Behind The Camera The Unauthorized Story Of Diff'rent Strokes
Diff'rent Strokes was a much-beloved sitcom that aired from 1978 to 1986. The show followed the lives of two African-American brothers from Harlem who were taken in by a wealthy white businessman after their mother passed away. The show was a hit, but behind the scenes, there was a lot of turmoil that the audience was never privy to. In 2006, NBC aired a made-for-television movie called Behind The Camera: The Unauthorized Story Of Diff'rent Strokes that delved into the behind-the-scenes drama. In this article, we'll explore the movie and the real-life events that inspired it.
The Premise Of Behind The Camera: The Unauthorized Story Of Diff'rent Strokes
Behind The Camera: The Unauthorized Story Of Diff'rent Strokes is a made-for-television movie that tells the story of the behind-the-scenes drama on the set of the popular sitcom. The movie focuses on the show's child actors, Gary Coleman (Arnold), Todd Bridges (Willis), and Dana Plato (Kimberly), and their struggles with fame, money, and drug addiction.
The movie also touches on the difficult relationship between the show's executive producer, Al Burton, and its creator, Norman Lear. Burton is portrayed as a controlling and manipulative figure who constantly clashed with Lear over creative decisions.
The Real-Life Events That Inspired The Movie
Like many Hollywood productions, Diff'rent Strokes was plagued by behind-the-scenes drama. The show's child actors, in particular, struggled with the pressures of fame and the constant scrutiny of the media. Gary Coleman, in particular, had a difficult time adjusting to life after the show ended. He was plagued by legal and financial problems, and his health began to decline. He passed away in 2010 at the age of 42.
Todd Bridges also struggled with drug addiction and legal troubles after the show ended. He has since turned his life around and has become an advocate for drug addiction recovery.
Dana Plato's life took a tragic turn after she left the show. She struggled with drug addiction and financial problems and passed away in 1999 from a drug overdose.
The Impact Of Diff'rent Strokes
Despite the behind-the-scenes drama, Diff'rent Strokes had a huge impact on American culture. The show was groundbreaking in its depiction of African-American families and tackled important social issues like racism, drug addiction, and child abuse.
The show also launched the careers of its child actors and made them household names. Gary Coleman, in particular, became a pop culture icon and was known for his catchphrase, "What you talkin' 'bout, Willis?" The show's theme song, "It Takes Diff'rent Strokes," also became a hit and is still remembered fondly by fans today.
Conclusion
Behind The Camera: The Unauthorized Story Of Diff'rent Strokes offers a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes drama that plagued the beloved sitcom. While the show's child actors faced many challenges in their personal lives, they made a huge impact on American culture and will forever be remembered as part of one of the most iconic television shows of all time.
