The following is a list of episodes for The Facts of Life, which ran for nine seasons from 1979 to 1988 on NBC. There were 201 regular episodes and three television movies. Two of the movies, Paris and Down Under, were originally broadcast as TV movies, but in syndication, they were split into four 30-minute episodes, bringing the total number of syndicated episodes to 209.
The first season begins with ten main characters: housemother Edna Garrett, headmaster Steven Bradley, teacher Emily Mahoney, and seven students: Blair Warner, Cindy Webster, Molly Parker, Nancy Olsen, Natalie Green, Sue Ann Weaver, and Tootie Ramsey. O'Hara's character was dropped after the fourth episode. Though counted as a single season, the show aired in discrete blocks of episodes. The show aired four weekly episodes on Wednesday nights in August and September, technically before the 1979/80 TV season actually began. Then the show was off the air for six months, returning in March through early May for a run of seven episodes. After a month off, the series moved back to Wednesday nights for the season's two final episodes aired in June.
Season 2 (1980–81)
The main cast is reduced to five main characters: Mrs. Edna Garrett, Blair Warner, Natalie Green, Tootie Ramsey, and new girlJo Polniaczek. Mr. Parker is a recurring character as the school's new headmaster. The casting will stay the same through season 4.
Blair and Jo start college, and Mrs. Garrett quits Eastland and opens her own gourmet food shop and catering business. Blair, Jo, Tootie, and Natalie all move in with her. Pamela Segall joins the cast this season, beginning with the episode "Just My Bill". Her final appearance is in the episode "Seems Like Old Times", and her character is dropped following that episode.
Season 6 (1984–85)
was absent from several episodes in season 6 per Rae's request for reduced appearances.
remarries and leaves the series after the two part season premiere. Her sister, Beverly Ann Stickle, moves in to care for the house and business. George Burnett, played by George Clooney, becomes a recurring character.
Season 9 (1987–88)
, played by Sherrié Austin, is introduced as a recurring character.