Next Door is the 14th episode of the Fifth Season and the 91st episode overall of "The Facts Of Life." It first aired on January 4, 1984.
Synopsis[]
The boiler for the shop is making noises and Mrs. Garrett calls a repairman despite Jo saying she has fixed it. Meanwhile, Tootie makes friends with a local boy named Danny Slater, who is left home alone often because his mother, who's single, works all the time. The next day, when Mrs. Garrett says she smells gas, she has the girls evacuate. But then Tootie notices Danny still in his apartment. Mrs. Garrett heads to get Danny, but he won't come out until he sees Tootie. Moments later, Tootie finally arrives. She tells Danny about the gas leak and asks him to come out and. He finally does.
A repairman comes and fixes the boiler, letting the girls know the gas was from a broken pipe in the street. When Danny's mother shows up looking for him, she is distraught. She heard about the gas leak and is worried about her son. Mrs. Garrett assures her Danny is fine. Tootie confronts Mrs. Slater about leaving her son home alone all day with no one to talk to. Mrs. Slater says she has to work or go on welfare and she doesn't want that. Tootie suggests she have one of her neighbors watch him during the day. But Mrs. Slater says she and her son just moved to Peekskill and don't know anyone and can't afford to pay them, but Tootie offers to do it for nothing. Mrs. Slater accepts that and thanks Tootie for saving Danny's life.
Cast[]
Main Cast[]
- Charlotte Rae as Edna Garrett
- Lisa Whelchel as Blair Warner
- Nancy McKeon as Jo Polniaczek
- Kim Fields as Tootie Ramsey
- Mindy Cohn as Natalie Green
Guest Cast[]
- Jean Smart as Ellen Slater
- Taliesin Jaffe as Danny Slater
- Cliff Norton as Mr. Hansen
- Larry Willmore as Officer Ziaukus
Trivia[]
- Jean Smart would later gain prominence by playing Charlene Frazier on "Designing Women" 2 years later.
- Cliff Norton was a popular 60s and 70s character actor.
- Larry Willmore would later become known as the host of "The Nightly Show.'
Quotes[]
- Jo: Who took my Stilton wrench?
Mrs. Garrett: Jo, only twice in my life have I spoken in an arbitrary manner. Once when my ex-husband mortgaged our home to pay the bookie and now... GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE BEFORE I BEAT YOU WITH MY FRYING PAN!
Gallery[]
- Coming Up