Looking for a comprehensive episode guide for “A Different World” Season 1? You’ve come to the right place! This guide dives into each episode, providing summaries and key details. Prepare to explore the lives and experiences of the students at Hillman College as they navigate love, career aspirations, and social issues in a rapidly changing world.
Season 1 Episodes
“Honeymoon in L.A. (1)”
Guest Stars: Sister Souljah (Ianta), Gilbert Gottfried (Sergeant), Michael Caldwell (Cop), Bryan Clark (Shopper #1), Carey Eidel (Store Manager), Graham Timbes (Shopper #2), Debbie Allen (Herself)
Recurring Cast: Dorian, Terrell, Dean Davenport
Dwayne and Whitley reminisce about their honeymoon in Los Angeles, which was marred by the Rodney King riots. Whitley’s shopping trip in Beverly Hills is disrupted, while Dwayne’s attempt to pick up basketball tickets in Inglewood leads to a near-arrest. Back at Hillman, students and staff debate the verdicts. Freddie unveils a new look and announces her law school plans, clashing with Lena’s views. Charmaine, a prospective student, arrives and rooms with Lena and Gina.
Note the alt text on this image: Debbie Allen makes a cameo, scrubbing her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, during Dwayne and Whitley’s honeymoon flashback.
“Honeymoon in L.A. (2)”
Guest Stars: Gilbert Gottfried (Sergeant), Randall Sheridan (South Central Looter #1), Jeanine Jackson (Melissa Brulay), Kenneth Mars (Ridley), Janet Barrus (Beverly Hills Looter #1), Judy Nazemetz (Beverly Hills Looter #2), Kathleen Wirt (Beverly Hills Looter #3), Michael Caldwell (Cop), James Ma (Shopkeeper), Vince Howard (Peacemaker), Lee Michaels (South Central Looter #2), Wesley Jonathan (South Central Looter #3), Roseanne Arnold (Looting Wife), Tom Arnold (Looting Husband)
Recurring Cast: Shazza, Dorian, Terrell, Dean Davenport
Dwayne and Whitley continue their honeymoon story. Dwayne avoids arrest due to the escalating situation, while Whitley witnesses looting in Beverly Hills. Dwayne encounters looting in a local grocery store and attempts to mediate. Back on campus, Col. Taylor and Lena debate the impact of the riots. Ron expresses admiration for Freddie’s career change, leading to a surprising romantic encounter.
“Interior Desecration (a.k.a. Sofa, So Good)”
Guest Stars: Josephine Premice (Desiree Porter)
Recurring Cast: Shazza, Dorian, Terrell, Dean Davenport
Whitley and Dwayne clash over furniture for their new home. Freddie and Ron struggle with their feelings for each other. Kim reacts negatively to Freddie’s actions, and Ron ends up temporarily staying on the Waynes’ couch before finding his own apartment. Lena initially resists participating in a coed stepping routine but changes her mind when Dorian joins the team.
“Somebody Say Ho!”
Recurring Cast: Shazza, Dorian, Terrell, Dean Davenport
Charmaine’s assertive behavior in Dwayne’s statistics class leads to conflict. A prank results in Charmaine filing a complaint against Terrell. Freddie defends Terrell in student court, revealing Gina as the true culprit. Charmaine and Terrell reconcile, and Gina faces academic probation.
“Really Gross Anatomy”
Guest Stars: Robert Guillaume (Professor Murphy), Clinton Jackson (Steve Rocklin), Billy Kane (Murphy)
Recurring Cast: Shazza, Dorian, Terrell, Spencer
Ron experiences jealousy when Freddie goes on a camping trip. He attempts to create a romantic dinner for Kim, who is struggling with her anatomy class. Kim and Spencer, her lab partner, connect, disrupting Ron’s plans. Dwayne enjoys his freedom while Whitley is away, but quickly misses her. Charmaine’s new job at the Pit irritates Lena.
“Don’t Count Your Chickens Before They’re Axed”
Guest Stars: Tom Wright (John Holtworth)
Recurring Cast: Shazza
Charmaine shadows Whitley at work. Whitley faces a potential job loss due to a company merger and convinces Dwayne to invest in a painting. The merger falls through, and Whitley is laid off, followed by a burglary at their home. Kim and Freddie attempt to reconcile Ron and Shazza, but their efforts fail, leading Kim and Ron to break up.
“The Little Mister”
Guest Stars: Lacy Darryl Phillips (Singer #1), Matthew Dickens (Guy #1), Marishka Phillips (Singer #2), William Rivera (Guy #2)
Recurring Cast: Kinu, Dorian, Terrell, Dean Davenport
At a Halloween party, Dwayne’s sexist comments lead to a dream where women hold all political power. Whitley is portrayed as a philandering politician, and Dwayne experiences frustration and disrespect. Dwayne wakes up and apologizes for his behavior.
This alt text highlights Jasmine Guy’s singing talent showcased in Dwayne’s dream sequence within the episode.
“Baby, It’s Cold Outside”
Guest Stars: Montel Williams (Himself), Kelly Kincaid (Bartender)
Recurring Cast: Dorian, Terrell, Spencer
Whitley discovers Ron sneaking Freddie out of his apartment. Dwayne’s multiple jobs cause strain in his relationship with Whitley. Whitley calls Montel Williams’ talk show, unknowingly broadcasted to the entire dorm, revealing their lack of intimacy. The girls offer advice, and Whitley, Kim, and Freddie go to a club. Freddie confesses her feelings for Ron to Kim. Whitley and Dwayne reconcile.
“Faith, Hope and Charity (1)”
Guest Stars: Josephine Premice (Desiree Porter), Nestor Carbonell (Malik Velasquez)
Recurring Cast: Marion, Adele, Shazza, Dorian, Terrell
Whitley’s mother, Marion, visits with her fiancé, Malik, who is much younger. Whitley suspects Malik is a gold digger. Dwayne’s mother, Adele, arrives unexpectedly. Freddie tries to avoid Ron and recommit to Shazza.
“Faith, Hope and Charity (2)”
Guest Stars: Nestor Carbonell (Malik Velasquez), Carol Ann Susi (Desk Sergeant)
Recurring Cast: Marion, Adele, Shazza, Terrell
Marion and Adele clash over Thanksgiving preparations. Marion confronts Malik for flirting with Kim. It is revealed that Malik is an actor hired by Marion to break up Dwayne and Whitley. Adele and Marion are mistakenly arrested during a rally. Freddie informs them of Dwayne and Whitley’s financial struggles. The families reconcile, and Shazza ends his relationship with Freddie due to her feelings for Ron.
“Original Teacher”
Guest Stars: Chris Kelly (Billy Thomas), Chris Smith (Michael Wilson), Ronald William Lawrence (Loco), Pete Koch (Cop)
Recurring Cast: Dean Davenport
Freddie organizes a mentorship program for teenagers at juvenile hall. Dwayne is assigned two gang members who are rivals. Dwayne attempts to guide them away from violence, facing resistance and threats from one boy’s father. Ultimately, Dwayne’s influence leads the boys to express their desire for peace through a rap song.
Alt text: Kris Kross, the teen rap duo, performing their song “It’s a Shame” during their guest appearance on “A Different World.”
“Occupational Hazards”
Guest Stars: Alaina Reed Hall (Claims Officer #5)
Recurring Cast: Dorian, Terrell
Whitley buys an expensive suit for a job interview but fails to get the job and stains the suit. She files for unemployment, encountering bureaucratic obstacles. Whitley takes a phone sales job and sells appliances to make money. The women in the literature group discuss Terry McMillan’s Waiting to Exhale. Ron and Freddie struggle to find time alone.
“White Christmas”
Guest Stars: Anita Morris (Joni Brooks), Marcia Wallace (Waitress), Tamara Clatterbuck (Grace), Annie Korzen (Customer)
Recurring Cast: Shazza, Dorian, Terrell
Freddie’s mother, Joni, visits and meddles in her friends’ lives. Joni’s presence stirs up old feelings for Shazza. Whitley takes a job at a pancake restaurant to buy Dwayne a Christmas present and struggles with the demanding work. Freddie confronts her mother for advice, leading to a reconciliation with Ron. Dwayne surprises Whitley with a puppy.
“To Whit, With Love”
Guest Stars: Marla Gibbs (Principal Shaw), Marquise Wilson (Ron Jackson Jr.), Ahmad Stoner (Olufemi Dakar), Chante Frierson (Iesha), Terrence Williams (Byron), Jerome Jones (Crayton Adams), Marques Houston (Eli Black), Erica Reed (Althea Hicks), Thomas Hobson (Boy #1), Jonell Green (Dashawn Curtis), Jerry Gaona (Boy #2), Fernando Santos (Boy #3)
Recurring Cast: Dorian, Terrell
Whitley works as a substitute teacher at a struggling elementary school. She faces challenges with an unruly class but motivates them by connecting the material to their lives. Dorian asks Lena on a date and reveals his views on premarital sex.
“Happy Birthday to Moi”
Guest Stars: Josephine Premice (Desiree Porter), Tyrone Batista (Student), Jeri Gray (Tutor)
Recurring Cast: Dorian, Terrell, Spencer
Dwayne pretends to cancel Whitley’s surprise birthday party, then reveals the real party at home. Charmaine and Terrell struggle in French class and attempt to cheat on the midterm, resulting in failure.
“Mind Your Own Business”
Guest Stars: Terry Ellis (Faith), Cindy Herron (Hope), Maxine Jones (Jones), Dawn Robinson (Henrietta), Bebe Drake-Massey (Velma Gaines), Aries Spears (Ty), Tyrone Batista (Guy)
Recurring Cast: Dorian, Terrell
Ron and Mr. Gaines buy a club together. The band cancels, and Mr. Gaines’ grandnieces, an inexperienced singing group, are booked instead. Lena, Gina, and Charmaine help the girls improve their performance. En Vogue performs “Free Your Mind.”
