Final thoughts on Diff'rent Strokes - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Curtis3331 · 07-02-2002, 11:49 AM

Well, we've seen all the episodes now both on TNN and TVland. And now they're airing the pilot. I think it's pretty amazing we all saw them grow up, well .......in Gary's case not physically. LOL. Sorry just had to throw that in there.

But I've always wondered what it would be like if things had not gone wrong with the cast. There would probably be a reunion and maybe they would make it big again in another sitcom or in movies. But what a sad way to end a show. There wasn't any big finale or goodbyes like other shows like Three's Company.

I'm glad though we get to see this show back on syndication. It had the cornyness of The Brady Bunch but yet was a little bit more sophisticated. It taught valuable lessons to kids especially to me, because I grew up around that time in the 80's. Of course though, some episodes were a bit exaggerated and dramatic but, I always thought that was what made the show so interesting and not boring. I'll never forget Arnold's humor, Mr. D and Willis' personality, and of course Kimberly's smile.

JethroSimpson · 07-02-2002, 01:36 PM

Nicely said!

DS still stands out as my favourite American Sitcom. It was innocent and funny which is a hard combination to match.
I like the way it dealt with issues, unlike The Brady Bunch who were stuck in a perfect world, DS showed things like Racism, Drugs and alcahol and showed that the world is not perfect and things will go wrong for everyone.
One moment from the show that still sticks out is in the "Growing Problem" episode when Willis' friend dies from drink driving, can you imagine that in the Brady Bunch?

Maybe there could still be a reunion one day although it obviously couldn't be the same without Dana.
Obviously the misfortunes of the cast put a shadow over it, but it was a great show and I don't think there can ever be another one like it.

Long live DS!

tvje · 07-03-2002, 04:40 PM

The serious episode that is all Norman Leer. He bought drama to comedy. Before All in the Family no sitcom exept maybe Julia did drama. His probuction company is also the company that bought us Mary Hartman Mary Hatmen and I think Soap. I am not sure about that one.

But I agree it had a little bit of the Brady Bunch some of the episode were pure rip offs of a Brady Bunch episode. Unfortunitly they tries the Cousin Oliver thing in the end. It had that Brady Bunch combine with the socal cunceze of Leer's 70's shows like All in the Family, One Day at a Time, Good Times (with a catch prase and Janet Jackson).

Brian Damage · 07-04-2002, 06:13 PM

I grew up with DS, so it holds a special place in my heart. I don't think any of the core actors would find much success outside of the show because they were all unfairly typecast. I do agree, however, the biggest crime of DS was that there was no finale!

SoFl123 · 07-04-2002, 06:24 PM

same executive producer, so a few episodes might have been similar to Brady.
There was a huge idfferent in appearnce of the cast by the end of the run. Gary may not have grew, but he went through alot of change in the face. when Dana left in 1984 and came back for a few episodes, she looked like she grewup 5 years. Todd really grew as well.

JethroSimpson · 07-05-2002, 08:42 AM

I didn't mean similar Brady episodes, I meant the kind of show that it was was different.

I thought the only big change Gary ever made on the show was during the 7th season when he had the kidney transplant and he looked a lot older.

SoFl123 · 07-05-2002, 08:54 AM

well i remember a few episodes in the first season were slightly similar to brady episodes, not exactly, none come to mind right now but if i saw an episode i could identify it.

JethroSimpson · 07-05-2002, 12:34 PM

There was a Brady episode were they were trying to get Alice to stay, like "Mrs Garret's Crisis.

And wasn't there another Brady episode were one of them was put on trial with Alice as Judge just like "The Trial" DS episode.

SoFl123 · 07-05-2002, 02:53 PM

yep. Those come to mind.

SoFl123 · 07-09-2002, 02:07 AM

My Final Thoughts are, it is a great show, i loved watching it every dayand this show will long live for generations.
This time around i dont think ill be watching it all the way around again though.

Curtis3331 · 07-09-2002, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SoFl123
My Final Thoughts are, it is a great show, i loved watching it every dayand this show will long live for generations.
This time around i dont think ill be watching it all the way around again though.

Yup, I've got all the episodes I wanted now. I think I'll just be watching it if I have the time. Not like when they were airing the final season, I would set my alarm and make sure I watched and tape it. But I don't think I'll every get tired of watching the first season.

07-02-2002, 11:49 AM	#1
Curtis3331 Kimberly Rules! Frequent Poster Join Date: May 13, 2001 Location: TX Posts: 428	Final thoughts on Diff'rent Strokes Well, we've seen all the episodes now both on TNN and TVland. And now they're airing the pilot. I think it's pretty amazing we all saw them grow up, well .......in Gary's case not physically. LOL. Sorry just had to throw that in there. But I've always wondered what it would be like if things had not gone wrong with the cast. There would probably be a reunion and maybe they would make it big again in another sitcom or in movies. But what a sad way to end a show. There wasn't any big finale or goodbyes like other shows like Three's Company. I'm glad though we get to see this show back on syndication. It had the cornyness of The Brady Bunch but yet was a little bit more sophisticated. It taught valuable lessons to kids especially to me, because I grew up around that time in the 80's. Of course though, some episodes were a bit exaggerated and dramatic but, I always thought that was what made the show so interesting and not boring. I'll never forget Arnold's humor, Mr. D and Willis' personality, and of course Kimberly's smile.

07-02-2002, 01:36 PM	#2
JethroSimpson Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 01, 2001 Location: England,UK Posts: 1,080	Nicely said! DS still stands out as my favourite American Sitcom. It was innocent and funny which is a hard combination to match. I like the way it dealt with issues, unlike The Brady Bunch who were stuck in a perfect world, DS showed things like Racism, Drugs and alcahol and showed that the world is not perfect and things will go wrong for everyone. One moment from the show that still sticks out is in the "Growing Problem" episode when Willis' friend dies from drink driving, can you imagine that in the Brady Bunch? Maybe there could still be a reunion one day although it obviously couldn't be the same without Dana. Obviously the misfortunes of the cast put a shadow over it, but it was a great show and I don't think there can ever be another one like it. Long live DS!
	__________________ My Brand New Diff'rent Strokes site is now at- http://chrisdoyle0.tripod.com/ ________________ _______________ Chris D.

07-03-2002, 04:40 PM	#3
tvje Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 26, 2002 Posts: 1,402	The serious episode that is all Norman Leer. He bought drama to comedy. Before All in the Family no sitcom exept maybe Julia did drama. His probuction company is also the company that bought us Mary Hartman Mary Hatmen and I think Soap. I am not sure about that one. But I agree it had a little bit of the Brady Bunch some of the episode were pure rip offs of a Brady Bunch episode. Unfortunitly they tries the Cousin Oliver thing in the end. It had that Brady Bunch combine with the socal cunceze of Leer's 70's shows like All in the Family, One Day at a Time, Good Times (with a catch prase and Janet Jackson).
	__________________ tvje

07-04-2002, 06:13 PM	#4
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: 63,107	I grew up with DS, so it holds a special place in my heart. I don't think any of the core actors would find much success outside of the show because they were all unfairly typecast. I do agree, however, the biggest crime of DS was that there was no finale!
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

07-04-2002, 06:24 PM	#5
SoFl123 TTTTT Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 19, 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 583	same executive producer, so a few episodes might have been similar to Brady. There was a huge idfferent in appearnce of the cast by the end of the run. Gary may not have grew, but he went through alot of change in the face. when Dana left in 1984 and came back for a few episodes, she looked like she grewup 5 years. Todd really grew as well.

07-05-2002, 08:42 AM	#6
JethroSimpson Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 01, 2001 Location: England,UK Posts: 1,080	I didn't mean similar Brady episodes, I meant the kind of show that it was was different. I thought the only big change Gary ever made on the show was during the 7th season when he had the kidney transplant and he looked a lot older.

07-05-2002, 08:54 AM	#7
SoFl123 TTTTT Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 19, 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 583	well i remember a few episodes in the first season were slightly similar to brady episodes, not exactly, none come to mind right now but if i saw an episode i could identify it.

07-05-2002, 12:34 PM	#8
JethroSimpson Member Senior Member Join Date: Aug 01, 2001 Location: England,UK Posts: 1,080	There was a Brady episode were they were trying to get Alice to stay, like "Mrs Garret's Crisis. And wasn't there another Brady episode were one of them was put on trial with Alice as Judge just like "The Trial" DS episode.

07-05-2002, 02:53 PM	#9
SoFl123 TTTTT Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 19, 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 583	yep. Those come to mind.

07-09-2002, 02:07 AM	#10
SoFl123 TTTTT Forum Regular Join Date: Dec 19, 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 583	My Final Thoughts are, it is a great show, i loved watching it every dayand this show will long live for generations. This time around i dont think ill be watching it all the way around again though.