The Facts of Life - Mrs. Garret Confronts Jo About Death 

The following ripped video is from season 4 of “The Facts of Life”. This clip is from a 1983 episode titled “Teacher’s Pet”. To me, this was one of the most powerful scenes in the entire series. Besides it being personal, it is also one of my favorites.

When I first saw this at 13 I hadn’t faced the death of someone I dearly loved. Now 40 years later and facing the deaths of my grandmother, sister, mother and son this scene hits me in a way it never could at 13.

The "tough" Joe fighting not to burst into tears...a superclassic, supertouching. Great tv series.

This is why Jo was my favorite she was tough on the outside but sensitive on the inside and showed her feelings Nancy your the best .

Nancy McKeon is an amazing actress

"The Facts of Life" aired a little bit after my time, and I mocked it without ever watching it.. The scene above threw me to the floor. The elegant ensemble timing, Mrs. Garret's strength and Jo's collapse sent shock waves through me. Not to mention the superb writing. Now I have to go eat my hat.

They dealt with a lot of life topics long before any other show did. These girls are wonderfully talented

I had a friend that passed away many years ago, and even though I knew that she was gone, a few days after finding out, I called her number just so I could hear her voicemail. One last time.😢😢😢 Appreciate people while they’re here , we don’t no know how long we have with them.

🤔 Everyone should have a "Mrs. Garret" at least once in their life. 👍 She was one of the best.

She should have won an Emmy award for that. Her acting was right on point & she's amazing!

I lost my best friend/cousin to ALS in April of this year she fought for 4 years and lost her battle at the age of 48 I love and miss her daily 😢

I love shows like this. Sure they were funny but more than that, heartwarming, and important life lessons were taught. I feel today’s shows show you how to get away with bad habits without consequences.

That gentle but firm, reassuring hand to Tootie from Edna speaks volumes. Only to place another firm but gentle hand on Jo! She was a "mother" 24-7 to her girls. 🙂

Oh my goodness why am I crying and how did I never realize what a great actress Nancy McKeon was?

I can relate exactly to what Jo was feeling in this. When I found out my Pastor was dying I thought it was so unfair that he had to go so early. The man had been like a brother to me just as the teacher became so close to Jo in this episode. Funny thing is, I used to find Jo's character annoying but once I lost my Pastor, I saw this in a whole different light. You really have to hand it to the actors for portraying such a heart wrenching scenario so well, especially when similar situations do happen in the real world.

I lost a teacher to Anorexia and she was in her late 20s. So sad. I could relate to this scene. I remember being in her classroom and I would bring her lunch and she was so cool but I noticed she would take a bite and stop and just talk and talk like she was distracting herself from eating. I knew something was wrong she was getting skinnier and skinner each time I saw her. And the next week I heard she had passed away. I was so sad I cried so much and I was so young and that was when I had a first brush with death. She was so pretty and so young. And years later I became anorexic for two months not eating, just eating little and exercising more and more to lose weight and I remembered what happened to my teacher so I stopped and got help and went to my doctor and he told me to lose weight eat right and exercise and he put me on diet plan. And I lost weight the right way. Remembering my teacher is what got me to stay alive and my family of course, they were there for me and I had god on my side as well.

I always admired how tough Jo was on the outside but was always so loving and vulnerable with Mrs. Garret

Holy shit. This segment just got me bawling. Phenomenal acting by a superb cast!

That scene was one of the most powerful because it had hit home for me. This goes to show some people that even some of the toughest ones like Jo have real emotions and feelings.

It doesn’t matter how tough you are you are still going to show emotion because we are all human and we all have feelings

Omg I absolutely loved this show. I watched every episode. What a great show. To hear years later that these girls are such great friends and had no jealousy against each other, so refreshing. Wow so great!!!!

I just love how Jo trying to act tough but her emotions is cracking through that tough exterior

I remember this episode like it was yesterday 😭. Great show! The cast was amazing. Miss you Mrs. Garrett. May you RIP 🙏

Nancy McKeon as Jo was a special portrayal.

Everyone in my family is now dead; death is never easy. this episode had a lot of meaning to me as I know what Jo is going through 😢

Oh Mrs.Garett You'll never how much you saved us!!! THANK YOU!

Still my favorite episode. It hit on all the raw emotions of life and how we take it for granted.

It must have been even harder for the cast of this series to loose..Poor Charlotte..(Crying) I met her in NYC..years ago..she was a sweet and kindly person..and..JC! (Crying) I still miss her.

The power and emotion from this episode makes you look at your own life and what really matters.

My sister's and I grew up with this show. I still watch it whenever it's on tv.

It’s amazing how an episode like this can take on new meaning. A friend of mine passed away not but a few days after I texted her. Anyway it’s water under the bridge now but having gone through that I can now relate to this scene in a way I couldn’t before.The hardest part I think is getting used to life without them. That’s the part that really sneaks up and bites you when you least expect it. And that’s just when they pass away cannot imagine what it must be like when you know it’s coming. The trick is to just let your heart break completely, that way it gets out and you’re actually able to deal. Second trick is sleep, lots of it. Sounds simple but it really does give the stamina to face the day and slowly heal One day at a time.

This scene made me cry then, and I’m crying now.

We lost a teacher this week. We didn't get to say goodbye :( Mrs. Garret's word encourage me

The other night, I was reading about Nancy. I didn't know her brother had passed away & I think she lost her dad two months before that. How awful for her & her mom. I get the impression they were close. I know what it's like to lose someone close to you. I lost my dear mother in March. We were close. I lost my Aunt Zoe (her sister) the week before. Very ironic. Sometimes life is that way.

The writing , acting, everything, just cuts a hole in your heart. The innocence of Tootie, also added a lot to the scene . Jo was always the one who speaks straight and respects Tootie's intelligence . whereas Blair tended to talk down to Tootie. Jo felt that Tootie must know , and so Tootie grows up a bit in this scene, too. Huge kudos to Charlotte, for being the Rock this scene needed . She plays it masterfully. That role was not easy. And Nancy , wow . "She should have more time," in this line you see not grief, but fear. Fear of death, which is what dear Jo is really feeling. If it can happen to a friend, a teacher... Nancy and Kim always amazed me. To have them both in this scene, what a gift. Thanks to all who created this.

Thank you for posting this. I have felt the way Jo feels many times. God Bless You and stay safe.

The Facts of Life the longest running sitcom starring all females in tv History. Such a great series. My favorite. I related to Jo because like her I'm from The Bronx

I looooove Jo she was one of my favorite characters on the show

Never seen this show before but this really hit home. Cherish those around you. You never know when time is up in this life ✌🏾❤️

Now normally man, i hate getting watery eyed at tv shows but I've always had a soft spot for Jo's character.

That got to me “ living and not having it mean anything “ 😢

Mrs.Garret was always the calm voice of reason

Thanks for the Upload 👍 !! I can feel for Nancy in this since the passing of her own brother Philip !! XD

She got the role because she could cry so well

Both Nancy and Charlotte was great in this scene. Especially Nancy.

Jo was my favorite character on the show. I absolutely adored her. I liked how she dealt with people. As a kid, the #1 TV character I looked up to and wanted to emulate was Carol from "Growing Pains" since I wanted to be the smart girl (and I decided this when I was 4 or 5 years old, before I ever went to school). And I was a really smart kid in school, graduating third in my class (no speeches to give, it was awesome). I also really admired Jo because she didn't take anything from anyone. She didn't put up with Blair's...Blairness but she was a good friend to Blair. I liked her bluntness. I'm Southern, so I'm not as blunt, but I can be blunt. Great moment in the show.

I loved how this show had powerful endings like this. Real life. I was looking for “Sorrows Sweet Song” a real tear jerker

Loved miss Garret, always the voice of reason.

I learned about death for the first time at 4 years old when my Aunt Martha Turck died from cancer. It was my Aunt Martha Turck who explained that to me in a way that I could understand.

Yes it was and Nancy and the entire cast played there roles good. Kept Me strong through a lot of hard times in.my life as a teenager.

Nancy McKeon's New York accent was legit, not rehearsed.

My friend died in college many years ago. Maybe twenty something years ago It was hard but I knew she was with jesus so it didn't hurt as much All the years I spend in Taiwan sharing about God's love.I sometimes would think about her She was 4 years older than me.She'd be maybe forty nine now I know someday I'll see her in heaven. She passed away in college. I still remember her to this day She was a very kind and loving person and love of jesus Shined brightly

A very powerful episode that makes Joe face reality and brings her to her knees. It hit me back in 1983 and it hits me now!!! Timeless episode.

I loved nancy McKeon as an actress shes brilliant

Ah Mrs. Garrett, such a soft shoulder to cry on & teacher of emotions.

I'm watching this after learning my cousin died in a car accident yesterday 😥

Man that was some good acting. Video clip had me getting misty eyed😢😢😢

Touching. One of my favorite shows growing up.

THIS WAS A VERY POWERFUL EPISODE

I miss shows like this

Jo was my favorite. Nancy is one of my favorite actresses. 🤗

no laugh track in this scene? really iconic series. normally spin offs dont really cut it but FOL is one of the rare exceptions. nancy mckeon on top form here

I loved Mrs. Garret. Charlotte Rae was great in that role, and her voice was always like the caring grandmother. Good memories!

This and the suicide episode always makes me sad.

I loved that show, I learned English with it's help.

Kinda sad that Nancy had to deal with this occurrence in real life recently with the death of her brother. Can’t remember what he died from, but the point is, he still passed away.

I forgot just how many serious issues this show addressed. I haven’t seen this episode. As someone who lived through cancer 10 years ago at age 45, this hit me really hard. People affected as children or young adults who don’t make it is a tough one to process.

Lifetime was watching this episode and that's how it started

When Jo explained to Tootie what was going on with Gail. Very hard episode.

I just watched this episode last night. DEEP!!!

Haha, I used to have to exact same nightgown Tootie is wearing. Very warm and comfortable.

This is #2 on the top tear jerkers . I put this with will smiths father at #1 .

I love this side of Jo Nancy

I love the Facts of Life!

Nancy McKeon is a deeply talented actress. She never rings false. I was very touched when she lost her brother. He played Tommy on Alice. Apparently they were very close. 🙏🏿

For years, this was one of NBC's top series.

This was such a beautiful episode

That shade of purple is GLORIOUS!

Nancy McKeon always rocked it when Jo had to cry. This one, and the episode where she first breaks up with Eddie---Whoa.

No matter how tough you are you are going to cry any way because people are human and every human has feelings

Loved this episode

Facts was such a great show it's still stands up today too

I remember watching this episode when it first aired on TV. And I vividly remember bawling my eyes out when Jo broke down...

This show would have been dead after season 2 if they didn't revamp it and bring Nancy on. She seriously was instrumental in saving the show.

I understand how Jo feels.

somehow i already know your gonna get upset about something in the orignal scenes of the show but so far i never noticed how clam and relaxed she is shes like A HERO

Tootie got what she deserved. Always nosy always in everyone's business. She should have left it alone when she was told to.

Shows from 80s/90s were awesome!

Still watching in 2021 !! Love this TV show.

Someone else should have had more time too. RIP my sweet Johnny. My heart was forever broken on Dec. 8,1980.

Thanks for the upload !! XD

Nancy McKeon and Kristy McNichol had a similar appearance that used to confuse me back then. 📺

Look carefully at 4:30. You can see a tear rolling down Jo's face.

Love Nancy McKeon she can really making u feeling ur feelings happy, sad and angry and emotions there’s no names for I really miss her since she’s taking a break from acting

Sorry, but Tootie didn't belong there at all. This should have been a private conversation between Mrs. Garrett and Jo.

Wonderful. This show is great.

Nancy mckeon can do drama. Strange Voices is amazing and needs to be on video.

Tootie should've gotten in on that hug at the end. She was just as concerned about Jo as Mrs. Garrett was.

Watched this show with my siblings Lord I miss those days🙏

God tootie got on my nerves the first few years.