Explanation of why Kim Fields appeared in place of Gary Coleman in season 4 - Page 2 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TVFactFan · 11-14-2014, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lj01

I watched "First Day Blues" a couple of weeks ago and I'm pretty sure that's what's going on - is the producers brought in Kim Fields and gave her all of Gary Coleman's lines (for the most part) but personally i don't think it worked well. That was second episode of season 4.

Gary was back in episode three "The Model" and everything was good. I think he only ended up missing two episodes (#2 and #4 - the team). I would guess the producers had to cave in to his demands - he was NOT replaceable on that show.

It was so obvious those lines were for Arnold lol. .

Mace Dolex · 11-14-2014, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

It was so obvious those lines were for Arnold lol. .

Yeah I even commented in another thread about this and how Tootie was acting all snarky and smart alecky which was totally unlike her fun loving personality on The Facts Of Life.

TVFactFan · 11-14-2014, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mace Dolex

Yeah I even commented in another thread about this and how Tootie was acting all snarky and smart alecky which was totally unlike her fun loving personality on The Facts Of Life.

I guess it's one of those season 4 episodes where Willis says

"Tootie everytime you come visit Arnold is never around"

Mace Dolex · 11-15-2014, 01:14 AM

Wouldnt it have been weird if on The Facts Of Life we saw Arnold filling in for Tootie everytime she wasn't around?

TVFactFan · 11-15-2014, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mace Dolex

Wouldnt it have been weird if on The Facts Of Life we saw Arnold filling in for Tootie everytime she wasn't around?

It was hard for him to appear on there because he looked so younger than them which is why we only saw Willis appear on FOL alone

Wawwie · 11-15-2014, 04:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

It was hard for him to appear on there because he looked so younger than them which is why we only saw Willis appear on FOL alone

No, I remember Arnold was on FOL in season two when Jo first appeared and stole the school van so her and Blair could chase men at the bar.
Arnold also appeared for a little in one season one episode. I can't remember what happened in the episode, but I do remember they were visiting Mrs. Garrett.

TVFactFan · 11-15-2014, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wawwie

No, I remember Arnold was on FOL in season two when Jo first appeared and stole the school van so her and Blair could chase men at the bar.
Arnold also appeared for a little in one season one episode. I can't remember what happened in the episode, but I do remember they were visiting Mrs. Garrett.

he had a very small role and I think only seen once. I believe that's when he Dove out the window

Mace Dolex · 11-15-2014, 10:03 PM

I don't see why Tootie was even needed for the few episodes that Gary Coleman wasn't available, don't see why the writers couldn't just simply write Arnold out of the scripts instead of feeding his lines to Tootie.

Makes me wish that the internet was around in the 80's so the writers can feel the fans hatred.

TVFactFan · 11-15-2014, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mace Dolex

I don't see why Tootie was even needed for the few episodes that Gary Coleman wasn't available, don't see why the writers couldn't just simply write Arnold out of the scripts instead of feeding his lines to Tootie.

Makes me wish that the internet was around in the 80's so the writers can feel the fans hatred.

Not sure why she was chosen as his replacement

lj01 · 11-16-2014, 11:37 AM

My guess would be that they were too far into production to completely re-write the script, and since Kim worked for the same production company, she was available for a last-minute emergency.

I think something similar occurred on an episode of 3's company when Suzanne Somers held out (prior to Jenilee Harrison joining), there was one episode where randomly Jack's girlfriend was there visiting - I think it was same concept, too late for a rewrite, had to give the lines to somebody

DJM77 · 11-16-2014, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wawwie

Arnold also appeared for a little in one season one episode. I can't remember what happened in the episode, but I do remember they were visiting Mrs. Garrett.

Mace Dolex · 11-16-2014, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by li01

I think something similar occurred on an episode of 3's company when Suzanne Somers held out (prior to Jenilee Harrison joining), there was one episode where randomly Jack's girlfriend was there visiting - I think it was same concept, too late for a rewrite, had to give the lines to somebody

I know of the 3's Company episode with Jack's girlfriend filling for Janet.

In the case of Suzanne Somers her lines were given to Don Knott's who at least was a regular on the show, the reason for bringing in Jenilee Harrison was because the show needed 3 roommates hence the show title.

lj01 · 11-17-2014, 01:47 PM

sorry, my bad, yes, it was Joyce DeWitt who sat out an episode that caused the producers to have Jack's girlfriend take the lines.

but i think, same concept as what happened on DS, too far into production to rewrite script, had to bring someone in

Edward216 · 11-26-2014, 04:31 AM

I've read a lot of stuff about Gary Coleman over the years, I was always a big fan of his, I'm an adoptee as well and he was only a year older than I am. As I understand it, he wanted more money because of the hours he was having to work and he wanted more compensation because of his health problems, he really wanted to be working less hours but his parents wouldn't let him. He was adopted and an only child. When he got older he alleged his parents basically saw him as a cash cow to bring in lots of money because of his acting talent, and didn't really care about his health (due to kidney problems) and he also claimed that they cheated him out of a lot of the money he earned on Diff'rent Strokes, you know when you're a child actor most of the money you earn is supposed to be put in a trust for you and left their until you become an adult legally. He said his parents stole a lot of his money and spent it on themselves. Of course his parents always denied all of those accusations. But, he hadn't spoken to them in several years when he had his tragic accident and died. For what it's worth I've always believed Gary Coleman's story and not his parents'. I remember he even sued them to try and get some of the money back. A very sad life indeed.

Ed.

kingconan31 · 05-01-2015, 12:26 AM

I wondered about that also, it is so sad so many people on this show is no longer here.

05-01-2015, 12:26 AM	#30
kingconan31 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 11, 2003 Location: New Carollton Maryland Posts: 487	I wondered about that also, it is so sad so many people on this show is no longer here.
	__________________ The Maryland Strongman. 630 pound squat 120 pound dum bell press 350 pound bench. Gloven Gloves boxer.

11-15-2014, 01:14 AM	#19
Mace Dolex Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 12, 2013 Posts: 2,666	Wouldnt it have been weird if on The Facts Of Life we saw Arnold filling in for Tootie everytime she wasn't around?

11-15-2014, 10:03 PM	#23
Mace Dolex Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 12, 2013 Posts: 2,666	I don't see why Tootie was even needed for the few episodes that Gary Coleman wasn't available, don't see why the writers couldn't just simply write Arnold out of the scripts instead of feeding his lines to Tootie. Makes me wish that the internet was around in the 80's so the writers can feel the fans hatred.

11-16-2014, 11:37 AM	#25
lj01 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jul 14, 2008 Posts: 88	My guess would be that they were too far into production to completely re-write the script, and since Kim worked for the same production company, she was available for a last-minute emergency. I think something similar occurred on an episode of 3's company when Suzanne Somers held out (prior to Jenilee Harrison joining), there was one episode where randomly Jack's girlfriend was there visiting - I think it was same concept, too late for a rewrite, had to give the lines to somebody

11-17-2014, 01:47 PM	#28
lj01 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jul 14, 2008 Posts: 88	sorry, my bad, yes, it was Joyce DeWitt who sat out an episode that caused the producers to have Jack's girlfriend take the lines. but i think, same concept as what happened on DS, too far into production to rewrite script, had to bring someone in

11-26-2014, 04:31 AM	#29
Edward216 Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 18, 2014 Location: Central Time Zone Posts: 4,625	I've read a lot of stuff about Gary Coleman over the years, I was always a big fan of his, I'm an adoptee as well and he was only a year older than I am. As I understand it, he wanted more money because of the hours he was having to work and he wanted more compensation because of his health problems, he really wanted to be working less hours but his parents wouldn't let him. He was adopted and an only child. When he got older he alleged his parents basically saw him as a cash cow to bring in lots of money because of his acting talent, and didn't really care about his health (due to kidney problems) and he also claimed that they cheated him out of a lot of the money he earned on Diff'rent Strokes, you know when you're a child actor most of the money you earn is supposed to be put in a trust for you and left their until you become an adult legally. He said his parents stole a lot of his money and spent it on themselves. Of course his parents always denied all of those accusations. But, he hadn't spoken to them in several years when he had his tragic accident and died. For what it's worth I've always believed Gary Coleman's story and not his parents'. I remember he even sued them to try and get some of the money back. A very sad life indeed. Ed.