European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 10, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                A y im0l3twoo0 shoptalk different world leading Way in Black realism Andrea Adelson new York times = a n a recent episode of the Abc series r m. A a pm a different world Zelmor Collier a i i Brainy . Candidate and army re j Pervist whose unit has been called for. A duty in saudi Arabia stopped by his Alma mater to say goodbye.7 in the course of the half hour sitcom he faced his anger about having to put his aspirations on hold to Honor his military oath. The amp premise is an example of How far the series has come from its inception four years ago As a spinoff of the Cosby show. Then its plot lines focused on sorority parties and dating. Now say critics television executives and educators it is puncturing stereotypes and heightening interest in Black colleges. In a season offering a diversity of prime time programming about Blacks a different world is one of a few shows that stand out for depicting Blacks within their own Community. The shift is significant because Quot it shows Blacks in a Black context without Law enforcement or criminal activity or being ridiculed a said Felix Gutierrez a i Ltd president of the Gannett foundation and a co author of the Book a minorities in the  a it  be unusual but it  the shows also reflect the influence of Blacks in decision making within the Industry executives and Media critics said. Among the decision makers is Bill Cosby Antic Cutic producer of a different world. The  Success of the Cosby show which Eulon Abc Jasmine Guy left Cree summer and Charnel Brown Are in a a different  below will Smith is a the fresh Prince of Bel air.�?�. The air in 1984, is credited in the Industry with being a proving ground for other shows about Blacks. Those following in Cosby a footsteps include Keenan Ivory Wayans executive producer of foxes in living color Quincy Jones executive producer of no cd a fresh Prince of Bel air and Debbie Allen producer of a different world. A a it a no mystery that the faces in front of the camera wont change until the faces behind the camera change a said Thomas Carter a highly respected Black television director who has produced nine pilots that went on to become series a including Miami vice and St. Elsewhere and is now executive producer of equal Justice. With Blacks in positions of Power in films and 1 television a african american culture is being exposed in a non Chi Chad Way a Carter said. A the euro americans in positions of Power have been affected by people like me who be said a look at me As people not As  even so a a in a not Quick to become euphoric. The rules have to keep being broken we have to keep re proving  a a different world the top rated Black show after Cosby has gone through a major overhaul since Allen was  challenged the writing staff to make the show More believable a she said. In the last two seasons the shows plots have evolved from frivolity As in an Early episode where a student was made caretaker of an egg to learn responsibility to More contemporary adult them Etc Quot. Among the changes was the addition of male characters with More than one dimensional per77-sonalities. Weightier issues surfaced. One episode dealt with a students dilemma Over accepting a scholarship from a company with tics to South Africa. Quot to to a a Quot Quot. A another on Date rape resulted Injo slew of requests for videotapes of the show from schools and rape crisis centers As Well As individuals. Ratings were never an Issue for a different world. Following Cosby on thursday nights it has ranked among the top five shows since it began in the  ratings Jav a _ _ a we were a Cattail hit but it was embarrassing a said Susan Falls one of the executive pro Duccos. Quot it was loathed by critics. The show grew when it ceased to follow in Cosby a  other shows from a Black perspective arc also using contemporary themes and drawing sizable audiences particularly abcs family matters a comedy about Amail carriers family which ranks no. 20 for the season. However television analysts said that not All of these shows broke new ground. There is some consensus that a along with Cosby and a different world a family matters abcs Gabriel a fire and fresh Prince Are indeed unusual because they portray multidimensional Black characters. Gabriel a fire is about a District attorneys investigator and fresh Prince depicts an in or City Black teen Ager from Philadelphia living with affluent relatives in los Angeles. In living color a comedy and variety show that skewers Black stereotypes is among the More controversial shows. Some find it truly innovative but offensive. Carter disagrees. The show s producers a have been unafraid to satirize the Black Community a he said. A we need everyone to be unafraid to look at the Community in a constructive Way. I think comedy has been More effective at it than  besides the growing presence of Blacks behind the camera another reason is cited for the proliferation of shows with Black dominated casts net Oksar straying from tried program ring for a Mulas and taking risks because of increased Competition for viewers from Cable television. A networks arc stretching to find audiences in prime time Quot Gutie Incz said. For too Long Carter said a a they be assumed the Public is narrow minded in what its Able to absorb a. February 10, 1991y sunday c Page 17