Diff'rent Strokes (1978–1986): Season 5, Episode 22 - The Reporter - full transcript

As a reporter for the school newspaper, Arnold learns that drugs are being sold on school grounds. This attracts the concern of First Lady Nancy Reagan, who comes to the school to talk about her anti-drug campaign.

♪ Now the world don't move

♪ To the beat of just one drum

♪ What might be right for you

♪ May not be right for some

♪ A man is born

♪ He's man of means

♪ Then along come two

♪ They got nothing
but their jeans

♪ But they got Diff'rent Strokes

♪ It takes Diff'rent Strokes

♪ It takes Diff'rent Strokes
to the move the world



♪ Everybody's got
a special kind of story

♪ Everybody finds a way to shine

♪ It don't matter
that you got not a lot

♪ So what

♪ They'll have theirs
and you'll have yours

♪ And I'll have mine

♪ And together we'll be fine

♪ Because it takes Diff'rent
Strokes to move the world

♪ Yes it does

♪ It takes Diff'rent
Strokes to move the world

- No, no kids, the butter
knife goes on the outside.

Not on the inside.

And the soup spoon goes
on the inside, not the outside.

- Well at least we got the
table cloth in the right place.



- Well, almost.

- Pearl, you are
such a perfectionist.

- Oh, that's because I work

for those cabinet
members in Washington.

Everything had to
be neat and perfect

and in its place.

It was like living
with Tony Randall.

- Hi everybody.

- Hey, Arnold.

- Hey Willis, is Dad home?

- Dad is present and
accounted for, what's up?

- Hey Dad.

The Tribune is
having this contest

for elementary school kids

and I'm gonna enter it.

- Well, good for you,
what kind of a contest?

- Journalism.

All us reporters and
school newspapers

get to submit a story

and the best story in
the city gets published.

And you know what the first
prize is for the kid who wins?

- A side by side
freezer and a fun fur.

- No, Dad.

The first prize is you get to be

editor of The Tribune for a day.

I'm gonna go all out to win.

They don't call me
Scoop Jackson for nothing.

- No, they call you
Scoop because

you used to walk
dogs for the tenants.

- And that too.

- Well Arnold, we're
all routing for you.

We know you're gonna have
the best story at your school.

- I hope so.

I just gotta beat
that snob, Lisa.

- Why is that so important?

- Aw, she's always
putting me down at school

and bragging about how
she wins at everything

and she does.

- Well maybe this
time you'll beat her.

- You bet I will.

My story's gonna
be the hottest scoop

this town has ever seen.

- What's it about?

- I haven't figured
that out yet.

- Hey, I've got an
idea for you Arnold.

Why don't you write one of

those sensational
kinds of stories

you read in those
gossip magazines.

You know, lady spends weekend
with man from outer space.

Refuses to go back to husband.

- I saw that story in the
market, you got it wrong.

She did go back to her husband.

They got into a fight.

She threw dishes at him,
he got hit by a flying saucer.

- You two are a big help.

- Arnold, the point is,
you don't want to go in

for that cheap kind of
reporting that's half lies.

Write about something important.

And make it the truth.

That's how you
become a great reporter.

Like Woodward and Bernstein did.

- Hey, good idea, Dad.

And when they make
that movie about my life

Robert Redford can
play that part too.

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- Arnold, what are you
doing up at this hour?

- Aw, Dad, I lost it.

I had a great idea and
you made me forget it.

- I'm sorry, but you can think
of another one, now come on.

- But I can't, Dad.

Tomorrow's the
day that our principal

picks the best story.

Look at all these
ideas I've thrown away.

If I don't have
something by tomorrow,

Lisa'll never let
me live it down.

- Okay.

Okay, maybe I can help.

- Thanks, Dad.

I tried to come up with a
good idea like you said.

- Chalk, the color
controversy continues.

Stinks, doesn't it?

- Yeah.

Well, let's see what
else you got here.

Bedwetting, a new look
at the trickle down theory.

- Maybe I should forget it, Dad.

Let's go to bed.

- No no now wait a minute.

You never know.

This could be the one
that win the contest for you.

Let's go to bed.

- And to sum it up.

The Boston Tea Party's
one of the most colorful

and exciting events
in American history

and Arnold Jackson is asleep.

- Arnold, how do you feel
about the Boston Tea Party?

- I like a good party as
much as the next guy.

- See you all after lunch.

Oh, by the way, the principal
asked me to remind you,

stories for The Tribune contest

have to be on his
desk by three o'clock.

Arnold, what's wrong?

It's not like you falling asleep
and not paying attention.

- I'm sorry Miss Chung.

It's just that I was up all
night trying to find a story

and I couldn't.

- Well, keep trying.

You still have lunch and
recess to dash something off.

- Come on, Arnold, I'm hungry.

- I'm dead.

Lisa's gonna stick
my nose in it again.

- Now come on.

That's not the Arnold I know.

My Arnold isn't a quitter.

- Then I better get your
Arnold to write the story

because this Arnold
can't keep his eyes open.

- Hey, I've got
something that'll help.

What's that?

- It's an upper.

- An upper what?

- Just an upper.

If you want to stay awake,

this'll really send
you into overdrive.

- Robbie, I think your
brain is into under-drive.

Those are drugs.

- It's just a pill.

There's nothing wrong with
taking one now and then.

- Those things will
scramble your brain.

- Yeah, by the time you're
16 you'll be a burnt out junkie,

living in the gutters

and sniffing glue off
old postage stamps.

- Where'd you buy it?

- Right here at school.

- There's a pusher
here at PS 406?

- He's not a pusher.

He's just a guy making
a few extra bucks.

- If he gets caught
he's gonna be making

a few extra license plates.

- Dudley, maybe Robbie's right.

I mean, what's wrong with
popping a pill now and then?

- Huh?

- Robbie, I'm gonna need
a few more of those pills.

I'm under a lot of pressure.

Could you introduce
me to your contact?

I need to see him right away.

Don't worry, I won't rat on
you and get you into trouble.

- Promise?

- I promise.

May I be barred from all
the golden arches in town.

- Man, that's sayin' a lot.

- Well, okay, I'll set
up a meeting for you.

- Thanks.

- Arnold, I can't believe
you're gonna buy some drugs.

- Do you think I'm crazy.

I'm just gonna set up a contact

and get all the facts
for my big story.

- Oh, what big story?

- For the contest.

It's the type of important story

my dad said I should go for.

I can't believe it.

We got drugs in our school.

I guess this is the
place where Robbie said

the pusher would meet us.

- What am I doing here?

- Same as me, shaking.

What does a drug
pusher look like anyway?

- You know, probably a big
mean looking dude with a scar.

- Yeah, let's keep our eyes open

for any suspicious
looking characters.

- Hi.

Who are you?

- Robbie said to meet you here.

- It's him, Scarface.

- Huh?

Look, what kind of
pills do you want?

I don't have a lot of time.

I gotta go to the bathroom.

- What kind of
pills do you have?

- I got red devils, yellow
jackets, and goofballs.

- Nice selection.

You sell a lot of
'em around school?

- Enough.

- What do the red ones
and yellow ones do?

- Well, one takes you up
and the other brings you down.

- Got anything for
around the mezzanine?

- If you just want something
that will keep you happy,

try these.

- How much?

- 12 bucks.

- That'll make you a lot
happier than it'll make me.

Where do you get
these pills from?

- From my brother
in high school.

Do you want 'em or not?

Sure.

Oh, darn.

I left my money at home.

- Do you take credit cards?

- Are you kidding me?

Cash on the line.

- Well, we'll have
to get back to you.

- Forget it.

You guys are total flakes.

- Oh man, this is
gonna be a great story.

I gotta get the details
down right away.

- Man, you're gonna
blow the lid off this school.

- Bye Arnold, see
ya later Arnold.

- Check ya later Dudley.

- Still looking in vain
for a story, Arnold?

- No.

- Well don't give up.

You still got a
whole three minutes.

- For your information,
Miss High Nose.

I have already turned in
my story to Mr. Langford.

And right now I am composing
my acceptance speech.

- Your acceptance speech?

You make me laugh, ha.

- Well then how
does this grab you?

In this, my hour of triumph,

I would like to thank
all the little people

who made it possible.

And there's no one
littler than Lisa Hayes

whose little brain
and little talent

were little match
for my big story.

Ha, ha.

- Arnold, you have to
stop deluding yourself.

It'll only make it worse
when my story wins first prize

and yours ends up on
the bottom of a bird cage.

- Arnold,

I'd like to have a word with you

about this story you
submitted for the contest.

- See there.

The principal came here to
personally congratulate me.

It would be my most
humble pleasure.

- Lisa, would you
mind waiting outside?

- Nah, I want her to
hear this if you don't mind.

Well Arnold, this story of
yours gives me great pause.

- Is that good or bad?

- It's not good.

- Lisa would you
mind waiting outside?

- It would be my
most humble pleasure.

- Arnold, this is
a serious charge.

Now what makes you think
there are drugs in this school?

- I know someone who
bought drugs at this school.

- Who?

- Well, I can't tell you.

- Well who sold it to them?

- I can't tell you.

- Is it anybody you know?

- I can't tell you.

- Well, what can you tell me?

- I can't tell you.

- I think I know why
you can't tell me.

You made up this entire
story just to win the contest.

- Did you do that Arnold?

- No ma'am, honest.

It's just that I can't name
names Mr. Langford.

A good reporter never
reveals his sources.

- Especially since
there aren't any.

Now I know this goes on in
some high schools but not here.

I have no reason
to believe any of this.

- Mr. Langford...

- There's no way I'm gonna
submit this to The Tribune.

It's just a pack of lies.

And you can
consider yourself lucky

that you're not being expelled.

- Expelled?

- You heard me.

- But it's not made up.

All of it is true.

I'm not gonna take
this lying down.

They haven't heard the
last of Scoop Jackson.

- Good morning.

- Good morning, Pearl.
- Good morning, Pearl.

- Here's your morning
paper Mr. Drummond.

- Thank you, Pearl.

- Can I have the
theater section?

- Okay.

- Can I have the sports section?

Thank you.

- Could I have the funnies?

- Yeah.

- Could I have
the front section?

- Well thanks for
leaving me the want ads.

I'll put in an ad that I
want another paper.

- Here you are Mr. Drummond,

I can read it later.

Try not to crumple it.

- I'll be very careful.

- Eggs coming right up.

- Alright, thanks, Pearl.
- Sounds great.

- Holy smoke, what is this?

Listen, it's about Arnold.

- Oh, it is, read it.
- Really, read it, Dad.

- Arnold Jackson, a
sixth grade student

at PS 406 has
written a story entitled

"My School is Lousy With Drugs".

His principal denied the charges

and refused to enter
Jackson's story in The Tribune

sponsored contest.

Is there censorship here?

Is the principal covering up?

Turn to page nine.

Arnold, I'd like to
know more about this.

So would I, turn to page nine.

No, I mean how did the
newspaper get this story?

- Arnold took it to them
yesterday after school.

- He was mad
because Mr. Langford

wouldn't enter
it in that contest.

- Wait a minute, how come
you two know about this

and I don't?

- Because you were the only one

out on a hot date last night.

- Arnold, how do you know that

there are drugs in the school.

Now according to this,

your principal, Mr. Langford,

says that you're making
the whole thing up.

- But it's not made up.

I know someone who
bought the drugs at school.

- Who?

- I can't tell you.

- Well, I can tell
you something.

I'm trying very hard to
believe you but it's not easy.

- But it is true.

It's just that, well, a
friend of mine is involved.

And I promised not
to mention his name.

- Dad, blowing the
whistle on a friend

is the lowest thing you can do.

- I don't agree.

We're talking about drugs here.

- That is right.

Arnold, I'm gonna go to
school with you this morning

and we're gonna have a
little talk with Mr. Langford.

- Oh but, Dad, you
can't do this to me.

If I rat on my friends, it's
gonna destroy my credibility.

Not to mention my nose.

- I'll get it.

- Mr. Drummond?

- That's right.

- I hope I'm not disturbing
you, I'm Nancy Reagan.

- Yes, you certainly are.

Welcome to our building.

- Thank you.

Forgive me for dropping
in on you like this

but you know, sometimes,
it's a little less complicated

if I show up without any fanfare

and these gentlemen
prefer it too.

- Oh, I understand.

- Well, here I am.

- Right, here you are.

- Would it be
alright if I come in?

- Oh, I'm sorry yeah, please do.

Please forgive me.

How did you find my address?

FBI, CIA?

- Phone book.

- That's good too.

Well Miss Reagan, I'd
like to introduce my family.

This is Kimberly, my daughter,

and my two sons
Willis and Arnold.

- Hi.

- Hi.
- Hello.

- Uh, should we
bow or something?

- No, I think a
handshake will do.

Hi Arnold.

- Hello.
- Hi.

- Could we offer you
some coffee or some tea?

- Or some jelly beans?

- No thanks.

I'm sure you're
wondering why I'm here.

- Well, we don't like to pry.

Oh, Miss Reagan, I'd like to
introduce our housekeeper.

This is...

- Pearl.

Pearl Gallagher.

- Mrs. Reagan.

- I'm so glad to see you.

The last time was, let's see,

at the barbecue in Washington.

And the ribs were overdone.

No.

- Hey, we got a
celebrity housekeeper.

- You bet.

Last time we saw each
other in Washington,

they said, "Who's that
lady with Pearl Gallagher?"

- Mrs. Reagan, I didn't know
that you knew Mr. Drummond.

- I don't.

I'm really here to see Arnold.

- What you talkin'
about Mrs. Reagan?

- Well I happen to
be here in New York

and I saw that story about
you in the paper, Arnold.

You know, I'm very
concerned about drug abuse,

especially among the young,

and I was very impressed
at the way that you spoke out.

- Oh it's nothing any
other fearless journalist

dedicated to the
truth wouldn't do.

- I'm afraid that Arnold's
principal believes he's lying.

- Yes, so I read.

- Arnold doesn't want to snitch

on his friends Mrs. Reagan.

- But I think he
should, this is important.

- Actually, I'm gonna go to
school with Arnold this morning

and see if we can
straighten this thing out.

- Could I come too?

- Well of course,
we'd be honored.

- And I'd be relieved.

If I said you just
showed up at the house,

those kids would
think I'm a bigger liar

than they already think I am.

- Hello.

Hi, yes she is, just a minute.

It's for you Mrs. Reagan.

It's the White House.

- Oh, if you'd like privacy,
we'll get out of your way.

- No no no no
no, that's alright.

- It's the White House.

- Maybe it's Ronnie.

- Yes, put him on.

Hello dear.

No, I won't be home till
tomorrow morning, okay?

Miss you.

Love you.

Now if I can say it
in front of strangers,

you can say it in
front of Tip O'Neill.

That's better.

Okay, bye dear.

Takes a little coaxing,
but it's worth it.

- Miss Chung, is Arnold
Jackson here yet?

- No he isn't.

- There's no end to that boy.

Have you read the story
in the morning paper?

- Yes, I'm afraid I have.

- Arnold is in a lot of trouble.

- Good morning everybody.

- Oh, there you are.

- I would like for you
all to meet someone.

Mr. Langford, Miss
Chung, classmates,

I would like for you all
to meet my good friend,

Mrs. Nancy Reagan.

- Morning.

Good morning.

- Hello.

- And of course you know my dad,

who's also a good
friend of mine.

Oh, and those are
secret service men.

And they're not
listening to the ball game.

- Mr. Langford, I
know that Arnold's story

has caused you some problem

but I want you to know that

it's not like my son to lie.

- That's right.

And I'm willing to go on the
F. Lee Bailey show to prove it.

- Mr. Langford, would you
mind if I talk to the children?

- Whatever you'd like ma'am.

- Hi.

Hi.

- I want you to
know that I'm here

because I saw Arnold's
story in the paper.

And it has me very concerned.

May I ask you a few questions?

Sure, yeah.

- How many of you have heard

about the drug
problem in our schools?

How do you feel about drugs?

Yes?

- Well, I think
drugs are disgusting

and I'd never take them.

My name is Lisa
and I'm a republican.

- Thank you Lisa.

I have a hunch the democrats
are against drugs too.

Has anyone ever tried
to sell you children drugs?

You know, nothing
could be more important

than for you to
speak up right now.

This is something
that could really

affect your whole future.

Well, I'm not surprised.

- This is incredible,
I had no idea.

- Have any of you children
ever experimented with drugs?

You know, I've spent
many hours with children

who've gotten
involved with drugs.

They start at your
age, even younger.

And they're all tragic stories
of kids with great potential

whose lives were ruined.

Yes?

- Well aren't some drugs okay?

Like I heard pot won't hurt you.

- Let me tell you a true story

about a boy we'll call Charlie.

He was only 14 and he
was burned out on marijuana.

He was in a stupor,
a permanent daze.

And one day
when his little sister

wouldn't steal
some money for him

to go and buy some more drugs,

he brutally beat her.

The real truth is,
there's no such thing as

soft drugs or hard drugs.

All drugs are dumb.

And if you're involved in them,

please talk to your parents
or your teacher, whoever.

But don't end up
another Charlie.

- Mrs. Reagan, I guess
there's something I should say.

I've tried drugs a few times.

- Thank you.

That took as much
courage as it did for Arnold

to write a story.

- Thanks for not
snitching on me Arnold.

- And thanks for getting
me off the hook, Robbie.

This is a big win
for the little Gipper.

- Surely Robbie isn't alone.

Hasn't anybody else
done a little experimenting?

- Arnold, I think I
owe you an apology.

I guess I was just
closing my eyes

to something I
didn't want to see.

- Maybe we should
all open our eyes

a little wider Mr. Langford.

This has certainly been a
revelation to me Mrs. Reagan.

I think it'd be a good
idea to let all the parents

know what's going on.

- And not to mention, the
police that there are drugs

being sold in my school.

- I'm so proud of all of you.

And I know you won't
forget any of the things

that we said here today.

- Miss Reagan, can I
please shake your hand?

- Of course you may.

Me too.

- Hold it, hold it.

One at a time, I mean gee whiz.

Don't crowd my friend here.

♪ Now the world don't move
to the beat of just one drum

♪ What might be right for you

♪ May not be right for some

♪ A man is born
he's a man of means

♪ Then along come two

♪ They got nothing
but their jeans

♪ But they got,
Diff'rent Strokes

♪ It takes Diff'rent Strokes

♪ It takes Diff'rent
Strokes to rule the world

♪ Yes it does

♪ It takes Diff'rent
Strokes to rule the world

♪ Hmm