Paying tribute to Gary Coleman, my way!

I know, I know, sister can get so mushy about pop culture icons' death. But look here, Gary Coleman's Arnold Jackson character is one to have enkindle many (if not all) in their thirties and beyond!
A generation of kids have drawn laughter, delight and inspiration from the 11 year running comedy. It's true that in its two last seasons, I personally got tired of the series altogether as I was getting increasingly annoyed and uneasy about the plot insisting on Arnold Jackson being this eternal cute chubby cheeks 12-year old. But the indelible mark that late actor Gary Coleman left in American pop culture through giving a larger-than-life existence to his character Arnold Jackson, bears few comparisons.
Just like the Cosby kids made me envious for a cool trickster dad like Dr. Huxtable, Arnold made me wish for a cool big brother like Willy! [My 3 brothers, all younger than me too, would have loved to kick that useless big sis' they had to take example on, to the curb for a promise of half a cool smooth big bro' like Willy, a-ny-ti-me!
Arnold Jackson's character was unique and one knew better than to wish for a sass mouth of a kid brother. How could anybody ever outsmarty-pants him and be a credible sass sparing partner? I'd give credit to the writers behind the comedy's punchlines and plots but the merit for carrying out the sass without seemingly any effort? Gary Coleman all the way!
The man died May 28, 2010 after a fatal fall causing an hemorrhage. The minute I learnt of his death to be true, I thought of ways Gary Coleman's work affected us in our youth and allowed for the best relief after a punitive day at school. All the rerun saw my attendance as a viewer to be just as devoted as the first time I caught the show called DIff'rent strokes. Back were I grew up the show was actually known as "Arnold et Willy" and resonated just as well with the French audience as it did with the American.
The infectious and catchy generic song never lost its intoxicating cheerful effect even years after, while singing it to an office full of ecstatic co-workers discovering with delight the French version of something they thought unique. I haven't sung it to my own child in a while, but this time, I'll make sure she ends up knowing my "Arnold et Willy" interpretation "en francais!"