Once again, the stars of “Facts of Life” are back in the limelight after explosive claims from Mindy Cohn. Cohn, one of the show’s former actresses, suggested the plans for a reboot were scrapped due to one of the cast being unreasonably demanding.
Lisa Whelchel, one of the core cast members alongside Kim Fields, Nancy McKeon, and Cohn, was recently seen in Los Angeles. Mindy Cohn appeared cheerful and at ease despite the swirling controversy.
Elsewhere, Whelchel was photographed on two different occasions as she took a stroll through her neighborhood. These sightings of Whelchel came after Cohn’s revealing interview, where she revealed that the much-anticipated reboot of “The Facts of Life” fell through due to the demands of a particular co-cast member.
According to Cohn, she preferred not to mention anyone’s name but described them as a “greedy b—-.” Cohn’s reveal has sparked curiosity among fans of the show, who are eager to know what happened behind the scenes. Here’s what we know.
Mindy Cohn Reveals Fallout Among “The Facts of Life” Cast
After the successful 2021 ABC special, “Live in Front of a Studio Audience: The Facts of Life and Diff’rent Strokes,” the series creator, Norman Lear, reached out to the original cast to explore the possibility of a reboot. According to Cohn, Lear’s proposal interested the cast members, who had not previously discussed such a project.
The four actresses—Cohn, Whelchel, Kim Fields, and Nancy McKeon—engaged in introductory talks. In addition, they hired a writer and conducted Zoom meetings with Lear during the COVID-19 pandemic. But things went sour when the promising discussions were outweighed by internal conflict.
Mindy Cohn noted that the situation got worse, involving more than someone being “difficult.” She further revealed that one of her co-stars sabotaged the group by attempting to negotiate a separate deal for a solo spinoff. This betrayal deeply affected others, causing serious emotional unrest.
Sour Relationship Amongst “Facts of Life” Co-Stars
Mindy Cohn shared that the actresses experienced a significant rift in their relationships, to the point of not communicating for some time. Although they have resumed occasional contact, the friendship has not fully recovered.
She emphasized that the cast members do not desire to work together again, declaring the reboot “very dead.” The incident’s aftermath is pretty sad and deeply disappointing, as 40 years of friendship just ended.
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As mentioned, Cohn avoided naming the “greedy” co-star responsible for the turmoil. However, eagle-eyed fans couldn’t help but get some clues from her Instagram, as her social interactions are evident.
Cohn remained tight-lipped about the “greedy” co-star. When a caller asked if Lisa Whelchel was the culprit, Cohn humorously deflected. Instead of responding directly, she jokingly blamed George Clooney, who had a guest role on the show early in his career.
Let’s not be too quick to conclude, but the caller might be right, as Cohn had shared recent birthday wishes for Fields and McKeon but not for Whelchel.
Mindy Cohn on “The Facts of Life” Reboot and Lasting Legacy
Following the recent controversy, Mindy Cohn acknowledged the fan interest in seeing the cast’s current lives. Sadly, there is no possibility of a new show. According to her, preserving the original series’ legacy was more important than attempting to recreate its magic.
As Cohn puts it, “No one wants to see us now. People are curious about where we are in life, but they don’t necessarily want a show about it.” She added, “It should stay where it is,” comparing it to other successful revivals like “Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life” and “Fuller House.”
However, she ultimately feels that “The Facts of Life” was best left untouched. “I think it’s so good where it is. I think people would be so disappointed, don’t you really? This thing should stay wrapped.”
“The Facts of Life,” which aired from 1979 to 1988, was a spin-off of “Diff’rent Strokes” created by the late Norman Lear. The show centered around girls’ lives at an all-girls boarding school under the guidance of housemother Edna Garrett. The main cast included Whelchel as Blair, Kim Fields as Tootie, Cohn as Natalie, and Nancy McKeon as Jo.
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