Frequently Bought Together
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Product details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
Reviews
From Amazon.co.uk
More than just a ratings hit for NBC, the Norman Lear/Bud Yorkin-produced Diff'rent Strokes was a pop-culture phenomenon, thanks largely to the wise-beyond-his-years performance of star Gary Coleman. Launched in November 1978 as a mid-season replacement for the failed Joe Namath series The Waverly Wonders, Diff'rent Strokes vaulted in the ratings; audiences responded to the warmth and humorous culture clash between wealthy Philip Drummond (Lear vet Conrad Bain) and Arnold and Willis (Coleman and Todd Bridges), the sons of his late housekeeper whom he adopted. Though Bain, Bridges, Dana Plato (as Bain's daughter), and Charlotte Rae (as housekeeper Mrs. Garrett) all delivered solid performances, it was Coleman's charm, his timing, and most of all, his catch phrase "Whatchoo talkin' bout?" that drew in viewers.
Though perhaps best known to current audiences for the unfortunate luck suffered by several of its cast members after the show's cancellation in 1986, this first-season set offers a pleasant reminder of the show's charms. The set is rounded out by two featurettes featuring interviews with many of the show's stars and producers (though Coleman is notably absent), and commentaries by story editor Fred Rubin. --Paul Gaita, Amazon.com
Synopsis
Diff'rent Strokes aired from 1978-1986, taking place in Manhattan and centring on the story of the Drummond family. Phillip Drummond (Conrad Bain) is a wealthy, penthouse-dwelling widower who lives with his teenage daughter Kimberly (Dana Plato); in fulfilment of the dying wishes of his former housekeeper, he has taken in her two sons, Willis (Todd Bridges) and Arnold Jackson (Gary Coleman), ghetto youths from Harlem whose fish-out-of-water status in their new home forms the comedic basis of the show. In the first series, the boys try to escape back to Harlem, Willis finds (and loses) his first job, Willis gets up to all kinds of mischief, and incredulous friends and relatives of both families come to visit.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
A Kid's Review
Format:DVD
Diff'rent Strokes was an absolute favourite of mine when I was a kid, but even as an adult this program still holds a special place in my heart.
As a kid I got a lot of enjoyment out of the family aspect of Diff'rent Strokes, (and the jokes of course), but as an adult I have a much fuller appreciation for the program because I now also understand the racial, political and social aspects it introduced - and I also have a better handle on the jokes as well.
The sets might be dated, as well as the clothes, however, in my opinion, all of the topics that this wonderful program brought up during its tenure I think is still very much relevant today - such as showing a clear difference between Racisim and Snobbery ("Mother's Last Visit" - ep3).
My favourite episodes of this First Season are: "The Social Worker" (ep2) - "Mother's Last Visit" (ep3) - "The Trial" (ep7)- "The Fight" (ep10) - "The Trip" (eps20&21) - "Getting Involved" (ep22) and "Willis' Birthday" (ep23)
So, anyhoo, I give Diff'rent Strokes top marks and my highest recommendation. This is a gem of program, not only for kids, but also for the adults, because it quite simply managed to raise some very sensitive issues and yet with an awful lot of very smart writing, those topics were never cheapened by the inclusion of comedy.
As a kid I got a lot of enjoyment out of the family aspect of Diff'rent Strokes, (and the jokes of course), but as an adult I have a much fuller appreciation for the program because I now also understand the racial, political and social aspects it introduced - and I also have a better handle on the jokes as well.
The sets might be dated, as well as the clothes, however, in my opinion, all of the topics that this wonderful program brought up during its tenure I think is still very much relevant today - such as showing a clear difference between Racisim and Snobbery ("Mother's Last Visit" - ep3).
My favourite episodes of this First Season are: "The Social Worker" (ep2) - "Mother's Last Visit" (ep3) - "The Trial" (ep7)- "The Fight" (ep10) - "The Trip" (eps20&21) - "Getting Involved" (ep22) and "Willis' Birthday" (ep23)
So, anyhoo, I give Diff'rent Strokes top marks and my highest recommendation. This is a gem of program, not only for kids, but also for the adults, because it quite simply managed to raise some very sensitive issues and yet with an awful lot of very smart writing, those topics were never cheapened by the inclusion of comedy.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By K
Format:DVD
Diff'rent Strokes is one of my favourite programmes, and its first series is among the best. The episode "Willis' Privacy" features my personal favourite "Whatchoo talkin' 'bout, Willis?" moment!
It's very entertaining and Gary Coleman is widely acknowledged as the greatest child actor of all time (not to mention the cutest!), and rightly so. Some might call it dated, but I'm young and I thoroughly enjoy it.
In response to the previous review: Stop taking things so seriously! It's only a light-hearted, cheesy 70s sitcom. Diff'rent Strokes is famous for dealing with difficult issues, but in a humorous way - after all, it is a show aimed at young people. Treating such topics explicitly would have been inappropriate.
By all accounts, for its time, it was a very ground-breaking series.
I don't think Mr. Maynard has actually watched the series. Were the white private investigator (episode 6), or the white tutor (ep. 15), "refined, sensible, and clever"?
Were the black couple (ep. 2), or Vernon's black family (ep. 23), "sassy, brash and dim"?
Also, as a female, I wasn't offended by any supposed 'sexism' in the programme.
I'd advise any potential buyers to ignore his review.
I'd recommend Diff'rent Strokes to anyone, and I only hope that the remaining series are also released on DVD.
It's very entertaining and Gary Coleman is widely acknowledged as the greatest child actor of all time (not to mention the cutest!), and rightly so. Some might call it dated, but I'm young and I thoroughly enjoy it.
In response to the previous review: Stop taking things so seriously! It's only a light-hearted, cheesy 70s sitcom. Diff'rent Strokes is famous for dealing with difficult issues, but in a humorous way - after all, it is a show aimed at young people. Treating such topics explicitly would have been inappropriate.
By all accounts, for its time, it was a very ground-breaking series.
I don't think Mr. Maynard has actually watched the series. Were the white private investigator (episode 6), or the white tutor (ep. 15), "refined, sensible, and clever"?
Were the black couple (ep. 2), or Vernon's black family (ep. 23), "sassy, brash and dim"?
Also, as a female, I wasn't offended by any supposed 'sexism' in the programme.
I'd advise any potential buyers to ignore his review.
I'd recommend Diff'rent Strokes to anyone, and I only hope that the remaining series are also released on DVD.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By Kali
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This series is really dated now, but I have to admit for its day it was ground breaking and very different.
Growing myself a child born to a racially mixed family whose teenage years were the end of the 1970s, early 1980s I have to admit "Different Strokes" made me feel good about myself, okay so Willis and Arnold were Black and living with a white man and his daughter but such diversity that was close to my own background was not something that was portrayed on TV all that often, so this was a breath of fresh air and my siblings and I were great fans from the word go.
We loved the antics of Arnold and his catchphrase, "Whatcha talking about Willis?" along with the sparing relationship between Willis, Arnold and their white step-sister Kimberley who was more prominent in the second series, in this series she was often away at boarding school.
Conrad Bain was the great as Arnold and Willis' long suffering step-father Phillip Drummond, and Dana Plato was wonderful as the brace-teethed Kimberly who was delighted to have two new brothers and cheerfully told them in the first episode, "touch my bedroom and you're dead!" Spoken like a true sibling.
The series was ground breaking not only for its mixed race cast but also for the subjects it attempted to tackle, such as racism, intolerance etc which it did with humour and a candidness that was amazing for its day, even now in the 21st century we are struggling to face our demons when it comes to subjects we are not comfortable with.... Read more ›
Growing myself a child born to a racially mixed family whose teenage years were the end of the 1970s, early 1980s I have to admit "Different Strokes" made me feel good about myself, okay so Willis and Arnold were Black and living with a white man and his daughter but such diversity that was close to my own background was not something that was portrayed on TV all that often, so this was a breath of fresh air and my siblings and I were great fans from the word go.
We loved the antics of Arnold and his catchphrase, "Whatcha talking about Willis?" along with the sparing relationship between Willis, Arnold and their white step-sister Kimberley who was more prominent in the second series, in this series she was often away at boarding school.
Conrad Bain was the great as Arnold and Willis' long suffering step-father Phillip Drummond, and Dana Plato was wonderful as the brace-teethed Kimberly who was delighted to have two new brothers and cheerfully told them in the first episode, "touch my bedroom and you're dead!" Spoken like a true sibling.
The series was ground breaking not only for its mixed race cast but also for the subjects it attempted to tackle, such as racism, intolerance etc which it did with humour and a candidness that was amazing for its day, even now in the 21st century we are struggling to face our demons when it comes to subjects we are not comfortable with.... Read more ›
By D. O. Davies
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
excellent memories of the good old days when comedy was funny and not abusive with swearing and sexy stories. Great DVD.
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
product is excellent,
postage is very,very expensive which may discourage me to buy in the future as i think it's very unfair that UK have free postage or at least an affordable rate.i'm sure there are couriers that would give a better deal
i would recommend other to buy this product if postage/courier were not as expensive
postage is very,very expensive which may discourage me to buy in the future as i think it's very unfair that UK have free postage or at least an affordable rate.i'm sure there are couriers that would give a better deal
i would recommend other to buy this product if postage/courier were not as expensive
By Theo_92
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Brought for my dad as a Christmas gift. Very good, brought back a lot of memories even for me! Recommended for those that love and remember the show.
By Mitsy32
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
We love this dvd series 1, my son watches before bed and really we have a laugh. Good clean family fun!
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
›
Go to Amazon.com to see all 59 reviews
4.8 out of 5 stars
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic
This is still a classic and I bought it for my 12 year old daughter, because I was always joking with her about the 'What you talkin about Willis' catchphrase and she wanted to see... Read more
Published 7 months ago by MRS.K
5.0 out of 5 stars
Nostalgia galore!
Bought this series (a favourite of my dad's) and was thrilled to be taken back to a simpler and more value based time sprinkled with enough laughter and innocence to make it... Read more
Published 12 months ago by AVg
5.0 out of 5 stars
Old but Great
I love both serise of different strokes and i collected both and i am glad im allowed to watch all the great comedy moments whenever i want
Published 17 months ago by hammerman84
5.0 out of 5 stars
Welcome to the Drummond household
Watching this programme years after seeing it on ITV back in the 80s still made me laugh. I remember watching it at 5.15pm weekly and full of joy at the start of every episode. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Mikey
5.0 out of 5 stars
Now the world don't move to the beat of just one drum
Ordered this dvd after watching a You Tube clip that someone posted on Facebook.
I have not laughed so much in ages, I remember this programme from when I was a little girl,... Read more
I have not laughed so much in ages, I remember this programme from when I was a little girl,... Read more
Published on 4 May 2010 by poppysmith
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wha choo talkin 'bout Willis?
The classic 80's sitcom is even cheesier when watched all these years later. Modern audiences may find the stories corny, but that is part of their charm. Read more
Published on 20 April 2010 by Freddie Valentine
5.0 out of 5 stars
Memories
Bought for my sons age 10 and 12yrs, as I remembered how good it was. My 10 year has not stopped watching it, I think he is on thne third time for each episode and he is still... Read more
Published on 5 April 2010 by Mrs. S. Calver
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing
This has to be one of the best comedies ever. Gary Coleman is just too funny.
Published on 21 Mar 2010 by Mr. Jordan Cassells
5.0 out of 5 stars
A blast from the past!
I bought this dvd to share my childhood viewing with my children (age 9 & 10). They absolutely love it, the sound of giggling coming from the setee is lovely, especially when... Read more
Published on 2 Nov 2009 by S. Pugh
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
|
