oct 3, 1984
- E3 Love at First Byte Core Oct 17, 1984
- E4 My Boyfriend's Back Core Oct 24, 1984
- E5 Cruisin' Core Oct 31, 1984
- E6 Taking a Chance on Love (1) Core Nov 7, 1984
- E7 Taking a Chance on Love (2) Core Nov 7, 1984
- E8 E.G.O.C. (Edna Garrett on Campus) Core Nov 14, 1984
- E9 Dear Apple Core Nov 21, 1984
- E10 Talk, Talk, Talk Core Nov 28, 1984
- E11 Smile Core Dec 5, 1984
- E12 The Rich Aren't Different Core Dec 12, 1984
- E13 Christmas in the Big House Core Dec 19, 1984
- E14 Me and Eleanor Core Jan 2, 1985
- E15 Working it Out Core Jan 9, 1985
- E16 Jazzbeau Core Jan 16, 1985
- E17 Two Guys From Appleton Core Jan 23, 1985
- E18 With a Little Help From My Friends Core Jan 30, 1985
- E19 Gone With the Wind (1) Core Feb 13, 1985
- E20 Gone With the Wind (2) Core Feb 20, 1985
- E21 Man in the Attic Core Feb 27, 1985
- E22 The Last Drive-In Core Mar 13, 1985
- E23 Sisters Core Mar 20, 1985
- E24 It's Lonely at the Top Core Mar 27, 1985
- E25 Bus Stop Mytharc May 8, 1985
- E26 The Interview Show Mytharc May 15, 1985
Season 7 · 24 episodes
Open the complete Season 7 guide & lore primer →- E1 Out of the Fire... Mytharc Sep 14, 1985
- E2 Into the Frying Pan Core Sep 21, 1985
- E3 Grand Opening Core Sep 28, 1985
- E4 Teacher, Teacher Core Oct 5, 1985
- E5 Men for All Seasons Core Oct 19, 1985
- E6 A New Life Core Oct 26, 1985
- E7 Doo-Wah Core Nov 2, 1985
- E8 Come Back to the Truck Stop, Natalie Green, Natalie Green Core Nov 9, 1985
- E9 Born Too Late Core Nov 16, 1985
- E10 3, 2, 1 Filler Nov 23, 1985
- E11 We Get Letters Core Nov 30, 1985
- E12 Ballroom Dance Core Dec 7, 1985
- E13 Christmas Baby Core Dec 14, 1985
- E14 Tootie Drives Core Dec 21, 1985
- E15 Stake-Out Blues Core Jan 11, 1986
- E16 The Agent Core Jan 18, 1986
- E17 The Reunion Core Feb 1, 1986
- E18 Concentration Core Feb 8, 1986
- E19 Atlantic City Core Feb 15, 1986
- E20 The Lady Who Came to Dinner Core Feb 22, 1986
- E21 The Candidate Core Mar 1, 1986
- E22 Big Time Charlie Core Mar 29, 1986
- E23 The Graduate Mytharc May 3, 1986
- E24 The Apartment Mytharc May 10, 1986
Season 8 · 24 episodes
Open the complete Season 8 guide & lore primer →- E1 Out of Peekskill (1) Mytharc Sep 27, 1986
- E2 Out of Peekskill (2) Core Sep 27, 1986
- E3 Ready or Not Core Oct 4, 1986
- E4 Another Room Core Oct 11, 1986
- E5 Off-Broadway Baby Core Nov 1, 1986
- E6 The Little Chill Core Nov 8, 1986
- E7 The Ratings Game Core Nov 15, 1986
- E8 The Wedding Day Core Nov 22, 1986
- E9 Fast Food Core Nov 29, 1986
- E10 Where's Poppa? Core Dec 6, 1986
- E11 Write and Wrong Core Dec 13, 1986
- E12 Seven Little Indians Mytharc Jan 3, 1987
- E13 The Greek Connection Core Jan 10, 1987
- E14 Post-Christmas Card Core Jan 17, 1987
- E15 A Star is Torn Core Jan 31, 1987
- E16 A Winter's Tale Core Feb 7, 1987
- E17 Cupid's Revenge Core Feb 14, 1987
- E18 62 Pick-Up Core Feb 21, 1987
- E19 Boy About the House Core Feb 28, 1987
- E20 Ex Marks the Spot Core Mar 7, 1987
- E21 Younger Than Springtime Core Mar 21, 1987
- E22 This is Only a Test Core Apr 18, 1987
- E23 Rites of Passage (1) Mytharc May 2, 1987
- E24 Rites of Passage (2) Mytharc May 9, 1987
Season 9 · 24 episodes
Open the complete Season 9 guide & lore primer →- E1 Down and Out in Malibu (1) Mytharc Sep 26, 1987
- E2 Down and Out in Malibu (2) Core Oct 3, 1987
- E3 Rumor Has It Core Oct 17, 1987
- E4 Before the Fall Mytharc Oct 24, 1987
- E5 Sweet Charity Core Nov 7, 1987
- E6 Up from Down Under Core Nov 14, 1987
- E7 The More the Marrier Core Nov 21, 1987
- E8 A Rose by Any Other Age Core Nov 28, 1987
- E9 Adventures in Baileysitting Core Dec 5, 1987
- E10 It's a Wonderful Christmas Core Dec 12, 1987
- E11 Golden Oldies Core Jan 2, 1988
- E12 A Thousand Frowns Core Jan 9, 1988
- E13 Something in Common Core Jan 16, 1988
- E14 Peekskill Law Core Jan 23, 1988
- E15 A House Divided Core Jan 30, 1988
- E16 The First Time Core Feb 6, 1988
- E17 Let's Face the Music Core Feb 13, 1988
- E18 Less Than Perfect Core Feb 20, 1988
- E19 Till Marriage Do Us Part Core Feb 27, 1988
- E20 Present Imperfect Core Mar 5, 1988
- E21 On the Edge Core Mar 12, 1988
- E22 Big Apple Blues Core Mar 19, 1988
- E23 The Beginning of the End Mytharc Apr 30, 1988
- E24 The Beginning of the Beginning Mytharc May 7, 1988
Verified insights
Frequently asked questions
Who is the main adult figure?
Mrs. Edna Garrett serves as the housemother and dietitian.
Where does the show take place?
The series is set at the Eastland School.
What is the primary role of Mrs. Garrett?
She acts as a housemother and dietitian for the students.
What kind of problems do the characters face?
The girls deal with problems that every teenager has to face.
What is the focus of the show?
The show focuses on teaching girls how to solve their personal and social challenges.
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