‘Boy Meets World’ spinoff set for June 2014 premiere

MANILA, Philippines – Reunited and it feels so good! We’ll be seeing more of Cory and Topanga as they navigate parenthood in Disney Channel’s new spinoff, premiering this June. 

Finally! “Girl Meets World” has been given an official premiere date: June 27, 2014, Friday night at 9:45 pm (US time). 

According to The Hollywood Reporter, after the pilot episode the anticipated spinoff will take a week off and resume on Disney Channel in its regular 8:30 pm time slot on Friday, July 11. No official announcement has been made yet though regarding the show’s schedule on Disney Channel Asia.

However, the anticipation has been growing since last year as The Hollywood Reporter announced the news about the upcoming spinoff of the much-loved “Boy Meets World” series.

The original coming-of-age sitcom, which aired from 1993 to 2000, was a cool-kid favorite for older generations. For 7 seasons, viewers grew up watching Cory Matthews as he learned everyday life lessons from grade school all the way to adulthood. The new series will now follow the story of Cory and Topanga’s 13-year-old daughter Riley as she goes through the ups and downs of middle school.

Here are key things you’d want to know about this new sitcom: 

1.     Ben Savage, star of “Boy Meets World,” will be making his directorial debut in the spinoff

Our boy Ben Savage has now graduated to the director’s seat! In an exclusive interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he explains: “It was a natural progression because I had always wanted to direct and I felt such a personal connection to the show. It was an important piece of my life really. Directing was a natural next step for me and it’s something I was looking forward to doing.” Fans will be relieved to know that he will, however, still be playing the now grown-up Cory Matthews in the new series. 

2.     The series will pick up on Cory and Topanga’s lives years later

As the last season of “Boy Meets World” wrapped up, we saw Cory and Topanga tie the knot, move to New York and stumble through their first months as a married couple. “Girl Meets World “will follow this same continuity, dropping in on their lives years later. It has been revealed that the couple is still based in New York. Cory now works as a history teacher in his daughter’s school, while Topanga runs a popular after-school hangout diner. Actress Danielle Fischel will be coming back to television as the endearing Topanga Lawrence-Matthews.

3.     We get to meet Cory and Topanga’s children—Riley and Auggie Matthews

Just as previous generations grew up watching Cory, Topanga and the rest of the gang, the new generation will get to watch seventh-grader Riley Matthews go through all her adolescent adventures. Riley, the namesake girl of “Girl Meets World,” will be played by Rowan Blanchard. Auggie Matthews, her younger brother, will be played by August Montero. Riley’s best friend Maya will be played by Sabrina Carpenter.

4.     We’ll be seeing Shawn Hunter (played by Rider Strong) again

Rider Strong will be reprising his role as Cory’s best friend Shawn Hunter as a recurring character throughout the new series. So far, it has been revealed by The Hollywood Reporter that Shawn Hunter will make an appearance in a holiday-themed episode. Executive producer Michael Jacobs also hints that there is a possibility for Will Friedle (who played Cory’s older brother Eric Matthews) to appear on the show. 

5.     Mr. Feeny will be back (For the pilot episode at least)

William Daniels, who played Cory’s longtime teacher and mentor George Feeny throughout the original series, will be making a cameo in the pilot episode. Whether or not he stays on the new show to give more of his honest wisdom is not yet known.

6.     The new show will have all of the good stuff we loved about the original series

The sitcom, which used to be under ABC Family, is now signed with Disney Channel – though executive producer Michael Jacobs is quick to assure that the series will retain the tone of the original. Jacobs, producer for both series, tells The Hollywood Reporter, “‘Girl Meets World’ is a new show for a new generation that will be rooted in the same kind of honest, comedic storytelling about coming of age and the importance of family and friendship that made ‘Boy Meets World’ so popular.”

7.     The series is set for 21-episodes for the first season

Originally signed on for 13 episodes, the series was given an additional 8-episode order for the first season. The news was revealed by actress Danielle Fischel over Twitter:

Got the great news tonight that #GirlMeetsWorld was picked up for 8 more episodes – a total of 21! Can’t wait for everyone to see them all.

— Danielle Fishel (@daniellefishel) January 22, 2014

Things are looking promising for “Girl Meets World.” In fact, Disney Channel has already released an extended trailer for the new series. Watch the clip here:     

Do you think “Girl Meets World” will meet long-time fans’ expectations? Let us know what you think! – Rappler.com