A Different World | Cast | Impact on Society | Episode Topics | HBCU Enrollment #hbcu #hillman

#adifferentworld #thecosbyshow #jasmineguy

A Different World ran from 1987-1993 and is seen as one of the most successful spinoffs of all time. Spun off of the legendary Cosby Show; Denise Huxtable was sent to college at Hillman University which was portrayed as an HBCU. The original plot was for a white student to be at a black university. Marisa Tomei, playing Maggie Lauten. Originally casted Meg Ryan, who chose to go into Hollywood. But the writers decided to move to a black student with a white roommate. So it started in the first season, with Lisa Bonet rooming with Marisa Tomei and Dawnn Lewis as Jaleesa Vinson. The first two were written out of the show when Howard U Alum Debbie Allen was hired and moved the show in a different direction. Plus Lisa Bonet announced she was pregnant, so Cosby felt Denise couldn’t be an unwed Mom. So Jasmine Guy and Kadeem Hardison became the focus of the show from the on. As Whitley Gilbert and Dwayne Wayne. Ron Johnson was already in the show, played by Darryl Bell. Dwayne’s best friend. From Season 2, Cree Summers and Charnel Brown were promoted to the cast as Freddie Brooks and Kimberly Reese. Sinbad was Walter Oakes the mentor to the kids. Lou Meyers was the PitStop Cafeteria owner and also mentor. Glynn Turman played Colonel Taylor who eventually dated and married Jaleesa. By season 6, Ajai Sanders, Jada Pickett, and Karen Malina White also joined.

A Different World explored many topics that The Cosby Show did not. As it was a college show rather than just a family. Episodes of date rape, racial perspective, domestic abuse, hiv aids epidemic, stereotypes, and more. Guest appearances were special in coveting those topics as well. With Whoopi Goldberg, Tisha Campbell, Tupac Shakur, as some in particular. Lastly, A Different World created a huge increase in HBCU enrollment during its tenure and continues to this day. The cast still tours around the nation to different HBCUs and inspires students and future scholars to this day as well.

00:00 Intro
00:47 First Season
01:54 Seasons 2-5 Cast
02:55 Topics
03:26 Season 6
03:34 Whitley and Dwayne
05:10 Cats in the Cradle
06:53 Dawnn Lewis
07:39 AIDS: Whoopi & Tisha
08:23 Tupac Shakur : Piccolo
09:42 No Means No
10:41 Love Taps
11:17 HBCU Enrollment
12:55 Summary
14:19 End