DIFF'RENT STROKES {DIFFERENT STROKES}: MOTHER'S LAST VISIT (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, when Arnold complains that Mrs. Garrett is over-feeding him, Mr. Drummond urges him to speak up honestly about the problem. Mr. Drummond then learns that his mother is coming for an unexpected visit and instructs the kids to tidy up in preparation, though he admits privately to Mrs. Garrett that he has not told her about adopting the boys and knows that she will not react favorably to their race. The haughty woman soon arrives and greets "Junior" and Kimberly happily, and Mr. Drummond hesitantly explains that he is now also father to two boys. She is so surprised upon meeting them that she faints, and when she recovers, Mr. Drummond explains that he was close to their parents and chose to take the brothers in after their deaths. Mrs. Drummond attempts to feign approval, but she is plainly horrified by the adoption as well as by Mrs. Garrett's comfortable familiarity with the family.
Arnold is unfazed by his new grandmother's odd behavior, though Willis observes that she is in fact prejudiced. Mr. Drummond protests that she is "just a snob" and looks down on everyone regardless of race, but Willis points out that he should speak up about his discomfort with her attitude, just as he encouraged them to do. Later, Willis and Arnold attempt to win over the "old lady" with excessively polite behavior, but a tea party goes quickly awry and she declares that she cannot accompany the family to dinner. Mr. Drummond finally summons his nerve and stands up to her, informing her that her values are antiquated and her behavior unkind. Startled, Mrs. Drummond promises that she will try to do better in accepting her new family, and they all head out for the evening together – Mrs. Garrett included. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: November 14, 1978 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:24:21
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:61275
- GENRE: Comedy
- SUBJECT HEADING: African-American Collection - Comedy; Comedy
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1978-1985; ABC - 1985-1986
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Budd Grossman … Executive Producer
- Howard Leeds … Producer
- Herbert Kenwith … Producer, Director
- John Maxwell Anderson … Associate Producer
- Bernie Kukoff … Created by
- Jeff Harris … Created by
- William Raynor … Writer
- Myles Wilder … 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
- Irene Tedrow … Cast, Mrs. Drummond
- Richard Fults … Cast, Doorman