Silver Spoons
Encyclopedia
Silver Spoons is an American sitcom that aired on NBC
from September 25, 1982 to May 11, 1986 and in first-run syndication from September 15, 1986 to March 4, 1987. The series was produced by Embassy Television
for the first four seasons, until Embassy Communications moved the series to syndication.
s" in their mouths--they are given only the very best and want for nothing.
In the pilot episode, Ricky Stratton (Ricky Schroder) arrives at the mansion of the father he has never met to introduce himself, move in, and get to know him better. Edward Stratton III (Joel Higgins
) epitomized the phrase "overgrown child"; he has never taken responsibility for anything in his life, including his toy business, "Eddie Toys." When he finds out in the pilot episode that his business manager embezzled all of his money, he simply tells his attorney to "bring back his bucks," then resumes playing an arcade game. Ricky recognizes that his dad needs to grow up; Edward thinks his son is too uptight and needs to have more fun while he's still young.
Edward's father is played by John Houseman
as the thoughtful, well-to-do patriarch and industrialist whose demeanor starkly contrasts with Edward's and seems more similar to Ricky's (at first). Throughout the series, the comic tension arises between Grandfather Stratton's belief that people with money are obligated to make more money and Edward's belief that money should be used to make people happy. Ricky is often caught between the two, wishing only for peace and harmony within the family.
Ricky's mother is Evelyn Bluedhorn (Christine Belford). Edward and Evelyn's romantic relationship led to a week-long marriage. Now Evelyn has remarried and placed Ricky in a military boarding school. When Ricky arrives at the Stratton residence, Edward is stunned to discover that his long-ago brief marriage produced a son. At first he sends Ricky right back to the boarding school; later he dresses up as a swamp monster
to bring Ricky from the school and take him back to the mansion to live with him. The mansion is stocked with arcade games and a scale-model freight train runs through it.
Edward exhibits his childishness and playfulness in many ways, such as performing a little dance while the Pac-Man
plays its theme song. Stratton's personal assistant, Kate Summers (Erin Gray
), is often the voice of reason. Kate's role adds tension to the show and provides incentive for Edward to act more maturely (at least sometimes). Edward and Kate had a will-they-or-won't-they relationship which led to a third-season wedding.
, seasons 1 & 2), "nerdy" Freddy Lippencottleman (Corky Pigeon, seasons 1-4) and smooth-talking "cowboy", J.T. Martin (Bobby Fite
, seasons 1 & 2). They get into a lot of trouble and learn many childhood lessons along the way. Jason Bateman's popularity as Derek led the producers of Silver Spoons to give him his own starring vehicle, It's Your Move
, in 1984.
Edward's original attorney
was Leonard Rollins (Leonard Lightfoot), who departed after the first season, and was replaced by the aptly named Business Manager, Dexter Stuffins (Franklyn Seales
), who was somewhat more stuffy and erudite than Leonard had been. Dexter remained through the rest of the series, and joining him in the fall of 1984 was his hip, breakdancing nephew Alfonso Spears (Alfonso Ribeiro
), who became Ricky's new best friend. In season four, once Ricky, Freddy and Alfonso were in high school, their circle was completed by Brad (Billy Jacoby, seasons 4 & 5), a reintroduction of the type of "bad boy" character similar to that of Derek and J.T. during the early years of the show. That same year, as Kate and Edward adjusted to married life, Kate's doddering uncle, Harry Summers (Ray Walston
), moved into the Stratton mansion for a time.
" format.
when all other Embassy Television series (The Facts of Life
and Diff'rent Strokes
included) modified their opening credits. The third version of the theme, a rock version, was introduced in 1986
when the show moved to first-run syndication, with vocals by The Archies
' alumni Ron Dante
.
mansion shown in the opening credits is actually a private residence located in Warwickshire, England. The elaborate home, named Compton Wynyates
, was built in 1481. Before Silver Spoons, it was used in the 1977 Disney film, Candleshoe
, starring Helen Hayes
, Jodie Foster
and David Niven
. The facade of the mansion was featured again in the 1978 film, Death on the Nile
, as the new country home of the heiress Linnet Ridgeway. In 1997, Compton Wynyates was featured in the second narrative of Iain Pears
's An Instance of the Fingerpost
.
in 2001 and 2005.
Some of the Sony Pictures Television program library (including Silver Spoons) had been acquired by ION Television in August 2006. However, the show never appeared on the network. The show is also available on Comcast digital cable's
On Demand
service as of September 19, 2006. Chicago's WWME ("Me TV") currently airs two episodes back to back on Saturday afternoons.
The first season is also available for purchase by episode or season on iTunes. In 2008, popular video on demand sites Hulu
and Crackle
began airing the syndicated version of the first season of Silver Spoons.
Episodes of Silver Spoons can be found on DejaView
in Canada in 2010-2011
released the first season of Silver Spoons on DVD in Region 1. It is unknown if the remaining 4 seasons will be released at some point.
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
from September 25, 1982 to May 11, 1986 and in first-run syndication from September 15, 1986 to March 4, 1987. The series was produced by Embassy Television
Embassy Television
...
for the first four seasons, until Embassy Communications moved the series to syndication.
Synopsis
The show's title refers to family wealth and to the expression that rich children are born with "silver spoonSilver spoon
The English language expression silver spoon is synonymous with wealth, especially inherited wealth; someone born into a wealthy family is said to have "been born with a silver spoon in his mouth". As an adjective, "silver-spoon" describes someone who has a prosperous background or is of a...
s" in their mouths--they are given only the very best and want for nothing.
In the pilot episode, Ricky Stratton (Ricky Schroder) arrives at the mansion of the father he has never met to introduce himself, move in, and get to know him better. Edward Stratton III (Joel Higgins
Joel Higgins
Joel Franklin Higgins is an American actors and singer with a stage career spanning over 30 years.- Life and Career :...
) epitomized the phrase "overgrown child"; he has never taken responsibility for anything in his life, including his toy business, "Eddie Toys." When he finds out in the pilot episode that his business manager embezzled all of his money, he simply tells his attorney to "bring back his bucks," then resumes playing an arcade game. Ricky recognizes that his dad needs to grow up; Edward thinks his son is too uptight and needs to have more fun while he's still young.
Edward's father is played by John Houseman
John Houseman
John Houseman was a Romanian-born British-American actor and film producer who became known for his highly publicized collaboration with director Orson Welles from their days in the Federal Theatre Project through to the production of Citizen Kane...
as the thoughtful, well-to-do patriarch and industrialist whose demeanor starkly contrasts with Edward's and seems more similar to Ricky's (at first). Throughout the series, the comic tension arises between Grandfather Stratton's belief that people with money are obligated to make more money and Edward's belief that money should be used to make people happy. Ricky is often caught between the two, wishing only for peace and harmony within the family.
Ricky's mother is Evelyn Bluedhorn (Christine Belford). Edward and Evelyn's romantic relationship led to a week-long marriage. Now Evelyn has remarried and placed Ricky in a military boarding school. When Ricky arrives at the Stratton residence, Edward is stunned to discover that his long-ago brief marriage produced a son. At first he sends Ricky right back to the boarding school; later he dresses up as a swamp monster
Swamp monster
Swamp monsters have been a staple of comics for years. From the 1940s to the present many murk-dwellers have made their muddy mark in comics. Swamp creatures are humanoid creatures similar to fish or resembling living piles of swamp mire. They live underwater and occasionally come to the surface,...
to bring Ricky from the school and take him back to the mansion to live with him. The mansion is stocked with arcade games and a scale-model freight train runs through it.
Edward exhibits his childishness and playfulness in many ways, such as performing a little dance while the Pac-Man
Pac-Man
is an arcade game developed by Namco and licensed for distribution in the United States by Midway, first released in Japan on May 22, 1980. Immensely popular from its original release to the present day, Pac-Man is considered one of the classics of the medium, virtually synonymous with video games,...
plays its theme song. Stratton's personal assistant, Kate Summers (Erin Gray
Erin Gray
Erin Gray is an American actress, perhaps best known for her roles as Kate Summers in the situation comedy Silver Spoons and as Colonel Wilma Deering in the science fiction television series Buck Rogers in the 25th Century....
), is often the voice of reason. Kate's role adds tension to the show and provides incentive for Edward to act more maturely (at least sometimes). Edward and Kate had a will-they-or-won't-they relationship which led to a third-season wedding.
Main cast
- Ricky Schroeder as Ricky Stratton
- Joel HigginsJoel HigginsJoel Franklin Higgins is an American actors and singer with a stage career spanning over 30 years.- Life and Career :...
as Edward Stratton III - Erin GrayErin GrayErin Gray is an American actress, perhaps best known for her roles as Kate Summers in the situation comedy Silver Spoons and as Colonel Wilma Deering in the science fiction television series Buck Rogers in the 25th Century....
as Kate Summers Stratton - Leonard Lightfoot as Leonard Rollins (1982–1983)
- Franklyn SealesFranklyn SealesFranklyn Seales was an American film, television and stage actor.-Career:Born on the island of St. Vincent, Seales attended Juilliard before appearing in various television productions of Shakespearean plays including Macbeth and The Taming of the Shrew where he played the role of Petruchio...
as Dexter Stuffins (1983–1987) - Jason BatemanJason BatemanJason Kent Bateman is an American television and film actor. After appearing in several 1980s and 1990s sitcoms including It's Your Move, and The Hogan Family, Bateman came to prominence in the early 2000s for playing Michael Bluth on Arrested Development, for which he won a TV Land, a Golden...
as Derek Taylor (1982–1984) - Corky Pigeon as Freddy Lippincottleman (1983–1986)
- Bobby FiteBobby FiteBobby Fite is an American film and television actor. A professional child actor and model since the age of 12, he is best known for his recurring role as J.T...
as J.T. Martin (1983–1984) - Alfonso RibeiroAlfonso RibeiroAlfonso Lincoln Ribeiro is an American actor, director, dancer, game show host, and comedian. While he received attention for his performance in the title role of the Broadway musical The Tap Dance Kid and his appearance as a dancer in a Pepsi commercial featuring Michael Jackson, Ribeiro is best...
as Alfonso Spears (1984–1987) - Billy Jacoby as Brad (1985–1986)
- John HousemanJohn HousemanJohn Houseman was a Romanian-born British-American actor and film producer who became known for his highly publicized collaboration with director Orson Welles from their days in the Federal Theatre Project through to the production of Citizen Kane...
as Grandfather Edward Stratton II (1982–1987) - Ray WalstonRay WalstonRay Walston was an American stage, television and film actor best known as the title character on the 1960s situation comedy My Favorite Martian. In addition, he is also remembered for his roles as Luther Billis in South Pacific , Mr. Applegate in Damn Yankees , J.J...
as Uncle Harry Summers (1985) - Christine BelfordChristine BelfordChristine Belford is an American television and film actor.- Early life :Christine Belford was born January 14, 1949 in Amityville, New York...
as Evelyn Bluedhorn Stratton (1983–1986)
Supporting characters
During the early years of the series, Ricky befriends "bad boy" Derek Taylor (Jason BatemanJason Bateman
Jason Kent Bateman is an American television and film actor. After appearing in several 1980s and 1990s sitcoms including It's Your Move, and The Hogan Family, Bateman came to prominence in the early 2000s for playing Michael Bluth on Arrested Development, for which he won a TV Land, a Golden...
, seasons 1 & 2), "nerdy" Freddy Lippencottleman (Corky Pigeon, seasons 1-4) and smooth-talking "cowboy", J.T. Martin (Bobby Fite
Bobby Fite
Bobby Fite is an American film and television actor. A professional child actor and model since the age of 12, he is best known for his recurring role as J.T...
, seasons 1 & 2). They get into a lot of trouble and learn many childhood lessons along the way. Jason Bateman's popularity as Derek led the producers of Silver Spoons to give him his own starring vehicle, It's Your Move
It's Your Move
It's Your Move is an American sitcom starring Jason Bateman, Tricia Cast, Caren Kaye, Ernie Sabella, David Garrison, and Garrett Morris. The show originally aired on NBC from 1984 to 1985.-Premise:...
, in 1984.
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
was Leonard Rollins (Leonard Lightfoot), who departed after the first season, and was replaced by the aptly named Business Manager, Dexter Stuffins (Franklyn Seales
Franklyn Seales
Franklyn Seales was an American film, television and stage actor.-Career:Born on the island of St. Vincent, Seales attended Juilliard before appearing in various television productions of Shakespearean plays including Macbeth and The Taming of the Shrew where he played the role of Petruchio...
), who was somewhat more stuffy and erudite than Leonard had been. Dexter remained through the rest of the series, and joining him in the fall of 1984 was his hip, breakdancing nephew Alfonso Spears (Alfonso Ribeiro
Alfonso Ribeiro
Alfonso Lincoln Ribeiro is an American actor, director, dancer, game show host, and comedian. While he received attention for his performance in the title role of the Broadway musical The Tap Dance Kid and his appearance as a dancer in a Pepsi commercial featuring Michael Jackson, Ribeiro is best...
), who became Ricky's new best friend. In season four, once Ricky, Freddy and Alfonso were in high school, their circle was completed by Brad (Billy Jacoby, seasons 4 & 5), a reintroduction of the type of "bad boy" character similar to that of Derek and J.T. during the early years of the show. That same year, as Kate and Edward adjusted to married life, Kate's doddering uncle, Harry Summers (Ray Walston
Ray Walston
Ray Walston was an American stage, television and film actor best known as the title character on the 1960s situation comedy My Favorite Martian. In addition, he is also remembered for his roles as Luther Billis in South Pacific , Mr. Applegate in Damn Yankees , J.J...
), moved into the Stratton mansion for a time.
Guest stars
Guest stars that appeared on the show include:- Lyle AlzadoLyle AlzadoLyle Martin Alzado was a professional American football defensive lineman of the National Football League famous for his intense and intimidating style of play....
- Christina ApplegateChristina ApplegateChristina Applegate is an American actress. She is best known for playing Kelly Bundy on the Fox sitcom Married... with Children. Since then, she has established a film and television career, winning a Primetime Emmy and earning Tony and Golden Globe nominations...
- Pearl BaileyPearl BaileyPearl Mae Bailey was an American actress and singer. After appearing in vaudeville, she made her Broadway debut in St. Louis Woman in 1946. She won a Tony Award for the title role in the all-black production of Hello, Dolly! in 1968...
- Gary ColemanGary ColemanGary Wayne Coleman was an American actor, known for his childhood role as Arnold Jackson in the American sitcom Diff'rent Strokes and for his small stature as an adult. He was described in the 1980s as "one of television's most promising stars". After a successful childhood acting career, Coleman...
(in a crossover from Diff'rent StrokesDiff'rent StrokesDiff'rent Strokes is an American television sitcom that aired on NBC from November 3, 1978 to May 4, 1985, and on ABC from September 27, 1985 to March 7, 1986...
as Arnold Jackson) - David HorowitzDavid HorowitzDavid Joel Horowitz is an American conservative writer and policy advocate. Horowitz was raised by parents who were both members of the American Communist Party. Between 1956 and 1975, Horowitz was an outspoken adherent of the New Left before rejecting Marxism completely...
- Whitney HoustonWhitney HoustonWhitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among...
- Bruce JennerBruce JennerWilliam Bruce Jenner is a former U.S. track and field athlete, motivational speaker, socialite and television personality. He won the gold medal for decathlon in the Montreal 1976 Summer Olympics....
- Tommy LasordaTommy LasordaThomas Charles Lasorda is a former Major League baseball player and manager. marked his sixth decade in one capacity or another with the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers organization, the longest non-continuous tenure anyone has had with the team, edging Dodger broadcaster Vin Scully...
- Joey LawrenceJoey LawrenceJoseph "Joey" Lawrence is an American actor, R&B-singer, and TV-host. He is known for his roles in the TV-series Gimme a Break!, Blossom, and Melissa & Joey.- Early life :...
- Jonna LeeJonna LeeJonna Lee is an American television and film actress.-Career:Born Jonna Lee Pangburn in Glendale, California, Lee graduated from John Burroughs High School in Burbank, California in 1981, After high school, she moved to Hollywood and maintained an acting career through the 1980s.In 1985, Lee...
- MenudoMenudo (band)Menudo was a Puerto Rican boy band that was formed in the 1970s by producer Edgardo Díaz, releasing their first album in 1977. The band achieved much success, especially during the 1980s, becoming the most popular Latin American teen musical group of the era....
- Tip O'NeillTip O'NeillThomas Phillip "Tip" O'Neill, Jr. was an American politician. O'Neill was an outspoken liberal Democrat and influential member of the U.S. Congress, serving in the House of Representatives for 34 years and representing two congressional districts in Massachusetts...
- Meeno PeluceMeeno PeluceMeeno Peluce is an American photographer and former child actor.Peluce was born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, the son of Sondra N. , a personal manager and caterer, and Floyd N. Peluce, a certified public accountant...
- Matthew PerryMatthew Perry (actor)Matthew Langford Perry is a Canadian-American actor and comedian, best known for his Emmy-nominated role as Chandler Bing on the popular, long-running NBC television sitcom Friends...
- Sharon StoneSharon StoneSharon Vonne Stone is an American actress, film producer, and former fashion model. She achieved international recognition for her role in the erotic thriller Basic Instinct...
- Mr. TMr. TMr. T is an American actor known for his roles as B. A. Baracus in the 1980s television series The A-Team, as boxer Clubber Lang in the 1982 film Rocky III, and for his appearances as a professional wrestler. Mr. T is known for his trademark African Mandinka warrior hairstyle, his gold jewelry,...
- Ray WalstonRay WalstonRay Walston was an American stage, television and film actor best known as the title character on the 1960s situation comedy My Favorite Martian. In addition, he is also remembered for his roles as Luther Billis in South Pacific , Mr. Applegate in Damn Yankees , J.J...
- Donny Eckhart
- John Doliboa
Issues addressed
While largely a comedy, Silver Spoons commonly addressed certain issues that affect people using the "very special episodeVery special episode
"Very special episode" is an advertising term originally used in American television commercials to refer to an episode of a sitcom or television drama that deals with a serious or controversial social issue...
" format.
- In the Season 1 episode "Mr. T and Me", the issue of school bullies was touched upon when Ricky is being picked on by a bully and Edward decides to hire a bodyguardBodyguardA bodyguard is a type of security operative or government agent who protects a person—usually a famous, wealthy, or politically important figure—from assault, kidnapping, assassination, stalking, loss of confidential information, terrorist attack or other threats.Most important public figures such...
for Ricky (played by Mr. TMr. TMr. T is an American actor known for his roles as B. A. Baracus in the 1980s television series The A-Team, as boxer Clubber Lang in the 1982 film Rocky III, and for his appearances as a professional wrestler. Mr. T is known for his trademark African Mandinka warrior hairstyle, his gold jewelry,...
).
- In the Season 1 episode "The Great Computer Caper", Ricky and friend Arnold JacksonArnold Jackson (character)Arnold Jackson is a breakout character on the television series Diff'rent Strokes. He was portrayed by Gary Coleman.-Character Theme:Arnold John Jackson is the younger brother of Willis Jackson , and was born in Harlem, New York City on October 19, 1971...
(Gary ColemanGary ColemanGary Wayne Coleman was an American actor, known for his childhood role as Arnold Jackson in the American sitcom Diff'rent Strokes and for his small stature as an adult. He was described in the 1980s as "one of television's most promising stars". After a successful childhood acting career, Coleman...
, playing his Diff'rent StrokesDiff'rent StrokesDiff'rent Strokes is an American television sitcom that aired on NBC from November 3, 1978 to May 4, 1985, and on ABC from September 27, 1985 to March 7, 1986...
character in a crossover episode) hackHacker (computer security)In computer security and everyday language, a hacker is someone who breaks into computers and computer networks. Hackers may be motivated by a multitude of reasons, including profit, protest, or because of the challenge...
into a military computer and access the plans for a top-secret fighter jet. They soon learn they might be guilty of treasonTreasonIn law, treason is the crime that covers some of the more extreme acts against one's sovereign or nation. Historically, treason also covered the murder of specific social superiors, such as the murder of a husband by his wife. Treason against the king was known as high treason and treason against a...
and attempt to run away from home to avoid punishment.
- In the Season 1 episode "The Best Christmas Ever", homelessnessHomelessnessHomelessness describes the condition of people without a regular dwelling. People who are homeless are unable or unwilling to acquire and maintain regular, safe, and adequate housing, or lack "fixed, regular, and adequate night-time residence." The legal definition of "homeless" varies from country...
was addressed when Ricky discovered a family living in a cave on his father's estate, featuring future Gimme a Break!Gimme a Break!Gimme a Break! is an American sitcom which aired on NBC from October 29, 1981, until May 12, 1987. The series stars Nell Carter as the housekeeper for a widowed police chief and his three daughters.-Premise:...
and BlossomBlossom (TV series)Blossom is an American sitcom broadcast on NBC from January 3, 1991 to May 22, 1995. The series stars Mayim Bialik as Blossom Russo, a teenage girl living with her father and two brothers. It was created by Don Reo.- Synopsis :...
star Joey LawrenceJoey LawrenceJoseph "Joey" Lawrence is an American actor, R&B-singer, and TV-host. He is known for his roles in the TV-series Gimme a Break!, Blossom, and Melissa & Joey.- Early life :...
.
- In the Season 2 episode "Spare the Rod", Ricky discovers that his friend Toby (Meeno PeluceMeeno PeluceMeeno Peluce is an American photographer and former child actor.Peluce was born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, the son of Sondra N. , a personal manager and caterer, and Floyd N. Peluce, a certified public accountant...
) is being beaten by his fatherChild abuseChild abuse is the physical, sexual, emotional mistreatment, or neglect of a child. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Children And Families define child maltreatment as any act or series of acts of commission or omission by a parent or...
. The end of the episode reveals that the father is also a child abuse victim.
- In the Season 3 episode "Trouble with Words", Alfonso is doing poorly in school, and an Olympic athlete, (Bruce JennerBruce JennerWilliam Bruce Jenner is a former U.S. track and field athlete, motivational speaker, socialite and television personality. He won the gold medal for decathlon in the Montreal 1976 Summer Olympics....
), who is visiting to check out a new line of athletic equipment using his name to be merchandised by Eddie Toys, helps him by discovering that Alfonso has dyslexiaDyslexiaDyslexia is a very broad term defining a learning disability that impairs a person's fluency or comprehension accuracy in being able to read, and which can manifest itself as a difficulty with phonological awareness, phonological decoding, orthographic coding, auditory short-term memory, or rapid...
, a condition which causes the mind to retain information differently, and letters are seen in a different way, usually backwards.
- In the Season 3 episode "The Secret Life of Ricky Stratton", Ricky develops a romance with a girl he meets on a computer bulletin board, very much foreshadowing the actual internet dating boom a generation later. However, before the first in-person date occurs, both teens suffer from self esteem issues, and each fears the other won't be attracted to them.
- In the Season 3 episode "The Babysitters", Ricky suspects that a girl he's babysitting was kidnapped by her father. Many missing children cases have involved children being kidnapped by one of their parents or relatives.
- In the two-part Season 4 episode "One for the Road", Ricky attends a party and is pressured into drinking by his friend. He later finds out that his friend has a drinking problemAlcoholismAlcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's health, personal relationships, and social standing...
and tries to get him help.
- In the Season 4 episode "Daddy Rick", the subject of teen pregnancy is addressed when Ricky is paired with a girl in a mock marriage project at school and finds out his partner is pregnant, both in the mock marriage project and in real life.
Theme song
The show's theme song titled "Together" was written by Rik Howard and Bob Wirth. The original version was accompanied mostly by guitar. Two other versions of the theme were used during the show's run. A synthesized version was used in 19851985 in television
The year 1985 involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1985.For the American TV schedule, see: 1985-86 United States network television schedule.-Events:*January 1 – VH1 launches in the United States....
when all other Embassy Television series (The Facts of Life
The Facts of Life (TV series)
The Facts of Life is an American sitcom that originally ran on the NBC television network from August 24, 1979 to May 7, 1988. A spin-off of the sitcom Diff'rent Strokes, the series' premise focused on Edna Garrett as she becomes a housemother at the fictional Eastland School, a prestigious...
and Diff'rent Strokes
Diff'rent Strokes
Diff'rent Strokes is an American television sitcom that aired on NBC from November 3, 1978 to May 4, 1985, and on ABC from September 27, 1985 to March 7, 1986...
included) modified their opening credits. The third version of the theme, a rock version, was introduced in 1986
1986 in television
The year 1986 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1986.For the American network television schedule, please see 1986-87 American network television schedule.-Events:-Debuts:*September 6 –...
when the show moved to first-run syndication, with vocals by The Archies
The Archies
The Archies are a garage band founded by Archie Andrews, Reggie Mantle, and Jughead Jones, a group of adolescent fictional characters of the Archie universe, in the context of the animated TV series, The Archie Show...
' alumni Ron Dante
Ron Dante
Ron Dante is an American singer, songwriter, session vocalist, and record producer...
.
The Stratton mansion
The brick Tudor periodTudor period
The Tudor period usually refers to the period between 1485 and 1603, specifically in relation to the history of England. This coincides with the rule of the Tudor dynasty in England whose first monarch was Henry VII...
mansion shown in the opening credits is actually a private residence located in Warwickshire, England. The elaborate home, named Compton Wynyates
Compton Wynyates
Compton Wynyates is a country house in Warwickshire, England, a Grade I listed building. The Tudor period house, an example of Tudor architecture, is constructed of red brick and built around a central courtyard. It is castellated and turreted in parts. Following action in the Civil War, half...
, was built in 1481. Before Silver Spoons, it was used in the 1977 Disney film, Candleshoe
Candleshoe
Candleshoe is a 1977 Walt Disney Productions live action family film and heist film based on the Michael Innes novel Christmas at Candleshoe and starring Jodie Foster, Helen Hayes in her last big screen appearance, David Niven and Leo McKern.-Plot:...
, starring Helen Hayes
Helen Hayes
Helen Hayes Brown was an American actress whose career spanned almost 70 years. She eventually garnered the nickname "First Lady of the American Theatre" and was one of twelve people who have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony Award...
, Jodie Foster
Jodie Foster
Alicia Christian "Jodie" Foster is an American actress, film director, producer as well as a former child actress....
and David Niven
David Niven
James David Graham Niven , known as David Niven, was a British actor and novelist, best known for his roles as Phileas Fogg in Around the World in 80 Days and Sir Charles Lytton, a.k.a. "the Phantom", in The Pink Panther...
. The facade of the mansion was featured again in the 1978 film, Death on the Nile
Death on the Nile (1978 film)
Death on the Nile is a 1978 film based on the Agatha Christie mystery novel Death on the Nile, directed by John Guillermin. The film features the Belgian detective Hercule Poirot played by Peter Ustinov plus an all-star cast. It takes place in Egypt, mostly on the Nile River...
, as the new country home of the heiress Linnet Ridgeway. In 1997, Compton Wynyates was featured in the second narrative of Iain Pears
Iain Pears
Iain Pears is an English art historian, novelist and journalist. He was educated at Warwick School, Warwick, Wadham College and Wolfson College, Oxford. Before writing, he worked as a reporter for the BBC, Channel 4 and ZDF and correspondent for Reuters from 1982 to 1990 in Italy, France, UK and...
's An Instance of the Fingerpost
An Instance of the Fingerpost
An Instance of the Fingerpost is a 1997 historical mystery novel by Iain Pears.-Synopsis:A murder in 17th-century Oxford is related from the contradictory points of view of four of the characters, all of them unreliable narrators...
.
Reruns and syndication
Reruns of Silver Spoons aired on NBC's daytime schedule from April to September 1985. The series has not been in regular syndication since the mid-1990s, except for a few airings of select episodes on Nick at NiteNick at Nite
Nick at Nite is the nighttime Cable network that broadcasts over the channel space of Nickelodeon on Sundays from 8.p.m.-7.am., Monday through Fridays from 9 p.m.-7 a.m. and Saturdays from 10 p.m.-6 a.m. . Though it shares channel space with Nickelodeon, A.C. Nielsen Co...
in 2001 and 2005.
Some of the Sony Pictures Television program library (including Silver Spoons) had been acquired by ION Television in August 2006. However, the show never appeared on the network. The show is also available on Comcast digital cable's
Comcast
Comcast Corporation is the largest cable operator, home Internet service provider, and fourth largest home telephone service provider in the United States, providing cable television, broadband Internet, and telephone service to both residential and commercial customers in 39 states and the...
On Demand
Video on demand
Video on Demand or Audio and Video On Demand are systems which allow users to select and watch/listen to video or audio content on demand...
service as of September 19, 2006. Chicago's WWME ("Me TV") currently airs two episodes back to back on Saturday afternoons.
The first season is also available for purchase by episode or season on iTunes. In 2008, popular video on demand sites Hulu
Hulu
Hulu is a website and over-the-top subscription service offering ad-supported on-demand streaming video of TV shows, movies, webisodes and other new media, trailers, clips, and behind-the-scenes footage from NBC, Fox, ABC, and Obstacle on October 20th 2011 Nickelodeon and CBS and many other...
and Crackle
Crackle
Crackle is a digital network and studio, featuring commercially supported streaming video content in Flash Video format. It is owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, and its content consists primarily of Sony's library of films and television shows...
began airing the syndicated version of the first season of Silver Spoons.
Episodes of Silver Spoons can be found on DejaView
DejaView
DejaView is a Canadian English language Category B specialty channel owned by Shaw Media. It airs television shows from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.-History:In November 2000, Global Television Network Inc...
in Canada in 2010-2011
DVD release
On June 19, 2007, Sony Pictures Home EntertainmentSony Pictures Home Entertainment
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the home video distribution arm of Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation. It was established in November 1979 as Columbia Pictures Home Entertainment, releasing 20 titles: The Anderson Tapes, Bell, Book and Candle, Born Free, Breakout,...
released the first season of Silver Spoons on DVD in Region 1. It is unknown if the remaining 4 seasons will be released at some point.