The cast of the beloved 1990s sitcom Boy Meets World is telling a painful story of fracture. Danielle Fishel, Rider Strong , and Will Friedle, who launched the recap podcast Pod Meets World in 2022 , have spent months discussing the absence of lead actor Ben Savage, according to a news report on the cast's estrangement. Savage chose not to join the project, and the trio have revealed that they now have little to no contact with him, while Savage has moved into politics, running for California's 30th congressional district in 2023.

Why Pod Meets World launched without Cory Matthews in 2022

When the trio started Pod Meets World in 2022, the obvious missing voice was Ben Savage, who played the show's protagonist Cory Matthews. According to Fishel, Savage simply told them the podcast wasn't for him, but she said she spent months trying to understand his withdrawal. As the report notes, there was no conflict or animosity, but the decision left a void that the co-stars have been navigating publicly ever since. The podcast has become a space not just for rewatching old eipsodes but for processing the loss of connection with their former colleague.

The $0 campaign trail: Savage's 2023 congressional primary loss

Ben Savage's political move was the most tangible divergence from his acting past. In March 2023, he announced his candidacy as a Democrat for California's 30th congressional district, according to the report. However, he did not advance past the primary.. rider Strong addressed this directly on the podcast, noting that he and Savage were often on opposite sides politically during their younger years,and that he doesn't know Savage's current stances. The political gap is now part of the estrangement narrative, and the fact that Savage chose a public path that contrasts with his co-stars' shared nostalgia project underscores the depth of their split.

Danielle Fishel's 'no animosity' but years of silence

Fishel has been the most vocal about her hope for reconciliation.. She told the podcast that despite the estrangement, she will always love Savage and wishes she knew about his milestones, according to the report. The phrase “no animosity” has been repeated, but the length of the silence—years without meaningful contact—suggests a wound that hasn't healed. the trio have expressed sadness over the loss of connection, and the podcast episodes on the topic have drawn attention from fans who grew up with the show and now see a fractured family off-screen.

What remains unknown about Savage's next act

The report states that Ben Savage has not officially retired from acting, with his most recent credited role being a 2022 TV movie. Yet there is no indication of future acting projects or any desire to return to the Boy Meets World universe. The open question is whether Savage will return to acting at all, or if his failed political bid has left him in a creative and professional limbo. His co-stars have not heard from him recently , and the silence from Savage himself leaves the door wide open for speculation.