What is your opinions on this? Did you like DS moving over to ABC after NBC canceled the show? Originally I was happy for the move, but there were just so many dang changes...

It was a big mistake. The show just was not the same anymore. They changed Maggies. Todd Bridges wasn't in every episode and it became the Arnold and Sam show. DS moved opposite Dallas so I didn't even see every episode of this season until it went into syndication. DS didn't even last 22 episodes in this format. ABC would have been smart to stick with TAC instead of picking up DS. The show should have had a proper send-off on NBC though.

I always felt that Diff'rent strokes jumped the ship when they brought on Maggie and Sam.I thought the first five sesons where pretty good.Season 7 was horrible.Willis hardly seemed to be used that much in the last seasons.They seemed to ignore Willis and Arnolds realtionship they didn't seem close anymore.

I always felt that Diff'rent strokes jumped the ship when they brought on Maggie and Sam.I thought the first five sesons where pretty good.Season 7 was horrible.Willis hardly seemed to be used that much in the last seasons.They seemed to ignore Willis and Arnolds realtionship they didn't seem close anymore.

It was a big mistake. The show just was not the same anymore. They changed Maggies. Todd Bridges wasn't in every episode and it became the Arnold and Sam show. DS moved opposite Dallas so I didn't even see every episode of this season until it went into syndication. DS didn't even last 22 episodes in this format. ABC would have been smart to stick with TAC instead of picking up DS. The show should have had a proper send-off on NBC though.
Whats TAC?

I don't know if I've ever seen any of the ABC episodes.

Whats TAC?

I don't know if I've ever seen any of the ABC episodes.
I think it's Three's A Crowd.

What is your opinions on this? Did you like DS moving over to ABC after NBC canceled the show? Originally I was happy for the move, but there were just so many dang changes...


Never been a fan of a sitcom switching networks because it no longer FEELS like the same show

It was a big mistake. The show just was not the same anymore. They changed Maggies. Todd Bridges wasn't in every episode and it became the Arnold and Sam show. DS moved opposite Dallas so I didn't even see every episode of this season until it went into syndication. DS didn't even last 22 episodes in this format. ABC would have been smart to stick with TAC instead of picking up DS. The show should have had a proper send-off on NBC though.


I'm thinking TAC was not picked up because it was probabl last in it's timeslot in addition to low ratings. So they figured why not take a chance on a proven show instead of a new show that didn't have a good first year

I'm thinking TAC was not picked up because it was probabl last in it's timeslot in addition to low ratings. So they figured why not take a chance on a proven show instead of a new show that didn't have a good first year
TAC always finished 2nd in it's timeslot to the A-Team. It finished it's season in the mid 30's. It had about the same ratings as Who's the Boss which it was paired with. WTB though was given a chance to prove itself and managed to become a big hit. DS was dying when ABC picked it up. NBC didn't need it any more because of Cosby. ABC then threw it opposite Dallas which was a death slot at the time. I never understood that.

TAC always finished 2nd in it's timeslot to the A-Team. It finished it's season in the mid 30's. It had about the same ratings as Who's the Boss which it was paired with. WTB though was given a chance to prove itself and managed to become a big hit. DS was dying when ABC picked it up. NBC didn't need it any more because of Cosby. ABC then threw it opposite Dallas which was a death slot at the time. I never understood that.

I remember DS being on Friday night on NBC too I think.

I think it's Three's A Crowd.




Don't you mean Three's Company? Or was there such a show named Three's A Crowd? :confused:

Don't you mean Three's Company? Or was there such a show named Three's A Crowd? :confused:
Three's A Crowd was a spin-off of Three's Company in which Jack Tripper moves into an apartment over Jack's Bistro, which he now owns, with the love of his life Vicki. The third member of the"Crowd" was Vicki's father who, in an attempt to break them up, bought the building thereby becoming their landlord.

Three's A Crowd was a spin-off of Three's Company in which Jack Tripper moves into an apartment over Jack's Bistro, which he now owns, with the love of his life Vicki. The third member of the"Crowd" was Vicki's father who, in an attempt to break them up, bought the building thereby becoming their landlord.




Did that spawn the show, The Ropers? I remember them. Norman Fell, who died, played Stanley Roper, and I think that the one who played his wife had died, as did Don Knotts. :(

Did that spawn the show, The Ropers? I remember them. Norman Fell, who died, played Stanley Roper, and I think that the one who played his wife had died, as did Don Knotts. :(
The Ropers was an entirely different spin-off of Three's Company. And yes Audra Lindley, Norman Fell, and Don Knotts have all passed away.

It was a REALLY big mistake.Arnold had gotten older,and WASN'T the same.Example:In one episode,he got mad at Drummond and wished that Drummond wasn't his father.They made up,later,I suppose.Also,the theme was different.I liked the theme used on the NBC episodes.

It was a REALLY big mistake.Arnold had gotten older,and WASN'T the same.Example:In one episode,he got mad at Drummond and wished that Drummond wasn't his father.They made up,later,I suppose.Also,the theme was different.I liked the theme used on the NBC episodes.

I don't remeber that episode but yeah that sounds totally out of character for Arnold.I also hated the theme.

It was a REALLY big mistake.Arnold had gotten older,and WASN'T the same.Example:In one episode,he got mad at Drummond and wished that Drummond wasn't his father.They made up,later,I suppose.Also,the theme was different.I liked the theme used on the NBC episodes.
They changed the theme song? I never knew that - but then I never saw the ABC episodes.

Did that spawn the show, The Ropers? I remember them. Norman Fell, who died, played Stanley Roper, and I think that the one who played his wife had died, as did Don Knotts. :(
The Ropers aired from 1979-80. Three's a Crowd aired from 1984-85.

They changed the theme song? I never knew that - but then I never saw the ABC episodes.
It was the same theme song but it was sung differently. It's sort of like what they did with Happy Days during it's final season. It didn't sound good at all.

It was the same theme song but it was sung differently. It's sort of like what they did with Happy Days during it's final season. It didn't sound good at all.
Oh, I see. Thanks for clearing that up, Sonny. :cool:

I think ABC meant no harm, they had hope. They were just trying to save the show. I actually liked the final season theme. It was very upbeat and had rhythm.

I like the season 8 theme song too. As for Arnold saying that he wished Mr. D wasn't his father-kids of all ages say that all the time when they are mad at their parents.

Monika, this video includes the theme right at the beginning:

hVDHJYKyF5Q

EDIT: Just realized this is a year-old thread. My bad.

Was Dana Plato around for the final season?

Was Dana Plato around for the final season?
She wasn't a regular but she did make a few appearances.

Monika, this video includes the theme right at the beginning:

hVDHJYKyF5Q

EDIT: Just realized this is a year-old thread. My bad.

Thanks!!

She wasn't a regular but she did make a few appearances.

Her eating disorder episode took place in the final season, right?

Her eating disorder episode took place in the final season, right?
Yea that was in the final season. That's one of the better episodes of that last season.

Yea that was in the final season. That's one of the better episodes of that last season.

OK, thanks!!!

I saw all of the final season episodes and recorded them on VHS when one of the networks aired it back in 2001. I want to say it was TNN or TNT or TBS?

When Mr. Drummond married Maggie the show changed a little, but I think it was still good. I think once they entered 1984-1985 it was all Sam and Arnold and it became boring.


I forget what season, either 7 or 8, Sam had the birthday party. That episode was just crazy dumb with the pirate. I think that was what caused the show to get cancelled on ABC, or if that was part of season 7, NBC, but I believe it was the final season, as I have it on tape.


The final season had changing events though.


One, Willis went off to college. Two, Arnold got his first job, helping out at a reporter office of some sort, and he was very much into photography and journalism more in this season than the previous ones.


The move to ABC was good because it updated the theme song. I think it should have been updated in 1983-1984, the same time Gimme A Break changed theirs with new lyrics and music. All the shows still kept their "Stuck in the late 1970s/early 80s themes throughout the early 1980s and straight into 1985. All the shows should have changed to updated themes in 1983 to fit with the music at the time. All their themes, mostly sounded something out of the 1970s like Facts and Strokes, which they were originally, products that began in the late 70s. I heard a few times, The Jeffersons, had they been renewed for 1985-1986 would have also changed their theme and updated it the same way Strokes did, with a synthesizer or something to make it sound like the 1980s than the 1970s. Would have been nice to hear a version of it had that happened.


A lot of the episodes were horrible though. They only included in the majority of episodes Arnold, Sam and Mr. D. and maybe one or two other characters here and there (Willis, Maggie, Pearl).

It was a REALLY big mistake.Arnold had gotten older,and WASN'T the same.Example:In one episode,he got mad at Drummond and wished that Drummond wasn't his father.They made up,later,I suppose.Also,the theme was different.I liked the theme used on the NBC episodes.

They also even changed the set, too!

Most of the set when DS moved to ABC was predominantly ugly pink salmon and silver colors.

IMO, the ABC Season was bar-none the worst season of all of DS.

Even the ratings relfected how bad and tired DS really was in its final season.

And DS's horrid ratings were so bad that they also took down the ratings of Webster, Mr. Belvedere and Benson(all 3 fellow ABC Friday Night stablemates at that time) with it to the point that Benson got scuttled to Saturday nights in the 2nd half of its final season.

IMO, the ABC Season was bar-none the worst season of all of DS.

Even the ratings relfected how bad and tired DS really was in its final season.

And DS's horrid ratings were so bad that they also took down the ratings of Webster, Mr. Belvedere and Benson(all 3 fellow ABC Friday Night stablemates at that time) with it to the point that Benson got scuttled to Saturday nights in the 2nd half of its final season.



Gary Coleman grew older, and so, he prbably didn't want to continue to do the show. Well, if they really wanted to, they could have gotten replacements, but it just wouldn't have been the same.

There was only one Gary, and the other cast members might have been tired as well.

The kids had went on to try to persue other career opportunities, but that is when fate had dealt them a bad hand and they were derailed, as probs with their lives had spiraled out of control.

It is so sad to have suddenly lost Dana, her son Tyler and then Gary!!! Todd is the only one who saw the errors of his ways in time and decided to get out of the turbulent lifestyle that he lived, and is doing fine now.

NBC was probably tired of the show themselves, and didn't try to renew or reconstruct. so they just let it go to its demise. :(

I think ABC meant no harm, they had hope. They were just trying to save the show. I actually liked the final season theme. It was very upbeat and had rhythm.
ITA. It's my favorite version to the series. I loved it. Plus, we have to remember that 1985 brought a lot of changes and ugrades to theme songs and shows. 1985 and 1986 brought a modern flavor to many things.

As far as the show switching networks, it wasn't a problem for me. I was seven and I loved the show. LOL.

ITA. It's my favorite version to the series. I loved it. Plus, we have to remember that 1985 brought a lot of changes and ugrades to theme songs and shows. 1985 and 1986 brought a modern flavor to many things.

As far as the show switching networks, it wasn't a problem for me. I was seven and I loved the show. LOL.


I was 10 and at the time couldn't understand why the theme song was different and why the house was different. Now I know......."different network"

LOL

I was 10 and at the time couldn't understand why the theme song was different and why the house was different. Now I know......."different network"

LOL

Not necessarily. The two other connected shows "The Facts of Life" and "Silver Spoons" remained on NBC and had new theme song versions and interior renovations. The production company that produced all three show probably decided that it was time to update the shows. I have a strong feeling about this.

Not necessarily. The two other connected shows "The Facts of Life" and "Silver Spoons" remained on NBC and had new theme song versions and interior renovations. The production company that produced all three show probably decided that it was time to update the shows. I have a strong feeling about this.


Not sure why it wasn't the start of a new decade, it was still mid 80's.

Not sure why it wasn't the start of a new decade, it was still mid 80's.

Not a new decade. A new, modern era. 1985 was the year. It was the pique. Besides, the following shows had updated themes/openings that year:

Fame
Diff'rent Strokes
The Facts of Life
Silver Spoons
The Love Boat
The Cosby Show
What's Happening (came back in 2.0 form)
The Newlywed Game
Solid Gold (With Dionne Warwick)
Dance Fever
There are probably more shows but I can't recall as of right now.
A lot of good stuff was happening that year. Heck, we even got Cherry Coca Cola and Soft Batch Cookies in the mail the summer of that year. LOL.

Not a new decade. A new, modern era. 1985 was the year. It was the pique. Besides, the following shows had updated themes/openings that year:

Fame
Diff'rent Strokes
The Facts of Life
Silver Spoons
The Love Boat
The Cosby Show
What's Happening (came back in 2.0 form)
The Newlywed Game
Solid Gold (With Dionne Warwick)
Dance Fever
There are probably more shows but I can't recall as of right now.
A lot of good stuff was happening that year. Heck, we even got Cherry Coca Cola and Soft Batch Cookies in the mail the summer of that year. LOL.


Also The Jetsons came back in 2.0 form

Trapper John, M.D. also updated their theme song in '85

Twilight Zone, The came back as a 2.0 form.

The Cosby Show updated their theme almost every year, so that has nothing to do with the others changing their long-used themes in 1985.

The Cosby Show updated their theme almost every year, so that has nothing to do with the others changing their long-used themes in 1985.


But the house was still the same

I think the theme song was ready for a change, had the show stayed on NBC. Facts should have updated to the 1985 theme back in fall of 1983. Same thing with Diff'rent Strokes. Gimme A Break's theme sounded late 1970s in its first 2 seasons, and in season 3 it sounded 1980s style, and Facts and Strokes still sounded like something out of the 1970s.

It would have been nice to see The Jeffersons with a new theme for 1983-1985 as well, but it stuck with the same classic theme for every season and it sounded too 1970s. Benson should have also jazzed up its theme song in 1983 as well but it kept with its traditional theme for every season.

It has usually been proven a mistake for one network to pick up a cancelled sitcom from another. There have been several examples, aside from Diff'rent Strokes, where this move has failed throughout the history of tv, with the sitcom being cancelled off the new network after just one more season:

Hazel: NBC to CBS
Get Smart: NBC to CBS
Taxi: ABC to NBC
Getting By: ABC to NBC (It did not last long on ABC either.)
Family Matters: ABC to CBS
Step by Step: ABC to CBS

There have been a couple examples where the network switch succeeded:

Leave It to Beaver (5 seasons on ABC after 1 on CBS)
My Three Sons (7 seasons on CBS after 5 on ABC; this was more of a case of CBS successfully "stealing" the show from ABC by paying the producer millions to buy it)

In my mind, Diff'rent Strokes certainly did "jump the shark" with the addition of Sam, who to me was as obnoxious as Ricky Stevens (Partridge Family) and worse than Cousin Oliver (Brady Bunch).

From my research into tv history, I found that Diff'rent Strokes made history on NBC as the longest-running sitcom in the network's history. Before DS, the longest any sitcom had ever run continuously on NBC was 5 1/2 seasons, a tie between The Life of Riley (Jan. 1953-1958) and Sanford & Son (Jan. 1972-1977). Eventually NBC had The Facts of Life (8 full, 2 partial seasons), Cheers and Frasier (both 11 seasons) break this record, after NBC for the first time in the 1980s established itself as a network for sitcoms.

It has usually been proven a mistake for one network to pick up a cancelled sitcom from another. There have been several examples, aside from Diff'rent Strokes, where this move has failed throughout the history of tv, with the sitcom being cancelled off the new network after just one more season:

Hazel: NBC to CBS
Get Smart: NBC to CBS
Taxi: ABC to NBC
Getting By: ABC to NBC (It did not last long on ABC either.)
Family Matters: ABC to CBS
Step by Step: ABC to CBS

There have been a couple examples where the network switch succeeded:

Leave It to Beaver (5 seasons on ABC after 1 on CBS)
My Three Sons (7 seasons on CBS after 5 on ABC; this was more of a case of CBS successfully "stealing" the show from ABC by paying the producer millions to buy it)

In my mind, Diff'rent Strokes certainly did "jump the shark" with the addition of Sam, who to me was as obnoxious as Ricky Stevens (Partridge Family) and worse than Cousin Oliver (Brady Bunch).

^THIS.

And didn't Father Knows Best also switch networks?

Don't anybody forget 'Double Trouble!' Yes, it only lasted a couple of seasons, but even they changed theme songs and settings. I hated the 2nd season of Double Trouble. lol

^THIS.

And didn't Father Knows Best also switch networks?

Yes, CBS cancelled it after 1 year (1954-1955), then NBC carried it 3 more years (1955-1958), then CBS for 2 more (1958-1960), after which ABC carried it in primetime reruns a couple more years.

The Cosby Show updated their theme almost every year, so that has nothing to do with the others changing their long-used themes in 1985.


It still does. They updated along with every other show that did at that time. They just happened to keep up the tradition of change. Longevity or short, it The Cosby Show changed theirs too around the same time other shows did.

Don't anybody forget 'Double Trouble!' Yes, it only lasted a couple of seasons, but even they changed theme songs and settings. I hated the 2nd season of Double Trouble. lol


I loved that they went to New York and like the update theme but as a child, it was too boring for me. I liked the first season better. In 1984, it was like some shows were testing the waters with updating themes like Double trouble. In 1985, it became an epidemic.

I loved that they went to New York and like the update theme but as a child, it was too boring for me. I liked the first season better. In 1984, it was like some shows were testing the waters with updating themes like Double trouble. In 1985, it became an epidemic.


Agreed....especially NBC

Agreed....especially NBC

Now that you mention that, yeah. NBC sure did, didn't they? Everything was so cheesy MTVish/space aged like to me when I look back.

Now that you mention that, yeah. NBC sure did, didn't they? Everything was so cheesy MTVish/space aged like to me when I look back.


Was Grant Tinker running NBC back them or was it Brandon Tartinkoff?

By that time, it was Brandon Tartikoff.

Yes, CBS cancelled it after 1 year (1954-1955), then NBC carried it 3 more years (1955-1958), then CBS for 2 more (1958-1960), after which ABC carried it in primetime reruns a couple more years.

I think this show has the distinction of being the only network primetime show, if not one of the very few shows to switch networks twice or three times during its run for such a good while to boot.

By that time, it was Brandon Tartikoff.


Yeah. That sounds about right.

I think this show has the distinction of being the only network primetime show, if not one of the very few shows to switch networks twice or three times during its run for such a good while to boot.

Yes, Bachelor Father is another sitcom that switched networks twice, with new episodes in each season. It started on CBS (1957-59, 20 new episodes per season since it split its timeslot with Jack Benny, who had split the same timeslot with Private Secretary the 3 previous seasons), NBC (1959-61), and finally ABC for the last season (1961-62).

Speaking of Jack Benny, his Jack Benny Program was another show that appeared just 1 season on one network after several on another (CBS 1950-64, NBC 1964-65).

It has usually been proven a mistake for one network to pick up a cancelled sitcom from another. There have been several examples, aside from Diff'rent Strokes, where this move has failed throughout the history of tv, with the sitcom being cancelled off the new network after just one more season:

Hazel: NBC to CBS
Get Smart: NBC to CBS
Taxi: ABC to NBC
Getting By: ABC to NBC (It did not last long on ABC either.)
Family Matters: ABC to CBS
Step by Step: ABC to CBS

There have been a couple examples where the network switch succeeded:

Leave It to Beaver (5 seasons on ABC after 1 on CBS)
My Three Sons (7 seasons on CBS after 5 on ABC; this was more of a case of CBS successfully "stealing" the show from ABC by paying the producer millions to buy it)

In my mind, Diff'rent Strokes certainly did "jump the shark" with the addition of Sam, who to me was as obnoxious as Ricky Stevens (Partridge Family) and worse than Cousin Oliver (Brady Bunch).

Another failed network switch - The Joey Bishop Show: NBC to CBS
After NBC cancelled the show, CBS switched new episodes from color to B&W and put the show that fall on Sunday night, up against NBC's Bonanza, which ended up being the #1 show on tv that season. CBS later moved the show to Tuesday night, but it still died. One of the last episodes featured Abby Dalton's newborn daughter, Kathleen Kinmont Smith, as Joey & Ellie's daughter. Abby's son, Matthew David Smith, played their son going back to the end of Season 2 in 1963.

I just don't understand the logic behind moving a show to a different network after it has already been on the air for 8 years??

Step by Step, Family Matters, and Diffrent Strokes were supposed to be cancelled

^Don't forget The Hogan Family--another NBC to CBS "limp-along"

^Don't forget The Hogan Family--another NBC to CBS "limp-along"


That was the weirdest thing I ever heard of in my life. Sitcom switching networks. Still the same damm show LOL

That's like a girl with missing teeth getting a new hairstyle and outfit..."still going to be ugly

LOL

^Don't forget The Hogan Family--another NBC to CBS "limp-along"
The show had really JTS by the time it went to CBS but it did have one memorable show. It was the one where Rich announced that he had AIDs. That was pretty groundbreaking at the time.

Another failed network switch - The Joey Bishop Show: NBC to CBS
After NBC cancelled the show, CBS switched new episodes from color to B&W and put the show that fall on Sunday night, up against NBC's Bonanza, which ended up being the #1 show on tv that season. CBS later moved the show to Tuesday night, but it still died. One of the last episodes featured Abby Dalton's newborn daughter, Kathleen Kinmont Smith, as Joey & Ellie's daughter. Abby's son, Matthew David Smith, played their son going back to the end of Season 2 in 1963.

Why did CBS take a colour show and revert it to B&W? The only reason I can think of is production costs.

That was the weirdest thing I ever heard of in my life. Sitcom switching networks. Still the same damm show LOL

That's like a girl with missing teeth getting a new hairstyle and outfit..."still going to be ugly

LOL
That's an interesting analogy. :lol:

It was a REALLY big mistake.Arnold had gotten older,and WASN'T the same.Example:In one episode,he got mad at Drummond and wished that Drummond wasn't his father.They made up,later,I suppose.Also,the theme was different.I liked the theme used on the NBC episodes.


This was the last attempt (along with silver spoons) to revitalize the show the same way the facts of life did successfully during the last 3 year run on NBC.

Sadly it was a big mistake.

I loved that they went to New York and like the update theme but as a child, it was too boring for me. I liked the first season better. In 1984, it was like some shows were testing the waters with updating themes like Double trouble. In 1985, it became an epidemic.

Because of not only MTV, But also the huge success of miami vice as well.

Different Strokes should have last as long as Facts of Life

Also The Jetsons came back in 2.0 form

Trapper John, M.D. also updated their theme song in '85

Twilight Zone, The came back as a 2.0 form.

Not to mention Dallas Updated their theme and opening

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBrFAxJ6Qts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aJpwA0n5SU