from what I have read (it has been so many years since they've aired DS reruns), the original episode of FOL (not the pilot, but an episode of Diff'rent Strokes from the 1978-1979 season which did have Lisa Whelchel and Kim Fields as well as one or two other first season girls) had Mrs. Garrett deciding to take a job at Eastland because there was a space open at Kimberly's school. According to that DS episode, Blair, Tootie, Nancy and the like were all classmates of Kimberly Drummond.

Yet when FOL came into it's own, Kimberly was never seen (besides the first episode when she visits with Mr. Drummong, Willis and Arnold) and never mentioned either. So was she supposed to still be a classmate at Eastland?

It has been a very long time since I've watched Diff'rent Strokes, so I don't remember what they did with the situation (as Kimberly lived with the Drummonds until season 7, while the girls on FOL were staying at school)

Anyone know anything more about this?

it was probably just a way to get mrs.g to the school. they probably never intended to use her in any of the episodes


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~*~*~*JoRocks87FOL~*~*~*~
JO: Now, Natalie, when you hear these voices, are they friendly?

Jo: one minute you are happy and healthy, the next minute youre a pamento loaf on a gurny!

Jo: BOOZE!
Blair:booze? this is Puweefwize
Jo: gahzuntite!
Blair: it's the Michealobe of wine.
Jo: id ont think i can get this stuff down, i'll get some beer.
Nat: How will you get beer?
Jo: i'll get beer

Mrs G: no, but i have an idea, you girls got any ideas?
Nat:Nope, not me!
Blair: Not Muah! Jo?
Jo:Me? uh... no, i havent had an idea since '79!

Actually on DS, Tootie,Natalie,blair and the other girls except jo made appearances on the show as friends of kimberly (since both shows taped in the same bldg). It was implied that kimberly was still going to eastland but she was still living at home so i guess were to assume she commuted to peekskill everyday by train upstate,LOL. Until it was stated a few seasons later that she left eastland and went to public school.

Orginally posted by John McMillan:
"Yet when FOL came into it's own, Kimberly was never seen (besides the first episode when she visits with Mr. Drummong, Willis and Arnold) and never mentioned either. So was she supposed to still be a classmate at Eastland?"

Yes, she was still a classmate. In the fall of 1980 there was an episode of Different Strokes. Kimberly had a makeover done by Blair of course to make it look like she was 20(she was actually 15). Natalie was also in that episode.