About this season
A Different World is a spin-off series from The Cosby Show and originally centered on Denise Huxtable and the life of students at Hillman College, a fictional mixed but historically black college in the state of Virginia. After Bonet's departure in the first season, the remainder of the series primarily focused more on Southern belle Whitley Gilbert and mathematics whiz Dwayne Wayne. The series frequently depicted members of the major historically black fraternities and sororities.
Episodes (22)
1. Reconcilable Differences
7.0Aired 24 September 1987 • 30 min
During her first few days at Hillman College, Denise Huxtable finds herself at odds with her new roommate, Jaleesa, a 26-year-old freshman with a mysterious past.
2. Pilot
Aired 1 October 1987 • 30 min
Denise's financial irresponsibility might get her and Jaleesa thrown out of the dorm.
3. Porky de Bergerac
Aired 15 October 1987 • 30 min
Questionable tactics abound when Denise plays dating games and Jaleesa is elected dorm monitor.
4. Those Who Can't... Tutor
Aired 22 October 1987 • 30 min
Denise's calculus tutor Dwayne is caught sneaking out of Whitley's window after curfew.
5. War of the Words
Aired 29 October 1987 • 30 min
Whitley's claim that women can't succeed at both career and family infuriates Lisa and Maggie.
6. Rudy and the Snow Queen
Aired 5 November 1987 • 30 min
Rudy visits Hillman and becomes enchanted by Whitley, who tries to make her into the perfect little lady.
7. Sometimes You Get the Bear, Sometimes the Bear Gets You
Aired 19 November 1987 • 30 min
The girls plan Operation Yogi, a plot to steal the rival school's bear-head mascot, but a visit from Denise's grandfather makes a boo-boo inevitable.
8. If Chosen, I May Not Run
Aired 3 December 1987 • 30 min
In the family tradition of "Combustible" Huxtable, Denise is chosen for Hillman's track team, but after a few practices she starts running out of steam.
9. Romancing Mr. Stone
Aired 10 December 1987 • 30 min
A geology professor has every woman in the class fighting for his attention.
10. The Gift of the Magi
Aired 17 December 1987 • 30 min
Whitley's secret Santa surprises her with a visit from her newly separated daddy, who walks in with his youthful girlfriend.
11. Does He or Doesn't He?
Aired 7 January 1988 • 30 min
Tired of being hit on by men, a grad student decides to turn the tables and seduce Dwayne.
12. Advise and Descent
Aired 14 January 1988 • 30 min
During finals week, Denise's work suffers because she decides to be a peer counselor, and the girls' looks suffer under test stress.
13. The Prime of Miss Lettie Bostic
Aired 21 January 1988 • 30 min
Hillman alumna Lettie Bostic fills in as dorm monitor, but her strongly voiced opinions have the girls considering mutiny.
14. Wild Child
Aired 4 February 1988 • 30 min
Lettie pulls some strings to help a student who has been attending classes without enrolling.
15. Dr. Cupid
8.0Aired 11 February 1988 • 30 min
Dwayne uses his radio persona "Dr. Cupid" to find a Valentine's Day date, and Denise uses Dr. Cupid to reconcile Lettie and an old love.
16. The Show Must Go On
Aired 18 February 1988 • 30 min
Denise and Whitley both think they're the apple of the leading man's eye in a play about the Garden of Eden.
17. Mr. Hillman
Aired 25 February 1988 • 30 min
In the name of sexual equality, Denise convinces Dwayne to run in the Miss Hillman Beauty Pageant against Whitley.
18. Speech Therapy
Aired 10 March 1988 • 30 min
Whitley hides an illegal humidifier; Jaleesa sweats over her fear of oral reports; Maggie steams over the debt Denise owes her.
19. Clair's Last Stand
Aired 24 March 1988 • 30 min
Clair Huxtable visits Denise bearing motherly advice as well as news that conflicts with Denise's summer plans.
20. If Only for One Night
Aired 28 April 1988 • 30 min
Whitley panics about spending the summer alone; Dwayne tries a new tack with Denise; and Maggie holds a yard sale.
21. Come Back, Little Eggby
Aired 5 May 1988 • 30 min
A psychology experiment in parenting calls for egg-doption, but when Jaleesa loses Maggie's "eggby," she and Denise scramble to find it.
22. My Dinner With Theo
Aired 7 July 1988 • 30 min
Denise strains her brain trying to improve her grades, so she invites Theo up for a weekend of family inspiration.