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Live in Front of a Studio Audience: 'The Facts of Life' and 'Diff'rent Strokes'

  • TV Special
  • 2021
  • TV-PG
  • 1h 1m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
1.2K
YOUR RATING
Live in Front of a Studio Audience: 'The Facts of Life' and 'Diff'rent Strokes' (2021)
Emmy® Award-winning "Live in Front of a Studio Audience" makes its highly anticipated return with a third iteration, featuring live reenactments of the hit series "The Facts of Life," created by Dick Clair and Jenna McMahon, and "Diff'rent Strokes,' created by Bernie Kukoff and Jeff Harris. "Live in Front of a Studio Audience: 'The Facts of Life' and 'Diff'rent Strokes'.
The one-night-only live event will reunite executive producers Norman Lear, Jimmy Kimmel, Brent Miller, Kerry Washington, Will Ferrell, Justin Theroux and Jim Burrows and will feature an all-star cast with John Lithgow who will play Mr.Drummond, Kevin Hart assuming the role of Arnold and Damon Wayans and Ann Dowd who will play Willis and Mrs. Garrett in "Diff'rent Strokes." The cast of "The Facts of Life" will be named at a later date
Play trailer0:16
1 Video
12 Photos
Comedy

A re-creation of classic episodes of "The Facts of Life" and "Diff'rent Strokes."A re-creation of classic episodes of "The Facts of Life" and "Diff'rent Strokes."A re-creation of classic episodes of "The Facts of Life" and "Diff'rent Strokes."

  • Directors
    • James Burrows
    • Andy Fisher
  • Stars
    • Ann Dowd
    • Jennifer Aniston
    • Gabrielle Union
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.8/10
    1.2K
    YOUR RATING
    • Directors
      • James Burrows
      • Andy Fisher
    • Stars
      • Ann Dowd
      • Jennifer Aniston
      • Gabrielle Union
    • 17User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys
      • 2 wins & 3 nominations total

    Videos1

    Promo Trailer
    Trailer 0:16
    Promo Trailer

    Photos12

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    Top cast26

    Edit
    Ann Dowd
    Ann Dowd
    • Mrs. Garrett
    Jennifer Aniston
    Jennifer Aniston
    • Blair
    Gabrielle Union
    Gabrielle Union
    • Tootie
    Allison Tolman
    Allison Tolman
    • Natalie
    Kathryn Hahn
    Kathryn Hahn
    • Jo
    Jon Stewart
    Jon Stewart
    • Carl
    John Lithgow
    John Lithgow
    • Mr. Drummond
    Kevin Hart
    Kevin Hart
    • Arnold
    Damon Wayans
    Damon Wayans
    • Willis
    Norman Lear
    Norman Lear
    • Self - Co-Host
    Jimmy Kimmel
    Jimmy Kimmel
    • Self - Co-Host
    Will Arnett
    Will Arnett
    • Dink
    Jason Bateman
    Jason Bateman
    • Tim
    Snoop Dogg
    Snoop Dogg
    • Vernon
    Noah LaPook
    Todd Bridges
    Todd Bridges
    • Self
    Mindy Cohn
    Mindy Cohn
    • Self
    Kim Fields
    Kim Fields
    • Self
    • Directors
      • James Burrows
      • Andy Fisher
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews17

    7.81.1K
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    Featured reviews

    7and_shove_it_up_your_butt

    This took me back

    I LOVED this episode of the "Live" series and I hope they come back and give us Maude and Sanford and Sons.

    Can I just say how amazing Norman Lear looks and how incredibly funny and brilliant he is?

    Thoughts on FOL: I swear I was watching Mrs. Garrett on the screen. Ann Dowd had her mannerisms down to a science. Jennifer Aniston was the only person that didn't flow well with the show for me but instead was a distraction. Gabriel Union and the iconic Tootie hairstyle was everything. Jason Bateman, John Steward and Will were perfectly cast and hilarious to watch. Allison was great at playing Natalie and Kathryn was the perfect Joe. Wow!! The only person that killed it for me was Jennifer. She didn't fit the role well as Blair IMO and instead took away from the flow. She literally played "Rachel" from Friends.

    Thoughts on DS: I loved everything about this one except that Kimberly wasn't there. John Lithgow is always such a pleasure to watch. He is such a versatile actor. You could tell that everyone really got into their characters and seeing John and Kevin interact was really sweet, lol. And Kevin really did embody Gary Coleman which made it that much more enjoyable and funny. I'd watch another episode of this if they ever decided to do it again. Bring back Dudley next time.
    10ericapolitica

    Hilarious!

    First, if like to apologize to my neighbors whom I'm sure we woke up while laughing as we watched this at 10p on Hulu. Second, this was amazingly funny. The adult child actors all did a great job and it was good to see some of the original actors, though things got briefly awkward when one actress mentions her current project and Jimmy Kimmel cut her off by rambling about cereal (sorry but this wasn't the time or the place to promote other projects). But wow, this was awesome!
    7deedee_2000-985-341635

    Live In Front Of A Studio Audience And Then Some...

    What a blast from the past! I loved The Facts of Life and was eager to see how this remake would pan out. Seeing Lisa Whelchel looking ageless was a thrill, Kim Fields was darling and Mindy Cohn was sassy as ever. If only Nancy McKeon would end her Facts of Life boycott and give her fans what they want!

    Onto the new cast, Ann Dowd as the new Mrs. Garrett. Was a good fit. It really surprised me how well she slipped into the character. Katherine Hahn as Jo, was true to the spirit of the character also. Gabrielle Union made for a good Tootie, but. Allison Tolman was a standout as Natalie. Tolman nearly stole the show from the other actors which was a wonderful surprise. Unfortunately, Jennifer Aniston was a horrible disappointment as Blair. Blair's character needs a certain charisma for the role to really shine and Aniston, sadly just didn't have what was needed. And i must say Jon Stewart as Rocky Price was a hoot.

    Onto Different Strokes. Kevin Hart as Arnold was an inspired choice, he embodied the essence of the late Gary Coleman. Damon Wayans made a great Willis, he truly captured the laid back style of Todd Bridges. And even though i doubt the casting choice, John Lithgow made a genius Mr. Drummond, i could almost see Conrad Bain in certain moments when Lithgow spoke. A wonderful flashback to a treasured sitcom.

    I can't wait to see what LIVE does next!!
    10cokely

    An hour down memory lane

    Great remakes of timeless episodes. I enjoyed the all star cast Kevin, Jason, Snoop, Jennifer, Gabby, Ann, Allison, Kathy, Damon amd John. Next year, I would love to see Sanford & Son and What's Happening. Awesome job!!
    7cockezville

    Nice attempt!

    I thought it was a fun idea to use adults as the actors, but some of them failed. The girls on the Facts of Life , especially Kathryn Hahn and Jennifer Anniston did not carry of off. Anniston was bland and Hahn just missed Jo's . Ann Dowd was amazing.

    I thought Kevin Hart was great. You could believe he was an 8 year old. And the scene on John Lithgow's lap was actually touching. I think The Facts of Life fared better. Who knees Will Arnett would look so good in shorts?

    But really the whole thing felt like a 60's skit at a church fun event with amateur actors and a pot luck dinner.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The original episodes remade in this presentation of "Live in Front of a Studio Audience" were The Facts Of Life: "Kids Can Be Cruel" (Season 3 Episode 20/original airdate: March 17, 1982); and Diff'rent Strokes: "Willis' Privacy" (Season 1 Episode 16/original airdate: Feb 23, 1979).
    • Goofs
      At the end, Arnold (Kevin Hart) calls Willis 'Vern' by mistake, but quickly corrects himself.
    • Quotes

      Willis: That's another thing. Why I got to go to bed when Arnold goes to bed? I'm 13. And even though he looks 45, he's just eight.

      [Kevin Hart is actually 42]

    • Connections
      Follows Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear's 'All in the Family' and 'The Jeffersons' (2019)

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • December 7, 2021 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Also known as
      • Live in Front of a Studio Audience: 2020 Special
    • Filming locations
      • Sony Pictures Studios - 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Act III Productions
      • D'Arconville
      • Gary Sanchez Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 1 minute

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