Episode 1
Growing Up
His friends' stories of their sexual exploits convince Willis it's time he ""became a man""--now he must convince his steady girl friend Charlene.
Episode credits
Directed by Gerren KeithWritten by Debra Frank, Scott Rubenstein
TV series
Diff'rent Strokes
1978TV-PG8 seasons7.1 / 10
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.
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Checked Jul 22, 2026
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Synopsis
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.
Season 4 episodes
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Where to watch Diff'rent Strokes
Episode 2
First Day Blues
Willis has the normal jitters on his first day of high school, and in his hurry to make friends, hooks up with a bad group, goes overboard to impress them, and, for his efforts could wind up in jail.
Episode credits
Directed by Gerren KeithGuest stars Michael Sharrett, Clarence Gilyard Jr., Kim Fields
Episode 3
The Model
Kimberly hopes a summer job will make her more independent, but when it becomes an undreamt chance at international modeling, it may be more independence than her father will agree to.
Episode credits
Directed by Gerren KeithWritten by Howard MeyersGuest stars Nedra Volz, Madlyn Rhue, Thyais Walsh, Greer Wylder, Laura Kamins, Tami Arnold
Episode 4
The Team
A happy household is torn by the repercussions of meeting racial quotas -- Drummond faces a lawsuit when he hires a black man from outside his company for a prized executive position and Willis seeks justice when told his color is the only thing preventing him from making the school's predominantly black basketball team.
Episode credits
Directed by Gerren KeithGuest stars Philip Sterling, Kim Fields, Clarence Gilyard Jr.
Episode 5
The Big Heist
Arnold is elated when he's accepted into an "elite" club at school, but his membership could lead to consequences far beyond his wildest dreams when he learns he must commit a crime as part of his secret initiation.
Episode credits
Directed by Gerren KeithGuest stars John Brandon, Nedra Volz, Robert Rockwell, William Lanteau, Rhoda Gemignani, John C. Moskoff, Fred Pinkard
Episode 6
Double Date (a.k.a.) Blind Date
Arnold's big plans for his first real ""date"" are quickly deflated when parental-imposed restrictions threaten to ruin his encounter before it ever gets off the ground.
Episode credits
Directed by Gerren KeithGuest stars Shavar Ross
Episode 7
The Ski Weekend
30m8.0 / 10
Kimberly must face the biggest decision of her life -- whether to spend a ski weekend with a popular boy or turn down the opportunity to get away on her own and remain, in her mind, daddy's ""little girl.""
Episode credits
Directed by Gerren KeithGuest stars Dana Kimmell, Jon Caliri
Episode 8
Health Club
Arnold and Willis face a puzzling dilemma -- how to tell Drummond that the award he worked so hard for comes from a health club with a ""restricted membership.""
Episode credits
Directed by Gerren KeithGuest stars Nedra Volz
Episode 9
Burial Ground
Arnold and Willis go on a hunger strike to save a historic landmark when they learn construction by Drummond's company may destroy what could be an ancient Indian burial ground.
Episode credits
Directed by Gerren KeithWritten by Howard MeyersGuest stars Nedra Volz
Episode 10
Hello, Daddy
Does Drummond have a third son, there's a young man at the door who claims he does and that he is.
Episode credits
Directed by Gerren KeithWritten by Donald RossGuest stars Keone Young, Dody Goodman
Episode 11
Jilted
30m8.0 / 10
When Willis takes his steady girl friend for granted, his selfishness sends her out with another guy -- who won't ignore her, but there may be hope for happiness if a self-appointed Cupid succeeds in his plan.
Episode credits
Directed by Gerren KeithWritten by Ed JuristGuest stars Janet Jackson
Episode 12
Dreams
30m7.0 / 10
A cancelled fishing trip leaves Arnold having a series of bad dreams that the entire family loses sleep over, until a psychiatrist's examination reveals what really is causing his nighttime terror.
Episode credits
Directed by Gerren KeithWritten by Booker Bradshaw
Episode 13
Kathy
Arnold and his friend Kathy face big challenges in their lives and each holds the key to overcoming the other's obstacles, but when Arnold takes the first step forward, their entire relationship takes a big step backwards.
Episode credits
Directed by Gerren KeithGuest stars Rosalind Chao, Nedra Volz, Steven Mond, Melanie Watson
Episode 14
Fire
A fire traps Drummond and his family in their penthouse and has him ""working"" overtime trying to protect them without letting on that there's anything wrong.
Episode credits
Directed by Gerren KeithGuest stars Nedra Volz
Episode 15
The Squatter
Drummond learns the hard way that converting apartments into condominiums can mean hurting lots of innocent people when he becomes the unsuspecting ""victim"" of an eccentric tenant he's displacing.
Episode credits
Directed by Gerren KeithWritten by Danny SimonGuest stars John McCook, Audrey Meadows
Episode 16
The Car
When his girl friend plans on taking a drive with someone else, a careless Willis -- refusing to be outdone -- gets an idea for a real joy ride neither of them will forget.
Episode credits
Directed by Gerren KeithGuest stars Dody Goodman, Janet Jackson
Episode 17
Crime Story (1) (a.k.a.) Crime in the Schools
Arnold and his friend Dudley are scared to death by two teenage bullies who pose the intimidating demand ""your lunch money or your life.""
Episode credits
Directed by Gerren KeithGuest stars Shavar Ross, Sal Lopez
Episode 18
Crime Story (2) (a.k.a.) Crime in the Schools
Arnold doesn't know when to leave well enough alone after Willis comes to his rescue, he gets himself involved in an ""undercover"" scheme to capture the ""punks"" at school who have been harassing him.
Episode credits
Directed by Gerren KeithGuest stars Shavar Ross, Sal Lopez
Episode 19
B.M.O.C.
Willis' obsession with joining an ""exclusive"" high school club rocks the Drummond household and leaves several victims in its wake, including a shaken Arnold who takes his brother's ""insensitive"" actions to heart.
Episode credits
Directed by Gerren KeithGuest stars Nedra Volz
Episode 20
Green Hair
An adamant Drummond ignores sister Sophia's pleas to get involved in a group effort to combat air pollution, until Kimberly becomes victimized by the unnatural phenomenon.
Episode credits
Directed by Gerren KeithGuest stars Dody Goodman
Episode 21
Have I Got a Girl for You
Aunt Sophia's matchmaking unites an unsuspecting Drummond with her ""working-class"" hairdresser, but a slip of Arnold's tongue ignites charges that Drummond is a snob, turning a ""budding romance"" into a roaring feud.
Episode credits
Directed by Gerren KeithGuest stars Dody Goodman, Candice Azzara
Episode 22
Lifesavers
A quick-thinking, fast-acting Willis saves Arnold from a near-fatal accident and in doing so unleashes an adoring monster who dedicates his life to repaying his ""hero.""
Episode credits
Directed by Gerren KeithWritten by Ed JuristGuest stars Nedra Volz, Jack O'Leary
Episode 23
Stress? What Stress?
Stress is diagnosed as the cause of hard-working Drummond's frequent attacks of pain, but suddenly young, healthy and ""normal"" Willis learns that he, too, is a prime candidate for the same debilitating ""attacks.""
Episode credits
Directed by Gerren KeithGuest stars Nedra Volz
Episode 24
The Music Man
Willis sets what he's sure is a ""cinch"" audition for girl friend Charlene to sing with his musical group, but his ""big plane"" hit a sour not when Arnold's intervention threatens to destroy both Charlene's chances with the group and her relationship with Willis.
Episode credits
Directed by Gerren KeithGuest stars Nedra Volz, Janet Jackson
Episode 25
Short But Sweet
Arnold feels shortchanged, he's growing older but he's not getting any taller and he's convinced that's the reason why he doesn't have a girl friend.
Episode credits
Directed by Gerren KeithGuest stars Shavar Ross, Nedra Volz, Janet Jackson, Steven Mond
Episode 26
On Your Toes
finale
A famed choreographer encourages Arnold to learn ballet, but his youthful dancing days could be numbered when Willis' taunting remarks convince Arnold to drop out of an upcoming recital.
Episode credits
Directed by Gerren Keith
Episode information updated Jul 23, 2026
More about Diff'rent Strokes
Cast
Conrad BainPhillip Drummond
Gary ColemanArnold Jackson
Todd BridgesWillis Jackson
Dana PlatoKimberly Drummond
Mary Jo CatlettPearl Gallagher
Danny CookseySam McKinney
Dixie CarterMaggie McKinney
Charlotte RaeEdna GarrettCredits
- Created by
- Bernie Kukoff, Jeff Harris
- Written by
- Ed Jurist, Howard Meyers, Seaman Jacobs, Blake Hunter, Paul Haggis, Mark Miller, Debra Frank, Scott Rubenstein, Donald Ross, Martin Ragaway, Booker Bradshaw, Myles Wilder, Danny Simon, Woody Kling, Alan Rosen, Fred Rubin, Gordon Mitchell, Ed Jurist, Gordon Mitchell, Ben Gershman
Production details
- Status
- Ended
- Series type
- Scripted
- Episodes
- 189
- Original language
- English
Networks & production
ABCUnited States
NBCUnited States- Norman Lear/Tandem Productions
- Embassy TelevisionUnited States
- Embassy Pictures CorporationUnited States
Tandem ProductionsUnited States
Themes
adopted childafrican americanbrother brother relationshipchild careclass differencesfamily relationshipsinterracial adoptionmanhattan, new york city
