A Different World (1987)
TVPG
Sitcom
A spin-off of The Cosby Show that follows Denise Huxtable and a diverse group of students as they navigate the challenges of college life at the fictional historically black college, Hillman.
Cast & Crew
Lisa Bonet Denise Huxtable
Kadeem Hardison Dwayne Cleophus Wayne
Jasmine Guy Whitley Marion Gilbert Wayne
Dawnn Lewis Jaleesa Vinson Taylor
Darryl M. Bell Ronald "Ron" Johnson
Sinbad Walter Oakes
Charnele Brown Kimberly "Kim" Reese
Cree Summer Winifred "Freddie" Brooks
Bill Cosby Creator
Marcy Carsey Executive Producer
Tom Werner Executive Producer
Garvin Eddy Production Design
⨁Full Cast & Crew
Upcoming TV Airings
The airings below are based on a generic national schedule. Times and dates can vary by TV provider.
Thursday, April 16
Lean on Me
Season 6 • Episode 19
Dwayne learns an ex-flame will interview him for a coveted summer job.
Thursday, April 16
Dancing Machines
Season 6 • Episode 20
Unrest breaks out at a dance marathon fund-raiser for peace.
Thursday, April 16
Cabin in the Sky
Season 6 • Episode 21
Second honeymooners Dwayne and Whitley must share a cabin with the Gaineses.
Thursday, April 16
Homey, Don't Ya Know Me?
Season 6 • Episode 23
Lena's old boyfriend (Tupac Shakur) from Baltimore comes to visit.
Friday, April 17
Great X-Pectations
Season 6 • Episode 22
Terrell is caught with a handgun in the classroom; Spencer proposes to Kim.
Friday, April 17
College Kid
Season 6 • Episode 24
Ex-baseball great Langston Paige (Billy Dee Williams) leases part of his home to the college kids.
Friday, April 17
When One Door Closes ...
Season 6 • Episode 17
A Japanese corporation woos Dwayne for his software; Whitley is pregnant.
Friday, April 17
When One Door Closes ...
Season 6 • Episode 18
A Japanese corporation woos Dwayne for his software; Whitley is pregnant.
Friday, April 17
If Only for One Night
Season 1 • Episode 20
Dwayne's date with Denise is interrupted when a despondent Whitley shows up.
Friday, April 17
Dr. War Is Hell
Season 2 • Episode 1
Jaleesa and Whitley have new roommates; Dwayne tries to avoid a dreaded course.
Friday, April 17
Two Gentlemen of Hillman
Season 2 • Episode 2
Dwayne and Ron's friendship is strained when they work together on a research paper.
Friday, April 17
Some Enchanted Late Afternoon
Season 2 • Episode 3
Walter and Jaleesa are apprehensive about starting a romantic relationship.
Monday, April 20
Dream Lover
Season 2 • Episode 4
Whitley is upset by the romantic dreams she has been having about Dwayne.
Monday, April 20
Three Girls Three
Season 2 • Episode 5
Jaleesa and Whitley are given the chance to become back-up singers for Gladys Knight.
Monday, April 20
If You Like Pilgrim Coladas
Season 2 • Episode 6
Whitley takes a homesick Kim to a restaurant for Thanksgiving dinner.
Monday, April 20
A Stepping Stone
Season 2 • Episode 7
Whitley wants to be the team leader in an inter-dormitory step competition.
Tuesday, April 21
Life With Father
Season 2 • Episode 8
Dwayne falls for his calculus teacher's (Glynn Turman) daughter.
Tuesday, April 21
All's Fair
Season 2 • Episode 9
Whitley is squeezed out when Kim's boyfriend (Brian Wesley Thomas) monopolizes their room.
Tuesday, April 21
Radio Free Hillman
Season 2 • Episode 10
Whitley is caught in the middle when Dwayne stages a sit-in at the dean's (Rosalind Cash) office.
Tuesday, April 21
It Happened One Night
Season 2 • Episode 11
Whitley offers her support to Kim when she fears that she may be pregnant.
Wednesday, April 22
I've Got the Muse in Me
Season 2 • Episode 12
Freddie turns to alcohol when she lacks inspiration in her writing.
Wednesday, April 22
Risky Business
Season 2 • Episode 13
Clair Huxtable (Phylicia Rashad) gives a business etiquette seminar at Hillman.
Wednesday, April 22
Breaking Up Is Hard to Do
Season 2 • Episode 14
Couples at Hillman College experience broken hearts and discord as Valentine's Day approaches.
Wednesday, April 22
For She's Only a Bird in a Gilded Cage
Season 2 • Episode 15
Whitley's mother (Diahann Carroll) is determined to find a boyfriend for her daughter.
Thursday, April 23
It's Greek to Me
Season 2 • Episode 16
Dwayne and Ron's friendship is strained after they pledge a fraternity.
Thursday, April 23
The Thing About Women
Season 2 • Episode 17
Walter becomes jealous when Jaleesa's ex-husband, Lamar, shows up.
Thursday, April 23
High Anxiety
Season 2 • Episode 18
Kim takes on too many responsibilities; Mr. Gaines moves in with Col. Taylor.
Thursday, April 23
Take This Job and Love It
Season 2 • Episode 19
Kim gets Whitley a job at the Pit to help pay for the car she damaged.
Thursday, April 23
Porky De Bergerac
Season 1 • Episode 3
Denise has to live with the repercussions of breaking one of the monitor's new rules.
Thursday, April 23
Those Who Can't ... Tutor
Season 1 • Episode 4
Dwayne tutors Denise in calculus and has to leave the all female dormitory via the fire escape.
Thursday, April 23
War of the Words
Season 1 • Episode 5
Maggie and Whitley debate on how women should balance a career and family life.
Thursday, April 23
Rudy and the Snow Queen
Season 1 • Episode 6
Denise's little sister Rudy visits Hillman and makes Whitley her new role model.
Friday, April 24
Sometimes You Get the Bear ... Sometimes the Bear Gets You
Season 1 • Episode 7
Denise's grandfather comes for a visit during homecoming weekend.
Friday, April 24
If Chosen, I May Not Run
Season 1 • Episode 8
Like her father and grandfather before her, Denise joins the Hillman track team.
Friday, April 24
Romancing Mr. Stone
Season 1 • Episode 9
Denise has a crush on her geology professor.
Friday, April 24
Does He or Doesn't He?
Season 1 • Episode 11
Jaleesa takes bets on how Dwayne will act when a graduate student tries to seduce him.
Friday, April 24
No Means No
Season 2 • Episode 20
Dwayne fears Freddie may face date rape when she goes out with an aggressive athlete (Taimak).
Friday, April 24
Citizen Wayne
Season 2 • Episode 21
Ron claims that Dwayne has Jesse Jackson's endorsement for student government president.
Friday, April 24
There's No Place Like Home
Season 2 • Episode 22
As the semester comes to an end, students make plans for the summer.
Friday, April 24
Strangers on a Plane
Season 3 • Episode 1
Whitley encounters a new Dwayne on the plane ride back to school.
Saturday, April 25
The Getaway
Season 3 • Episode 23
Spring break begins badly when Dwayne and Ron pick up the wrong luggage.
Saturday, April 25
The Getaway
Season 3 • Episode 24
Spring break is further complicated for Dwayne and Ron by drug dealers who are pursuing them.
Saturday, April 25
Perhaps Love ...
Season 3 • Episode 25
Whitley finds comfort with Dwayne at his place -- until she mistakes his mother for the maid.
Saturday, April 25
Everything Must Change
Season 4 • Episode 1
Whitley plans to tell Dwayne that a relationship is possible -- but it may be too late.
Saturday, April 25
How Bittersweet It Is
Season 4 • Episode 2
In an effort to make Dwayne jealous, Whitley accepts a date with Ron.
Saturday, April 25
Blues for Nobody's Child
Season 4 • Episode 3
An orphaned waif (T.J. Evans) plans to make Freddie's dorm room his new home.
Saturday, April 25
Whitley's Last Supper
Season 4 • Episode 4
Whitley's father (Ron O'Neal) puts her on a budget; Kim can't relax before an exam.
Saturday, April 25
The Goodwill Games
Season 4 • Episode 5
Dwayne is in the middle as Whitley and Kinu (Alise Gyse Dickens) compete on rival academic teams.
Saturday, April 25
Tales From the Exam Zone
Season 4 • Episode 6
Walter is the host for a "Twilight Zone"-type look at students cramming for midterm exams.
Saturday, April 25
Good Help Is Hard to Fire
Season 4 • Episode 7
Dwayne's visiting mom lands in the middle of a melee involving Dwayne, Kinu and Whitley.
Saturday, April 25
Love Thy Neighbor
Season 4 • Episode 8
Dwayne and Whitley finally commit themselves to a relationship.
Saturday, April 25
Time Keeps on Slippin'
Season 4 • Episode 9
Dwayne's preoccupation with Whitley affects his grades; Ron and Freddie plan a video.
Saturday, April 25
The Apple Doesn't Fall
Season 4 • Episode 10
Ron considers a career decision; Terrance thinks his father should reject an offer.
Saturday, April 25
I'm Dreaming of a Wayne Christmas
Season 4 • Episode 11
Whitley tries to impress Dwayne's parents.
Saturday, April 25
War and Peace
Season 4 • Episode 12
Emotions run high as Dwayne's classmates send their friend Zelmer to the Persian Gulf.
Saturday, April 25
Ex-Communication or Fiance What?
Season 4 • Episode 13
Whitley consults a counselor for help in coping with her feelings about her ex-fiancé.
Saturday, April 25
Risk Around the Dollar
Season 4 • Episode 14
Whitley needs to replace the rent money she spent; Terrance wants to become a Muslim.
Saturday, April 25
Love, Hillman Style
Season 4 • Episode 15
Whitley and Dwayne argue over her scheme to publish a "Hillman hunks" calendar.
Saturday, April 25
A Word in Edgewise
Season 4 • Episode 16
Deaf actors perform at the outreach center; Whitley bets she can zip her lips for a day.
Saturday, April 25
Ms. Understanding
Season 4 • Episode 17
The battle of the sexes heats up at Hillman, fueled by an article on campus sex roles.
Saturday, April 25
The Cash Isn't Always Greener
Season 4 • Episode 18
Dwayne debates going for the big bucks in business or another degree after graduation.
Saturday, April 25
How Great Thou Art
Season 4 • Episode 19
Whitley ignores her boss and buys a painting; Freddie hosts a radio talk show.
Saturday, April 25
Showtime at Hillman
Season 4 • Episode 20
Walter hosts a telethon for the community center, but fails to get the phones ringing.
Saturday, April 25
Sister to Sister, Sister
Season 4 • Episode 21
Kim decides to pledge a sorority and finds that Whitley is the pledge mistress.
Monday, April 27
The Heat Is On
Season 3 • Episode 2
Whitley's avoidance of math classes threatens her chances of graduating.
Monday, April 27
The Hat Makes the Man
Season 3 • Episode 3
Tensions run high in the dorm when new director Walter clashes with Jaleesa.
Monday, April 27
To Have and Have Not
Season 3 • Episode 4
Whitley loses faith in her youth-center dance students when her pocketbook disappears.
Monday, April 27
Forever Hold Your Peace
Season 3 • Episode 5
Dwayne drives Whitley to her father's wedding.
Tuesday, April 28
Delusions of Daddyhood
Season 3 • Episode 6
Despite Whitley's objections, rap group Heavy D. & the Boyz arrive at Hillman for a benefit concert.
Tuesday, April 28
Wedding Bells From Hell
Season 3 • Episode 7
Romance is in the air as Walter pops the question to Jaleesa and Dwayne asks Whitley to date him.
Tuesday, April 28
Great Expectations
Season 3 • Episode 8
After her father nixes a rock-concert trip, Kim still goes and leaves Whitley to cover for her.
Tuesday, April 28
Answered Prayers
Season 3 • Episode 9
The gang rushes Kim to see her policeman father, who has been shot while on duty.
Wednesday, April 29
For Whom the Jingle Bell Tolls
Season 3 • Episode 10
Whitley's sleep is troubled by a Christmas nightmare as she sees herself the campus "Scrooge."
Wednesday, April 29
Under One Roof
Season 3 • Episode 11
Whitley misinterprets an invitation to stay at the dean's house for a weekend.
Wednesday, April 29
Here's to Old Friends
Season 3 • Episode 12
Dwayne's friend comes for a visit and tries to convince him to transfer.
Wednesday, April 29
The Power of the Pen
Season 3 • Episode 13
Whitley misconstrues Dwayne's beautiful poetry about mathematics as verses intended for her.
Thursday, April 30
Pride and Prejudice
Season 3 • Episode 14
Whitley deals with a sales clerk's (Peggy Walton-Walker) racism.
Thursday, April 30
Success, Lies and Videotape
Season 3 • Episode 15
A visit by Clair Huxtable (Phylicia Rashad) prompts the students to think about their career goals.
Thursday, April 30
A World Alike
Season 3 • Episode 16
Kim is offered a scholarship by a company with South African ties.
Thursday, April 30
That's the Trouble With You All
Season 3 • Episode 17
Whitley's jealousy gets in the way after she pairs Dwayne with a date.
Thursday, April 30
Advise and Descent
Season 1 • Episode 12
Denise volunteers as a counselor during final exams to get out of writing a major research paper.
Thursday, April 30
The Prime of Miss Lettie Bostic
Season 1 • Episode 13
Former Hillman student Lettie Bostic returns and assumes the role of dorm director.
Thursday, April 30
Wild Child
Season 1 • Episode 14
Denise leads a campaign to get her streetwise study partner enrolled at Hillman.
Thursday, April 30
Doctor Cupid
Season 1 • Episode 15
Dwayne, alias "Dr. Cupid," takes to the airwaves to get a Valentine's Day date.
Thursday, April 30
The Show Must Go On
Season 1 • Episode 16
Denise and Whitley both appear in a play, and each believes the leading man is interested in her.
Thursday, April 30
Mr. Hillman
Season 1 • Episode 17
Denise enters Dwayne in a campus beauty pageant.
Friday, May 1
Speech Therapy
Season 1 • Episode 18
Jaleesa gets help from her roommates in overcoming her stage fright in speech class.
Friday, May 1
Clair's Last Stand
Season 1 • Episode 19
Clair disapproves of Denise's vacation plans.
Friday, May 1
Come Back, Little Eggby
Season 1 • Episode 21
Maggie cares for an egg as part of a psychology class assignment on parenting.
Friday, May 1
My Dinner With Theo
Season 1 • Episode 22
Theo pays an unforgettable visit to his sister Denise at Hillman College.
Friday, May 1
A Campfire Story
Season 3 • Episode 18
Dwayne and Walter regale a group of students with tales of recruiting a star basketball player.
Friday, May 1
Hillman Isn't Through With You Yet
Season 3 • Episode 19
Whitley's career planning has fallen a bit short of its intended mark.
Friday, May 1
21 Candles
Season 3 • Episode 20
Whitley is convinced that everyone has forgotten her 21st birthday.
Friday, May 1
Sweet Charity
Season 3 • Episode 21
The students try to help Kim make money to pay for college, Dwayne and Ron appear in a commercial.
Monday, May 4
Soldier Boy
Season 3 • Episode 22
Col. Taylor is roasted at the campus military dinner; Dwayne issues a challenge to Whitley.
Monday, May 4
The Getaway
Season 3 • Episode 23
Spring break begins badly when Dwayne and Ron pick up the wrong luggage.
Monday, May 4
The Getaway
Season 3 • Episode 24
Spring break is further complicated for Dwayne and Ron by drug dealers who are pursuing them.
Monday, May 4
Perhaps Love ...
Season 3 • Episode 25
Whitley finds comfort with Dwayne at his place -- until she mistakes his mother for the maid.
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