Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of Different Strokes Premieres Sept 4  8/7/06

NBC'S "BEHIND THE CAMERA: THE UNAUTHORIZED STORY OF 'DIFF'RENT STROKES'" -- A CAUTIONARY TALE OF CHILD STARDOM -- PREMIERES ON SEPTEMBER 4

Series Stars Gary Coleman and Todd Bridges Participated in Project and Appear in On-camera Interviews in the Movie; Bobb'e J Thompson Stars as a Young Gary Coleman

BURBANK - August 7, 2006 - NBC will re-visit one of television's most popular comedy series -- "Diff'rent Strokes" -- with a movie that serves as a powerful cautionary tale about the tragedies and challenges facing the child stars of the sitcom as well as all child stars in "Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of 'Diff'rent Strokes,'" premiering on Monday, Sept. 4 (8-10 p.m. ET). Original cast members Gary Coleman and Todd Bridges participated in the movie and will also appear in on-camera interviews.

"Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of 'Diff'rent Strokes'" not only takes viewers behind the scenes of the popular sitcom, but also follows the lives of Coleman, Bridges and fellow star Dana Plato in the years after the series went off the air as their personal lives spiraled downward. In addition, it also examines the pitfalls of child stardom.

"Diff'rent Strokes" premiered on NBC on November 3, 1978 and concluded in 1986. Coleman and Bridges starred as Arnold and Willis Jackson, respectively -- two orphaned children from Harlem who were adopted by wealthy businessman Philip Drummond. The brothers' sudden lifestyle change from poverty to the penthouse made the comedy an instant hit for NBC.

This production - which follows previous "Behind the Camera" movies on NBC that re-created the story and era surrounding "Three's Company," "Charlie's Angels" and "Mork & Mindy" -- is produced by Once Upon a Time Films. Bobb'e J Thompson ("The Tracy Morgan Show") plays the young Coleman while Verda Bridges, Bridges' real-life sister, portrays Bridges' mother.

"Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of 'Diff'rent Strokes'" is executive-produced by Stanley M. Brooks ("Broken Trail") and Scott W. Anderson (NBC's "Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of 'Three's Company'"), with Damian Ganczewski ("Broken Trail") producing. Robert Iscove ("She's All That") directs from a script written by Greg Pincus and Susan Rinehart.

Source: NBC Press Release