Sitcom legend Wesley Jonathan joins the gang on Pod Meets World to chat about his experiences on Boy Meets World and other shows. Topics include auditioning for Roll Bounce, working with Kung Fu legend, and the familiarity of the subway set. Catch up with a TV darling and hear his stories on this entertaining episode.
Representation in TV shows like Sister, Sister and A Different World was significant for black actors and their careers, as it showcased their stories and experiences.
Wesley Jonathan values the opportunities he had to work on shows like Boy Meets World and City Guys, emphasizing that good TV is good TV, regardless of the cast's racial background.
Deep dives
Summary of the podcast episode
In this episode, the guest talks about his experiences in the entertainment industry, including his roles in various TV shows and movies. He shares stories about working with Amanda Bynes and Jenny Garth on 'What I Like About You', and his role on 'City Guys'. He also reveals how he got the role on 'Boy Meets World' and discusses the fun moments on set. The guest also mentions working with Julius Carey on 'Misery Loves Company' and their connection through 'The Last Dragon'. Throughout the episode, he reflects on his journey as an actor and the lessons he learned along the way.
The importance of representation in TV shows
Shows like Sister, Sister, Smart Guy, Moesha, and A Different World have had a massive resurgence in nostalgia due to their limited representation at the time. These shows meant a lot to black actors and their careers, as they showcased their stories and experiences. It was significant for a black audience to see their stories being told and acknowledged. The shows were not only important for representation, but they were also just good TV, proving that good content transcends race and entertains audiences of all backgrounds.
The challenges and impact of working in sitcoms
Wesley recalls his experiences working on shows like Boy Meets World and City Guys. He notes the challenges of being an actor and constantly fighting against the perception that someone with a bigger name should have been cast. Despite these challenges, Wesley values the opportunities he had to work on these shows and learn from them. He credits watching shows like Different Strokes and All in the Family as his acting school, and emphasizes that good TV is good TV, regardless of the cast's racial background.
The gang welcomes a sitcom legend to the podcast, hopping back on the Train of Fools to chat with former BMW guest star, Wesley Jonathan!
The par-taaaay gets started with “21 Jump Street” and continues on to “City Guys,” “What I Like About You,” and Roll Bounce, stopping along the way to learn what not to buy when you’re first cast on a TV show and why he didn’t have to audition for Boy Meets World.
Wesley also explains why the subway set felt familiar and reveals which Kung Fu legend left both him and Will with stars in their eyes. It’s time to catch up with a TV darling, and a real life example of Sweetness, on this week’s new Pod Meets World…