From September 24, 1987 to July 9, 1993, NBC television treated viewers to life in Tertiary education unlike any other in television history. Audiences world-wide were introduced to experiences at HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges & Universities) with a sitcom at fictional Hillman College, chronicling the academic career of The Cosby Show daughter, Denise Huxtable.
Originally intending to feature a white student at an “all-black” institution (hence the show’s title), the producers ultimately decided to focus on the concept of an African American student, with a white friend.
The first and second seasons introduced us to characters such as:
Denise Huxtable (Lisa Bonet) – Cosby family college student, struggling to find direction in her academic and personal life. She eventually drops out after her sophomore year (appearing in only the first season).
Dwayne Wayne (Kadeem Hardison) – Engineering student and self-proclaimed math genius who clumsily and unsuccessfully pursues Denise throughout Season 1. He later turns his affections towards unlikely classmate, Whitley.
Whitley Gilbert (Jasmine Guy) – Privileged and snobbish southern belle (originally the show’s so-called antagonist to Denise) who soon becomes Dwayne’s love interest and the central character after Denise’s departure.
Jaleesa Vinson (Dawnn Lewis) – 26-year-old college student seeking to reclaim her life and complete her education after a failed marriage.
Maggie Lauten (Marisa Tomei) – Talkative “Military Brat” sophomore transfer student and roommate to Denise and Whitley. Juggling her studies with her long-distance relationship. Appeared in only Season 1 as the show’s only white character other than “Matthew”, Freddie’s cousin.
Ron Johnson (Darryl M. Bell) – Musician, wise guy and Dwayne’s girl-chasing, loyal sidekick, who is also in love with Whitley (after dating Millie for Season 1, before her unexpected and unexplained departure). He eventually pursues Kim, then Freddie.
Walter Oakes (Sinbad) – Graduate student, football/baseball/basketball/track coach, dorm director and advisor to the students. His relationship with them is just as much as a father, older brother and a friend. He is also engaged to Jalessa for a short period.
Kimberly Reese (Charnele Brown) – Medical student and close friend to Whitley and Freddie, grounded in reality and morality. Often regarded by many fans to be the calming force and “soul” of the show.
Winifred “Freddie” Brooks (Cree Summer) – Flower child and free spirit who eventually becomes more serious about life (specifically black and women’s rights) and eventually pursues law.
Other memorable characters include Mr. Gaines (owner of the popular school diner known as “The Pit”), Colonel Bradford Taylor, Dorm Assistants Lettie Bostic and Stevie Rallen along with many others.
Throughout the duration of the series, “A Different World” featured notable and soon-to-be famous talents in both starring and recurring roles. These included (deep breath): Glynn Turman, Jada Pinkett, Mary Alice, Loretta Devine, Gary Dourdan, Kim Wayans, Jenifer Lewis, Diahann Carroll (Whitley’s mom), Patti LaBelle (Dwayne’s mom), Joe Morton, Roger Guenveur Smith, Rosalind Cash, Ron O’Neal, Robert Guillaume, etc.
The Guest Stars were endless, including but not limited to (deeper breath): Vanessa Bell Calloway, Tisha Campbell-Martin, Art Evans, Richard Roundtree, Halle Berry, Dean Cain, Whoopi Goldberg, David Alan Grier, Alfonso Ribeiro, Lena Horne, Jesse Jackson, Tupac Shakur, Obba Babatunde, Blair Underwood, Allen Payne, Monica Calhoun, Orlando Jones (also one of the show’s writers), Thomas Mikal Ford, Billy Dee Williams and many more.
In addition, musical groups/artists included En Vogue, Heavy Dee, Gladys Knight, Kriss Kross and The Boys.
“A Different World” (ADW) came along during a time when the social, political and economic climates were begging for attention and more important, change. Racism, political corruption, poverty, sexism, you name it – all splattered around the face of our nation in both subtle and overt fashion. Unfortunately, these would not be addressed unless you picked up your local newspaper or turned on the nightly news. The only other places you could find reference to current events and issues were on the big screen or in daytime drama.
But one place you would NEVER go was your typical situation comedy. Uncharted territory, forbidden territory, taboo…
…until now, thanks to A Different World.
When “The Cosby Show” brought about this spin-off, designed to extend the “family fun” formula to the college scene, we originally got more of the same: Cosby-esque comedy with a happy lesson to be learned at the end of each episode.
Success! Right? Wrong!
