I'm an orphan, okay? Can we go now? (TS)

What's up, 3rd Chair Tromboner?

Here's a later episode of Different Strokes wherein Willis mentors Sam to resolve his differences through talking rather than fist fighting. So Sam tries his best, with Willis looking on, but slowly it devolves into chaos. That's when it comes out that the mean kid has a good reason for being an asshole: he's an orphan. Boo hoo.  Waaaaah.  Waaah.

My fascination with this clip is the way they close it.  Wait for it....wait for it...you ready?  The audience applauds. That's old school sitcom, people. 70s and 80s TV audiences spit applause at commercial breaks, even when it was incredibly awkward. Here, it seems as though the audience is applauding the fact that the kid is an orphan. I love old time entertainment. I do.

Comments

[bobby]

Paymer, payin' his dues.

Imagine the positive diff it'd make to have an unseen audience applaud you through your most awkward revelations.

"No, I can't come to to the board, ma'am... I HAVE AN ERECTION!" (applause, cut to commercial)

"I'm sorry I've been neglecting you, Debbie, it's just... I'M IN LOVE WITH YOUR BROTHER STUART!" (applause, cut to commercial)

"Yeah, I haven't seen little Ricky around lately either. Probably cause... I COOKED HIM INTO THE STEW YOU'RE EATING RIGHT NOW!" (applause, cut to commercial)

[Tim]

"You know, people like to eat this garbage, not walk on it."

Boy, that got a big laugh. But why?

[Jiff]

I HATED that Sam kid. Couldn't abide him. Even if I found out he was an orphan, I'd have knocked his block off.

Apparently the audience is applauding the death of the kids' parents. Hey, when you get an audience together, there's no telling what they'll respond to.

Heart!