The beloved 1980s sitcom, The Facts of Life, was set to make a comeback, but plans for a revival were reportedly derailed by a shocking betrayal among the cast. Mindy Cohn, who portrayed Natalie Green on the series, recently opened up about the situation during an appearance on SiriusXM’s Jeff Lewis Live.
During the pandemic, the idea of a reunion began to circulate among the original cast members. Cohn recounted a roundtable discussion featuring stars like Octavia Spencer, Amy Poehler, and Jennifer Aniston, where they expressed their fond memories of The Facts of Life. This conversation caught the attention of Norman Lear, the legendary producer behind the original series, who posed the question to the main cast: were they interested in a revival?
Cohn, along with her co-stars Lisa Whelchel, Kim Fields, and Nancy McKeon, quickly got to work. They hired a writer and began meeting over Zoom to discuss the revival. However, Cohn revealed that things took a sour turn when one of the cast members allegedly attempted to secure a separate deal for a spinoff without the knowledge of the others. This act, according to Cohn, left the rest of the group feeling betrayed.
“One of the girls… went behind our backs and tried to make a separate deal for a spinoff just for herself and devastated the rest of us,” Cohn stated. The podcast guest, actor Michael Hitchcock, chimed in with his own commentary, suggesting that there’s always someone who is out for themselves in such situations. Cohn agreed, calling out the individual as a “greedy b—-.” Although she did not disclose the name of the cast member responsible, she hinted that her social media activity might provide some clues about her current relationships with her former co-stars.
Reflecting on the fallout, Cohn expressed her sadness over the division it caused among the cast. “A couple of people can’t move past it, don’t want to move past it. We are not as united,” she lamented. The original group had maintained a strong bond for decades, united in their commitment to support one another and keep their history intact. However, this incident has seemingly fractured that unity.
Despite the disappointment surrounding the revival plans, Cohn continues to stay active in the entertainment industry. She recently appeared in Kristen Wiig’s Apple TV+ comedy Palm Royale, which received 11 Emmy nominations. Meanwhile, Kim Fields is currently starring in the Netflix sitcom The Upshaws, alongside Wanda Sykes.
In a nostalgic moment, Cohn, Whelchel, and McKeon reunited on The Drew Barrymore Show earlier this year to celebrate Barrymore’s 49th birthday, showcasing the enduring legacy of their time on The Facts of Life.
The Facts of Life originally aired for nine seasons, from 1979 to 1988, and has remained a cherished part of television history. The show followed a group of girls at a boarding school as they navigated the ups and downs of adolescence, tackling issues such as friendship, family, and personal growth.
As fans of the series continue to reminisce about the iconic characters and their stories, the potential for a revival remains a topic of interest. However, with the recent revelations from Cohn, the future of a reunion may be uncertain.
