Ep 9. Gossip

The Facts of Life is an American sitcom that aired on NBC from 1979 to 1988. The show is a spin-off of the sitcom Diff'rent Strokes and focuses on the lives of a group of young women attending a fictional boarding school called Eastland School for Girls.

Season 2, episode 9 of The Facts of Life is titled "Gossip." The episode opens with Blair (Lisa Whelchel) whispering with her friends Tootie (Kim Fields) and Natalie (Mindy Cohn) about a rumor going around the school. The rumor is that the new gym teacher, Mr. Parker (guest star George Clooney), is secretly married. Blair and her friends are shocked and intrigued by the rumor and decide to investigate.

Meanwhile, Jo (Nancy McKeon) and Mrs. Garrett (Charlotte Rae), the school's house mother, are discussing the upcoming school dance. Jo is upset because she doesn't have a date for the dance and Mrs. Garrett suggests that she ask Mr. Parker. Jo is hesitant at first but eventually decides to ask him.

Blair, Tootie, and Natalie's investigation into Mr. Parker's marital status leads them to sneak into his office and search for clues. They find a picture of Mr. Parker with a woman who they assume is his wife. Excited by their discovery, they rush to the cafeteria to share the news with their classmates. However, their excitement turns to embarrassment when Mr. Parker walks in and confronts them about the rumor.

Back in the dormitory, Jo is trying to figure out what to wear to the dance when Blair and her friends burst in, still reeling from their encounter with Mr. Parker. Jo listens as they tell her what happened and realizes that their gossip has caused harm. She reminds them that gossip hurts people and that they should be more careful with their words.

At the dance, Jo and Mr. Parker arrive together, much to the surprise of the other students. Blair, Tootie, and Natalie approach Mr. Parker to apologize for spreading the rumor and he accepts their apology. He also reveals that the woman in the picture is his sister, not his wife.

The episode ends with the girls at the dance, dancing and having a good time. Jo thanks Mr. Parker for being her date and he thanks her for asking him. The other girls are impressed with Jo's confidence and Blair, Tootie, and Natalie reflect on their behavior and vow to be more thoughtful in the future.

Overall, "Gossip" is a thought-provoking episode that explores the consequences of rumor-spreading. The episode's message about the harm caused by gossip is as relevant today as it was when the show originally aired over three decades ago. The humor and heart that The Facts of Life is known for are on full display in this episode, making it a must-watch for fans of the show.