Friday night marked the premiere of "Girl Meets World," the spinoff to one of my favorite '90s shows of all time: "Boy Meets World. " My friends and I decided to TiVo it and watch it together last night. While I must admit, my expectations weren't set that high, I was at least hoping the nostalgia of "Boy Meets World" would come though a little bit. Boy was I wrong.
"Girl Meets World" follows the life of middle schooler Riley (Rowan Blanchard) (Topanga and Cory's daughter) and her rebellious best friend Maya (Sabrina Carpenter) and it takes place in New York City.
The first major difference between the spinoff and its predecessor, lies in its authenticity or lack thereof. Riley's history teacher is Cory- something I doubt would happen in real life. Secondly, while I give the show props for recycling a storyline used in the first season of "Boy Meets World," to try to relate to the adult viewers, the over the top antics added on left me disappointed.
Part of the charm of "Boy Meets World" is it followed a middle class, nuclear family- one who you felt could be your next door neighbors. There was no glitz and glamour, just real kids with real kid problems and occasionally Cory's parents or Mr. Feeny to step in when their problems were too big to handle on their own.
It's apparent from the first 5 minutes of "Girl Meets World" that the times have changed. From Riley's wardrobe (which includes makeup unlike her mom at her age) to her colorful room, the simpler times back in Philadelphia where Cory and the gang grew up no longer exists. It is no longer Cory's world but Riley's, as the episode goes on to explain.
While I will continue to watch, mainly to see the upcoming guest stars, I realize now that "Boy Meets World" holds a place in television history, where no other show or spinoff will ever be able to top. It is because it was a simpler time back then, when the biggest problem growing up was wondering when you were going to get that first kiss- not when your dad would let you ride the subway. Okay, it's still maybe about that first kiss- but the rules have changed, the scenery has changed, and that world where I first fell to pieces when Topanga slammed Cory against a locker and gave him his first kiss, well that's the world where I belong- the one where I still believe friendships last a lifetime, love really can be found in high school and that one should always "Dream" and "Do Good." After all, it was Mr. Feeny that taught me that.
