<P> Plato's character, Kimberly, was written out of the story lines with the explanation that she moved to Paris to study for a couple of years . Plato did not appear as a regular cast member in the final two seasons of the series, but she made several guest appearances . </P> <P> At the same time, ratings were beginning to fall, so new characters were added to open up future storylines . Dixie Carter and Danny Cooksey portrayed recently divorced television aerobics instructor Margaret "Maggie" McKinney, and her son, Sam McKinney . Carter was introduced midway into the sixth season; after she left for California, Drummond and the family took off after her, during a two - part trip in February 1984, a storyline which also introduced Sam . </P> <P> Phillip proposed to Maggie, and they married . Several past characters attended the wedding ceremony including Dudley, Aunt Sophia, Adelaide and Mrs. Garrett . </P> <P> In the seventh season, Dixie Carter and Danny Cooksey were added to the opening credits (with Carter getting special "and" billing, last in the order), and many new areas and ideas were explored in the storylines, as viewers now got to see Philip as a happily married man . Dana Plato was no longer appearing as a main cast member, because of her pregnancy in real life . The producers felt that the pregnancy wouldn't be acceptable, so she was dropped from the show and returned for the season finale A Special Friend as a guest star . Also, since there was a new fresh - faced kid in the house with Sam, Arnold now had his own little sidekick and was happy to be a "big brother" for a change, and with Willis being dropped into the background slightly, this new brotherly duo took center stage for many storylines . In the season, Todd Bridges was continuing the show as a main cast member, but developed absences in several episodes . Additionally, stories focusing on Arnold's school life (featured occasionally in many previous seasons) were delved into much more . The ratings did not improve to NBC's hopes . Dixie Carter departed at the end of the seventh season and was replaced with Mary Ann Mobley in the eighth season . </P>

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