State: Ended
Genre: Comedy
Origin:
United States
Developed by: Jeff Harris and Bernie Kukoff
Stars: Conrad Bain, Gary Coleman and Todd Bridges
IMDb score:
6,7 (13.589)
Releasedate: Friday 3 November 1978
This TV Show is not available on US streaming services.
Diff'rent Strokes plot
Phillip Drummond, a 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 promised their dying mother, his housekeeper, that he would take care of the boys after her death. Their father had died years earlier. This new blended family is going through the necessary things together.
Actors and actresses
Phillip Drummond
Self
Arnold Jackson
Willis Jackson
Kimberly Drummond
Sam McKinney
Mrs. Garrett
Maggie McKinney
Videos and trailers
All MediaOpinions about Diff'rent Strokes
The reviews and comments below are selected at random from our extensive user contributions. If you want to write a review or post a comment yourself, you can do so on a specific season page.
Dievegge
- 232 comments
- 949 votes
mr. Drummond, a widower with one daughter, lives in a penthouse in Manhattan. As a philanthropist, he contributes to a better world by adopting two African-American brothers from Harlem. Willis and Arnold quickly adjust to their new surroundings.
A growth disorder made Gary Coleman look younger than he was. Arnold captured the hearts of young and old with his mischievous face and round cheeks. His catchphrase "Whatcha talkin' bout, Willis?" made him look suspicious.
An episode often revolves around a little lie or a plan by Arnold that leads to complications and misunderstandings. Sometimes Willis or Kimberly take center stage, with issues more appropriate to their age. Mrs. Garrett is the nicest housekeeper, but she will leave after a season and a half for her own spin-off. Sometimes the whole family gets into trouble and ends up in a dangerous situation. Arnold's goldfish Abraham is good for a lot of nonsense. In the end everything will be fine and there will be a moralizing piece with a life lesson. It's good-natured, family-friendly humor, but it also has serious themes like growing up, racism and bullying at school.
The ellipsis had to be in the title due to a copyright issue. In practice, most people called this sitcom Arnold. Things did not go well for the child actors later on. Gary Coleman and Dana Plato died young, and Todd Bridges also had many problems. Yet they have earned their place in entertainment history.
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