Diff'rent Strokes - The Complete Second Season
NowadaysDiff'rent Strokesis best known for producing three of the most troubled former child stars in the history of entertainment, but in its day this was a top-rated sitcom. Gary Coleman wasn't just a pair of cute chubby cheeks; he had the kind of wily comic timing that could have carried his career into adulthood--if his stardom hadn't been linked to his physique, making adult roles unacceptable to his audience.  ButThe Complete Second Seasoncaptures Coleman at his diminutive prime as Arnold Jackson, one of two brothers adopted by a wealthy New York developer named Philip Drummond (Conrad Bain,Maude). Bain and Charlotte Rae (as housekeeper Mrs. Garrett, who left mid-season to anchor the spin-offThe Facts of Life) delivered their lines and got out of Coleman's way; Dana Plato (as Drummond's daughter Kimberly) and Todd Bridges (as Arnold's brother Willis) acted their young hearts out, but Coleman was unquestionably the star.A runaway success and pop culture phenomenon, the second season ofDiff'rent Strokespulled in celebrity sports stars like Muhammad Ali, Reggie Jackson, and Meadowlark Lemon, while great character actors like Dabney Coleman (Nine to Five) and James Cromwell (Babe,Six Feet Under) appeared in memorable roles. The crossover episodes with justly forgotten McLean Stevenson sitcomHello, Larryare regrettable (though Coleman had great chemistry withHello, Larry's husky-voiced Kim Richards, formerly the star ofEscape from Witch Mountain), while the appearance of theFacts of Lifecast (including a very young Molly Ringwald, prior to her teen queen reign as star ofThe Breakfast ClubandPretty In Pink) fits right in. Social topics like racism and poverty are treated with firm liberal denouncement, but the difficulties of adolescence sometimes get slightly more subtle treatment (comparatively, at least). The only complaint aboutThe Complete Second Seasonis the complete lack of extras; but even without interviews or commentaries, these episodes--returned to their original broadcast length--will delight fans.--Bret Fetzer