By Sylvia Obell

Photo Credit: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

It's been over 20 years since A Different World was on the air, and fans are still asking for a reboot. The show's director, Debbie Allen, says she's been working on it.

“I have been trying with some very powerful people behind me, she told The Grio. "The difficulty is that it’s very convoluted when you’re mixing old writers and new writers."

In 2012, Allen took to Twitter to express her desire to bring back the classic sitcom. She even got the show's creator Bill Cosby on board. “Bill Cosby wanted to see this happen. Right now we’re kinda at a stand still. I got really far up that ladder, and then I got stopped. So we’re going to re-investigate it again because it’s such a good idea,” she said.

In the meantime you can find Allen on ABC's Grey's Anatomy. And she recently directed an episode of Scandal.

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Now you know they need to stop with this. "A Different World" is my favorite sitcom ever, but it's just not necessary to remake everything. Why don't folks understand that? Besides, I don't know how they would remake it.

i agree about the remake part. in my opinion, it would be better to give something fresh a chance. that being said, most producers/publishers want to bet on a sure thing, with an established fan base

This sounds like a good idea, but it's all in the execution of the show.

I'm no fan of remakes, and I really only binge watch serial dramas anymore. But I'd like to see this project pan out if only for an inclusive portrayal of young African Americans who are striving for academic/professional success. It was much needed 20 years ago, and it is much needed now.

Lammastide said:

I'm no fan of remakes, and I really only binge watch serial dramas anymore. But I'd like to see this project pan out if only for an inclusive portrayal of young African Americans who are striving for academic/professional success. It was much needed 20 years ago, and it is much needed now.

I don't disagree with this, however, wouldn't it be fresher and more better if they created a brand new show with this concept as opposed to remaking and recycling a show from the past? A Different World was brilliant and most certainly worked for the late 80's and early 90's but it's 2014. All I'm saying is, why not take it from a newer approach with a similar concept and still have the backing of Ms. Allen and Mr. Cosby?

missfee said:

Lammastide said:

I'm no fan of remakes, and I really only binge watch serial dramas anymore. But I'd like to see this project pan out if only for an inclusive portrayal of young African Americans who are striving for academic/professional success. It was much needed 20 years ago, and it is much needed now.

I don't disagree with this, however, wouldn't it be fresher and more better if they created a brand new show with this concept as opposed to remaking and recycling a show from the past? A Different World was brilliant and most certainly worked for the late 80's and early 90's but it's 2014. All I'm saying is, why not take it from a newer approach with a similar concept and still have the backing of Ms. Allen and Mr. Cosby?

Point taken.

I'm of the mind the reboot will be as you describe. I can't imagine a complete rehash of the same characters, school, scenarios, etc. as the original series.

missfee said:

Lammastide said:

I'm no fan of remakes, and I really only binge watch serial dramas anymore. But I'd like to see this project pan out if only for an inclusive portrayal of young African Americans who are striving for academic/professional success. It was much needed 20 years ago, and it is much needed now.

I don't disagree with this, however, wouldn't it be fresher and more better if they created a brand new show with this concept as opposed to remaking and recycling a show from the past? A Different World was brilliant and most certainly worked for the late 80's and early 90's but it's 2014. All I'm saying is, why not take it from a newer approach with a similar concept and still have the backing of Ms. Allen and Mr. Cosby?

I think this is a bad idea.Why not try to come up with some new,fresh ideas for a new sitcom instead of recycling what's already been done before? Furthermore,I don't think the original sitcom was that great to begin with some things don't need to be "brought back".

SoulAlive said:

I think this is a bad idea.Why not try to come up with some new,fresh ideas for a new sitcom instead of recycling what's already been done before? Furthermore,I don't think the original sitcom was that great to begin with some things don't need to be "brought back".

[Edited 5/1/14 0:28am]

Given the fact that all of the remakes/reboots/spin-offs/new generational of Fame were all total FAILS, I feel doubtful about this A Different World reboot idea.

Would the powers that be even allow the depiction of successful post-secondary black students anymore?

It could be a nice change of pace for a generation that doesn't remember A Different World and never saw re-runs. The young generation only seem to see drug smokers/pushers propped up as heroes these days. It is pitiful.

Lammastide said:

I'm no fan of remakes, and I really only binge watch serial dramas anymore. But I'd like to see this project pan out if only for an inclusive portrayal of young African Americans who are striving for academic/professional success. It was much needed 20 years ago, and it is much needed now.

Exactly.

Even I found Glee too white and unrealistic to watch.

TonyVanDam said:

Given the fact that all of the remakes/reboots/spin-offs/new generational of Fame were all total FAILS, I feel doubtful about this A Different World reboot idea.

The Martin Show is essentially remake of the Sanford and Son (and they used some of the same cast!). It worked.

Cinny said:

Even I found Glee too white and unrealistic to watch.

I find Glee utterly boring and just a crapfest of bad karaoke.

kewlschool said:

Cinny said:

Even I found Glee too white and unrealistic to watch.

I find Glee utterly boring and just a crapfest of bad karaoke.

Not to sound like the ultimate hater, but I'm surprise that Glee was ever a hit series, given that it's a rip-off/parody of Fame AND Kids Incorporated.

as a Kid I was glued to "ADW" every week...I'm not a Fan of reboots either.... I Love Debbie and she's an awesome Director/Writer/Producer/DANCER/Everything but she has to let the OLD comedy writers go and bring in some writers that can pack-a-punch. As the years went by "ADW" didnt always make you laugh it simply made you smile. The Dwayne/Whitley Saga held it together not the comedy. A Reboot could work but she's got to bring in some writers that are ready to throw down and bring it...

Chancellor said:

as a Kid I was glued to "ADW" every week...I'm not a Fan of reboots either.... I Love Debbie and she's an awesome Director/Writer/Producer/DANCER/Everything but she has to let the OLD comedy writers go and bring in some writers that can pack-a-punch. As the years went by "ADW" didnt always make you laugh it simply made you smile. The Dwayne/Whitley Saga held it together not the comedy. A Reboot could work but she's got to bring in some writers that are ready to throw down and bring it...

That is the truth about later ADW