TVXOHOF, 02/2011: ARNOLD JACKSON-DRUMMOND

It's been the tradition for the TV Crossover Hall of Fame to observe February as Black History Month by inducting a person of color - whether it's a fictional character or the televersion of an historical figure, or even a member of the League of Themselves - into the Hall.

This month's "honoree" follows that lead, but in truth, he should have been a member of the Hall of Fame long before this. Not only because he has an impressive amount of credits to qualify, more than the minimum requirement, but also because he was such an iconic figure in the Toobworld landscape during the 1980's........

ARNOLD JACKSON DRUMMOND

Full disclosure: the main impetus to induct him now is the sad fact that Gary Coleman, who played Arnold, died last year at the age of 42.

Here are the shows that qualify Arnold Jackson-Drummond for entry into the TV Crossover Hall Of Fame:

'Diff'rent Strokes'

'The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air'

'The Facts of Life'

'Silver Spoons'

'Amazing Stories'
'Diff'rent Strokes' was his base, in which he appeared in 189 episodes during its run. The rest of the series listed were basically guest appearances:
'The Facts Of Life' was a spin-off featuring the former housekeeper, Mrs. Garrett, who was now working at a school for girls in upstate New York. In a two-part episode, Arnold came for a visit.

'Silver Spoons' also featured a rich kid growing up in New York City, so NBC saw the benefits in crossing them over.

And Arnold, accompanied by his "Dad", Phillip Drummond, appeared in the final episode of 'The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air' - along with George and Louise Jefferson from the classic CBS sitcoms 'The Jeffersons' and 'All In The Family'. "Remote Control Man", the episode of 'Amazing Stories' in which Arnold appeared, isn't part of the main Toobworld like the other TV shows listed. It took place in a TV dimension similar to the Trueniverse in one respect: they have the same TV shows we do. Arnold was just one of the TV characters summoned up by that magic remote control. Others included the Hulk, June Cleaver, The Face of 'The A-Team', and Ed McMahon, among many others. In effect, Arnold was pulled out of the main Toobworld and into this other dimension which is also shared by 'Hi Honey, I'm Home'. Gary Coleman appeared in a cameo on 'Married... With Children', but not as Arnold. In fact, his building code inspector was adamant that he was not Arnold Jackson and that he was not Gary Coleman of 'Diff'rent Strokes'. Because the show got mentioned, this is nothing more than a Zonk to bedevil my day!

As for this publicity picture? If anything, it belongs in the "Promoverse" with those USA Network blipverts.......

Fully grown, Arnold Jackson-Drummond was only 4'-8", but he stands tall in the Toobworld pantheon. And for that, we're inducting him into the TV Crossover Hall of Fame for February of 2011.

THE 2011 TVXOHOF ROSTER:
JANUARY - Aunt Bee Taylor
FEBRUARY - Arnold Jackson-Drummond

BCnU!