I think it was sometime during the year of 1981 or 1982 when tootie was on different strokes for a few episodes to fill in for arnold-Does anyone know why? and does anyone know why arnold was missing in action for tootie to even be on Different strokes

Originally posted by SOLOMON
I think it was sometime during the year of 1981 or 1982 when tootie was on different strokes for a few episodes to fill in for arnold-Does anyone know why? and does anyone know why arnold was missing in action for tootie to even be on Different strokes What do you mean by "fill in?" Like.. Take his place, or just a general extra-part?

'Cause Kim didn't take the place of Arnold. I think Tootie became Arnold's crush.

Originally posted by Jo's the bomb
What do you mean by "fill in?" Like.. Take his place, or just a general extra-part?

'Cause Kim didn't take the place of Arnold. I think Tootie became Arnold's crush.

There was a period of arnold not being on the show for some reason and i guess she was asked to guest star in his absence. i think it was for 3 episodes-the other episodes when she wasn't on i think the producers hada reason why he wasn't there but i forgot what it was

Originally posted by SOLOMON


There was a period of arnold not being on the show for some reason and i guess she was asked to guest star in his absence. i think it was for 3 episodes-the other episodes when she wasn't on i think the producers hada reason why he wasn't there but i forgot what it was Was it something about Arnold being in the penthouse?

If so, then refer to the DS board; I think someone answered your question there.

Originally posted by SOLOMON


There was a period of arnold not being on the show for some reason and i guess she was asked to guest star in his absence. i think it was for 3 episodes-the other episodes when she wasn't on i think the producers hada reason why he wasn't there but i forgot what it was

I really think it had something to do with his health. Coleman had a lot of kidney problems as a child (as well as other things), which is why he is so short. For some reason, I remember hearing back as a little kid (in the early 80s) that he had a kidney transplant.

I just recently saw the episode where Mr Drummond is reunited with a Korean or Vietnamese girlfriend he thought had died. The only time Arnold appeared in the show was at the end, and he was in another "place" (a friend's house, having dinner) calling on the phone.

Sound familiar? It was the same type thing done when Suzanne Somers left Three's Company. She was filmed at a different time and place from the others, because of conflicts. So, they may have pre-taped stuff while Coleman recuperated.

This may be wrong, but I think I'm close...

Originally posted by jayman75


I really think it had something to do with his health. Coleman had a lot of kidney problems as a child (as well as other things), which is why he is so short. For some reason, I remember hearing back as a little kid (in the early 80s) that he had a kidney transplant.

I just recently saw the episode where Mr Drummond is reunited with a Korean or Vietnamese girlfriend he thought had died. The only time Arnold appeared in the show was at the end, and he was in another "place" (a friend's house, having dinner) calling on the phone.

Sound familiar? It was the same type thing done when Suzanne Somers left Three's Company. She was filmed at a different time and place from the others, because of conflicts. So, they may have pre-taped stuff while Coleman recuperated.

This may be wrong, but I think I'm close...

yeah i think it was his health. I also remember gary coleman being real skinny and dark-probably due to health-remember he was brown and puggy-and then all of a sudden he became very dark and thi-i was always wondering what happen.

Kim Fields took the place of Gary in early season 4 not because of health- but becuase he was on strike to get higher wages. They went on filming without him.

Previous to those 3 eps, Kim did guest in episodes 52 and 53. The only time Gary was abscent through health was in Season 7, 1985.

Originally posted by JethroSimpson
Kim Fields took the place of Gary in early season 4 not because of health- but becuase he was on strike to get higher wages. They went on filming without him.

Previous to those 3 eps, Kim did guest in episodes 52 and 53. The only time Gary was abscent through health was in Season 7, 1985.

I remeber tootie being on episode 52 and 53 but do you find it odd that Blair, Natalie, and Tootie guest starred on Different Strokes to see KImberly but Kimberly never made a guest appearance on Facts of Life after it debuted-or did she?

Originally posted by SOLOMON


I remeber tootie being on episode 52 and 53 but do you find it odd that Blair, Natalie, and Tootie guest starred on Different Strokes to see KImberly but Kimberly never made a guest appearance on Facts of Life after it debuted-or did she?

She only appeared in the first episode Rough Housing.
It is strange because Gary and Todd both featured on FOL in season 2.

Originally posted by SOLOMON


I remeber tootie being on episode 52 and 53 but do you find it odd that Blair, Natalie, and Tootie guest starred on Different Strokes to see KImberly but Kimberly never made a guest appearance on Facts of Life after it debuted-or did she?

You hit it right on the mark! That's the question I've been wondering since I've seen DS and FOL. I know Kimberly went to Eastland for awhile, but then transferred to public school. Why wasn't she even in a few episodes of FOL (besides Rough Housing) during the Eastland years?

Originally posted by JethroSimpson


She only appeared in the first episode Rough Housing.
It is strange because Gary and Todd both featured on FOL in season 2.

Yeah i knew arnold guest starred on facts of life but do you know why willis made a guest appearance by hisself?

Originally posted by Jenny


You hit it right on the mark! That's the question I've been wondering since I've seen DS and FOL. I know Kimberly went to Eastland for awhile, but then transferred to public school. Why wasn't she even in a few episodes of FOL (besides Rough Housing) during the Eastland years?

I was so shocked to see blair and natalie on different strokes but was Joe a cast member on FOL at that time? If so, why didn't she never appear on DS?

Originally posted by SOLOMON


I was so shocked to see blair and natalie on different strokes but was Joe a cast member on FOL at that time? If so, why didn't she never appear on DS?

On episode 66 of DS when Blair and Nat were on, Jo was an FOL castmember at the time so I don't know why she didn't appear.

Originally posted by JethroSimpson


On episode 66 of DS when Blair and Nat were on, Jo was an FOL castmember at the time so I don't know why she didn't appear.

Knowing how Joe was-she probablydidn't want to go. I didn'tlike her character too much-she was too masculine