I Felt Pressure to Be Sexy: Boy Meets World Star on Growing & Sexploitation in Hollywood 

Speaking for myself, I wouldn't use the term "nostalgic" in describing the '80's and '90's. Granted, there are certain aspects of both decades which I appreciate and would prefer we still had. However, as one who is more a product of the '70's, my "nostalgia" is decidedly pre-1981. I always tell people that I was never in the "prime demographic", even when I was 18-34. Then again, I have been called an old soul. Having said that, as I mentioned above, there are certain aspects of the '80's and '90's which I do appreciate. For instance, I enjoy your program ("Blossom"), "Boy Meets World" and "The Wonder Years" (with Ben Savage's brother, Fred), among others, because many of the issues addressed apply regardless of time. But, I also enjoy "M*A*S*H" (1972-83), "The Walton's" (1972-81), "All in the Family"/"Archie Bunker's Place" (1971-83), "Diff'rent Strokes" (1978-86), "The Facts of Life" (1979-88) (with which you were also involved), "Quincy, M.E." 1976-82), "Dallas" (1978-91) and "The Love Boat" (1976-86), to name a few. (Interestingly enough, each of these programs, which aired during the '80's and or '90's, actually started during the '70's. Do you notice a theme?) Again, however, my relationship with the '80's and '90's (and the decades since) has always been, for lack of a better word, strained. It's difficult for one to feel "nostalgic" for a time in which one never actually belonged. With certain exceptions, such as those mentioned above, we're talking about five decades (the '80's, '90's, 2000's, 2010's and 2020's) which, for the most part, have seemed inauthentic and elaborate. To be sure, the rampant commercialism of these decades hasn't helped matters. On the other hand, if recent trends are to be taken as any indication, we hopefully seem to finally be starting to get away from that and heading back to something more genuine and simple. Of course, only time will tell.

Buffy Vampire Slayer. 90210. Blossom. Perfect Strangers. Growing Pains. Please interview Sarah Michelle Geller and any 90210 cast. Your tv bro. Joey Lawrence would be awesome also. Love listening to your podcast. Thank you! Longtime Canadian fan!

Blossom 😜 Also Seinfeld, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Home Improvement

Dawson’s Creek

Blossom, Growing Pains, Family Ties, The Cosby Show, The Wonder Years, Boy Meets World. ♥️

Facts.

Yes, I cannot get over that we are the same age. She looks so much better than I do.

Big reason why... didn't completely mess herself up with stuff thinking would look better

fr i seen the thumbnail like god damn she hot asf

Aging better than Jennifer Aniston, which is insane to me

I totally agree

SAME I mean 3 days late, but I saw it & was like I gotta watch it

How about they are just apart of our life not this goofy gen this gen that crap

I agree!!! These two were such positive role models for me growing up. And now I am even more inspired by them now that we are all older. ❤

I was excited about this podcast since I grew up with the show and been listening to Pod Meets World, but it’s too bad Danielle totally missed the point and big lesson of that “fat” episode and only focused only on the absurdity parts. The lesson was that everyone has physical flaws and insecurities and that Corey would always love her no matter what her weight. Also that Erik wasn’t being serious when he called fat but she thought he was.

You'll be surprised how many attractive ppl feel insecure.

❤❤ I wanted to look like her so bad

Same

​@@marlieesworklifejourney She was and still is beautiful!!!!

Exactly!!! She is still hot!!! WTF is wrong with these women!?

She always had full of thick hair 😩 😊

Yes!!! I’ve always been sooo jealous! She still has gorgeous hair and is soooo beautiful!!

Best hair, smile, body… really the whole package.

Lips as well

Leo rising. Taurus sun

I remember growing up with this show, I always wondered at the time about the nature of her and the sexualizatuon as time went on

You don't know that. Most of you seem like you're healthy mentally, and then you show yourself eventually. Look at how wide her eyes get and how fast she talks. She's batshit crazy. 😂

*Her & her fam...

@@Ultamami noted and corrected

I don't know about being a poster perfect person...how exhausting... These women give the talent of the Earth, how awesome of them. I would love Cheryle Burke on your show. People always think women can give and give to men when it is tiring. Having numerous women stand up for you over other women has to be tiring. Like Matt Lawrence and his buddies. I'd die of exhaustion keeping up with all that and women defending these men constantly, even myself. Men in reality don't want you to defend them, so stop. These people aren't or have to be inherently bad people, but I'm not nor should any woman stand up for a man or a person who doesn't want that. Let these people speak for themselves and I can only hope they lead other women in the right direction....

Yes!!!!!!

Yeah! I know everyone has insecurities and all that but Topenga was a very strong minded girl which was amazing.

Yes, thank you. My exact thoughts when she was talking. Eric was like, "You're not fat. You're hot!" And the other girls talked about how they were jealous of her body and had their own insecurities. I'm sad she felt attacked while making that episode. We all thought she was the most gorgeous thing to walk the earth.

All facts. Thank you both. I forgot the details but also didn't remember the episode being that negative. I definitely remember laughing at the I just wanted to eat your pizza line. And yes, Danielle Fishel has always been stunningly beautiful.

i'm sure it was probably all the behind the scenes stuff that had the real impact on how she felt about that episode. being told she was letting them down cuz of her weight. clearly that was just her natural body after growing into adulthood. she wasn't the standard in hollywood because it's got unhealthy and unfair standards. it's sad that when i was young i was thought she was so beautiful but i also had that thought 'she looks like a real woman!' truth is she's probably more thin than the average american woman.

​@@doublefeatureit makes more sense when you realize she was only 18 in tbat episode even though her character was supposed to be 20. And I believe her about being a size 4. If you look at her from the waist down, she's not that big. She's just very large chested and that season was when she finally fully developed. A large chest can make you look a lot bigger than you are.

Yes! That's what it was. It wasn't like omg she gained weight! It was ok she's gaining weight, nauseous, moody( I believe too), acting very out of character. So they jumped to conclusions. Basic sitcom misunderstanding 101! Lol I also thought she tried getting Eric to exercise with her or act like he was the one asking for the dieting tips? Idk I just remember it being about BOTH of them gaining weight. For Topanga: she's pregnant📣 🤰 Eric: just a loveable goofball that loves to eat🤪🍟🍔 I thought that double narrative was interesting. I'm pretty sure they meant to point that out! That show was so ahead of it's time. I almost think it would do better now. Lol it was very positive for younger people when nothing else really was at that time!

Whoa… you’re too old for that my guy… You were looking at a child. Fn perv 😂😂😂😂

This seventy year old totally agrees!

The Dish! Oh my god, I forgot all about that show! You just unlocked a memory for me 😂😂

*underappreciated, 1 word 😉

🙌🙌🙌

Great conversation.

This is so wholesome ❤

I would totally watch it ❤

❤❤❤❤❤​@@yeesh9215

me too. And I wanted to look exactly like her❤❤

I noticed that she wasn’t skinny and I loved it. She was a total knockout and also she was so outspoken!!! She was kind but she was never afraid to speak her mind.

🙌🙌🙌

​@@MayimBialikdid bonnie Morgan play samara in the movie rings?

i agree ... love it ...and am guy .. no am not gay hahahahaha .... love that part haha

​@@moderator7169I believe Daveigh Chase played Samara

I forgot that she was an adult and that time passed for a minute lol

Me too. Turn 50 in September. 😅

Thats awesome!!! :) @@Snippets-of-Mendi

81' here also❤

‘87..! To ‘97, to ‘00, lol. I was 10 & 13 back in those years 😅😏😳🫠

81 here too. Graduated in 99, it was a great time

Nah, she looks pretty weathered with age.

My grandma went on to have 3 more kids after 2 miscarriages, so it is possible. The universe has a way of working out where what’s meant to be, will be. Your journey is yours and is meant only for you.