Darryl Bell & Cornell Young IV: A Different World Returns to Hillman

In this exciting episode of Backstage Pass with Gentry Thomas, Gentry sits down with Darryl Bell and Cornell Young IV to talk about the return of one of television’s most beloved shows, A Different World. The new Netflix continuation brings fans back to Hillman College, the iconic fictional HBCU that helped define style, culture, friendship, and social conversation for a generation.

Fans can watch or follow the show on Netflix here:
A Different World

Darryl and Cornell talk about how the new series honors the spirit of the original 80s and 90s classic while bringing Hillman into a new era. They discuss the fashion, culture, campus life, and important issues that made the original show so groundbreaking — and how those themes will evolve for a new generation of students.

The conversation also dives into the heart of the new story: a father-son relationship that connects the legacy of the original cast with the fresh faces now walking the halls of Hillman. Cornell plays Shaquille Johnson, a new-generation student navigating life, identity, and opportunity at the HBCU, while Darryl Bell returns as Ron Johnson, helping bridge the past and present of the series.

From nostalgia and legacy to college culture, family, and the next chapter of Hillman, this episode is a must-listen for fans of A Different World old and new.

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With his cool, laid-back interview style, Gentry gets his guests to open up about the defining moments of their lives and career, from their biggest failures and toughest setbacks to the hard work, determination, and unexpected breaks that helped them rise to the top.

These aren’t ordinary celebrity interviews. Each episode goes beyond the headlines to reveal the real people behind the fame, the lessons they learned along the way, and the unforgettable stories that happened when the cameras weren’t rolling.

COME FOR THE FAMOUS NAMES. STAY FOR THE STORIES. GO BACKSTAGE WITH GENTRY THOMAS.