While watching "Family Ties" I have noticed that Skippy seemed to have a sister whose name was changed in the middle of the series. In the episode "Batter's Up" her name is Arlene. Later on it seems to be the name Beth.

Can anybody tell me if this is true or were Arlene and Beth seperate characters? They both look the same as the series continues.

While watching "Family Ties" I have noticed that Skippy seemed to have a sister whose name was changed in the middle of the series. In the episode "Batter's Up" her name is Arlene. Later on it seems to be the name Beth.

Can anybody tell me if this is true or were Arlene and Beth seperate characters? They both look the same as the series continues.

They were separate characters.

Arlene is Skippy's sister. She's only in one episode: Batter's Up. She's mentioned one other time in episode: Baby Boy Doe

Beth was a friend of Jennifer's who the "cool" kids didn't like. When Jennifer turned 13 (season 4) she had a party and when Beth came over the cool kids didn't like it.