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'A Different World' cast reuniting for HBCU tour more than 35 years after premiere

The iconic sitcom ran for six seasons between 1987 and 1993.

The cast of "A Different World" is hitting the road for a 10-city reunion tour of various historically Black colleges and universities.

Taking place more than 35 years after the iconic sitcom's premiere, cast members Kadeem Hardison, Jasmine Guy, Darryl M. Bell, Dawnn Lewis, Cree Summer, Charnele Brown, Glynn Turman and Sinbad -- along with producer Susan Fales -- are reuniting for the tour.

MORE: Woman visits over 90 HBCUs on mission to bring the experience to students

Debbie Allen will also join in on the fun.

The tour will kick off Feb. 29 at the Atlanta University Center, home to Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College and Spelman College.

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Other scheduled stops in April include Howard University in Washington, D.C., and both Alabama State University and Tuskegee University in Alabama.

More stops will be announced at a later date.

"A Different World" ran for six seasons between 1987 and 1993. It originally centered around Lisa Bonet's "The Cosby Show" character, Denise Huxtable, as she studied at Hillman College, a fictional HBCU. Her character departed after the first season and the show focused on other students at the school.

According to a press release, the tour isn't just about nostalgia -- it's about raising "awareness and enrollment for HBCUs nationwide."

For more information about the A Different World Tour, click here .

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Reunion Road Trip: It's a Different World

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Reunion Road Trip

The iconic casts from `Scrubs', `A Different World', `All My Children' and the original `Queer Eye for the Straight Guy' each reunite to examine the legacy of their shows and dish on their favourite behind-the-scenes stories.

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Watch A Different World cast sing the show’s theme song while reuniting at the White House

Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison, Darryl M. Bell, Charnele Brown Cree Summer, Sinbad, and Glynn Turman were a few of the Hillman alums in attendance.

The cast of  A Different World is still showing off their Hillman College pride – 35 years later.

A few notable sitcom alums reunited for a national tour of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). During their latest stop in Washington, D.C., hosted by Howard College, they made an appearance at the White House to meet Vice President Kamala Harris and Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. 

The Grio ’s April Ryan shared a snippet of their White House visit on Instagram, which included Jean-Pierre leading the cast in a sing-along of the show’s iconic theme. While the show featured three different arrangements of the song across its six season run — with Phoebe Snow performing it in the first season and Boyz II Men stepping in for the final — the group opted for the version featured throughout the majority of the sitcom’s run, sung by the Queen of Soul herself, Aretha Franklin .

The tour, which kicked off on Feb. 29 in Georgia, features A Different World alums Darryl M. Bell (Ron Johnson); Charnele Brown (Kimberly Reese); Jasmine Guy (Whitley Gilbert-Wayne); Kadeem Hardison (Dwayne Wayne); Dawnn Lewis (Jaleesa Vinson-Taylor); Cree Summer (Winifred Brooks); Glynn Turman (Col. Bradford Taylor); and Sinbad (Walter Oakes). The stars are joined by producers Debbie Allen and Susan Fales.

Carsey-Werner/courtesy Everett 

Per the tour’s official website , the purpose of their reunion goes far beyond "nostalgia." The tour's goal is to raise scholarship funds at participating HBCUs. "By leveraging the star power and cultural impact of A Different World , we aim to inspire a new generation to choose HBCUs as their academic homes," says a statement from the group.

A spin-off of The Cosby Show , A Different World initially follows second eldest Huxtable child Denise ( Lisa Bonet ) after she leaves home to attend Hillman College, a fictional historically Black university in Virginia. There she meets an eclectic group of schoolmates. Bonet departed the series after the first season when she became pregnant with daughter Zoë Kravitz (the now-disgraced series creator Bill Cosby reportedly objected to the idea of a pregnant Denise). Still, the sitcom ran for six seasons between 1987 and 1993, refocusing to center Guy’s Whitley and Hardison’s Dwayne.

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• A Different World cast: Where are they now?
• A Different World cast to reunite for 10-city HBCU tour

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The Cast From ‘A Different World’ Reunite On E!’s ‘Reunion Road Trip’

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Source: Jeff Kravitz / Getty

E! Entertainment’s  series “ Reunion Road Trip” caught up with the cast of A Different World and writer Susan Fales.

The cast and crew talk about how important it was to discuss current events and relevant subject matter on the show. The hit family sitcom The Cosby Show created a spinoff show to follow Denise Huxtable, who enters the predominantly Black and fictional college Hillman College. A Different World follows a group of Hillman students who were working through their Black college woes and adulthood simultaneously.

The cast featured E!’s reunion special included Whitley, played by Jasmine Guy, who was a Southern belle with an unforgettable attitude. There was also Dwayne Wayne, portrayed by Kadeem Harrison, who was a math major and signature glasses. The widely successful voice actress, Cree Summers played a liberated Freddie on the show. Sinbad also played one of the professors and coaches at Hillman as Walter Oates. Dawnn Lewis, who played Denise’s sophomore year roommate Jaleesa, also joins the original crew.

Fales recalls the show’s writing team visiting various college campuses like Spelman College and Morehouse College in Atlanta to research the topics that affected college students the most during that time.

“One of the things that I loved was that our show was based on legacy,” Dawnn Lewis adds to the conversation. “However you guys figured it out to get all of those amazing people to guest star on our show. Patti Labelle, Diane Caroll, Gladys Knight, Richard Roundtree.”

The show stressed the importance of uplifting the Black community while highlighting the issues that plagued it. A Different World was not afraid to bring awareness to topics of race, politics and culture, which ultimately shifted the way Black people were represented in television.

Catch the full episode of “Reunion Road Trip: It’s A Different World” on E! Entertainment.

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A Different World Reunion Tour: Celebrating Legacy and Education at HBCUs Across the Nation

Growing up in the 90’s, A Different World gave many of us a look into college life our families had never known. As a pre-teen I wondered what life would be like at ‘Hillman’ and years later graduated from college heavily influenced by the same television show that would shape my young mind. In a much-anticipated reunion, the beloved cast of the iconic college sitcom “A Different World” is embarking on a 10-city tour, celebrating the rich legacy of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) across the nation. This historic reunion comes 35 years after the show first aired, promising a nostalgic journey for fans and an impactful experience for students and communities alike.

According to a report by The Wrap, the tour will kick off on Feb. 29 in Atlanta, Georgia, a city renowned for its vibrant Black culture and home to several prominent HBCUs. Atlanta’s status as the “Black mecca” sets the perfect stage for the reunion, with its historic institutions like Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College, Morehouse College, and Morehouse School of Medicine comprising the Atlanta University Center—the first stop on the tour.

The star-studded cast includes Kadeem Hardison (Dwayne Cleofis Wayne), Darryl M. Bell (Ron Johnson), Charnele Brow (Kimberly Reese), Jasmine Guy (Whitley Marion Gilbert-Wayne), Glynn Turman (Colonel Bradford Taylor), and Sinbad (Walter Oakes). Joining them are “A Different World” producers Susan Fales and Debbie Allen, adding their expertise and insight to the tour.

The reunion tour is not just a celebration of the groundbreaking sitcom but also a platform to highlight the importance of higher education, particularly within the Black community. HBCUs have long been pillars of academic excellence, nurturing generations of students and playing a crucial role in shaping African American culture and history.

Throughout the tour, cast members and producers will engage with students, faculty, and local communities, sharing stories, insights, and behind-the-scenes anecdotes from their time on the show. From panel discussions to meet-and-greets, the tour promises a blend of entertainment, education, and inspiration.

For fans of “A Different World,” the reunion tour offers a unique opportunity to reconnect with beloved characters and relive memorable moments from the show. For students and HBCU communities, it’s a chance to celebrate their heritage, embrace their potential, and be inspired by the achievements of those who paved the way.

As the cast of “A Different World” takes to the stage once again, they carry with them the spirit of unity, resilience, and empowerment that defined the show. The inspiration they gave to a little black girl like myself who dreamed to be as smart as Kim and as loved as Whitley until it became true in real life. Through this reunion tour, they continue to champion the legacy of HBCUs and inspire future generations to pursue their dreams with passion and purpose.

Stay tuned as the “A Different World” reunion tour travels across the nation, spreading joy, knowledge, and a whole lot of nostalgia along the way.

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How Sinbad Almost Lost Out on A Different World Role

How different would A Different World have been without Sinbad ?

In this clip from the Thursday, June 24 episode of E!'s  Reunion Road Trip , the 64-year-old comedian reveals  to his former co-stars that he almost didn't book A Different World . Looking fondly back at his time on the NBC sitcom, Sinbad, who played Coach Walter Oakes between 1987 and 1991, shares how he went from a stand-up comic to an on-camera personality.

"I gotta admit…I was scared," he expresses. "Now y'all don't understand, Different World was like, ooh!"

At this moment, Sinbad makes a big reveal: he first auditioned for the show as the warm-up comic. "This is what I never told y'all," he continues. "I heard that they were looking for a comic to warm up the audience."

Despite not knowing what the job entailed, the legendary comedian reveals he decided to go for it anyway. "I had never warmed up a studio audience," he tells the Reunion Road Trip camera. "So, I was lying."

In conversation with his castmates, Sinbad notes how he claimed to have worked as a warm-up comic for a series of shows. However, he was found out when he claimed to have worked on Magnum, P.I.

In response to this admission, Jasmine Guy comments, " Magnum, P.I. doesn't have no warm-up. It's a drama!"

Per Sinbad, that's exactly what the casting agent said. "I'm doing well, and then I said I warmed up Magnum, P.I. ," he recalls in a confessional. "And that's outdoors, no studio audience."

Apparently, the executive was ready to fire Sinbad, who was on the verge of getting a job offer. So, what happened?

" [Bill] Cosby  said no," Sinbad explains. "So, he said, 'This man should be on TV.' I said, 'Well, you know, you could make that happen if you…'"

And the rest, as they say, was history! He concludes, "It's rare you find actors who do comedy. I said, 'They're funny.' I swear to God, I said, 'Guys, sitting down watching Jasmine and Cree, it hurts."

Watch the new sneak peek above!

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“Brings me great joy to report that ‘Furiosa’ is really, really fucking good,” IndieWire film critic David Ehrlich wrote on X. “Operates in an extremely different gear than ‘Fury Road’ (in ways that i suspect will frustrate some people), but also manages to make that movie even richer while carving its own legend in the wasteland.”

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Journalist Simon Thompson added in his reaction: “Jesus George Miller! ‘Furiosa’ engulfs you. At times it almost seems to exceed the canvas of the IMAX format it is THAT big – and yet at times has a deeply affecting intimacy. Echoing cinematic elements from the 50s through the 80s, it’s a rich, smart vision the cast revels in.”

Speaking to  Total Film magazine last month, Miller’s longtime producing partner Doug Mitchell let it slip that “Furiosa” contains “one 15-minute sequence which took us 78 days to shoot” and required 200 stunt people on set daily.

“Furiosa” will open in theaters May 24 from Warner Bros. after its Cannes world premiere.

brings me great joy to report that Furiosa is really, *really* fucking good. operates in an extremely different gear than Fury Road (in ways that i suspect will frustrate some people), but also manages to make that movie even richer while carving its own legend in the wasteland. — david ehrlich (@davidehrlich) May 7, 2024

George Miller’s #Furiosa is powerhouse action filmmaking at its absolute best! A ferocious & relentlessly paced epic that expands the story of Furiosa and the Wasteland while delivering the craziest chases, the most bombastic characters & just plain stunning cinematography.… pic.twitter.com/tLEADO3Zc2 — Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) May 7, 2024

Well, I saw Furiosa tonight and it was great. — Esther Zuckerman (@ezwrites) May 7, 2024

Jesus George Miller! #Furiosa engulfs you. At times it almost seems to exceed the canvas of the #IMAX format it is THAT big – and yet at times has a deeply affecting intimacy. Echoing cinematic elements from the 50s through the 80s, it’s a rich, smart vision the cast revels in 👍 pic.twitter.com/1C7NWHqUJ7 — Simon Thompson (@ShowbizSimon) May 7, 2024

Heavy metal cinema. Has all the fire & brimstone of Fury Road but still delivers something entirely unique. George Miller is a movie making God. Anya Taylor-Joy is a MOVIE star. Chris Hemsworth’s delivers the best role of his career. Furiosa is why we go to the movies. https://t.co/EPW9H8LxV9 — Joe (@Cinema_Joe23) May 7, 2024

I would and could easily watch 15 hours of Anya Taylor Joy and Alyla Browne as #Furiosa , however much of her film struggles with inconsistent pacing due to the segmented story. This won't match up to Fury Road's splendor but it also doesn't need to. #IMAX pic.twitter.com/q1vyUpYJeK — therese lacson • 宋蕾蕾 (@bamfpire) May 7, 2024

FURIOSA is a visceral triumph. An epic trip through Miller's scorched wasteland that spans decades. The emotional journey is intimately personal and deeply moving. Action is ferocious, wild and unrelenting. Hold tight and brace for fury. pic.twitter.com/r8OOSCsrNt — Heroes Unbound (@HeroesUnbound) May 7, 2024

Even though I understand what it takes to make a film, I still don’t understand how Dr. George Miller does it. I was lucky enough to see ‘Furiosa’ a month ago, and I’m still reeling at how films like his exist. It’s so intricate, detailed, and immersive. The planning and love… pic.twitter.com/Z97la2R9Ss — edgarwright (@edgarwright) May 7, 2024

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