About this episode

The episode features an interview with writer Niceole Levy discussing the impact of the 80s sitcom A Different World and its cultural significance.

"It was the first time that the idea of an HBCU was even a thought to me of a thing I could do... it was so eye-opening to me that there was this whole other part of life in Black culture that I just didn't know anything about... we're sending the message that all of our blackness is good." - Niceole Levy REWIND EPISODE The 80s TV Ladies are almost done moving! A few more bonus episodes to rerun, and we’ll be settled in and bringing you brand new episodes! We loved rewatching A Different World and learning about the show from our incredible guests. We think this interview with TV writer/producer Niceole Levy is so fun. We hope you enjoy it, too! Sharon and Susan begin an all-new series of episodes looking at the groundbreaking 80s sitcom A Different World (1987-1993). This Cosby Show spin-off starred Lisa Bonet, Kadeem Hardison, Jasmine Guy, Charnele Brown, Dawn Lewis and Marissa Tomei. It explored the lives of students at Hillman College, a fictional HBCU, and addressed issues such as race, sexual assault, HIV/AIDS and equal rights while still keeping the laughs coming. In 1988, Lisa Bonet and Marissa Tomei left the show and a new showrunner was brought on -- the legendary…

People in this episode

Hosts: Susan Lambert Hatem, Sharon Johnson

Guest: Niceole Levy

Topics covered

• A Different World
• HBCU
• Black culture
• 80s sitcoms
• TV writing
• cultural issues

Keywords

• A Different World
• Niceole Levy
• 80s sitcom
• HBCU
• Black culture
• TV writing
• Debbie Allen
• Lisa Bonet
• cultural issues

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: A Different World, Cloak and Dagger, Shades of Blue

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