I happened upon this interview with Dana Plato where she’s asked about the FOL. The season 1 theme is even briefly sung. I cued it up to that moment: https://youtu.be/KvS8mpyQB-8?t=7m29s

She's interviewed by "Ed the Sock"?? You didn't tell us she was talking to a dirty sock! :lol:

So hilarious when he breaks into the song and imitates Mrs. Garrett! :rofl:

And he is reminiscent of Oscar, haha! :rofl:

It is interesting to hear her earlier talk about the original plan of moving Kimberly "down the hall", having the baby during hiatus, and the show marrying her off during the next season. Makes you wonder what all went down to change all that?

Ugh, I watched the whole video and I wish I hadn't. She was really off about how long she was on Diff'rent Strokes for, but I'm not surprised.

Poor Dana had a really tough life, I hope she’s at peace now.

You should do some photoshops of the dirty sock, Eights! :lol:

You should do some photoshops of the dirty sock, Eights! :lol:

Haha!

"She took the key out of the sock?!" :lol:

Haha!

"She took the key out of the sock?!" :lol:

Yeah!!!! :D

The sock shoulda sung “when the books are what you’re there about”
Like Mrs G.

Thanks for sharing this, Lorimar!

I found it interesting; the sock puppet seemed very similar to the "Triumph the Insult Dog" that Conan O'Brien used to have on his show. Even sounds like the same guy.

Like '80s, I found the DS info interesting.

This was just two years before Dana's untimely passing. She looks good here.

Ugh, I watched the whole video and I wish I hadn't. She was really off about how long she was on Diff'rent Strokes for, but I'm not surprised.

No, I'm not surprised, either. I suspect the later years of the show were a bit hazy for her.

So was she on until season 6 or 7 of DS? Does she appear in any episodes besides the bullemia one?

So was she on until season 6 or 7 of DS? Does she appear in any episodes besides the bullemia one?
Dana appeared in the first six seasons. She was fired after that, officially for getting pregnant, though there had been huge problems on the set for years.

She appeared in six more episodes, in the the later half of season 7 (7-16, 7-24), and the first half of season 8 (8-01, 8-02, 8-04, and 8-13). 8-13 was the Bullimia episode, her last on the show. Five years later would be the infamous video store hold-up, where the clerk identified the robber as Kimberly from Diff'rent Strokes.

Huge problems? We’re they any worse than Todd and Gary? She obviously had lots of issues, it’s really heartbreaking.

Huge problems? We’re they any worse than Todd and Gary? She obviously had lots of issues, it’s really heartbreaking.

Gary
-----
Forced to work while sick, by parents
Screamed for hamburgers on set
Couldn't get along with Dixie Carter, leading to her exiting after just one season
Sued parents
Sued by fan for assaulting her

Todd
------
Major drug problems
Sexually abused by publicist
Named his daughter Bo Bridges (seriously)
Tried for murder, but was acquitted

Dana
------
Major drug problems
Dyed hair in rebellion
Got pregnant and was fired from the show
Posed for Playboy
Robbed a video store for $160.00
Started adult film career
Stated she was a lesbian, then recanted
Father sued her for financial support
Died of drug overdose (judged a suicide)

Danny Cooksey
-----------------
No known issues


So, your mileage may vary.

So was she on until season 6 or 7 of DS? Does she appear in any episodes besides the bullemia one?

That makes it sound like you thought she only appeared in one episode of the whole series?? :confused:

That makes it sound like you thought she only appeared in one episode of the whole series?? :confused:

I'm sure Lorimar means "one episode after she was fired", not "one episode ever". :lol:

I was wondering if maybe that's what he meant, but yeah, lol. But why would they let her on the show after firing her?? :confused:

But why would they let her on the show after firing her?? :confused:
They let her come back to the show for occasional guest appearances in S7 and S8: six episodes over two years, for the sake of continuity.

The bulimia was the one major post firing episode I knew about. Obviously she was in more than 1 ep since she was in Girls School.

No, I'm not surprised, either. I suspect the later years of the show were a bit hazy for her.

Come to think of it, she was wrong about how long she was off of the show for too.

You should do some photoshops of the dirty sock, Eights! :lol:

Here ya go, Lorsie!

"She took the key out of the crude sock?!?"

And now she's putting it back in!

-

Here ya go, Lorsie!

"She took the key out of the crude sock?!?"

And now she's putting it back in!

-

:rofl:

Come to think of it, she was wrong about how long she was off of the show for too.
Yes, it seems clear Dana didn't remember most of those details.

Yes, it seems clear Dana didn't remember most of those details.

:(

:(
She must have gone through between $1,000,000 and $3,000,000 worth of cocaine in about eight years. By 1990, she was holding up video stores for $160.00.

She must have gone through between $1,000,000 and $3,000,000 worth of cocaine in about eight years. By 1990, she was holding up video stores for $160.00.

So sad! I really wish she could've been helped. Not in the way those jerks all piled on her on Howard Stern the day before she died saying get help. Her son suffered from her addiction as well, I remember when he died.

So sad! I really wish she could've been helped. Not in the way those jerks all piled on her on Howard Stern the day before she died saying get help.

I totally agree. I remember right where I was when I learned she had died: I heard it at work on the radio. We were all so shocked, although clearly there had been big, huge warning signs for years.


Her son suffered from her addiction as well, I remember when he died.

Yes. It was really a double tragedy.

I totally agree. I remember right where I was when I learned she had died: I heard it at work on the radio. We were all so shocked, although clearly there had been big, huge warning signs for years.



Yes. It was really a double tragedy.

Yeah, like if Lindsay Lohan passed away or something I wouldn't be surprised though she seems to be ok now, hopefully its true.

I had no clue that happened! Wow, I had to listen for myself. So sad.

Yeah, like if Lindsay Lohan passed away or something I wouldn't be surprised though she seems to be ok now, hopefully its true.

I had no clue that happened! Wow, I had to listen for myself. So sad.

I feel as though Dana Plato was the Lindsay Lohan of the 1980s: the one you hear about going to rehab for the twelfth time, the one being harassed by the tabloids for committing felonies, etc.

The only difference, I think, was that negative publicity in the 1980s would destroy careers. Now it makes them. That's why Dana died in a Winnebago while Lindsey will likely OD in a posh home by the poolside.

I feel as though Dana Plato was the Lindsay Lohan of the 1980s: the one you hear about going to rehab for the twelfth time, the one being harassed by the tabloids for committing felonies, etc.

The only difference, I think, was that negative publicity in the 1980s would destroy careers. Now it makes them. That's why Dana died in a Winnebago while Lindsey will likely OD in a posh home by the poolside.

Ugh I hope not :( I loved her movies growing up. The Parent Trap was one of my favs.

Ugh I hope not :( I loved her movies growing up. The Parent Trap was one of my favs.
She (almost said 'they') was so cute in that!

She (almost said 'they') was so cute in that!

Haha I know I thought she was a twin for quite a few years.