Or was it just coincidentally similar to each other?

http://www.tripletsandus.com/80s/shows/webster.gif

http://jandjblog.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/ap_different_strokes_080522_ssv.jpg

I don't think the similarities between Webster and Diff'rent Strokes were a coincidence at all. It's very common practice for TV networks to copy what is successful on another network and that was the case here.

I don't think the similarities between Webster and Diff'rent Strokes were a coincidence at all. It's very common practice for TV networks to copy what is successful on another network and that was the case here.

And what's even more impressive is that the storylines were original for both series. In fact, I grew up watching both series. They both had their own unique characteristics.

And what's even more impressive is that the storylines were original for both series. In fact, I grew up watching both series. They both had their own unique characteristics.
Did Shenna Eastern do the vocals for the introduction for the the tv show

And what's even more impressive is that the storylines were original for both series. In fact, I grew up watching both series. They both had their own unique characteristics.
This is true. I grew up watching these shows in primetime and on their weekday morning network lineups.

Funnily enough, I actually saw Webster and watched that regularly as a kid long before I ever saw Diff'rent Strokes. In any case, I love both shows and while I can recognize the obvious similarities, I don't let it impede my enjoyment of both shows. I'd be happy to have both on DVD.
I do think that Webster was a bit different- he was not the same character as Arnold Jackson Drummond, certainly.
I think Webster had a bit gentler quality to him somehow- and to the series as a whole. But both are great shows.:)

As a kid, I watched and liked both TV shows. I've always wondered if "Webster" would have come about if Gary Coleman wouldn't have had highly publicized, kidney problems. Was ABC trying to take advantage of what might have been a tragic situation?

I think "Webster" and "Punky Brewster" both owe a bit of their success to "Diff'rent Strokes."

Oh, they definitely took their cue from Strokes.

Yup the only difference was that there was Two Parents and no siblings-lol I remember watchting Webster on Friday Nights at 8pm.

Or was it just coincidentally similar to each other?

http://www.tripletsandus.com/80s/shows/webster.gif

http://jandjblog.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/ap_different_strokes_080522_ssv.jpg


I've always believed it was a rip-off of Diff'rent Strokes. The premise was just a little too similar for this to not cross the minds of viewers. Mr. Drummond adopted his deceased housekeeper's children, whereas George and his wife, Kate took in his deceased friend's son, and became his guardians. Also, i'm sure Gary and Emmanuel's small size also played a key role in why the two were compared.

Aside from DS being a late 70s series, and Webster being more of an early/mid 80s series....there's very little difference in the premise of the shows.

Did Shenna Eastern do the vocals for the introduction for the the tv show

Nope, the theme song was sung by Steve Nelson and Gail Lopata Lennon.

Definitely yes.
Cute black kids being adopted by rich white people was a formula for a hit show back then.

I've always believed it was a rip-off of Diff'rent Strokes. The premise was just a little too similar for this to not cross the minds of viewers. Mr. Drummond adopted his deceased housekeeper's children, whereas George and his wife, Kate took in his deceased friend's son, and became his guardians. Also, i'm sure Gary and Emmanuel's small size also played a key role in why the two were compared.

Aside from DS being a late 70s series, and Webster being more of an early/mid 80s series....there's very little difference in the premise of the shows.

Of course both shows are similar (https://screenrant.com/hit-sitcoms-80s-wouldnt-fly-today-outdated/#webster):
In an obvious attempt by ABC to cash in on the success of Diff'rent Strokes (https://www.google.com/search?q=Webster+Diff%27rent+Strokes&sca_esv=566051098&sxsrf=AM9HkKloSI_ZsZkSjbkB2z6e5ppGwM21KQ%3A1694941384519&source=hp&ei=yMAGZdujHfOrqtsP_LmvqAU&iflsig=AO6bgOgAAAAAZQbO2K4PIuNyfJNUMr39B6iXbAQ8xdJS&ved=0ahUKEwjbp4zZpLGBAxXzlWoFHfzcC1UQ4dUDCAs&uact=5&oq=Webster+Diff%27rent+Strokes&gs_lp=Egdnd3Mtd2l6IhlXZWJzdGVyIERpZmYncmVudCBTdHJva2VzMgYQABgWGB4yBhAAGBYYHjIGEAAYFhgeMggQABiKBRiGAzIIEAAYigUYhgNIwyRQAFiyIHABeACQAQCYAbIEoAGYLqoBCTItNC40LjMuNLgBA8gBAPgBAcICBBAjGCfCAg4QLhiKBRixAxiDARiRAsICDhAAGIoFGLEDGIMBGJECwgIHEAAYigUYQ8ICERAuGIAEGLEDGIMBGMcBGNEDwgIHEC4YigUYQ8ICCxAAGIAEGLEDGIMBwgIFEAAYgATCAg0QABiABBixAxiDARgKwgIHEAAYgAQYCsICCBAAGBYYHhgPwgIKEAAYFhgeGA8YCsICBxAAGA0YgAQ&sclient=gws-wiz#ip=1), Webster centers around an orphaned black boy who moves in with a rich white family (https://www.therichest.com/entertainment/the-15-best-black-tv-sitcoms-of-all-time/). Emmanuel Lewis plays the title character in a role very similar to Gary Coleman's Arnold Jackson on the NBC show.

The sitcom revolved around Webster, a five-year-old boy who moves in with his godfather George, a former NFL player who recently married a rich socialite whom Webster calls "Ma'am." At the beginning of the series, storylines often focused on Ma'am and George adjusting to life as newlyweds but it wasn't long before nearly every episode focused on precocious-cute-kid Webster.

I think the similarities hurt the show.

I think the similarities hurt the show.

Somebody else said (https://web.archive.org/web/20141217075638/http://thatguywiththeglasses.com/blogs/latest/entry/sitcom-face-off-webster-vs-punky-brewster-) that what likely also hurt Webster (https://web.archive.org/web/20061031143328/http://www.jumptheshark.com/w/webster.htm) is that it was more of a traditional sitcom (https://www.hometheaterforum.com/community/threads/webster-season-two-dvd.305596/) and had adult stories. Compare that to something like Punky Brewster (https://web.archive.org/web/20140406113111/http://forums.televisionwithoutpity.com/topic/3116971-punky-brewster/?view=getnewpost), which was a show that was 100% from a child’s point of view and was literally a kids show. Webster (https://web.archive.org/web/20140407133828/http://forums.televisionwithoutpity.com/topic/3123734-webster/?view=getnewpost) on the other hand, was just another show about a cute kid.

Yes, I think the show was copied. That said, both Coleman and Lewis were part of a fad for precocious kids that included Rodney Allen Rippey, Mason Reese. Moosey Drier, Rickey Segall, and the Oliver kid.

Yes, I think the show was copied. That said, both Coleman and Lewis were part of a fad for precocious kids that included Rodney Allen Rippey, Mason Reese. Moosey Drier, Rickey Segall, and the Oliver kid.
The difference was that everyone on that list except for Coleman and Lewis didn't suffer from any growth deficiencies.

Oh, they definitely took their cue from Strokes.

I wonder a bit if Webster also took cues from Brian's Song (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian%27s_Song) (George and Webster's biological father, Travis played for the Chicago Bears just like Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers (https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/09/23/gale-sayers-death/)) except with the roles reversed.