Actress Danielle Fishel expressed frustration with the direction of "Girl Meets World," stating that the Disney Channel sequel tried too hard to replicate its predecessor, "Boy Meets World." Fishel, who starred as Topanga Lawrence in both series, shared her perspective on the podcast "Pod Meets World," which she co-hosts with former "Boy Meets World" cast members Will Friedle and Rider Strong.
Fishel recalled a conversation with executive producer Michael Jacobs, who also created both shows, prior to "Girl Meets World" premiering. She said Jacobs initially presented the sequel as a new, distinct series rather than a direct reboot. Fishel even wrote a blog post at Jacobs's encouragement to inform fans that while some "Easter eggs" from the original might appear, the new show would forge its own path.
However, once production began, Fishel found that the show's creative team frequently attempted to incorporate elements from "Boy Meets World." She stated that the writers and Jacobs seemed intent on drawing parallels to the original sitcom on a daily basis.
Strong, who played Shawn Hunter on "Boy Meets World" and appeared in "Girl Meets World," echoed this sentiment. He described feeling a disconnect when asked to perform actions or recall events from the original series that he did not remember. Strong suggested that Disney seemed more amenable to the sequel being different, while Jacobs and the writers pushed for it to be a continuation.
Fishel agreed that the drive to connect the shows came primarily from Jacobs and the writing staff. This approach was particularly disappointing for her, as the promise of a fresh start was a key reason she agreed to participate in "Girl Meets World." She clarified that she would have accepted the role regardless, but would have appreciated a more accurate understanding of the show's intended direction.
Strong characterized "Girl Meets World" not as a continuation of "Boy Meets World," but rather as a show built around its memories. He felt that the sequel often served as a reflection or commentary on the original series through homages and thematic references, rather than advancing its narrative.
Fishel concurred, believing that a "reflection" should have been the goal. Instead, she felt the sequel remained in the "shadow" of the original, a self-imposed constraint that repeatedly pulled the new show back from establishing its own identity.
"Girl Meets World" aired for three seasons on the Disney Channel from 2014 to 2017. "Boy Meets World" originally ran for seven seasons on ABC from 1993 to 2000.
Fishel also noted that the network difference posed a challenge. "Boy Meets World" was a broadcast sitcom, while "Girl Meets World" aired on cable. She suggested this made it more difficult for the sequel to reach the adult audience that had grown up with the original series, as cable viewership among adults was generally lower.