Disappointment and fractured relationships surround a stalled reboot of “The Facts of Life,” according to recent revelations stemming from cast members Lisa Whelchel and Mindy Cohn.
A year after Cohn publicly alluded to a sabotaged revival, Whelchel confirmed the long-held desire for a reunion project was ultimately thwarted. “We were all very disappointed that it didn’t work,” she told Closer Weekly. The cast had spent roughly a decade exploring potential collaborations before optimism grew with serious discussions.
The initial spark came after the successful 2021 ABC special, “Live in Front of a Studio Audience: The Facts of Life and Diff’rent Strokes,” which showcased a reimagining of classic episodes including Jennifer Aniston portraying Whelchel’s iconic character, Blair Warner. Lear reportedly reached out to gauge interest, leading to meetings with writers and Zooms sessions among the four original actresses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, those hopes were dashed when Cohn described a contentious situation on “Jeff Lewis Live.” She revealed that one of her co-stars pursued a separate deal for a spinoff show solely benefiting herself, effectively derailing the group’s efforts. As she put it, “What happened was not cute… There was drama.”
Cohn characterized the actions as driven by greed: “She was a greedy b—-, I’ll say it.” The fallout resulted in a period of silence between her and the unnamed individual, though they now maintain a strained relationship. “There’s definitely an ouch,” Cohn admitted, stating there is “no desire to ever work together” and declaring the reboot “very dead.”
While Cohn refused to explicitly name the person responsible, she subtly directed listeners to her Instagram account for clues, noting who she spends time with. Speculation ran rampant, though Cohn jokingly deflected suggestions by citing George Clooney.
Whelchel, meanwhile, has been navigating fan speculation and support following her own interview. Her Instagram showed fans expressing their loyalty:
- “FYI I am Team Lisa.”
- “You/Blair have been my favorite since I was a little kid…I really admire the class you’ve always shown including now. Lots of fans sending you support!”
Cohn acknowledged that interest in their current lives may be more appealing to audiences than revisiting the show itself, stating, “They don’t want a show about it. Be honest.”
Prior discussions about a reboot had included Whelchel’s desire for a more realistic portrayal of middle-aged womanhood: “I’m about 15 pounds heavier than I was on ‘Facts of Life,’ and if we were to do a re-imagining, I would really like my character to address the realities that we face when we get to a certain age.” She expressed a wish to move beyond stereotypical portrayals and present a more authentic image.
“The Facts of Life,” originally airing from 1979 to 1988, enjoyed enduring popularity through syndication. A reunion movie aired on ABC in 2001, though Nancy McKeon was unable to participate due to scheduling conflicts with “The Division.”
