This is the real finale of Different Strokes - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TVFactFan · 08-17-2014, 09:54 PM

The Wedding...."Feb 25, 1984

After this episode everything got worse. Because of

1. Less appearances by Willis
2. Less appearances by Kimberly
3. Another woman playing Maggie
4. Addition of Sam
5. The changing of the house in season 8 due to new network

So the Wedding to me is the official ending of Different Strokes

tlc38tlc38 · 08-17-2014, 10:34 PM

I agree with you 100% about this. The main reason I don't care for season 8 is the different Maggie. I'm a big Dixie Carter fan so naturally I didn't like when they replaced her.

Mr. Television · 08-17-2014, 10:42 PM

It probably would have been better if it ended there. I can't even stomach most of the ABC version.

TVFactFan · 08-17-2014, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

It probably would have been better if it ended there. I can't even stomach most of the ABC version.

yup it was a full six seasons and it saw Mrs Garrett, and Charlene and all the cast was in the same episode

TMC · 08-23-2014, 03:11 AM

What's interesting is that the last episode ("The Front Page") wasn't meant to be a true or proper series finale. In other words, it was basically just "another episode". I'm assuming that the producers and ABC for that matter, had hoped and expected that DS could go on for at least one more season (even though much has been made about Gary Coleman getting sick of doing it). Either way, it's really disappointing that Todd Bridges and Dana Plato weren't in what turned out to be the final episode.

Wildchats · 08-28-2014, 05:22 PM

The final episode just had Mr. D., Arnold and Sam, the smallest amount of cast members for any episode of the series. The rest of the episode, if I remember, had a bunch of guest stars and co-stars at Arnold's school playing the college jocks who were doing drugs, and of course, Dudley was Arnold's sidekick.

Would have been nice had they done just one more season and gotten it right. They had so much to work with at this time with Arnold growing up, it could have called for more episodes with him and Lisa. I actually liked that about the final season, when the two were in the dark room together. I think the show was moving into that direction, maybe even having them become a couple in season 9.

JLThorpe · 08-28-2014, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildchats

Would have been nice had they done just one more season and gotten it right. They had so much to work with at this time with Arnold growing up, it could have called for more episodes with him and Lisa. I actually liked that about the final season, when the two were in the dark room together. I think the show was moving into that direction, maybe even having them become a couple in season 9.

I liked that it sort of brought closure to their relationship. Instead of ending the series with them as enemies, it ends with them potentially being friends (or maybe more than friends, as you suggest).

TVFactFan · 08-28-2014, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildchats

The final episode just had Mr. D., Arnold and Sam, the smallest amount of cast members for any episode of the series. The rest of the episode, if I remember, had a bunch of guest stars and co-stars at Arnold's school playing the college jocks who were doing drugs, and of course, Dudley was Arnold's sidekick.

Would have been nice had they done just one more season and gotten it right. They had so much to work with at this time with Arnold growing up, it could have called for more episodes with him and Lisa. I actually liked that about the final season, when the two were in the dark room together. I think the show was moving into that direction, maybe even having them become a couple in season 9.

The show never had a final episode which is why I said the wedding should have been it

08-17-2014, 09:54 PM	#1
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,153	This is the real finale of Different Strokes The Wedding...."Feb 25, 1984 After this episode everything got worse. Because of 1. Less appearances by Willis 2. Less appearances by Kimberly 3. Another woman playing Maggie 4. Addition of Sam 5. The changing of the house in season 8 due to new network So the Wedding to me is the official ending of Different Strokes

08-17-2014, 10:34 PM	#2
tlc38tlc38 Member Forum Star Join Date: May 02, 2008 Posts: 19,346	I agree with you 100% about this. The main reason I don't care for season 8 is the different Maggie. I'm a big Dixie Carter fan so naturally I didn't like when they replaced her.
	__________________ Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. Deuteronomy 15:10 In loving memory of my best friend, my Mama.

08-17-2014, 10:42 PM	#3
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	It probably would have been better if it ended there. I can't even stomach most of the ABC version.
	__________________ Sonny

08-23-2014, 03:11 AM	#5
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 127,678	What's interesting is that the last episode ("The Front Page") wasn't meant to be a true or proper series finale. In other words, it was basically just "another episode". I'm assuming that the producers and ABC for that matter, had hoped and expected that DS could go on for at least one more season (even though much has been made about Gary Coleman getting sick of doing it). Either way, it's really disappointing that Todd Bridges and Dana Plato weren't in what turned out to be the final episode.

08-28-2014, 05:22 PM	#6
Wildchats Me Senior Member Join Date: Jul 15, 2001 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,076	The final episode just had Mr. D., Arnold and Sam, the smallest amount of cast members for any episode of the series. The rest of the episode, if I remember, had a bunch of guest stars and co-stars at Arnold's school playing the college jocks who were doing drugs, and of course, Dudley was Arnold's sidekick. Would have been nice had they done just one more season and gotten it right. They had so much to work with at this time with Arnold growing up, it could have called for more episodes with him and Lisa. I actually liked that about the final season, when the two were in the dark room together. I think the show was moving into that direction, maybe even having them become a couple in season 9.