"The Bicycle Man" is a two-part very special episode of the American sitcom Diff'rent Strokes (1978–1986). Serving as the 16th and 17th episodes of the fifth season, it was written by Blake Hunter, directed by Gerren Keith, and guest-stars Gordon Jump as a bicycle shop owner who tries to molest Arnold Jackson (Gary Coleman) and his friend Dudley Johnson (Shavar Ross). The episode also features Le Tari as Ted Ramsey, Dudley's adoptive father, and Brad Trumbull as Detective Simpson.
"The Bicycle Man" originally aired on NBC on February 5 and 12, 1983, and was critically acclaimed. In later years, "The Bicycle Man" has been notable for beginning the trend of "very special" sitcom episodes that deal with social issue topics very seriously compared to the tone of the overall series, as well as its dark content. Several publications have ranked it one of the best very special episodes. A scene from "The Bicycle Man" was used in An Open Secret (2015), a documentary film about pedophilia in the film industry.
Plot
The Drummonds and Jacksons are acquaintances of Mr. Horton, who owns a bicycle shop from which the family regularly rents bikes. Arnold Jackson is interested in buying a bike, but there is skepticism from his father, Phillip Drummond, as well as his siblings, Willis Jackson and Kimberly Drummond. However, Arnold's pleading plus a deal to purchase a red bicycle for a third lower than the actual price offered by Horton influences Phillip to buy it for Arnold's birthday. Horton then makes a deal with Arnold for a free radio if he sends out flyers to other kids at school advertising a sale at the shop, which he successfully does the next day with the help of his friend Dudley.
Later Arnold goes to the shop asking Horton for more flyers. In the encounter, Horton brings Arnold to the shop owner's house, in the store's back room, and feeds Arnold a banana split, while discussing the possibility of Arnold using the bike for free before his birthday; Horton also instructs Arnold to keep their encounters a secret. Arnold comes home later than usual that night, which is noticed by Phillip as well as Kimberly and Willis; however, Arnold's lie about getting pretzels before he got home is enough for his relatives to think little of it. Arnold brings Dudley to his next private meeting with Horton, but it is too rainy for Arnold to ride around the park. Horton uses this opportunity to entice the two with pizza, wine, and pornographic magazines. Horton also shows them pictures of himself skinny dipping with other kids and plays a game of "Tarzan" involving them taking pictures of each other, with Dudley being shirtless.
Arnold then realizes the possibility of his father smelling wine on his breath, so Horton offers the boys gum and breath mints to hide the scent. Then the shop bell rings, indicating that another customer has arrived. When Mr. Horton sees Phillip has entered the shop, he instructs the boys to keep it down as he goes to the front. When Arnold sees his father is in the shop, he and Dudley leave because they could get in trouble. Once Phillip leaves, Mr. Horton locks up the shop and sees that the boys have left. At the Drummond home, Kimberly and Willis notice the smell. Arnold admits to drinking alcohol, but lies that it was Dudley's father Ted that offered a couple of sips. The siblings agree to keep it a secret from Phillip. Arnold and Dudley go to the shop again the next day, Arnold admitting to Horton that he feels funny about having the secret meetings. However, Horton's showing of a Fritz the Cat-esque adult cartoon Murphy the Mouse, while gaining Dudley's attention, also bothers Arnold to the point where he leaves the shop; this leaves Dudley and Horton to play a game of "Neptune: King of the Sea" alone.