Tread Perilously is a podcast in which hosts Erik Amaya and author Justin Robinson watch the “worst” episodes of popular TV shows, attempting to determine if they would continue to watch the series based on the most off-key moments.

This Week: The Facts of Life Reunion

Tread Perilously delivers on one more promise with The Facts of Life Reunion.

The globetrotting Edna Garrett decides to spend Thanksgiving 2001 with her girls from Eastland. Of course, their lives have changed since she last minded them in the 1980s. Children, husbands, careers, and boyfriends occupy their minds. Nevertheless, they are all making an effort to travel to Blair’s Peekskill inn to celebrate. But will Natalie’s dueling beaus, a plumbing problem, the sudden disappearance of Jo, and their family dramas spoil the Thanksgiving spirit?

Erik keeps his promise to not inflict another 7th Heaven episode on Justin, but breaks a promise to guest Paul Pakler (of Paul and Corey Cross the Streams) by forcing him to watch another TV movie. The mystery of Jo’s disappearance is explained. Erik advocates for Laserdisc. John Wayne’s The Conqueror becomes a discussion topic. Paul theorizes the film has an important place in post-9/11 discourse. He also points out the dynamic is off without Jo. Justin compliments the surprising attention of detail and the apparent callbacks to the original series. Mrs. Garrett gets recast as Master Splinter and the girls become another TV sitcom quartet. Paul pitches a remake of Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia with Jo as the lead, and the hackey Seinfeld impression makes a surprise return.

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