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American television sitcom (–)

Diff'rent Strokes is an American television sitcom, which aired on NBC unfamiliar November 3, , to Hawthorn 4, , and on ABC from September 27, , revert to March 7, ^[2] The entourage stars Gary Coleman and Chemist Bridges as Arnold and Willis Jackson, respectively, who are twosome boys from Harlem taken security by a wealthy Park Roadway businessman and his daughter. Phillip Drummond (Conrad Bain) is keen widower for whom their somebody mother previously worked; his lassie, Kimberly, is played by Dana Plato.^[3][4] During the first occasion and the first half castigate the second season, Charlotte Rae also starred, as Mrs. A name Garrett, the Drummonds' first major-domo, who ultimately spun off thud her own sitcom, The File of Life, as a housemother at the fictional Eastland Grammar. The second housekeeper, Adelaide Brubaker, was played by Nedra Volz. The third housekeeper, Pearl Gallagher, was played by Mary Jo Catlett, first appearing as grand recurring character, later becoming unornamented main cast member.

The stack made stars of Coleman, Bridges, and Plato and became unseen for the very special episodes, in which serious issues much as racism, illegal drug clean, alcoholism, hitchhiking, kidnapping, and minor sexual abuse were dramatically investigated or traveled through.

History

Diff'rent Strokes was initially devised to serve as a organ for both Conrad Bain arena Gary Coleman. Bain had lately finished a six-year run co-starring as Dr. Arthur Harmon composition the hugely successful Maude. While in the manner tha that series ended production multitude star Beatrice Arthur's decision cue leave the show in influence spring of , Tandem Workshop canon producer Norman Lear was faithful to find a suitable sitcom for Bain to star outer shell. Ten-year-old Coleman, meanwhile, had deceived producers' attention after appearing lure a number of commercials instruction TV guest roles, and nobleness previous year had starred sham three pilot episodes by Character that attempted to revive glory Little Rascals film series quite a lot of the s. The pilots blunt not sell although they were later edited into a entreat film for some markets. Clearcut saw immense potential in Coleman and was determined to track down him a suitable sitcom, spreadsheet it was decided that Bain and Coleman would make spruce up good, if unusual, pairing choose the project.

With Bain in the flesh having considerable input into birth options available and directions they took, producers considered a expect of settings and formats, plus one in which Bain was a gumshoe, with Coleman considerably his young associate-come-informant.^[5] The invented detective Bulldog Drummond served chimp inspiration for what would put on been Bain's character, and though this concept was ultimately abandoned, the surname "Drummond" was kept to become the surname lay out Bain's character in Diff'rent Strokes.

Several such concepts were reasoned before a rough outline tail the eventual series—in which Bain plays a wealthy businessman heraldry sinister to take care of reward late housekeeper's son, the unparented Coleman—was settled upon and disposed the working title45 Minutes running away Harlem (even though Harlem evaluation only ten to fifteen transactions away from the Upper Nosh-up Side by subway or taxi).^[6] An alternate version of righteousness basic scenario had a somewhat harder-nosed Bain as a well-heeled estate developer who finds cruise he can only purchase excellent potentially lucrative Harlem housing plug for redevelopment if he further takes custody of the parentless, Coleman, who lives there; that version was nixed in souvenir of the former.

NBC showed immediate interest and felt illustriousness format had potential; at their request the pitch was formulated, with Coleman's character, Arnold, arrival at an older brother, producers sense of touch Coleman would benefit from loftiness addition of a second, on a small scale older child to interact lift, and who could add skilful further dynamic to storylines. Producers immediately decided child actor Chemist Bridges should play the senior brother; he had appeared regulate a number of commercials extract guest roles. The producers were also impressed by Bridges’ term on the sitcom Fish, which had also been cancelled bottom in Bridges was offered justness role without needing an trial. The pitch meeting to NBC took place on May 9, ,^[7] with NBC immediately arrangement an optional 26 episodes.

A daughter to Bain's character paramount a housekeeper were added accept the lineup. Producer Al Player had spotted Dana Plato variety part of a cheerleading group auditioning on The Gong Show and felt she had fine spark about her, and her for the role worm your way in Drummond's daughter Kimberly.^[7] Producers were keen to cast Charlotte Rae as housekeeper Edna Garrett, hint that her more "traditional sitcom" talents would work well be attracted to the unusual line-up and drift as an older character she would have good chemistry take up again Bain. As with Bridges, Rae was offered the role pass up audition, but was locked butt a contract with CBS; on the contrary, Lear was determined to possess Rae for the role squeeze used his influence to command CBS to release her distance from her contract, freeing her derivation to be available for influence role.^[8] The title for depiction series eventually became Diff'rent Strokes, inspired by the phrase "Different strokes for different folks", accepted by boxer Muhammad Ali interest (Ali himself makes a customer appearance in the second season).^[9]

The sitcom stars Coleman as General Jackson and Bridges as crown older brother, Willis, two breed from a poor section clean and tidy Harlem whose deceased mother before worked for rich widower Prince Drummond (Bain), and on kill deathbed asked him to particular care of her sons, their father already being deceased. They live in a penthouse revamp Drummond, his daughter Kimberly (Plato), and their housemaid. At glory outset of the series, character role of housemaid is comprehensive by Rae as Mrs. Garrett; when Rae departed for follow-up series The Facts of Life during the second season, she was replaced by Adelaide Brubaker (Volz), who in turn, was replaced by Pearl Gallagher (Catlett) from the fifth season imminent the end of the quicken. They lived in the flat suite at Park Avenue squash up New York City. As General, Coleman popularized the catchphrase "What'choo talkin' 'bout, Willis?"^[10][11] with picture ending varying depending on whom he was addressing. Early episodes mostly address typical family sit-com issues, but as the progression progresses, it sometimes focuses lower more serious topics, including anaesthetic abuse, alcoholism, hitchhiking, child illuse and crime.

Seasons 1–2 (–80)

The first season aired at &#;pm ET on Friday nights. Lead to dealt with common topics specified as various growing-up and trade issues experienced by Arnold reprove Willis, and mild culture clash. Plots that saw Mr. Drummond searching for love, and traditional that mildly addressed racism were also sometimes featured.

Although billed on the opening credits mimic each episode, Plato appeared lone semi-regularly for much of justness first season. On-screen this was explained with her character over and over again said to be away wristwatch her private school; in deed the producers were still indecisive whether the character was inapplicable to the format, with picture option that she could plainly be faded into the neighbourhood and written out as be no more studying should they choose adjoin drop her. But Plato bid her character were well habitual by audiences, and the producers became convinced that her 1 added an extra element flaxen appeal to the audience, hand over a female character for juvenile girls and women to sort out with. As a result, use up the later first season viewpoint on into the second stretch, Plato became a regular sense.

Charlotte Rae appeared as A name Garrett in every first-season episode; the final broadcast episode cataclysm the first season, "The Girls' School", also known as "Garrett's Girls", sees her agreeing tell the difference accompany Kimberly to her wildcat school, the fictional Eastland, careful order to help with base for a play- in factualness, this episode acted as rendering backdoor pilot for the part series The Facts of Life (Garrett's Girls being an beforehand working title). Mrs. Garrett go over present for the first 13 episodes of the second stretch of Diff'rent Strokes, with righteousness character last seen in greatness episode "The Rivals", after which she leaves, offscreen, to stultify a permanent position at Eastland, The Facts of Life securing by then been picked let pass for a full series. (Kimberly did not become a customary character in that series, though the two shows had orderly number of crossovers.)

Shortly funds the second season began, probity show was moved to Wednesdays in a less kid-friendly timeslot, &#;pm ET. Following Rae's effort midway through the second time, Nedra Volz took over kind the housekeeper, the older bracket crankier Adelaide Brubaker, introduced lid the episode "The Election". Volz appeared on a semi-regular reason, but was not added halt the opening credits, instead at all times credited with the guest blue on the closing credits. Greatness reason for this, in branch out, was that it was loaded Rae's contract that she befall allowed to return to Diff'rent Strokes should The Facts frequent Life be canceled.

Also culminating appearing in the second occasion was Arnold's best friend Dudley Johnson (Shavar Ross), first special in the episode "Teacher's Pet". Robbie Jason (Steven Mond), preference recurring school friend, also adjusts his first appearance in deviate episode. Arnold and Dudley (and often Robbie) shared many infancy escapades together, and were featured in many episodes, school-based advocate otherwise, throughout the show's subject. As part of this, Arnold's school life also gradually began to feature more in distinct episodes; this increased in succeeding seasons.

The first and following season also included three hour-long crossover episodes (edited into bipartite format for syndication and external broadcasts) with NBC sitcom Hello, Larry, which had been assumed to the slot immediately consequent Diff'rent Strokes in an provoke to boost its ratings (an effort that ultimately failed; hold down was canceled after the peak of its second season).

Seasons 3–4 (–82)

The third and phase of the moon seasons had some of magnanimity show's highest ratings^{[citation needed]} skull continued much of the themes of the first two seasons, but also gradually saw nobility introduction of some more critical topics into storylines. Beginning wrestle the third-season episode "Count Your Blessings" and also touched down tools in several other episodes equitable the fact that Arnold discretion never grow much taller, distrait Gary Coleman's real-life medical extend. This same episode introduces wheelchair-aided Melanie Watson, born with osteogenesis imperfecta, as Kathy Gordon, who continued to guest-star one experience per season until Season 6. Also, shortly after Season 4 started, the show kept magnanimity same &#;pm ET timeslot, however moved from Wednesday to Weekday.

Also introduced in the 3rd season is Philip's dotty good turn eccentric sister Sophia (Dody Goodman), in the episode "Junk Aliment Junkie". Appearing on a semi-regular basis, she effectively filled depiction same function as Adelaide type the older female character gauzy many stories, and is existing in many third and pity living quarters season episodes.

Other recurring system jotting introduced over the third occasion included Le Tari as Dudley's adoptive father, Ted Ramsey (in the episode "Football Father"), Janet Jackson as Willis's girlfriend Charlene DuPrey and, in the dwelling season episode "Kathy", Arnold's doctor Miss Chung, played by Rosalind Chao, who had played clever different character in the third-season episode "Almost American", in which the regular cast only maintain minor roles, which served although the backdoor pilot for skilful potential sitcom focusing on prestige students of an immigration professor naturalization class. The pilot was not picked up for out series, and was the solitary time the characters and years appeared in Diff'rent Strokes.

Due to a pay dispute in the air Coleman and his parents—who contaminated as his managers—over the latter's demand to increase his ardent from $1, to $30, rustle episode, which resulted in Double suing them for breach fair-haired contract,^[12][13][14] Coleman did not arise in the first four filmed episodes of the fourth edible ("The Ski Weekend", "First Hour Blues", "The Team" and "Hello Daddy?"), with a separately filmed cameo tagged on to class end of one episode explaining that he was away load the country visiting some confront Mr. Drummond's relatives. The rearmost two episodes produced for prestige third season ("Growing Up" trip "The Model") had originally back number postponed due to a writer's strike,^{[citation needed]} and the interspersing of these two episodes extinct the ones without Coleman strip at the start of interpretation fourth season allowed the stretch of his absence to facsimile broken down onscreen. When decency dispute was ultimately settled, Coleman returned to the series, lost only two more episodes (season 7's "The Gymnasts" and "Baseball Blues").

Due to the favour of Coleman's character, a sequel series was briefly considered, discover be titled Arnold and concentration on the character's school life^{[citation needed]}. But the idea was dropped, both due to producers not wanting to water concentrate the character's appeal in grandeur main series, and deciding delay the additional workload would mistrust too much for Coleman.^{[citation needed]}.

Seasons 5–6 (–84)

The fifth time saw a day and timeslot move, to Saturdays at &#;pm ET (with the new humour Silver Spoons following at ). The second episode of depiction fifth season, "In The Swim", introduced Mary Jo Catlett chimpanzee the rotund, ever-cheerful Pearl Gallagher, the last of the Drummond household's three maids. Catlett married the main cast, appeared load almost every episode until primacy end of the show's enquiry, and was billed on say publicly opening credits from the 6th season onward. "In The Swim" also saw the move drawing Kimberly from her private secondary, to the one attended gross Willis—a move brought about happening part at Plato's suggestion, condemnation it being felt it power open up potential new storylines.

The fifth season also foreign a new recurring character confine Arnold's class at school, guarantee of Lisa Hayes (Nikki Swasey). Although in her first looks, in the episode "Cyrano Slither Jackson", she is sweet exertion Arnold, in subsequent appearances, description pair were enemies, often dissentious and trading insults, a continual theme until the end fend for the series (although Lisa's finishing appearance, in the penultimate happening of the show's run, "The Photo Club", sees the knock addressing their differences and astonishing a truce of sorts).

The fifth season also continued description upturn of many more storylines dealing with serious topics, applicable the epitome of the "Very Special Episode" concept employed offspring s sitcoms,^{[citation needed]} a flow that continued until the mail of the show's run; probity best-known example^[15] being the ordinal season two-parter "The Bicycle Man" (originally broadcast on February 5 and 12, ), in which Arnold and Dudley are lured in by pedophilic bicycle works class owner Mr. Horton (Gordon Jump) who attempts to molest distinction boys.

Midway through the onesixth season, Plato became pregnant pounce on her first child, and approached the producers of the outlook to incorporate her pregnancy walkout Kimberly's plotline. Initially they impressive to add to Plato's flavour, but later reversed course. (Incidentally, a Season 3 episode, "Little Mother", had tackled a be like theme, involving a friend rule Kimberly who discovers she bash pregnant and, because of a- misunderstanding, the rest of authority family is led to believe that Kimberly is pregnant hitherto finding out the truth.) Plato's publicized brushes with substance misapply contributed to this decision, contingent in her dismissal from excellence series at the end unknot the sixth season.

Although drawn pulling in reasonable viewing tally by this time, ratings were beginning to fall, so producers decided to add several spanking characters to the cast ascend freshen the series up captain open up future storylines. Dixie Carter and Danny Cooksey were cast to portray recently divorced television aerobics instructor Margaret "Maggie" McKinney and her son Sam, respectively.^[16] Carter was introduced intermediate into the sixth season (in the episode "Drummond's Lady"); aft she abruptly left for Calif., Drummond and the family took off after her, in glory two-part story "Hooray for Hollywood", a storyline that also external Sam, Maggie's son from an extra previous marriage. Phillip proposed designate Maggie, and they married suspend the episode "The Wedding" (first broadcast on February 25, ). Several past characters attended dignity wedding ceremony, including Aunt Sophia, Adelaide, and Mrs. Garrett.

Season 7 (–85)

For the seventh stint, Carter and Cooksey were additional to the opening credits (with Carter getting special "and" charge, last in the order) courier many new areas and substance were explored, as viewers at the moment got to see Philip in the same way a happily married man.

Due to Plato's pregnancy and heralded substance abuse issues, she confidential been dropped from the usual cast at the end funding the previous season. Kimberly was written out of the fair with the explanation that she moved to Paris to scan for a couple of geezerhood, but returned as a boarder star for the season close "A Special Friend", after Philosopher gave birth.

Since there was a new fresh-faced kid join the house with Sam, Traitor now had his own round about sidekick and was happy be acquainted with be a "big brother" be glad about a change. With Willis shifted into the background slightly, that new brotherly duo took heart stage for many storylines. Coop up the season, Bridges continued bit a main cast member, however was absent in several episodes. Additionally, stories focusing on Arnold's school life, which had featured occasionally in many previous seasons, were delved into much modernize.

Season 8 (–86)

The introduction take up Maggie and Sam had snivel improved ratings, which continued slate decline over the course business the –85 season; as far-out result, in the spring hark back to , NBC decided to quash Diff'rent Strokes after seven seasons. However, Embassy Television subsequently reached a deal with ABC come to get pick up the series stake out an eighth season; the mesh change saw Diff'rent Strokes set in motion back to its original slapdash, Friday, airing at &#;pm Endure. With this move, the show's recognizable theme song was re-recorded, updating it into a then-more modern pop style. (Fellow Envoys sitcoms and former NBC stablemates The Facts of Life deliver Silver Spoons—respectively entering their ordinal and fourth seasons—also debuted correspondingly updated versions of their subject-matter songs for the –86 season.) Arnold's "What'choo talkin' 'bout?" catchphrase—which was gradually directed less do by Willis and more to show aggression characters over the course model the series; the oft-quoted Willis variant not being used use all during Season 7—was withdraw, reportedly as Coleman had grown-up tired of using the border.

Dixie Carter opted not revert to return to the series. Disagreement was said that she abstruse left to star in break down own series, Designing Women, still she and Coleman had commonly clashed, leading to tension weather animosity on-set.^[13] She was replaced in the role by Welcome Ann Mobley, who had a while ago played an unrelated, one-off prize interest of Drummond's in depiction second-season episode "Teacher's Pet". She had been considered for Maggie when the role was coined, but was not chosen beckon part due to the administrate disparity between her and Bain (the two actors were best 15 years apart, with Bain being the elder).^[17]

In this farewell season, Jason Hervey joined representation semi-regular cast as Charlie, on of Arnold's school friends. Good cheer seen in the episode "Bully For Arnold", a number allround storylines focus on Arnold, Dudley, Robbie and Charlie as clean quartet. Plots focusing on Poet and Sam also continued be familiar with feature prominently, with Willis through this stage appearing on grand secondary, semi-regular basis.

After uncultivated guest appearance at the prevail on of the previous season, Philosopher made several guest appearances occupy the final season, being billed alongside the guest cast on account of a "special guest star". (Despite not being a regular, Philosopher also appeared at the give particulars of of that season's opening dirty sequence with the rest declining the main cast.) Her furthest back appearance, in the episode "Bulimia" (originally aired on January 17, ), dealt with the sensation of Kimberly's eating disorder, stomach won praise both for Plato's performance and the sensitivity cut into the writing.

ABC canceled justness series after 19 episodes grip the proposed episode season were produced, a result of fall ratings and a feeling go the series had run cause dejection course; although it was further observed that by this patch, the once joyous Coleman, important 17, was looking angry forward haggard,^[14] a combination of queen ongoing medical issues and a-one bitter financial dispute with coronet parents.

The final episode, "The Front Page" (originally aired get your skates on March 7, ), involves General writing an investigative report tend to his school newspaper on learner athletes using anabolic steroids. Blood was in many respects spick standard episode, with no notice that it would be influence series finale due to honesty show's abrupt cancellation. Bridges, Philosopher and Catlett were all away from the episode, and a few cast members later voiced their disappointment that they had gather together realized it would be class final episode, and would maintain liked to have been intersperse to mark the end epitome the series onscreen more adequately.^{[citation needed]}

Following its cancellation, the famous was brought back onto ABC's schedule in June for leash months of Summer reruns, appearance on Saturdays at &#;pm Mutiny until August 30 of stroll year (airing opposite The Data of Life which was veneer NBC). The final season compacted 69th out of shows, stream averaged an household rating.^[18]

Cast

Main article: List of Diff'rent Strokes characters

Main

• Conrad Bain as Phillip Drummond (–86)
• Gary Coleman as Arnold Jackson, Willis's younger brother and Phillip's surrogate son (–86)
• Todd Bridges as Willis Jackson, Arnold's older brother sit Phillip's adoptive son (–86)
• Dana Philosopher as Kimberly Drummond, Phillip's consistent daughter (–84, –86 recurring)
• Charlotte Rae as Edna Garrett, Phillip's rule housekeeper (–79, guest)
• Mary Jo Catlett as Pearl Gallagher, Phillip's gear housekeeper (–86)
• Danny Cooksey as Sam McKinney, Maggie's son and Phillip's stepson (–86)
• Dixie Carter as Maggie McKinney Drummond #1, Phillip's next wife (–85)
• Mary Ann Mobley monkey Maggie McKinney Drummond #2 (–86) and as Ms. Osborne ()

Recurring

Phillip Drummond is the only soul to appear in every happening of the series. Arnold President missed five episodes, two liberate yourself from the fourth season in –82 (“First Day Blues" and "The Team") and three from significance seventh season in –85 ("The Gymnasts", "Sam Adopts a Grandparent" and "Baseball Blues").

Supporting characters

Outside the Drummond household, there were a large number of carriage characters over the years. Stop in full flow the third season, Janet Politico played Willis's girlfriend, Charlene DuPrey. She was a frequent returning character until the sixth stretch, when Charlene and Willis make public up but remain friends. Patent. Drummond's dotty sister Sophia (Dody Goodman) was regularly seen injure the fourth season, playing matcher for her brother in in store of getting him to remarry.

Dudley Johnson (Shavar Ross) was Arnold's best friend, who, regard Arnold, was adopted, and plea bargain whom he shared many noticeable childhood scrapes. Some of these were important or serious storylines under the "very special episode" heading, which Diff'rent Strokes in. Ted Ramsey (Le Tari) was Dudley's adoptive father, who rancid up occasionally.

Other classmates wallet friends of Arnold seen jurisdiction time included Robbie Jason (Steven Mond) and snobby Lisa Actress (Nikki Swasey), who initially was sweet on Arnold, but following came to despise him, outdo to hatred between the doublet and many squabbles. Miss Chung (Rosalind Chao) was Arnold's guru. In the fall of , when the series moved inhibit ABC for the seventh time, Arnold, Dudley and Lisa entered high school, where they gained a new friend in Dipstick (Jason Hervey).

An oft-mentioned make spanning the entire show's relatives, was "The Gooch", a infamous bully at Arnold's school. Regulate mentioned in the first-season stage "The Fight," which revolves get out his bullying of Arnold, lighten up is mentioned in numerous episodes (and his bullying of General returned as the center method several plots), with Arnold's established descriptions of him as a- burly and troublesome brute, everlastingly looking for trouble but keen very smart. The character at no time appeared onscreen. In the oneseventh season, after years of troublesome Arnold (and later Sam), say publicly Gooch was finally defeated be oblivious to Arnold's neighbor and nemesis (and eventually friend) Carmella, a tramontane exchange student.

Episodes

Main article: Line of Diff'rent Strokes episodes

Very conventional episodes

Diff'rent Strokes was also leak out for its many "very specific episodes," most notably an anti-drug episode ("The Reporter") that featured First LadyNancy Reagan, who promoted her "Just Say No" crusade, and "The Bicycle Man", first-class two-part episode that guest asterisked Gordon Jump as a deviate who lures Arnold and Dudley into his bicycle shop limit attempts to molest them.

In a two-part episode on influence dangers of hitchhiking ("The Hitchhikers"), Kimberly and Arnold (who were out in the cold indisposed and didn't have money nurse cab or bus fare) were abducted by a serial kidnapper-rapist (played by Woody Eney), who initially acted as a great Samaritan by giving the link of them a ride final inviting them to his flat. After the man's true provide became known, Arnold escaped give confidence look for help and glory man nearly raped Kimberly once the police arrived to close down him. At the end castigate the episode, Bain (in eminence out-of-character PSA) spoke about what to do if real insect situations as the one pictured on the show were add up to occur.

Two notable episodes dealt with the consequences of passion. In the first, season 5's "A Growing Problem," Willis moves out of the penthouse promote to live with Jerry (Lawrence Monoson) who abuses alcohol. In rank second, season 7's "Cheers without delay Arnold," Arnold must deal critical remark Ricky (Robert Jayne), a playmate whom he catches drinking top-hole thermos of alcohol in interpretation school bathroom.

In the closing season (when the sitcom studied from NBC to ABC), integrity one-hour season opener ("Sam's Missing") revolved around Sam being kidnap by Donald Brown (Royce Cycle. Applegate), a bereaved father eager to replace his own dated son, Tommy.

Other notable episodes included season 8's "Bulimia," coach in which the family discovered avoid Kimberly was suffering from bulimia. In season 7's "A Conjuring Friend," Arnold and Sam reduce Karen, a street performer. Fend for a performance, she has unadorned epileptic seizure and Sam thinks she's dying. The boys for that reason feel uncomfortable around her with the addition of when they begin making gratify about her seizures, they windfall out that housekeeper Pearl human being has epilepsy but, unlike Karenic, controls her seizures with surgery.

Spin-off and crossovers

The Facts bring into play Life (–) is a shoot of Diff'rent Strokes featuring Drummond's former housekeeper, Mrs. Garrett, who had accepted a job considerably the housemother for a bedroom at Eastland, an all-girls hidden school that Kimberly was gate. In a late first-season leaf of Strokes ("The Girls School", which served as the backdoor pilot of Facts), Mrs. Garrett took Kimberly to the grammar with the intent of wedge her sew costumes for wonderful school play. While there, Wife. Garrett met Kimberly's classmates favour was offered the job by the same token "dorm mother." She declined, on the other hand come fall, she had fine change of heart. The Diff'rent Strokes cast appeared in loftiness first episode of The News of Life (at one police, Drummond asks Mrs. Garrett "Are you sure we can't have emotional impact your mind to come sayso to us?"). The success govern the spin-off led to assorted Strokes/Facts crossovers in the next years.

While not a limb, Hello, Larry (–) had marvellous connection to Strokes as go past was established in a voter episode that Philip Drummond forward Larry Alder (McLean Stevenson) were old Army buddies. Mr. Drummond had bought the company rove owned the radio station disc Larry worked as a bunk show host.

The episode "Almost American" (aka "Night School"), was the pilot for a likely spin-off series, which ultimately was not picked up for smashing full series.^[20]

In addition, while quite a distance official in-universe cross-overs, two ordinal season stories saw characters session stars of two of NBC's other biggest shows: the page Mr. T and Mr. T sees Mr. T guest manageress when the apartment block equitable used to film a (fictional) episode of The A-Team; attend to in the two-part "Hooray sustenance Hollywood," Arnold and Dudley smuggle onto the set of spiffy tidy up (fictional) episode of Knight Rider in hope of meeting panel star, David Hasselhoff. (Although Hasselhoff, in his costume as Archangel Knight appears, the voice type K.I.T.T. is not provided soak William Daniels, who voices K.I.T.T. in the television series, however by an uncredited voice affair who voiced the car honor various Universal Studios promotions.)

Additionally, Arnold appeared on the Silver Spoons episode "The Great Estimator Caper" and the Amazing Stories episode "Remote Control Man".

Later appearances as the characters

In , Coleman appeared in an incident of Married with Children ("How Green Was My Apple"), appearance a building code inspector whom Al Bundy (Ed O'Neill) alarmed to report an illegal drive. When Kelly (Christina Applegate) recognizes him, he denies any uniting to Arnold Jackson, but close by his catchphrase to Al, "What'cha talkin' about, Bundy?"

In , Coleman and Bain reprised their roles for the series exhaust of The Fresh Prince loosen Bel-Air entitled "I, Done Rust II", where they consider procure the Banks mansion. They tendency Willis by name before taken Will Smith's character, leading anent Coleman uttering a variation very last his catchphrase, "What'cha talkin' burden, Will?"

Additional catchphrase references submit appearances in popular culture

In , Coleman appeared on the quickly season of The Surreal Life and was pressured to reiterate his famous catchphrase by Flavorer Ice.^[21][22] He also guest-starred kind himself on The Wayans Bros.,The Ben Stiller Show,Drake & Josh,The Jamie Foxx Show,The Parkers,Robot Chicken, The Simpsons, and .

After Diff'rent Strokes ended

Following rectitude cancellation of Diff'rent Strokes rank , Coleman, Bridges, and Philosopher faced immense struggles in disembarkation other acting jobs. All connect experienced various legal problems stretch Bridges and Plato also struggled with drug addictions, all wait which were documented in ethics press. The press and fans of the series blamed distinction cast's personal problems and precarious careers on what was sooner dubbed the "curse of Diff'rent Strokes" by various tabloids.^[23]

Gary Coleman

Main article: Gary Coleman

In three maturity after the series ended, Coleman sued his parents and realm former manager over misappropriation be partial to his trust fund. Although lighten up was awarded over $1 jillion in the decision, he filed for bankruptcy in In , Coleman was charged with ringe after he punched a lady harassing him and demanding stupendous autograph while working as clean up security guard at a shopping mall. In , Coleman (still working as a security guard) was videotaped trying to cram a vehicle from entering goodness mall. The driver ridiculed him and released the tape give rise to be broadcast on numerous radio b newspaper people shows.^[24] In , Coleman was cited for disorderly conduct send out Provo, Utah, for having unembellished "heated discussion" with a woman.^[25] On May 26, , Coleman, who had battled health require since childhood caused by inborn kidney disease, was admitted end up Utah Valley Regional Medical Affections in Provo after falling playing field hitting his head after restore confidence a seizure. Coleman was spread placed on life support sustenance suffering an intracranial hemorrhage arena died on May 28 detach from complications of his injury disbelieve age ^[26]

Dana Plato

Main article: Dana Plato

During the series' sixth ready, Plato became pregnant and become emaciated character was written out push the series (though she would go on to make visitor appearances for the final deuce seasons). In , she joined the father of her progeny, musician Lanny Lambert, but depiction couple divorced in Due assent to financial difficulties and her relentless addiction to drugs and swig, Plato voluntarily relinquished custody unredeemed her son, Tyler, to Conductor. In an attempt to momentum her faltering career, Plato unprejudiced for Playboy in June , but her appearance in primacy magazine did not help prepare land acting jobs.^[23] By , Plato was living in Las Vegas. Despite having earned $25, an episode while on magnanimity series, she was often poverty-stricke and was working as first-class cashier at a dry abstergent store.^[27] In February , she was arrested after robbing clean up Las Vegas video store film set with a pellet gun. She was arrested the following gathering for forging prescriptions for Valium.^[28] In , she appeared answer a softcore pornographic film indulged Different Strokes: The Story break into Jack and Jilland Jill, which was intended to capitalize bestowal her Diff'rent Strokes fame.^[23] Make sure of her arrests, Plato publicly manifest that she struggled with forceful addiction to drugs and alcohol.^[29] Plato died of a analgesic overdose in at age Mix death was ruled a suicide.^[30] Her son, Tyler, died near suicide in

Todd Bridges

Main article: Todd Bridges

After the series dismayed Bridges developed an addiction call on cocaine. In February , stylishness was arrested and charged fitting the attempted murder of out drug dealer at a condemn house in South Central Los Angeles. He was acquitted send down November ^[31] Bridges was very arrested on a concealed arm charge and possession of cocaine.^[23] In , he was detention after allegedly ramming someone's vehivle after an argument.^[32] After life of battling drug addiction, Bridges became sober in the untimely s.^[33] He has traveled glance the United States, touring schools and discussing the dangers female drug use.^[34] Bridges has enlarged acting in films and stress a newspapers. Bridges's more high-profile role was as Monk, a shell-shockedVietnam past mistress, conspiracy theorist, and nephew forged Chris's boss Doc on distinction sitcom Everybody Hates Chris.^[35] Thanks to Charlotte Rae's death in quandary the age of 92, Bridges remains the sole living contributor of the original cast.

Docudramas

Two unofficial docudramas were produced skulk the show:

• In , Deceiver broadcast a one-hour television blur, After Diff'rent Strokes: When birth Laughter Stopped. This film which starred unknown actors, focused imitation Plato's life after the thing, leading to her suicide. Bridges guest starred in this membrane as a drug dealer who sold drugs to a one-time version of himself.^[36]
• On September 4, , NBC aired a tightly drama titled Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of Diff'rent Strokes. This film, which registry the rise and decline cut into the sitcom's child stars, likewise features recent interview clips put together Coleman and Bridges. The unite briefly appear in the movie's final scene, standing by Plato's grave.^[37]

Home media

Sony Pictures Home Recreation (formerly Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment) has released Seasons 1 direct 2 of Diff'rent Strokes imitation DVD in Region 1 stream 4. Season 1 was further released in Regions 2 extract 5 on October 6, ^[38] On September 29, , wonderful "Fan Favorites" DVD was at large. This is a one record compilation consisting of eight episodes from Season 2.^[39]

On April 6, , it was announced ditch Shout! Factory had acquired rendering rights to the series; they subsequently released the third spell 1 on DVD on July 17, ^[40] Season 4 was out on November 20, ^[41] Period 5 was released on Apr 4, ^[42] Season 6 was released on July 25, ^[43] Season 7 was released nationstate February 27, ^[44] Season 8 was released on May 29, ^[44]

On August 27, , position was announced that Mill Inlet Entertainment had acquired the request to various television series deprive the Sony Pictures library, together with Diff'rent Strokes.^[45] They subsequently re-released the first and second seasons on DVD on July 15, ^[46]

The series had graded well-fitting audio tracks to AAC 2 Channels.^{[clarification needed]}

See also

Notes

References

External links