The BEST episodes of Diff'rent Strokes
Every episode of Diff'rent Strokes ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Diff'rent Strokes!
Two orphaned brothers, Arnold & Willis Jackson, are adopted by wealthy Manhattan widower Phillip Drummond when their mother (Drummond's maid) passes away. Along with Drummond's daughter Kimberly & housekeeper Mrs. Garrett, this family sitcom covers topics such as wealth- & racial- inequality. This was Gary Coleman's breakout role as short but sassy Arnold, whose catchphrase "What'choo talkin' 'bout?" became a national trend.
#1 - In the Swim
Season 5 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/9/1982
Willis is completely supportive of Kimberly's transfer into his public school, until his sister's "innocent" actions begin getting him into hot water.
#2 - The New Landlord
Season 1 - Episode 16 - Aired 2/16/1979
The kids devise a scheme hoping to make Arnold convince the new landlord to let the family keep the penthouse.
#3 - Poor Drummond
Season 2 - Episode 18 - Aired 1/23/1980
A crucially important business deal keeps Mr. Drummond on edge and Arnold and Willis wondering whether they pack for a California vacation or move back to Harlem.
#4 - The Trip (2)
Season 1 - Episode 21 - Aired 3/30/1979
Drummond and his brood visit his newly purchased radio station.
#5 - Willis' Birthday
Season 1 - Episode 23 - Aired 4/13/1979
Willis is hurt when he thinks his family has forgotten his upcoming birthday. After dropping several unsubtle hints he discovers that not only has everyone remembered, but also his fondest wish has been granted -- a birthday party in his old Harlem neighborhood.
#6 - Mrs. Garrett's Crisis
Season 1 - Episode 18 - Aired 3/2/1979
When Mrs. Garrett decides her life as a housekeeper is unfulfilling, she ends up being a guest in the Drummond home, and then makes an important decision concerning the future.
#7 - Willis' Privacy
Season 1 - Episode 17 - Aired 2/23/1979
To get rid of his pesky little brother, Willis divides the bedroom in half and spends more time at his friend's house.
#8 - The Slumber Party
Season 2 - Episode 24 - Aired 3/12/1980
Leaving Willis in charge of the house for Kimberly's slumber party is a mistake Mr. Drummond soon regrets as the ensuing chaos disrupts his own date with a lovely lady. The Facts of Life stars Mindy Cohn, Kim Fields, Julie Anne Haddock, and Molly Ringwald guest star.
#9 - Fire
Season 4 - Episode 14 - Aired 2/11/1982
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.
#10 - Growing Up
Season 4 - Episode 1 - Aired 10/29/1981
His friends' stories of their sexual exploits convince Willis it's time he became a man, so now he must convince his girlfriend Charlene.
#11 - Arnold's Hero (a.k.a.) The Hero
Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 10/24/1979
Arnold's wildest dream is realized when he comes face-to-knee with "The Champ" -- special guest star Muhammad Ali. When the meeting arranged by Mr. Drummond between Arnold and his idol, Muhammad Ali, falls through, Kimberly and Willis concoct a wild scheme to insure that Arnold's dream will come true.
#12 - Return of the Gooch
Season 2 - Episode 20 - Aired 2/6/1980
The "Gooch" is back and this time he's terrorizing Arnold, but Arnold plans to be ready when the bully strikes. In building Arnold's confidence, Willis convinces him that his martial arts lesson has given him a "killer" foot.
#13 - The Music Man
Season 4 - Episode 24 - Aired 5/6/1982
Willis sets what he's sure is a "cinch" audition for girlfriend 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.
#14 - The Job (a.k.a.) Willis' Job
Season 1 - Episode 19 - Aired 3/16/1979
In order to earn the money to buy disco skates, and to prove a point to Mr. Drummond, Willis gets a job...but is fired on his first working day.
#15 - The Adoption (1)
Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 10/31/1979
The Drummond family celebrates the day Arnold and Willis are supposed to be officially adopted until the visit of a "relative" leaves their plans in jeopardy. Whitman Mayo guest stars as Jethro Simpson, who sees his way to go from junk to jewels in a last will and testament leaving a fortune to Willis and Arnold.
#16 - The Election
Season 2 - Episode 16 - Aired 1/9/1980
Drummond puts his convictions on the line to run for city council, and rooting him on are Arnold, Willis, Kimberly, and an "unexpected" new addition to the household. Nedra Volz plays Adelaide Brubaker, the small but sassy housekeeper who helps Drummond mobilize the family for a "win."
#17 - Health Club
Season 4 - Episode 8 - Aired 12/17/1981
Arnold and Willis discover that Drummond's health club, which has just named him the recipient of an award, excludes minorities from membership.
#18 - The Car
Season 4 - Episode 16 - Aired 2/25/1982
When his girlfriend 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.
#19 - Feudin' and Fussin' (1)
Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 9/28/1979
Arnold's well-intentioned endorsement of Larry Alder's hosting talents to a New York TV big-wig gives Larry the opportunity of a lifetime and brings the family to the big apple. Larry's try-out as a New York television talk-show house may be doomed from the start, one disaster follows another and not everyone on the Alder team may be rooting for him to win the job.
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#20 - The Trip (1)
Season 1 - Episode 20 - Aired 3/30/1979
The stars of "Diff'rent Strokes" and "Hello, Larry" get together in a special, hilarious hour in which Phillip Drummond realizes that the purchase of a Portland radio station could mean the loss of a job for his old friend Larry Alder.
#21 - Getting Involved
Season 1 - Episode 22 - Aired 4/6/1979
When Arnold is witness to a hold up, the robber tries to ensure that the youngster will not identify him.
#22 - The Club Meeting
Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 1/12/1979
Willis invites his neighborhood club from Harlem to visit, but things get out of hand when he tries to impress them with his new wealth.
#23 - The Dog Story (a.k.a.) A Dog Story
Season 2 - Episode 15 - Aired 12/19/1979
Arnold saves a dog's life, is bitten and then the dog is needed to save Arnold. The Drummond household members frantically search for the ungrateful canine, while Arnold faces a series of rabies shots or death.
#24 - Friendly-Mate
Season 2 - Episode 17 - Aired 1/16/1980
Mr. Drummond is in "double-trouble" when Willis and Arnold decide to get him a date. Feeling a little lonely, Drummond tells the kids what he needs is a little companionship, so they decide to call a computer dating service.
#25 - The Fight
Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 1/5/1979
Willis puts Arnold in training to fight the local bully, but Mr. Drummond insists more civilized solutions be employed.