A Different "but kinda the same" World … a Netflix Series Review
In the 2020s EVERYTHING gets a reboot, so of course an age-old classic series got the reboot treatment from none other than Netflix.
Now, full disclosure, I wasn't an A Different World fanatic. It was before my time, but as most of us without cable did, I watched the reruns when they were on, so I'm familiar with the show, the setting, and of course the iconic characters.
I have friends that can tell you about every single episode, some that say the show was the reason they attended college and went to an HBCU. They really wanted to be at Hillman College.
Wouldn't say I was overly excited for the reboot because, let's be honest, reboots have been very, very hit or miss. I'm talking Coming to America 2… why? But I was interested in how Netflix would get today's viewers to care about such an impactful and sometimes heavy show, so let's get to it.
Keep in mind this is only after watching the first half of a 10-episode, 30-minute-per-episode Season 1.
First thing I noticed is there is no laugh track or any background tracks. Instead, it's replaced by seemingly nonstop licensed music tracks… to me, it was a bit excessive. I get they use the music to move between scenes, but these were some Billboard—or at least TikTok-charting—songs, which led me to ask:
WHAT WAS THE MUSIC BUDGET!
Right away we see some familiar faces in the aged-up returning cast as Ron pulls up suit'd and booted to drop off his 5-star QB son. Then we see the "star" of the show, who we later learn is the youngest child of the OG stars Dwayne and Whitley.
It just felt good seeing the Hillman tribe back on screen together.
Unfortunately, they quickly inform us that Dwayne and Whitley are currently separated. We'll give them time to see how that plays out.
We meet more of our new class and castmates, and I do think they relate to the younger generation. It's not sooooo much the "stereotypical Black cast." They tried to give them a bit of depth. What I appreciate so far is they haven't just thrown in a random non-Black person to be the "token" in the group at the HBCU. Instead, we have a student from the UK, which I think works well to fill that "outsider" role better.
The first episode seemed a bit rushed to me, then I realized these are only 30 minutes each. Now yes, the OG show was 30 minutes. But also, sitcoms have changed—and is this even a sitcom? Who knows anymore. No laugh track, no live audience sounds… just feels like these could be more fleshed-out 45–50 minute episodes.
Episode 1 ends with our main character calling out the dean for missing grant money…
Let's get to the drama.
Episode 2 picks up right after. The school is divided on the missing grant money situation, the dean resigns, everyone blames Deborah Wayne, and of course now her father, Hillman alum Dwayne Wayne, is appointed interim dean. That doesn't go well for her battle against the nepotism tag.
I really like how they handle social media in current times. Many students of all ages—even adults—CAN NOT GO 10 MINS WITHOUT BEING GLUED TO THEIR PHONES. Same on the campus of Hillman.
The show uses social media to inform both the students and the viewers of things, overlaying info on the screen as the characters react to posts, texts, and other social content.
Of course, keeping with the IRL HBCU experience, there was a Fin Aid scandal and the former dean was misappropriating funds… yikes. Too relatable, unfortunately.
This episode gave us more insight into the new main cast, fleshing out some of their story arcs. It was okay… let's move on to Episode 3.
ITS HOMECOMING Y'ALL!!!
This is probably my favorite episode of the five.
Again, as an HBCU grad, homecoming is basically Christmas mixed with a family reunion to us. They gave us a taste of how Hillman of today would "Stomp the Yard."
We see more returning OG cast members, get more lore about what they've been up to since departing Hillman, and really get a feel for a true HBCU homecoming weekend. They also use the return of the OGs to give us some adult-topic discussions—marriage issues, grandkids, infidelity.
All of this was wrapped up with Deborah somehow getting Summer Walker… yes, the R&B songstress Summer Walker… to perform at their Homecoming concert.
AGAIN I ASK… WHAT IS THE MUSIC BUDGET!!!
For the backend of the first five episodes, Episode 4 was just horny freaky time, based around cuffin' season—which really gets like that on campus, I CANNOT LIE lol.
Everyone was on Go!
Even Coach, played by the famed rapper M.E.T.H.O.D. MAN, was getting his groove on. Just a whole lotta freaky activity in this one.
Also noticed some fire drip. Shoutout to one of my fav brands, POLO Ralph Lauren, for having multiple pieces featured throughout the season, but there was a PJ set that really caught my eye. Super dope.
Wrapping up the first half of the season, Episode 5 featured a heavy real-world scenario where the students faced terroristic threats toward HBCUs.
A bomb threat was placed and put the school on lockdown, mirroring similar real-world situations that have been happening in recent years on campuses of historically Black colleges and universities throughout the "NOT SO" United States.
Furthermore, the show taps into serious topics and sheds light on real-life events that affect the culture and, more specifically, HBCU students in the current climate. As they say, as much as things change, they stay the same.
It reminded me of how the original show dealt with topics like racism and other similarly heavy scenarios.
Ending on a lighter note, once the all-clear is given, we see Deborah "rallying the troops," jumping on social media to show they will not live in fear and the haters just mad 'cause they poppin!!
She then goes to inform her tutor that not only did she hit her needed 3.0 GPA, but she will also get tested for learning disabilities like he suggested…
However, instead of leaving… they share a… let's call it a warm embrace…
That's the midseason cliffhanger we are left with as everyone departs for the end of the fall semester and winter break….
Final Thoughts
First thing, I give Netflix their credit for trying new stuff, and for the casting, the settings, and the somewhat realism of the show so far.
I have been calling it a reboot, but it's much more of a continuation set 30 years in the future with the return of the older cast. But unfortunately, that stood out as some of my favorite parts!
You can really tell the difference when the seasoned cast is on screen versus the freshmen. The returning cast members stole the show anytime they were a part of the scene, so hopefully, with time, the new cast will be able to carry the show on their own without having as much of a reliance on nostalgia.
I was wary about how the new show would captivate the much less TV-focused attention spans of younger viewers nowadays. I finished this article about two weeks after the premiere, and I do see some positive buzz on social media. Also a lot of silliness being called out too, but we're not focused on that.
As for me, I think it is fine for the first five. I might go back and finish the season.
Unfortunately, nowadays with Netflix, HBO, and all these other streaming services, you don't get too invested in shows because as soon as you get involved and invested, they tend to cancel them off.
So if they get picked up for a Season 2, I'll finish Season 1. Until then, I enjoyed my time with A Different World, especially going back to Hillman and seeing the progress of the old crew.
The new cast is good enough, and I look forward to seeing what they accomplish.
Also, shoutout to the R&B songstress legend Brandy for remaking the theme song.
That was dope.
