In Your Opinion, Was 'Webster' A Ripoff Of 'Diff'rent Strokes?' - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 02-02-2011, 11:04 AM

Or was it just coincidentally similar to each other?

Marvo301 · 02-02-2011, 03:16 PM

I don't think the similarities between Webster and Diff'rent Strokes were a coincidence at all. It's very common practice for TV networks to copy what is successful on another network and that was the case here.

RWCTV · 02-08-2011, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

I don't think the similarities between Webster and Diff'rent Strokes were a coincidence at all. It's very common practice for TV networks to copy what is successful on another network and that was the case here.

And what's even more impressive is that the storylines were original for both series. In fact, I grew up watching both series. They both had their own unique characteristics.

studd911 · 02-11-2011, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RWCTV

And what's even more impressive is that the storylines were original for both series. In fact, I grew up watching both series. They both had their own unique characteristics.

Did Shenna Eastern do the vocals for the introduction for the the tv show

ThomasE · 02-12-2011, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RWCTV

And what's even more impressive is that the storylines were original for both series. In fact, I grew up watching both series. They both had their own unique characteristics.

This is true. I grew up watching these shows in primetime and on their weekday morning network lineups.

MacLeaper · 02-23-2011, 04:49 PM

Funnily enough, I actually saw Webster and watched that regularly as a kid long before I ever saw Diff'rent Strokes. In any case, I love both shows and while I can recognize the obvious similarities, I don't let it impede my enjoyment of both shows. I'd be happy to have both on DVD.
I do think that Webster was a bit different- he was not the same character as Arnold Jackson Drummond, certainly.
I think Webster had a bit gentler quality to him somehow- and to the series as a whole. But both are great shows.

gidgetgrape · 02-23-2011, 05:24 PM

As a kid, I watched and liked both TV shows. I've always wondered if "Webster" would have come about if Gary Coleman wouldn't have had highly publicized, kidney problems. Was ABC trying to take advantage of what might have been a tragic situation?

I think "Webster" and "Punky Brewster" both owe a bit of their success to "Diff'rent Strokes."

Dr. Thong · 02-23-2011, 06:05 PM

Oh, they definitely took their cue from Strokes.

TVFactFan · 03-06-2011, 08:18 PM

Yup the only difference was that there was Two Parents and no siblings-lol I remember watchting Webster on Friday Nights at 8pm.

Gabgirl · 03-24-2011, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Or was it just coincidentally similar to each other?

I've always believed it was a rip-off of Diff'rent Strokes. The premise was just a little too similar for this to not cross the minds of viewers. Mr. Drummond adopted his deceased housekeeper's children, whereas George and his wife, Kate took in his deceased friend's son, and became his guardians. Also, i'm sure Gary and Emmanuel's small size also played a key role in why the two were compared.

Aside from DS being a late 70s series, and Webster being more of an early/mid 80s series....there's very little difference in the premise of the shows.

glickmam · 08-13-2023, 03:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by studd911

Did Shenna Eastern do the vocals for the introduction for the the tv show

Nope, the theme song was sung by Steve Nelson and Gail Lopata Lennon.

BestTVever · 09-14-2023, 06:25 AM

Definitely yes.
Cute black kids being adopted by rich white people was a formula for a hit show back then.

TMC · 09-17-2023, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gabgirl

I've always believed it was a rip-off of Diff'rent Strokes. The premise was just a little too similar for this to not cross the minds of viewers. Mr. Drummond adopted his deceased housekeeper's children, whereas George and his wife, Kate took in his deceased friend's son, and became his guardians. Also, i'm sure Gary and Emmanuel's small size also played a key role in why the two were compared.

Aside from DS being a late 70s series, and Webster being more of an early/mid 80s series....there's very little difference in the premise of the shows.

Of course both shows are similar:

Quote:

In an obvious attempt by ABC to cash in on the success of Diff'rent Strokes, Webster centers around an orphaned black boy who moves in with a rich white family. Emmanuel Lewis plays the title character in a role very similar to Gary Coleman's Arnold Jackson on the NBC show.

The sitcom revolved around Webster, a five-year-old boy who moves in with his godfather George, a former NFL player who recently married a rich socialite whom Webster calls "Ma'am." At the beginning of the series, storylines often focused on Ma'am and George adjusting to life as newlyweds but it wasn't long before nearly every episode focused on precocious-cute-kid Webster.

D-Dey · 10-07-2023, 10:18 PM

I think the similarities hurt the show.

TMC · 10-08-2023, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D-Dey

I think the similarities hurt the show.

Somebody else said that what likely also hurt Webster is that it was more of a traditional sitcom and had adult stories. Compare that to something like Punky Brewster, which was a show that was 100% from a child’s point of view and was literally a kids show. Webster on the other hand, was just another show about a cute kid.

02-02-2011, 11:04 AM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	In Your Opinion, Was 'Webster' A Ripoff Of 'Diff'rent Strokes?' Or was it just coincidentally similar to each other?
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02-02-2011, 03:16 PM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,450	I don't think the similarities between Webster and Diff'rent Strokes were a coincidence at all. It's very common practice for TV networks to copy what is successful on another network and that was the case here.
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02-23-2011, 04:49 PM	#6
MacLeaper Child of the 80s Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 20, 2001 Posts: 3,355	Funnily enough, I actually saw Webster and watched that regularly as a kid long before I ever saw Diff'rent Strokes. In any case, I love both shows and while I can recognize the obvious similarities, I don't let it impede my enjoyment of both shows. I'd be happy to have both on DVD. I do think that Webster was a bit different- he was not the same character as Arnold Jackson Drummond, certainly. I think Webster had a bit gentler quality to him somehow- and to the series as a whole. But both are great shows.
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02-23-2011, 06:05 PM	#8
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,545	Oh, they definitely took their cue from Strokes.
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10-07-2023, 10:18 PM	#14
D-Dey Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 11, 2000 Location: Long Island, New York, USA Posts: 5,508	I think the similarities hurt the show.
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02-23-2011, 05:24 PM	#7
gidgetgrape Forever Gidget Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 20, 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 3,503	As a kid, I watched and liked both TV shows. I've always wondered if "Webster" would have come about if Gary Coleman wouldn't have had highly publicized, kidney problems. Was ABC trying to take advantage of what might have been a tragic situation? I think "Webster" and "Punky Brewster" both owe a bit of their success to "Diff'rent Strokes."

03-06-2011, 08:18 PM	#9
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 98,950	Yup the only difference was that there was Two Parents and no siblings-lol I remember watchting Webster on Friday Nights at 8pm.

09-14-2023, 06:25 AM	#12
BestTVever Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 29, 2021 Location: Miami Posts: 1,874	Definitely yes. Cute black kids being adopted by rich white people was a formula for a hit show back then.