Bernie Kukoff
Director
Diff'rent Strokes (1978)
Season 2
The series stars Gary Coleman and Todd Bridges as Arnold and Willis Jackson, two African American boys from Harlem who are taken in by a rich white Park Avenue businessman named Phillip Drummond and his daughter Kimberly, for whom their deceased mother previously worked. During the first season and first half of the second season, Charlotte Rae also starred as the Drummonds' housekeeper, Mrs. Garrett.
Released Nov. 3, 1978
Episode 29 min
10+
Keywords: tmdb.wealthy, tmdb.orphan, tmdb.manhattan-new-york-city, tmdb.sitcom, tmdb.family-relationships, tmdb.class-differences, tmdb.widower + 53 more, tmdb.interracial-adoption, tmdb.adopted-child, tmdb.brother-brother-relationship, tmdb.african-american, imdb.famous-opening-theme, imdb.catch-phrase, imdb.9-year-old, imdb.13-year-old, imdb.8-year-old, imdb.12-year-old, imdb.laugh-track, imdb.bunk-bed, imdb.interracial-family, imdb.intentionally-misspelled-title, imdb.apostrophe-in-title, imdb.two-word-title, imdb.cult-tv, tmdb.child-care, imdb.1970s, imdb.1980s, imdb.manhattan-new-york-city, imdb.culture-clash, imdb.wealth, imdb.class-differences, imdb.adopted-child, imdb.adopted-son, imdb.little-boy, imdb.teenager, imdb.teenage-girl, imdb.housekeeper, imdb.maid, imdb.widower, imdb.millionaire, imdb.african-american, imdb.father-daughter-relationship, imdb.brother-sister-relationship, imdb.brother-brother-relationship, imdb.father-son-relationship, imdb.single-parent, imdb.single-father, imdb.orphan, imdb.interracial-adoption, imdb.family-relationships, imdb.new-york, imdb.child-actor, imdb.new-york-city, imdb.adoption, imdb.sitcom, imdb.sitcom-comedy, imdb.20th-century, imdb.child-abuse, imdb.bigotry, imdb.racism
Watch Providers: Tubi TV
Production Companies: Norman Lear/Tandem Productions, Embassy Television, Embassy Pictures Corporation, Tandem Productions
Network: ABC
Country: United States
Languages:
English
S2E1 - Arnold's Girlfriend (1)
Arnold has appendicitis and Drummond has to deal with the bigotry of Fred Tanner, a potential housing project investor whose daughter is the key to getting Arnold to sit still for the operation.
Sept. 21, 1979, midnight
S2E2 - Arnold's Girlfriend (2)
Arnold's life is endangered when the kids find out they can't share a room in the hospital and run away on the eve of Arnold's surgery.
Sept. 21, 1979, midnight
S2E3 - Feudin' and Fussin' (I)
Arnold's well-intentioned endorsement of Larry Alder's hosting talents to a New York TV big-wig gives Larry the opportunity of a lifetime and brings the family to the big apple. Larry's try-out as a New York television talk-show house may be doomed from the start, one disaster follows another and not everyone on the Alder team may be rooting for him to win the job.
The crossover continues on Hello, Larry S02E01 Feudin' and Fussin' (II).
Sept. 28, 1979, midnight
S2E4 - Feudin' and Fussin' (2)
Arnold's well-intentioned endorsement of Larry Alder's hosting talents to a New York TV big-wig gives Larry the opportunity of a lifetime and brings the family to the big apple. Larry's try-out as a New York television talk-show house may be doomed from the start, one disaster follows another and not everyone on the Alder team may be rooting for him to win the job.
**Part two originally aired as an episode of "Hello, Larry".
Sept. 28, 1979, midnight
7.0
S2E5 - Mrs. Garrett's Romance
The Drummond household's curiosity over Mrs. Garrett's new beau turns first to surprise and then to alarm. Mrs. Garrett is in a dither over her first date with Leon, especially when it is followed by a very important question.
Oct. 12, 1979, midnight
S2E6 - Birds and Bees
Willis' fishy version of the facts of life leaves Arnold with misconceptions and Mr. Drummond on tender hooks. Arnold repeats his ""knowledge"" to a neighbor's daughter, but the girl's mother is not amused.
Oct. 19, 1979, midnight
S2E7 - Arnold's Hero (a.k.a.) The Hero
Arnold's wildest dream is realized when he comes face-to-knee with ""The Champ"" -- special guest star Muhammad Ali. When the meeting arranged by Mr. Drummond between Arnold and his idol, Muhammad Ali, falls through, Kimberly and Willis concoct a wild scheme to insure that Arnold's dream will come true.
Oct. 24, 1979, midnight
S2E8 - The Adoption (1)
The Drummond family celebrates the day Arnold and Willis are supposed to be officially adopted until the visit of a ""relative"" leaves their plans in jeopardy. Whitman Mayo guest stars as Jethro Simpson, who sees his way to go from junk to jewels in a last will and testament leaving a fortune to Willis and Arnold.
Oct. 31, 1979, midnight
S2E9 - The Adoption (2)
It appears that Mr. Drummond's attempts to adopt Arnold and Willis will be aborted by a conniving junk dealer until the boys take matters into their own hands. Whitman Mayo guest stars as ""long-lost relative"" Jethro Simpson who has arrived with a letter supposedly written by the boys' father, leaving Arnold and Willis in his custody.
Nov. 7, 1979, midnight
S2E10 - Father and Son Day
Willis' cut-throat competitiveness with another boy at his gym leads him to a decision that he will very much regret, especially after it hurts Mr. Drummond and gives Arnold the right to say ""I told you so."" Baseball great Reggie Jackson makes his acting debut playing a key, but unsuspecting role in Willis' questionable scheme.
Nov. 14, 1979, midnight
S2E11 - Thanksgiving Crossover (I)
The Alders and the Drummonds are together again in New York, and Arnold, Willis and Kimberly plan a second Thanksgiving feast with friends Diane and Ruthie. But even the huge Drummond penthouse isn't big enough to hold the exploding tempers that threaten Phil and Larry's long-standing relationship, on a special one-hour episode featuring the stars of "Hello, Larry." Morgan and all the kids get caught up in the feud when Larry learns friendship doesn't necessarily make for good business.
The crossover continues on Hello, Larry S02E10 Thanksgiving Crossover (II).
Nov. 28, 1979, midnight
S2E12 - Thanksgiving Crossover (2)
The Alders and the Drummonds are together again in New York, and Arnold, Willis and Kimberly plan a second Thanksgiving feast with friends Diane and Ruthie. But even the huge Drummond penthouse isn't big enough to hold the exploding tempers that threaten Phil and Larry's long-standing relationship, on a special one-hour episode featuring the stars of "Hello, Larry." Morgan and all the kids get caught up in the feud when Larry learns friendship doesn't necessarily make for good business.
**Part two originally aired as an episode of "Hello, Larry".
Nov. 28, 1979, midnight
S2E13 - The Rivals
Arnold and Willis' relationship is threatened when a fickle female classmate, the object of Arnold's affection, turns her attention toward Willis. Arnold's first love is also his first lesson in jealously as he competes with Willis for the same girl.
Dec. 5, 1979, midnight
S2E14 - Hot Watch
Discovered in the wrong place at the wrong time, Willis and Arnold become prime suspects when their neighbor's apartment is robbed and they're caught with one of the stolen items. Mr. Drummond is convinced of his sons' innocence even though Willis' fingerprints are all over the place.
Dec. 12, 1979, midnight
S2E15 - The Dog Story (a.k.a.) A Dog Story
Arnold saves a dog's life, is bitten and then the dog is needed to save Arnold. The Drummond household members frantically search for the ungrateful canine, while Arnold faces a series of rabies shots or death.
Dec. 19, 1979, midnight
S2E16 - The Election
Drummond puts his convictions on the line to run for city council, and rooting him on are Arnold, Willis, Kimberly, and an ""unexpected"" new addition to the household. Nedra Volz plays Adelaide Brubaker, the small but sassy housekeeper who helps Drummond mobilize the family for a ""win.""
Jan. 9, 1980, midnight
S2E17 - Friendly-Mate
Mr. Drummond is in ""double-trouble"" when Willis and Arnold decide to get him a date. Feeling a little lonely, Drummond tells the kids what he needs is a little companionship, so they decide to call a computer dating service.
Jan. 16, 1980, midnight
S2E18 - Poor Drummond
A crucially important business deal keeps Mr. Drummond on edge and Arnold and Willis wondering whether they pack for a California vacation or move back to Harlem.
Jan. 23, 1980, midnight
7.0
S2E19 - Big Business
Willis and Arnold scheme to make extra ""dough"" by selling brownies, only to discover they can't stand the heat of big business and may soon have to get out of the kitchen.
Jan. 30, 1980, midnight
S2E20 - Return of the Gooch
The ""Gooch"" is back and this time he's terrorizing Arnold, but Arnold plans to be ready when the bully strikes. In building Arnold's confidence, Willis convinces him that his martial arts lesson has given him a ""killer"" foot.
Feb. 6, 1980, midnight
S2E21 - Valentine's Day Retrospective (a.k.a.) Valentine's Vigil
Arnold and Willis are trapped in the basement and while they await rescue they reminisce about their recent past...both the good times and the bad. Arnold insists he must wear his Superman outfit to the family's Valentine's Day trip to the circus; the resultant search leads to the basement and a locked door. This show highlights some of the best moments from the past episodes.
Feb. 13, 1980, midnight
S2E22 - Skin Deep or True Blue (a.k.a.) Guess Who?
Kimberly's new beau, Roger, suggests pairing his sister with Willis for a double-date, until he finds out the color of his true love's brother. When Kimberly discovers her new friend is a bigot, her face burns red and then a far darker shade.
Feb. 20, 1980, midnight
S2E23 - Teacher's Pet
Parent-teacher night leads Mr. Drummond to a romance with Arnold's teacher and poor Arnold to the jealousy of his classmates. Arnold tries every trick in the book to win back his classmates, including one which may have him expelled.
Feb. 27, 1980, midnight
S2E24 - The Slumber Party
Leaving Willis in charge of the house for Kimberly's slumber party is a mistake Mr. Drummond soon regrets as the ensuing chaos disrupts his own date with a lovely lady. The Facts of Life stars Mindy Cohn, Kim Fields, Julie Anne Haddock, and Molly Ringwald guest star.
March 12, 1980, midnight
S2E25 - Arnold Faces Fatality (a.k.a.) The Will (a.k.a.) Drummond's Will
Arnold fears that his loved ones are checking out of his life when he stumbles upon Drummond's will and then uncovers the fact that his goldfish has given up the ghost.
March 19, 1980, midnight
S2E26 - The Squealer
Willis seeks comradeship as a member of the Tarantulas, a street gang, but finds only deceit as he gets caught in a web of misplace loyalties. Willis allows himself to be arrested rather than ""squeal"" on his fellow-gang members by telling the truth.
March 26, 1980, midnight
Network: ABC
Episode Runtime: 29 min.
Season Runtime: 204 min.
Released: Nov. 3, 1978
Last Air Date: March 7, 1986, midnight
Status: Ended
Certification: TV-PG
Common sense age: 10+
Rate this show
Add {Movie} to static lists