Diff'rent Strokes (1978–1986)

I just watched an episode of Diff'rent Strokes. Man, I was truly surprised how funny it was. I mean, not ever having laughed once during the perpetually syndicated episodes of Full House, I thought that it was I who had outgrown sitcoms, but no, it was they who had changed. My roommate musta' thought I was giggling with some girl on the couch. Alas, none of that lately...

First note, I can't stand child actors... they are never cute; their lines are never written to represent their age; they just ruin all believability of any show I'm watching. I never believe any email or television show with the premise of "Kid's say the darndest things." If they are true, then most parents are more behaviorist than we think. The thing is, Gary Coleman was the exception. (Willis and Kimberly were nothing special. Mrs. Garrett we had seen for the past decade in her other show. Phil Drummond was a fabulous actor--perfectly representative of that class of people whom I've known, but also full of more energy than any other actor his age.) But Gary Coleman really was amazing. For all the stereotype, he wasn't old. He was 9 or 10 when the show started, and playing a 7-8 year old.

I noticed how much the show acted like a three-act play. There was laughing throughout, but people only clapped at the end of each Act-not at the end of each scene, but right before each commercial, even when the ending was serious. "Arnold, it's about time you tell me what's really going on" often signaled the end of the second act.

I want to see Gary Coleman say "Where's the Beef?" in a film. Dave Thomas would give him permission.