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Diff'rent Strokes poster

Diff'rent Strokes (1978 – 1986)

1978 • 8 seasons • Drama, Comedy • TV-14
On September 20, 2026
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All seasons

Diff'rent StrokesSeason 1

24 episodes · Nov 3, 1978

1. Movin' In
Nov 3, 1978 · 5.0

Phillip Drummond, a man of considerable wealth, has taken on a promise made at a deathbed: to raise the two young sons of his late housekeeper as his own. He welcomes eight-year-old Arnold and twelve-year-old Willis into his opulent penthou

2. The Social Worker
Nov 10, 1978

Arnold’s habit of listening in brought him into a predicament. A misconstrued conversation led Willis and Arnold to believe that Mr. Drummond no longer wished for their presence. They had overheard Drummond speaking to a social worker, stat

3. Mother's Last Visit
Nov 17, 1978

Mrs. Drummond, her son’s impeccably dressed and somewhat disdainful mother, arrived to find much to disapprove of in his new family. However, she soon discovered a vital truth about the qualities that truly matter in a person.

4. Prep School
Nov 24, 1978

Mr. Drummond’s attempt to enroll Arnold and Willis in a prestigious preparatory school reveals a setting of exclusivity that proves somewhat beyond their comfort.

5. The Spanking
Dec 1, 1978

Ignoring repeated cautions, Arnold persisted in launching water balloons from the balcony. Mr. Drummond’s decision to discipline Arnold for the prank with a spanking proved a lesson for Willis as well, when he insisted on administering the

6. Goodbye Dolly
Dec 8, 1978

The loss of Arnold’s cherished doll cast a pall over the house, and he made certain that his distress was felt by all within it. A flurry of frantic searching ensued, as each member of the family embarked on a determined quest to recover th

7. The Trial
Dec 15, 1978

Trouble for Arnold, this time involving a goldfish and Mr. Drummond’s hot tub, sparks a firm protest from Willis: a conviction without due process is simply unacceptable. The entire family gathers, Mrs. Garrett presiding as judge, to delibe

8. Retrospective (1)
Dec 29, 1978 · 30m · 7.0

The Drummond family gathers beneath their Christmas tree, sharing laughter and reminiscing about the countless amusing moments that have unfolded since Arnold and Willis became part of their household. This special, hour-long program presen

9. Retrospective (2)
Dec 29, 1978

The Drummond family gathers beneath their Christmas tree, reminiscing about the countless amusing moments that have marked their lives since Arnold and Willis moved into their home. This special, hour-long program presents a selection of me

10. The Fight
Jan 5, 1979

Willis began preparing Arnold for a confrontation with the neighborhood bully, but Mr. Drummond insisted on exploring more refined approaches.

11. The Club Meeting
Jan 12, 1979

Willis extended an invitation to the members of his Harlem social circle, eager for them to see his newly acquired prosperity. However, his attempts at display quickly spiraled into a chaotic and embarrassing situation.

12. The Woman
Jan 19, 1979

Mr. Drummond’s plan to wed a beautiful widow finds little favor with his children, and Arnold, Willis, and Kimberly concoct a scheme with the aim of derailing his supposedly romantic proposal.

13. No Time for Arnold
Jan 26, 1979

Arnold, adrift in solitude, devised a scheme to finally capture his family’s notice. The plan, however, proved unexpectedly effective, drawing the attention of everyone within earshot – a consequence that included the family physician.

14. The Relative
Feb 2, 1979

LaWanda Page appears as a cousin to Willis and Arnold. Having witnessed their contentment in their new home, she resolves to remain nearer to her long-absent relatives.

15. The Tutor
Feb 9, 1979

Drummond engaged a tutor for Willis and Arnold, a person who managed nearly all aspects of their education, with instruction forming only a small part of the duties.

16. The New Landlord
Feb 16, 1979 · 3.0

The children hatched a plan, their hope resting on convincing Arnold to persuade the new landlord to allow them to retain the penthouse.

17. Willis' Privacy
Feb 23, 1979

To escape the constant presence of his younger brother, Willis carved the bedroom into two distinct territories, preferring to spend his time at the house of a friend.

18. Mrs. Garrett's Crisis
Mar 2, 1979

The quiet routine of Mrs. Garrett's days as a housekeeper began to feel hollow. Seeking a change, she found herself a guest in the Drummond household, an experience that ultimately led her to a pivotal choice about what lay ahead.

19. The Job (a.k.a.) Willis' Job
Mar 16, 1979

Driven by a desire for disco skates and a need to impress Mr. Drummond, Willis takes on a job. Alas, his employment is short-lived; he finds himself dismissed before the day is out.

20. The Trip (I)
Mar 30, 1979

The cast of "Diff'rent Strokes" and "Hello, Larry" reunite for an amusing hour, during which Phillip Drummond comes to a sobering realization: acquiring a radio station in Portland might cost his longtime friend Larry Alder his livelihood.

21. The Trip (2)
Mar 30, 1979 · 10.0

The cast of "Diff'rent Strokes" and "Hello, Larry" reunite for a comedic hour, centered on Phillip Drummond's unsettling discovery: his planned acquisition of a Portland radio station might cost his longtime friend, Larry Alder, his livelih

22. Getting Involved
Apr 6, 1979 · 30m · 7.0

As Arnold observed the robbery unfold, the perpetrator made a deliberate effort to prevent the boy from recognizing him.

23. Willis' Birthday
Apr 13, 1979

A shadow crossed Willis's face when he suspected his family had overlooked his birthday. After a series of pointed suggestions, he learned not only had everyone remembered, but the most cherished of his wishes had come true: a birthday cele

24. The Girls School (a.k.a.) Garrett's Girls
May 4, 1979

Mrs. Garrett made a visit to Kimberly’s school, and her unexpected intervention with the school's assertive principal yielded remarkable results.

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