Live In Front Of A Studio Audience: See New Facts Of Life And Diff'rent Strokes Casts Opposite OG Stars — Photos
Two classic sitcoms, one all-star cast.
ABC on Tuesday will revisit the 1980s by way of Live in Front of a Studio Audience, recreating memorable episodes of Diff'rent Strokes and its spinoff, The Facts of Life, using A-list actors to fill roles originated by child stars.
The 42-year-old Kevin Hart, for instance, will succeed the late Gary Coleman as the precocious Arnold Jackson on Diff'rent Strokes. The 61-year-old Damon Wayans, meanwhile, will take over for Todd Bridges as Arnold's older brother Willis.
Addressing the decision to cast Actors of a Certain Age in previously pint-sized parts, executive producer Brent Miller told TVLine, "It started with Jimmy [Kimmel] and his desire to have Kevin Hart play Arnold Jackson, the Gary Coleman role.... At the time, I didn't know: Is he going to want to cast everybody old, or is he just going to have the joke be Kevin? But as we started talking through it, it made sense to be consistent with that conceit of having older people play kids."
Additional participants enlisted for 90-minute special include Jennifer Aniston, John Lithgow, Kathryn Hahn, Gabrielle Union, Allison Tolman and Ann Dowd — the latter of whom will appear during both reenactments as Mrs. Garrett.
Scroll down to see the A-listers opposite the original stars of both comedies, then hit the comments and tell us who you think was best (and worst) cast.
BLAIR WARNER, THE FACTS OF LIFE
Originated by Lisa Whelchel, the role of Eastland's resident shopaholic will now be played by Friends' Jennifer Aniston.
JO POLNIACZEK, THE FACTS OF LIFE
No, it wasn't Agatha all along. The role of the motorcycle-riding Bronx native was originated by Nancy McKeon, but will now be filled by WandaVision's Kathryn Hahn.
TOOTIE RAMSAY, THE FACTS OF LIFE
Look who's in trou-ble now! Originated by Kim Fields, the role of Eastland's pigtailed gossiper will be portrayed by L.A.'s Finest's Gabrielle Union.
NATALIE GREEN, THE FACTS OF LIFE
Originated by Mindy Cohn, the part of the Eastland Academy newspaper reporter will now be filled by Fargo's Allison Tolman.
MRS. GARRETT, DIFF'RENT STROKES & FACTS OF LIFE
Originated by Charlotte Rae on Diff'rent Strokes, the part of housekeeper-turned-housemother Edna Garrett will be played by The Handmaid's Tale's Ann Dowd.
MR. PHILLIP DRUMMOND, DIFF'RENT STROKES
Originated by Conrad Bain, the role of the Park Avenue businessman and widower will be filled by 3rd Rock From the Sun's John Lithgow.
ARNOLD JACKSON, DIFF'RENT STROKES
Originated by Gary Coleman, the iconic part of Arnold "Whatcha Talkin' 'Bout, Willis?" Jackson will now be played by True Story's Kevin Hart.
WILLIS JACKSON, DIFF'RENT STROKES
Originated by Todd Bridges, the role of Arnold's older brother will be filled by My Wife and Kids' Damon Wayans.