Why hasn’t Diff’rent Strokes aged as well as FOL?

[TV Guy]

I caught Diff’rent Strokes this morning and I think it’s borderline unwatchable. Conrad Bain’s character is completely unfunny, and the show wears its liberal heart on its sleeve far too much, with pretty heavy handed messages.

['80sSitcoms]

I have "the Mrs. Garrett" years on DVD, the first 2 seasons. I binged on them this summer and I still enjoy them. Like FOL, I have strong, vivid memories of watching it at my grandparents'. But my fandom for it is nowhere near my passionate love of FOL.

[RetroGuy2000]

I've caught several episodes, and have enjoyed them. Some of the episodes may be more dated than FOL, but the OOH years of FOL are more dated than anything on DS.

[Impressions]

Please. They’re equally dated. Facts of Life wore its liberal heart on its sleeve during the Eastland years, with those very special episodes, and showed some very cringeworthy hairstyles and clothing during those Over Our Heads years. And who could forget that horrendous synth “New Wave” theme change up on both shows in the later years.

[RetroGuy2000]

Oh man. I loved that mid-'80s DS theme. Unironically, even.

[Schmoopie]

Originally Posted by Impressions

Please. They’re equally dated. Facts of Life wore its liberal heart on its sleeve during the Eastland years, with those very special episodes, and showed some very cringeworthy hairstyles and clothing during those Over Our Heads years. And who could forget that horrendous synth “New Wave” theme change up on both shows in the later years.

I think they're both dated. I don't know if I just overloaded myself with FOL a few months ago by trying to watch every episode but I can't watch it anymore. I was disappointed (but not surprised) by the crappy way they ended the series and you all know that I cannot stand Tootie. Most annoying character ever on a show that I can recall. I think I might have enjoyed the series a lot more without her.

[Lorimar Television]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Oh man. I loved that mid-'80s DS theme. Unironically, even.

You mean the theme song in season 8?

['80sSitcoms]

Originally Posted by Impressions

with those very special episodes

It's funny that a lot of people remember FOL this way, because as far as I know, DS was the only sitcom to ever have "very special episodes" actually marketed/announced as such. If any other shows did, I don't know. But FOL had dramatic moments in most of its cafeteria episodes, so that was just part of the regular package.

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by Lorimar Television

You mean the theme song in season 8?

Yes.

[Christopher]

Originally Posted by Impressions

showed some very cringeworthy hairstyles and clothing during those Over Our Heads years

I don't understand how their appearance overshadows the quality of episodes The Facts of Life produced in the later years. Regardless of what they're wearing, season 8 was a strong season with the writing. Season 9 had one great episode that was just like an Eastland episode with "Rumor Has It". Hairstyles and clothing doesn't bother me unless they make it so obnoxious like what Charmed did trying to sexualize the women into getting horny boys and men to watch.

Originally Posted by '80sSitcoms

It's funny that a lot of people remember FOL this way, because as far as I know, DS was the only sitcom to ever have "very special episodes" actually marketed/announced as such. If any other shows did, I don't know. But FOL had dramatic moments in most of its cafeteria episodes, so that was just part of the regular package.

From what was released on the DVD sets, the only special episode that had a marketed announcement before airing was "The First Time". Maybe it's because of the times we live in now but that episode is no where near special to deserve an announcement before airing. I would have on "The Breaking Point" because of how dramatic and realistic that became. Of all the so called special episodes, "The Breaking Point" is the most troubling one because it does happen in teens to this day and it's tragic when they succeed.

[Lorimar Television]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

Yes.

Haha I liked it too!

[Impressions]

Originally Posted by Christopher

I don't understand how their appearance overshadows the quality of episodes The Facts of Life produced in the later years. Regardless of what they're wearing, season 8 was a strong season with the writing. Season 9 had one great episode that was just like an Eastland episode with "Rumor Has It". Hairstyles and clothing doesn't bother me unless they make it so obnoxious like what Charmed did trying to sexualize the women into getting horny boys and men to watch.

I wasn’t saying that. There is no relationship with the appearance and the quality of the episodes. I was just commenting on how dated the show looks and sounds compared to now. I made no mention of the quality of the writing in the later years in the original post. I guess it’s all how you define aging well. I will say though, the writing was still decent in the later years, but by no means was it superb like the Eastland years. I think they did get a little too carried away with the dream sequences and writing for novelty in later years. But it’s all a matter of an opinion. Some people like later years. I think the outfits and hairstyles were fun and colorful, I just wouldn’t say they aged very well.

[MiracleHand]

I think the problem with DS is that so much of it relied on the cuteness and charm of Gary Coleman that it grates as you watch it older. Of course Tootie was really cute early on as well, but the show wasn't centered around it

Plus, I also think its almost impossible in this day and age to divorce DS from the tragedy surrounding the show.

[RetroGuy2000]

Originally Posted by MiracleHand

I think the problem with DS is that so much of it relied on the cuteness and charm of Gary Coleman that it grates as you watch it older. Of course Tootie was really cute early on as well, but the show wasn't centered around it

Plus, I also think its almost impossible in this day and age to divorce DS from the tragedy surrounding the show.

You raise a great point about the "Diff'rent Strokes curse". It's difficult to watch the show without thinking about the struggles of Todd Bridges, Dana Plato, and Gary Coleman during and after the show.

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by RetroGuy2000

You raise a great point about the "Diff'rent Strokes curse". It's difficult to watch the show without thinking about the struggles of Todd Bridges, Dana Plato, and Gary Coleman during and after the show.

I can watch without thinking about that because it's not reality. All that stuff you are referring to happened once the show went off the air.