DIFF'RENT STROKES on NBC (1978-1986). It was cancelled after 7 seasons because of declining viewership. But, was revived by ABC for its' final season.
The story is simple. A rich white male adopts two black boys from Harlem at New York City. The boys were moved into an upper class neighborhood. The sitcom dealt with comedy but had special episodes focusing on alcoholism, hitchhiking, child abuse, molestation and bulimia.
Gary Coleman (Arnold Jackson) and Todd Bridges (Willis Jackson) were the black kids. Dana Plato (Kimberly Drummond) was their new sister who was white. She was the daughter of Conrad Bain (Phillip Drummond). All of them became child "stars." Coleman was the youngest and he would become the most famous. His catchphrase, "What'choo talkin' 'bout, Willis?" was imitated by kids across the U.S.
Back then - There were only three TV networks ABC-CBS-NBC. The ratings for many shows were solid. Especially family shows like "Strokes" which had a huge fan base. Cable TV entered into homes by 1980.
Sadly, the child cast had deep personal problems after "Strokes" ended in 1986. Their fame had disappeared and both Bridges and Plato plunged into substance abuse.
Coleman had it the worst because he was genetically a small person and would remain that way into adulthood. Plus, his parents who were his guardians had stolen most of his earnings from the TV show. He had virtually nothing in the bank when he became 18-years-old. It played out in the press and his parents became villains until Coleman's death at age 42.
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