Whoopi Goldberg was Debbie Allen's “secret weapon” in a heartwarming episode of “A Different World.”
Wednesday's episode of “The View” reunited cast members of the '90s sitcom, with Allen joining Goldberg after he appeared on an episode of “A Different World,” which centered around the HIV/AIDS epidemic at the time. He revealed that he helped open the door to acceptance.
In the season 4 episode “If You Should Die Before You Wake Up,” Dr. Jordan, a professor played by Goldberg, challenges his class to eulogize themselves. A student named Josie, played by Tisha Campbell, reveals during her public speaking class that she has HIV.
“I remember it was tough doing a show, especially about AIDS, and Whoopi Goldberg was our secret weapon. She was someone I knew, we were friends, And we all knew she was going to win that year's Oscar (for her role in “Ghost''),'' Allen told his co-hosts on “The View.''
Later that year, the 1991 EGOT winner won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Ghost.
Allen referenced NBA legend Magic Johnson, who retired from the league and the Los Angeles Lakers after being diagnosed with HIV, at a press conference. It was the first network television show to feature the… In 1991.
“I had to do something. I said, 'We've got to get big guns to make this happen.' And Whoopi, I called her, and she said, ' I said, 'Yes, I'll do it.''' She was depressed,'' Allen recalled.
Whoopi Goldberg Leaves 'The View' TextGroup: “If I want to talk to you, I'll talk to you.”
The renowned actress, dancer, and choreographer breathed new life into the show in season 2 and helped make it a hit TV show.
“People needed jobs, and this was a unique opportunity, but it just didn't exist. They put us on TV because they had only seen the show once,” Goldberg said.
“It's just a memory. When Debbie asked me to do something, I just said, 'Yes,'” she continued.
