Perhaps the most recognizable connection is that Janet Jackson appears on both shows. As a youngster, Janet first appears as Penny, an abused child living in the same project building as the Evans family. Penny is eventually taken in by Willona Woods, the Evans' neighbor. An older Janet appears on "Diff'rent Strokes" as Willis' girlfriend, Charlene DuPrey. One interesting tidbit is that Penny's friend on "Good Times" was played by Gary Coleman, who later stars in "Diff'rent Strokes."
"Good Times" is a spin-off of the television show, "Maude." On that show, Florida Evans is a housekeeper working for the show's title character. The positive audience response to her character, played by Esther Rolle, prompted the producers to create a sitcom that shows her life after she goes home for the day. Edna Garrett plays the housekeeper in the opening season of "Diff'rent Strokes." She is also a hit with audiences and leaves the show in the second season to star in her own show, "The Facts of Life."
Both shows feature strong roles for minorities, and both shows have a male comedian that eventually becomes the show's focal character. For "Good Times," Jimmy Walker, who plays J.J. Evans, fulfills that role. His catch phrase, "Dyn-O-Mite," becomes synonymous with his character and was a popular saying in the '70s. Gary Coleman is the break out star on "Diff'rent Strokes," playing the pint-size wise guy, Arnold Jackson. Arnold creates the memorable, "What you talkin' 'bout. Willis?" catchphrase.
At the time of their debuts, both shows were groundbreaking. "Good Times" depicts a black family unit with strong parental roles, something that was missing from the television landscape at the time. "Good Times" also shows a family with strong moral values, taking on the issues of poverty, child abuse, racism and addiction. "Diff'rent Strokes" also breaks new ground on television showing a white family taking in minority children and making them a part of the family. The show also tackles sensitive and controversial issues through its "special episodes." Through the use of these episodes, the sitcom tackles drug abuse, child molestation, and the dangers of hitchhiking. Both shows eventually were canceled due to low ratings.