"Together...we're going to find our way"
This week we go back to the '80s and revisit Silver Spoons for our Sunday Show Spotlight. Silver Spoons was a family comedy that showcased the wealth and excess of the 1980s (hence the title referencing silver spoons)...but in a funny way. During its five-year run, audiences were introduced to the story of little Ricky Stratton meeting the father he never knew. Edward Stratton was a bachelor businessman during the day and overgrown kid during his off-hours. The guy owned a toy company so he put what he knew best to good use, and made a fortune. Meanwhile, Ricky was like a little old man. He was very serious and shouldered problems that really shouldn't burden a kid. The relationship between Ricky and Edward set the premise of the show as father and son realized they needed each other to make the necessary changes in their lives.
Growing up watching Silver Spoons, you either loved the show or you loved to hate the show. By hate we don't mean the plot, stories, or characters, but rather the awesomeness we didn't have by living in a huge mansion full of toys. Edward had that house stacked with a full-blown arcade, a train set that could fit two or three people (and took you anywhere you wanted to go in the house), and a race car bed. Who wanted a race car bed when they were growing up? (*raises hand*) We envied the material things, though we probably weren't too keen on the pastels and plaid clothing Ricky was always stuck wearing.
Materialism aside, Silver Spoons did teach us very valuable lessons. Sure there were the typical lessons a kid goes through at school with friends, or doing something wrong and regretting it later. Most importantly, the sitcom showed us that a family could exist with just a father and a son. Though Ricky's mother was present in the show, she wasn't a constant figure. Silver Spoons highlighted the single-parent household, and while Edward had more resources at disposal than your average single parent, he was at the same level when it came to raising a pre-adolescent tweenager. We were able to relate to the emptiness and void each character felt prior to meeting one another, and we were able to share the experiences as both father and son grew and matured together. Money and wealth can buy you just about anything, but it can't buy you love and family.
Sony released the first season of Silver Spoons on DVD back in 2007. No further seasons have been released. Episodes from various seasons can be found online, and several include young versions of Jason Bateman and Alfonso Ribeiro as Ricky's friends. Stunt casting and crossovers were always an element for new shows and Silver Spoons wasn't an exception. Tonight we provide you with a first season episode where Arnold Jackson from Diff'rent Strokes' visits Ricky's world. Enjoy!
We hope you enjoyed our Sunday Show Spotlight and tune in next week where we focus on another Sunday show from the past. Keep it locked to Stay Tuned for future updates on anything and everything television!
