The essential episodes of Diff'rent Strokes

Watch these 10 in order and you've got Diff'rent Strokes — each pick states its reason.

  1. 01

    S01E01 · Pilot · November 3, 1978 · 30m

    Movin' In

    In the series' first episode, millionaire Phillip Drummond takes in two Harlem orphans.

  2. 02

    S01E02 · Season 1 peak · November 10, 1978 · 30m

    The Social Worker8.5

    A social worker checks up on the adoptees in the Drummond home.

  3. 03

    S01E20 · Top rated · March 30, 1979 · 30m

    The Trip - Part 18.5

    Drummond and his brood journey to Oregon to see his latest acquisition---the radio station where an old Army buddy holds forth. The Trip was a backdoor pilot for TV series "Hello Larry".

  4. 04

    S01E24 · Top rated · May 4, 1979 · 30m

    The Girls' School8.5

    Mrs. Garrett finds teen pandemonium when she visits Kimberly's school in a backdoor pilot for TV series "The Facts of Life".

  5. 05

    S03E16 · Season 3 peak · March 4, 1981 · 30m

    Where There's Hope7.0

    Arnold balks at inviting the girl next door to his party, but his attitude changes when he learns she's hospitalized.

  6. 06

    S04E09 · Season 4 peak · January 7, 1982 · 30m

    Burial Ground7.5

    Drummond's building project is discovered to be on the site of an Indian burial ground, which leads to a conflict with a member of the Indian tribe.

  7. 07

    S06E04 · Season 6 peak · October 29, 1983 · 30m

    The Lie8.5

    Willis lies to Arnold about knowing first aid in order to get a job at the school carnival, but when Arnold gets an electrical shock, Willis doesn't know how to save him. He later confesses to Arnold what happened and Arnold is angry when he finds out the truth.

  8. 08

    S07E17 · Season 7 peak · February 2, 1985 · 30m

    Sam's New Pal7.5

    Sam innocently invites a female friend to sleep over.

  9. 09

    S08E17 · Season 8 peak · February 21, 1986 · 30m

    The Big Bribe7.0

    Arnold is heartbroken that his heartthrob accepted a date with him only because Willis bribed her with concert tickets.

  10. 10

    S08E19 · Series finale · March 7, 1986 · 30m

    The Front Page4.8

    Arnold's doing an article on the football players and makes a discovery: some school jocks are using steroids.

Shows like Diff'rent Strokes

The closest matches on shared genres, ranked by match strength and popularity.

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  2. 02ComedyThe essential episodes of The Big Bang Theory2007–2019·CBSStreaming on HBO MaxThe Big Bang Theory is a comedy about brilliant physicists, Leonard and Sheldon, who are the kind of "beautiful minds" that understand how the universe works.8.0
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  6. 06Comedy·FamilyThe essential episodes of American Dad!2005–present·FOXStreaming on HuluIn American Dad!, Stan Smith leads the all-American family in this animated sitcom filled with wild and crazy extremes.7.5

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