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Boy Meets World star recalls having a ‘breakdown’ during emotional rehearsal

BBG News

Actor Rider Strong, who played a significant role in Boy Meets World, reminisces about some deeply moving moments during his seven-year stint on the TV show.

In the recent installment of their podcast “Pod Meets World,” Johnathan, aged 45, elucidated to his former castmates Danielle Fishel and Will Friedle the reasons behind his emotional turmoil during the rehearsals for the season six episode “Getting Hitched” back in 1999.

In this episode, Shawn Hunter, portrayed by Strong, disregards phone calls from his half-brother Jack (Matthew Lawrence), who urgently needs assistance with clearing out their deceased father Chet’s (Blake Clark) trailer.

Previously, Chet, who had a turbulent bond with his son Shawn, tragically passed away due to a heart attack during the course of the season. To add to the intricacy, Shawn believed that his father was covering his college expenses, only to discover later on that it was actually Chet’s parents who were providing the financial support.

Shawn’s narrative revolves around the fact that his father is often absent. However, Strong pointed out that if it were true that his father was funding his college education, there could be a chance for reconciliation. Yet, according to Shawn, his father had been taking care of him in the past, which may explain why he perceives their relationship as strained.

According to Friedle, 48-year-old who portrayed Eric Matthews, he commented: ‘I felt that playing out the scene with Shawn not departing and staying for the discussion was a more effective approach compared to Shawn simply leaving once more.’

As the day wore on, I found myself stepping out of Shawn’s trailer. The memory of that intense scene we were about to rehearse flooded back, and I couldn’t help but recall, “Ah, here it was – the very spot where I experienced my emotional collapse.

It was spurred by him being ‘really bored by my character.’

It turns out that this particular episode for Shawn was actually well-crafted, as Strong later realized. However, during rehearsals, he found himself cracking up because it seemed to him that he was repeating the same lines week after week.

He pondered, “It’s intriguing to me now, as I examine it more closely, because it seems that my character is finally finding his voice. That’s positive. However, I’m not sure. Perhaps I was simply growing weary of the series.

And the former actor emphasized, ‘I was like, “Why [do] they keep throwing drama at me?”

Reflecting on the situation now, it’s clear that these recent events follow a difficult time for us. Specifically, a scene was filmed where they took my father’s life, which not only affected us emotionally but also intensified the pressure we actors, namely Blake Sennett, Matt, and myself, experienced.

2021 saw Rider sharing with People that Boy Meets World was a series which underscored, “This period in your life is significant; pay attention!

‘The relationships you have with your significant other, friends, or teachers can profoundly shape you and contribute significantly to your identity. I find this idea incredibly moving.’

In late May Strong took to Instagram to plug the trio’s podcast tour.

On a popular platform, he posted a flyer featuring tour dates, announcing to his 273,000 followers that “Pod Meets World” will embark on another summer road trip across the West Coast, starting in Denver on June 4.

‘We’re super excited to see all of you there! Check the link in my bio for ticket details!’

Boy Meets World was on air from 1993-2000, and saw the cast become beloved household names.

A series called “Girl Meets World” aired between 2014 and 2017, and it featured Sabrina Carpenter, who is now a rising star.

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2025-06-20 01:18

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