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A Different World
Overview
A Different World is a spin-off series from The Cosby Show and originally centered on Denise Huxtable and the life of students at Hillman College, a fictional mixed but historically black college in the state of Virginia. After Bonet's departure in the first season, the remainder of the series primarily focused more on Southern belle Whitley Gilbert and mathematics whiz Dwayne Wayne. The series frequently depicted members of the major historically black fraternities and sororities.
Status
Ended
Created By
Bill Cosby
Network
NBC
Seasons & Episodes
Season 1
Episodes
Reconcilable Differences
During her first few days at Hillman College, Denise Huxtable finds herself at odds with her new roommate, Jaleesa, a 26-year-old freshman with a mysterious past.
Pilot
Denise's financial irresponsibility might get her and Jaleesa thrown out of the dorm.
Porky de Bergerac
Questionable tactics abound when Denise plays dating games and Jaleesa is elected dorm monitor.
Those Who Can't... Tutor
Denise's calculus tutor Dwayne is caught sneaking out of Whitley's window after curfew.
War of the Words
Whitley's claim that women can't succeed at both career and family infuriates Lisa and Maggie.
Rudy and the Snow Queen
Rudy visits Hillman and becomes enchanted by Whitley, who tries to make her into the perfect little lady.
Sometimes You Get the Bear, Sometimes the Bear Gets You
The girls plan Operation Yogi, a plot to steal the rival school's bear-head mascot, but a visit from Denise's grandfather makes a boo-boo inevitable.
If Chosen, I May Not Run
In the family tradition of "Combustible" Huxtable, Denise is chosen for Hillman's track team, but after a few practices she starts running out of steam.
Romancing Mr. Stone
A geology professor has every woman in the class fighting for his attention.
The Gift of the Magi
Whitley's secret Santa surprises her with a visit from her newly separated daddy, who walks in with his youthful girlfriend.
Does He or Doesn't He?
Tired of being hit on by men, a grad student decides to turn the tables and seduce Dwayne.
Advise and Descent
During finals week, Denise's work suffers because she decides to be a peer counselor, and the girls' looks suffer under test stress.
The Prime of Miss Lettie Bostic
Hillman alumna Lettie Bostic fills in as dorm monitor, but her strongly voiced opinions have the girls considering mutiny.
Wild Child
Lettie pulls some strings to help a student who has been attending classes without enrolling.
Dr. Cupid
Dwayne uses his radio persona "Dr. Cupid" to find a Valentine's Day date, and Denise uses Dr. Cupid to reconcile Lettie and an old love.
The Show Must Go On
Denise and Whitley both think they're the apple of the leading man's eye in a play about the Garden of Eden.
Mr. Hillman
In the name of sexual equality, Denise convinces Dwayne to run in the Miss Hillman Beauty Pageant against Whitley.
Speech Therapy
Whitley hides an illegal humidifier; Jaleesa sweats over her fear of oral reports; Maggie steams over the debt Denise owes her.
Clair's Last Stand
Clair Huxtable visits Denise bearing motherly advice as well as news that conflicts with Denise's summer plans.
If Only for One Night
Whitley panics about spending the summer alone; Dwayne tries a new tack with Denise; and Maggie holds a yard sale.
Come Back, Little Eggby
A psychology experiment in parenting calls for egg-doption, but when Jaleesa loses Maggie's "eggby," she and Denise scramble to find it.
My Dinner With Theo
Denise strains her brain trying to improve her grades, so she invites Theo up for a weekend of family inspiration.
Top Cast
Jasmine Guy
Whitley Gilbert
Kadeem Hardison
Dwayne Wayne
Darryl M. Bell
Ron Johnson
Cree Summer
Freddie Brooks
Charnele Brown
Kim Reese
Lou Myers
Vernon Gaines
Glynn Turman
Colonel Brad Taylor
Ajai Sanders
Gina Devereaux
Karen Malina White
Charmaine Brown
Jada Pinkett Smith
Lena James
