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Series "Boy Meets World"« dominated ABC's Friday night schedule throughout its run, with ratings only declining in its final season.
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Rider Strong, Will Friedle, and Danielle Fishel told PEOPLE that despite their popularity, they never realized how much the show meant to so many people.
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Ahead of the release of his new documentary «Doc Meets World» The trio of actors talk about how interacting with fans helped them understand the impact and significance of the show.
Danielle Fishel, Will Friedle, and Rider Strong never felt "cool.".
You might be surprised to know that the three stars of the series «Boy Meets World» didn't realize how powerful the coming-of-age comedy turned out to be, but that's exactly what they told PEOPLE as they reminisced about their journey together and discussed their new documentary. «Doc Meets World» , which premieres at Tribeca on Friday, June 5.
Speaking about the surprises the podcast's guests have given it since its launch in 2022, Friedl tells PEOPLE, "Some of the stories I've heard from people who have been kind enough to come on our podcast—they've been very famous people or actors, like Kathy Ireland or someone like that—and you can hear how nervous they were.".
«"I've always been interested in that because, again, you see these people who seem incredible, who have been in the entertainment industry for a long time, and they're like, 'Oh, my God, when I walked onto your set, I was terrified. And I heard the audience going crazy,'" Friedl continued.
Danielle Fishel, Ben Savage, Rider Strong, and Will Friedle in 1996. Photo: ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty.
«"I'm always amazed by the human side of fame," the 49-year-old actor said. "Because you look at some of these people you've idolized for years, some of these older TV or film actors who were invited on our show, and suddenly they come in and say, 'Oh my God, I was terrified. I was in my trailer. I didn't want to come out.' That's the kind of thing that always amazes me.".
Strong gave another example, saying, "They were only a couple of years older, but Adam Scott and Ethan Suplee both expressed their feelings—because it was a very early job for them, when they were around 18 or 20 years old. For Ethan, it was his first acting job. And it's so funny because we were kids. We thought they were grown-ups and knew everything.".
The 46-year-old continued: "When they came on the podcast and said, 'You were part of the establishment, and we were outsiders trying to fit in,' we were like, 'What? You were the cool older guys. What are you talking about?' It was just this weird shock.".
Fishel added: «When we record the podcast, I always ask, „Have you ever heard of the show? «Boy Meets World» “Before the audition? Have you ever watched even one episode?„ And even if they hadn’t seen even one episode, they’d say, “Of course I knew. You were cool.„ And I always say, “Were? We were? We didn’t feel cool.» We never felt cool.”.
«"Still no," Friedl confirmed.
Fishel corrected: "Well, we're not like that now. We were on good terms… We didn't even know it then.".
Trina McGee-Davis, Rider Strong, Maitland Ward, Danielle Fishel, Will Friedle, Matthew Lawrence, and Ben Savage. Photo: James Sorensen/Disney General Entertainment. Content via Getty Images
Discussing their interactions with their fans on their recent tour and at conventions, the three actors explained how it enriched their experience of making the series and added value to the work they did.
«"I started going to conventions in 2014. I'd never been active on social media, so it was a real connection with fans," Friedl said. "There were handshakes, hugs, photos—I mean, it was very personal. And story after story was, 'You were my childhood. You helped me through a terrible time. I don't know where I would be without this show.' It showed an impact we, and I speak for all of us, didn't even know we had.".
Rider Strong, Danielle Fishel, and Will Friedle in 2022. Photo: MICHAEL TRAN/AFP via Getty.
For his part, Strong added: «Doing the conventions and then starting the podcast was a process of acceptance for me – accepting myself and my career, and really recognizing the incredible opportunity that I had been given. series "Boy Meets World", and that there is no point in running away from it.".
Will Friedle, Danielle Fishel, and Rider Strong in 2023. Photo: Tim Nwachukwu/Getty.
«"I understand its significance, I understand its importance and what makes it special," adds 45-year-old Fishel, speaking of the beloved '90s series. "And I'm grateful to all the people who took the time to come up to us and tell us about it. Because I think without that, Ryder would never have had the idea to do it. And it turned into what it became.".
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World premiere film "Doctor Meets World"« will premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on Saturday, June 6.
Read the original article on People.