List of A Different World episodes

A Different World is a television spin-off of The Cosby Show set at Hillman College, the alma mater of Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable. It ran for six seasons on NBC, airing a total of 142 episodes, including three hour-long episodes. The last three episodes aired in syndication, bringing the total to 145.

Series overview

Season		Episodes	Originally aired
			Season premiere	Season finale
	1	22	September 24, 1987	July 7, 1988
	2	22	October 6, 1988	May 4, 1989
	3	25	September 21, 1989	May 3, 1990
	4	25	September 20, 1990	May 2, 1991
	5	25	September 19, 1991	May 14, 1992
	6	25	September 24, 1992	July 9, 1993

Episodes

Season 1 (1987–88)

• Comprises 22 episodes
• Darryl M. Bell appears in 13 episodes
• Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison, and Marisa Tomei were absent for one episode each
• Loretta Devine appeared in 10 episodes before being written out of the series
• Mary Alice appears in eight episodes after joining the show
• Sinbad appears in five episodes
• Theme song performed by Phoebe Snow

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Director	Writer(s)	Original air date
1	1	"Reconcilable Differences"	Ellen Falcon	Lissa Levin and Thad Mumford	September 24, 1987
Denise begins her sophomore year at Hillman clashing with her assigned roommate, Jaleesa Vinson. Denise quickly takes her cue and switches roommates, ending up with self-styled Southern belle Whitley Gilbert. Again, Denise clashes, but somehow Whitley makes Jaleesa look good. Denise also meets freshman and fellow Brooklynite Dwayne Wayne, who immediately becomes smitten with her. Notes: This episode was taped after the pilot to add additional characters and provide background for those in the pilot episode. Marisa Tomei does not appear.
2	2	"Pilot"	Jay Sandrich	John Markus, Carmen Finestra and Matt Williams	October 1, 1987
Denise and Jaleesa get a new roommate, transfer student Maggie. But Denise learns her checks for dorm fees bounced and they could be forced out of the dorm. Reluctant to ask her parents for help, she is determined to find a solution to the dilemma on her own. Guest stars: Bill Cosby and Keshia Knight Pulliam Note: The Pit, the on-campus restaurant, makes its first appearance in this episode with a slightly different design. The Pit also showcases a more racially diverse student body at Hillman than would be seen in later seasons.
3	3	"Porky de Bergerac"	Ellen Falcon	Susan Fales	October 15, 1987
Denise and Maggie convince Jaleesa to face-off against Whitley in a campaign for dorm monitor, and Jaleesa wins. When new dorm rules to reduce littering in shared areas go into effect, Denise is embarrassed when she is forced to wear a fake pig nose on a first date. Note: First recurring appearances of Kim Wayans (Alison) and Bee-Be Smith (Gloria).
4	4	"Those Who Can't...Tutor"	Kim Friedman	Susan Fales	October 22, 1987
Dwayne offers to tutor Denise in calculus after she scores poorly on an exam, but their session runs late and he misses curfew. Whitley's reputation is put on the line after Dwayne is caught climbing out of her window by Stevie. Note: First appearances of Darryl M. Bell (Ron) and Sinbad (Walter)
5	5	"War of the Words"	Ellen Falcon	Joe Gannon	October 29, 1987
Maggie and Whitley debate over whether women can successfully balance a career and family life. But when Maggie's boyfriend visits and asks her to move to Washington, D.C. with him, the issues become personal. Guest stars: Damon Wayans and Keenen Ivory Wayans Note: first appearance of Marie-Alise Recasner as recurring character Millie
6	6	"Rudy and the Snow Queen"	Ellen Falcon	Cheryl Gard	November 5, 1987
Rudy Huxtable spends the weekend at Hillman–and winds up spending more time with Whitley, entranced by her glamour and charm, and neglects Denise in the process. Guest stars: Bill Cosby and Keshia Knight Pulliam
7	7	"Sometimes You Get the Bear...Sometimes the Bear Gets You"	Ellen Falcon	Thad Mumford	November 19, 1987
Denise concocts a plot with her roommates to be the first women to participate in the Homecoming tradition of stealing the head of the opposing team's mascot, not knowing that her visiting grandfather Russell intends to carry out a similar plan with Dwayne's help. Guest star: Earle Hyman
8	8	"If Chosen I May Not Run"	Ellen Falcon	Thad Mumford	December 3, 1987
Coach Walter offers Denise a tryout for the Hillman track team, and she seems capable of the challenge—until she realizes the commitment required and the pressure from home to follow in the Huxtable tradition. Guest star: Bill Cosby
9	9	"Romancing Mr. Stone"	Ellen Falcon	Scott Spencer Gordon and David Felton	December 10, 1987
A number of female students, including Denise, have more than science on their study lists when a new geology professor arrives at Hillman. Guest star: David Alan Grier
10	10	"Gift of the Magi"	Ellen Falcon	Susan Fales	December 17, 1987
A Secret Santa program has Jaleesa and Maggie unwittingly each assigned to give to the other as Whitley wrestles with the news that her divorced father has a new, much younger girlfriend and wants her to spend Christmas with them in Switzerland. Guest stars: Troy Beyer as Monica and Conroy Gedeon (as Whitley's father Mercer Gilbert)
11	11	"Does He Or Doesn't He?"	Ellen Falcon	Thad Mumford	January 7, 1988
The women of Gilbert Hall place wagers when a graduate student predicts that Dwayne couldn't know how to handle a woman who actually responded to his cheesy pick-up lines.
12	12	"Advise and Descent"	Ellen Falcon	Cheryl Gard	January 14, 1988
Denise works as a peer counselor during finals week, and while she is good at helping other students with their problems, she neglects her own work. Guest star: Kristoff St. John as E.Z. Brooks
13	13	"The Prime of Miss Lettie Bostic"	Ellen Falcon	Thad Mumford and Susan Fales	January 21, 1988
Leticia "Lettie" Bostic, a Hillman dropout with a colorful past, becomes the new resident director at Gilbert Hall, and the ladies are surprised when her straight-talking methods contradict her legend. Guest star: Ron O'Neal as a Hillman faculty member; he would return for three guest spots as Whitley's father. Notes: this episode marks the first appearance of Mary Alice as Lettie. It is also explained that Stevie, the previous resident director of Gilbert Hall, left the position to get married.
14	14	"Wild Child"	Ellen Falcon	David Felton	February 4, 1988
Denise befriends a student known as "Cougar" from her philosophy class, not realizing that her brilliantly intelligent classmate is hiding some secrets of her own. Guest stars: Katie Rich as Cougar and Raymond St. Jacques
15	15	"Dr. Cupid"	Regge Life	Deanne Stillman	February 11, 1988
Dwayne attempts to play Cupid for himself and others via his campus radio show, with unexpected results; Ron meets and falls in love with Whitley's devoted friend Millie, while Lettie receives a visit from a former suitor.
16	16	"The Show Must Go On"	Kim Friedman	Gary Dontzig and Steven Peterman	February 18, 1988
Denise and Whitley earn roles in Maggie's adaptation of the story of Adam and Eve and become real-life rivals for the actor playing Adam.
17	17	"Mr. Hillman"	Matthew Diamond	Margo Kaufman	February 25, 1988
Whitley enters the Miss Hillman pageant, but Denise — infuriated at the sexism of the pageant — convinces Dwayne to enter as well; Dwayne then has second thoughts when becomes looked at as an object on campus.
18	18	"Speech Therapy"	Ellen Falcon	Cheryl Gard	March 10, 1988
Jaleesa panics at the prospect of making a speech in front of her poetry class, Maggie obsesses over the money Denise borrowed from her more than a month ago, and Whitley gets Dwayne and Ron to fix her illegal humidifier. Guest star: Roscoe Lee Browne in his first appearance as Dr. Barnabus Foster, a character he originated on The Cosby Show.
19	19	"Clair's Last Stand"	Tony Singletary	Thad Mumford	March 24, 1988
Denise's mother Clair visits and lectures Denise about her grades, putting the kibosh on her big summer vacation plans. Meanwhile, Whitley feels depressed and left out when everyone is too busy to remember her birthday. Guest star: Phylicia Rashad
20	20	"If Only for One Night"	Tony Singletary	Susan Fales	April 28, 1988
Denise at long last accepts a date with Dwayne, but their evening out is interrupted by Whitley's desperate search for an alternative to going home for the summer. Note: This episode was intended to be the season finale and was the last one filmed before Lisa Bonet left the show.
21	21	"Come Back, Little Eggby"	Ellen Falcon	Scott Spencer Gordon	May 5, 1988
Assigned to take care of an egg in place of an actual baby, Maggie seeks out advice about the real thing from single mom Stevie. But when she leaves "Artie" with babysitter Jaleesa, "he" mysteriously disappears. Note: This episode, postponed from earlier in the season, marks the last appearance of Loretta Devine on the series.
22	22	"My Dinner with Theo"	Ellen Falcon	Scott Spencer Gordon	July 7, 1988
Denise's brother Theo visits Hillman and gets the wrong impression about how much fun college life could be. Guest stars: Malcolm-Jamal Warner and Keshia Knight Pulliam Notes: This episode was postponed from earlier in the season, and marks the final appearances of Lisa Bonet (as a regular cast member) and Marisa Tomei on the series. Jasmine Guy and Kadeem Hardison do not appear.

Season 2 (1988–89)

• Comprises 22 episodes
• Mary Alice and Sinbad were each absent for two episodes
• Darryl M. Bell was absent for one episode
• Glynn Turman was absent for three episodes
• Lou Myers appears in 12 episodes
• Debbie Allen replaced Anne Beatts as the series' producer, and also took over as primary director
• A new opening is introduced featuring all of the main characters, set to a new version of the show's theme song performed by Aretha Franklin

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Director	Writer(s)	Original air date
23	1	"Dr. War is Hell"	Debbie Allen	Thad Mumford	October 6, 1988
Whitley returns to the dorm and has to adjust to her new roommate, freshman pre-med student Kimberly Reese. Jaleesa's new roommate, free-spirited freshman Winifred "Freddie" Brooks, has developed a crush on Dwayne—who is trying hard to avoid taking a calculus class with Col. Bradford Taylor, an allegedly tough professor nicknamed "Dr. War". Notes: Darryl M. Bell (Ron) and Sinbad (Walter) become regular cast members. First appearances of regulars Charnele Brown (Kim), Cree Summer (Freddie), and Glynn Turman (Col. Taylor).
24	2	"Two Gentlemen of Hillman"	Debbie Allen	Susan Fales	October 13, 1988
Dwayne and Ron try to write a philosophy paper together, but Dwayne gets infuriated when Ron takes the easy way out. Kim beats out Freddie for a job at The Pit as a short-order cook, leaving Freddie thinking she's unqualified to get any job. Note: First recurring appearance of Lou Myers as Vernon Gaines
25	3	"Some Enchanted Late Afternoon"	Debbie Allen	Rob Edwards	October 27, 1988
Walter persuades Jaleesa to go out with him although she is involved with someone, and Dwayne and Ron start a new business: a personal wake-up service.
26	4	"Dream Lover"	Debbie Allen	Alicia Marie Schudt	November 3, 1988
A shared dance at a party stirs up feelings between Dwayne and Whitley, and jealousy for Freddie.
27	5	"Three Girls Three"	Debbie Allen	Jeffrey Duteil	November 10, 1988
In order to win a competition to sing backup for Gladys Knight, Jaleesa and Whitley join forces with a wanna-be opera diva who ends up trying to upstage them. Note: Knight performs "Love Overboard" with Dawnn Lewis and Jasmine Guy.
28	6	"If You Like Pilgrim Coladas"	Debbie Allen	Margie Peters	November 17, 1988
Whitley and Kim devise a plan to have a nice Thanksgiving when they find themselves homesick after staying on campus.
29	7	"A Stepping Stone"	Debbie Allen	Cheryl Gard	December 1, 1988
The women of Gilbert Hall prepare for the Homecoming step show. Choreographer Whitley's bossy ways turns off the others until a nonagenarian alumna's crusty demeanor gives Whitley a glimpse of her potential future. Dwayne faces a challenge when he is asked to tutor a football player in math before the big game against Hampton.
30	8	"Life With Father"	Debbie Allen	Cheryl Gard	December 8, 1988
Dwayne has a new girlfriend, and everything is going well...until he discovers that her father is his calculus professor, Col. Taylor. Freddie, upset over not attracting Dwayne's interest, turns to Whitley for an image makeover.
31	9	"All's Fair"	Debbie Allen	Rob Edwards	December 15, 1988
Whitley objects to Kim spending so much time with her new boyfriend, especially as they start monopolizing the girls' shared room. Freddie alienates her fellow writers when she "improves" upon their work as the new editor of the literary magazine.
32	10	"Radio Free Hillman"	Debbie Allen	Jeffrey Duteil	January 5, 1989
When Dwayne plays an explicit rap song on his radio show, the dean cancels it. Furious, the other students stage a sit-in at the administration building, where Whitley gets trapped in with the protesters.
33	11	"It Happened One Night"	Debbie Allen	Susan Fales and Margie Peters	January 12, 1989
Kim learns she might be pregnant with Robert's baby.
34	12	"I've Got the Muse in Me"	Debbie Allen	Bud Wiser	January 26, 1989
Freddie gets drunk trying to write a paper; Walter takes cooking lessons from Lettie and Mr. Gaines.
35	13	"Risky Business"	Debbie Allen	Cheryl Gard	February 2, 1989
Clair Huxtable returns to Hillman for a business seminar, bringing daughter Vanessa and her friend Kara, who proceed to get interested in campus men Dwayne and Ron. Guest stars: Phylicia Rashäd, Tempestt Bledsoe, and Elizabeth Navereaz
36	14	"Breaking Up Is Hard to Do"	Debbie Allen	Mike Scott and Daryl G. Nickens	February 9, 1989
Dwayne and Suzanne break up when she decides she's not ready to get serious so soon. Jaleesa tests Walter's loyalty with a phone call as "Jamaican exchange student" Sheila, who finds him apparently eager to date around, while Kim learns her boyfriend truly is being unfaithful.
37	15	"For She's Only a Bird in a Gilded Cage"	Debbie Allen	Susan Fales	February 23, 1989
Whitley's mother visits to find Whitley a husband, despite Whitley's pleas to study. Guest star: Diahann Carroll
38	16	"It's Greek to Me"	Debbie Allen	Jeffrey Duteil	March 2, 1989
Ron and Dwayne pledge to join a fraternity. Ron enjoys the process, but Dwayne bristles at taking orders from the older brothers.
39	17	"The Thing About Women"	Debbie Allen	Rob Edwards	March 9, 1989
Walter and Jaleesa examine their relationship as Jaleesa goes on a date with her ex-husband Lamar. Guest star: Thomas Mikal Ford
40	18	"High Anxiety"	Debbie Allen	Thad Mumford	March 16, 1989
Overscheduled Kim begins dreaming of "Killer B's", while the Gaineses argue over the return of their seemingly shiftless son, Darnell. Guest star: T.K. Carter
41	19	"Take This Job and Love It"	Debbie Allen	Yvette Denise Lee	March 23, 1989
Whitley's ambitious nature finds a new channel when she takes a job at The Pit in order to pay for repairs to Mr. Gaines' car, but Kim finds Whitley's endless ideas a threat to her status as the favorite employee.
42	20	"No Means No"	Debbie Allen	Margie Peters	March 30, 1989
Freddie goes on a date with Garth Parks, a handsome new player for Hillman's baseball team. However, Dwayne discovers that Garth is hiding a sinister side. Guest star: Taimak Note: A disclaimer appears at the start of the program, advising parental discretion based on sensitive and mature content.
43	21	"Citizen Wayne"	Debbie Allen	Mike Scott and Daryl G. Nickens	April 27, 1989
Dwayne runs for student council president, but can't seem to get anyone else to care about serious issues. Political activist and former U.S. presidential candidate Jesse Jackson visits the campus and inspires Jaleesa and Kim in their search for the perfect gift for Freddie's 18th birthday. Guest star: Jesse Jackson
44	22	"There's No Place Like Home"	Debbie Allen	Lynn Bunt and Lenore G. Bunt	May 4, 1989
The students' summer plans take unexpected turns: Dwayne and Ron's beautiful new apartment becomes an impossible dream, and Walter and Jaleesa decide to grant each other the freedom to date others over the vacation. Whitley battles to work rather than holiday with her mother, until Dwayne convinces her that she'll have a long life in which to contribute to society; the two nearly share a kiss, but are interrupted by the party. Note: This episode marks Mary Alice's last appearance as Lettie.

Season 3 (1989–90)

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Director	Writer(s)	Original air date
45	1	"Strangers on a Plane"	Chris Hibler	Thad Mumford	September 21, 1989
Dwayne and Whitley run into each other when flying back to Hillman for the fall term and their feelings for each other ignite. Meanwhile, Gilbert Hall becomes co-ed, with Walter as the resident director and Jaleesa as assistant.
46	2	"The Heat Is On"	Debbie Allen	Susan Fales	October 12, 1989
In order to graduate, Whitley must take Dr. War's math class.
47	3	"The Hat Makes the Man"	Debbie Allen	Cheryl Gard	October 19, 1989
As the new co-ed dorm director, Walter clashes with Jaleesa over visitation rights when she plans their romantic anniversary.
48	4	"To Have and Have Not"	Debbie Allen	Kevin Kelton	October 26, 1989
Whitley forms a bond with one her students when she volunteers to teach ballet at a youth-center for inner-city children, then discovers that the student stole her wallet.
49	5	"Forever Hold Your Peace"	Debbie Allen	Susan Fales	November 2, 1989
Dwayne takes Whitley to New York for her father's wedding and visits the Huxtables; he is shocked to learn that Denise is now married and will not be returning to Hillman. Guest stars: Phylicia Rashad, Joseph C. Phillips, Raven-Symoné, and Lisa Bonet (her final appearance in the series).
50	6	"Delusions of Daddyhood"	Debbie Allen	Yvette Denise Lee	November 9, 1989
Ron tries to become a father figure to his study partner's son. Dwayne invites rap group Heavy D and the Boyz to perform on campus, and he and Whitley argue over the artistic merits of hip hop. Guest stars: Theresa Randle and Heavy D and the Boyz, who perform the song "Somebody for Me".
51	7	"Wedding Bells From Hell"	Debbie Allen	Adriana Trigiani	November 16, 1989
Walter and Jaleesa make plans to get married when Walter wins a honeymoon trip to Hawaii and offers to Jaleesa, but they soon realize they're not ready for married life.
52	8	"Great Expectations"	Debbie Allen	Yvette Denise Lee	November 30, 1989
Kim and Freddie skip homecoming to go to a rap concert, which doesn't sit well with Kim's father.
53	9	"Answered Prayers"	Debbie Allen	Margie Peters	December 7, 1989
Kim's poiceman father gets shot so her friends take her to the hospital where she prays for her father to live.
54	10	"For Whom the Jingle Bell Tolls"	Debbie Allen	Cheryl Gard	December 21, 1989
Whitley becomes a Scrooge at Christmastime since her mother prefers being in France with her friends, so the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future help Whitley understand the true meaning of Christmas.
55	11	"Under One Roof"	Debbie Allen	Kevin Kelton	January 4, 1990
Dean Hughes invites Whitley and Freddie to a freshman tea party in her home.
56	12	"Here's to Old Friends"	Neema Barnette	Thad Mumford	January 11, 1990
An old friend of Dwayne's tries to talk him into leaving Hillman, while Col. Taylor and Mr. Gains attend an Army reunion.
57	13	"The Power of the Pen"	Debbie Allen	Dominic Hoffman and Jasmine Guy	January 18, 1990
Dwayne is frustrated that he has to write a poetry for homework - until William Shakespeare appears to him in a dream.
58	14	"Pride and Prejudice"	John Whitesell	Yvette Denise Lee	January 25, 1990
Whitley shops for a birthday present for her father at an expensive store where she deals with a prejudiced salesperson.
59	15	"Success, Lies and Videotape"	Debbie Allen	Adriana Trigiani	February 8, 1990
Clair Huxtable returns to Hillman to help the students prepare for job interviews with a videotaped career development program.
60	16	"A World Alike"	Debbie Allen	Susan Fales	February 15, 1990
Whitley falls for a transfer who's boycotting a company with South African ties that's offered Kim a scholarship.
61	17	"That's the Trouble With You All"	Neema Barnette	Thad Mumford	February 22, 1990
Whitley offers to find Dwayne a girlfriend, but Whitley's sudden jealousy jeopardizes their friendship.
62	18	"A Campfire Story"	Debbie Allen	Kevin Kelton	March 1, 1990
Walter and Dwayne return from their recruiting trip to find the heater broken, so all of Gilbert Hall gathers around the fire to hear about Walter and Dwayne's recruitment adventure.
63	19	"Hillman Isn't Through With You Yet"	Debbie Allen	Yvette Denise Lee	March 8, 1990
Whitley gets a job as a "spray lady" at a cosmetics company before graduation, but decides to return to Hillman for a fifth year to get a "real job".
64	20	"21 Candles"	Debbie Allen	Adriana Trigiani	March 15, 1990
Whitley's 21st birthday celebration is far from what she expected, but she's in for a couple of birthday surprises.
65	21	"Sweet Charity"	Neema Barnette	Margie Peters	March 29, 1990
Dwayne and Ron are offered to do a TV commercial with Hall of Famers Rick Barry and Walt Hazzard, but soon get picked on for being cast as weaklings.
66	22	"Soldier Boy"	Neema Barnette	Leilani Downer	April 5, 1990
The students of Hillman makes plans for an ROTC banquet in honor of Col. Taylor, and the guest speaker is a soldier who lost his leg in battle under Taylor's command.
67	23	"Getaway: Part 1"	Debbie Allen	Cheryl Gard	April 19, 1990
The gang heads to the beach for spring break, only to get involved with drug dealers.
68	24	"Getaway: Part 2"	Debbie Allen	Cheryl Gard	April 26, 1990
Dwayne and Roy disguise themselves as women to evade the drug dealers and notify the police, but a rainstorm shuts down the ferry, making the situation more dire.
69	25	"Perhaps Love"	Debbie Allen	Susan Fales	May 3, 1990
Dwayne's mother makes a surprise visit just as he's to be inducted into Hillman's academic fraternity Phi Beta Kappa.

Season 4 (1990–91)

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Director	Writer(s)	Original air date
70	1	"Everything Must Change"	Debbie Allen	Susan Fales	September 20, 1990
Whitley returns from her travels determined to begin a relationship with Dwayne; however, he has moved on to a romance with newcomer Kinu, a student at nearby Avery University whom he met while in Japan. Col. Taylor's son Terrence arrives from Germany, quickly earning the nickname "Pee-Wee Hormone" for his clueless pursuit of women. Note: First recurring appearances of Alisa Gyse Dickens (Kinu) and Cory Tyler (Terrence)
71	2	"How Bittersweet It Is"	Debbie Allen	Yvette Denise Lee	September 27, 1990
Whitley tries to make Dwayne jealous by accepting a date with Ron, who knows but hopes to change her feelings; students compete to win places in Professor Randolph's African-American History class, including Freddie and her cousin Matthew, a White student visiting from Avery. Guest star: Roger Guenveur Smith Note: First recurring appearance of Andrew Lowery (Matthew)
72	3	"Blues for Nobody's Child"	Debbie Allen	Judi Ann Mason	October 4, 1990
Freddie is moved by the difficulty of finding adoptive parents for older African-American children in the foster care system and makes it her mission to convince Prof. Randolph to adopt a child she has met through the community center.
73	4	"Whitley's Last Supper"	Debbie Allen	Jeannette Collins and Mimi Friedman	October 11, 1990
Whitley looks forward to a visit from her father until she learns he has come to cut up her credit cards and force her to live on a budget; Matthew and Freddie conspire to convince Kim to balance her MCAT studies with a social life. Guest star: Ron O'Neal, in his first appearance as Mercer Gilbert
74	5	"The Goodwill Games"	Debbie Allen	Yvette Denise Lee	October 18, 1990
Dwayne, Whitley, and Kinu participate in a College Bowl-type competition between Hillman and Avery, exacerbating the romantic competition the two women already are in. Kim is encouraged by Freddie to make way for a romance of her own, with Matthew.
75	6	"Tales From the Exam Zone"	Debbie Allen	Alonzo B. Lamont	October 25, 1990
Walter narrates a trio of tales, á la The Twilight Zone, about strange occurrences among the students as they prepare for midterm exams.
76	7	"Good Help Is Hard to Fire"	Debbie Allen	Glenn Berenbeim	November 8, 1990
Ron and Whitley concoct a plan for her to earn money by cleaning Dwayne's apartment and further driving a wedge between him and Kinu. Guest star: Patti Labelle Note: The song prominently played during the anniversary party is Jasmine Guy's debut single "Try Me"; the video also aired during the final commercial break.
77	8	"Love Thy Neighbor"	Rob Schiller	Yvette Denise Lee	November 15, 1990
Now that Kinu and Dwayne have broken up, Whitley hopes her time has come. However, Dwayne is less eager to start a relationship than she had expected. Ron shows no sympathy during a class discussion about the homeless – until he crosses paths with an old friend.
78	9	"Time Keeps on Slippin'"	Michael Peters	Glenn Berenbeim	November 29, 1990
Freddie and Ron are made the chairs of a committee to decide the contents of Hillman's 1990 time capsule; Dwayne must find a way to be a good boyfriend while remaining a good student. Note: The episode includes an early mention of a condom, although NBC did not allow one to be shown on camera.
79	10	"The Apple Doesn't Fall"	Art Dielhenn	Gary H. Miller	December 6, 1990
Ron wrestles with telling his father that he'd rather be a professional musician than a car salesman, and Terrence argues with his father over the Col.'s Taylor's interest in joining a previously racially restricted golf club. Guest star: Art Evans
80	11	"I'm Dreaming of a Wayne Christmas"	Debbie Allen	Judi Ann Mason	December 13, 1990
During a Christmas visit to Brooklyn with Dwayne and Ron, Whitley is anxious to change the negative impression that Mrs. Wayne has of her. But her efforts progress from bad to worse when she gets robbed on the subway by a man posing as "Santa Clause" and arrives late for dinner. Guest stars: Patti Labelle and Harold Sylvester (in his debut as Woodson Wayne)
81	12	"War and Peace"	Peter Werner	Dominic Hoffman and Jasmine Guy	January 10, 1991
Hillman alumnus Zelmer Collier visits his childhood friend Dwayne to break the news that his Army Reserve unit is being sent to the Persian Gulf; Dwayne, Freddie, and Col. Taylor each have distinctly different responses to the news. Guest star: Blair Underwood Note: This episode aired less than a week before combat started in the Persian Gulf War.
82	13	"Ex-Communication"	Debbie Allen	Jeannette Collins and Mimi Friedman	January 31, 1991
When Whitley's ex-boyfriend Julian arrives for a visit, she is hounded by the news that he is engaged to another girl who doesn't seem that much different from herself. Guest star: Debbie Allen, in her first recurring appearance as Whitley's therapist
83	14	"Risk Around the Dollar"	Art Dielhenn	Jeannette Collins and Mimi Friedman	February 7, 1991
After dipping into her tuition money to pay rent, Whitley looks for a job. She and Ron throw a party to raise money, but their plans go awry. Meanwhile, Terrence converts to Islam.
84	15	"Love, Hillman-Style"	Neema Barnette	Gary H. Miller	February 14, 1991
Whitley organizes a "Men of Hillman" calendar and Dwayne is upset that it doesn't include him. Ron juggles three Valentine's Day dates while Jaleesa spends the holiday with Col. Taylor. Guest star: Halle Berry
85	16	"A Word in Edgewise"	Debbie Allen	Glenn Berenbeim	February 21, 1991
Kim does not see the value in Matthew's drama studies until he invites a troupe of deaf actors — and one deaf rapper — to stage a local performance.
86	17	"Ms. Understanding"	Debbie Allen	Yvette Denise Lee and Judi Ann Mason	February 28, 1991
Sixth-year Hillman undergraduate student Shazza Zulu divides the campus along gender lines with his self-published book about the alleged shortcomings of Black men. Notes: This episode marks the first recurring appearances of Gary Dourdan (Shazza) and Ajai Sanders (Gina). The episode is a thinly veiled commentary on the controversy surrounding Shahrazad Ali's book The Blackman's Guide to Understanding the Blackwoman
87	18	"The Cash Isn't Always Greener"	Neema Barnette	Yvette Denise Lee	March 7, 1991
Dwayne tries to decide between a job at Kinishewa or graduate school at Hillman. Jaleesa's sister, impressed by Jaleesa's independence, contemplates some major decisions of her own. Guest star: Vanessa Bell Calloway
88	19	"How Great Thou Art"	Neema Barnette	Jeanette Collins and Mimi Friedman	March 14, 1991
Whitley goes to her first art auction for her internship, then gets fired for bidding on a piece of art the firm didn't want. Freddie starts a radio call-in show, with little success until she invents an advice-giving Caribbean persona. Guest star: Tisha Campbell, in the first of two appearances as Josie and Josephine Premice as Urdine Abarnathy. Whitley's Mentor...In the last season she appears as a French Professor and Dwayne and Whitley's Land Lady
89	20	"It's Showtime at Hillman"	Debbie Allen	Joe Fisch	March 21, 1991
Walter decides to arrange a telethon to raise extra money for the Outreach Center, and the Hillman students take the opportunity to showcase their individual talents. Guest star: Kiki Sheppard Note: This episode is a nod to Sinbad's role as the host of It's Showtime at the Apollo.
90	21	"Sister to Sister, Sister"	Glynn R. Turman and John Rago	Judi Ann Mason	March 28, 1991
When Kim becomes a sorority pledge under Whitley's command, the women's friendship is tested; Ron must teach fraternity pledge Terrence a sense of humility and brotherhood toward his fellow pledges.
91	22	"Monet Is the Root of All Evil"	Marc Copage	Ilunga Adell	April 4, 1991
Whitley organizes an exhibit of art by Hillman students, including starving artist Novian Winters. However, the sponsor of the exhibit considers Novian's painting to be blasphemous and demands its removal.
92	23	"If I Should Die Before I Wake"	Debbie Allen	Susan Fales	April 11, 1991
Challenged by a speech-class assignment Josie reveals that she is HIV-positive, prompting her fellow students to re-examine everything they thought they knew about AIDS. Guest stars: Tisha Campbell and Whoopi Goldberg
93	24	"Never Can Say Goodbye"	Henry Chan	Orlando Jones	April 25, 1991
As Dwayne and Whitley prepare to graduate, Ron finds out he can't join them unless he passes the European history final. Meanwhile, Walter leaves Hillman to take a job at a community center in Philadelphia. Guest star: Robert Guillaume Note: This episode marks the final appearance of Sinbad on the series.
94	25	"To Be Continued"	Michael Peters	Glenn Berenbeim	May 2, 1991
Dwayne and Whitley evaluate their relationship in the face of a summer of separation in which she will work in New York while he remains at Hillman to teach; Kim and Matthew also are to be separated by her overseas study opportunity. Guest stars: Art Evans and Robert Guillaume Note: Final recurring appearance of Andrew Lowery (Matthew)

Season 5 (1991–92)

• Comprises 25 episodes
• Gary Dourdan appears in five episodes as Shazza Zulu
• Joe Morton appears in seven episodes as Byron Douglas
• Jada Pinkett appears in 20 episodes as Lena James
• Ajai Sanders appears in 12 episodes as Gina Devereaux
• Cory Tyler appears in 15 episodes as Terrence Taylor

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Director	Writer(s)	Original air date
95	1	"We've Only Just Begun"	Debbie Allen	Susan Fales	September 19, 1991
As the fall term starts, Col. Taylor and Jaleesa reveal that they eloped over the summer. Meanwhile, Dwayne asks Ron to pick up Whitley's engagement ring from the jeweler, but he gets the wrong one. Note: First appearance of Jada Pinkett as Lena.
96	2	"The Dwayne Mutiny"	Debbie Allen	Gary H. Miller	September 26, 1991
Dwayne's first day as a teacher becomes disastrous when he tries too hard with his students.
97	3	"Home is Where the Fire Is"	Debbie Allen	Yvette Denise Lee	October 3, 1991
A fire breaks out at Hillman and Lena gets the blame just because she's been cooking her special gumbo to earn extra money.
98	4	"Almost Working Girl"	Debbie Allen	Jeannette Collins and Mimi Friedman	October 10, 1991
Whitley's employer needs a receptionist, so Whitley recommends someone from Jaleesa's temporary employment agency and Jaleesa reluctantly sends Freddie. Guest star: Beverly Todd.
99	5	"In the Eye of the Storm"	Debbie Allen	Susan Fales, Gary H. Miller and Yvette Denise Lee	October 17, 1991
A hurricane is headed straight for Hillman and Freddie and Ron are so busy arguing, they find themselves left behind at the radio station, so they only have each other to comfort.
100	6	"Rule Number One"	Debbie Allen	Yvette Denise Lee	October 24, 1991
Dwayne offers to tutor Lena in math, but she ends up falling for him.
101	7	"Baby, I'm a Star"	Debbie Allen	Orlando Jones	October 31, 1991
Ron's band hires Kim as their singer to increase their audience, but Kim allows the success to increase her ego.
102	8	"Liza Who-Little"	Debbie Allen	Dominic Hoffman	November 7, 1991
Whitley's man-hungry and materialistic cousin Liza (Jasmine Guy in a dual role) comes to visit and quickly stirs up trouble when she latches on to Ron.
103	9	"To Tell the Truth"	Debbie Allen	Yvette Denise Lee	November 14, 1991
Anxious about the wedding plans, but unable to get Whitley to sit down and talk, Dwayne is attracted to a female graduate student he meets at a faculty mixer. Guest star: Debbi Morgan.
104	10	"Do You Take This Woman?"	Debbie Allen	Susan Fales	November 21, 1991
Dwayne's and Whitley's parents arrive for the engagement party, but their mothers continue to feud with each other. But Dwayne's growing doubts about the wisdom of the marriage and Whitley's feelings of hurt lead the couple to make a big decision on their future. Guest stars: Diahann Carroll, Patti Labelle, Ron O'Neal and Harold Sylvester.
105	11	"Mammy Dearest"	Debbie Allen	Glenn Berenbeim	December 5, 1991
In the wake of her breakup with Dwayne, Whitley organizes an exhibit on images of black women through history, but Kim is troubled by the inclusion of "Mammy" artifacts. Lena discovers that one of Whitley's black antebellum ancestors owned slaves. The episode also addresses the origins of "the dozens."
106	12	"Twelve Steps of Christmas"	Bruce Kerner	Jeannette Collins and Mimi Friedman	December 19, 1991
As the newly married Taylors and Terrence prepare for their first holiday together as a family, they cannot decide how to combine traditions in a harmonious celebration. Meanwhile, Dwayne, Whitley, and Whitley's therapist are each invited and must learn to get past their differences. Guest star: Debbie Allen.
107	13	"Just Another Four-letter Word"	Peter Werner	Gary H. Miller	January 2, 1992
Ron enters a band competition to win a recording contract and enough money his half of the rent with Dwayne. Guest stars: The Boys.
108	14	"Cats in the Cradle"	Peter Werner	Gary H. Miller	January 16, 1992
While attending a Hillman football game on enemy territory, Ron and Dwayne are involved in a bias incident with three White students from the opposing school. Guest star: Dean Cain.
109	15	"Prisoner of Love"	Glynn Turman	Glenn Berenbeim	January 23, 1992
Freddie's ex-convict pen pal shows up at Hillman to pay a visit — evoking a variety of reactions from friends.
110	16	"Bedroom at the Top"	John Rago	Susan Fales	January 30, 1992
Whitley is subjected to sexual harassment by her immediate supervisor; when she complains to upper management, however, he claims she was the aggressor. Guest star: Tom Wright.
111	17	"May the Best Man Win"	David Blackwell	Jeannette Collins and Mimi Friedman	February 13, 1992
Whitley and Dwayne meet one of Mr. Gaines' former employees: Hillman alumnus and Virginia state senatorial candidate Byron Douglas III. Note: first recurring appearance of Joe Morton as Byron Douglas.
112	18	"Kiss You Back"	Debbie Allen	Yvette Denise Lee	February 20, 1992
Whitley and Byron have quickly become an item. While Byron is on a weekend business trip in Washington, D.C., Whitley tries to clear the air between herself and Dwayne. However, the night doesn't go as planned; the next morning, Dwayne is still at Whitley's place when Byron comes knocking on the door.
113	19	"Conflict of Interest"	John Rago	Glenn Berenbeim	February 27, 1992
Both Whitley and Dwayne tell Byron what happened, but Whitley insists that she no longer has feelings for Dwayne. Meanwhile, Freddie and Shazza start being brutally honest all the time, which is brutally annoying to everyone else. Prospective freshmen Charmaine Brown and Lance Rodman visit Hillman. Guest stars: Allen Payne and Karen Malina White (in her first appearance on the series).
114	20	"Sellmates"	Henry Chan	Gary H. Miller	March 12, 1992
Ron gets fired from his car salesman job when he lets a customer posing as a Harvard Business School graduate to take a car for a test drive instead of selling it--only to have Ron and the girl team up with an inventive way to get his job back. Meanwhile, Kim is concerned about her medical school prospects after receiving several rejection letters.
115	21	"Do the Write Thing"	Otis Sallid	James E. West II	April 2, 1992
Lena writes a fictitious essay about her father's supposed exploits, for a scholarship competition, then must decide what to do when her father turns up in person to see her claim the prize.
116	22	"Love Taps"	Kadeem Hardison	Teleplay: Reggie Rock Bythewood Story: Kadeem Hardison, Ron Moseley and Reggie Rock Bythewood	April 23, 1992
When Freddie tries to learn the identity a woman she saw being beaten, Lena is shocked to realize her usually strong-willed roommate Gina may have been the victim. Guest star: Edafe Blackmon.
117	23	"Special Delivery"	Kadeem Hardison	Dara Marks	May 7, 1992
With only days to go before the statewide elections, Byron's campaign is shaken up by a sex scandal involving a stripper and the candidate. Jaleesa also gives birth to a daughter. Guest star: Larry Linville.
118/119	24/25	"Save the Best for Last"	Debbie Allen	Yvette Denise Lee	May 14, 1992
Dwayne surprises Whitley with a visit on the night before her wedding, and their talk leads Whitley to ponder her future as she walks down the aisle: Will she choose Byron or Dwayne? Guest stars: Diahann Carroll, Bebe Drake-Massey, Orlando Jones, Barbara Montgomery, Ron O'Neal and Michael Warren. Note: This episode marks the final appearances of Dawnn Lewis, Joe Morton, and Cory Tyler on the series.

Season 6 (1992–93)

• The final season comprises 25 episodes
• Darryl M. Bell and Ajai Sanders were each absent for three episodes
• Charnele Brown and Lou Myers were each absent for five episodes
• Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison, Jada Pinkett, and Karen Malina White were each absent for one episode
• Cree Summer was absent for six episodes
• Glynn Turman was absent for 13 episodes
• Gary Dourdan appears in five episodes as Shazza Zulu
• Jenifer Lewis appears in eight episodes as Dorothy Dandridge Davenport, Dean of Students
• Patrick Y. Malone appears in 22 episodes as Terrell Walker
• Michael Ralph (who appears as five different characters in previous seasons) assumes the recurring role of Spencer Boyer and appears in seven episodes
• Bumper Robinson appears in 21 episodes as Dorian Heywood
• An updated version of the theme song is performed by Boyz II Men, and is accompanied by a new opening sequence featuring the new characters

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Director	Writer(s)	Original air date
120	1	"Honeymoon in L.A. (part 1)"	Debbie Allen	Susan Fales	September 24, 1992
Everyone returns to Hillman for the start of the new school year, including newlyweds Dwayne and Whitley. A discussion of the Rodney King police brutality trial leads to the Waynes' recount of their honeymoon in Los Angeles, which coincided with the riots that ensued following the verdict. Guest stars: Sister Souljah and Gilbert Gottfried. Debbie Allen makes a uncredited cameo appearance as a maid cleaning Bill Cosby's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Notes: Jada Pinkett (Lena), Ajai Sanders (Gina), and Karen Malina White (Charmaine) become regular cast members. First appearances of recurring cast members Bumper Robinson (Dorian), Patrick Y. Malone (Terrell), and Jenifer Lewis (Dean Davenport).
121	2	"Honeymoon in L.A. (part 2)"	Debbie Allen	Glenn Berenbeim	October 1, 1992
Tempers flair, anxiety increases, and Dwayne and Whitley are separated as the Los Angeles riots begin around them. Freddie's summer transformation from a peace-loving hippie into a suit-wearing law school student impresses Ron but shocks Shazza. Guest stars: Gilbert Gottfried, Rondell Sheridan and Kenneth Mars. Roseanne and Tom Arnold make uncredited cameos.
122	3	"Interior Desecration"	Debbie Allen	Jeannette Collins and Mimi Friedman	October 8, 1992
Ron mediates Dwayne and Whitley's conflict over whose belongings will go and whose will stay in their new apartment—and gets his own room downstairs. The underclassmen engage in a stepping challenge, hoping to promote unity. Guest star: Josephine Premice.
123	4	"Somebody Say Ho!"	Debbie Allen	Reggie Rock Bythewood	October 15, 1992
After Terrell is accused of taping a "digit ho" sign onto Charmaine's back during math class, a mock trial tests the students' attitudes on gender harrassment and threatens Terrell's future at Hillman. Absent: Glynn Turman.
124	5	"Really Gross Anatomy"	Jasmine Guy	Scott Sanders	October 22, 1992
Kim has trouble dissecting her first cadaver in anatomy class, but fellow medical student Spencer Boyer helps her regain her confidence. Ron offers Kim support at home, but can't shake off his attraction to Freddie. Whitley goes on an overnight business trip, leaving Dwayne home alone for the first time. Guest star: Robert Guillaume.
125	6	"Don't Count Your Chickens Before They're Axed"	Debbie Allen	Gina Prince	October 29, 1992
Whitley convinces Dwayne to spend their savings on an expensive painting, but her professional life takes a wrong turn and the painting is later stolen in a home invasion. During a couples dinner Ron, Kim, Freddie, and Shazza try to work out their differences with each other. Guest star: Tom Wright. Absent: Jada Pinkett, Ajai Sanders, and Glynn Turman.
126	7	"The Little Mister"	Debbie Allen	Glenn Berenbeim	October 29, 1992
Dwayne scoffs at the idea of the "Year of the Woman". He then falls asleep on the couch and dreams that all of the candidates in the 1992 presidential election are women, with Whitley as "Jill Blinton", and Dwayne as her husband "Hilliard" (parodying Bill and Hillary Clinton).
127	8	"Baby, It's Cold Outside"	Glynn Turman	Jasmine Guy	November 5, 1992
Work pressures have Dwayne showing less romantic interest in Whitley, who calls in her problem to The Montel Williams Show — unaware that Gina has organized a dorm-wide viewing party. Freddie also struggles with the need to reveal to Kim her relationship with Ron. Guest star: Montel Williams.
128/129	9/10	"Faith, Hope and Charity"	Debbie Allen	Susan Fales	November 12, 1992
Whitley's mother shows up for Thanksgiving with an apparent new fiancé, whose motives Whitley doubts, while Dwayne's mother likewise shows up unannounced; the fighting that ensues leads to the mothers being embroiled in a local protest for Haitian rights and being hauled off to jail. Waiting for their children to show up with bail money, the jailed mothers-in-law are shocked to learn of the recent blows to the family finances; each makes up with her child after expressing the grief she had felt over the circumstances of her only child's wedding. Revealing that he knows Freddie is cheating on him with Ron, Shazza breaks up with her. Guest stars: Diahann Carroll and Patti Labelle.
130	11	"Original Teacher"	Debbie Allen	Reggie Rock Bythewood	November 19, 1992
Dwayne takes on the difficult task of mentoring two teenagers from rival gangs. Guest stars: the rap duo Kris Kross, who also perform the song "It's a Shame." Absent: Charnele Brown, Ajai Sanders and Karen Malina White.
131	12	"Occupational Hazards"	Kadeem Hardison	Jeannett Collins and Mimi Friedman	December 3, 1992
After her clothes were stolen in the home invasion, Whitley buys an expensive suit for a job interview with the intention of returning it. But she stains the suit before she can, does not get the job, and is forced to file for unemployment. Charmaine's long-distance relationship with Lance ends with a missed train and a phone call. Guest star: Alaina Reed Hall. Absent: Charnele Brown and Glynn Turman.
132	13	"White Christmas"	Debbie Allen	Glenn Berenbeim	December 17, 1992
Freddie's mother, a counselor, arrives at Christmas and immediately involves herself in everyone's personal problems, to her daughter's discomfort but others' relief; Shazza tries to woo Freddie back from Ron.
133	14	"To Whit, with Love"	Debbie Allen	Gina Prince	January 7, 1993
Whitley takes a position teaching rebellious students at a school in a low-income neighborhood, eventually breaking through to them by teaching them African-American history not contained in their outdated textbooks. Lena's burgeoning relationship with Dorian may be threatened when he reveals that he is practicing abstinence. Guest stars: Marla Gibbs, Marques Houston, Romeo Jones, and Marquise Wilson. Absent: Charnele Brown, Lou Myers, Cree Summer, and Glynn Turman
134	15	"Happy Birthday to Moi"	Debbie Allen	Thomas Perry Dance	January 14, 1993
Disappointed with how her year has gone, Whitley determines to plan herself the best surprise birthday party ever by prying Dwayne's plans out of Kim. Meanwhile, Charmaine and Terrell take desperate measures to pass their French midterm exam. Guest star: Josephine Premice.
135	16	"Mind Your Own Business"	Debbie Allen	Jeanette Collins and Mimi Friedman	January 21, 1993
Ron and Mr. Gaines purchase a nightclub together, but the cancellation of the opening night act threatens to send Ron into financial ruin. To save the day, Mr. Gaines calls in his four nerdy but talented grandnieces—Faith, Hope, Charity, and Henrietta. Guest stars: Bebe Drake-Massey, Aries Spears, and the original members of the R&B quartet En Vogue, who also perform the song "Free Your Mind." Absent: Charnele Brown and Glynn Turman.

Due to declining ratings NBC placed A Different World on hiatus following episode 135, but production on the series continued. During the hiatus, the network announced the series's cancellation. A Different World returned to the schedule on May 8, 1993, with the one-hour series finale; the events in episodes 138 through 145 occur before the finale. Episodes 138 through 142 were scheduled to air over winter 1993 prior to the series being placed on hiatus. Episodes 143 through 145 were unaired on NBC; they were aired later as part of the program's syndication package.

No. in series	No. in season	Title	Director	Writer(s)	Original air date
136/137	17/18	"When One Door Closes..."	Part 1: David Blackwell Part 2: Debbie Allen	Part 1: Karen Kennedy Part 2: Susan Fales	May 8, 1993
Dwayne develops a grammar-baseball video game and sells it to Kinishewa, who not only buys the concept but offers Dwayne a job in Tokyo. Whitley finds out she is pregnant. The mothers-in-law and Mr. Wayne come to prepare Dwayne and Whitley for the move, then proceed to get drunk after discovering their first grandchild will be born in Japan. Ron and Dwayne have a falling out over Ron's input in creating the video game. When Ron contemplates suing Dwayne, it causes Freddie to question their relationship. Freddie gets her articles published in the Hillman legal journal and, after many tries, Kim finally says "yes" to Spencer's marriage proposal. Everyone gathers together at The Pit to give the Waynes a surprise farewell party the night before their departure. Ron and Dwayne reconcile in the final scene of the series. Guest stars: Diahann Carroll, Bebe Drake-Massey, Patti Labelle, Josephine Premice, and Harold Sylvester. Note: This hour-long episode was intended to be the series finale. Chronologically, the final events of A Different World occur here.
138	19	"Lean on Me"	Henry Chan	Gina Prince	May 27, 1993
Dwayne is convinced to apply for a summer job at Kinishewa...and is surprised when his ex-girlfriend Kinu shows up as the interviewer. But when he doesn't get the position Dwayne wonders is his breakup with Kinu was the root cause. Guest star: Alisa Gyse Dickens. Absent: Cree Summer, Lou Myers, and Jada Pinkett.
139	20	"Dancing Machines"	Bruce Kerner	Scott Sanders	June 3, 1993
Gina, Dorian, Lena, Charmaine and Terrell participate in a dance marathon fundraiser for Amnesty International. Ron offers his nightclub to host the event, but organizer Freddie is unconvinced that his materialistic approach to promoting is the right means to achieve her ends. Whitley agrees to look after one of her students for the weekend, and she proves to be as much of a handful at home as she is in the classroom. Guest stars: Aries Spears and John Marshall Jones. Absent: Glynn Turman.
141	21	"Cabin in the Sky"	Henry Chan	Reggie Rock Bythewood	June 10, 1993
Strapped for cash, Whitley and Dwayne opt to share a cabin with Mr. Gaines and his wife, in an attempt at a long-delayed honeymoon. The Gaineses have a major fight over Vernon's distant relationship with their son—whom he left in charge of The Pit in his absence—and refuse to share a room, throwing a major curve into the Wayneses' plans for a romantic weekend. Guest star: Bebe Drake-Massey and T.K. Carter. Absent: Cree Summer and Glynn Turman.
142	22	"Great X-Pectations"	Glynn Turman	Jeanette Collins and Mimi Friedman	July 9, 1993
While preparing for a history assignment on the only meeting between Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X, Terrell and Charmaine are physically threatened by several local residents, causing Terrell to take drastic measures that could spell the end of his matriculation at Hillman; Spencer proposes marriage to Kim as often as four times a day without receiving a clear "yes." Absent: Darryl M. Bell, Cree Summer, Lou Myers, and Glynn Turman.
143	23	"Homie, Don't Ya Know Me?"	Kadeem Hardison	Teleplay: Ron Moseley Story: Kadeem Hardison and Ron Moseley	Aired in syndication
Lena receives a visit by her friends from Baltimore, including ex-boyfriend Piccolo, which causes a rivalry with Dorian and a rift in Lena's other relationships. Guest stars: Shaun Baker, Monica Calhoun, and Tupac Shakur. Absent: Darryl M. Bell, Cree Summer, and Glynn Turman.
144	24	"A Rock, a River, a Lena"	David Blackwell	Glenn Berenbeim	Aired in syndication
When famed singer-actress Lena Horne comes to campus, Whitley mounts an elaborate tribute with her students, but Kim is struck by Whitley's inability to pay similar respect to Ms. Horne's contemporary, Mr. Gaines. Guest stars: Lena Horne, Marques Houston, and Romeo Jones. Absent: Glynn Turman.
145	25	"College Kid"	Debbie Allen	Reggie Rock Bythewood and Gina Prince	Aired in syndication
Gina, Lena, Charmaine, Dorian, and Terrell rent an off-campus apartment from a grumpy older man who turns out to be a reclusive, former professional baseball star. He is inspired to consider attending college, particularly after seeing an old flame who is now a professor. Gina's abusive ex-boyfriend returns to try to establish contact anew, frightening her and infuriating her friends. Guest stars: Billy Dee Williams, Leslie Uggams, and Edafe Blackmon. Absent: Darryl M. Bell, Charnele Brown, Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison, Lou Myers, Cree Summer, and Glynn Turman.

References

• TV.com list of A Different World episodes