View source for Boy Meets World

{{short description|American television sitcom (1993–2000)}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox television
| image                = Boy Meets World - ABC Signature logo.svg
| genre                = [[Sitcom]]
| creator              = {{Plainlist|
* [[Michael Jacobs (producer)|Michael Jacobs]]
* [[April Kelly]] }}
| starring             = {{Plainlist|
* [[Ben Savage]] 
* [[William Daniels]]
* [[Betsy Randle]]
* [[Will Friedle]]
* [[Rider Strong]]
* [[Lee Norris]]
* [[Lily Nicksay]]
* [[William Russ]]
<!-- Above is the credited order of cast from season one -->
* [[Danielle Fishel]]
* [[Anthony Tyler Quinn]]
* [[Alex Désert]]
* Lindsay Ridgeway<!-- Note: DO NOT wikilink. Actress has NO standalone article, and linking will just cause a circular redirect. -->
* [[Matthew Lawrence]]
* [[Trina McGee-Davis]]
* [[Maitland Ward]]
}}
| theme_music_composer = [[Ray Colcord]] <small>(seasons 1–4)</small><br />Phil Rosenthal <small>(seasons 5–7)</small>
| composer             = Ray Colcord
| country              = United States
| language             = English
| num_seasons          = 7
| num_episodes         = 158
| list_episodes        = List of Boy Meets World episodes
| executive_producer   = {{Plain list|
* [[Michael Jacobs (producer)|Michael Jacobs]]
* [[David Kendall (director)|David Kendall]]
* [[Bob Young (TV producer)|Bob Young]]
* [[Howard Busgang]]
* Mark Blutman
* [[Bob Tischler]]
* Steven Derek Booth
}}
| producer             =
| location             = {{Plain list|
* [[Walt Disney Studios (Burbank)|Walt Disney Studios]], Stage 2 <small>(seasons 1–2)</small>
* [[Old Warner Brothers Studio|KTLA Studios]] <small>(season 3–4)</small>
* [[Radford Studio Center|CBS Radford]] <small>(season 5–7)</small>
}}
| runtime              = 21–23 minutes
| camera               = [[Videotape]]; [[Multi-camera setup|Multi-camera]]
| company              = {{Plain list|
* [[Michael Jacobs Productions]]
* [[ABC Signature|Touchstone Television]]
}}
| network              = [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]
| first_aired          = {{Start date|1993|9|24}}
| last_aired           = {{End date|2000|5|5}}
| related              = ''[[Girl Meets World]]'' (2014–2017) 
}}

'''''Boy Meets World''''' is an American [[Coming-of-age story|coming-of-age]] [[sitcom]] created by [[Michael Jacobs (producer)|Michael Jacobs]] and [[April Kelly]] that aired on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] for seven seasons between September{{nbsp}}1993 and May{{nbsp}}2000. The series centers on [[Cory Matthews]] ([[Ben Savage]]) and his friends and family, as he progresses from childhood to adulthood. Episodes chronicle the everyday events of Cory's home and school life; his teacher and neighbor George Feeny ([[William Daniels]]) delivers life lessons as Cory learns to cope with social and personal issues of adolescence. Cory has strong relationships with his older brother Eric ([[Will Friedle]]), younger sister Morgan ([[Lily Nicksay]]), and parents, Amy ([[Betsy Randle]]) and Alan ([[William Russ]]). Cory's friendship with Shawn Hunter ([[Rider Strong]]) and romantic interest in Topanga Lawrence ([[Danielle Fishel]]) serve as central focuses of episodes. Overarching themes include a focus on family and friendships as well as discovering one's identity. Further characters were introduced in later seasons; Jonathan Turner ([[Anthony Tyler Quinn]]), Eli Williams ([[Alex Désert]]), Jack Hunter ([[Matthew Lawrence]]), Angela Moore ([[Trina McGee-Davis]]) and Rachel McGuire ([[Maitland Ward]]).

[[The Walt Disney Company]] commissioned the series for its youth-oriented [[TGIF (TV programming block)|TGIF]] programming block airing on ABC. Jacobs had previously produced ''[[Dinosaurs (TV series)|Dinosaurs]]'' for the block and was asked to create a new series for a 12-to-14-year-old audience. Savage was under a contract with ABC at the time and Jacobs chose to include him as the central character. ''Boy Meets World'' was produced by [[Michael Jacobs Productions]] and [[ABC Signature|Touchstone Television]], and premiered on ABC on September 24, 1993. The series concluded on May 5, 2000, as a result of the aging cast and a shift in the network's programming directives.

''Boy Meets World'' experienced strong ratings for the teenage demographic throughout its seven seasons, and it was later syndicated on [[Disney Channel]]. Several cast members were nominated for [[Young Artist Award]]s. Savage and Fishel reprised their roles as series regulars in the spin-off ''[[Girl Meets World]]'', which aired on Disney Channel from 2014 to 2017, and depicted Cory and Topanga as married parents.

==Plot==
In the first season, Cory Matthews ([[Ben Savage]]) is a witty 11-year-old [[middle school]] student in [[Philadelphia]], who speaks his mind and has an interest in sports. He shares a love-hate relationship with his sixth-grade teacher and neighbor George Feeny ([[William Daniels]]), and often finds himself in trouble during class. Cory's relationship with his older brother Eric ([[Will Friedle]]) becomes strained when Eric's obsession with dating girls, which is a foreign concept to Cory, begins to take precedence over the time they spend together. Cory shares a strong bond with his parents, Amy ([[Betsy Randle]]) and Alan ([[William Russ]]), and his younger sister Morgan ([[Lily Nicksay]]). His classmates include his best friend Shawn Hunter ([[Rider Strong]]), the intelligent Stuart Minkus ([[Lee Norris]]), and the nonconformist Topanga ([[Danielle Fishel]]), for whom he gradually begins to develop feelings.

In the second season, Cory, Shawn, and Topanga begin high school and are taught by Jonathan Turner ([[Anthony Tyler Quinn]]), an unorthodox English teacher, while Mr. Feeny becomes their principal. Cory and Topanga admit their feelings for each other and begin dating in the third season, while Eric is not accepted to any colleges or universities following his high school graduation. The fourth season includes Eric revisiting his studies and Alan opening a sporting goods store with Eric as his partner. Eric begins college in the fifth season and moves into an apartment with Jack ([[Matthew Lawrence]]), whom he learns is Shawn's half-brother. Throughout the season, Shawn develops a relationship with a new student, Angela ([[Trina McGee-Davis|Trina McGee]]), and Amy becomes pregnant. Topanga is accepted to [[Yale University]], but rejects the offer to remain close to Cory, which leads her to propose to him at their graduation.

In the sixth season, Cory and his friends begin college, where Mr. Feeny is offered a teaching job. Rachel McGuire ([[Maitland Ward]]) moves in with Eric and Jack and they both develop feelings for her; Jack dates her. The new Matthews baby, Joshua, is born prematurely. Cory and Topanga get married in the seventh season and move into an apartment on campus. The series concludes with Cory, Topanga, Shawn, and Eric moving to [[New York City]], when Topanga secures an internship at a law firm, while Jack and Rachel join the [[Peace Corps]] and Angela moves to Europe for a year with her dad.

==Characters==
{{Main|List of Boy Meets World characters|l1=List of ''Boy Meets World'' characters}}
<!-- Do not move cast table here, as per [[WP:TVCAST]]. However short "text blurbs" on the characters do need to be added here ASAP. -->
* [[Cory Matthews]] ([[Ben Savage]]), the protagonist, who experiences challenging scenarios and life lessons as he grows up
* [[George Feeny]] ([[William Daniels]]), Cory's teacher, and later principal, who imparts life lessons and advice to his students
* [[Amy Matthews (Boy Meets World)|Amy Matthews]] ([[Betsy Randle]]), Cory's mother
* [[Eric Matthews (Boy Meets World)|Eric Matthews]] ([[Will Friedle]]), Cory's scatter-brained older brother
* [[Shawn Hunter]] ([[Rider Strong]]), Cory's best friend who comes from a troubled family
* [[Stuart Minkus]] ([[Lee Norris]]) (season 1, guest season 5), an intelligent student in Cory's sixth grade class
* [[Morgan Matthews (Boy Meets World)|Morgan Matthews]] ([[Lily Nicksay]], seasons 1–2; Lindsay Ridgeway, seasons 3–7), Cory's younger sister
* [[Alan Matthews (Boy Meets World)|Alan Matthews]] ([[William Russ]]), Cory's father, a grocery store manager who later runs a camping goods store
<!-- Above is the proper order of cast from season one -->
* [[Topanga Lawrence]] ([[Danielle Fishel]]) (seasons 2–7, recurring season 1), Cory's classmate and friend, who he develops a relationship with and later marries
* [[Jonathan Turner (Boy Meets World)|Jonathan Turner]] ([[Anthony Tyler Quinn]]) (seasons 2–4), Cory's high school English teacher who is easy-going and inspires his students
* [[Eli Williams]] ([[Alex Désert]]) (season 3), another teacher at Cory's high school and Jonathan's best friend from college
* [[Jack Hunter (Boy Meets World)|Jack Hunter]] ([[Matthew Lawrence]]) (seasons 5–7), Shawn's long-lost half-brother
* [[List of Boy Meets World characters#Angela Moore|Angela Moore]] ([[Trina McGee-Davis]]) (seasons 6–7, recurring season 5), Shawn's on-again-off-again girlfriend and Topanga's best friend and college roommate
* [[Rachel McGuire]] ([[Maitland Ward]]) (seasons 6–7), Topanga and Angela's friend at college and Eric and Jack's roommate

==Production==
===Development and casting===
[[File:Ben Savage.jpg|left|thumb|140px|alt=A mid shot of a man with curly brown hair, looking towards the camera and smiling. He is holding a microphone at a press event.|[[Ben Savage]], pictured in 2015, serves as the program's central focus.]] 
''Boy Meets World'' was created to air on the [[TGIF (TV programming block)|TGIF]] programming block which had been airing on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] since 1989. The series was created by Michael Jacobs, who produced ''[[Dinosaurs (TV series)|Dinosaurs]]'' for the same block. Jacobs was approached by a [[Disney]] executive after the conclusion of ''Dinosaurs'', to write a new series for the 12 to 14-year-old demographic.<ref name="uproxx">{{cite magazine|url=https://uproxx.com/tv/boy-meets-world-oral-history/|title='Dream, Try, Do Good': The Oral History Of ''Boy Meets World''|access-date=July 3, 2022|date=January 31, 2017|magazine=[[Uproxx]]|publisher=[[Warner Music Group]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524190126/https://uproxx.com/tv/boy-meets-world-oral-history/|archive-date=May 24, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Jacobs noticed how other sitcoms focused on the oldest child of a family, which led him to create ''Boy Meets World'' with the middle child as the central character.

[[Ben Savage]] was already under a contract at ABC at 11 years old when Jacobs chose to include him in the series, which became known as ''The Ben Savage Project''. Jacobs wanted to work with [[William Daniels]], but Daniels was apprehensive about acting in a sitcom and initially rejected the offer before asking for the pilot to be re-written.<ref name="uproxx"/> Daniels had threatened to quit, and told Jacobs he did not want the role of Mr. Feeny to make fun of teachers, but knew the character would be respected when Jacobs stated it was based on a mentor of his.<ref name="teachers">{{Cite web |last=Becker|first=Emma |date=July 13, 2022 |title=''Boy Meets World''{{'}}s William Daniels Reveals What Made Him Pause Before He Signed on to Play Mr. Feeny |url=https://people.com/tv/boy-meets-world-william-daniels-initially-did-not-want-to-play-mr-feeny/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714055847/https://people.com/tv/boy-meets-world-william-daniels-initially-did-not-want-to-play-mr-feeny/|archive-date=July 14, 2022 |access-date=July 14, 2022 |website=[[People (magazine)|People]] |publisher=Meredith Corporation}}</ref> [[Rider Strong]] was the first actor to audition for the role of Shawn and was successful. Strong's older brother [[Shiloh Strong]] was shortlisted to play Eric alongside [[Jason Marsden]] and [[Will Friedle]]; Friedle secured the role, however, a different actor portrayed Eric in the unaired pilot.<ref name="uproxx"/> [[Danielle Fishel]] was not the original actor cast as Topanga, but she assumed the role before the character's first episode; Jacobs also threatened to fire Fishel during the filming week.<ref name="paradedifficult">{{cite web|title=''Boy Meets World'' Cast Recalls 'Damaging' Set Environment on Sitcom |date=July 22, 2022|last=Forward|first=Devon|url=https://parade.com/news/boy-meets-world-cast-recalls-damaging-set-environment-showrunner |work=[[Parade (magazine)|Parade]] |publisher=[[AMG/Parade]]|access-date=July 24, 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220724014409/https://parade.com/news/boy-meets-world-cast-recalls-damaging-set-environment-showrunner|archive-date=July 24, 2022}}</ref>

''Boy Meets World'' was renewed for a fifth season in April 1997.<ref name="s5renewal">{{cite web|title=NBC renews ''Pretender''; ''Boy'' for ABC |date=April 28, 1997 |url=https://variety.com/1997/scene/vpage/nbc-renews-pretender-boy-for-abc-1117434496/|work=Variety|publisher=Variety Media, LLC.|access-date=September 27, 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711045816/https://variety.com/1997/scene/vpage/nbc-renews-pretender-boy-for-abc-1117434496/|archive-date=July 11, 2022}}</ref> In the fifth season, [[Matthew Lawrence]] joined the cast as [[Jack Hunter (Boy Meets World)|Jack Hunter]], Eric's college roommate.<ref name="jack97">{{cite magazine|title=''Boy Meets World'' casts Lawrence |date=August 5, 1997|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation|Variety Media, LLC.]]|quote=Actor Matthew Lawrence, who began his TV career at age 4 on the ABC drama ''Dynasty'', has joined the cast of ''Boy Meets World'', now entering its fifth season. Lawrence plays Jack, Eric's (Will Friedle) college roommate.}}</ref> Daniels' wife [[Bonnie Bartlett]] portrays the recurring role of Dean Bolander, the dean of the university, in the later seasons of the show.<ref name="teachers"/>

===Writing and filming===
During the writing of the pilot, network executives removed the episode's references to [[William Shakespeare|Shakespeare]], considering these elements as too mature for the audience. The episode was poorly received at the table read, and Jacobs re-wrote the pilot overnight.<ref name="uproxx"/><ref name="teachers"/> Part of the rewrite was to ensure that Mr. Feeny was portrayed in a way that was respectful of teachers and did not make fun of them, at Daniels' request.<ref name="teachers"/> Strong later commented on the difficult atmosphere of filming on-set, which he described as a "damaging" environment that was cultivated by Jacobs, who had high expectations of the cast.<ref name="paradedifficult"/><ref name="insiderdamaging">{{cite web|url=https://www.insider.com/boy-meets-world-rider-strong-recalls-damaging-atmosphere-on-set-2022-7|title=Rider Strong recalls 'damaging' atmosphere on ''Boy Meets World'' set|last=Mazzeo |first=Esme |work=[[Insider Inc.#Insider|Insider]]|publisher=[[Axel Springer SE]]|date=July 22, 2022|access-date=July 24, 2022}}</ref> Director [[David Trainer]] stated that Jacobs used "emotional manipulation" on the younger cast.<ref name="paradedifficult"/>

The chemistry between Savage and Fishel led to producers developing a romantic relationship between Cory and Topanga. Jacobs was told by an ABC executive that marrying the pair would be irresponsible, before a favorable Internet poll led to the decision being approved. As the series progressed, Eric's characterization became more foolish and unintelligent to accommodate Friedle's comedic abilities.<ref name="uproxx"/>

Jeff Sherman, who was a producer and writer on the show, advocated to include issues such as vandalism and child abuse in the series, regardless of it being a comedy. An episode in the first season, "The Fugitive", discusses the idea of running away from home.<ref name="uproxx"/> [[Bob Tischler]] served as an executive producer alongside Jacobs towards the end of the show's run.<ref name="orbit"/>

===Conclusion===
''Boy Meets World'' was renewed for a sixth season in April 1998.<ref name="boyabchood">{{cite web|title=''Boy's'' still in ABC hood |date=April 27, 1998|last=Hontz|first=Jenny|url=https://variety.com/1998/tv/news/boy-s-still-in-abc-hood-1117470158/|work=Variety|publisher=Variety Media, LLC.|access-date=September 27, 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711045816/https://variety.com/1998/tv/news/boy-s-still-in-abc-hood-1117470158/|archive-date=July 11, 2022}}</ref> ''[[Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996 TV series)|Sabrina the Teenage Witch]]'', another series airing on Friday nights, was the only other show to be renewed that year. By this time, the ratings for ''Boy Meets World'' had decreased by 14% from the last season, and the TGIF ratings had decreased by 17% overall.<ref name="boyabchood"/>

In 2000, ''Sabrina the Teenage Witch'', moved from airing on ABC to [[the WB]]; by this stage, it was expected that ''Boy Meets World'' would also end its run, causing doubt about the future of the block.<ref name="witch">{{cite web|title=ABC: ''Witch'' way now? |date=April 6, 2000 |last1=Schneider|first1=Michael|last2=Adalian|first2=Josef |url=https://variety.com/2000/tv/news/abc-witch-way-now-1117780270/|work=Variety|publisher=Variety Media, LLC.|access-date=July 14, 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711045817/https://variety.com/2000/tv/news/abc-witch-way-now-1117780270/|archive-date=July 11, 2022}}</ref> By April, production on the seventh season of ''Boy Meets World'' had concluded, and Savage was already planning on attending college.<ref name="witch"/> The series did not produce a "large-scale" series finale, and there was a possibility the show could return.<ref name="witch"/> In the same month, ABC officially announced that the seventh season would be the final season of the show.<ref name="orbit">{{cite web|title=''Boy'' world in its final orbit |date=April 19, 2000 |last=Schneider|first=Michael |url=https://variety.com/2000/tv/news/boy-world-in-its-final-orbit-1117780757/ |work=Variety|publisher=Variety Media, LLC.|access-date=July 14, 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220714062909/https://variety.com/2000/tv/news/boy-world-in-its-final-orbit-1117780757/|archive-date=July 14, 2022}}</ref> The hour-long series finale aired on May 5, 2000, in which Cory and Topanga consider moving to New York.<ref name="orbit"/>

==Series overview==
{{Main|List of Boy Meets World episodes{{!}}List of ''Boy Meets World'' episodes}}
{{:List of Boy Meets World episodes}}

==Broadcast==
===Syndication and streaming===
''Boy Meets World'' reruns began airing on various [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]], [[The WB|WB]], [[UPN]], and independent affiliates from September 8, 1997 to September 1, 2000. During the latter month, [[Disney Channel]] assumed syndication rights, with the series running on the cable channel until 2007. ABC Family (now [[Freeform (TV channel)|Freeform]]) aired ''Boy Meets World'' from June 21, 2004 to August 31, 2007 and again from April 12, 2010 to December 2, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/2010/04/no-foolin-abc-family-brings-back-boy.html|title=No Foolin' ABC Family Brings Back Boy Meets World, 7th Heaven; Modern Family Wins Peabody|publisher=Sitcomsonline.com|date=April 1, 2010|access-date=February 16, 2012|archive-date=October 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012122322/http://www.sitcomsonline.com/blog/2010/04/no-foolin-abc-family-brings-back-boy.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It has since returned to Freeform as of February 5, 2024.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.freeform.com/show/aab0fae9-cd4c-41d1-b910-0f9ab4a22363 | title=Watch Boy Meets World TV Show - Streaming Online }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2024/01/boy-meets-world-coming-to-freeform.html|title=Boy Meets World Coming to Freeform; Mario Lopez GSN Game Show Premieres Monday|publisher=SitcomsOnline|date=January 3, 2024}}</ref> The series also began airing on [[MTV2]] since November 14, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|author=Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com|url=http://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2011/11/boy-meets-world-now-on-mtv2-south-park.html|title=Boy Meets World Now On MTV2; South Park Renewed Through 2016, Its 20th Season – SitcomsOnline.com News Blog|publisher=Blog.sitcomsonline.com|date=November 17, 2011|access-date=February 16, 2012|archive-date=January 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104155548/http://blog.sitcomsonline.com/2011/11/boy-meets-world-now-on-mtv2-south-park.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On May 5, 2014, the show temporarily returned to Disney Channel after a seven-year absence to promote the sequel spinoff ''[[Girl Meets World]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/02/showbiz/tv/girl-meets-world-premiere-date/|title='Girl Meets World' to premiere in June|date=May 2, 2014|publisher=CNN.com|access-date=2014-06-30|archive-date=June 13, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140613030017/http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/02/showbiz/tv/girl-meets-world-premiere-date|url-status=live}}</ref>

On September 29, 2017, ''Boy Meets World'' became available for streaming on [[Hulu]] along with fellow Disney–ABC television properties ''[[Dinosaurs (TV series)|Dinosaurs]]'' and ''[[Home Improvement (TV series)|Home Improvement]]'', in addition to fellow TGIF programs ''[[Family Matters]]'', ''[[Full House]]'', ''[[Hangin' with Mr. Cooper]]'', ''[[Perfect Strangers (TV series)|Perfect Strangers]]'', ''Sabrina the Teenage Witch'', and ''[[Step by Step (TV series)|Step by Step]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvguide.com/news/hulu-boy-meets-world-tgif/|title=This Is Not a Drill: ''Boy Meets World'' Is Now On Hulu|publisher=TVGuide.com|last=Hatchett|first=Keisha|date=September 29, 2017|access-date=October 28, 2017|archive-date=March 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306074114/http://www.tvguide.com/news/hulu-boy-meets-world-tgif/|url-status=live}}</ref> On April 11, 2019, it was confirmed that [[Disney+]], a new streaming service owned by [[Disney]], would be carrying the series upon its November 2019 launch.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://d23.com/complete-guide-disney-entertainment/|title=Your Complete Guide to Disney+ Entertainment|publisher=D23|last=Buhlam|first=Jocelyn|date=April 11, 2019|access-date=April 12, 2019|archive-date=April 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419001600/https://d23.com/complete-guide-disney-entertainment/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.disneyplus.com/series/boy-meets-world/30QWPKyQ9vTF?v=control | title=Watch Boy Meets World &#124; Full Episodes &#124; Disney+ }}</ref>

== Reception ==
===Viewership===
''Boy Meets World'' experienced strong ratings for the teenage demographic.<ref name="orbit"/> During the airing of the [[Boy Meets World (season 5)|fifth season]] in [[1997–98 United States network television schedule|1997–98]], ''Boy Meets World'' was the winner of its timeslot among children, teenagers and adults aged 18–49, while placing second in its timeslot overall.<ref name="boyabchood"/> The series was on average receiving a 14% decrease in ratings from the previous season. It was described as the number 2 series for children on primetime television.<ref name="boyabchood"/> By the airing of the seventh season, the ratings had continued to decline as the audience for the TGIF block decreased.<ref name="orbit"/>

===Cultural impact===
Angela's [[interracial relationship]] with Shawn was a relative rarity for a major network television show targeting youths at the time. [[Trina McGee-Davis]] once remarked that the typical reaction she received from young fans regarding the relationship was overwhelmingly positive and encouraging, often inquiring as to when the characters would reconcile after a breakup. She expressed her personal wish that her character's relationship would serve as an example of [[color blindness (race) in the United States|color blindness]] for the world, in lieu of a less positive reaction a similar relationship had received on ''[[Ally McBeal]]'' at the time.<ref name="Interracial">{{cite news |last=McGee-Davis |first=Trina |author-link=Trina McGee-Davis |date=1999-02-22 |title=TV Can Help World Erase Color Lines |newspaper=The Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-feb-22-ca-10422-story.html |url-status=live |access-date=May 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110225603/http://articles.latimes.com/1999/feb/22/entertainment/ca-10422 |archive-date=November 10, 2013}}</ref>

Eric and Shawn both wore a popular 1990s hairstyle called [[curtained hair]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-08-03 |title=Boy Meets World: a teen franchise that delivers blankets of warm and fuzzies |url=http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2021/aug/03/boy-meets-world-a-teen-franchise-that-delivers-blankets-of-warm-and-fuzzies |access-date=2022-05-25 |website=the Guardian |language=en |archive-date=May 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525003428/https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2021/aug/03/boy-meets-world-a-teen-franchise-that-delivers-blankets-of-warm-and-fuzzies |url-status=live }}</ref>

The show also addresses the cultural issues of [[child abuse]] ("Dangerous Secret"), [[sexual harassment]] ("Chick Like Me", "Everybody Loves Stuart"), and [[underage drinking]]/[[alcohol use]] ("If You Can't Be with the One You Love…").<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-11 |title=Boy Meets World: 9 Episodes That Proved The Show Was Ahead Of Its Time |url=https://screenrant.com/boy-meets-world-episodes-ahead-time/ |access-date=2022-05-25 |website=ScreenRant |language=en-US |archive-date=May 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525003424/https://screenrant.com/boy-meets-world-episodes-ahead-time/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-01-09 |title=Boy Meets World: 10 Times The Show Touched On Serious Topics |url=https://screenrant.com/boy-meets-world-episodes-serious-subject-matter/ |access-date=2022-05-25 |website=ScreenRant |language=en-US |archive-date=May 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525003425/https://screenrant.com/boy-meets-world-episodes-serious-subject-matter/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Awards and nominations===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="width:99%;"
|+ List of awards and nominations received by ''Boy Meets World''
|- style="background:#ccc; text-align:center;"
! scope="col"| Award
! scope="col"| Year
! scope="col"| Recipient(s) 
! scope="col"| Category
! scope="col"| Result
! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{Ref heading}}
|-
!scope="row" rowspan="3"|[[Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards]]
|[[1999 Kids' Choice Awards|1999]]
|data-sort-value="Boy Meets World"| ''Boy Meets World''
|[[Kids' Choice Award for Favorite TV Show|Favorite Television Show]]
|{{nom}}
|style="text-align:center;"|
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[2000 Kids' Choice Awards|2000]]
|data-sort-value="Boy Meets World"| ''Boy Meets World''
|Favorite Television Show
|{{nom}}
|style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|
|-
|data-sort-value="Savage, Ben & Strong, Rider"| Ben Savage & Rider Strong
|Favorite Television Friends
|{{won}}
|-
!scope="row" rowspan="15"|[[Young Artist Award]]s
|rowspan="4"|[[15th Youth in Film Awards|1994]]
|data-sort-value="Savage, Ben"| Ben Savage
|Youth Actor Leading Role in a Television Series
|{{nom}}
|style="text-align:center;" rowspan="4"|<ref name="young1994">{{cite web|url=http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms15.htm|title=Fifteenth Annual Youth in Film Awards 1992–1993|publisher=[[Young Artist Award]]s|access-date=July 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110403132553/http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms15.htm|archive-date=April 3, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
|data-sort-value="Strong, Rider"| Rider Strong
|Best Youth Comedian
|{{nom}}
|-
|data-sort-value="Nicksay, Lily"| Lily Nicksay
|Best Actress Under Ten in a Television Series or Show
|{{nom}}
|-
|data-sort-value="Boy Meets World"| ''Boy Meets World''
|Best New Television Series
|{{nom}}
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[16th Youth in Film Awards|1995]]
|data-sort-value="Friedle, Will"| Will Friedle
|rowspan="2"|Best Performance: Young Actor in a TV Comedy Series
|{{nom}}
|style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|<ref name="young1995">{{cite web|url=http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms16.htm|title=Sixteenth Annual Youth in Film Awards 1993–1994|publisher=Young Artist Awards|access-date=July 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100820064811/http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms16.htm|archive-date=August 20, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
|data-sort-value="Marsden, Jason"| [[Jason Marsden]]
|{{nom}}
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[17th Youth in Film Awards|1996]]
|data-sort-value="Fishel, Danielle"| Danielle Fishel
|Best Performance by a Young Actress: TV Comedy Series 
|{{nom}}
|style="text-align:center;" rowspan="3"|<ref name="young1996">{{cite web|url=http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms17.htm|title=Seventeenth Annual Youth in Film Awards 1994–1995|publisher=Young Artist Awards|access-date=July 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110402060320/http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms17.htm|archive-date=April 2, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
|data-sort-value="Thomson, Justin"| Justin Thomson
|Best Performance by a Young Actor: Guest Starring Role TV Series
|{{won}}
|-
|data-sort-value="Dean, Erin J."| [[Erin J. Dean]]
|Best Performance by a Young Actress: Guest Starring Role TV Series
|{{nom}}
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[18th Youth in Film Awards|1997]]
|data-sort-value="Savage, Ben"| Ben Savage
|Best Performance in a TV Comedy: Leading Young Actor
|{{nom}}
|style="text-align:center;" rowspan="3"|<ref name="young1997">{{cite web|url=http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms18.htm|title=Eighteenth Annual Youth in Film Awards 1995–1996|publisher=Young Artist Awards|access-date=July 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110402060451/http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms18.htm|archive-date=April 2, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
|data-sort-value="Strong, Rider"| Rider Strong
|Best Performance in a TV Comedy: Supporting Young Actor
|{{nom}}
|-
|data-sort-value="Fishel, Danielle"| Danielle Fishel
|Best Performance in a TV Comedy: Supporting Young Actress
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[19th Youth in Film Awards|1998]]
|data-sort-value="Savage, Ben"| Ben Savage
|Best Performance in a TV Comedy Series: Leading Young Performer
|{{nom}}
|style="text-align:center;"|<ref name="young1998">{{cite web|url=http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms19.htm|title=Nineteenth Annual Youth in Film Awards 1996–1997|publisher=Young Artist Awards|access-date=July 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222144713/http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms19.htm|archive-date=December 22, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
|[[20th Youth in Film Awards|1999]]
|data-sort-value="Lennon, Jarrett"| Jarrett Lennon
|Best Performance in a TV Comedy Series: Guest Starring Young Actor
|{{won}}{{efn|Tied.|name=tie}}
|style="text-align:center;"|<ref name="young1999">{{cite web|url=http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms20.htm|title=20th Annual Awards|publisher=Young Artist Awards|access-date=July 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110403132616/http://www.youngartistawards.org/pastnoms20.htm|archive-date=April 3, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
|[[21st Youth in Film Awards|2000]]
|data-sort-value="Gaynor, J. B."| J. B. Gaynor
|Best Performance in a TV Comedy Series: Guest Starring Young Performer
|{{won}}
|style="text-align:center;"|<ref name="young2000">{{cite web|url=http://www.youngartistawards.org/noms21.htm|title=Twentyfirst Annual Youth in Film Awards 1998–1999|publisher=Young Artist Awards|access-date=July 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120719182252/http://www.youngartistawards.org/noms21.htm|archive-date=July 19, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
!scope="row" rowspan="3"|[[YoungStar Award]]s
|rowspan="2"|[[YoungStar Award#Third Annual YoungStar Awards|1998]]
|data-sort-value="Savage, Ben"| Ben Savage
|Best Performance by a Young Actor in a Comedy TV Series
|{{nom}}
|style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2"|<ref name="youngstar1998">{{cite news|url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Nominations+for+the+3rd+Annual+Hollywood+Reporter+YoungStar+Awards.-a0530157357|title=Nominations for the 3rd Annual Hollywood Reporter YoungStar Awards.|work=[[Business Wire]] |date=September 17, 1998|access-date=July 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826114324/https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Nominations+for+the+3rd+Annual+Hollywood+Reporter+YoungStar+Awards.-a053015735|archive-date=August 26, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
|data-sort-value="Fishel, Danielle"| Danielle Fishel
|Best Performance by a Young Actress in a Comedy TV Series
|{{won}}
|-
|[[YoungStar Award#Fifth Annual YoungStar Awards|2000]]
|data-sort-value="Fishel, Danielle"| Danielle Fishel
|Best Performance by a Young Actress in a Comedy TV Series
|{{nom}}
|style="text-align:center;"|
|-
|}

==Other media==
===Home video releases===
[[Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment]] (as [[Buena Vista Home Entertainment]]) released the first three seasons of ''Boy Meets World'' on DVD in 2004 and 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0105958/dvd|title="Boy Meets Word" (1993) – DVD details|publisher=IMDb.com|access-date=November 22, 2010|archive-date=May 25, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050525180300/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0105958/dvd|url-status=live}}</ref>

On August 4, 2008, it was announced that [[Lionsgate Home Entertainment]] had acquired the rights to the series. They subsequently re-released the first three seasons on DVD on September 7, 2010, with the same special features from the original releases.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Boy-Meets-World-Seasons-1-2-3/13908|title=Boy Meets World DVD news: Announcement for Lionsgate re-releases of Season 1, Season 2 and Season 3|last=Lambert|first=David|date=June 14, 2010|publisher=TVShowsOnDVD.com|access-date=July 27, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100808190707/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Boy-Meets-World-Seasons-1-2-3/13908|archive-date=August 8, 2010|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Season 4 was released on December 7, 2010.<ref>[http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Boy-Meets-World-Season-4/14398 Boy Meets World – Lionsgate Announces Season 4: Release Date, Cost, Packaging and Specs!] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100915201856/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Boy-Meets-World-Season-4/14398 |date=September 15, 2010 }}. ''TVShowsOnDVD.com'' September 13, 2010.</ref> Season 5 was released on May 3, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Boy-Meets-World-Season-5/14996|title=Boy Meets World – 'Season 5' DVDs Announced: Street Date, Cost, Specs and Package Art|author=Lambert, David|date=February 7, 2011|publisher=TVShowsOnDVD|access-date=February 9, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110209001255/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Boy-Meets-World-Season-5/14996|archive-date=February 9, 2011|df=mdy-all}}</ref> Season 6 was released on July 5, 2011.<ref>[http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Boy-Meets-World-Season-6/15240 Boy Meets World – The Next-to-Last Season of the Show—Season 6—is Scheduled!]. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110414125913/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Boy-Meets-World-Season-6/15240 |date=April 14, 2011 }}. ''TVShowsOnDVD.com''. April 11, 2011.</ref> Season 7 was released on October 4, 2011, completing the series' run on DVD.<ref>[http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Boy-Meets-World-Season-7/15635 Boy Meets World – The Long-Awaited 7th and Final Season Completes the Show's DVD Run]. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716061542/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Boy-Meets-World-Season-7/15635 |date=July 16, 2011 }}. TV Shows on DVD July 11, 2011.</ref>

On November 5, 2013, Lionsgate released ''Boy Meets World: The Complete Collection'' on DVD in Region 1. The 22-disc set features all 158 episodes of the series as well as new and previously included bonus features from the original sets.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvshowsondvd.com/news/Boy-Meets-World-Complete-Collection/18855|title=Boy Meets World DVD news: Announcement for Boy Meets World – The Complete Collection|last=Lambert|first=David|date=August 15, 2013|publisher=TVShowsOnDVD.com|access-date=2014-06-30|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222142042/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Boy-Meets-World-Complete-Collection/18855|archive-date=February 22, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

===Sequel series===
{{main|Girl Meets World}}
In November 2012, [[Disney Channel]] announced that it had [[green-light|greenlit]] a [[television pilot|pilot]] for a sequel/spin-off series, ''[[Girl Meets World]]''. This series picks up nearly fifteen years after ''Boy Meets World'' ended, and follows Cory and Topanga's daughter Riley ([[Rowan Blanchard]]) as she navigates the challenges of her adolescent years along with her best friend Maya ([[Sabrina Carpenter]]).

Ben Savage and Danielle Fishel reprised their roles as Cory and Topanga, while several other cast members from ''Boy Meets World'' made recurring appearances, most prominently Rider Strong (Shawn Hunter), Matthew  Lawrence (Jack Hunter), Will Friedle (Eric Matthews), Danny McNulty (Harley Keiner), Lee Norris (Stuart Minkus), and William Daniels (Mr. Feeny). Michael Jacobs returned as [[showrunner]]. ''Girl Meets World'' ran three seasons before ending in 2017.<ref>{{cite web |first=Elizabeth |last=Wagmeister |url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/girl-meets-world-cancelled-disney-channel-season-4-1201952881/ |title='Girl Meets World' Canceled: Disney Channel's 'Boy Meets World' Spinoff Won't Return for Season 4 |work=Variety |date=January 4, 2017 |access-date=2017-01-11 |archive-date=January 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170105122312/http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/girl-meets-world-cancelled-disney-channel-season-4-1201952881/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Rewatch podcast===
{{main|Pod Meets World}}
Fishel, Friedle and Strong began hosting a podcast in 2022 in which they rewatch and commentate on every episode of ''Boy Meets World''. The podcast, entitled ''Pod Meets World'', is published by [[iHeartRadio]] and launched on June 27.<ref name="podcastsavage"/> Savage chose not to take part in the project despite being invited. In 2023, Fishel, Friedle and Strong revealed that Savage had actually cut off all contact with them in 2020, without explanation.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://people.com/boy-meets-world-ben-savage-ghosting-update-will-friedle-11686105 | title=Will Friedle Still 'Can't Stand' That 'Boy Meets World' Costar Ben Savage Ghosted Him Years Ago: 'He Just Bailed on Me' }}</ref> The podcast featured guests Daniels, McGee, Randle, Russ, Lawrence, and Ward.<ref name="podcastsavage">{{cite web|title=Why Ben Savage Is Not Part of the ''Boy Meets World'' Rewatch Podcast: 'It's Not His Thing'|date=June 30, 2022 |last=Longeretta|first=Emily |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/ben-savage-boy-meets-world-podcast-1235307526/|work=Variety|publisher=Variety Media, LLC.|access-date=July 11, 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220701013028/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/ben-savage-boy-meets-world-podcast-1235307526/|archive-date=July 1, 2022}}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikiquote}}
{{Portal|Television|United States|Comedy|1990s|Philadelphia}}
* {{IMDb title|0105958}}
* {{Epguides|BoyMeetsWorld}}

{{Boy Meets World}}
{{TGIF (ABC)}}

[[Category:Boy Meets World| ]]
[[Category:1990s American college television series]]
[[Category:1990s American high school television series]]
[[Category:1990s American teen sitcoms]]
[[Category:1993 American television series debuts]]
[[Category:2000s American college television series]]
[[Category:2000s American teen sitcoms]]
[[Category:2000 American television series endings]]
[[Category:Coming-of-age television shows]]
[[Category:American English-language television shows]]
[[Category:Middle school television series]]
[[Category:American television series about families]]
[[Category:Television series about siblings]]
[[Category:American television series about teenagers]]
[[Category:Television series by ABC Studios]]
[[Category:Television series by Disney–ABC Domestic Television]]
[[Category:Television series created by Michael Jacobs (producer)]]
[[Category:Television shows set in Philadelphia]]
[[Category:TGIF (TV programming block)]]
[[Category:American Broadcasting Company sitcoms]]
[[Category:1990s American multi-camera sitcoms]]
[[Category:2000s American multi-camera sitcoms]]