This Tuesday, December 7, ABC will air the newest installment of “Live in Front of a Studio Audience” featuring classic episodes of “The Facts of Life” and “Diff’rent Strokes” re-created live with different casts.
Actors taking on the famed “Diff’rent Strokes” roles include: John Lithgow, who will play Mr. Drummond; Kevin Hart, assuming the role of Arnold; and Damon Wayans, who will play Willis.
“The Facts of Life” will feature: Jennifer Aniston, playing the role of Blair; Kathryn Hahn, recreating the role of Jo; Gabrielle Union, taking on the role of Tootie; Allison Tolman, who will play Natalie; and Ann Dowd, who will tackle the role of Mrs. Garrett in both episodes. Jon Stewart also will play a mystery role in “The Facts of Life” (I’m thinking George Burnett, who was originally played by George Clooney, but I could be wrong).
Jim Burrows and Andy Fisher are set to direct the live show, which is produced by Kimmelot, ACT III Productions, Gary Sanchez Productions, D’Arconville, Simpson Street and Sony Pictures Television. Norman Lear, Jimmy Kimmel, Brent Miller, Kerry Washington, Will Ferrell, Justin Theroux and Jim Burrows will executive produce.
“Other than with my family, there’s no place I’d rather be in my 100th year than on a soundstage at Sony with these glorious actors reliving what our company had produced all those years ago, and sharing it with the millions of viewers who could use a little laughter,” said Norman Lear in a press release.
“Live in Front of a Studio Audience: ‘The Facts of Life’ and ‘Diff’rent Strokes’” will air from 8-9:30pm ET, and can also be viewed the next day on demand and on Hulu.
The first two iterations of ABC’s Emmy® Award-winning “Live in Front of a Studio Audience,” both featuring episodes of “All in the Family” and “Good Times,” drew in a combined 22.1 million Total Viewers after 35 days of delayed viewing reached 36 million total viewers across all platforms.