Latest news with #TheFactsofLife
Los Angeles Times
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
‘Ginny & Georgia' is a breakthrough in showing abortion as a personal experience
The series: 'Ginny & Georgia.' The setting: A women's healthcare clinic. The scene: Ginny, 16, is carrying an unwanted pregnancy. She's seeking an abortion. During a preconsultation, a clinic provider asks if she needs more time to decide. No, says the teen, she's sure. There's no proverbial wringing of hands around the character's decision. No apologizing for her choice. Why? Because it's not for us to judge. It's a personal matter, despite all the politicization around reproductive rights that might have us believe otherwise. Opinions, debates and legislative fights around abortion have raged since Roe vs. Wade was adjudicated by the Supreme Court in 1973, then overturned in 2022. It's no secret why such a lightning-rod issue is rarely touched by series television. Alienating half the country is bad for ratings. Exceptions include breakthrough moments on shows such as 'Maude,' 'The Facts of Life' and 'Jane the Virgin,' but even those episodes were careful to weigh the sensitivity of the political climate over a transparent depiction of their character's motivations and experience. Another pitfall is that subplots featuring abortion storylines are hard to pull off without feeling like a break from scheduled programming for an antiabortion or pro-abortion-rights PSA, or worse, a pointless exercise in bothsidesism. Season 3 of Netflix dramedy 'Ginny & Georgia' dares to go there, unapologetically making the political personal inside a fun, wily and addictive family saga. The series, the streamer's No. 1 show since it returned two weeks ago, skillfully delivers an intimate narrative that defies judgment and the fear of being judged. The hourlong series, which launched in 2021, follows single mom Georgia Miller (Brianne Howey), her angsty teenage daughter Ginny (Antonia Gentry) and her young son Austin (Diesel La Torraca). This formerly nomadic trio struggles to forge a 'normal' life in the fictional Boston suburb of Wellsbury. Flamboyant, fast-talking Southerner Georgia stands out among the fussy, provincial New England set. Born in Alabama to drug-addicted parents, she fled her abusive upbringing as a teenager. Homeless, she met Zion (played as an adult by Nathan Mitchell), a college-bound student from a good family. Soon into their relationship, she fell pregnant, giving birth to their daughter Ginny, kicking off a life on the run and in service of protecting her children. Now in her 30s, the blond bombshell has relied on her beauty, innate smarts and countless grifts to endure poverty and keep her family intact. The hardscrabble lifestyle has made Ginny wise beyond her years, though she's not immune to mercurial teen mood swings and the sophomoric drama of high school. But history appears to repeat itself when Ginny becomes pregnant after having sex just once with a fellow student from her extracurricular poetry class. Overwhelmed, he's the first person she tells about their dilemma. 'That's wild,' he responds idiotically, before abruptly taking off, leaving her to deal with the pregnancy on her own. Episode 7 largely revolves around Ginny's decision to have an abortion, a thoughtfully paced subplot that breaks from the perpetual chaos and deadly secrets permeating the Millers' universe. Ginny is painfully aware that she is the product of an unwanted pregnancy and her mother's choice not to have an abortion. Georgia has repeatedly said her kids are the best thing that ever happened to her. But when counseling her distraught daughter, Georgia says the choice is Ginny's to make, and no one else's. Here's where 'Ginny & Georgia' might have launched into a didactic, pro-abortion-rights lecture cloaked in a TV drama, or played it safe by pulling back and highlighting both women's stories in equal measure. Instead it chose to bring viewers in close, following Ginny's singular experience from her initial shame and panic, to moving conversations with her mom, to that frank counseling session at the women's health center where she made it quite clear she was not ready to be a mother. We watched her take the medication, then experience what followed: painful cramping, pangs of guilt, waves of relief and the realization she now bore a new, lifelong emotional scar that wasn't caused by her mother. By sticking to Ginny's intimate story, through her perspective, the series delivers a story that is hers and hers alone, partisan opinions be damned. 'Ginny & Georgia' has offered up many surprises over its three seasons. Georgia has emerged one of the more entertaining, cunning and inventive antiheroes of the 2020s. As such, she attracts men in droves, schemes a la Walter White and doesn't believe in therapy: 'We don't do that in the South. We shoot things and eat butter.' But therapy might be a good idea given Season 3's cliffhanger ending: another accidental pregnancy.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Rarely-Seen '80s Pop Star and Actress, 66, Thrills Fans With Recent Appearance
Rarely-Seen '80s Pop Star and Actress, 66, Thrills Fans With Recent Appearance originally appeared on Parade. It's been nearly 40 years since her hit single, "Two of Hearts," shot to the top of the charts — but fans still haven't forgotten about Stacey Q. The former pop star, who also played the fan-favorite character Cinnamon on two episodes of The Facts of Life, made an appearance at The Hollywood Show pop culture convention in Los Angeles this weekend where she thrilled onlookers with a performance of "Two of Hearts." In a clip shared to TikTok, the 66-year-old singer wore a shiny black vinyl jacket over a sparkly crop top and a short, shimmery skirt as she belted out the iconic tune. Her blonde hair was cut in a bob with bangs — a major switch from the heavily hairsprayed style she was known for back in the '80s. Fans loved seeing the star back in action. "Stacy Q a blast from the past! pretty cool," gushed one person in the comments, with another calling the singer "amazing." "This would be fun," agreed another wistful viewer. In a 2018 interview with Rediscover the '80s, Stacey — who started her career after as a performer with Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus — reminisced about getting the call to appear on The Facts of Life. "The writers of The Facts of Life called my record company and inquired about my availability," she recalled. "Since my life then was being Stacey Q, I ran out to Hollywood like my hair was on fire," the singer continued. "The reception I received right away was that the last thing this show needs is another female. I couldn't have agreed more. I had never heard the theme song. They were mortified. Danny [Medellin] overheard one of them in make-up say, 'She is just the type you wanna hate but you can't because she's so nice.' Bless her, whichever one it was. I know which two it wasn't. If it wasn't for the great and glorious importance of ratings during sweeps week, you never would have heard of George '80s Pop Star and Actress, 66, Thrills Fans With Recent Appearance first appeared on Parade on Jun 9, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Scottish Sun
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Iconic 80s movie star looks unrecognizable 40 years after hit movie
The former child actor now has a very different job CHUNK TO HUNK Iconic 80s movie star looks unrecognizable as he steps out in LA 40 years after smash hit movie – do you recognise him? ICONIC 80s movie star Jeff Cohen looked totally unrecognizable this week as he stepped out in Los Angeles. Best known for playing Chunk, the beloved truffle-shuffler from the 1985 Spielberg-produced hit, The Goonies, Cohen looked world's away from his onscreen persona. Advertisement 6 Jeff looks unrecognizable from his Goonies days Credit: BackGrid 6 The former child star says that his career stopped when he went through puberty Credit: BackGrid 6 The Goonies will celebrate its 40th anniversary this year Credit: Alamy 6 Jeff's played Chunk in the iconic film Credit: Alamy Now 50, the one-time child star currently works as a successful entertainment lawyer. Dressed in a suit jacket, jeans, and a maroon fedora, Jeff was a far cry from the ice cream-obsessed, Hawaii-shirt-wearing-mischief-maker he played as a kid. Before leaving acting behind, Cohen appeared in hit TV shows like Family Ties, The Facts of Life, and Webster, but he says it was puberty that ended his Hollywood dream. "There were basically about four fat kids in town, so every time there was a fat kid role, you saw the same people at the audition," Jeff once shared. Advertisement Read more in Celebrity SO FINE! '80s singer known for hit song looks completely different in rare LA outing "It was survival of the fattest. But when I hit puberty, it was a career ender for me. I was transforming from Chunk to hunk and I couldn't get roles any more." He added: "It was terrible. My first love was acting, but puberty had other ideas. It was a forced retirement. I didn't give up acting. Acting gave me up." Cohen, who studied at UC Berkeley and later went to UCLA School of Law, co-founded Cohen Gardner LLP in 2002. Despite his fame as a child, he says clients have no problem taking him seriously. Advertisement "My clients get a kick out of the fact their lawyer is Chunk. They dig it," he said. "With my job, I'm dealing with legitimately famous people, so it's just silly and fun. "I'm usually only the fifth most famous person in the room at any one time." Cohen's memories of making The Goonies remain vivid. "It was great," he recalled. "For me, the best part about it was Richard Donner the director. He was big on letting the kids be kids and I think that's one of the reasons the movie stands up today." Advertisement He continued: "People still watch the movie themselves or watch it with their own kids. Even though it's very eighties in the fashions, it's still kids being kids. "Richard Donner wanted us to improvise, talk over each other, push and shove and kind of do our thing. The Goonies Andy actress Kerri Green is unrecognisable 37 years after the movie "I think that's one of the reasons people like it. It doesn't seem like kids acting. It's just kids being themselves, which Richard really encouraged. He wanted us to be comfortable." Recalling one particular moment with Donner, Jeff said: "In the scene where Sloth picks me up while I'm strapped to a chair, I was told he wasn't going to pick me up because John Matuszak's back hurt. Advertisement "But of course, John was so strong it was nothing to him, so he just picked me up and kissed me. My shock and horror was real. I wasn't that good an actor – that was actual terror on my face." Earlier this year, Jeff reunited with his co-stars to celebrate fellow Goonie Ke Huy Quan, who played Data, as he was honored at the TCL Chinese Theater. Cohen, along with Corey Feldman, Josh Brolin, Kerri Green, and screenwriter Chris Columbus turned out to support Quan, who won an Oscar last year for Everything Everywhere All at Once. Jeff, now Ke Huy Quan's entertainment lawyer, gave his friend a proud bear hug as the group relived their childhood memories on the red carpet. Advertisement 6 The cast got together to celebrate Ke Huy Quan Credit: Reuters
The Irish Sun
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Iconic 80s movie star looks unrecognizable as he steps out in LA 40 years after smash hit movie – do you recognise him?
ICONIC 80s movie star Jeff Cohen looked totally unrecognizable this week as he stepped out in Los Angeles. Best known for playing Chunk, the beloved truffle-shuffler from the 1985 6 Jeff looks unrecognizable from his Goonies days Credit: BackGrid 6 The former child star says that his career stopped when he went through puberty Credit: BackGrid 6 The Goonies will celebrate its 40th anniversary this year Credit: Alamy 6 Jeff's played Chunk in the iconic film Credit: Alamy Now 50, the one-time child star currently works as a successful entertainment lawyer. Dressed in a suit jacket, jeans, and a maroon fedora, Jeff was a far cry from the ice cream-obsessed, Hawaii-shirt-wearing-mischief-maker he played as a kid. Before leaving acting behind, Cohen appeared in hit TV shows like Family Ties, The Facts of Life, and Webster, but he says it was puberty that ended his Hollywood dream. "There were basically about four fat kids in town, so every time there was a fat kid role, you saw the same people at the audition," Jeff once shared. Read more in Celebrity "It was survival of the fattest. But when I hit puberty, it was a career ender for me. I was transforming from Chunk to hunk and I couldn't get roles any more." He added: "It was terrible. My first love was acting, but puberty had other ideas. It was a forced retirement. I didn't give up acting. Acting gave me up." Cohen, who studied at UC Berkeley and later went to UCLA School of Law, co-founded Cohen Gardner LLP in 2002. Despite his fame as a child, he says clients have no problem taking him seriously. Most read in Celebrity "My clients get a kick out of the fact their lawyer is Chunk. They dig it," he said. "With my job, I'm dealing with legitimately famous people, so it's just silly and fun. "I'm usually only the fifth most famous person in the room at any one time." Cohen's memories of making The Goonies remain vivid. "It was great," he recalled. "For me, the best part about it was Richard Donner the director. He was big on letting the kids be kids and I think that's one of the reasons the movie stands up today." He continued: "People still watch the movie themselves or watch it with their own kids. Even though it's very eighties in the fashions, it's still kids being kids. "Richard Donner wanted us to improvise, talk over each other, push and shove and kind of do our thing. The Goonies Andy actress Kerri Green is unrecognisable 37 years after the movie "I think that's one of the reasons people like it. It doesn't seem like kids acting. It's just kids being themselves, which Richard really encouraged. He wanted us to be comfortable." Recalling one particular moment with Donner, Jeff said: "In the scene where Sloth picks me up while I'm strapped to a chair, I was told he wasn't going to pick me up because John Matuszak's back hurt. "But of course, John was so strong it was nothing to him, so he just picked me up and kissed me. My shock and horror was real. I wasn't that good an actor – that was actual terror on my face." Earlier this year, Jeff reunited with his co-stars to celebrate fellow Goonie Ke Huy Quan, who played Data, as he was honored at the TCL Chinese Theater. Cohen, along with Corey Feldman, Josh Brolin, Kerri Green, and screenwriter Chris Columbus turned out to support Quan, who won an Oscar last year for Everything Everywhere All at Once. Jeff, now Ke Huy Quan's entertainment lawyer, gave his friend a proud bear hug as the group relived their childhood memories on the red carpet. 6 The cast got together to celebrate Ke Huy Quan Credit: Reuters 6 Jeff spoke fondly about director Richard Donner's approach to working with kids Credit: Getty
New York Post
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
‘Facts of Life' star Geri Jewell reveals her closest co-star — and what remark shocked Norman Lear
Forty-five years later, Geri Jewell knows for a fact which episode was her favorite. The actress, 68, starred as Blair Warner's cousin, Geri Tyler, on the iconic 80s sitcom 'Facts of Life,' and she still looks back at her time on the show with the fondest of memories. 'Out of all the episodes I did, my favorite one was the first one,' Jewell exclusively told The Post during the Jonathan Foundation Fundraiser last Saturday. Advertisement 12 Geri Jewell attends the Jonathan Foundation's 11th annual Spring Fundraiser at Sheraton Universal Hotel on May 17, 2025 in Universal City, California. Getty Images 'The very first one that I did,' expressed the comedian, whose first episode was Season 2 Episode 5, titled 'Cousin Geri.' 'It was written for me. It was tailored for me.' Advertisement Jewell, who has cerebral palsy, a condition that affects movement and posture, brought awareness to those with disabilities by being the first disabled actress to have a recurring role on a primetime television show. The actress, who starred in the hit TV series alongside Lisa Whelchel, Mindy Cohn, Kim Fields, Nancy McKeon and Charlotte Rae, landed the role thanks to one of the show's executive producer's, Norman Lear. 12 Geri Jewell talks with Alexandra Bellusci of the New York Post at the Jonathan Foundation's 11th annual Spring Fundraiser. 12 Geri Jewell during The Jonathan Foundation's 11th Annual Spring Fundraiser. Getty Images Advertisement 'Norman Lear had seen me perform, and he came up to me after the show to introduce himself. In fact, Charlotte Rae was in the audience that night,' she recounted to The Post. 'And he introduced himself and said, 'You know, you're really funny, kid, but you're way before your time.' And I said, 'So? So wait a couple months!' He couldn't believe my response, and two months later, he asked me on 'Facts.'' She appeared on 'Facts of Life' for twelve episodes from 1980 until 1984. 'I have been blessed with so many people who have been there for me and guided me,' Jewell gushed. 'Norman Lear, David Milch. How lucky can you get?' 12 Geri Jewell during Season 3 of 'The Facts of Life.' ©Embassy Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection Advertisement 12 Geri Jewell on 'The Facts of Life' in 1982. NBCUniversal via Getty Images While her 'Facts of Life' days are behind her, she's still tight with one cast member. The stand-up comic revealed she's still in touch with Whelchel, 61, who played Blair Warner in the series, adding that they are 'very close.' 'I meet people all the time, and they say, 'I saw you on 'Facts of Life,' and you really changed my life,' Jewell recalled. 'I think I created a sensitivity about people with disabilities that wasn't quite there before — and humor. That was very rare back then. And now there are so many comedians with cerebral palsy!' Jewell has had to adjust how she takes care of her body, explaining she smoothes herself through 'pain management.' 12 Geri Jewell on 'The Facts of Life.' ©Embassy Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection 12 'The Sounds of Silence' – Season 4 of 'The Facts of Life.' ©Embassy Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection 'And I get two vials of Botox injected in my neck, shoulders and back every three months for chronic pain,' Jewell added. 'I've been on Botox since '99. I have the neck of a 12-year-old!' Advertisement Jewell has gotten candid in the past about her titanium neck, sharing on Steve Kmetko's 'Still Here Hollywood' podcast that she deals with the challenges by having 'a sense of humor.' 'It's challenging because now I have other issues with aging. Walking isn't as easy as it used to be,' Jewell detailed in March. 'I've had a certain gait, but my balance is not near as good. My hearing is impaired even more, and I get very, very frustrated.' 12 Norman Lear introduces Geri Jewell and 'The Mitch O'Farrell Leadership Award.' Getty Images 12 Donelle Dadigan, Norman Lear, Geri Jewell and Mitch O'Farrell. Getty Images Advertisement She broke her neck in 1999, which required emergency surgery. 'My neck is now 45% titanium, and it's pretty strong. But this cerebral palsy still wants to move my head all over the place,' the trailblazer confessed, 'and my neck is going, 'No. I can't do that.'' 'I have dystonia, which I always had, but I never realized it,' Jewell said about the muscle disorder — which creates involuntary contractions. It also causes her 'neck [to be] pulled to one side.' Advertisement 'I have a titanium neck. I know when the Botox is wearing off because it's pulling even farther,' said Jewell. 'So I have a lot of issues, but so does everybody else when they age.' 12 Steven Williams, Geri Jewell in '21 Jump Street.' Stephen J. Cannell Productions / Courtesy: Everett Collection Despite the hurdles, the Hollywood vet noted: 'I'm very blessed.' 'All the challenges that I've had — that everybody has in life — it's a sense of humor that's gonna get us through it,' she continued. 'Because if I couldn't laugh once a while I'd be in a loony bin. I have to laugh. You have to.' Advertisement 'Facts of Life' followed a group of girls at the prestigious Eastland School for Young Women and was one of NBC's highest-rated shows in the 1980s. Despite rumors of a reboot swirling in the decades since, Cohn, 59, alleged last year that any plans they had fell through due to a 'greedy bitch.' 'We were all very, very disappointed that it didn't work,' Whelchel confessed to Closer Weekly in April. 12 Geri Jewell, Robby Benson in 'Two of a kind' in 1982. ©Lorimar Film Entertainment/Courtesy Everett Collection Although the person in question has remained unnamed, the 'Collector's Call' alum added, 'We'd been trying to find a way to work together in some capacity for probably the last 10 years.' 'So, when it looked like this was going to happen, we were all really excited. The contracts were signed and then the writers' strike happened, the actors' strike happened, and then, unfortunately, Pa [Charlotte Rae] and Norman Lear passed. After that, it just kind of dissolved.' Whelchel pressed, 'We were all quite disappointed.' Rae, who starred as housemother Mrs. Garrett, died at age 92 in 2018, five years before Lear passed away in 2023 at 101. In 2001, the actresses came together in 'The Facts of Life Reunion,' which saw their characters reunite in Peekskill, New York for Thanksgiving with Mrs. Garrett. 12 'The Facts of Life.' NBCUniversal via Getty Images Even though a reboot might never come to fruition, the actors still manage to stay close in real life. Last summer, Jewell and Whelchel posed together for a sweet shot on social media. 'We aren't technically family but since we played one on TV (Cousin Geri) and we've known each other for almost a half a century, it sure feels like it!' Whelchel captioned the Instagram photo. 'So good to catch up with the funny and wise and deep and talented, Geri Jewell!'
