Rotten Tomatoes
Cancel Movies Tv shows FanStore News Showtimes

Season 1 – Diff'rent Strokes

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Diff'rent Strokes 2025 Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
44% Tomatometer 18 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Two black kids from Harlem, Arnold Jackson and older brother Willis, are welcomed into the family of wealthy New York businessman Philip Drummond when their mother, his housekeeper, passes away. The two brothers become part of the Drummond family and learn various lessons about life.
Diff'rent Strokes — Season 1

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Gary Coleman impresses with his exuberant comedic timing, but Diff'rent Strokes is a misfire with groan-inducing quips and a concept that's more condescending than inspiring.

Read Critics Reviews

Critics Reviews

View All (18) Critics Reviews
Tom Shales Washington Post The program attempts an uncomfortable parlay of insult jokes and marzipanian sentimentality. Aug 13, 2021 Full Review John Archibald St. Louis Post-Dispatch The problem for me is that Gary [Coleman] never forgets that he is on stage. The youngster works full time at being adorable. He is perpetually the recipient of a "no cavity" report from his dentist. Aug 13, 2021 Full Review Garry Shelley Sydney Morning Herald Diff'rent Strokes is all schmaltz and clichés, but the idea works because young Coleman is a darn good actor. Aug 13, 2021 Full Review Charles Benbow Tampa Bay Times Gary Coleman is impossible to dislike. The show seems to drag only when he is not on the screen. Along with Robin Williams and Andy Kaufman, Gary Coleman is a top find of this television season. Aug 13, 2021 Full Review Bill Carter Baltimore Sun NBC may be pushing Gary because the series has little else. Conrad Bain, ex of Maude, hardly looks like a top banana, and the social muck thrown in is stereotypical nonsense that even TV viewers should have had their fill of by now. Aug 13, 2021 Full Review Ron Alridge Charlotte Observer Gary is quite simply incredible. He has superb timing, contagious enthusiasm, and an uncanny ability to make almost all of his lines work. Aug 13, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (1) audience reviews
Mike P Likeable enough 80s schmaltz; this is another reboot of the Brady Bunch blended-family premise; this time with a racially diversity theme infused... And it works... I mean critics were right in taking the show to task for its patronizing white-savior undertones...And yet Norman Lear went further than anyone had in terms of presenting a racially diverse family to the masses at this point...And the positive ripple effects of this are undeniable...Gary Coleman also has quite the impressive comedy chops at the ripe old age of 9. Overall: Recommended. Particularly for families and nostalgia buffs. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 11/07/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Diff'rent Strokes — Season 1

My Rating

Read More Read Less POST RATING WRITE A REVIEW EDIT REVIEW

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Jan 6, 2025 Movin' In Multimillionaire Phillip Drummond carries out the wish of his late housekeeper and welcomes her two sons into his New York penthouse. Details Episode 2 Aired Nov 10, 1978 The Social Worker Arnold jumps to conclusions when he overhears Drummond telling a social worker that black children belong with black families. Details Episode 3 Aired Nov 17, 1978 Mother's Last Visit Drummond's upper-crust mother arrives for a visit and isn't too pleased with the latest family additions. Details Episode 4 Aired Nov 24, 1978 Prep School Drummond attempts to enroll Willis and Arnold in an exclusive prep school. Details Episode 5 Aired Dec 1, 1978 The Spanking Arnold's continuing prank of dropping water balloons from the balcony prompts punishment from Mr. Drummond. Details Episode 6 Aired Dec 8, 1978 Goodbye Dolly Arnold is inconsolable after Kimberley donates his doll to charity. Details Episode 7 Aired Dec 15, 1978 The Trial With Mrs. Garrett as judge and the family as jury, Arnold goes on trial for putting goldfish in the hot tub. Details Episode 8 Aired Dec 29, 1978 Retrospective The Drummonds gather around the Christmas tree and reflect on life with Arnold and Willis. Details Episode 9 Aired Dec 29, 1978 Retrospective The Drummonds gather around the Christmas tree and reflect on life with Arnold and Willis. Details Episode 10 Aired Jan 5, 1979 The Fight Drummond thinks Willis' methods for warding off the neighborhood bully should be more civilized. Details Episode 11 Aired Jan 12, 1979 The Club Meeting Wanting to impress them with his luxurious surroundings, Willis invites his old friends to visit. Details Episode 12 Aired Jan 21, 2025 The Woman The children scheme to upset Drummond's plans to marry an attractive widow. Details Episode 13 Aired Jan 26, 1979 No Time for Arnold Arnold's attention-getting plans go awry and he gets more than he bargained for. Details Episode 14 Aired Feb 2, 1979 The Relative A visiting cousin (LaWanda Page) thinks she should stay closer to the boys after seeing their new digs. Details Episode 15 Aired Feb 9, 1979 The Tutor Mr. Drummond hires a tutor for Willis and Arnold who does everything but teach. Details Episode 16 Aired Feb 16, 1979 The New Landlord Arnold tries to convince the new landlord to allow the Drummonds to keep the penthouse. Details Episode 17 Aired Feb 23, 1979 Willis' Privacy In order to escape from Arnold, Willis divides the bedroom in half and begins staying at friends' houses. Details Episode 18 Aired Mar 2, 1979 Mrs. Garrett's Crisis Thinking her life as a housekeeper is unfulfilling, Mrs. Garrett makes an important decision concerning her future. Details Episode 19 Aired Mar 16, 1979 The Job Willis lands a job so he can purchase skates and prove a point to Drummond. Details Episode 20 Aired Mar 30, 1979 Special With `Hello, Larry' Mr. Drummond plans to buy a radio station, but learns that it will put a friend out of a job. Details Episode 21 Aired Mar 30, 1979 The Trip Phillip Drummond realizes that the purchase of a Portland radio station could mean the loss of a job for his old friend Larry Alder. Details Episode 22 Aired Apr 6, 1979 Getting Involved Arnold witnesses a holdup and the robber wants to be assured that he won't identify him. Details Episode 23 Aired Apr 13, 1979 Willis' Birthday Willis is hurt when he believes that the family has forgotten his birthday. Details Episode 24 Aired May 4, 1979 The Girls School Mrs. Garrett becomes feisty when she visits Kimberly's pushy principal. Details
The Cosby Show % 68% The Cosby Show Watchlist The Facts of Life % % The Facts of Life Watchlist Punky Brewster % % Punky Brewster Watchlist Saved by the Bell: The New Class % % Saved by the Bell: The New Class Watchlist 227 % % 227 Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Season Info

Network
NBC
Rating
TV-PG
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date
Jan 6, 2025