The Journal News from White Plains, New York • Page 347

ilirwaves Bain welcomes revamped Strokes' By WENDY LIBERATORE hile new television series are canned and I ft i i Li jJL created each season, NBC's sitcom "Diff'rent Strokes" has survived network prime-time shuffling for over six years. Yet, as with all long-running series, story lines can become stale. That's why "Diff'rent Strokes" will literally be taking on a new face as of Saturday, Feb. 25 at 8 p.m.. In a one-hour special, central character, Phil Drummond (Conrad Bain) will marry Maggie McKinney (Dixie Carter), a hostess of a television exercise show.

With this union comes Maggie's son, Michael, a 7-year-old played by Danny Cooksey. This is a big transition for Arnold (Gary Coleman), who has always shined as the little brother. Bain who portrays a wealthy but loving liberal welcomes the change. "It's about time Drummond got married. Drummond is a rich but warm-hearted man.

His marriage should come as no surprise," Bain told TV Week in an interview. "It's a logical and belated move. Also, we need fresh story lines and here's the opportunity to create them." Although the changes in the show are meant to be upbeat, complications will arise between Arnold and his new family members. Bain says, "Arnold will have a typical child's response to the marriage. He'll feel jealous and unloved." Yet in general, Bains believes it is a positive union.

"Portraying the concept of people in love could not be viewed as negative." Drummond's new wife, Maggie, is an All-American beauty. She was most recently seen by television viewers as the snobbish wife, Carlotta, in the short-lived series "Filthy Rich." She is much younger than Drummond and story lines will also reflect the problems of May-December marriages. Over the years, "Diff'rent Strokes" has been acclaimed for its dealing with many serious and controversial subjects such as child molestation, drugs, and teen-age sex not to mention racism. Handling such subjects on television isn't new to Bain who started his television career with the series "Maude" in the role of Arthur Harmon. "Maude" was an innovator of sitcom controversy with its treatment of subjects like abortion and alcoholism.

"I'm attracted to the uncomventio-nal," admits Bain. "These topics must be discussed openly and sitcoms are an excellent Conrad Bain, TV bride Dixie Carter vehicle to do so positively." Yet, Bain feels "Maude" was a much harsher series. But he feels it was necessary at that time to shock the public into action. "Diff'rent Strokes" deals with social problems in a more light-hearted fashion. In "Diff'rent Strokes," the morale is "love conquors all.

Because of this, Bain Relieves he has paved the way for many racially mixed families. "I receive wonderful letters from fans (of mixed families) telling how our show has eased the problem of their acceptance in society." He goes on to say, "Color is unimportant. A man is not black or white. That is only physical. People are people.

It is what we feel that is important." Because of his views, he also receives plenty of hate mail. "The Klu Klux Klan corresponds with me regularly. Our show makes them extremely uncomfortable. Their letters are highly emotional. They constantly quote the Bible and interpret the scriptures as they please to support their beliefs." Bain insists he is not Drummond.

Nevertheless, Bain's character is not a far cry from his own life as a father. He has raised three children and believes this experience has aided him tremendously as an actor. "All my family experiences have enriched my career. As an actor, my reactions to dramatic situations stem from my relationships in life. I learn so much from people." He has been married to his wife, Monica, for over 30 years and believes being married to a younger woman on the show will be difficult because he lacks actual experience in loving a younger woman.

TVRadio Cable Week, Sunday, February 19, 1984 Page 51.