MovieChat Forums > Maude (1972) Discussion > Conrad Bain: better on 'Maude' or better...

Conrad Bain: better on 'Maude' or better on 'Diff'rent Strokes?'

posted 11 years ago by jarrodmcdonald-1
18 replies | jump to latest

He plays such a different type of character on 'Maude,' it really surprises me. He acts like a stooge sometimes on this show, like in the episode where he and Walter split up their friendship then get back together. The relationship with Rue McClanahan's character is interesting, too-- because we really do not see Phillip Drummond have much of a romantic life, until the later seasons of 'Diff'rent Strokes.' But on here, he is allowed to be more broadly comical and allowed to get laid. And as a result, he is definitely an easy target for many of Maude's one-liners.

I don't think he's a brilliant actor by any stretch of the imagination, but I give him credit for being able to pull off two somewhat different roles on these sitcoms.

Thoughts...?

[–] rerunwatcher 11 years ago

His character was more likable on Diff'rent Strokes. But, his character was funnier on Maude. I like it when he calls her "Maudie" in that smart-alec way.

[–] jarrodmcdonald-1 11 years ago

I like it when he calls her "Maudie" in that smart-alec way.

I like that, too. I think he's a little bit looser on this show, not as stuffy as he was in 'Diff'rent Strokes.' I wonder if it's because this character is more a product of the 70s and Mr. Drummond's uptightness reflects the conservative 80s...?

[–] amyghost 11 years ago

I think that's pretty spot-on. Strokes was something of a product of the 80's era of so-called 'limousine liberalism' (rich folks condescendingly practicing noblesse oblige toward those poor underprivileged brown folk), while Maude was reflective of the 70's era willingness to make satirical targets of both liberals and conservatives--though admittedly, the conservatives tended to get skewered more--and certainly wasn't focused on glorifying the wealthy and well-to-do in the way that 80's era tv often did.

[–] wbf200 11 years ago

Of course on "Maude", his character was an arch-conservative and in the beginning, Arthur served as the lightning rod for Maude's liberalism. Fortunately, as the show went along, they fleshed his character out and the liberal/conservative angle became less of an issue. I didn't really watch "Strokes" much but the difference in his performance may simply be that he was more challenged by the material he was given on "Maude" which allowed his character to grow and develop. On "Strokes", I don't think he had a lot to do apart from being the parental figure to the kids, who were the real stars.

[–] jarrodmcdonald-1 11 years ago

Yes, I would agree with you on that. The kids were the main characters on Diff'rent Strokes and they dominated the episodes, though Mr. Drummond anchored the stories. He had various romances and business activities, but it wasn't until they hired Dixie Carter and gave him a permanent love interest that the character really began to have a little more depth. By comparison, Arthur on Maude seems to be more dimensional and more humorous.

[–] Greatornot 11 years ago

That is ironic considering that he was liberal in DS and conservative in Maude. I like him better on Maude as well. He seems to be more of a straight man in DS and on Maude he is obnoxiously funny.

[–] corinnacarpenter 8 years ago

Did he do headstands on "Diff'rent Strokes" like he did on "Maude"? That was pretty impressive.

 I Love Vic Morrow 

[–] wbf200 8 years ago

SCTV did an hilarious spoof of "Diff'rent Strokes", with a white foster dad and a couple of black children, and hired Conrad's twin brother Bonar Bain to play the dad.

[–] amyghost 8 years ago

I love SCTV, don't think I've ever seen that skit. it sounds hilarious. Bonar's guest spot on Maude made for one of the funniest ending gags on the series.

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[–] ShelbyTMItchell 8 years ago

Hands down Different Strokes. Only saw bits and pieces of Maude.

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[–] jefgg 10 years ago

Phillip Drummond was one of the all time great TV dads.

[–] happipuppi13 10 years ago

Conrad Bain was great on both. 

I do believe both characters are Republicans with the exception that
Arthur is hard-line and Phil is conservative but somehow, more laid back.

As far as D.S. strokes is concerened ,I think he did sort of wha tRobert Reed did on The Brady Bunch. Took a sitom plot that could have easuily been silly badly presented and gave it an even level of quality acting and comedic timing. (Which any actor will tell you is not an easy thing to do.)

Look for Conrad in the 1979 (almost) kiddie comedy film C.H.O.M.P.S. ,
about a teenage /20 something boy who invents (basically) a bionic dog.

Go for it or just be a gopher!
(MR.) happipuppi13 🐕 *arf,man!*

[–] dellahicks 10 years ago

I think that DD focused more on Arnold & Willis and their assimilation into the Drummond's white world. In DD, Conrad Bain was a paternal figure and while he had his own personality and viewpoints, they were related through story lines involving the children. In Maude, his Arthur character was the antagonist to Maude and her beliefs, morals etc., direct and upfront. I actually enjoyed him in both roles, though he was a bit more subdued in DD!

[–] McGannahanSkjellyfetti 9 years ago

Maude. He was too serious on DS. But that doesn't mean that I didn't like him on DS, where he played the role of the voice of reasoning and the responsible father of three kids. It just goes to show you how versatile the actor the late great Conrad Bain was in both shows... ~RIP~

[–] corinnacarpenter 8 years ago

Conrad Bain was a terrific actor. He appeared on Broadway and that takes a lot of talent.

 I Love Vic Morrow 

[–] Jimmy_the_Gent4 8 years ago

He could be hilarious on Maude. One of my favorite episodes was Arthur's Worry, where Walter dreams he kissed Arthur, making Arthur uncomfortable when he and Walter go on a fishing trip. Funniest scene is when Walter compliments Arthur on his cooking skills, and he says "But remember I played football! Tackle! On a cement driveway!"

All he did on Diffrent Strokes was feed straight lines to Gary Coleman.

[–] mrbobbyh 8 years ago

I've only seen a little bit of 'Maude,' but I can confidently say that Conrad Bain is one of the few bright spots of this show. I can't stand Maude herself.

[–] pioneergrrrl (2412) 4 years ago

thought he did better with the material on Maude--since Different Strokes was targeted more towards families and children. They should have had somebody like Michael Landon play Phillip Drummond. No you will not be able to convince me that Bain is 'hot'.