In this exciting episode of Backstage Pass with Gentry Thomas, Gentry sits down with Darryl Bell and Cornell Young IV to talk about the return of one of television’s most beloved shows, A Different World. The new Netflix continuation brings fans back to Hillman College, the iconic fictional HBCU that helped define style, culture, friendship, and social conversation for a generation.

Fans can watch or follow the show on Netflix here:
A Different World

Darryl and Cornell talk about how the new series honors the spirit of the original 80s and 90s classic while bringing Hillman into a new era. They discuss the fashion, culture, campus life, and important issues that made the original show so groundbreaking — and how those themes will evolve for a new generation of students.

The conversation also dives into the heart of the new story: a father-son relationship that connects the legacy of the original cast with the fresh faces now walking the halls of Hillman. Cornell plays Shaquille Johnson, a new-generation student navigating life, identity, and opportunity at the HBCU, while Darryl Bell returns as Ron Johnson, helping bridge the past and present of the series.

From nostalgia and legacy to college culture, family, and the next chapter of Hillman, this episode is a must-listen for fans of A Different World old and new.

In this nostalgic and wildly fun episode of Backstage Pass with Gentry Thomas, legendary TV host Marc Summers joins Gentry to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Double Dare, the messy, groundbreaking game show that helped put Nickelodeon on the map and became a defining piece of childhood for an entire generation.

Marc is celebrating with Marc Summers & Friends’ 40 Year Double Dare Reunion, a special one-night-only event bringing fans back into the world of slime, physical challenges, behind-the-scenes stories, and classic Double Dare chaos. In-person tickets are sold out, but fans can still pre-order the on-demand video, which includes the full reunion event plus a behind-the-scenes featurette.

Fans can pre-order the pay-per-view video here:
https://www.marcsummerslive.com/

Gentry and Marc talk about both being from Indiana, Marc’s early path into television through magic, and how that opened doors into entertainment. Marc also reflects on coming up through The Comedy Store, crossing paths with comedy legends including David Letterman, and how his journey eventually led him to college in Boston.

Of course, the conversation dives deep into Double Dare: how the famous slime was made, what it was like working with screaming kids every day, the insanity of the physical challenges, and why the show still means so much to fans four decades later.

From magic and comedy clubs to Nickelodeon history and gallons of slime, this episode is packed with stories, laughs, and behind-the-scenes memories from one of television’s most beloved hosts.

In this fascinating episode of Backstage Pass with Gentry Thomas, legendary actor Kelsey Grammer joins Gentry to talk about his new sci-fi mystery film, Lars Shrike Walks the Night. In the film, Grammer plays Lars Shrike, a mysterious character who may have escaped from a writer’s imagination and must navigate the real world with only fragments of understanding. The film arrives on digital platforms July 24.

Watch the trailer here: Lars Shrike Walks the Night Official Trailer
Watch or find the movie here: Lars Shrike Walks the Night on Apple TV

Kelsey and Gentry dive into the film’s unusual concept, what drew him to the role, and how a story about reality, imagination, and identity gave him something different to explore as an actor.

The conversation also looks back at two of the most iconic sitcoms in television history: Cheers and Frasier. Kelsey reflects on the legacy of Dr. Frasier Crane, how the character evolved over the years, and why audiences have connected with him for generations.

Gentry and Kelsey also talk about his meeting with Donald Trump, his personal meditation practices, and how he finds calm and balance in a busy life. Plus, Kelsey shares the wild story of what it was like to be struck by lightning and live to tell the tale.