Different World Television Program

Expect a different "A Different World" when the NBC series starts its second season tonight. Even though the college comedy, a spinoff of "The Cosby Show," was the No. 2 show behind "Cosby" in the Nielsen ratings last season, the producers were unhappy with it, NBC wasn't satisfied either and TV critics flat out didn't like it. The new "A Different World," which returns at 8:30 p.m., has been completely overhauled. It has a new co-executive producer and director in Debbie Allen, of "Fame" fame.

For years, Cynthia Amos and her English students at Foshay Junior High School were on top of "A Different World." Amos said she and her students at the Los Angeles school would look forward to Friday discussions about the NBC situation comedy, which revolved around life at a fictional African-American college. She could see the impact of the series, not only in the clothes the students wore but also in the way they talked about serious issues presented on the show, such as racism or AIDS.

Neither the terrified Asian liquor-store owner nor the baseball bat he was brandishing was discouraging several African-Americans from looting his store Friday night. One woman ran out of the store carrying a case of beer, gleefully shouting, "Free, free, it's free at last!" as she tossed the case into a rented 1959 pink Cadillac convertible sitting at the curb. The car was also being filled with goods taken from nearby businesses--turntables, food, even a love seat.

Neither the terrified Asian liquor-store owner nor the baseball bat he was brandishing was discouraging several African-Americans from looting his store Friday night. One woman ran out of the store carrying a case of beer, gleefully shouting, "Free, free, it's free at last!" as she tossed the case into a rented 1959 pink Cadillac convertible sitting at the curb. The car was also being filled with goods taken from nearby businesses--turntables, food, even a love seat.

Andrew Lowery of Placentia hopes that a new, recurring role he begins playing tonight on the NBC comedy series "A Different World" will bring fun, fortune and a chance to beat fellow cast member Kadeem Hardison in one-on-one basketball. "Kadeem is a nice guy and a good performer," says Lowery. "But he plays truly mean hoop." Lowery will play Matthew, a cousin of free-spirited Freddie (Cree Williams). Matthew "is a lot like me," he says. "Kind of goofy.

NBC, which last year paid a record amount to renew "The Cosby Show" for a seventh season, has reached an agreement to renew the series for an eighth year but at a lower fee than it currently pays. The renewal of "The Cosby Show," as well as its companion series, "A Different World," were seen as critical moves by NBC because the network is facing declining ratings and a dwindling number of new prime-time hits. Last year NBC agreed to pay more than $62 million, or $2.

For years, Cynthia Amos and her English students at Foshay Junior High School were on top of "A Different World." Amos said she and her students at the Los Angeles school would look forward to Friday discussions about the NBC situation comedy, which revolved around life at a fictional African-American college. She could see the impact of the series, not only in the clothes the students wore but also in the way they talked about serious issues presented on the show, such as racism or AIDS.

NBC, which last year paid a record amount to renew "The Cosby Show" for a seventh season, has reached an agreement to renew the series for an eighth year but at a lower fee than it currently pays. The renewal of "The Cosby Show," as well as its companion series, "A Different World," were seen as critical moves by NBC because the network is facing declining ratings and a dwindling number of new prime-time hits. Last year NBC agreed to pay more than $62 million, or $2.

Andrew Lowery of Placentia hopes that a new, recurring role he begins playing tonight on the NBC comedy series "A Different World" will bring fun, fortune and a chance to beat fellow cast member Kadeem Hardison in one-on-one basketball. "Kadeem is a nice guy and a good performer," says Lowery. "But he plays truly mean hoop." Lowery will play Matthew, a cousin of free-spirited Freddie (Cree Williams). Matthew "is a lot like me," he says. "Kind of goofy.

Expect a different "A Different World" when the NBC series starts its second season tonight. Even though the college comedy, a spinoff of "The Cosby Show," was the No. 2 show behind "Cosby" in the Nielsen ratings last season, the producers were unhappy with it, NBC wasn't satisfied either and TV critics flat out didn't like it. The new "A Different World," which returns at 8:30 p.m., has been completely overhauled. It has a new co-executive producer and director in Debbie Allen, of "Fame" fame.