More than just a ratings hit for NBC, the Norman Lear/Bud Yorkin-produced Diff'rent Strokes was a pop-culture phenomenon, thanks largely to the wise-beyond-his-years performance of star Gary Coleman. Launched in November 1978 as a mid-season replacement for the failed Joe Namath series The Waverly Wonders, Diff'rent Strokes vaulted to no. 27 in the Nielsen ratings; audiences responded to the warmth and humorous culture clash between wealthy Philip Drummond (Lear vet Conrad Bain) and Arnold and Willis (Coleman and Todd Bridges), the sons of his late housekeeper whom he adopted. Though Bain, Bridges, Dana Plato (as Bain's daughter), and Charlotte Rae (as housekeeper Mrs. Garrett) all delivered solid performances, it was Coleman's charm, his timing, and most of all, his catch phrase "Whatchoo talkin' bout?" that drew in viewers.
The series was so successful that NBC used it to launch or boost two other shows: The Facts of Life, which sent Mrs. Garrett to run a girls' school, and the McLean Stevenson program Hello, Larry, which followed Strokes on the network. Though perhaps best known to current audiences for the unfortunate luck suffered by several of its cast members after the show's cancellation in 1986, this first-season set offers a pleasant reminder of the show's charms.
Cast and Characters
Conrad Bain as Phillip Drummond
Gary Coleman as Arnold Jackson
Todd Bridges as Willis Jackson
Dixe Carter as Maggie McKinney (1984-1985)
Dana Plato as Kimberly Drummond (1978-1984)
Mary Jo Carlett as Pearl Gallagher (1982-1986)
Rosilind Chao as Miss Chung (1982-1983)
Dody Goodman as Aunt Sophia (1981-1982)
Janet Jackson as Charlene DuPrey (1981-1982)
Nedra Volz as Adelaide Brubaker (1980-1982)
Shavar Ross as Dudley Ramsey (1981-1986)
Le Tari as Mr. Ted Ramsey (1981-1985)
Steven Mond as Robbie Jackson (1982-1983)
Nikki Swasey as Lisa Hayes (1982-1986)
Danny Cooksey as Sam Mckinney (1984-1986)
Mary Ann Mobley as Maggie McKinney (1985-1986)
Jason Hervey as Charlie (1985-1986)
Charlotte Rae as Mrs. Garret (1978-1980)
Broadcast History First Telecast: November 3, 1978 Last Telecast: March 7, 1986 Number of Episodes: 189
Number of Seasons: 8
Original Network: NBC
November 1978- October 1979, NBC, Friday 8:00-8:30pm
October 1979- October 1981, NBC, Wednesday 9:00-9:30pm
October 1981- August 1982, NBC, Thursday 9:00-9:30pm
August 1982- August 1985, NBC, Saturday 8:00-8:30pm
September 1985- March 1986, ABC, Friday 9:00-9:30pm
Theme Song Lyrics and Opening Credits
"Diff'rent Strokes" by Alan Thicke, Gloria Loring and Al Burton
Now, the world don't move to the beat of just one drum,
What might be right for you, may not be right for some.
A man is born, he's a man of means.
Then along come two, they got nothing but their jeans.
But they got, Diff'rent Strokes.
It takes, Diff'rent Strokes.
It takes, Diff'rent Strokes to move the world.
Everybody's got a special kind of story
Everybody finds a way to shine,
It don't matter that you got not alot
So what,
They'll have theirs, and you'll have yours, and I'll have mine.
And together we'll be fine....
Because it takes, Diff'rent Strokes to move the world.
Yes it does.
It takes, Diff'rent Strokes to move the world.
More than just a ratings hit for NBC, the Norman Lear/Bud Yorkin-produced Diff'rent Strokes was a pop-culture phenomenon, thanks largely to the wise-beyond-his-years performance of star Gary Coleman. Launched in November 1978 as a mid-season replacement for the failed Joe Namath series The Waverly Wonders, Diff'rent Strokes vaulted to no. 27 in the Nielsen ratings; audiences responded to the warmth and humorous culture clash between wealthy Philip Drummond (Lear vet Conrad Bain) and Arnold and Willis (Coleman and Todd Bridges), the sons of his late housekeeper whom he adopted. Though Bain, Bridges, Dana Plato (as Bain's daughter), and Charlotte Rae (as housekeeper Mrs. Garrett) all delivered solid performances, it was Coleman's charm, his timing, and most of all, his catch phrase "Whatchoo talkin' bout?" that drew in viewers.
