The longtime friends and co-stars bring nearly 40 years of chemistry to the mic for an episode-by-episode rewatch, plus candid conversations on entertainment, pop culture, sports and more

Legendary “A Different World” producer and director Debbie Allen to join the series as its first guest

NEW YORK – OCTOBER 8, 2026 – iHeartMedia and Charlamagne Tha God’s Black Effect Podcast Network today announced “A Different World View with Darryl & Kadeem,” a new weekly rewatch podcast hosted by Kadeem Hardison and Darryl M. Bell. The series will premiere Thursday, October 15, with new episodes available every Thursday on the iHeartRadio app and wherever podcasts are heard.

Nearly four decades after becoming Dwayne Wayne and Ron Johnson on the groundbreaking sitcom “A Different World,” Hardison and Bell are back together and behind the mic. Each week, the pair will bring their nearly 40-year friendship and signature chemistry to conversations spanning entertainment, pop culture, sports and whatever else has their attention before heading back to Hillman. They’ll rewatch “A Different World” episode by episode, sharing behind-the-scenes stories, unpacking why the groundbreaking series continues to resonate nearly four decades later and welcoming familiar faces from the show along the way. They’ll also look ahead to the new Netflix sequel series, with conversations featuring members of both the original and new casts.

Debbie Allen will join Hardison and Bell as the podcast’s first guest, as the pair kicks off their rewatch with Season 2, Episode 2, Allen’s first episode with the series. Together, they’ll revisit how Allen came to “A Different World,” her early connection with Hardison and Bell and the transformation of the series under her leadership, while also looking ahead to the road that brought Hillman back for a new generation. Allen also serves as an executive producer on the Netflix sequel series, directs its premiere episode and appears as Dr. Langhorne.

“I am beyond excited to finally launch the ‘A Different World View with Darryl and Kadeem’ podcast,” said Bell. “Kadeem and I have only wanted to do this for over 25 years, and the time is now! I also could not be happier or think of better partners than Charlamagne Tha God, his team at The Black Effect and iHeartMedia.”

Kadeem Hardison and Darryl M. Bell are best known for their iconic roles as Dwayne Wayne and Ron Johnson Jr. on “A Different World.” Their careers have spanned film, television and production, with the pair first appearing together in Spike Lee’s “School Daze.” In recent years, they have reunited with their former castmates for the “A Different World” historically Black colleges and universities tour, celebrating the series’ lasting impact with a new generation of students. Hardison and Bell will also reprise their roles in the new sequel series.

“‘A Different World’ had an undeniable impact on Black culture, and Kadeem and Darryl are such an important part of that legacy,” said Dollie S. Bishop, President of The Black Effect Podcast Network. “We’re excited to give them a platform to bring their friendship and comedy to listeners everywhere, sharing stories fans have never heard and celebrating the series with the generations who grew up with it and those who might just be discovering it today.”

“I’ve been talking to this guy for 40 years,” said Hardison. “I’m so glad you all get to see what I’ve been dealing with. ‘A Different World View’ coming shortly!”

“A Different World View with Darryl & Kadeem” is distributed by iHeartPodcasts and is part of the Black Effect Podcast Network. Listen to the official trailer HERE. Beginning October 15, new episodes will be available every Thursday on the iHeartRadio app and wherever podcasts are heard. Video episodes will also be available on YouTube.

About Black Effect Podcast Network

The Black Effect Podcast Network is a transformative network founded by renowned cultural architect, executive producer, bestselling author and media mogul Charlamagne Tha God in a historic joint venture with the world’s No. 1 commercial podcast publisher, iHeartMedia. Charlamagne and iHeartMedia created the groundbreaking first-ever Black Effect Podcast Network, celebrating the essential Black culture-shapers on the planet—in education, entertainment, politics, pop culture, and sports. The Black Effect Podcast Network gives rise to emerging and established content creators and storytellers whose perspectives and creative visions have been marginalized and overlooked while serving an audience that has been underserved. The Black Effect Podcast Network helps its partners define their place in podcast culture through influence, ideas, and experiences that engage, inspire, inform and empower.