'Live In Front of a Studio Audience' Brings Retro Wigs, Surprise Guests and F-Bombs to Delight of Fans
Fans love live TV because anything can happen! The unexpected moments started early on Tuesday during the new Live In Front of a Studio Audience when 99-year-old Norman Lear dropped an f-bomb in the first few moments of the show.
While chatting with host Jimmy Kimmel ahead of the live productions of The Facts of Life and Diff'rent Strokes, Lear was asked for any advice he's picked up over his time on the planet.
"Two little words that we don't think enough about: 'Over' and 'Next.' When something is over, it is -- and you used the word, so I will -- it is f**king over!" Lear said, as the network managed to quickly drop the swear word from broadcast.
"Well, I said that off camera," Kimmel said with a laugh. "But I will say that never before in the history of American television has a 99-year-old person used the f-word. So congratulations! Another feather in your cap!"
It was a wonderfully unintentional way to show just how unpredictable a live event can truly be, adding to the excitement of the night, and kicking the show off with a moment fans loved.
Norman Lear dropping an F Bomb on live tv is my spirit animal.#LiveInFrontOfAStudioAudiencepic.twitter.com/98dPxkeNrZ
— Jason Michael (@jasoniviking) December 8, 2021
Norman Lear.
Icon.
Air Force Serviceman.
The F Word Bomber at 99. #FactsOfLife#LiveInFrontOfAStudioAudience#FactsofLife#LiveInFrontOfAStudioAudience— Elizabeth Santeramo (@lizunga) December 8, 2021
Just let Norman Lear swear, damn it 🤣#LiveInFrontOfAStudioAudience#TheFactsOfLife#DiffrentStrokes
— Drew (@JustRollinOn86) December 8, 2021
After that fantastic intro, fans were treated to a staging of The Facts of Life -- specifically the season 3 episode "Kids Can Be Cruel."
Fans were excited to see Jennifer Aniston playing Blair, Kathryn Hahn as Jo, Gabrielle Union and Tootie, Allison Tolman and Nataie and the incomparable Ann Dowd as Mrs. Garrett.
However, the big surprise came with the appearance of some previously unannounced guest stars, including Will Arnett playing Dink Lockwood, and Jason Bateman as Tim Holifield, as well as Jon Stewart (rocking a ridiculously over-the-top orthodontia mouth brace) as Carl Price.
While the star power, and their comedic timing, were a delight, it was their over-the-top wigs that really set the internet on fire.
Jason Bateman's wig alone is worth turning on the live "Facts of Life."
— Andi Petrini (@andipetrini) December 8, 2021
What was the wig budget for this revival? #LiveInFrontOfAStudioAudience#factsoflifepic.twitter.com/Ds8nsKX148
— JC (@britishwestindi) December 8, 2021
I can’t overstate how fantastic the #factsoflife Live show is, and all the surprising stars! Fantastic! Norman Lear and @jimmykimmel are genius! pic.twitter.com/zw4YWqSA7b
— 💙 ENCOURAGE PEOPLE DOING GOOD DEEDS 💙 (@teeone34) December 8, 2021
The special also included surprise cameos from original Facts of Life stars Lisa Whelchel, Kim Fields and Mindy Cohn.
Before the episode, Whelchel -- who starred as Blair on the original series -- performed The Facts of Life theme song, and fans had nothing but love for seeing the trio once again.
They brought back the originals from The Facts of Life! I see you, Kim Fields! #LiveInFrontOfAStudioAudiencepic.twitter.com/DDPLmjMkCt
— 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕 𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚑𝚞𝚜𝚒𝚊𝚜𝚝. 🎄 (@travisfromdabk_) December 8, 2021
Lisa Welchel singing The Facts of Life theme song!!! In Blair’s uniform!!! With MINDY COHN AND KIM FIELDS!!!!! 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰 I’m already obsessed with #LiveInFrontOfAStudioAudiencepic.twitter.com/oS7tlBfd4k
— TV taught me how to feel (@sitcomsraisedme) December 8, 2021
How the hell is @LisaWhelchel, AKA Blair still looking that young on this Live Facts Of Life show? Whatever she's selling I'm buying!!
— Charles (@iused2bakecakes) December 8, 2021
Lisa Welchel’s Blair Warner walked so that Jennifer Aniston’s Rachel Green could fly……
Also Facts of Life and Friends take place in the same universe and Blair Warner and Rachel Green are distant cousins. Don’t @ me. I don’t make the rules.— Meredith Hanukkah Space Lasers Lee (@meralee727) December 8, 2021
Ok…how did she not age??? #factsoflifepic.twitter.com/jrkxv7JvH0
— Pamela Spain (@pamelals66) December 8, 2021
If you grew up in the ‘80s, this will be insane to you. Lisa Whelchel from the “Facts of Life” looks the same as she did 40 years ago. pic.twitter.com/WU3fUmfkqT
— Jimmy Traina (@JimmyTraina) December 8, 2021
The second celebrated sitcom to get recreated was Diff'rent Strokes, with original star Todd Bridges introducing the production of the season 1 episode "Willis’ Privacy."
Bridges used his intro to pay tribute to his late cast members, including Conrad Bain, Gary Coleman, Dana Plato and Charlotte Rae.
One of the highlights of the production was the perfectly over-the-top Kevin Hart playing Arnold -- the character originally played by Coleman. His uncontainable energy and childlike charisma proved to be flawless, and mirrored the straight-laced performance of Damon Wayans as Willis.
With John Lithgow as Mr. Drummond and Dowd, doing double duty, as Mrs. Garrett, fans had nothing but love for the casting choices. Adding the surprise appearance of Snoop Dogg as Willis' friend Vernon really sent fans over the edge, and left the live studio audience roaring.
Loving this Diff’rent Strokes special on ABC right now. #liveinfrontofastudioaudiencepic.twitter.com/KVMOgZzNiR
— Cameron Kruzel (@cameronkruzel) December 8, 2021
They’re old, but so far the cast of Diff’rent Strokes is making more sense. #LiveInFrontOfAStudioAudience
— KIZER & BENDER (@kizerandbender) December 8, 2021
Kevin Hart playing Arnold in Diff'rent Strokes is killing me!😂😂😂
— Mamba Forever!💜💛💜💛 (@uniquelyjazz) December 8, 2021
Ok Kevin Hart, Snoop, Damon Wayans and John Lithgow in Diff’rent Strokes. I’m dying. #80spic.twitter.com/2hzo2J9Kq1
— Carol Roth (@caroljsroth) December 8, 2021
Ok Kevin Hart, Snoop, Damon Wayans and John Lithgow in Diff’rent Strokes. I’m dying. #80spic.twitter.com/2hzo2J9Kq1
— Carol Roth (@caroljsroth) December 8, 2021
This new version of Diff’rent Strokes funny. Arnold cussing out Mrs. G, he asking about weed. *LOL* #LiveInFrontOfAStudioAudience
— Jillian (@jillianbowe) December 8, 2021
They are killing Diff’rent Strokes #LiveInFrontOfAStudioAudiencepic.twitter.com/XWsFOIOA3J
— Uncle Royce (@TheRoyceMorgan) December 8, 2021
Hey it’s Snoop Dog #LiveInFrontOfAStudioAudiencepic.twitter.com/sb4yZbXdKe
— Allison the disney Diva🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🤶🏻🎅🎅🎅🎅 (@Daviesallison1A) December 8, 2021
SNOOP DOG!!!!! 🧑🏽🦱
A genuine laugh out loud moment. Thank you!! 😄#DiffrentStrokes#LiveInFrontOfAStudioAudience@ABCNetworkpic.twitter.com/qjh2A75IA5— Marie (@lizzyb9521) December 8, 2021
As the episode came to an end, the entire cast gathered together on stage as Kimmel shared his thanks, and he ended the night with one more tribute to the legend himself, Norman Lear.
"This is a live show and we were worried that, like, Snoop would curse on the air. And sure enough Norman dropped an f-bomb right at the top of the show," Kimmel quipped, before wishing Lear "another 99 years."
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