The Facts of Life

The series opens with the Drummonds (from Diff'rent Strokes) visiting Eastland to see Mrs. Garrett (their ex-housekeeper). They arrive right in the middle of the Harvest Queen competition and Blair is sure she's going to win. So when Cindy considers running, Blair makes some snide comments about Cindy's femininity.

Streetsmart Bronx native, Jo Polniaczeck arrives at Eastland.

When Blair, Natalie and Jo tease Tootie for being the youngest, she feels left out. This leads her to experiment with alcohol by downing an entire bottle of wine.

Jo discovers that her scholarship funds are being cut. However, the one thing that could keep her at Eastland, she refuses to do. That is to apply for a scholarship through Warner Industries, which is Blair's father's company.

Jo and Blair have a hard time adjusting to college.

Mrs. Garrett and the girls share their summer vacations: Natalie and Tootie at a Cape Cod resort, Mrs. Garrett and Jo on a musical fling in Atlantic City and Blair down on a farm in Iowa.

After returning from their summer vacation, the girls discover that Edna's Edibles has burned down. This leads the girls to discuss rebuilding and opening up a new business.

Mrs. Garrett must decided between her two loves, the girls or Bruce, a man she falls for and who asks her to go to Africa with him.

Jo is jobless and apartmentless in Malibu, where Richard Moll just happens to need a house sitter.