NBC to Air Bio Pic on "Diff'rent Strokes"

In the midst of launching my new CD, it has been brought to my attention that NBC has finally decided to air a long-awaited bio-pic on the story of "Diff'rent Strokes," on Monday, Sept. 4, from 8-10pm. I thought I'd give everyone a heads up about what's happening, here.

This is a drama that chronicles the behind-the-scenes travails of the beloved cast, most notably my friends, Gary Coleman, Todd Bridges, and Dana Plato. Filmed a little more than a year ago, indeed, it is exactly what one might expect, a sensational, sad, and very dramatic depiction of their lives as they really were, during the production of "Strokes" from 1978-1986. Though the production value leaves a lot to be desired, I must say that the producers, along with the specific and personal guidance and "technical direction" of Gary and Todd (they also serve as narrators for the story), endeavored to tell a tall tale of truth, and they succeeded with this one. Though bordering on the melodramatic, from time to time, the character portrayals are very legitimate, accurate and honest, even my own character. Yes, "Dion" is fairly prominent in the piece, though there has been some creative license, as to the chronology of my coming onto the scene, as well as some of my very specific duties, at that time. Overall, I was pleased with the accuracy of what has been captured in the film, though I feel ambivalent about the timing of this airing.

For those of you who have been present in my life, for the past 20 years, or so, you will recall much of what you'll see, as I did when the film was screened for me early this year. Some of you were direct witnesses to the events, and some of you lived it vicariously, by way of your close relationship with me. I did find that the memories remain very clear and indelible for me, though so many years have passed and all of our lives have changed so significantly. Today, we honor Dana's memory (she passed on Mother's Day of 1999), we celebrate Todd's wonderful, restored life of health and prosperity with his family, and we hold Gary in focused prayer, as he has been battling ongoing, chronic illness and has been unable to make the press junket with Todd to promote the film. Really, your prayers are needed, here. Life is a magical and wondrous thing for each of us, challenges and all, and I wish to extend my thanks to all of you who were of great support, in any way, to me, to Gary, to Todd, and to Dana, during the rough times. Though the bio-pic, for face value, can be interpreted as a tale of victimization, oppression and depression, we have chosen to hold those years in remembrance and as a constant reminder of what it means to be able to transcend the greatest and most significant odds to fail- to survive and to triumph, no matter how many broken "bones" must mend. Even when you think that no one is paying attention, there is someone that cares who always is. The proof is that 20 years after the cancellation of the show, the story still finds its niche in television history, and in the history of so many human hearts, as a venerable, precedent-setting experience that enriched so many lives with laughter and admiration. The late, great Milton Berle said it best, when he said to me, "Dion, even us old-timers never had it so good, when it comes to the natural genius that Gary brings to our business. God made him and threw away the mold, and there'll never be another." Well, said, Mr. Berle.

So, as you're wondering why I've sent over this note, I can only say that I thought that I should engage in a "preemptive strike," if you will, anticipating a deluge of queries about why I didn't let anyone know about the movie, in advance. Some of you won't find yourselves anywhere near a TV set on Monday evening, but you might find yourself on the receiving end of a question like, "Did you see that movie about those kids from "Diff'rent Strokes" last night? Wasn't that your friend/designer/brother/son/cousin/singer-friend, etc. who came in there and shook things up by blowing the whistle?" If so, just say, "Yeah, that's him, and he's been collecting whistles ever since!" :-)

Take care, everyone...

Best,
Dion Mial