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Ron White Tour Dates 2024

• Apr 18, 2024 - Jul 20, 2024

Grammy-nominated comedian Ron White has announced a major U.S. tour taking place in 2021 supporting his latest Netflix special 'If You Quit Listening, I’ll Shut Up' . His Sober Since Tomorrow Tour kicks off May 28th in Dallas and extends into November making notable stops in Oklahoma City, Nashville, Scottsdale, Biloxi, Ottumwa, Bensalem, Springfield, Grand Rapids, Columbia, St. Louis, Austin and Columbus.

White is best known for his Scotch-drinking antics while performing his off-color comedy since the late 80's while also being a member of the Blue Collar Comedy Tour along with Jeff Foxworthy and Larry The Cable Guy . His latest album 'A Little Unprofessional' dropped back in 2013 and reached #1 on Billboard's Comedy chart. Since 2003, the comedian has also released 'Behavioral Problems' , 'You Can't Fix Stupid' and 'Drunk in Public' which have all become fan favorites.

Ron White Concert Schedule

About ron white tour albums.

Ron White appeared on the Comedy scene with the appearance of the album 'Tater Salad' published on June 16, 1990. The track 'Intro' immediately became a hit and made Ron White one of the fastest growing acts at that moment. Thereafter, Ron White released the extremely popular album 'You Can't Fix Stupid' which includes some of the most popular music from the Ron White collection. 'You Can't Fix Stupid' features the song 'Intro' which has become the most requested for followers to hear during the live events. Besides 'Intro' , many of other songs from 'You Can't Fix Stupid' have also become sought-after as a result. A few of Ron White's most beloved tour albums and songs are seen below. After 26 years since the release of 'Tater Salad' and making a massive impact in the business, music lovers still head to watch Ron White in person to play hits from the entire collection.

Ron White Tour Albums and Songs

Ron White: You Can't Fix Stupid

• Seeing Old Friends
• Touring On The Bus
• Cheesewheel
• michael jackson
• petticoat junction
• Bachelorette Party

Ron White: Drunk In Public

• Truth in Advertising
• Plane Crash
• Cincinnati Chili
• Hurricane George
• I Drink Too Much
• Ten Days in Los Angeles
• Outlaw Video Games
• Married to a Wealthy...
• Cheating in Columbus
• Osama Bin Laden

Ron White: Behavioral Problems

• No Dogs Allowed
• Baby Shakings
• Got In A Little Trouble
• Lawyers and Dentists
• Tater Tot Goes To Eu...
• Breast Implants
• It's A Busy Couch
• The Town Stinks
• I Love This Country

Ron White: One For The Road EP

• Erectile Dysfunction...
• Put The Damn Helmet On!
• Indian Reservations ...
• The Don Cesar Hotel
• Eskimos & Grizzlies
• Moussaoui & Sex Offe...

Ron White: A Little Unprofessional

• Good to Be in Austin...
• Fly to Vegas
• Get in Shape/All Dog...
• Pot Bust 2/Run over ...
• Roller Coaster/Ok to...
• L.A. Beautiful/You'r...
• Tater Tot/Peed in My...
• Library/Steal Music
• Race to Get Married/...
• Great at Sex/Ted's Head

Ron White Concert Tour Questions & Comments

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Ron White could be coming to a city near you. Check out the Ron White schedule on this page and click the ticket button to view our huge inventory of tickets. Browse our selection of Ron White front row tickets, luxury boxes and VIP tickets. Once you locate the Ron White tickets you want, you can buy your tickets from our safe and secure checkout. Orders taken before 5pm are generally shipped within the same business day. To purchase last minute Ron White tickets, check out the eTickets that can be downloaded instantly.

Ron White Top Tour Album

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Ron White tour dates

• On tour: Yes
• Concertful ranking: #200
• Category: Stand-up / Comedy

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Ron White: Adds New Dates to 2024 Tour

Ron White , the renowned comedian, is adding multiple new dates to his highly anticipated tour. With these additional stops, fans across the country will have the opportunity to experience Ron’s hilarious and captivating live performances. From Sugar Land to Cincinnati, Knoxville to Tampa, and many more, Ron White is taking his comedic genius to various cities, ensuring that comedy enthusiasts from all corners can join in on the laughter.

The presale for these new tour dates begins on October 24th, giving loyal fans the chance to secure their seats before the general on-sale date on October 27th. With the high demand expected for these tickets , it’s recommended to act fast and secure your spot at one of the most awaited comedy shows of the year.

What can audiences expect at Ron White’s live show?

Prepare yourself for an evening filled with uncontrollable laughter and an unforgettable experience. Known for his quick wit and unique storytelling abilities, Ron has an extraordinary knack for connecting with his audience by delivering relatable and clever punchlines. His charismatic stage presence draws you in, creating a bond that leaves you feeling like you’re part of an intimate gathering among friends.

Ron White fearlessly tackles a wide range of topics, bringing humor to everyday situations, relationships, and the quirks of human nature. His ability to find lightness and humor in life’s challenges creates an atmosphere of joy and relatability, making his performances resonate with audiences long after the curtains fall. Prepare to be entertained, enlightened, and perhaps even moved as Ron takes you on a comedic journey like no other.

As Ron White adds these new tour dates, make sure to mark your calendars for the presale on October 24th and the general on-sale date on October 27th. Tickets are expected to sell quickly, so don’t miss your chance to witness the comedic brilliance of Ron White live on stage. Get ready for a night of uproarious laughter, unforgettable moments, and an experience that will leave you wanting more. Join the thousands of fans who have already fallen in love with Ron’s unique brand of comedy – you won’t be disappointed!

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hero image ID: 524078 string(3) "Yes" string(1) " " string(24) "January 26, 2024, at 8PM" DATE: January 26, 2024, at 8PM

LOCATION: Andrew Jackson Hall

STARTING AT: $50.75

Seating Chart

This presentation is a licensed event and not affiliated directly with the nonprofit Tennessee Performing Arts Center .

Public On Sale: October 27, 2023, at 10:00 a.m.

Ticket Limit:  8 Tickets per household.

For Mature Audiences

Renowned comedian Ron White, affectionately known as "Tater Salad," catapulted into the limelight as the cigar-wielding, scotch-savoring humorist who stole the spotlight within the Blue Collar Comedy Tour phenomenon. Yet, his trajectory has evolved into an extraordinary journey, one where he has risen to chart-topping Grammy-nominated comic and a captivating feature film actor.

Ron’s contributions aren’t confined to comedy alone; the world sees his remarkable generosity as he has championed the US military troops for more than two decades, founding the cherished annual charity event, "Ron White’s Comedy Salute to the Troops." This heartwarming endeavor funneled proceeds to the Armed Forces Foundation, a testament to Ron White's unwavering dedication.

In a symphony of achievements, Ron White's trajectory from humble beginnings to the echelons of comedy and entertainment is nothing short of awe-inspiring. His narratives have not only tickled the world's funny bone but have also etched a profound legacy that transcends stages, screens, and generations.

For more details about TPAC's patron entry protocols, visit TPAC.ORG/ ShowUpdates .

• Please note all tickets for TPAC events are fully digital and accessible via your mobile device through our TPAC Concierge Mobile App . A mobile ticket is the safest, most convenient, and flexible way to receive and manage your tickets while increasing protection against fraud.
• TPAC is not responsible for tickets purchased through the secondary market.  If your order confirmation was not sent by [email protected], you did not purchase your tickets from TPAC.  Visit TPAC.ORG/ BuyerBeware for more information.
• For information on in-person sales and service visit TPAC’s Ticketing Info page.

Accessibility - Andrew Jackson Hall

• TPAC is an accessible facility with a variety of services. Visit our Accessible Services page for more information.
• Wheelchair accessible seating is located at the back of the orchestra level.  
• Elevators provide access to the Grand Tier, Loges, and Balcony.
• Grand Tier Row E and Row P can be accessed without taking stairs.

It means you’ll be unable to see the entire stage from those seats.

We sell these seats because for many fans the limited view is not a problem, and the tickets are clearly labeled at time of purchase (see photo below). Limited view seating varies event to event and could be something as small as a tiny corner of the stage being blocked from view. Call our box office at 615-782-4040 for additional information on limited view seating.

Seats marked with “Limited View” during purchase path

Andrew Johnson Theater

Many shows impose ticket limits to allow as many people as possible to have equal access to seats. This is done as a deterrent to third party vendors, i.e. scalpers, who may purchase large blocks of seats and then resell them online at an inflated cost. The term “household” refers to any shared information on one or more accounts. This includes, but may not be limited to matching names, mailing and billing addresses, email addresses, phone numbers and credit card numbers. Any households that purchase more than the allowed number of tickets may have their order(s) refunded without notice.

Andrew Jackson Hall

Click for seat views and a detailed seating chart

James K. Polk Theater

Notice: Citi encourages observance of all health and safety guidelines, including those from the particular venue where the event will occur and CDC recommendations such as wearing a mask, maintaining social distancing, practicing good hand washing hygiene, getting vaccinations, and conducting rapid COVID-19 testing. For more information about the particular health and safety protocols, which may vary based on state and local guidelines, please visit the website for the venue. When searching for events, we encourage you to review the event cancellation policy at the point of purchase before completing your order.

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Ron White Concert Tickets | Tour Dates

Is ron white currently touring yes.

Comedian Ron White is currently on tour and tickets are available for all concerts. View the schedule and get great Ron White ticket deals for all upcoming tour dates. Shop for the next concert near you using our interactive seating charts. get venue information, ticket prices, and start times for every concert on the tour.

What you will find on the Ron White schedule:

• Ron White concert tour dates
• Ron White tour cities
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• BUY Ron White tickets for every city on the tour

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Ron White tickets are currently on sale for upcoming concerts in the ticket listings above. Choose an event date for Ron White to see ticket prices and event locations.

How to Buy Ron White Tickets

• Browse for Ron White tickets on the schedule above for the Ron White concert that you would like to attend
• Choose the tickets for the Ron White concert from our ticket inventory
• proceed to checkout
• You will get an email on how to download your Ron White concert tickets or receive an estimated date of delivery.

How Much are Ron White Tickets?

Ron White Ticket prices will vary for every concert on the tour, depending on that day of the week the Ron White concert falls on, the location of the seats, and what city the Ron White concert is being held in, among other things. 

Are Ron White Tickets sold out?

Ron White tickets are almost never sold out  in our marketplace.

Do I Need to Print my Ron White Tickets?

After your purchase, you will receive instructions about downloading your Ron White tickets, or you will be given an estimated delivery date.

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Ron White Tour 2024 — See Tater Salad Live!

Platinum-selling "blue collar" stand up Ron White is bringing his irascible style and caustic sense of humor back to the stage on his latest national tour, and if you act fast, there's still time to score great tickets for his upcoming performance at a venue near you! The man they call Tater Salad scored a hit with his recent Netflix special "If You'd Quit Listening, I'd Shut Up," and he's touring with plenty of hilarious new material — so this is your chance to hear all his latest stories, observations, and punchlines, live and in person. Best of all?  Great Ron White tour tickets are available for every date and at every price level!

So don't miss seeing the Blue Collar Comedy Tour's resident scotch-swilling gentleman, live and in person at a venue near you or at a major entertainment center. Check the Ron White Tour schedule below to learn more, and score your tickets today!

Thursday, April 18th, 2024 6:30 PM

Ron White Seminole Hard Rock Tampa Event Center Tampa, FL

Thursday, April 18th, 2024 9:30 PM

Friday, april 19th, 2024 7:00 pm.

Ron White Hard Rock Live - Orlando Orlando, FL

Friday, April 19th, 2024 9:30 PM

Saturday, april 20th, 2024 8:00 pm.

Ron White Hard Rock Live At The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - Hollywood Fort Lauderdale, FL

Saturday, July 20th, 2024 8:00 PM

Ron White The Chelsea - The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV

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Great Shows. Good Times. Celebrating 15 Seasons

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Renowned comedian Ron White, affectionately known as "Tater Salad," catapulted into the limelight as the cigar-wielding, scotch-savoring humorist who stole the spotlight within the Blue Collar Comedy Tour phenomenon. Yet, his trajectory has evolved into an extraordinary journey, one where he has risen to chart-topping Grammy-nominated comic and a captivating feature film actor.

At his core, Ron White remains an exemplar of timeless storytelling. His narratives weave the fabric of his existence, spanning from his upbringing in a Texan hamlet to the reflections of his everyday encounters, ultimately culminating in his ascension as one of America's most celebrated comedians. The unrivaled resonance of his humor is evident in the fact that all four of his comedy albums not only scaled the Billboard Comedy Charts but also claimed the coveted #1 position.

For Mature Audiences Only.

Accessible Seating & Accessible Services

DPAC offers a variety of Accessible Seating & Accessible Services to make our performances and facilities accessible to all.

• Accessible entrances, parking, restrooms, and seating options including a variety of wheelchair accessible locations and companion seating.
• ADA compliant ramp access and elevators to all lobbies and seating areas.
• Courtesy shuttles from nearby parking areas, curb-to-seat wheelchair assistance and listening devices at every event.
• Plus, audio description, captioning, and sign language interpretation upon request.

Accessible Services - We’re here to help!

• For additional information, questions or more specific details on accessibility or any accommodation or service listed below, please contact us via e-mail at  [email protected] .

Accessible Seats - Ticket Purchases

• To purchase Accessible Seats, please visit the  Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina Ticket Center

For additional information, questions or details on an accommodation or service not listed below, please contact us via e-mail at  [email protected] . 

• Accessible Seating
• Accessible Parking
• Accessible Restrooms
• Listening Devices
• Drop-off / Pick-up & Courtesy Wheelchairs
• Audio Description
• Sign Language Interpretation
• Service Animals

Age Requirement

For Mature Audiences.

Please note that all guests require a ticket, regardless of age. Children under the age of 6 are not allowed at this performance. Children must be able to sit quietly in their own seat without disturbing other guests.

NEW - Cashless Payments for Snacks and Beverages at DPAC

• Cash is no longer accepted for snack or beverage purchases at DPAC’s lobby bars or snack and beverage stands.
• Snack and beverage purchases now require payment using credit or debit cards, Apple Pay or Google Pay or a DPAC gift card.
• If you happen to arrive at DPAC with cash only, guests may purchase a DPAC gift card in $20 increments at our Entry Lobby Guest Services window. These gift cards can then be used at any lobby bar or snack and beverage stand.

Content Advisory

DPAC offers a diverse selection of entertainment. Not all productions will appeal to or be appropriate for every guest or for all ages. Ticket buyers should take responsibility for making informed decisions regarding their purchases. We recommend visiting the official website of each show to learn more about the show you are coming to see at DPAC. If you ever have questions about the content or appropriateness of a show, please contact us at  [email protected] .

Our lobby doors open 60 minutes prior to show time.

Event Schedule

7:00 PM- Lobby Doors 8:00 PM- Performance Begins

* Please note all times are approximate and subject to change without notice.

Inclement Weather

All performances scheduled at DPAC normally take place as planned. For more information on our inclement weather policy, please visit  INCLEMENT WEATHER FAQ .

Photography / Video Recording

• Photography and video recording using mobile phones is not permitted .
• Mobile phones must be turned off before the start of the event.  
• GoPro’s, tablets, and cameras of any kind are prohibited at all DPAC events.

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Safety First - Bag Check

• For your safety, all guests and their bags are subject to inspection before entry.
• This inspection may include the use of metal detectors.
• Restricted items include, but are not limited to: Alcohol, Cameras, Glass Bottles, and Weapons of any kind.
• In addition, no large bags are allowed including backpacks and large purses 12 or more inches deep.
• Small clutch purses are STRONGLY recommended.
• For family shows that allow very young children, diapers bags are allowed for guests with infants and toddlers (child must be present).
• Safety first is our goal. Please let us know if you have any questions or feedback at  [email protected]   

Special Effects

• For many events at DPAC, the performances contain bright lights, flashing strobe lights and theatrical fog or haze.
• DPAC does not control these lighting effects which are designed as part of the show and are used for dramatic effect.
• Theatrical fog or haze, comprised of safety tested glycol, glycol/water mixtures, water, mineral oil, or dry ice, is used to make lighting effects more visible, and to create a specific sense of mood or atmosphere.
• This event has not provided DPAC with any specific advisory.

• Most tickets buyers purchase right from our website using the  Buy Ticket s  button on this page.
• In addition to purchasing online, DPAC offers several other ways to purchase the seats you want to the best Broadway, concerts, comedy, family shows and special events in North Carolina.
• Our computerized ticket system enables you equal access to great DPAC seats whether you buy online, by phone, or in person at DPAC.
• For more details, visit our  Purchase Seats  page for complete information on purchasing great seats for all events at DPAC.
• All tickets for DPAC events are fully digital and only accessible via your mobile device.  A mobile ticket is the safest, most convenient, and flexible way to receive and manage your tickets while increasing protection against fraud. To learn more about mobile entry, please visit our  Mobile Entry FAQ .

Video Screens

Currently, this event is planning on using these added video screens. 

For many concert, comedy, and special events at DPAC, we offer added views of the stage with two big screens (size: 16’ x 9’) hung to the sides of the stage or above the stage. These big screens can add to the visual experience of our concert, comedy, and special events and give guests seated farther from the stage what we like to call “a tenth row view”. Approval to use these screens always rests with the visiting show and about half of all concert and comedy events do use these screens.

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You Don't Wanna Miss These Amazing Vintage Photos of Aerosmith in the '70s and Beyond

The rockers have been living it up for decades — see some throwback photos from their first years on tour together

Gems/Redferns

Aerosmith is going back on tour.

The iconic rock group — originally made up of Steven Tyler ,  Joe Perry , Brad Whitford, Tom Hamilton and Joey Kramer —  has been on the scene since 1970 , linking up in Boston and going on to worldwide fame.

And though many of today's fans know them thanks to Tyler's own star power (or maybe the movie Armageddon ), the band has been making major headlines since those early days.

Here, check out some incredible '70s- and '80s-era photos of Aerosmith in their early days.

Fin Costello/Redferns

An undated photo taken backstage before a concert showed the guys of Aerosmith in all their rock star glory (the hair! the pants!).

In Black and White

In this 1971 snap, the coolness carried by Joe Perry, Brad Whitford, Steven Tyler, Tom Hamilton and Joey Kramer was undeniable.

Close to You

Richard McCaffrey/ Michael Ochs Archive/ Getty

Steven Tyler had a moment with Joe Perry as the two performed with Aerosmith in Newport, Rhode Island, in 1973.

Special Delivery

Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage

Aerosmith was in their element on stage in Burbank, California, in 1974.

Kicking Back

David Tan/Shinko Music/Getty

Joe Perry, Steven Tyler, Tom Hamilton, Brad Whitford and Joey Kramer took a seat before a 1975 show in San Diego.

Center Stage

Known for his iconic outfits (not to mention the hair, the voice, the lips ...) Steven Tyler was the center of attention during an Aerosmith show in 1975.

Ian Dickson/Redferns

Steven Tyler and Joe Perry shared the mic during a 1976 concert in London.

Worlds Away

Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music/Getty

In 1977, Brad Whitford, Joey Kramer, Joe Perry, Tom Hamiton and Steven Tyler were welcomed to Tokyo.

Long Hair, Must Care

Ron Pownall/Getty

Lengthy locks were part of the uniform for Joey Kramer, Tom Hamilton, Joe Perry, Steven Tyler and Brad Whitford, pictured here in New York in 1977.

Steven Tyler and Joe Perry weren't going to miss a thing in this 1977 show.

Taking Flight

Ron Pownall/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty 

Cool sunglasses were basically a must as Aerosmith got ready for takeoff in 1978.

Green Screen

Joey Kramer, Brad Whitford, Joe Perry, Steven Tyler and Tom Hamilton took an epic portrait backstage before a show in Clarkston, Michigan, in 1984.

Award Worthy

Kevin Winter/Getty

Aerosmith took the red carpet by storm at the 1988 MTV Video Music Awards.

Hard Rockers

Larry Busacca/Getty 

Joey Kramer, Tom Hamilton, Joe Perry, Steven Tyler and Brad Whitford were honored with their own "Aerosmith Day" at Boston's Hard Rock Cafe in 1989.

Never change!

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‘A Different World’ Hits the Road to Help Historically Black Colleges

The beloved series was set at a fictional historically Black university. Now, cast members have reunited to visit and support real-life schools.

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By Leigh-Ann Jackson

Picture a pampered socialite ostentatiously putting her generational wealth on display. Or an outspoken teenage activist leading a climate change protest. Or a charismatic opportunist luring people into his latest scam.

These descriptions apply equally to characters from “A Different World” — a sitcom that ran from 1987 to 1993 — and to today’s social media influencers. So it’s little wonder that the show, which streams on Amazon and Max, resonates with Gen Z.

The series began as a spinoff of “The Cosby Show” centered on Denise Huxtable (Lisa Bonet), and it became a hit in its own right .

“A Different World” broke ground by giving high visibility to an ensemble of aspirational Black young adults, following an eclectic cross-section of coeds attending Hillman College, a fictional historically Black university. There they dealt with typical collegiate growing pains — studying, partying, falling in love and stumbling into adulthood — and also with more serious subject matter, including racism, domestic abuse, gun violence, homelessness and mental health struggles.

“These things mattered, and these are issues which are still relevant today,” said Darryl M. Bell, who played the Hillman huckster Ron Johnson.

Now, more than three decades after the series finale, Bell and other core cast members, including Charnele Brown, Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison, Dawnn Lewis, Cree Summer and Glynn Turman, have reunited for a campus tour of historically Black colleges and universities . Their mission is to raise awareness and enrollment for such institutions, to establish a “Different World” scholarship fund and, of course, to give newer, younger fans a chance to see their parents’ hand-me-down TV idols in person.

“The kids can watch it on their phones,” said Hardison, who played Dwayne Wayne, a gawky math whiz turned professor. “They can really tap in anywhere — that has given us a whole different life with it.” The show premiered 37 years ago, he noted, “so to think that it’s still doing good work is a bit of a dream.”

Bell said, “There’s nothing new under the sun: Everything has its cycle, and it comes back and you find it’s new again.” (That sentiment certainly holds true for many of the show’s wardrobe staples, like oversize blazers, baggy denim overalls and bomber jackets, all of which are back in style.)

The spark for the tour came in 2016, when several cast members made an appearance at Norfolk State University in Virginia. In the years that followed, Bell courted potential backers to fund a full-fledged college tour. (Guy, who played Whitley Gilbert, the show’s resident diva, playfully calls Bell the “office manager” of the group.)

Getting the stars on board was relatively easy. “This is family,” Summer said. “The majority of us hang out on purpose .” Teaming up with Cisco and Wells Fargo, and the nonprofits Student Freedom Initiative and Minds Matter , Bell lined up six tour stops this year at schools like Spelman College in Atlanta, Howard University in Washington, D.C., and, later this fall in Alabama, Tuskegee University and Alabama State University; he hopes to schedule 10 more visits in 2025. The events are free for students, faculty and alumni, and Bell said the group is considering opening some events to the public because of demand.

Jaden Jackson, a senior at Tuskegee, has seen every episode of “A Different World” and recently started rewatching them, inspired by the tour announcement. “It’s a classic,” she said. “It’s a show I’ll never get tired of.”

“When people think of H.B.C.U.s, they already have a picture of the type of people who go there,” she said. “But it’s such a diverse group of people, and the show does a good job of encapsulating that.” She has a particular affinity for Summer’s free-spirited character, Freddie: “To see someone like me onscreen — who acted like me, who I would often be compared to — that really appealed to me and made me excited to go to my H.B.C.U.”

The tour kicked off in Atlanta on Feb. 29, with cast members giving talks at Spelman, Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse College. Instagram posts from the events show crowds giving standing ovations, snapping cellphone photos and, at Clark Atlanta, greeting the cast with a marching band performance.

“The Spelman panel that we did at Sisters Chapel was off the chain,” Guy said. “I was shocked at their excitement, their verve and their vigor. I kept looking at everybody like, ‘Yo! They are treating us like rock stars or something. What is going on here?’”

Hardison likened the reception to an experience he had while accompanying his friend Lenny Kravitz on a concert tour of Japan in the late 1990s. “It took me back to when he went out onstage and the Japanese kids were screaming,” he said.

The Spelman chapel, which holds 1,000, was at capacity during the event, according to a spokeswoman. Helene D. Gayle, the president of Spelman, moderated a talk with the actors and a Q. and A. session afterward.

“When I first took on the role of president of Spelman, people would ask me, ‘What’s it like? How do you feel?’” Gayle said in an interview. “And I’d say, ‘Well, I feel like I am on the set of “A Different World” every day.’”

She said many of the students had heard of the show from older relatives and had watched it on streaming platforms. Adrian Crick, a Spelman freshman, said audience members were well versed in Hillman lore. One student serenaded the cast with her own version of the theme song.

“I hadn’t watched the show, but my mom said it’s an important cultural touchstone for Black people,” Crick said. “The level of production that Spelman, Morehouse and Clark put on for them indicated to me this is something to pay attention to, this is kind of historic .”

When the tour visited Howard last week, the campus was abuzz with “Hillman at Howard Day” activities, including step performances by fraternities and sororities and a fashion show in which students dressed as their favorite characters. (There were, of course, multiple pairs of flip-top sunglasses, Dwayne Wayne’s signature accessory.)

An estimated 1,400 attendees were at the main event at the school’s Cramton Auditorium, with many screaming and waving cardboard cutouts of the characters as the actors took the stage. Kim Coles, a star of “Living Single,” moderated a panel that included appearances by Karen Malina White, who appeared in the final season of “A Different World” (and was Miss Howard 1985), and by the “Cosby Show” actress Tempestt Bledsoe, who is Bell’s partner.

Sinbad chimed in via video and so did Debbie Allen, a Howard alumna who overhauled the series in its second season. Allen told the audience that “A Different World” mirrored her own college experiences and described the show as a vital voice for young Black America.

While the cast members were in Washington, they visited the White House to meet with Vice President Kamala Harris and appear in a video promoting the Biden administration’s student loan debt relief efforts .

Summer, who grew up in Canada, was unfamiliar with predominantly Black campuses before joining the cast at 18. She said getting the Hillman experience was the next best thing and now considers herself a champion of the schools.

“There’s a reason we’re on tour right now,” she said, noting that it was imperative to remind people that an H.B.C.U. “is an incredible place to get an education and an incredible place to secure and dive deeper into our culture.”

Gayle, the Spelman president, said that the Supreme Court’s 2023 affirmative action decision , which barred race-conscious college admissions policies, had made H.B.C.U.s even more indispensable.

“We’re at this moment where I think what we provide young people is perhaps more important than ever,” she said. “I hope that the tour can be part of that, as well — showing young Black people and their communities how important it is to be grounded in institutions that value them, that reflect who they are and reflect the excellence that is resonant within the African American community.”

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Opinion | OJ Simpson’s murder trial changed a lot about…

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Opinion | OJ Simpson’s murder trial changed a lot about America

The late OJ Simpson does not leave many personal legacies: the most meaningful are probably one Heisman Trophy, his children and grandchildren.

But his 1994-1995 trial for the stabbing murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson, mother of two of those children, and her friend Ron Goldman is another story. Its legacies include openness about using race as a prime factor in selecting jurors; making jury selection consultants key legal figures, and establishing Johnny L. Cochran as one of the pre-eminent defense lawyers of the last century.

Probably more importantly, the trial also ended illusions that had denied some sad realities: For one, it demonstrated clearly that wealthy celebrities can buy more effective legal defense than others, regardless of the facts in any case.

It also destroyed the belief that America had accomplished a lot toward overcoming racism.

For sure, racial awareness has been keen since America’s inception, or at least since the first African slaves arrived here unwillingly in 1619. But in the years just before Simpson’s mid-1990s trial, many polls showed Americans believed race had become less divisive, with people regarded more often as individuals than before and viewed less through the racial lens.

This illusion was likely one factor moving then-District Attorney Gil Garcetti of Los Angeles County to move the case into downtown Los Angeles, with its polyglot jury pool, rather than keeping it in a branch courthouse in Santa Monica, where the pool would have been mostly white and far more wealthy.

Any pretension of color-blindness disappeared the moment voire dire began in late 1994. Cochran and co-counsel Robert Shapiro quickly began using peremptory challenges to eliminate every potential white juror they could, not needing any reason beyond race.

They discerned that even though Simpson often said he was neither black nor white, but merely OJ, this was not how most African-Americans saw him. He was a hero to many, even as there were no strong racial components in either his movies or the TV commercials that showed him hurdling through airports en route to a rental car.

Meanwhile, prosecutors Bill Hodgeman and Marcia Clark did not visibly use challenges to shape the jury’s racial makeup. They would not likely be so naïve today.

The result was that eight of the 12 jurors who would eventually acquit Simpson were Black, with only one white, along with two Hispanics and one juror who was half Native American.

This would prove disastrous for Garcetti, who tried to compensate by taking the veteran Hodgeman off the case and eventually making one of his Black deputies, Christopher Darden, a co-lead prosecutor.

So race pervaded this trial, right up through the loud celebrations among many African-Americans after Simpson’s acquittal.

After-effects can be seen throughout American life today; identity politics has become a major theme for Democrats, who see many issues through lenses that don’t differentiate much among individuals, but mainly consider only large groups.

Then there is the residue of Simpson’s pulling together his high-fee legal “dream team,” including not just Cochran and Shapiro, but also the noted F. Lee Bailey and Alan Dershowitz, along with civil rights advocate Barry Scheck.

No one cared about their very diverse ethnicities; the racial focus was on Simpson, his white victims and one detective who had employed racist terms.

Simpson didn’t intend any of this. He did not create the shameful racial heritage of America, nor did he design his legal strategy; Cochran did that.

But without his celebrity status and the prominence of his trial, televised daily for many months world-wide, it’s possible these things would not matter the way they do now.

So never mind whether Simpson leaves personal legacies. His trial changed a lot about America, destroying multiple illusions of fairness and equity across racial and economic lines.

Thomas Elias covered the OJ Simpson criminal trial for the Scripps Howard News Service. He was in court daily. Email him at [email protected].

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