CTVA
The Classic TV Archive - US Comedy Series
Diff'rent Strokes (1978-86)  -  Spin off  The Facts of Life (1979-88)
Diff'rent Strokes (1978-86)
Episode Guide compiled by The Classic TV Archive
with contributions by:
references:
TV Guide /  Library of Congress (telnet://locis.loc.gov)
Internet Movie Database (https://us.imdb.com)
UCLA Film and Television Archive
Diff'rent Strokes (season 1) (NBC) (1978-1979)
Diff'rent Strokes (season 2) (NBC) (1979-1980)
Diff'rent Strokes (season 3) (NBC) (1980-1981)
Diff'rent Strokes (season 4) (NBC) (1981-1982)
Diff'rent Strokes (season 5) (NBC) (1982-1983)
Diff'rent Strokes (season 6) (NBC) (1983-1984)
Diff'rent Strokes (season 7) (NBC) (1984-1985)
Diff'rent Strokes (season 8) (ABC) (1985-1986)
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DIFF'RENT STROKES
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Bud Yorkin, Norman Lear, Tandem production
for
NBC (1978-79) (season 1)(Fridays)
NBC (1978-81) (seasons 2-3)(Wednesdays 9:00pm ET)
NBC (1981-82) (season 4) (Thursdays 9:00pm ET)
NBC (1982-85) (season 5-7) (Saturdays 8:00pm ET)
ABC (1985-86) (season 8) (Fridays 9:00pm ET)

Produced by Howard Leeds, Herbert Kenwith, Martin Cohan (season 1)
Produced by Ben Starr & Martin Cohan (seasons 2,3,4)
Produced by Martin Cohan (seasons 5,6)
Produced by Bruce Taylor (season 7)
Produced by Al Aidekman and Richard Gurman (season 8)

US Situation Comedy series 1978-86  189 episodes x 30 min color videotape  (8 seasons)
(syndication package has each 60 min special as 2-30 min eps)

Starring:
Conrad Bain as Philip Drummond (1978-1986)
Gary Coleman as Arnold Jackson (1978-1986)
Todd Bridges as Willis Jackson (1978-1986)
Dana Plato as Kimberly Drummond (1978-1984)
Recurring Characters:
Mary Jo Catlett as Pearl Gallagher (1982-1986)
Charlotte Rae as Mrs. Edna Garrett (1978-1979)
Nedra Volz as Adelaide Brubaker (1980-1982)
Dody Goodman as Aunt Sophia (1981-1982)
Shavar Ross as Dudley Ramsey (1981-1986)
Le Tari as Mr. Ted Ramsey (1981-1985)
Rosalind Chao as Miss Chung (1982-1983)
Janet Jackson as Charlene DePrey (1981-1982)
Steven Mond as Robbie Jason (1982-1983)
Nikki Swasey as Lisa Hayes (1982-1986)
Danny Cooksey as Sam McKinney (1984-1986)
Dixie Carter as Maggie McKinney #1 (1984-1985)
Mary Ann Mobley as Maggie McKinney #2 (1985-1986)
Jason Hervey as Charlie (1985-1986)  

"Diff'rent Strokes" theme music by Gloria Loring, Alan Thicke & Al Burton

Premise:
Two black kids from Harlem, eight-year old Arnold (Gary Coleman) and 12-year-old brother Willis (Todd Bridges) are
welcomed into the family of wealthy New York businessman Philip Drummond (Conrad Bain) when their mother, his housekeeper,
passes away. The two brothers become part of the Drummond family, and learn various lessons about life, along with
Drummond's 13-year-old daughter, Kimberly (Dana Plato).

Show History:
The show ran from 1978-85 on NBC, then switched to ABC for the final season. However, by that time, the cast had lost
Dana Plato (who left in 1984). Superstar Janet Jackson co-starred one season (1981-82) as a friend of the boys, and
Jason Hervey, who would later star in "The Wonder Years," appeared from 1985-86. Charlotte Rae starred as
Mrs. Edna Garrett in the first season, then her character was spun off to create "The Facts of Life." Since the show
ended, the kid stars have had their share of problems. Gary Coleman was arrested in 1998 for assaulting a fan, and
received a suspended sentence. Todd Bridges was arrested several times for drug and weapons charges. Dana Plato,
who passed away of an accidental overdose on May 8, 1999, was arrested for robbing a video store in 1991.

Spin-off series - The Facts of Life  (Norman Lear/NBC)(1979-88) starring Charlotte Rae (1979-86) Cloris Leachman (1986-88)

Directed by Herbert Kenwith (1978-79) (season 1)
Directed by Gerren Keith (1979-86) (most of season 2-8)

Nancy Reagan, wife of president Ronald Reagan guested in episode 5.22 "The Reporter" 19Mar83 NBC Sat

Hoyt Axton, Country singer, guested in episode #7.6 "Sam's Father" 3Nov84 NBC Sat

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