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Arlene Handelman is the younger sister of Skippy Handelman.

Background[]

Arlene resembles Skippy in both appearance and personality even though they aren't biologically related. It's unclear whether she's adopted, too. Her family has pet guinea pigs[1] and two turtles.[2] Skippy once saved her life through "simple reflexes," although we never learn the details.[3]

On the series[]

Arlene is a clumsy girly girl with no interest in sports. She likes Jennifer Keaton, but Jennifer doesn't want to spend time with her because they have nothing in common. When Jennifer's baseball team, the Leopards, is a player short, Jennifer invites Arlene to join so they won't have to forfeit the championship game. Jennifer tries to teach Arlene to catch a softball, but her eagerness to win the game and her irritation with Arlene cause her to throw the ball too hard, hitting Arlene in the face and putting her in the hospital. After Arlene gets home from the hospital, Jennifer goes to her house to apologize. Arlene apologizes for being a bad player and tells Jennifer that being on the team was the most fun she ever had and that being in the hospital was exciting. The next day, Arlene is well enough to play in the championship game.

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