DIFF'RENT STROKES {DIFFERENT STROKES}: ARNOLD'S HERO (TV)
Summary
One in this series of comedies about the family life of wealthy white industrialist Philip Drummond and his adopted African-American sons, Arnold and Willis. In this episode, Arnold watches an interview with his idol, Muhammad Ali, on television. As Kimberly and Willis head off to the library, Mr. Drummond chats on the phone and then asks Arnold if he would like to meet Ali, thinking he can arrange an encounter through his lawyer, and Arnold is overjoyed. Mr. Drummond's friend Father O'Brien comes by to discuss their plans for an interfaith bingo night for charity, and O'Brien admits that he would like to meet "The Champ" too, wondering if he might come to the event to help raise money. Arnold proceeds to tell all of his friends and acquaintances about the upcoming meeting, including "The Gooch," a bully whom Arnold fears. His friends give him a number of items for the boxer to sign, but Mr. Drummond soon finds out that there has been a change of plans and Arnold cannot meet Ali after all. Arnold is heartbroken, and also apprehensive of The Gooch's response to learning he will not receive an autograph. Willis and Kimberly ponder ways to help their brother, and Kimberly decides that Ali will surely come to visit if he believes that he is fulfilling a dying child's last wish.
The two of them head off to Ali's hotel and wheedle his room number from a waiter. When they encounter The Champ, he reads their note and asks about Arnold, whom they claim is suffering from "something they can't pronounce." Ali promises to visit him that very day, and Willis and Kimberly rush home to tell Arnold the good news. He is thrilled at the prospect, though somewhat taken aback by their methods, and they hurriedly tuck him into his "deathbed." Ali arrives at the penthouse and Father O'Brien is elated, thinking that he is there for the charity event, and Ali is confused when the priest assures him that he is not too late for the "fun" event. He goes to Arnold's bedside, and though Arnold does a credible acting job at first, he soon becomes overexcited at meeting his hero and Ali begins to suspect a trick. Mr. Drummond and Mrs. Garrett are stunned to see the celebrity in their household, and when The Gooch calls, Arnold shocks him by putting Ali on the phone. The kids apologize for lying, and Ali poses for a few photos with the family before leaving. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: October 24, 1979 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:25:08
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:57471
- GENRE: Comedy
- SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy; Families; African-American Collection - Comedy
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1978-1985; ABC - 1985-1986
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Howard Leeds … Executive Producer, Writer
- Ben Starr … Producer, Writer
- Martin Cohan … Producer, Writer
- John Maxwell Anderson … Associate Producer
- Bernie Kukoff … Created by
- Jeff Harris … Created by
- Gerren Keith … Director
- Martin A. Ragaway … Writer
- Gloria Loring … Theme Music by
- Alan Thicke … Theme Music by
- Al Burton … Theme Music by
- Conrad Bain … Cast, Philip Drummond
- Gary Coleman … Cast, Arnold Jackson
- Todd Bridges … Cast, Willis Jackson
- Dana Plato … Cast, Kimberly Drummond
- Charlotte Rae … Cast, Edna Garrett
- Muhammad Ali … Cast, Himself
- James Cromwell … Cast, Father O'Brien
- John Starr … Cast, The Waiter