Boy Meets World Podcast Hosts Explain Omission of Fred Savage Allegations

The hosts of the “Boy Meets World” podcast, known as “Pod Meets World,” recently addressed their decision to exclude comments regarding allegations against actor Fred Savage. The discussion emerged during an episode where the trio reflected on their experiences with the show and their relationship with Ben Savage, Fred’s younger brother.

During the podcast, Danielle Fishel expressed her concern about how mentioning the allegations might affect Ben. She stated, “I had a fear that Ben was going to hear it and he’s going to be angry at me for acknowledging this.” Fishel clarified that their choice was made out of respect for Ben, highlighting the delicate nature of the topic.

Rider Strong contributed to the conversation by noting their limited access to information about Fred’s situation. He remarked, “I don’t know if we have any special access to more information about the Fred situation… all we could really do is say… which is in the public eye.” The hosts questioned the necessity of connecting their discussion to the allegations, ultimately deciding against addressing them in detail.

The podcast hosts revisited an episode from 1998 titled “Everybody Loves Stuart,” which featured Fred Savage as a college professor pursuing Topanga, portrayed by Fishel. Behind the scenes, Fred has faced several allegations over the years. In 1993, a costume designer from “The Wonder Years” accused him and co-star Jason Hervey of harassment, which was settled out of court. More recently, in 2018, costume designer Youngjoo Hwang accused him of assault and intimidation, a claim that led to an internal investigation by Fox, which ultimately cleared him. Nevertheless, in May 2022, ABC terminated his role as executive producer and director of the reboot of “The Wonder Years” following an investigation into alleged misconduct, which he denied.

Fishel further revealed that the trio had previously recorded an acknowledgment of the allegations but chose to remove it. “Out of respect for Ben… I just didn’t want to add one more thing,” she explained. Will Friedle emphasized that their omission was a collective decision, stating, “We probably fumbled it where we should have at least acknowledged it… but that’s all it would have been: acknowledging what everybody else knows from the news, because there’s literally nothing we could add to it.”

The hosts’ decision sparked discussions about the balance between addressing serious allegations and maintaining respect for personal relationships. While they recognized the importance of acknowledging the situation, they ultimately concluded that it would not significantly enhance their analysis of the episode or their conversation surrounding it.

This choice reflects the complexities often faced by public figures when navigating sensitive topics, especially those involving close acquaintances. The podcast continues to be a platform for nostalgia and reflection on the impact of “Boy Meets World,” while the backdrop of these allegations serves as a reminder of the challenges that can arise in the entertainment industry.