Tread Perilously -- Diff'rent Strokes: The Girls School

Tread Perilously's month of backdoor pilots turns the spotlight on, arguably, the most successful backdoor pilot ever made: an episode of Diff'rent Strokes called "The Girls School." When the dorm mother at Eastlake quits over an argument with the headmaster, Mrs. Garrett volunteers to help Kimberly make costumes for the upcoming play. Once at the school, Mrs. Garrett meets some of Kimberly's classmates who live at the dorm, including Blair Warner, Dorothy "Tootie" Ramsey, Nancy Olson, and Molly Parker. If this sounds like an episode of The Facts of Life, that's because it is. The first episode, to be precise, even if it's not quite right. Paul Pakler joins Erik and Justin for another Facts of Life discussion. The trio marvel at the choice to spin Mrs. Garrett off after just 20 episodes of Diff'rent Strokes. Justin and Paul also break down just how uncomfortable the premise of Diff'rent Strokes really is ... and that's before Erik reiterates that they will never talk about that one two-parter. The off-screen dramas are also discussed and the "pleasant chuckle" theory of sitcom writing is once again on display. The third Fanning sister is revealed. The absence of Natalie Green is quite noticeable. Erik points out the most labored "men can't cook" joke. Paul notices Arnold and Willis still go to public school, Justin argues the Blair in this episode is not the real Blair Warner, and Molly Ringwald's character gets re-examined through a 2025 lens. Also, the truth about Our Town is revealed.