Debbie Allen Movies

Dominic Hoffman makes his first appearance as Julian Day, a handsome exchange student from Georgetown. Though Whitley (Jasmine Guy) is fascinated with Julian, she is somewhat put off by his fierce anti-apartheid activism. Likewise affected by Julian's political fervor is Kim (Charnele Brown), who may lose out on a scholarship funded by a corporation which does business with South Africa (where apartheid was still very much in force when this episode originally aired in 1990). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this spoof of The Twilight Zone, Walter (Sinbad) uses his best Rod Serling voice to narrate the misadventures of his friends when they take on their mid-terms and enter. . ."The Exam Zone." For starters, Whitley (Jasmine Guy) has a devil of a time finding a peaceful, quiet place to cram for her accounting exam. Also, Dwayne ends up in the doghouse when, while substitute-teaching for Col. Taylor (Glynn Turman), he allows Taylor's irresponsible son Terrence (Cory Tyler) to go astray. And finally, Freddie (Cree Summer) hears weeeeeird voices just before an African-American Studies test. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

When her father cuts off all her credit cards, Whitley (Jasmine Guy) is forced to move in with Jaleesa (Dawnn Lewis)--who likewise quickly runs out of patience over Whitley's reckless spending. Elsewhere, Freddie (Cree Summer) tricks Kim (Charnele Brown) into taking a study break by attending a frat party, resulting in a slyly sadistic practical joke. And jealous Kinu (Alisa Gyse-Dickens) jumps to the obvious (and wrong) conclusion when she finds her boyfriend Dwayne (Kadeem Hardison) embracing Whitley. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the first episode of a two-part story, the gang decides to spend Spring Break at a rented cottage on Devil's Island, South Carolina. Unfortunately for Dwayne (Kadeem Hardison) and Ron (Darryl M. Bell), they stumble upon evidence that the cottage is being used as a rendezvous by a pair of dangerous drug dealers. Elsewhere, Ernest (Reuben Grandy) messes up his "big chance" with Freddie (Cree Summer) by downing one too many drinks. Cast as the niece of the owner of the cottage is frequent Different World scriptwriter Susan Fales. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Freddie (Cree Summer) takes it upon herself to find a permanent home for Alex Webb (T. J. Evans), a foster child she's met at the Community Center. When it becomes painfully obvious that most adoptive couples prefer babies, Alex runs away. The boy is provided temporary shelter by Ron (Darryl M. Bell) and Dwayne (Kadeem Hardison), an act of generosity that may get them in hot water with Walter (Sinbad). The episode comes to a surprising conclusion thanks to the prickly Prof. Randolph (Roger Guenveur Smith). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the final episode of A Different World's third season, Dwayne (Kadeem Hardison) is visited by his mother Adele (Patti LaBelle) as he prepares to be inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. Confusion reigns when, while planning Dwayne's celebration party, Mrs. Wayne is mistaken for the "hired help". And upon learning that Julian (Dominic Hoffman) wants all the advantages of a sexual relationship without any of the responsibilities, Whitley (Jasmine Guy) turns to Dwayne (Kadeem Hardison) for a shoulder to cry on. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

As the third season of A Different World rolls around, Hillman College's venerable Gilbert Hall is now a coed dorm. Lettie Bostic has quit her job as dorm director, succeeded by local community-center leader Walter Oakes (Sinbad), with whom divorced, 28-year-old college senior Jaleesa (Dawnn Lewis) had fallen in love (Jaleesa is also now assistant resident advisor at the dorm). Spoiled, self-centered student Whitley Gilbert (Jasmine Guy) is surprised at how much her friend and fellow student Dwayne Wayne (Kadeem Hardison) has matured over the summer, but she still isn't ready to go beyond the platonic stage of their relationship. As for Whitley's tough-minded roommate Kim (Charnele Brown), she has made the first steps toward mending the fences between herself and her overprotective policeman father (played by none other than Mr. Shaft himself, Richard Roundtree). Making his first appearance this season is Julian (Dominic Hoffman), a South African exchange student who begins stirring up political consciousness at staid old Hillman -- and also begins to stir up something quite different within Whitley Gilbert. Although Whitley's romance with Julian is over virtually before it begins, he has succeeded in instilling a sense of responsibility and social awareness in the rich and pampered coed, who isn't quite as "me-oriented" at the end of the season as she was at the beginning. Season three ends with the graduation of Whitley and Jaleesa -- not to mention the two-part escapade "Getaway," in which all the leading characters become innocently involved with dangerous drug leaders who are searching for their ill-gotten loot! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

When Freddie (Cree Summer) falls for good-looking football player Garth Parks (played by martials-arts expert Taimak), Dwayne (Kadeem Hardison) begins to worry, having heard Garth brag about his previous sexual conquests. But when Dwayne tries to warn Freddie, she assumes that he is jealous and ignores him. This proves to have near-tragic consequences when Garth drives Freddie to a secluded "lover's lane"--and prepares to live up (or down) to his reputation. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Though he puts on an elaborate display of indifference, Walter (Sinbad) seethes with jealousy when Jaleesa (Dawnn Lewis) accepts a dinner invitation from her ex-husband Lamar (Thomas Mikal Ford)--especially when Lamar turns out to be a lot better-looking than Walter was led to believe. During dinner, Jaleesa is nearly persuaded by her "ex" to get back together again. Just when she is about to make her decision, an unexpected revelation abruptly alters the situation. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

After accidentally causing extensive--and expensive--damage to Mr. Gaines' car, Whitley (Jasmine Guy) is too frightened to ask her father for the money to repair the vehicle. Thus, she ends up working for Gaines (Lou Myers) at the Pit, proving to be very bad at basic kitchen skills but very good with moneymaking ideas for the establishment--and making "star employee" Kim (Charnele Brown) jealous in the process. Meanwhile, Ron (Darryl M. Bell) suffers the consequences of getting a free haircut from a fellow student. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Rushing to finish a creative writing assignment, Freddie (Cree Summer) comes down with a bad case of writer's block. To alleviate the tension, Kim (Charnele Brown) talks Freddie into attending a party where liquor is being served--and the results are devastating. Elsewhere, Mr. Gaines (Lou Myers) shares his culinary expertise with Walter (Sinbad), who hopes to impress Jaleesa (Dawnn Lewis) with a home-cooked meal. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

It promises to be a dismal Valentine's Day when Dwayne's marriage proposal to Suzanne (Tracy Lee Harrison) is turned down flat. Turning to Whitley (Jasmine Guy) for comfort and advice, Dwayne (Kadeem Hardison) ends up taking her to a movie. Elsewhere, Jaleesa (Dawnn Lewis) suffers mightly when her prank on Walter (Sinbad) backfires, while Kim (Charnele Brown) receives some bad news about her boyfriend Robert. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Dwayne (Kadeem Hardison) plays the new "Dapper D" rap album on the campus radio station, unaware that the lyrics are (too say the least) offensive. When Dean Hughes pulls the plug on Dwayne's broadcast, he and several other students hold a sit-in for "freedom of speech"--with surprising results. Listen carefully for the voice of series regular Dawnn Lewis singing "You Will Never Walk Alone" in the climactic Martin Luther King birthday tribute. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide