DIFF'RENT STROKES {DIFFERENT STROKES}: SAM'S MISSING {EIGHTH SEASON PREMIERE} (TV)

Summary

The eighth season premiere 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, Sam -- the son of Drummond's new wife, Maggie -- is kidnapped by a man who wishes to replace his own dead child. When Arnold sends Sam to the grocery store on an errand, the entire family is thrown into turmoil after the boy disappears. Drummond goes on television, offering a large reward for the boy's return; on the same news program, Sgt. Aaron Williams of the L.A. County Sheriff's Department appears with his dummy, Freddy, and they perform the "Stranger Danger" routine from the National Campaign for Child Safety. The Drummonds grow even more upset when an extortionist gives them false hopes. Meanwhile, Sam is living with his abductor's family and growing increasingly despondent. Hopes are renewed, however, when Arnold gets a desperate phone call from Sam. This episode also features a special appearance by Dana Plato as Kimberly Drummond. Includes commercials, promos, and an "ABC News Brief" with Ted Koppel.

Cataloging of this program was made possible by Broadcast Music, Inc., in honor of Gloria Loring, and Al Burton.

Details

• NETWORK: ABC
• DATE: September 27, 1985 9:00 PM
• RUNNING TIME: 0:58:04
• COLOR/B&W: Color
• CATALOG ID: T:05929
• GENRE: Comedy
• SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy; African-American Collection - Comedy
• SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1978-1985; ABC - 1985-1986
• COMMERCIALS:
  • TV - Commercials - AT&T long distance
  • TV - Commercials - Arm & Hammer baking soda
  • TV - Commercials - Arm & Hammer carpet deodorizer
  • TV - Commercials - Arrid Extra Dry anti-perspirant
  • TV - Commercials - Big Red chewing gum
  • TV - Commercials - J C Penney department stores
  • TV - Commercials - Jello instant pudding
  • TV - Commercials - Jif peanut butter
  • TV - Commercials - Just My Size pantyhose
  • TV - Commercials - Kit Kat candy bar
  • TV - Commercials - McDonald's restaurants
  • TV - Commercials - True Value hardware stores
  • TV - Commercials - Twix candy bar
  • TV - Promos - "ABC's Wide World of Sports"
  • TV - Promos - "Growing Pains"
  • TV - Promos - "Hollywood Beat"
  • TV - Promos - "Lime Street"
  • TV - Promos - "MacGyver"
  • TV - Promos - "Spenser: For Hire"
  • TV - Promos - "The Love Boat"
  • TV - Promos - "Tootsie" (film)
  • TV - Promos - "Who's the Boss?"

CREDITS

• Bob Brunner … Executive Producer, Writer
• Ken Hecht … Executive Producer, Writer
• Al Aidekman … Producer
• Richard Gurman … Producer, Writer
• Barbara Blachut Cramer … Associate Producer
• Gerren Keith … Director
• Bernie Kukoff … Created by
• Jeff Harris … Created by
• Gloria Loring … Theme Music by, "Diff'rent Strokes" theme by
• Alan Thicke … Theme Music by, "Diff'rent Strokes" theme by
• Al Burton … Theme Music by, "Diff'rent Strokes" theme by
• Conrad Bain … Cast, Philip Drummond
• Gary Coleman … Cast, Arnold Jackson
• Todd Bridges … Cast, Willis Jackson
• Mary Jo Catlett … Cast, Pearl Gallagher
• Danny Cooksey … Cast, Sam McKinney
• Mary Ann Mobley … Cast, Maggie McKinney
• Dana Plato … Cast, Kimberly Drummond
• Michael Durrell … Cast, Detective Harris
• Ronne Troup … Cast, May Brown
• Donald Thompson … Cast, Bobby Brown
• Michael McManus … Cast, Cal
• Ernie Sabella … Cast, Ben
• Daniel Martinez … Cast, Officer Fernandez
• Betty Kean … Cast, Sally Winkle
• Ned Bellamy … Cast, the Bum and the Undercover Policeman
• Sam Shamshak … Cast, Ned Cedars
• Aaron Williams … Cast, himself
• Jeanne Mori … Cast, the Newscaster
• Royce D. Applegate … Cast, Donald Brown
• For "ABC News Brief":
• Ted Koppel … Anchor