X

Join or Sign In

Sign in to customize your TV listings

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Diff'rent Strokes Season 1 Episodes

22 Episodes 1978 - 1979

Episode 1

Movin' In

Fri, Nov 3, 197825 mins

Philip Drummond is a wealthy Manhattan industrialist who takes in Arnold and Willis Jackson, the two sons of his late housekeeper; Drummond is white and the boys are black. Arnold, age 8, is excited about the opportunity of a privileged life, but Willis, age 13, feels that Mr. Drummond is trying to buy their love with expensive gifts.

Where to Watch

Episode 2

The Social Worker

Fri, Nov 10, 197824 mins

A social worker investigates the boys' home life and tells Mr. Drummond that she believes black children belong in black households. When Drummond tells this to Mrs. Garrett while she is vacuuming the living room, Arnold overhears this and comes to the conclusion that he doesn't want them around anymore.

Where to Watch

Episode 3

Mother's Last Visit

Fri, Nov 17, 197824 mins

Mr. Drummond's mother arrives for an unscheduled visit and has an adverse reaction to her son's new family situation.

Where to Watch

Episode 4

Prep School

Fri, Nov 24, 197825 mins

Mr. Drummond is excited about the possibility of the boys enrolling at his old prep school.

Where to Watch

Episode 5

The Spanking

Fri, Dec 1, 197824 mins

Arnold is caught throwing water bombs off the balcony and Mr. Drummond feels that a fitting punishment is a spanking.

Where to Watch

Episode 6

Goodbye Dolly

Fri, Dec 8, 197825 mins

After Kimberly donates Arnold's ratty old doll named Homer to charity and it is sold, he can't sleep. Mr. Drummond quickly tires of this, so he hires a detective to try and find the doll.

Where to Watch

Episode 7

The Trial

Fri, Dec 15, 197825 mins

After reading a book on the American legal system, Willis demands a fair trial for Arnold after he is accused of putting his goldfish in the hot tub.

Where to Watch

Episode 8

Retrospective

Fri, Dec 29, 197826 mins

The Drummonds reminisce about the time they have spent together since Arnold and Willis joined the family. Clips from past episodes are featured.

Where to Watch

Episode 9

The Fight

Fri, Jan 5, 197924 mins

Over Mr. Drummond's objections, Willis teaches Arnold how to fight a playground bully.

Where to Watch

Episode 10

The Club Meeting

Fri, Jan 12, 197924 mins

Willis misses his friends from Harlem so he has a club meeting at the penthouse.

Where to Watch

Episode 11

The Woman

Fri, Jan 19, 197924 mins

Mr. Drummond introduces the family to a woman in his life that he plans to propose to.

Where to Watch

Episode 12

No Time for Arnold

Fri, Jan 26, 197925 mins

Arnold feels he's being ignored by the other members of the family, so he pretends to wet the bed in order to get attention and sympathy.

Where to Watch

Episode 13

The Relative

Fri, Feb 2, 197924 mins

A relative of the boys comes to visit from Detroit. She plans to stay only a night, but then fakes an injury and quickly overstays her welcome.

Where to Watch

Episode 14

The Tutor

Fri, Feb 9, 197925 mins

Willis is doing poorly in school, so Mr. Drummond hires a tutor. However, he is not pleased by his unconventional methods of teaching.

Where to Watch

Episode 15

The New Landlord

Fri, Feb 16, 197930 mins

The Drummonds may have to move when the new landlord enforces a rule forbidding children Arnold's age from living there.

Where to Watch

Episode 16

Willis' Privacy

Fri, Feb 23, 197925 mins

Willis starts to feel that Arnold is a nuisance and wants his own space away from him.

Where to Watch

Episode 17

Mrs. Garrett's Crisis

Fri, Mar 2, 197928 mins

Mrs. Garrett feels that her life goals have not been fulfilled and she wants to leave her job.

Where to Watch

Episode 18

The Job

Fri, Mar 16, 197925 mins

Willis gets a job at a gas station, which lasts for only a few hours.

Where to Watch

Episode 19

The Trip: Part 1

Fri, Mar 30, 197928 mins

Mr. Drummond's company has bought out a radio station in Portland, Oregon, where his old army buddy, Larry Alder, hosts a talk show.

Where to Watch

Episode 20

Getting Involved

Fri, Apr 6, 197925 mins

Arnold witnesses a mugging with his telescope.

Where to Watch

Episode 21

Willis' Birthday

Fri, Apr 13, 197923 mins

Willis wants to have his birthday party at a friend's house in Harlem, but Mr. Drummond is concerned about going there on a Saturday night.

Where to Watch

Episode 22

The Girls School

Fri, May 4, 197923 mins

Mrs. Garrett bonds with the girls at Eastland Academy, the school Kimberly attends.

Where to Watch