Decades after “Boy Meets World” ended, Rider Strong says he has a new appreciation for the role that made him a household name.
In an exclusive interview with Entertainment Now, the star reflected on how his relationship with the beloved sitcom has evolved, why ’90s nostalgia continues to resonate with fans, and what’s next for his fiction podcast “Red Weather.”
Rider Strong on Leaning Into ’90s Nostalgia & New Simple Mills Partnership
“I’m just leaning into nostalgia in my life in general right now,” Strong told Entertainment Now. “I spent so much of my 20s and my 30s trying to avoid ‘Boy Meets World.’ Then we started ‘Pod Meets World,’ and it’s completely changed my life.”
The actor explained embracing the series and the memories associated with it has been unexpectedly rewarding.
“I was kind of a part of a lot of people’s adolescence in a way that I used to be scared of or think was weird,” he said. “Now I think it’s actually really great because people have such positive memories.”
That renewed perspective made partnering with Simple Mills on its nostalgic back-to-school campaign a natural fit.
“They’re bringing back the taste of the ’90s,” Strong said. “I didn’t think I’d ever really thought about that until I tried them, and they actually do taste like snacks from the ’90s.”
When asked what Shawn Hunter’s lunchbox might have looked like, Strong laughed.
“He was raised in a trailer park,” he said. “He was probably scrounging out of Cory’s lunch.”
Rider Strong Explains Why ‘Boy Meets World’ Still Resonates Today
Strong believes part of the show’s enduring appeal is tied to what the ’90s now represent culturally: a simpler, less connected time.
“I think there’s something really special about pre-technology time,” he said. “We didn’t have phones. We didn’t have constant contact. We didn’t really have the internet.”
He noted that memories of spending time with friends face-to-face remain especially meaningful to many people.
“The idea of that time in our lives where we could just be with our friends, hanging out, skateboarding — that’s a magical memory for all of us.”
For Strong, that nostalgia has taken on an even deeper meaning through “Pod Meets World,” where he revisits the series alongside former co-stars Danielle Fishel and Will Friedle.
“I was so scared to confront the popularity of the show because when you’re a child actor, you don’t know how big something’s going to become,” he said. “I think I decided it was just a fluke and not actually that good.”
Rewatching the series, however, changed his perspective.
“It’s genuinely great, and I can see why people love it and why it’s lasted,” Strong said. “If you’re going to have a TV show take over your life, it’s nice that it’s a good one.”
Rider Strong Shares Update on ‘Red Weather’ Season 2
Beyond “Pod Meets World,” Strong continues to focus on original storytelling through his fiction podcast “Red Weather,”
The series blends elements of Strong’s real life with a fictional crime story, mixing interviews with family and friends alongside performances from actors.
“I took elements of my real life and created a fake crime in the midst of my real life,” Strong said. “Then I interviewed my real family and real friends and added in actors.”
After releasing the first season earlier this year, Strong said he’s already developing Season 2 and hopes to launch it next spring.
