A Different World - Season 2 marked the changing of the guard. After debuting at #2 throughout the inaugural season, Debbie Allen was giving the reigns of the show and history was made. For the next 5 seasons, the episodes were based upon Whitley Gilbert (Jasmine Guy), the ultra-wealthy Southern Belle, Dwayne Wayne (Kadeem Hardison), Hillman’s smartest and funniest male student, Walter Oakes (Sinbad), the over-protective dorm director, "Freddie" Brooks (Cree Summer), the token hippie and Ron Johnson (Darryl Bell), Dwayne’s best friend. Much to the delight of the television audience, A Different World became a staple for NBC’s Thursday night programming, remaining in the Top 20 shows for the duration of its television run.