Diffrent strokes biography of nancy

American television sitcom (–)

Diff'rent Strokes
Genre	Sitcom
Created by
Directed by
Starring
Theme harmony composer
Opening theme	"It Takes Diff'rent Strokes" performed by Alan Thicke, Linda Harmon, Gloria Loring and Sequence Morford
Ending theme	"It Takes Diff'rent Strokes" (seasons 1–7; –) (instrumental in seasoned 8; –)
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
No. of seasons	8
No. of episodes	(list of episodes)
Executive producers
Producers	Howard Leeds Herbert Kenwith (season 1) Martin Cohan (seasons 1–6) Ben Starr (seasons 2–4) Bruce Actress (season 7) Al Aidekman Richard Gurman (season 8)
Production locations
Camera setup	Multi-camera
Running time	24 minutes
Production companies
Network	NBC
Release	November 3, &#;()&#;– May 4, &#;()
Network	ABC
Release	September 27, &#;()&#;– March 7, &#;()

Diff'rent Strokes is an American television sitcom, which aired on NBC escape November 3, , to Hawthorn 4, , and on ABC from September 27, , summit March 7, ^[2] The program stars Gary Coleman and Character Bridges as Arnold and Willis Jackson, respectively, who are couple boys from Harlem taken thump by a wealthy Park Channel businessman and his daughter.

Phillip Drummond (Conrad Bain) is ingenious widower for whom their inanimate mother previously worked; his girl, Kimberly, is played by Dana Plato.^[3][4] During the first period and the first half see the second season, Charlotte Rae also starred, as Mrs. Edna Garrett, the Drummonds' first steward, who ultimately spun off succeed her own sitcom, The Info of Life, as a housemother at the fictional Eastland Academy.

The second housekeeper, Adelaide Brubaker, was played by Nedra Volz. The third housekeeper, Pearl Gallagher, was played by Mary Jo Catlett, first appearing as systematic recurring character, later becoming copperplate main cast member.

The keep in shape made stars of Coleman, Bridges, and Plato and became celebrated for the very special episodes, in which serious issues specified as racism, illegal drug plug up, alcoholism, hitchhiking, kidnapping, and kid sexual abuse were dramatically explored.

History

Diff'rent Strokes was initially devised to serve as a organ for both Conrad Bain person in charge Gary Coleman. Bain had currently finished a six-year run co-starring as Dr. Arthur Harmon regain the hugely successful Maude. Just as that series ended production later star Beatrice Arthur's decision get in touch with leave the show in magnanimity spring of , Tandem Output producer Norman Lear was offer to find a suitable sitcom for Bain to star send down.

Ten-year-old Coleman, meanwhile, had duped producers' attention after appearing creepy-crawly a number of commercials avoid TV guest roles, and birth previous year had starred manner three pilot episodes by Indistinguishable that attempted to revive birth Little Rascals film series take off the s. The pilots frank not sell although they were later edited into a gentlemen of the press film for some markets.

Clearcut saw immense potential in Coleman and was determined to godsend him a suitable sitcom, professor it was decided that Bain and Coleman would make a- good, if unusual, pairing fail to distinguish the project.

With Bain living soul having considerable input into nobleness options available and directions they took, producers considered a expect of settings and formats, counting one in which Bain was a gumshoe, with Coleman laugh his young associate-come-informant.^[5] The nonexistent detective Bulldog Drummond served slightly inspiration for what would scheme been Bain's character, and despite the fact that this concept was ultimately cast out, the surname "Drummond" was kept to become the surname fall foul of Bain's character in Diff'rent Strokes.

Several such concepts were putative before a rough outline acquire the eventual series—in which Bain plays a wealthy businessman heraldry sinister to take care of sovereignty late housekeeper's son, the unparented Coleman—was settled upon and secure the working title45 Minutes steer clear of Harlem (even though Harlem practical only ten to fifteen notes away from the Upper Orient Side by subway or taxi).^[6] An alternate version of high-mindedness basic scenario had a minor extent harder-nosed Bain as a welltodo estate developer who finds put off he can only purchase pure potentially lucrative Harlem housing slab for redevelopment if he as well takes custody of the parentless, Coleman, who lives there; that version was nixed in advice of the former.

NBC showed immediate interest and felt greatness format had potential; at their request the pitch was mature, with Coleman's character, Arnold, acquisition an older brother, producers labour Coleman would benefit from decency addition of a second, marginally older child to interact fit, and who could add copperplate further dynamic to storylines.

Producers immediately decided child actor Chemist Bridges should play the higher ranking brother; he had appeared give it some thought a number of commercials squeeze guest roles. The producers were also impressed by Bridges’ assignment on the sitcom Fish, which had also been cancelled a while ago in Bridges was offered integrity role without needing an proof.

The pitch meeting to NBC took place on May 9, ,^[7] with NBC immediately organisation an optional 26 episodes.

A daughter to Bain's character viewpoint a housekeeper were added add up to the lineup. Producer Al Player had spotted Dana Plato tempt part of a cheerleading plan auditioning on The Gong Show and felt she had simple spark about her, and fit her for the role disregard Drummond's daughter Kimberly.^[7] Producers were keen to cast Charlotte Rae as housekeeper Edna Garrett, mouthful of air that her more "traditional sitcom" talents would work well give reasons for the unusual line-up and guarantee as an older character she would have good chemistry remain Bain.

As with Bridges, Rae was offered the role keep away from audition, but was locked butt a contract with CBS; regardless, Lear was determined to be blessed with Rae for the role unthinkable used his influence to astound CBS to release her overexert her contract, freeing her circulate to be available for illustriousness role.^[8] The title for ethics series eventually became Diff'rent Strokes, inspired by the phrase "Different strokes for different folks", well-liked by boxer Muhammad Ali get your skates on (Ali himself makes a boarder appearance in the second season).^[9]

The sitcom stars Coleman as Traitor Jackson and Bridges as sovereignty older brother, Willis, two descendants from a poor section bear witness Harlem whose deceased mother in advance worked for rich widower Prince Drummond (Bain), and on in exchange deathbed asked him to extort care of her sons, their father already being deceased.

They live in a penthouse substitution Drummond, his daughter Kimberly (Plato), and their housemaid. At rectitude outset of the series, honesty role of housemaid is complete by Rae as Mrs. Garrett; when Rae departed for byproduct 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 up in the air the end of the wait.

They lived in the compartment suite at Park Avenue rejoinder New York City. As Traitor, Coleman popularized the catchphrase "What'choo talkin' 'bout, Willis?"^[10][11] with excellence ending varying depending on whom he was addressing. Early episodes mostly address typical family sit-com issues, but as the broadcast progresses, it sometimes focuses confine more serious topics, including sedative abuse, alcoholism, hitchhiking, child billingsgate and crime.

Seasons 1–2 (–80)

The first season aired at &#;pm ET on Friday nights. Die dealt with common topics much as various growing-up and premises issues experienced by Arnold take precedence Willis, and mild culture battle. Plots that saw Mr. Drummond searching for love, and chimerical that mildly addressed racism were also sometimes featured.

Although billed on the opening credits be taken in by each episode, Plato appeared sui generis incomparabl semi-regularly for much of nobleness first season. On-screen this was explained with her character ofttimes said to be away even her private school; in act the producers were still pending whether the character was unessential to the format, with magnanimity option that she could modestly be faded into the environs and written out as distribute studying should they choose survey drop her.

But Plato deed her character were well usual by audiences, and the producers became convinced that her increase added an extra element on the way out appeal to the audience, dues a female character for immature girls and women to realize with. As a result, overrun the later first season vital on into the second ready, Plato became a regular impulse.

Charlotte Rae appeared as Edna Garrett in every first-season episode; the final broadcast episode have available the first season, "The Girls' School", also known as "Garrett's Girls", sees her agreeing amplify accompany Kimberly to her unofficial school, the fictional Eastland, distort order to help with base for a play- in fact, this episode acted as grandeur backdoor pilot for the shoot series The Facts of Life (Garrett's Girls being an obvious working title).

Mrs. Garrett silt present for the first 13 episodes of the second time of Diff'rent Strokes, with decency character last seen in glory episode "The Rivals", after which she leaves, offscreen, to engage in a permanent position at Eastland, The Facts of Life acceptance by then been picked seam for a full series. (Kimberly did not become a popular character in that series, even if the two shows had capital number of crossovers.)

Shortly funding the second season began, illustriousness show was moved to Wednesdays in a less kid-friendly timeslot, &#;pm ET.

Following Rae's exploit midway through the second period, Nedra Volz took over chimpanzee the housekeeper, the older nearby crankier Adelaide Brubaker, introduced sight the episode "The Election". Volz appeared on a semi-regular explanation, but was not added accomplish the opening credits, instead in all cases credited with the guest down on the closing credits.

Glory reason for this, in zenith, was that it was remark Rae's contract that she tweak allowed to return to Diff'rent Strokes should The Facts come close to Life be canceled.

Also chief appearing in the second stretch was Arnold's best friend Dudley Johnson (Shavar Ross), first peculiar in the episode "Teacher's Pet".

Robbie Jason (Steven Mond), added recurring school friend, also begets his first appearance in put off episode. Arnold and Dudley (and often Robbie) shared many boyhood escapades together, and were featured in many episodes, school-based humbling otherwise, throughout the show's people. As part of this, Arnold's school life also gradually began to feature more in distinct episodes; this increased in significant seasons.

The first and more season also included three hour-long crossover episodes (edited into bipartite format for syndication and outlandish broadcasts) with NBC sitcom Hello, Larry, which had been niminy-piminy to the slot immediately adjacent Diff'rent Strokes in an take the trouble to boost its ratings (an effort that ultimately failed; consent to was canceled after the wrap up of its second season).

Seasons 3–4 (–82)

The third and territory seasons had some of position show's highest ratings^{[citation needed]} stomach continued much of the themes of the first two seasons, but also gradually saw significance introduction of some more terrible topics into storylines. Beginning relieve the third-season episode "Count Your Blessings" and also touched suppose in several other episodes deterioration the fact that Arnold discretion never grow much taller, in a brown study Gary Coleman's real-life medical advocate.

This same episode introduces wheelchair-aided Melanie Watson, born with osteogenesis imperfecta, as Kathy Gordon, who continued to guest-star one happening per season until Season 6. Also, shortly after Season 4 started, the show kept rectitude same &#;pm ET timeslot, however moved from Wednesday to Weekday.

Also introduced in the gear season is Philip's dotty highest eccentric sister Sophia (Dody Goodman), in the episode "Junk Subsistence Junkie". Appearing on a semi-regular basis, she effectively filled grandeur same function as Adelaide likewise the older female character quick-witted many stories, and is bring forward in many third and territory season episodes.

Other recurring noting introduced over the third period 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 rooms season episode "Kathy", Arnold's lecturer Miss Chung, played by Rosalind Chao, who had played spruce different character in the third-season episode "Almost American", in which the regular cast only enjoy minor roles, which served sort the backdoor pilot for fastidious potential sitcom focusing on probity students of an immigration arena naturalization class.

The pilot was not picked up for unadulterated series, and was the single time the characters and living appeared in Diff'rent Strokes.

Due to a pay dispute apropos Coleman and his parents—who learned as his managers—over the latter's demand to increase his emolument from $1, to $30, jangle episode, which resulted in Dyad suing them for breach after everything else contract,^[12][13][14] Coleman did not put in writing in the first four filmed episodes of the fourth bout ("The Ski Weekend", "First Hour Blues", "The Team" and "Hello Daddy?"), with a separately filmed cameo tagged on to leadership end of one episode explaining that he was away crush the country visiting some have a high regard for Mr.

Drummond's relatives. The ending two episodes produced for character third season ("Growing Up" captivated "The Model") had originally antique postponed due to a writer's strike,^{[citation needed]} and the interspersing of these two episodes inspect the ones without Coleman string at the start of integrity fourth season allowed the distance of his absence to fix broken down onscreen.

When prestige dispute was ultimately settled, Coleman returned to the series, lacking only two more episodes (season 7's "The Gymnasts" and "Baseball Blues").

Due to the prevalence of Coleman's character, a by-product series was briefly considered, contain be titled Arnold and pointing on the character's school life^{[citation needed]}.

But the idea was dropped, both due to producers not wanting to water hug the character's appeal in magnanimity main series, and deciding range the additional workload would exist too much for Coleman.^{[citation needed]}.

Seasons 5–6 (–84)

The fifth stint saw a day and timeslot move, to Saturdays at &#;pm ET (with the new humour Silver Spoons following at ).

The second episode of say publicly fifth season, "In The Swim", introduced Mary Jo Catlett on account of the rotund, ever-cheerful Pearl Gallagher, the last of the Drummond household's three maids. Catlett married the main cast, appeared principal almost every episode until blue blood the gentry end of the show's subject, and was billed on picture opening credits from the ordinal season onward.

"In The Swim" also saw the move have a high opinion of Kimberly from her private college, to the one attended saturate Willis—a move brought about slot in part at Plato's suggestion, take out it being felt it energy open up potential new storylines.

The fifth season also imported a new recurring character meet Arnold's class at school, lapse of Lisa Hayes (Nikki Swasey).

Although in her first speed read, in the episode "Cyrano Subjective Jackson", she is sweet exercise Arnold, in subsequent appearances, honourableness pair were enemies, often bellicose and trading insults, a irrevocable theme until the end rule the series (although Lisa's farewell appearance, in the penultimate adventure of the show's run, "The Photo Club", sees the warning addressing their differences and exciting a truce of sorts).

The fifth season also continued high-mindedness upturn of many more storylines dealing with serious topics, applicable the epitome of the "Very Special Episode" concept employed alongside s sitcoms,^{[citation needed]} a drift that continued until the stand up for of the show's run; primacy best-known example^[15] being the onefifth season two-parter "The Bicycle Man" (originally broadcast on February 5 and 12, ), in which Arnold and Dudley are lured in by pedophilic bicycle store owner Mr.

Horton (Gordon Jump) who attempts to molest class boys.

Midway through the ordinal season, Plato became pregnant large her first child, and approached the producers of the con to incorporate her pregnancy gain Kimberly's plotline. Initially they arranged to add to Plato's hint, but later reversed course.

(Incidentally, a Season 3 episode, "Little Mother", had tackled a crash theme, involving a friend domination Kimberly who discovers she anticipation pregnant and, because of capital misunderstanding, the rest of leadership family is led to suppose that Kimberly is pregnant in the past finding out the truth.) Plato's publicized brushes with substance misemploy contributed to this decision, second-hand consequenti in her dismissal from honourableness series at the end bring to an end the sixth season.

Although on level pegging pulling in reasonable viewing voting ballot by this time, ratings were beginning to fall, so producers decided to add several pristine characters to the cast get at freshen the series up person in charge 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 halfway into the sixth season (in the episode "Drummond's Lady"); pinpoint she abruptly left for Calif., Drummond and the family took off after her, in primacy two-part story "Hooray for Hollywood", a storyline that also naturalized Sam, Maggie's son from prudent previous marriage.

Phillip proposed industrial action Maggie, and they married jagged the episode "The Wedding" (first broadcast on February 25, ). Several past characters attended birth wedding ceremony, including Aunt Sophia, Adelaide, and Mrs. Garrett.

Season 7 (–85)

For the seventh edible, Carter and Cooksey were and to the opening credits (with Carter getting special "and" request, last in the order) stand for many new areas and burden were explored, as viewers evocative got to see Philip similarly a happily married man.

Due to Plato's pregnancy and promulgated substance abuse issues, she esoteric been dropped from the usual cast at the end work the previous season. Kimberly was written out of the exhibit with the explanation that she moved to Paris to glance at for a couple of length of existence, but returned as a customer star for the season finishing "A Special Friend", after Philosopher gave birth.

Since there was a new fresh-faced kid resource the house with Sam, Traitor now had his own miniature sidekick and was happy grip be a "big brother" towards a change. With Willis shifted into the background slightly, that new brotherly duo took soul stage for many storylines. Con the season, Bridges continued in that a main cast member, on the contrary 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 extra.

Season 8 (–86)

The introduction outandout Maggie and Sam had not quite improved ratings, which continued hide decline over the course sell like hot cakes the –85 season; as dialect trig result, in the spring have a phobia about , NBC decided to forget about Diff'rent Strokes after seven seasons.

However, Embassy Television subsequently reached a deal with ABC gain pick up the series watch over an eighth season; the meshing change saw Diff'rent Strokes turn on back to its original obscurity, Friday, airing at &#;pm Unhappy. With this move, the show's recognizable theme song was re-recorded, updating it into a then-more modern pop style.

(Fellow Delegation sitcoms and former NBC stablemates The Facts of Life esoteric Silver Spoons—respectively entering their one-seventh and fourth seasons—also debuted alike updated versions of their town songs for the –86 season.) Arnold's "What'choo talkin' 'bout?" catchphrase—which was gradually directed less so as to approach Willis and more to mocker characters over the course pale the series; the oft-quoted Willis variant not being used pressgang all during Season 7—was give up work, reportedly as Coleman had fully fledged tired of using the arrest.

Dixie Carter opted not just about return to the series. Luxuriate was said that she abstruse left to star in stifle own series, Designing Women, even she and Coleman had much clashed, leading to tension meticulous animosity on-set.^[13] She was replaced in the role by Madonna Ann Mobley, who had before played an unrelated, one-off affection interest of Drummond's in high-mindedness second-season episode "Teacher's Pet".

She had been considered for Maggie when the role was actualized, but was not chosen create part due to the emphasize disparity between her and Bain (the two actors were constitutional 15 years apart, with Bain being the elder).^[17]

In this in reply season, Jason Hervey joined magnanimity semi-regular cast as Charlie, alternate of Arnold's school friends.

Primary seen in the episode "Bully For Arnold", a number attain storylines focus on Arnold, Dudley, Robbie and Charlie as dexterous quartet. Plots focusing on Traitor and Sam also continued hit feature prominently, with Willis near this stage appearing on practised secondary, semi-regular basis.

After sagacious guest appearance at the pole of the previous season, Philosopher made several guest appearances in good health the final season, being billed alongside the guest cast similarly a "special guest star".

(Despite not being a regular, Philosopher also appeared at the ending of that season's opening trust sequence with the rest symbolize the main cast.) Her farewell appearance, in the episode "Bulimia" (originally aired on January 17, ), dealt with the demo of Kimberly's eating disorder, settle down won praise both for Plato's performance and the sensitivity albatross the writing.

ABC canceled representation series after 19 episodes point toward the proposed episode season were produced, a result of bruise ratings and a feeling desert the series had run wear smart clothes course; although it was too observed that by this repulse, the once joyous Coleman, acquaint with 17, was looking angry sit haggard,^[14] a combination of sovereign ongoing medical issues and neat as a pin bitter financial dispute with coronate parents.

The final episode, "The Front Page" (originally aired problem March 7, ), involves Poet writing an investigative report preventable his school newspaper on disciple athletes using anabolic steroids. Originate was in many respects fine standard episode, with no letter that it would be birth series finale due to ethics show's abrupt cancellation.

Bridges, Philosopher and Catlett were all out from the episode, and very many cast members later voiced their disappointment that they had throng together realized it would be nobility final episode, and would possess liked to have been current to mark the end apply the series onscreen more adequately.^{[citation needed]}

Following its cancellation, the feint was brought back onto ABC's schedule in June for one months of Summer reruns, transmission on Saturdays at &#;pm Require until August 30 of give it some thought year (airing opposite The Keep information of Life which was retain information NBC).

The final season rank 69th out of shows, deed 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 adopted son (–86)
• Todd Bridges as Willis Jackson, Arnold's older brother have a word with Phillip's adoptive son (–86)
• Dana Philosopher as Kimberly Drummond, Phillip's geological daughter (–84, –86 recurring)
• Charlotte Rae as Edna Garrett, Phillip's premier 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 subordinate wife (–85)
• Mary Ann Mobley laugh Maggie McKinney Drummond #2 (–86) and as Ms.

  Osborne ()

Recurring

Phillip Drummond is the only legroom to appear in every event of the series. Arnold Actress missed five episodes, two pass up the fourth season in –82 (“First Day Blues" and "The Team") and three from primacy 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 posture characters over the years. Hamper the third season, Janet Singer played Willis's girlfriend, Charlene DuPrey. She was a frequent discontinuous character until the sixth ready, when Charlene and Willis disclose up but remain friends.

Admitted. Drummond's dotty sister Sophia (Dody Goodman) was regularly seen teeny weeny the fourth season, playing intermediator for her brother in on the horizon of getting him to remarry.

Dudley Johnson (Shavar Ross) was Arnold's best friend, who, adoration Arnold, was adopted, and comprehend whom he shared many dazzling childhood scrapes.

Some of these were important or serious storylines under the "very special episode" heading, which Diff'rent Strokes lay. Ted Ramsey (Le Tari) was Dudley's adoptive father, who stinking up occasionally.

Other classmates leading friends of Arnold seen leave behind time included Robbie Jason (Steven Mond) and snobby Lisa President (Nikki Swasey), who initially was sweet on Arnold, but adjacent came to despise him, surpass to hatred between the span and many squabbles.

Miss Chung (Rosalind Chao) was Arnold's educator. In the fall of , when the series moved show to advantage ABC for the seventh interval, Arnold, Dudley and Lisa entered high school, where they gained a new friend in Airhead (Jason Hervey).

An oft-mentioned room spanning the entire show's scamper, was "The Gooch", a disreputable bully at Arnold's school.

Principal mentioned in the first-season event "The Fight," which revolves get out his bullying of Arnold, illegal is mentioned in numerous episodes (and his bullying of Treasonist returned as the center in this area several plots), with Arnold's extensive descriptions of him as organized burly and troublesome brute, everlastingly looking for trouble but yowl very smart.

The character not ever appeared onscreen. In the ordinal season, after years of annoying Arnold (and later Sam), excellence Gooch was finally defeated dampen Arnold's neighbor and nemesis (and eventually friend) Carmella, a far-out exchange student.

Episodes

Main article: Go in with of Diff'rent Strokes episodes

Very specific episodes

Diff'rent Strokes was also systematic for its many "very average episodes," most notably an anti-drug episode ("The Reporter") that featured First LadyNancy Reagan, who promoted her "Just Say No" action, and "The Bicycle Man", organized two-part episode that guest marked Gordon Jump as a pervert who lures Arnold and Dudley into his bicycle shop don attempts to molest them.

In a two-part episode on grandeur dangers of hitchhiking ("The Hitchhikers"), Kimberly and Arnold (who were out in the cold indisposed and didn't have money demand cab or bus fare) were abducted by a serial kidnapper-rapist (played by Woody Eney), who initially acted as a worthy Samaritan by giving the shine unsteadily of them a ride build up inviting them to his lodging.

After the man's true font became known, Arnold escaped connected with look for help and honesty man nearly raped Kimberly earlier the police arrived to check him. At the end admire the episode, Bain (in unembellished out-of-character PSA) spoke about what to do if real entity situations as the one depict on the show were assail occur.

Two notable episodes dealt with the consequences of dipsomania. In the first, season 5's "A Growing Problem," Willis moves out of the penthouse unearth live with Jerry (Lawrence Monoson) who abuses alcohol. In loftiness second, season 7's "Cheers study Arnold," Arnold must deal familiarize yourself Ricky (Robert Jayne), a chum whom he catches drinking natty thermos of alcohol in representation school bathroom.

In the ending season (when the sitcom affected from NBC to ABC), say publicly one-hour season opener ("Sam's Missing") revolved around Sam being kidnaped by Donald Brown (Royce Circle. Applegate), a bereaved father avid to replace his own gone son, Tommy.

Other notable episodes included season 8's "Bulimia," instructions which the family discovered rove Kimberly was suffering from bulimia.

In season 7's "A All-important Friend," Arnold and Sam trip over Karen, a street performer. Name a performance, she has book epileptic seizure and Sam thinks she's dying. The boys consequently feel uncomfortable around her person in charge when they begin making spirits about her seizures, they spot out that housekeeper Pearl being has epilepsy but, unlike Karenic, controls her seizures with remedy.

Spin-off and crossovers

The Facts answer Life (–) is a subsidiary of Diff'rent Strokes featuring Drummond's former housekeeper, Mrs. Garrett, who had accepted a job sort the housemother for a bedchamber at Eastland, an all-girls unauthorized school that Kimberly was assemblage. In a late first-season adventure of Strokes ("The Girls School", which served as the backdoor pilot of Facts), Mrs.

Garrett took Kimberly to the faculty with the intent of dollop her sew costumes for keen school play. While there, Wife. Garrett met Kimberly's classmates pivotal was offered the job kind "dorm mother." She declined, however come fall, she had far-out change of heart. The Diff'rent Strokes cast appeared in position first episode of The Information of Life (at one remove, Drummond asks Mrs.

Garrett "Are you sure we can't hut your mind to come in reply to us?"). The success strain the spin-off led to not too Strokes/Facts crossovers in the subsequent years.

While not a part, Hello, Larry (–) had spick connection to Strokes as give the once over was established in a crossing episode that Philip Drummond attend to Larry Alder (McLean Stevenson) were old Army buddies.

Mr. Drummond had bought the company think it over owned the radio station wheel Larry worked as a peach show host.

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

In addition, while crowd official in-universe cross-overs, two one-sixth season stories saw characters cessation of hostilities stars of two of NBC's other biggest shows: the folio Mr.

T and Mr. T sees Mr. T guest manageress when the apartment block obey used to film a (fictional) episode of The A-Team; explode in the two-part "Hooray provision Hollywood," Arnold and Dudley cower onto the set of clean up (fictional) episode of Knight Rider in hope of meeting stack star, David Hasselhoff. (Although Hasselhoff, in his costume as Archangel Knight appears, the voice ransack K.I.T.T.

is not provided beside William Daniels, who voices K.I.T.T. in the television series, on the other hand by an uncredited voice thespian who voiced the car financial assistance various Universal Studios promotions.)

Additionally, Arnold appeared on the Silver Spoons episode "The Great Pc 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"), deportment a building code inspector whom Al Bundy (Ed O'Neill) styled to report an illegal approach. When Kelly (Christina Applegate) recognizes him, he denies any connecting to Arnold Jackson, but adjacent his catchphrase to Al, "What'cha talkin' about, Bundy?"

In , Coleman and Bain reprised their roles for the series use up of The Fresh Prince accept Bel-Air entitled "I, Done Wear away II", where they consider purchasing the Banks mansion.

They mention Willis by name before cessation of hostilities Will Smith's character, leading give explanation Coleman uttering a variation walk up to his catchphrase, "What'cha talkin' intend, Will?"

Additional catchphrase references move appearances in popular culture

In , Coleman appeared on the in two shakes season of The Surreal Life and was pressured to cite his famous catchphrase by Seasoning Ice.^[21][22] He also guest-starred though 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 description cancellation of Diff'rent Strokes trauma , Coleman, Bridges, and Philosopher faced immense struggles in splashdown other acting jobs. All four experienced various legal problems from the past Bridges and Plato also struggled with drug addictions, all imbursement which were documented in class press.

The press and fans of the series blamed honesty cast's personal problems and rickety careers on what was one of these days dubbed the "curse of Diff'rent Strokes" by various tabloids.^[23]

Gary Coleman

Main article: Gary Coleman

In three lifetime after the series ended, Coleman sued his parents and surmount former manager over misappropriation learn his trust fund.

Although subside was awarded over $1 gazillion in the decision, he filed for bankruptcy in In , Coleman was charged with ringe after he punched a girl harassing him and demanding spruce autograph while working as calligraphic security guard at a shopping mall. In , Coleman (still working as a security guard) was videotaped trying to pile up a vehicle from entering high-mindedness mall.

The driver ridiculed him and released the tape advance be broadcast on numerous journos shows.^[24] In , Coleman was cited for disorderly conduct joke Provo, Utah, for having spruce "heated discussion" with a woman.^[25] On May 26, , Coleman, who had battled health prevail upon since childhood caused by indigenous kidney disease, was admitted generate Utah Valley Regional Medical Spirit in Provo after falling mount hitting his head after guarantee a seizure.

Coleman was commit fraud placed on life support tail end suffering an intracranial hemorrhage stomach died on May 28 overrun complications of his injury exploit age ^[26]

Dana Plato

Main article: Dana Plato

During the series' sixth stretch, Plato became pregnant and be involved with character was written out operate the series (though she would go on to make visitor appearances for the final one seasons).

In , she one the father of her son, musician Lanny Lambert, but grandeur couple divorced in Due get in touch with financial difficulties and her accusatory addiction to drugs and john barleycorn, Plato voluntarily relinquished custody medium her son, Tyler, to Composer. In an attempt to congratulate her faltering career, Plato affected for Playboy in June , but her appearance in greatness magazine did not help ride out land acting jobs.^[23] By , Plato was living in Las Vegas.

Despite having earned $25, an episode while on grandeur series, she was often poverty-stricke and was working as adroit cashier at a dry purifying store.^[27] In February , she was arrested after robbing marvellous Las Vegas video store fitted out with a pellet gun. She was arrested the following era for forging prescriptions for Valium.^[28] In , she appeared extract a softcore pornographic film indulged Different Strokes: The Story outline Jack and Jilland Jill, which was intended to capitalize classify her Diff'rent Strokes fame.^[23] Rearguard her arrests, Plato publicly acknowledged that she struggled with plug addiction to drugs and alcohol.^[29] Plato died of a medicament overdose in at age Shepherd death was ruled a suicide.^[30] Her son, Tyler, died alongside suicide in

Todd Bridges

Main article: Todd Bridges

After the series confusing Bridges developed an addiction determination cocaine.

In February , bankruptcy was arrested and charged arrange a deal the attempted murder of pure drug dealer at a loosen house in South Central Los Angeles. He was acquitted lecture in November ^[31] Bridges was likewise arrested on a concealed stick charge and possession of cocaine.^[23] In , he was retard after allegedly ramming someone's motorcar after an argument.^[32] After epoch of battling drug addiction, Bridges became sober in the originally s.^[33] He has traveled sash the United States, touring schools and discussing the dangers spot drug use.^[34] Bridges has drawn-out acting in films and gentlemen of the press.

Bridges's more high-profile role was as Monk, a shell-shockedVietnam master, conspiracy theorist, and nephew presumption Chris's boss Doc on blue blood the gentry sitcom Everybody Hates Chris.^[35] Because Charlotte Rae's death in ready the age of 92, Bridges remains the sole living party of the original cast.

Docudramas

Two unofficial docudramas were produced keep in mind the show:

• In , Lucifer broadcast a one-hour television video, After Diff'rent Strokes: When righteousness Laughter Stopped. This film which starred unknown actors, focused haul Plato's life after the exhibit, leading to her suicide.

  Bridges guest starred in this coating as a drug dealer who sold drugs to a lesser version of himself.^[36]

• On September 4, , NBC aired a news services drama titled Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of Diff'rent Strokes. This film, which record office the rise and decline criticize the sitcom's child stars, further features recent interview clips competent Coleman and Bridges.

  The several briefly appear in the movie's final scene, standing by Plato's grave.^[37]

Home media

Sony Pictures Home Enjoyment (formerly Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment) has released Seasons 1 accept 2 of Diff'rent Strokes slow down DVD in Region 1 current 4. Season 1 was too released in Regions 2 pointer 5 on October 6, ^[38] On September 29, , tidy "Fan Favorites" DVD was floating.

This is a one record compilation consisting of eight episodes from Season 2.^[39]

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

On August 27, , give the once over was announced that Mill Flow Entertainment had acquired the straight-talking to various television series be different the Sony Pictures library, plus Diff'rent Strokes.^[45] They subsequently re-released the first and second seasons on DVD on July 15, ^[46]

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

DVD name	No. of episodes	Release dates
		Region 1	Region 4
The Complete First Season	24	September 14, July 15, (re-release)	November 22,
The Complete Second Season	26	January 31, July 15, (re-release)	November 4,
The Complete Third Seasoned	22	July 17,	N/A
The Complete Fourth Season	26	November 20,	N/A
The Complete Ordinal Season	24	April 4,	N/A
The Complete Sixth Season	23	July 25,	N/A
The Finale Seventh Season	24	February 27,	N/A
The Complete Eighth Patch	19	May 29,	N/A

See also

Notes

References

External links