Will Friedle Wishes ‘Boy Meets World’ Gave Eric a ‘Girl or Guy’ Love Interest Over Maitland Ward
Will Friedle has certain regrets about his Boy Meets World character Eric Matthews’ story arc.
“In season 6, they kind of just let Eric out to dry by himself,” Friedle,49, lamented on the Thursday, June 25, episode of his “Pod Meets World” recap podcast. “Yes, it was funny, but I would have given him some sort of a love interest that lasted.”
Throughout the early seasons of BMW, Eric was seen as the suave, casanova older brother of protagonist Cory Matthews (Ben Savage). After Eric went off to college, he caught feelings for roommate Rachel (Maitland Ward) despite his BFF, Jack (Matthew Lawrence), similarly having a crush on her. The show ended with Rachel and Jack getting together, while Eric remained single. (It was later revealed in Disney Channel’s Girl Meets World spinoff that Rachel and Jack eventually went their separate ways, seldom keeping in touch.)
“Maybe people are gonna think this is harsh,” Friedle pondered on the podcast episode. “Maybe the Rachel character doesn’t ever come onto the show and you bring on a girl, an actual girl or guy for Eric, that is somebody that is a regular on the series that you see him try to develop his own kind of relationship with.”
Related: Danielle Fishel, Maitland Ward’s Feud Began Before 'Boy Meets World' Podcast
Danielle Fishel and Maitland Ward’s drama started long before their heated “Pod Meets World” conversation. Fishel and Ward met while filming Boy Meets World season 6 in 1998. Fishel had been on the series since its inaugural season in 1993, and Ward joined the cast five years later. The women worked together until the series […]Ward, 49, joined the cast at the start of season 6 in 1998, remaining on the show until 2000. Viewers first saw her room with Eric and Jack before moving in with Angela (Trina McGee) and Topanga (Danielle Fishel).
According to Friedle, Ward’s arrival on BMW “muddled that relationship” between Eric and Jack.
“You kind of go, ‘Well, what was the point of this?’” Friedle quipped, noting that Rachel was brought in solely to be “sexy” and “stand between two guys” interested in her. “It’s no knock on Maitland’s acting, they just never gave the character anything.”
Ward, who transitioned to working in adult entertainment in the years since BMW, has recently been at odds with her former costars. She previously claimed that Fishel, 45, wouldn’t speak with her during an episode of Girl Meets World. (Fishel denied the claims.)
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Related: 'Boy Meets World' Costars Reveal They 'Almost' Dated After Show Ended
Boy Meets World alum Will Friedle is opening up about the “crush” he once had on former costar Danielle Fishel. “I told you, years later, I had a crush on you, Danielle,” Friedle, 49, told Fishel, 45, during the Thursday, June 4, episode of their “Pod Meets World” podcast with fellow Boy Meets World alum […]“I was shocked that she didn’t even … she said ‘Hello,’ that’s it. It’s just a weird kind of thing, and I wish that we could be friends and I don’t know the full reasons behind it,” Ward exclusively told Us Weekly in September 2022. “I had heard maybe she didn’t like the whole old costars on the show, the girls to come back on there or something, but I don’t know why she didn’t or doesn’t like me … we didn’t, like, have a blowout. I was expecting bear hugs like I got from the guys [Ben and Rider Strong], and [with Danielle] it was like, ‘Oh … hi.’”
As for Fishel, she stated on a February 2025 podcast episode that GMW had a “difficult set” that affected her actions. Fishel and Ward eventually cleared the air on the perceived drama, but they have not remained in touch.
“We have not spoken at all,” Ward told Fox News Digital last month. “There’s been no contact. There’s been no ill will either. There’s been no fighting or anything. It’s just, we have not spoken, those three. [We’re] in a place where we are not connected right now, and it’s sad.”
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
