In the season 8 episode, Arnold's Job, Sam was telling Mr. Drummond that his mother was going to come down stairs and ask him a question and when he started imitating her he sounded like the 1st Maggie:lol:

Which is why when the second Maggie came down stairs to ask Mr. Drummond a question, she looked foolish because she sounded nothing like how Sam imitated her because it was obvious he was used to being around Dixie Carter and did her voice:lol:


Another sad moment from season 8

Another sad moment from season 8
It was a sad moment from season 8. I doubt anyone on the writing team told Sam to imitate Dixie Carter. Sam obviously got attached to Dixie and imitated her on his own.

I thought the actress who played the second Maggie looked a bit too young for Mr. D anyway. I thought he looked better with Dixie Carter.

It was a sad moment from season 8. I doubt anyone on the writing team told Sam to imitate Dixie Carter. Sam obviously got attached to Dixie and imitated her on his own.

I thought the actress who played the second Maggie looked a bit too young for Mr. D anyway. I thought he looked better with Dixie Carter.


Even the way Sam said "PHILLIP" he sounded just like Dixie:lol:


And Dixie looked more like she was in her 40's

Still dont know why Dixie Carter left. I mean thats a crucial role for moments you just mentioned. It might a little thing but people do pick up on it.

And Dixie looked more like she was in her 40's
Yes, Dixie looked like she was in her mid forties, and the second Maggie looked like she was in her mid thirties. She looked like she could be Kimberly's older sister! :lol:

Yes, Dixie looked like she was in her mid forties, and the second Maggie looked like she was in her mid thirties. She looked like she could be Kimberly's older sister! :lol:


I gotta respectfully disagree. Mary Anne Mobley looked like she was in her 40's to me. As a child, she didn't look 30 something to me back then and as an adult in his mid thirties, she still doesn't look thirty something but she was gorgeous though. She and Dixie were the same age.

I gotta respectfully disagree. Mary Anne Mobley looked like she was in her 40's to me. As a child, she didn't look 30 something to me back then and as an adult in his mid thirties, she still doesn't look thirty something but she was gorgeous though. She and Dixie were the same age.
Okay, but I thought Mary Ann Mobley looked younger than Dixie Carter.

I gotta respectfully disagree. Mary Anne Mobley looked like she was in her 40's to me. As a child, she didn't look 30 something to me back then and as an adult in his mid thirties, she still doesn't look thirty something but she was gorgeous though. She and Dixie were the same age.


Are you sure Tom? She looks about 38 in these eps. The 1st maggie looked 47

Are you sure Tom? She looks about 38 in these eps. The 1st maggie looked 47


They were born in 1939.

They were born in 1939.


Really????????? Wow, she looked good for 47

Are you sure Tom? She looks about 38 in these eps. The 1st maggie looked 47


She did look good so I will give you that. Then again, she was Miss America in the 50's.

In the season 8 episode, Arnold's Job, Sam was telling Mr. Drummond that his mother was going to come down stairs and ask him a question and when he started imitating her he sounded like the 1st Maggie:lol:

Which is why when the second Maggie came down stairs to ask Mr. Drummond a question, she looked foolish because she sounded nothing like how Sam imitated her because it was obvious he was used to being around Dixie Carter and did her voice:lol:


Another sad moment from season 8


I remember that. I thought that was a cute little moment between Maggie and Phillip.

Dang, Solomon. You are really counting this as a sad moment? Sam had a southern accent. LOL. You are funny.

I remember that. I thought that was a cute little moment between Maggie and Phillip.

Dang, Solomon. You are really counting this as a sad moment? Sam had a southern accent. LOL. You are funny.



LOL, sorry he reminded me of Dixie

They were born in 1939.
Maggie #2 (Mary Ann Mobley) was cute as a button!

Maggie #2 (Mary Ann Mobley) was cute as a button!

Yes she was. I have agree with that. LOL.

It was a sad moment from season 8. I doubt anyone on the writing team told Sam to imitate Dixie Carter. Sam obviously got attached to Dixie and imitated her on his own.

Or maybe the writers should've told Mary Ann Mobley to act more like Dixie Carter, there problem solved!

Another reason


"no Willis"

Season 8 was an abomination.

The new Maggie sucked as an actress. A 16-year-old Gary Coleman was made to act like an immature child. The episode plots went nowhere. The jokes were amateurish. Sam wasn't written off. Tons of reasons why.

Season 8 was an abomination.

The new Maggie sucked as an actress. A 16-year-old Gary Coleman was made to act like an immature child. The episode plots went nowhere. The jokes were amateurish. Sam wasn't written off. Tons of reasons why.


Why would Sam be written off? He was an integral part of the show by this point. The show was running its course by this point. We spend so much time complaining about these shows and characters and don't reflect on goodness of the shows. Despite what is said, season 8 was not an abomination.

Sam should have been written off because he was a bane on Drummond's existence. Sam was like a rat walking upright.

Sam was fine. He was not the issue. The show and times were changing. As a kid, I was a fan of Sam. I was just a little younger than he was. When he was added to the show, it was more of an incentive for me to watch s I had a kid that I could look up and relate to.

I may be in the minority here but I prefer season 8 over season 7. I think Mary Anne Mobley was actually a better Maggie than Dixie Carter. I like how the characters were all moving to the next stage in their lives with Arnold starting high school and Willis going away to college. I also like how they gave the show a new look with an updated theme song and more modern looking house. There were also better stories during season 8 than there was during season 7. The only things I don't like about season 8 are that Willis and Kimberly were hardly ever there.

I may be in the minority here but I prefer season 8 over season 7. I think Mary Anne Mobley was actually a better Maggie than Dixie Carter. I like how the characters were all moving to the next stage in their lives with Arnold starting high school and Willis going away to college. I also like how they gave the show a new look with an updated theme song and more modern looking house. There were also better stories during season 8 than there was during season 7. The only things I don't like about season 8 are that Willis and Kimberly were hardly ever there.


The thing with me is that I like both seasons for different reasons. I like Dixie Carter in season in season seven and like Mary Anne Mobley in season eight. I like the set in that season as well. I thought that it was a nice change. As far a Kimberly not being there, she had more airtime than she did on season seven so I'll take it. It is nice to see someone else here that likes the vibe and setting for season eight.

The thing with me is that I like both seasons for different reasons. I like Dixie Carter in season in season seven and like Mary Anne Mobley in season eight. I like the set in that season as well. I thought that it was a nice change. As far a Kimberly not being there, she had more airtime than she did on season seven so I'll take it. It is nice to see someone else here that likes the vibe and setting for season eight.

I actually started watching the series during the summer of 1985. It was in reruns every evening at 5:30 and when the new season started up on ABC that fall on Friday nights, I watched them. The 8th season episodes are the only ones I saw when they first aired so that season holds a special place in my heart. Also, I truly think the stories were good that year.

Couple of questions. Why did they change the house and furniture in season 8 opener? I missed the first couple of mins. of the season 8 opener but was it explained?

Why did Dixie Carter leave DS? Also, it seemed like there were episodes in season 8, like the 2 I saw last night, that Maggie wasn't in it? Why did they have a recast then? It seemed like in season 8, Willis, Kimberly and Maggie were not much of the episodes. A lot of the story went to Sam, Arnold, Drummond and there seemed to be a lot more interaction with Arnold's friends.

Couple of questions. Why did they change the house and furniture in season 8 opener? I missed the first couple of mins. of the season 8 opener but was it explained?

Why did Dixie Carter leave DS? Also, it seemed like there were episodes in season 8, like the 2 I saw last night, that Maggie wasn't in it? Why did they have a recast then? It seemed like in season 8, Willis, Kimberly and Maggie were not much of the episodes. A lot of the story went to Sam, Arnold, Drummond and there seemed to be a lot more interaction with Arnold's friends.


Dixie Carter left to star on another show and the house was changed because it was being aired on ABC instead of NBC during the 8th season

Dixie Carter left to star on another show and the house was changed because it was being aired on ABC instead of NBC during the 8th season


That is what being said but according to Shavar Ross who I spoke to in 2001, he claims that Dixie was fired indirectly by Gary C. I posted a topic regarding this back in 2001. Wow! Its been a long time.

The last season was bad overall. Arnold was getting older, but they could have kept the show going had things been different. Arnold could have dated Lisa. I think they were moving towards that in the 2nd last show of the series had it been picked up for a 9th year. Sam was too childish, yes, but Arnold was just a tag-along with him, he should have had episodes that showed him dating. Or did they show that? I just remember him tagging along with Sam a lot.

They shipped Willis off to college. A good idea could have been giving him his own series spin-off at this time on ABC, that followed Diff'rent Strokes. But instead, they ship him off and I don't know what happened there, didn't he quit college or move home? He was rarely seen much anymore.

Forget Kimberly, she was done. Only made a few appearances the final season, and her last episode was one of those "very special" ones covering bulimia.


As for Drummond, his character closed up in season 6 after he married Maggie. There just wasn't anything left to do with him.


Pearl was just there. She did not appear in the final show which was very odd.

Speaking of the last show, the only cast included Arnold, Mr. D. and Sam, I believe. Was that it? The rest of the cast was missing such as Maggie, Kimberly, Pearl and Willis. What a way to go off, without everyone there. That also happened on Gimme A Break! When it aired it's "uncertain" series finale...Joey and Matthew weren't even there.

That is what being said but according to Shavar Ross who I spoke to in 2001, he claims that Dixie was fired indirectly by Gary C. I posted a topic regarding this back in 2001. Wow! Its been a long time.

You spoke to Shavar Ross? Can you recap that conversation, please?

So Dixie Carter didn't accept the Designing Women role before ABC picked up Diff'rent Strokes?

Having rewatched most of season 8 I can honestly say I enjoyed it more overall than seasons 6 and 7. Though it wasn't as good as the first five seasons.

Did Gary Coleman really have that much final say on getting Dixie Carter fired? I mean he was the star even if not getting top billing but he wasn't a producer on the show right?

And another poster mentioned how Arnold's friends seemed to get more camera time in the 8th season, yeah that's true and I also noticed even as a kid Jason Hervey was always a tad ugly, man poor dude.

So Dixie Carter didn't accept the Designing Women role before ABC picked up Diff'rent Strokes?

Well, Designing Women didn't premiere until a whole year after Diff'rent Strokes made its ABC debut.

You spoke to Shavar Ross? Can you recap that conversation, please?

So Dixie Carter didn't accept the Designing Women role before ABC picked up Diff'rent Strokes?

Yes, I did speak to Shavar in 2001. We chatted for about a year and a half. I'd work the overnight shift at work and I'd been on this website on the down time and he and I would frequently chat through e-mail. Let me see what I can pull up regarding the info.

DW didn't debut until more than a year later on CBS.

Ok back in 2001 TJ the founder and administrator of the board asked me to ask Shavar the reason behind Dixie's leaving the show so I asked Shavar and he said "Dixie was fired indirectly by Gary stating that he didn't like her". There was more to the reply but I can't remember. I posted a thread back in 2001 but I can't seem to find it. I recall sending Shavar's exact quote to TJ and posting it in the thread but for the life of me, I cannot find it but he did tell me this information. I can't believe that I have been here for that long. My, does time fly.

I feel bad for Dixie. Though I do like Mary Ann Mobley better.

The whole season seemed like a Different Strokes spoof

LOL. Did not.

LOL. Did not.


Sorry it had that felt lol

he new house gave the season that feeling

Ok back in 2001 TJ the founder and administrator of the board asked me to ask Shavar the reason behind Dixie's leaving the show so I asked Shavar and he said "Dixie was fired indirectly by Gary stating that he didn't like her". There was more to the reply but I can't remember. I posted a thread back in 2001 but I can't seem to find it. I recall sending Shavar's exact quote to TJ and posting it in the thread but for the life of me, I cannot find it but he did tell me this information. I can't believe that I have been here for that long. My, does time fly.

Thanks for sharing.

Did Shavar get along with Gary? I can't imagine Gary got along with too many people those last years. He could barely hide his negativity in his acting.

Thanks for sharing.

Did Shavar get along with Gary? I can't imagine Gary got along with too many people those last years. He could barely hide his negativity in his acting.


I do agree. That dude seemed terribly bitter. I think he was going through a horrid time in his life with his kidney surgery, his parents and the pressure of having to carry a show.

One of my friends from college used to work as Dixie's personal assistant. He said she was cool.

Dont forget Sam was on there so even if Gary was mad or needed to take a break, he could've just given the storylines to Sam.


Btw, Mary Ann Mobley was on a season 1 episode of DS.

Dont forget Sam was on there so even if Gary was mad or needed to take a break, he could've just given the storylines to Sam.


Btw, Mary Ann Mobley was on a season 1 episode of DS.



I don't remember her, what was she doing

I don't remember her, what was she doing
She was Arnold's school teacher don't know if 1st or 2nd grade and Drummond meets her on Parent/Teacher night and aks her out on a date turning Arnold into the teachers pet that later Arnold pulls a prank on her so his friends can start liking him.

Btw, Mary Ann Mobley was on a season 1 episode of DS.

It's a season 2 episode. The name of the episode is "Teacher's Pet." It features the first appearance of Dudley and Robbie if I'm not mistaken.

The episode I was talking about is when Drummond was going to marry her and she wanted to send Arnold, Willis and Kimberly to boarding school because her kids were at boarding school.

The episode I was talking about is when Drummond was going to marry her and she wanted to send Arnold, Willis and Kimberly to boarding school because her kids were at boarding school.

That wasn't Mary Ann Mobley, it was Elinor Donahue.

Thats right!! I forgot. Now I remember. My mother remarked at how that was Elinor Donahue from Father Knows Best and the Andy Griffith Show.

I do agree. That dude seemed terribly bitter. I think he was going through a horrid time in his life with his kidney surgery, his parents and the pressure of having to carry a show.

One of my friends from college used to work as Dixie's personal assistant. He said she was cool.

I remember seeing Todd Bridges on The Joy Behar Show on HLN and Todd flat out said that Gary Coleman's parents really didn't seem to care much about him. They would make him work when Gary was sick and of course there was the whole stuff about them apparently stealing money from him. Todd speculated that that's why Gary had such negative memories regarding working on Diff'rent Strokes.

Ok. Wow. Parents, train up a child in a way that he should go.

Yes, I did speak to Shavar in 2001. We chatted for about a year and a half. I'd work the overnight shift at work and I'd been on this website on the down time and he and I would frequently chat through e-mail. Let me see what I can pull up regarding the info.

DW didn't debut until more than a year later on CBS.

The trivia section on Diff'rent Strokes's IMDb page, seems to suggest that Dixie Carter hated working on the show. It doesn't specifically say or address any sort of conflicts w/ the other cast members (namely Gary Coleman). The bottom-line is that Dixie pretty much refused to talk about her time on the show.

I would like to believe that Dixie Carter would be a very opinionated and outspoken person (in contrast to her liberal character on Designing Women, Dixie Carter was in real life, a huge Republican). So naturally, it would be inevitable that a person like her (especially coming into an already established show like Diff'rent Strokes) would come to blows w/ an increasingly weary and bitter (possibly due to his health issues and burn out) Gary Coleman.