A different world

In honor of "A Different World's" anniversary, writer Tykeia Robinson defends Whitley Gilbert and Dwayne Wayne's relationship.

The main cast of A Different World: (top row) Glynn Turman as Colonel Bradford Taylor, Dawnn Lewis as Jaleesa Vinson-Taylor, Lou Myers (R.I.P.) as Veron Gaines, Charnele Brown as Kimberly Reese, (bottom row) Kadeem Hardison as Dwayne Cleophus Wayne, Jasmine Guy as Whitley Gilbert, Darryl M. Bell as Ron Johnson and Cree Summer as Winifred 'Freddie' Brooks. The show consistently ranked 1st or 2nd among African American viewers during most of its run.

Like all great television, A Different World also gave us an opportunity to see dynamic characters, who were constantly evolving.

"All I do is eat macaroni."

A Different World took the nation to the yard and schooled them on the culture, care and traditions of black colleges and showcased the concerns of black youth

A Different World starring Denise Huxtable is a Cosby Show spin off meant to share her experiences in college. The show showcases a predominately black college "Hillman" with very little white people. After Denise leaves college, the show encompasses the personal lives of many different black college students and their struggle to live with integrity in the world around them.

"All I do is eat macaroni."

Promotional portrait of actors Kadeem Hardison and Jasmine Guy as characters Dwayne and Whitley on NBC's A Different World, United States, 1988, photograph by Lynn Goldsmith.