Many have slammed this episode, but I think it's one of the most gripping "FOL" episodes ever aired. Again, it deals with something that so many teenage girls experience; celebrity obsession. Tootie is bonkers over Jermaine Jackson, so much so that she neglects her responsibilities (schoolwork, helping her friends). Finally, she is presented with a golden opportunity when she gets a call from one of his people inviting her as a "special guest" to attend his big concert. At this point, Tootie has lost all perspective and backs out of taking part in a fundraiser that Jo has put together.
**SPOILER ALERT** Tootie is convinced that she is going to finally get to meet her idol, and she makes plans to have Mrs. Garrett take her to the show. But, Mrs. Garrett reminds Tootie that she has a prior commitment to her friends. But, Tootie refuses to back out, and she begs and pleads with Mrs. Garrett to take her to see Jermaine. After Mrs. Garrett repeatedly refuses, Tootie breaks down, in while throwing a massive tantrum, she tells Mrs. Garrett that she was going to that concert even if she has to take a bus, or hitchhike. Finally, Mrs. Garrett gives in to Tootie's plea, and while holding a despondent Tootie in her arms, finally caves in and agrees to take Tootie to see Jermaine...much to the chagrin of the other girls. Mrs. Garrett informs the older girls that what she witnessed with Tootie was something that she herself experienced during the '50s and '60s, with Frank Sinatra and The Beatles. In a poignant speech, Garrett tells the girls that what she saw with Tootie was scaringly similar to what she saw in the faces of thousands of girls during Beatlemania, and she just doesn't know what else to do. So, after the concert, Tootie pushes her way into Jermaine Jackson's dressing room, but is violently held back by one of his security people, while another security person rips a box out of her hands, which is actually a birthday present she has been working on for some time. Jermaine orders his guards to let Tootie go, and he introduces himself to her. While it is clear that Jermaine has more important things to do, he does take some time out to talk with Tootie. But, reality bites. Tootie is convinced that Jermaine was expecting her, but he tells her that his manager is the one who makes all the calls to the fans. Then after she asks him about his dog, after seeing a picture of him with a dog, he tells her "I'm allergic to dogs". Now at a total loss for words and disillusioned, Tootie is left alone, while Jermaine is called away on business. She then overhears his manager making the same phonecall he made to her, and soonafter she sees one of the security people walking out with her present, all mangled and wetted down, being that the security people thought she had a bomb. In tears, Tootie slowly makes her way out of the room and into the arms of a frantically worried Mrs. Garrett, who asks her what it was like to meet Jermaine. Tootie, in tears, tells Mrs. Garrett that it was okay...realizing that he is just a real person.
Very touching and poignant episode that every girl should watch.
**SPOILER ALERT** Tootie is convinced that she is going to finally get to meet her idol, and she makes plans to have Mrs. Garrett take her to the show. But, Mrs. Garrett reminds Tootie that she has a prior commitment to her friends. But, Tootie refuses to back out, and she begs and pleads with Mrs. Garrett to take her to see Jermaine. After Mrs. Garrett repeatedly refuses, Tootie breaks down, in while throwing a massive tantrum, she tells Mrs. Garrett that she was going to that concert even if she has to take a bus, or hitchhike. Finally, Mrs. Garrett gives in to Tootie's plea, and while holding a despondent Tootie in her arms, finally caves in and agrees to take Tootie to see Jermaine...much to the chagrin of the other girls. Mrs. Garrett informs the older girls that what she witnessed with Tootie was something that she herself experienced during the '50s and '60s, with Frank Sinatra and The Beatles. In a poignant speech, Garrett tells the girls that what she saw with Tootie was scaringly similar to what she saw in the faces of thousands of girls during Beatlemania, and she just doesn't know what else to do. So, after the concert, Tootie pushes her way into Jermaine Jackson's dressing room, but is violently held back by one of his security people, while another security person rips a box out of her hands, which is actually a birthday present she has been working on for some time. Jermaine orders his guards to let Tootie go, and he introduces himself to her. While it is clear that Jermaine has more important things to do, he does take some time out to talk with Tootie. But, reality bites. Tootie is convinced that Jermaine was expecting her, but he tells her that his manager is the one who makes all the calls to the fans. Then after she asks him about his dog, after seeing a picture of him with a dog, he tells her "I'm allergic to dogs". Now at a total loss for words and disillusioned, Tootie is left alone, while Jermaine is called away on business. She then overhears his manager making the same phonecall he made to her, and soonafter she sees one of the security people walking out with her present, all mangled and wetted down, being that the security people thought she had a bomb. In tears, Tootie slowly makes her way out of the room and into the arms of a frantically worried Mrs. Garrett, who asks her what it was like to meet Jermaine. Tootie, in tears, tells Mrs. Garrett that it was okay...realizing that he is just a real person.
Very touching and poignant episode that every girl should watch.