A Different World wasn’t just about Denise Huxtable going off to college. Under Debbie Allen’s direction, it transformed into a groundbreaking portrayal of life at a Historically Black College and University. The show tackled race, class, gender, colorism, AIDS, and apartheid—all while celebrating Black love, friendship, ambition, and the everyday beauty of HBCU life. In this High and Low Retrospective, we explore how A Different World reframed Black college life for primetime television and inspired an entire generation to view education—and themselves—differently.
Martin: The Funniest Show of the 90s? →
Martin wasn’t just a sitcom, it was a comedy revolution.
With unforgettable characters like Sheneneh, Otis, Jerome, and Dragonfly Jones, Martin Lawrence turned a prime-time show into a one-man variety showcase. Set in Detroit, Martin blended loud, raw, physical humor with real relationship tension—especially between Martin and Gina—and pushed Black sitcoms into unpredictable, unfiltered territory.
But behind the laughs was a story of creative genius, off-screen tension, and a show that burned bright before burning out.
In this episode, we dive into Martin's wild energy, cultural legacy, and the behind-the-scenes drama that changed the series forever.