# A Different World (1987)

> A spin-off sitcom following students at a fictional historically black college in Virginia, centered on Denise Huxtable and later Whitley Gilbert and Dwayne Wayne.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/tv/102

## Facts

- Seasons: 6
- Episodes: 144
- Episode runtime: 22 min
- Status: Ended
- Genres: comedy
- Created by: Bill Cosby
- Network: NBC
- Cast: Lisa Bonet, Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison, Darryl M. Bell, Cree Summer, Marisa Tomei, Charnele Brown, Dawnn Lewis
- TMDB rating: 6.9/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092339/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: brisk
- Intensity: mild
- Complexity: accessible
- Violence: none
- Tone: warm, playful, earnest, uplifting, gentle

## What critics say

Audiences consider the series a warm, funny and socially engaged campus sitcom whose ratings held steady across its run, with a mixed overall reception.

## Synopsis

A Different World (1987-1993) is an American network sitcom created by Bill Cosby for NBC, a spin-off of The Cosby Show. Set at Hillman College, a fictional historically black college in Virginia, the series first follows Denise Huxtable (Lisa Bonet), daughter of the Huxtable family, as she adjusts to dorm life and campus politics. After Bonet's departure the show shifts its focus to Southern belle Whitley Gilbert (Jasmine Guy) and mathematics whiz Dwayne Wayne (Kadeem Hardison), whose romantic back and forth drives many episodes. Their classmates, including Ron Johnson (Darryl M. Bell) and Freddie Brooks (Cree Summer), fill out the ensemble. Each episode is built around everyday campus situations such as roommate friction, fraternity and sorority rivalries, part time jobs, and romantic misunderstandings, with the social issues of the day woven in through lessons rather than heavy drama. Six seasons of 22-episode and 25-episode runs give the show a steady, familiar rhythm. The tone is warm, earnest, and playful, with a gentle uplifting streak. Fans of The Cosby Show, Head of the Class and Dear John will find resonance in its family friendly campus comedy and its affection for young adults finding their way.

## Shows like A Different World

- [The Cosby Show (1984)](https://ember.film/tv/1657)
- [Martin (1992)](https://ember.film/tv/156)
- [Good Times (1974)](https://ember.film/tv/140)
- [grown-ish (2018)](https://ember.film/tv/62721)
- [Saved by the Bell: The College Years (1993)](https://ember.film/tv/1905)
- [The Parkers (1999)](https://ember.film/tv/3379)
- [mixed-ish (2019)](https://ember.film/tv/75967)
- [Dear White People (2017)](https://ember.film/tv/61873)
- [All American: Homecoming (2022)](https://ember.film/tv/116511)
- [The Game (2006)](https://ember.film/tv/194)

---

Site overview: https://ember.film/llms.txt