Paula Abdul (DAVE PROCTOR/startraksphoto.com)

Mr. T (©Universal/courtesy Everett / Ev)

SAVED BY THE BELL (
)

Flavor Flav (Startraksphoto.com)

With the advent of Twitter, answering the question “Whatever happened to … ?” is as easy as the click of a mouse.

Sure, lots of today’s biggest television stars have taken up tweeting (we’re looking at you,

@JimmyFallon and

@KerryWashington). But former child stars,

talk-show hosts and prime-time hams also keep their longtime fans engaged through social media.

Here are some of the television notables who are carving out entertaining niches on Twitter.

Barbara Eden

@Barbara_Eden

Followers: 16.3K

Career best: Played the title character, a genie, on 1960s sitcom “I Dream of Jeannie”

Post-fame focus: Author; touring stage work

Twitter topics: At age 81, proves she can still rock her “I Dream of Jeannie” costume

Sample tweet:

* Here it is folks! The navel that put NBC on edge! Barbara Eden, Sat. night at the Life Ball! 7:06pm – 26 May 13

Paula Abdul

@PaulaAbdul

Followers: 2.4M

Career best: Flighty judge who squared off with Simon Cowell on “American Idol,” 2002-09

Post-fame focus: Still a critic: was a guest judge on an episode of Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance” on July 9

Twitter topics: Words of inspiration and frustration

Sample tweet:

* Let go of NEGATIVE “ifs” and “If onlys!” Look in the mirror w/gratitude and BELIEVE

#ImMoreAttractiveBECAUSE :)) xoP 7:06pm – 20 Jul 13

Mr. T

@MrT

Followers: 122.6K

Career best: Was bejeweled vigilante B.A. Baracus on “The A-Team,” 1983-87

Post-fame focus: Hosts BBC viral video show “World’s Craziest Fools” since 2011

Twitter topics: Oddly philosophical

Sample tweets:

* It’s hard to soar like an eagle when you’re surrounded by turkeys and buzzards.

11:32 PM – 25 Jun 13

* I got no time for losers! What kind of FOOL do you think I am?

7:30 AM – 29 May 13

Sally Jessy Raphael

@SJRaphael

Followers: 14.3K

Career best: Daytime talk show host, 1983-2002

Post-fame focus: Quiet life at upstate New York farmhouse

Twitter topics: Covets Adam Levine, gives advice to Justin Bieber

Sample tweets:

* @adamlevine is engaged, thus I enter a period of mourning. 5:13pm – 17 Jul 13

* Biebs takes a wee in a bucket @ a restaurant & sprays something over a picture of Bill Clinton & says F*** Clinton? 2 words, kid BOOT CAMP!! 7:42pm – 10 Jul 13

Scott Baio

@ScottBaio

Followers: 74.6K

Career best: Starred as Chachi in 1970s comedies “Happy Days” and spinoff “Joanie Loves Chachi”; title character in “Charles in Charge,” 1984-90

Post-fame focus: Acts and produces on cable

Twitter topics: Acknowledges old friends and runs the odd contest

Sample tweets:

* What a great morning. Went out to breakfast & ran into Marion Ross. #LoveHer #HappyDays 2:55pm – 20 Jul 13

* Round 2 of

#showbaiowhatsinyourfridge best one will win something signed. Here’s my fridge. 12:17pm – 10 Jul 13

Gabe Kaplan

@GabeKaplan

Followers: 425

Career best: Played teacher Mr. Kotter in 1970s comedy “Welcome Back Kotter”

Post-fame focus: Author; pro poker player

Twitter topics: Wry observations about news and entertainment

Sample tweet:

* The royal baby is 36 hours old and sleeps peacefully. By this time, other British babies already have bad teeth.

6:59 AM – 23 Jul 13

Morgan Fairchild

@morgfair

Followers: 23.1K

Height of fame: Veteran of prime time soaps including “Falcon Crest” and frequent guest star on “Dallas,” “General Hospital,” “Cybill” and “Magnum P.I.”

Post-fame focus: Active with SAG-AFTRA union

Twitter topics: Posts alternately disturbing and heartwarming news stories

Sample tweets:

* So Bizarre! Noises in tourist’s head were from flesh-eating maggots

reut.rs/14eiEZp

9:51pm – 21 Jul 13

* Dog Finds A Tiny Kitten, Risks Everything To Save Her http://www.buzzfeed.com/summeranne/dog-finds-a-tiny-kitten-risks-everything-to-save-her 1:49pm – 21 Jul 13

Dustin Diamond

@dustindiamond

Followers: 3.8K

Height of fame: Portrayed “Screech” on ABC’s 1989-93 sitcom “Saved By the Bell”

Post-fame focus: 2006 sex tape, “Screeched: Saved By the Smell”

Twitter topics: Random lame jokes

Sample tweet:

* To do list…

1. Change my last name to Crunch.

2. Join the Army.

3. Work my way to Captain.

4. Become Captain Crunch.

7:32pm – 18 Jul 13

Ruth Buzzi

@Ruth_A_Buzzi

Followers: 38.9K

Career best: “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In,” 1968-73

Post-fame focus: Raises horses and cattle on a Texas ranch

Twitter topics: Sharp and saucy wit

Sample tweets:

* A crack house by the public library in Detroit had AK-47s, drugs and $3 million cash. Police were shocked to discover Detroit had a library. 4:47 AM – 23 Jul 13

* She asked her doctor if his 30-minute vaginal exam was really necessary, and he said, “Hey, lady, who’s the chiropractor here, me or you?”

6:48am – 20 Jun 13

Flavor Flav

@FlavorFlav

Followers: 60.5K

Career best: Star of 2006-08 VH1 reality show “Flavor of Love”

Post-fame focus: Chicken restaurant franchise partner

Twitter topic: Goofy shout-out to the royals

Sample tweet:

* Congradulationz to prince William and Kate in the UK,,, Just had a Baby Boooooyyyyeee,!!!! Peace to the UK from Flavor Flav,! Yeeah booyeee

10:10 PM – 22 Jul 13

Marilu Henner

@TheRealMarilu

Followers: 16.5K

Career best: Played female cab driver Elaine Nardo in 1970s sitcom “Taxi”

Post-fame focus: Health author

Twitter topics: Confusion about technology

Sample tweet:

* Okay, this is crazy! I send a text to my husband who is traveling, and it ends up on Twitter! Can someone explain?!!! 10:51am – 30 Jun 13