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Diff’rent Strokes, 1978-1986

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Two African American kids, Arnold (Gary Coleman) and Willis Jackson (Todd Bridges), from Harlem are adopted by a rich white businessman named Phillip Drummond. The show featured “very special episodes” where they tackled serious issues such as drugs, molestation, eating disorders, and racism. One of the show’s most memorable episodes was “The Reporter” (Season 5), which was an anti-drug episode featuring First Lady, Nancy Reagan, where she promotes her “Just Say No” campaign. An episode in which the show tackled race was “Skin Deep or True Blue” (Season 2). Kimberly’s (Drummond’s daughter) new boyfriend Roger is a racist. He is exposed when he makes racist comments about Willis, following Kimberly’s suggestion to a double date. The episode is remembered for Dana Plato’s appearance in black face, to defend Willis. 


 

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  1. 1970s Phil Ethington
  2. 1980s Phil Ethington