Sadly, many childhood TV memories become bittersweet when revisited through the lens of adulthood, with the reality of off-camera drama and behind-the-scenes politics tainting their nostalgic charm. Boy Meets World, a cherished sitcom of the ’90s, is no exception—what once seemed like an inspirational show filled with life lessons now feels a bit darker when examined in hindsight due to cast disagreements and the messy realities of the past.
In the February 24 episode of the Pod Meets World podcast, former Boy Meets World stars Danielle Fishel, Rider Strong, and Will Friedle welcomed Maitland Ward, their former co-star who played Rachel McGuire in the series’ final two seasons. It’s worth noting that while Fishel, Strong, and Friedle were part of the core cast throughout the show’s seven seasons, Ward only joined in 1998 and stayed for the final two years.
Since then, Ward has transitioned to the adult entertainment industry, making the podcast episode a unique opportunity to discuss her time on Boy Meets World alongside her career shift to OnlyFans and adult films. The conversation also touched on a long-rumored “beef” between Ward and Fishel, with Fishel probing into what led to Ward distancing herself from the cast, particularly during the Girl Meets World spinoff.
Girl Meets World, which aired for three seasons, followed the next generation of characters, led by Fishel and Ben Savage, with Ryder Strong and Will Friedle appearing in recurring roles. However, Ward did not return for the spinoff.
During the podcast, Fishel directly asked Ward, “Do you hate us?” to which Ward responded, “No, I do not hate you.” She clarified that the tension she felt with Fishel on the Girl Meets World set was confusing. “I didn’t know if you thought I was trying to steal attention,” she admitted, recalling the negative energy surrounding their interactions. Ward even mentioned how Fishel had unfriended her on Facebook, something Fishel wasn’t aware of at the time due to her infrequent use of the platform. It wasn’t until years later, when Will Friedle reconnected with Ward, that Fishel became aware of the situation.
Fishel later acknowledged the tension and apologized to Ward, explaining how difficult the Girl Meets World set was for her. “The memories we have of the fun set of Boy Meets World were not the memories of the fun set of Girl Meets World,” she admitted. The actress shared how she felt ostracized and criticized during the production of the spinoff and apologized for any misunderstanding, hoping to bridge the gap between them.
In a surprising twist, Ward also expressed feelings of alienation from the cast, claiming that there was a divide due to their animosity toward Ben Savage and series creator Michael Jacobs. Both Friedle and Fishel denied this claim, with Friedle sharing a personal experience of trying to maintain a friendship with Savage, only for their communication to abruptly stop.
Ward, however, continued to point out the negative rhetoric she had heard from the original cast members about Savage and Jacobs, especially in interviews and public statements. Fishel defended the podcast’s approach, asserting that their reflections weren’t meant to be negative, but rather authentic recounts of their experiences on the show.
As tensions flared momentarily, Fishel questioned whether they had to remain silent to honor the legacy of the show. Ward responded by acknowledging the role Boy Meets World played in shaping their careers and lives.
The podcast ended on a calmer note, with both sides offering apologies and compliments, and Fishel extending an invitation for Ward to return to discuss more episodes of the original series.
The episode, titled Maitland Ward Meets World, serves as a reminder of the complexity of revisiting childhood memories and how, over time, different perspectives and experiences can shift the way we view them. Listener discretion was advised, as the episode contained adult language and themes.
