A Different World reboot debuts on Netflix; showrunner cites 'spirit of the original'
Netflix's 10-episode A Different World reboot debuted Sept. 24. Showrunner Felicia Pride described its aims to critics, while a Washington Examiner opinion piece called it unfunny and woke.
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The story, neutrally told
Right · 1A reboot of the sitcom A Different World debuted its first 10-episode season on Netflix on Sept. 24. National PostRC “A Different World debuted its first 10-episode season Sept. 24 on Netflix.” Read at National Post ↗ Right · 1The original aired six seasons from 1987 to 1993, was set at a fictional historically Black college (HBCU), and drew on questions of youth and race. National PostRC “The sitcom, which aired six seasons from 1987 to 1993, dug deep into the Black experience in the United States.”“It was set at a fictional historically Black college (HBCU), and the storylines grew from questions of youth and race.” Read at National Post ↗ Right · 1Showrunner Felicia Pride told members of the Television Critics Association on Sept. 15 that the team identified four pillars to carry over the original's spirit: community and relationships, the warmth and delight the show produced, the immersive HBCU experience, and political consciousness. National PostRC ““What we really wanted to do was bring over the spirit of the original, and I think we had identified what I consider four pillars that were really important,” showrunner Felicia Pride told members of the Television Critics Association on Sept. 15.” Read at National Post ↗
Right · 1Original characters Dwayne Wayne (Kadeem Hardison), Whitley Gilbert-Wayne (Jasmine Guy) and Ron Johnson (Darryl M. Bell) return, facing issues such as the death of a spouse, marital tension, legacy and high-stakes leadership; new characters including their children, Deborah Wayne (Maleah Joi Moon) and Shaquille Johnson (Cornell Young IV), deal with an active-shooter situation and relationships. National PostRC “They confront issues such as the death of a spouse, marital tension, the meaning of legacy, and high-stakes leadership.”“Among other things, they deal with an active-shooter situation, navigate relationships, and try to figure out how to make their mark.” Read at National Post ↗ Right · 1Debbie Allen, who produced 122 episodes and directed 83 of the original, is an executive producer and directed the premiere; many original cast members, including Cree Summer, Jenifer Lewis, Jada Pinkett Smith and Glynn Turman, appear. National PostRC “She’s back as an executive producer and directs the reboot’s première.”“many original cast members pop up — including Cree Summer, Charnele Brown, Jenifer Lewis, Jada Pinkett Smith, Dawnn Lewis, and Glynn Turman.” Read at National Post ↗ Right · 1Bell said he hoped Sinbad would return, and that Netflix might fund enough incentives to coax Lisa Bonet back as Denise Huxtable; Bonet left the original before season 2 after reportedly being refused a pregnancy storyline by Bill Cosby. National PostRC “Bell told members of the Television Critics Association that he hoped Sinbad, who played football coach Walter Oakes in the original, would also find his way back to Hillman College.”“Bell, for one, is rooting for her return.” Read at National Post ↗
Right · 1A Washington Examiner opinion column by Graham Hillard judges the reboot 'unfunny and woke' and questions whether the original produced any memorable episode. Washington ExaminerR “Name one memorable episode of the late-1980s NBC sitcom A Different World.”“Netflix’s reboot of ‘A Different World’ is unfunny and woke” Read at Washington Examiner ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
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Centre0 outlets
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Right2 outlets
- Framing
- The National Post gives a promotional-leaning entertainment report built on the showrunner's comments; the Washington Examiner runs a dismissive opinion column.
- Emphasis
- National Post: Pride's four pillars, returning cast, Bonet's possible return. Examiner: the reboot's perceived lack of humour and its politics.
- Leaves out or plays down
- The Examiner excerpt gives no detail on the reboot's plot or cast; the National Post includes no critical voices.
- Charged language
- “unfunny and woke”
- For example
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“But in its exploration of such meaty subjects, this version of A Different World keeps things entertaining — just like its predecessor.” — National Post
“Netflix’s reboot of ‘A Different World’ is unfunny and woke” — Washington Examiner
What every side reports
- A Different World is a Netflix reboot of the late-1980s NBC sitcom, itself a Cosby Show spinoff.
- Lisa Bonet was in the original's first season.
Where accounts differ
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Quality and tone of the reboot
- Right
- The National Post presents it as entertaining and faithful to the original while tackling heavy themes; the Washington Examiner column calls it unfunny and woke.
Netflix organisation
Netflix is the platform; Bell jokes it might supply 'golden eggs' to lure Lisa Bonet back.
““Hopefully Netflix will give us a goose to lay (golden eggs), so we can give those to Lisa Bonet to actually coax her to come back,” he said.” — National Post
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre0 articles
No coverage yet.
Right2 articles
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A Different World reboot has ‘spirit of the original,’ says showrunner
Sympathetic Showrunner-led feature presenting the reboot as faithful to the original and entertaining while addressing today's issues.
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Washington ExaminerR · · Opinion
Netflix’s reboot of ‘A Different World’ is unfunny and woke
Dismissive Opinion column dismissing the reboot as unfunny and political.
- 9 Oct 07:39 First National PostRC A Different World reboot has ‘spirit of the original,’ says showrunner
- 9 Oct 10:15 +2h 36m Washington ExaminerR Netflix’s reboot of ‘A Different World’ is unfunny and woke Opinion
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.