Given the turnover rate, three maids during the season run, I wonder why the producers didn't bring in a black maid. I mean, given Willis and Arnold's mother. Not only that, I could see her becoming a mother figure for them and the boys having someone they could relate to. I could see Nell Carter (ala Gimme a Break) in that role. Just a thought.

It might have never crossed the minds of the people behind the show.

Given the turnover rate, three maids during the season run, I wonder why the producers didn't bring in a black maid. I mean, given Willis and Arnold's mother. Not only that, I could see her becoming a mother figure for them and the boys having someone they could relate to. I could see Nell Carter (ala Gimme a Break) in that role. Just a thought.

Probably because during that time there were already black maids on sitcoms like Maude, and the Jeffersons so it was no point in adding one to Diffrent Strokes

Probably because during that time there were already black maids on sitcoms like Maude, and the Jeffersons so it was no point in adding one to Diffrent Strokes


Wait, didn't they have a black maid for one episode. I seem to recall that Arnold wanted her to marry Mr. Drummond.

Wait, didn't they have a black maid for one episode. I seem to recall that Arnold wanted her to marry Mr. Drummond.
Yeah they did. She was filling in for Adelaide for an episode. Her name was Sonia or Sondra or something like that. It was cute because Arnold wanted the two of them to get married because she reminded him of his mama :) .

Wait, didn't they have a black maid for one episode. I seem to recall that Arnold wanted her to marry Mr. Drummond.


Yes Sexy a$$ denise Nicholas-lol

Perhaps they wanted a white maid because then everyone else in Arnold and Willis' new household would be white and they are black. They may have been able to adjust to her and their new home too well if she (the housekeeper) was black.

If they had another black maid Willis and Arnold would likely bond with her but it might also interfere with their ability to bond with Mr. Drummond and Kimberly. And it was very important for the show that Willis and Arnold bond with Mr. D and Kimberly so I think it was a very deliberate choice by the producers to only have white maids.

If they had another black maid Willis and Arnold would likely bond with her but it might also interfere with their ability to bond with Mr. Drummond and Kimberly. And it was very important for the show that Willis and Arnold bond with Mr. D and Kimberly so I think it was a very deliberate choice by the producers to only have white maids.

Not to offend anyone ,but that would go against the White savior element of the show.I love DS but it is true.Also The White Shadow .You see it in movies today, even.(Blindside,which I loved!)