The View Reunites ‘A Different World’ Cast and Director to Discuss Groundbreaking AIDS Epidemic Episode

During an episode of ‘The View,’ the cast of ‘A Different World’ reunited alongside producer and director Debbie Allen. The conversation on the show’s guest stars led to Whoopi Goldberg, who was moderating the discussion with co-stars Sunny Hostin and Sara Haines.

Allen shared that Goldberg was the show’s “secret weapon” in creating a powerful episode about the AIDS epidemic. Goldberg, who had just won an Oscar for her role in Ghost, made a cameo as a professor in the episode, assigning students to write their own eulogies. Tisha Campbell also appeared as a student revealing she had AIDS. This episode was the first network television show to address AIDS after Magic Johnson’s announcement.

Being part of a series focusing on an all-Black cast attending college was a unique opportunity for Goldberg, who readily agreed to participate in the groundbreaking episode. The conversation on ‘The View’ provided a nostalgic look back at this iconic moment in television history.