MovieChat Forums > A Different World (1987) Discussion > Anyone interested in the return of "ADW"...

Anyone interested in the return of "ADW"?


Hello, I hope people still come to these boards! So, long story short, I have a question that determines the impact of how this is handled.

I am going to begin a kickstarter to bring back the popular sitcom in a new, challenging, and bold way, but I need your help. Why? Because you and hundreds(and more) fans out there can help make many out of touch individuals realize how important it is to see everyone represented in a positive and realistic way, the only way "A Different World" knows how.

It's up to the fans (myself included) to get people to listen to us, because as the show put it, "I'm a voice in this world, and dammit I deserved to be heard!". 📢

Let me know if anyone out there is interested, help us get our stories out there.+

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Interesting,I mean if they can bring back the "Boy Meets World" cast then,I don't see why not.The new show can deal with original cast members kid's in college while original cast members pop up from time to time.

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No! They need to leave the classic ALONE! Now I think they should make a brand new college themed black show about important topics but not ADW

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I admire the sentiment, but raising money on Kickstarter isn't an effective way to reboot a sitcom. You'd be better off appealing to producers, studios and networks via social media. If there were a petition I would sign it!

Debbie Allen has been trying to do it for a while. With the new rumored Fresh Prince update and the two black sitcoms NBC has (Mr. Robinson and The Carmichaels) the time is right.

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I understand where you are coming from, but the issue is this: there are only 3 sources that can make or brake the show coming back: NBC, carsey-werner, or...Cosby. Two of these are extremely possible, the problem being that they need to see a product: thus a kickstarter. A petition could work two, but with a kickstarter (or a youtube series), many individuals can actually see the product, and not just ideas.

I would love to give everyone a run down on how it would work, but I need to know that people are seriously rooting for this to come back. ADW coming back talking about the issues is perfect timing because we have many reasons to have it. one importantly is Black lives matter.

IDK, kickstarter or something of that nature is the only way to get the higher ups to listen at this point, if you have some ideas *of how to get the attention of producers*: please share

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I would love to see another show like Different World.

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Even if you raise the money to shoot a pilot, you'd still be right back at the same place, selling it to a network.

Debbie Allen still has the best shot since she produced the original AND works with Shonda Rhimes, who has a lot of juice right now. Cosby is not in a bargaining position and anothee network could always buy it from NBC.

How would it get cast and produced via Kickstarter is the thing. When Zach Braff did it he was directing a film.

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I see your point, too. At this point Vine stars are getting deals.

But "never spend your own money" is a show biz rule.

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I wouldn't be opposed to seeing a spin-off show of ADW, either. It's kind of funny when you think about it though, as ADW itself is a spin-off of The Cosby Show (although in all fairness, after Season 1 the show started to get its own identity after Denise left).

But I think it would be a good idea, as long as the new show gives us the illusion that valuable lessons from ADW weren't forgotten and can even be reused. If we're going to be some sort of influence, then we need to make sure our posts make their way to writers, producers, etc.

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I agree.

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You know, I don't think they don't want to do a reboot. I spoke to Ms. Allen like 2 years ago and she said it's hard getting the right people together because everyone is so busy and she wants to do it right. I took her to mean the writers and producers. The actors...I think all of them would jump at the chance to do it. Most of them have said as much.

Now with the whole Cosby ordeal like someone else mentioned, it may be wayyyy in the back of the closet now.

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You know, I don't think they don't want to do a reboot. I spoke to Ms. Allen like 2 years ago and she said it's hard getting the right people together because everyone is so busy and she wants to do it right. I took her to mean the writers and producers. The actors...I think all of them would jump at the chance to do it. Most of them have said as much.


I think major networks like NBC, CBS, and Fox are more interested in reality shows or dramas like CSI or Madame President and Scandal. Comedy shows are a rare now. The roles have reversed. Back in the 90s there were more comdedy shows than drama shows. Now it's more drama/reality than comedy. If ADW were to comeback they would have to go another route like maybe Netflix or Amazon. As far as the cast, if they all don't come back I still think the show would do good. It would be like Fuller House, where the originals make cameos throughout the season. They don't necessarily have to be on every episode, especially since more than likely it will be about their children attending college.

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If they did something it would be like Degrassi, Boy Meets World, or 90210, and do some new generation thing that features characters kids, nieces or nephews or something like that. And hardly any of the old cast would be a part of the regular cast and if they are they are merely there as teachers or parents. For instance they will have Jalessa's daughter and Dwayne and Whitley's child as main characters or something like that. And usually shows like that are hit or miss and either way they are not the same.

"I'd rather lose for what I am than win for what I ain't"

Kacey Musgraves "Pageant Material"

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I remember reading that something like this was in the works and I would not be surprised if something could happen through Netflix, they are bringing back Coach. My fear is though, however, that Bill Cosby's tarnished reputation would sully any effort despite his relative non involvement with the series success.

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I was just thinking about this very topic yesterday while watching reruns of ADW on Netflix. Here's the problem...the liberal media and a bunch of lying women have done their best to destroy Dr. Cosby's reputation, therefore diminishing any chance of any of the fantastic work that he has done in the past being touched by any major network. That is so sad because in my opinion Dr. Cosby single-handedly changed the way America thinks about blacks, and he gave blacks options when turning on the tv.

It's a shame...

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This show was amazing in its day. If there is a fresh approach to telling the stories of college students, I hope there is a writing/producing team with the talent of addressing the issues of the 21st century.

A Different World was great. In the 80s and 90s. Instead of trying to resurrect it, let's write stories that will cause change in today's youth.

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Good analysis...but I have to disagree, that is what happens when the writers of today don't know how to address the problems of the 21st century. Why focus on what was good in the 80s and 90s? You continue it, you embrace the past, but use that as footing for the future.

You want change in today's youth? Use what changed yesterday's youth; it's thinking like that, that creates the problem of being misrepresented and ultimately looked at as second class because most writers of today do not understand how to speak to a new culture that's suffering an old problem. Or should I say problems.

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anything connected to Cosby now is dead on arrival.

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