i think the tradgedy of diff'rent strokes is just so horrible it seems as though all the cast members hated being on the show and then years and years later dana plato dies from a drug overdose i cant believe it she seemed to have such an up lifting attitude on the screen and then todd briges and gary colman getting in trouble with the law. i think it is a good thing that charlotte rae and dixie carter went off diff'rent strokes when they did because it seems as if this happy and joyful show that gave people soulutions to problems and hope for their dreams was just a lie. i hope conrad bain enjoyed the show i bet he is dissapointed and sad because he was their father on screen and he did a good job so thats the tradgedy i hope that all of you who read this understand that child stars get pushed around and with dana plato it looks as if she got pushed to death i watch the show to this day and say man she looks happy and now she is dead and everyone else is unhappy i never thought such a thing would ever happen i am glad the facts of life went a little better at least no one died it is unbelieveable about these shows that you watch and now wonder what went on behind the screens. thank you all and good bye

Drrisner:
It's a shame to hear you have such an utterly depressed outlook about Diff'rent Strokes and it's cast.There's no getting away from the truth of the tragic outcomes that you wrote about but the curse hype has been overblown. Dana (you can believe her or not) never blamed her troubles on the show. I think she nearly always enjoyed having been on it and was terribly dissapointed when she was told to leave. Troubles and all, she had an upbeat personality in real life as well as on the show. Gary had a lot of responsibility thrust on him at a very young age and his parents, the people who should have been supporting him, were actually taking advantage of him. Todd, like many a young man, took some wrong turns but has rebounded, it seems, rather well. The lessons that the show tried to teach to young people are good lessons. Don't think that because all didn't go well in later years for the cast members that you can't take those lessons and use them in your own life.

You might be interested in a web site called <minorcon.org> A Minor Consideration. It's dedicated to child stars and there plight. Paul Petersen is it's founder.

I agree with you 100% Kitt. You summed it up pretty well. By the way, who would have known that this would happen? They had problems, but we're all human and we all make mistakes.

I'm just happy that Todd and Gary got their life back together. But Dana.......I just wish she could have a second chance. She was almost there.

Drrisener, it is definately tragic, but the tragedy will never overshadow my love for the show and the cast.

-I have been to that website, and it is very good.

[This message has been edited by Curtis3331 (edited 11-14-2001).]

I don't think Dana regretted being on DS either. I mean if she hated DS and being known as Kimberly, then she wouldn't of came back during the last season. I'm also glad that Todd and Gary got their lives back in order.

My opinion on the matter is if Dana hadn't been on Howard Stern's show, it is a good probability that she would still be here. It is a shame, a true shame she went on Howard Stern.

It's weird how this topic always pops up every so many times. I don't know if it's getting more popular than the sitcom itself or what. But, I was just watching some eps. and the E! True HS that I had taped, and realized how sad this really is. I was watching the one with Nancy Reagan, where she preaches to Arnold's class to say no to drugs. She even mentions a person she knew named Charlie, and that he had a lot of potential but messed up his life b/c of drugs. She said that she didn't want any of the kids to be another Charlie. Man, there are so many ironic episodes.

I know Eight is Enough had it's problems, but I think this is just way too sad, really, really sad. Mainly b/c these stars were the kids. And it's sad to see them grow up and also to see them fall. It's just sad stuff. Wish it never happened.

I have always ranked DS with Night Court as the single most cursed tv show of all time. (3 cast members died on the show in less then 2 years, 2 bailifs and Ellen Foley.)

This was a modern classic and it's aftermath was difficult to watch. By the way for the record Howard Stern is an ass. L8

Mr. Garrett



------------------
I am NOT going to be known as Sexy Lingere!
Jo

Howard Stern is a F***** @$$!!!!!