"Wha'choo talkin' 'bout?"

[radhead]

That's the catch phrase popularized by Gary Coleman on the TV show "Diff'rent Strokes." Did anyone here used to watch this?

I have to admit, I've been kind of haunted by memories of this show, although I remember loving it when I was a kid. It was like Richie Rich, with the addition of Gary Coleman as the funny little man-child.

But after all the tragedy associated with the show, it's been a little troubling to think about it. I had the feeling it would be kind of sugary and fake. I've even been afraid to watch it. But now I'm surprised. I finally started watching the first season. It's even better than I remember. I especially like Willis (Todd Bridges), a character I didn't pay much attention to when I was younger. He plays a protective older brother really well, who's also more cynical than his happy go lucky little brother Arnold.

I also admire Conrad Bain ("Mr. Drummond").

 

[growingupinhim]

sure..it was a pretty good show.

 

[WannaWitness]

I'd have to list it as among some of my favorites -- then and now.

Its spin-off, "The Facts of Life", is also good.

 

[JPPT1974]

I loved that show a lot
Watched it as a kid!

 

[Thankful75]

I used to watch that show!! It was one of my favs and the Facts of Life as well.

Since we are remembering good 80's shows how about Family Ties ? The Wonder Years? That was my Sunday night show to watch!! Couldnt miss it.

 

[WannaWitness]

Since we are remembering good 80's shows how about Family Ties ? The Wonder Years? That was my Sunday night show to watch!! Couldnt miss it.

Those were good, too! The 'eighties still had plenty of wholesome sitcoms that were suitable for general audiences. Sadly, they just don't make them like that anymore.

 

[JPPT1974]

Sitcoms ruled in the 1980's IMO!

 

[llghoney]

Love that show!!!!

I saw a T-shirt that I have been trying to find that says "I'm what Willis is talking about" LOVE IT!!

 

[radhead]

Sitcoms ruled in the 1980's IMO!

True.

But I'll go a step further and say that sitcoms really ruled in the 70's. On Saturday nights they used to show All in the Family, MASH, The original Bob Newhart Show, Mary Tyler Moore. Probably the single greatest television night in history. Even better than the 90's "must see" TV night with Seinfeld, Friends and ER. Unfortunately I was too young to appreciate any of these shows at the time. But I have good memories of my parents watching them, and people talking about them.

The 70's also had Sanford and Son, Barney Miller. And many others that may not have had the "classic" status of these, but were enjoyable.

 

[Oblivious]

Its spin-off, "The Facts of Life", is also good.

I absolutely love "The Facts of Life". They actually have reruns of it on On Demand Cable.

I never did care for Different Strokes, though.

 

[Lena75]

The 80's sitcoms were a lot better than todays' sitcoms...IMO. Different Strokes and Facts of Life were favourites here! Oh and us kids liked the Brady Bunch, too.

 

[radhead]

There's a reason sitcoms of the past were better. I think I will start a topic in television for anyone who is interested in hearing more.

 

[JPPT1974]

Amen in agreement Radhead!!

 

[Daisysqueaks]

I liked Diff Strokes but Facts of Life and Silver Spoons were my faves

 

[radhead]

I would like to see Silver Spoons again.

 

[imawebmonkey]

I always liked Facts of Life better than Diffrent Strokes, but both shows were good. We watch them sometimes thru Comcast On Demand. I prefer the Norman Lear shows of the 70's like All In The Family, Good Times, One Day At A Time.

 

[JPPT1974]

I think Norman Lear is a genius as his shows were pretty controversal but in a good kind of way!

 

[radhead]

One episode I didn't really understand at the time involved Willis having a learning problem at school. I just saw it again recently and it still doesn't make that much sense.

Here's the story:

**SPOILER***

Mr Drummond receives a report from school that Willis is doing poorly in school lately, especially history. So Mr Drummond hires a tutor to help Willis with his studies. He's a street smart young social worker type who discovers that Willis is blocking out historical event that occured in 1975, due to that being the year his father died. For example, he couldn't remember Watergate when asked about a famous presidential scandal and resignation, and he mentioned a more obscure one from the past.

Fine. So he blocks out events from 1975, but how does that effect his studies as a whole? How would that even effect his history scores? How much of any history class involves events from 1975?

 

[JPPT1974]

Great show as it was also groundbreaking indeed
A caucasin man adopted two African-American boys

 

[WannaWitness]

Great show as it was also groundbreaking indeed
A caucasin man adopted two African-American boys

Yes, and there was a great message of unity and harmony in the show.

I remember when Nick-at-Nite had a DS marathon, and I had taped some of the episodes. I just saw one of them in which Charlene (Willis's girlfriend) was supposed to audition to sing with Willis and his band -- and Kimberly got the job instead. This caused temporary tension between Willis and Charlene, then Mr. Drummond suggested that both girls be used in the band. The song they sang? "Ebony and Ivory Living In Perfect Harmony"!