Diff'rent Strokes 

The misadventures of a wealthy Manhattan family who adopted the children of their late African American housekeeper from Harlem.

Creators:

Jeff Harris, Bernie Kukoff

Stars:

Gary Coleman, Todd Bridges, Conrad Bain

2 wins & 31 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Conrad Bain	...	Philip Drummond 181 episodes, 1978-1986
Gary Coleman	...	Arnold Jackson 180 episodes, 1978-1986
Todd Bridges	...	Willis Jackson 172 episodes, 1978-1986
Dana Plato	...	Kimberly Drummond / ... 140 episodes, 1978-1986
Mary Jo Catlett	...	Pearl Gallagher 73 episodes, 1982-1986

Storyline

Phillip Drummond, a widowed Manhattan millionaire and president of the mega-firm Trans Allied Inc., adopts two African American orphans from Harlem, 8-year-old Arnold and 12-year-old Willis. Drummond had made a promise to their dying mother, his housekeeper, that he would care for the boys after she passes away; their father had died years earlier. The boys, whom Drummond always introduced as his two sons, went from rags to riches literally overnight. At first, Willis was rather skeptical of their newfound wealth, but eventually, both he and Arnold felt right at home in their newfound surroundings. Also part of the family were Drummond's beautiful daughter, 13-year-old Kimberly; and his no-nonsense housekeeper, Edna Garrett. As the years passed, Mrs. Garrett left to become housemother at the Eastland School for Girls; she was replaced by the cantankerous Adelaide Brubaker and still later, charming Pearl Gallagher. Arnold's friends, Dudley and Robbie (and later, Charlie); Willis' ...

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Plot Keywords:

maid | widower | millionaire | african american | father daughter relationship | 

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Taglines:

Can the funniest, most opinionated nine year old south of Harlem find happiness as the adopted son of a suave, lily-white Park Avenue millionaire? (season 1)

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Family

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 November 1978 (USA)

Also Known As:

45 Minutes from Harlem

Filming Locations:

Metromedia Square - 5746 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Tandem Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min (189 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

While Mr. Drummond's deceased wife/Kimberly's mother was mentioned at times, her name was never revealed.

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Quotes

[Willis has just learned his close friend has died in an auto accident]
Willis Jackson: Oh no...
[pause]
Willis Jackson: [crying] Oh no...
[Willis hangs up the phone and cries]
Willis Jackson: Look at me. Crying just like a kid.
Philip Drummond: No. Crying just like a man.

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Alternate Versions

Two hour-long episodes on the first season DVD are presented in their edited, two-part syndicated versions.

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Connections

Referenced in Saturday Night Live: Michael J. Fox/Black Crowes (1991)

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Soundtracks

Diff'rent Strokes
(Theme Song)
Written by Alan Thicke, Al Burton and Gloria Loring
Performed by Alan Thicke

User Reviews

Tender sitcom shadowed by a macabre reality.

Who would think that the main characters from a naive, tender, family show would end up meeting such fatal fates? Well, that's another story.

"Diff'rent Strokes" is an important sticom in American pop culture and also paved the way for comedy shows with a social message inserted.

Here, the inter racial situations mixed with poverty and social clichés were the spinal cord for the plot and even in jokes. Everything was extremely well done and executed with class. Nothing was vulgar or tried directly to impose a criteria; the situations were just put for the audience to judge it whatsoever they wanted.

The jokes were sometimes naive but always witty. The humor was family oriented but after nearly 30 years, none of them is boring. Sure, society has changed a lot but some things just can't disappear.

The acting is top notch. Gary Coleman is now some sort of cult hero for displaying a physical illness and being part of a social minority but his comedic skills and histrionic abilities make him one of the most likable child stars ever. Conrad Bain was excellent as the protective, tender but strong man that took care about his house. Dana Plato was extremely sexy, hot; she's the kind of girl I wanted to marry.

Anyways, watch this sitcom in order to witness part of America's pop culture talking about television. This show will teach you many things and as a plus, it will make you chuckle most of the time.