---
title: "The Facts of Life"
year: 1979
canonical_url: "https://www.archytele.com/show/the-facts-of-life-1979"
media_type: "tv"
tmdb_id: 1803
imdb_id: "tt0078610"
status: "Ended"
seasons_count: 9
episodes_count: 201
runtime_minutes: 30
community_rating: 7.1
vote_count: 106
content_rating: "TV-PG"
---

# The Facts of Life (1979) — Television & Cinema Intelligence Dossier

> **Archytele Living Vault Canonical Record**: https://www.archytele.com/show/the-facts-of-life-1979

## Executive Summary & Cultural Positioning

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.

## The Hook & The Verdict

**The Hook**: "A dedicated housemother guides a group of students through the challenges of growing up at school."

### Why Watch
- focuses on relatable teenage experiences
- features a supportive mentor figure

### Caveats & Content Note
- limited to the school setting
- Tone & Suitability: The series explores common teenage issues within an educational environment.

**Micro-Themes & Vibe Matrix**: educational, coming-of-age, nurturing, school-life

## Streaming Availability Matrix

| Region | Stream (Subscription) | Free / Ads | Rent / Buy |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **United States (US)** | None | The Roku Channel, Tubi TV | Amazon Video, Apple TV Store |
| **Canada (CA)** | Crave | CTV | None |

## Season Architecture & Lore Primers

### Season 1 (13 Episodes)
## Filler vs. Essential Episode Classifier

- **Total Tracked Episodes**: 103
- **Crucial Mytharc Episodes**: 7 (7%)
- **Character Core Episodes**: 96 (93%)
- **Side Quest / Filler Episodes**: 0 (0%)

## Creative Credits

- **Created by**: Dick Clair, Norman Lear, Jenna McMahon
- **Networks / Studios**: NBC

## Key Cast Continuity

- **Lisa Whelchel** as *Blair Warner*
- **Kim Fields** as *Tootie Ramsey*
- **Mindy Cohn** as *Natalie Green*
- **Nancy McKeon** as *Joanne Jo Polniaczek*
- **Charlotte Rae** as *Edna Garrett*
- **Mackenzie Astin** as *Andy Moffett*
- **Cloris Leachman** as *Beverly Ann Stickle*
- **Pamela Adlon** as *Kelly Affinado*
- **Sherrié Austin** as *Pippa McKenna*
- **George Clooney** as *George Burnett*

## Canonical Frequently Asked Questions

### Q: Who is the main adult figure?
Mrs. Edna Garrett serves as the housemother and dietitian.

### Q: Where does the show take place?
The series is set at the Eastland School.

### Q: What is the primary role of Mrs. Garrett?
She acts as a housemother and dietitian for the students.

### Q: What kind of problems do the characters face?
The girls deal with problems that every teenager has to face.

### Q: What is the focus of the show?
The show focuses on teaching girls how to solve their personal and social challenges.

## Grounded Source Citations

- [FACTS | Modern Solutions for K-12 Schools and More](https://factsmgt.com/)
- [The Facts of Life (TV series) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Facts_of_Life_(TV_series))
- [The Facts of Life (TV Series 1979-1988) - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078610/)
- [125 Interesting Facts: Fun Facts That'll Really Blow Your Mind](https://www.rd.com/list/interesting-facts/)
- [1000 Interesting Facts About Literally Everything - The Fact Site](https://www.thefactsite.com/1000-interesting-facts/)
- [121 fun facts that will blow your mind | BBC Science Focus](https://www.sciencefocus.com/science/fun-facts)

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*Generated by Archytele Open Intelligence Systems. Data verified against TMDB and JustWatch APIs.*