DIFF'RENT STROKES {DIFFERENT STROKES}: THE RELATIVE (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, Mr. Drummond and the boys play Monopoly, during which Arnold cleans the other two out. Mrs. Garrett announces that "a relative" of the boys' has arrived for a visit, to their distinct surprise. The woman introduces herself as their cousin Myrtle Waters from Detroit, and she is thrilled to see her adorable relations, to their slight physical discomfort. Myrtle explains that she knew their mother before she "went to her glory" and shows them old photographs, asking if the boys are doing well and attending school and church. They assure her that Mr. Drummond is an excellent father, and she soon plans to leave, though she hints that she has no money for lunch, and Mr. Drummond invites her to stay for a meal. She offers to help prepare the food, but then insinuates that she has nowhere to stay overnight, leading Mr. Drummond to offer her a bed for the night, which she accepts. In the morning, Myrtle bids the family a long and heartfelt goodbye before "accidentally" slipping on a rug by the door and claiming to have bad whiplash. She settles in for a long "recovery," and Mrs. Garrett quickly grows tired of waiting on her, though Mr. Drummond requests that she be agreeable for the boys' sake. The boys talk privately and reveal that they both suspect Myrtle of faking the injury and exploiting the cushy situation, deciding that Mr. Drummond is too nice to realize that he is being manipulated. They decide to force Myrtle into proving that she is not hurt, but Arthur's fake spider frightens Mrs. Garrett instead. Mr. Drummond confronts the boys about their trick and they admit their suspicions about Myrtle, but when he threatens to punish them, Myrtle intervenes and admits that she was faking, apologizing to everyone present. They all forgive her, and Mr. Drummond wonders if he can find her a job in his company, assuring the boys that they are not in trouble, much to their relief. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: February 2, 1979 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:25:00
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:60997
- 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 … Producer
- Martin Cohan … Producer
- Herbert Kenwith … Producer, Director
- John Maxwell Anderson … Associate Producer
- Bernie Kukoff … Created by
- Jeff Harris … Created by
- Seaman Jacobs … Writer
- Fred S. Fox … Writer
- Alan Thicke … Theme Music by
- Al Burton … Theme Music by
- Gloria Loring … 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
- LaWanda Page … Cast, Myrtle Waters