Arnold and Willis become hostages during a bank robbery by two experienced criminals.
With his grades down, Drummond forbids Willis to see his new girlfriend, Charlene. However, a love-struck Willis is determined to see her, even if means doing it behind Drummond's back.
Drummond and Mr. Ramsey learn the truth about Mr. Horton, the seemingly friendly bicycle shop owner with a very sinister side. It soon becomes a race against time to get details out of Arnold after ...
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Title: Diff'rent Strokes (1978–1986)
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| Complete series cast summary: | |||
| Conrad Bain | ... | Philip Drummond 181 episodes, 1978-1986 | |
| Gary Coleman | ... | Arnold Jackson 181 episodes, 1978-1986 | |
| Todd Bridges | ... | Willis Jackson 180 episodes, 1978-1986 | |
| Dana Plato | ... | Kimberly Drummond / ... 144 episodes, 1978-1986 | |
| Mary Jo Catlett | ... | Pearl Gallagher 82 episodes, 1982-1986 | |
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' ... Written by Brian Rathjen <briguy_52732@yahoo.com>
It's hard to believe, but 2003 marks 25 years since Gary Coleman asked Willis what he was talking about.
Norman Lear, who broke a lot of ground heretofore with All in the Family, Maude, The Jeffersons, and Good Times, continued his magic touch with Diff'rent Strokes. A 25th anniversary marathon on any given television station would be a great way to remember this show, notwithstanding that Miss Dana Plato is no longer of this earth.
This show made Gary Coleman Gary Coleman, and he truly made the show what it was.