Did Melissa Joan Hart Really Cause the Cancelation of 'Boy Meets World'?

Will Friedle and Matthew Lawrence Jokingly Blame Melissa Joan Hart for Boy Meets World Cancelation

Will Friedle, Matthew Lawrence and Melissa Joan Hart Getty Images

Will Friedle jokingly suggests that Melissa Joan Hart and Sabrina the Teenage Witch are to blame for the end of Boy Meets World. According to Friedle, the show was set to continue for an eighth season if Sabrina was picked up. However, Sabrina ended up moving to another network which led to the cancellation of Boy Meets World. Friedle playfully points out that if Sabrina had stayed, things might have turned out differently.

Matthew Lawrence, a former BMW cast member, couldn't help but burst into laughter. He jokingly responded, "It's always Melissa's fault!"

Joey Lawrence, who acted alongside Joan Hart on Melissa and Joey, joined in on the fun. He playfully said, "She's like Canada," then broke into song, "Blame Melissa, blame Melissa."

Joan Hart, 47, saw the discussion and wanted to join in on the fun on social media. She took to Instagram on Friday, March 8, sharing a clip from the podcast and asking for caption suggestions. She tagged @joeylawrence, @matthewlawrence, @andrewlawrence, and #WillFriedle.

To prove there’s no ill will, Joey, 47, replied in the comments section: “Yep! When in doubt just blame you Melly!! .”

Will Friedle and Matthew Lawrence Jokingly Blame Melissa Joan Hart for Boy Meets World Cancelation

Sabrina the Teenage Witch is a TV show that follows the story of Sabrina Spellman (played by Joan Hart). She finds out she has magical powers on her sixteenth birthday. The first four seasons of the show were on ABC from 1996 to 2000 as part of the TGIF lineup. The last three seasons were on The WB.

ABC made the decision to cancel Boy Meets World in 2000 after the main characters moved to New York.

After the original series ended, Boy Meets World went into syndication on various networks. The reruns sparked a renewed interest in the show, prompting Disney Channel to create a spinoff series called Girl Meets World. This new series premiered in 2014 and had a three-season run before it was canceled in 2017.

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In the '90s, Friedle had a brief romance with Joan Hart that many still remember fondly.

In August 2023, Joan Hart was a guest on Friedle's podcast, "Pod Meets World," where they talked about their past dates together.

Friedle remembered being with you around your 14th or 15th birthday. We went to a place with big tanks where you could drive or shoot tennis balls. We had a great time, making googly eyes at each other. By the end of the night, we were officially 'dating.'

Even though we called each other a few times on the landline, we both decided to move on and explore relationships with other people.

As Friedle joked, “It was a whirlwind romance.”

Editor's P/S:

The playful banter between the former cast members of "Boy Meets World" and "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" highlights the enduring bond between them and the lasting impact their shows had on 90s pop culture. Will Friedle's tongue-in-cheek suggestion that Melissa Joan Hart's success with "Sabrina" contributed to the end of "Boy Meets World" is met with laughter and good-natured ribbing, demonstrating their ability to laugh at themselves and appreciate the irony of the situation.

Friedle and Hart's recollection of their brief romance adds a personal touch to the conversation, reminding fans of the chemistry they shared both on and off-screen. Their willingness to openly discuss their past relationship showcases the genuine camaraderie that exists among the cast members, further solidifying their status as beloved figures from a cherished era of television. show's overall success and lasting appeal.