A Tribute to David Kendall (1957 - 2026)

Summary

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Pod Meets World – A Tribute to David Kendall (1957–2026)

iHeartPodcasts • May 10, 2026

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Episode Overview

This heartfelt episode of Pod Meets World is dedicated to honoring the life and career of David Kendall: writer, director, producer, mentor, and a fundamental creative force behind Boy Meets World and countless other beloved shows. Danielle Fishel, Will Friedle, and guests pay tribute through memories, voice notes, and personal stories, providing listeners with an intimate portrait of a man whose humor, kindness, and creative spirit left a lasting impact on generations of television and the people who make it.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. David Kendall’s Legacy in Television

• Worked across 40+ series, over 600 episodes, 200+ as director; credits include Boy Meets World, Growing Pains, Melissa & Joey, Ned's Declassified, iCarly, Victorious, Clueless, Hannah Montana, Even Stevens, Sydney to the Max.
  (05:00–06:10)
• Noted for frequently collaborating with actors and writers who would become household names (Zendaya, Ariana Grande, Austin Butler, Miley Cyrus, the Jonas Brothers, etc.).
• Described as "absolute favorite" among the Pod Meets World podcasters and listeners, often referred to as an encyclopedia for show lore (“I bet Kendall knows…”).
• Remembered for making the Boy Meets World set feel like “home,” protecting child actors, and for a memorable episode aptly titled “Home.”
  (05:00–06:10)
• Consummate mentor: fostered the development of other showrunners and directors, including members of the podcast team.

2. Memories Shared by Close Colleagues & Friends

Jeff McCracken (Producer/Director)

• Kendall was a “calm, guiding force” and respected leader beloved by both writing staff and cast.
• Never forceful or egotistical; “just loved the action of giving birth to his show.”
  (06:11–07:20)
• Had a memorable laugh, which “was always reassuring and a true barometer” for funny material.
• “I never knew David to not eat an apple a day… whenever I bite into an apple, I can't help but think of him.”
• “He personified the heart and soul of Boy Meets World.”
  (07:30–09:30)

Jeff Sherman (Writer)

• Kendall’s arrival as co-showrunner “instantly made the Boy Meets World writers room and stage safer, joyous, fertile places to collaborate.”
• “A gentleman, but also a little boy with the most infectious giggle.”
  (10:07–11:16)
• Cared deeply for writers, mentoring many, and was present and funny throughout his final months.
• “He was one of the good guys I loved.”
  (11:20–11:45)

Barbie Block (Casting Director)

• Worked with Kendall on multiple series; cherished “the ease and familiarity” of collaborating with him.
• “David loved actors so much. He was always giving them second reads, notes, and rooting from the sidelines.”
  (12:41–13:40)
• “Proof that nice guys can be super, super successful.”
  (13:48–14:00)

Melissa Joan Hart (Actress/Producer)

• Melissa & Joey star and close friend: “What a guy… always had a smile, always lightened the mood, always came to solve the problem.”
• Kendall understood her discomfort with compliments and jokingly reversed them: “I’m not giving you a compliment right now!” (15:00–15:40)
• After the show ended, Kendall would text her weekly: “You’re funny and you’re pretty. God bless the funny people.”
  (14:14–16:20)
• “Rest in peace, and God bless the funny people.”
  (16:37)

Elisa Donovan (Actress)

• First met Kendall on Clueless: he was “so supportive of me, and he made me laugh… really saw me as an artist.”
• Later, rescued a Melissa & Joey episode by bringing her in last-minute: “He just gave me this giant hug and he’s like, ‘She’s here to save the day.’”
• “He championed everyone like that… he made me feel really special.”
  (16:56–19:58)

Ed Dector (Writer & Lifelong Friend)

• Their friendship spanned 50 years; recounted unique, personal facts:
  • Kendall was a professional juggler, performed at the White House for President Gerald Ford.
    "By the time David was in high school, he had become a professional juggler and had performed on the White House lawn for President Gerald Ford." (23:40)
  • Lifelong baseball (Phillies) fan, political pin collector.
  • Once wrote a single Growing Pains spec and was immediately hired; “rose from staff writer to executive producer in six years.”
    (23:58–24:25)
  • Had an “extensive collection of 1939 World Series memorabilia.”
  • Known for mentoring, often encouraging staff to wear ties on show nights.
  • "David was a very poor driver... when he could no longer drive due to his illness, he was the first to admit the roads were safer places." (24:19)
  • Shared a love of classic film with his son Jack and passed on the craft of filmmaking.
    (24:40–25:28)

William Rusty Russ (Alan Matthews, Boy Meets World)

• “He brought joy to the set… the world will be a less joyful place because he’s not in it.” (25:35)

Matthew Lawrence (Actor)

• “He played a meaningful role in shaping stories that meant so much to so many of us.”
• “He communicated the story and the comedy… in a way that made you feel empowered to give the best performance.”
• Recalled reaching out for help writing comedy; “the first person we called was David.” (26:13–27:17)

Christian J. Simon, Jackson Dollinger, Ava Kolker (Young Actors, Sydney to the Max)

• All emphasize Kendall’s “passion,” mentorship, humor, and approachability.
• Dollinger: “He took me from zero to completely sufficient on a multicam set… I owe so much of it to David.”
• Kolker: “He always brought the dad jokes and the puns — a refreshing spirit to have around.” (27:36–31:30)

Devin Werkheiser (Ned's Declassified, Actor/Podcaster)

• “He was encouraging and supportive throughout the years… generous of spirit and humor.”
• “I’ll remember his laugh, I’ll remember his voice, and I’ll really miss him.”
  (31:42–33:46)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

“If it smells like a haunted swamp, you’ve crossed the line.”
— David Kendall/Narrator [00:50] & [47:23] (on laundry mishaps — a favorite Kendall witticism)

“When you’re in the trenches working and collaborating together to make the best show possible while navigating the pressures of time and logistics, you develop an indelible bond of comradeship. I can’t tell you how blessed and grateful I am to have shared that with David.”
— Jeff McCracken [09:05]

“Every day, without fail, there was that apple he’d bring to work… And to this day, whenever I bite into an apple, I can’t help but think of him.”
— Jeff McCracken [08:30]

“He mastered each position with ease and grace… He helped put a booster rocket on our little TGIF show that has become a perpetual international hit for more than three decades and multiple generations.”
— Jeff Sherman [10:10]

“He just really championed everyone like that. He was so enthusiastic about the work he was doing… he made me feel really special.”
— Elisa Donovan [19:00]

“You’re funny and you’re pretty. God bless the funny people… and that’s because of David.”
— Melissa Joan Hart [15:41–16:37]

“You know, he, we called each other fake dad and fake son for 35 years… He was very special to me.”
— Will Friedle [44:00]

“He personified the heart and soul of Boy Meets World… always doing his best to honor the character’s authenticity.”
— Jeff McCracken [08:30]

“Proof that nice guys can be super, super successful.”
— Barbie Block [13:55]

“He brought joy to the set… the world will be a less joyful place because he’s not in it.”
— William Rusty Russ [25:40]

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Podcast Host & Team Reflections

Danielle Fishel

• Shared gratitude for Kendall’s mentorship — allowed her and her brother to shadow him on Stuck in the Middle, giving transparent, generous instruction.
• “To see him as an adult and… have honest conversations about our time on Boy Meets World… David has always been the same and has always been just a true mensch.”
  (38:05–39:41)
• Emphasized how much Kendall loved his family above all, and how he guided with “pages and pages of information” — always willing to help others succeed behind and in front of the camera.
  (41:58–43:51)

Will Friedle

• Maintained a close bond after Boy Meets World (“fake dad/fake son”).
• Highlighted how rare it was to maintain such special friendships over decades.
• Kendall was the go-to for show facts (“I bet Kendall knows”) and always the first call for advice.

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Timestamps for Significant Segments

• David Kendall’s Career Overview: 05:00–06:10
• McCracken’s Memoir: 06:11–10:07
• Jeff Sherman tribute: 10:07–12:41
• Barbie Block on casting with Kendall: 12:41–14:00
• Melissa Joan Hart’s tribute: 14:14–16:48
• Elisa Donovan’s tribute: 16:56–20:21
• Ed Dector’s “fun facts”: 23:40–25:28
• William Rusty Russ and Matthew Lawrence: 25:35–27:17
• Young actors on Sydney to the Max: 27:36–31:30
• Devin Werkheiser on Ned’s Declassified: 31:42–33:46
• Hosts’ personal memories: 38:05–44:09

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Episode Tone & Final Takeaway

Every story and memory shares a throughline: David Kendall was not only a prolific creative force in TV, but a source of compassion, mentorship, humility, and joy — the rare “good guy” who always made others feel valued, seen, and empowered.
The Boy Meets World cast and broader TV community continue to feel his impact, and listeners are encouraged to remember him as “the guy you called when you needed to know, would help you with a story or a laugh, and always found a way to leave people better than he found them.”

David, we love you. You will be missed. “God bless the funny people.”

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For more tributes or to share your memories, reach out at podmeetsworldshowmail.com or follow on Instagram @podmeetsworldshow.

Transcript

[Podcast Announcer]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.

[Will Friedle]

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[Danielle Fishel]

But here's the thing. With so much great TV and my entertainment, you're going to want to talk about everything you've been watching.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

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[Will Friedle]

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[Danielle Fishel]

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[David Kendall / Narrator]

New customers only. Service renews monthly unless canceled. Credit card required conditions apply to apps. HBO Max Basic with ads begins after DirecTV five day trial. Learn [e-mail], restrictions apply.

[Will Friedle]

Okay, quick question. How long is too long to leave laundry in the washer?

[David Kendall / Narrator]

If it smells like a haunted swamp, you've crossed the line.

[Danielle Fishel]

Relax. That's what Arm and Hammer Deep Clean is for.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

It's the powerful shortcut that forgives your laundry shortcuts.

[Will Friedle]

Forgot a load? Mixed your sweaty gym clothes with everything you own. No judgment.

[Danielle Fishel]

Deep Clean is strong enough to handle real life stinks and stains.

[Will Friedle]

Because it's just laundry, you shouldn't stress over it.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

From the number one liquid detergent brand that tackles more loads than any other. Come clean with Arm and Hammer Deep

[Will Friedle]

Clean Number one claim based on total wash loads sold.

[Podcast Announcer]

Dry eyes still feel gritty, rough or tired with Mibo eyes can feel Mibo O yeah. Meibo Perfluorohexaloctane Ophthalmic solution is used to treat the signs and symptoms of dry eye disease. It's the only prescription dry eye drop that forms a protective layer for the number one too much tear evaporation so eyes can find relief. That's don't use if allergic to Maibo. Remove contacts before using and when. Wait at least 30 minutes before putting them back in. Eye redness and blurred vision may occur. For more info, talk to your eye doctor. Call 1-844-MEIBO yeah or visit maibo.com

[Will Friedle]

Summertime is here and you know what that means.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

Beach trips?

[Danielle Fishel]

Family vacations?

[Will Friedle]

Nope. It means it's time to find your next obsession on Prime Video.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

Oh yes, we do love a good obsession here. Especially when you could talk about for years and suggest to everyone you know

[Danielle Fishel]

steamy romance, addictive love stories and the book to scre favorites you've already read twice.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

Because when a story hits, it really hits off campus.

[Will Friedle]

L the love hypothesis and much much

[Danielle Fishel]

more Slow burns second chances chemistry you can feel through the screen the type

[David Kendall / Narrator]

of binge worthy shows and can't miss movies where you're fully invested, staying up all night just to finish it. Just one more. Oh, all right, one more. You know the feeling.

[Will Friedle]

The kind of stories that pull you in and don't let go in the best way.

[Danielle Fishel]

Your next obsession is waiting.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

Watch only on Prime. Throughout our time on Boy Meets World, we had the honor of working with writers, directors and producers who single handedly changed family television creatives whose body of work is expansive and legendary. And this week we are talking about one of our favorite examples of this type of co worker. Someone we will miss dearly. David Kendall was the executive producer and showrunner of Boy Meets world for seasons two and three and he would go on to direct 13 episodes right up until the end. He wrote one episode, the focus shifting season two premiere back to School and before joining us he was an EP on a little show called Growing Pains which he wrote 33 episodes of. He would go on to direct on shows like iCarly, Victorious, Clueless, Ned's, Declassified, even Stevens and Hannah Montana. Then he went on to co create Melissa and Joey which ran for over 100 episodes on ABC Family Freeform. He recently directed two pilots for the Disney Channel, both shows I had the honor of directing myself, Coop and Ask the World and Sidney to the Max. We couldn't possibly name all his credits because we'd honestly be here all day. He worked directly with all the actors now running Hollywood, from Austin Butler to Zendaya to Ariana Grande to Miley to the Jobros. He brought his creativity and genuine love for both the art form and the actors to over 40 different series. 600 episodes of TV with 200 plus as a director. He was an absolute favorite for us to have on the podcast. Not just for us who have loved him for 30 years, but for those just getting to know him as listeners. The frequent we'll text Kendall and ask him or I bet Kendall knows, wasn't just proof that the guy knew his stuff, but also our way of just winking at him through the show. His last Pod Meets World appearance was on May 7, 2025 and yet here we are only a little under a year later without him, and it does not seem fair. It's no coincidence that one of his episodes of Boy Meets World is called home because he is one of the few who made our set feel like one. From making sure we were protected as children to pretending to be Will's dad on the trip to film with Nancy Kerrigan. He is ingr in our brains as an ally, a friend and a mentor. We'll talk a little about Kendall today and we've asked some of his friends from shows he's worked on over the years, including Boy Meets World, to send in voice memos or letters to read in hopes that sharing their feelings on David will let you know even more about him and one last time, our way to talk to him through the podcast. We also would love to send our love to David's family, his wife Wendy, and his beloved children. We received this audio Message from Jeff McCracken.

[Jeff McCracken]

Hi, this is Jeff McCracken. I'm talking about David Kendall. As a showrunner and director, David was a calm, guiding force for everyone. He never sought the spotlight or threw his weight around. He simply loved the action of giving birth to his show and sharing in that collaboration. It goes without saying that he was beloved by the writing staff and all those who worked with him. And he was adored by the cast and crew because he always respected them and their creative process. And he never hesitated to find a better way of telling the story or finding the humor in a moment. He was smart, pragmatic and funny. He always had a can do spirit and an enthusiasm that was simply infectious. I remember David's first directing experience on Boy Meets World. It was the last episode of season two, and the only thing he directed prior to that was a film he wrote like 10 years prior. And I remember he was like a kid in a candy store. I never saw him so happy. Not only did he get to shape the writing as an executive producer, but he also got to play in the sandbox with the actors and crew to personally make it a, you know, come alive. He was a natural at directing. You could definitely see he was in his element, something that he really enjoyed doing. In fact, while a student at Wesleyan University, he happened to direct My Wife in a short comedic play that he'd written. My wife remembers him being very quiet and serious, but the sweetest guy and of course so very talented. She said he was already honing his comedic chops even then. Coincidentally, another Wesleyan classmate of David's was Ed Dector, who also worked on Boy Meets World during the first season, and they would both again work together when David wrote a movie called the New Guy that Ed actually directed. And this is by way of saying that if you look at David's credits, you see a pattern of frequent collaborations with the same people, a testament to how much people respected and liked working with him. I love David's laugh and the joy he brought to his work. I mean, David's laugh is always reassuring that it was never forced or false. It was a reliable, true barometer of whether the material or performances were funny or working. You know, a funny side note is I never knew David to not eat an apple a day. I mean, every day, without fail, there was that apple he'd bring to work. And to this day, whenever I bite into an apple, I can't help but think of him. Working with David was just so easy and fun. You know, he personified the heart and soul of Boy Meets World. He knew the formula of how to mix the humor with the dramatic moments of the show, always doing his best to honor the character's authenticity. I remember one time after taping a show, he turned to me and said, quick, let's get out of here. Before they realized we'd actually do this for free. We saw David sweat or get flustered or lose his temper, and I never once heard him belittle or talk down to anyone. He had an even hand that put everyone at ease, creating an environment that allowed and encouraged everyone to do their very best work. Producer writer Jeff Sherman wrote a beautiful and touching homage about David on Facebook, giving a firsthand perspective from the writer's room and how incredible he was in co running the show during the second and third season. And I agree with everything he says. When you're in the trenches working and collaborating together to make the best show possible while navigating the pressures of time and logistics, you develop an indelible bond of comradeship. And I can't tell you how blessed and grateful I am to have shared that with David. I mean, he was a. A true original. And I'm just devastated not only for Wendy and his beautiful family, but for anyone who had the privilege of working and knowing him. I want to thank you guys for honoring David in this way. You know I love you guys, and we'll talk again soon. Right now, I think I need to go grab myself an apple.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

And here is that letter that Jeff referenced, written by Jeff Sherman and posted to his Facebook. When David Kendall came on as co showrunner for our second and third seasons, along with our series creator and EP Michael Jacobs, the Boy Meets World writers room and stage instantly became safer, joyous, fertile places to collaborate, laugh, debate, challenge, grow and create. So much of David's experience. Craft, wisdom, care, intelligence and calm is intrinsically woven into the seasons. He took part as an EP writer and director. He mastered each position with ease and grace. He was always prepared a steadying grown up on a show that needed one. He helped put a booster rocket on our little TGIF show that has become a perpetual international hit for more than three decades and multiple generations. A gentleman, but also a little boy with the most infectious giggle, David adored the camaraderie and team magic of the room. He was also a respected, unshakable, supportive leader who quietly championed us all and took the slings and arrows. David was my age, but a much older soul. He brought that professional but personal connection to so many of my and your favorite series and movies. He was deeply beloved by iconic writers under whom he learned and countless others that David empowered to dream and fly. Writers like me. You'd find so many writers from his various staffs gathered at his home these past months as he and his close family fought this last battle. David was still funny as hell throughout. I was honored. The first episode of Boy Meets World David Kendall chose to direct was the season two finale I wrote called Home. It's one of mine that I'm most proud of and it's considered a fan favorite. David was also an avid music fan and would frequently hunt down original sheet music of my grandfather's Tin Pan Alley hits at swap meets and antique stores and send them my way. He was a great man, an amazing husband and father. I'm blessed. David was one of my prime mentors and colleagues as well as a longtime friend. He was one of the good guys I loved. We're all so much better for David Kendall having been in the world when we were. Love to Wendy and your sweet family. Safe travels, dk. We also received an email from Betsy Randall who said I always enjoyed David when he joined us on a Boy Meets World adventure. A wonderfully kind man who genuinely enjoyed our work, which is always a special thing. He will be missed indeed. And here are some thoughts from one of our incredible casting agents from Boy Meets World who worked with David numerous times over the years. It's the great Barbie block.

[Barbie Block]

So I first got to know David in 1994 when we worked together on my first series, Boy Meets World. We continue to work together often Kirby Buckets, Jonas, Girl Meets World, Sydney to the max. And there was just always such an ease and familiarity in working together. Like the gift of Boy Meets World, the keeps coming. David loved actors so much. He was always giving them second reads and notes and auditions and rooting from the sidelines. Just a great positive presence. The last time I ran into David was at a musical performance for a young actor, Jensen Gehring David had directed his Nick series and he came out to Lucky Strike on a Sunday night in the heart of Hollywood. The to support some young actors on a show he had directed about a year before. We chatted and we kibitzed about the party at Ryder's house that had recently happened and how special it was to feel so bonded with people from 30 years ago. David was just one of the kindest, most sincere, decent people in our business and proof that nice guys can be super, super successful. Rest in peace, David.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

David worked for four seasons on Melissa and Joey as the executive producer and showrunner. It was one of his more hands on projects from start to finish. Here is a message from friend and star of the show, Melissa Joan Hart.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Hey guys, it's Melissa Joan Hart here. And I wanted to just leave a little message about my good dear friend David Kendall. What a guy. I mean, I, gosh, will always remember he always had a smile. No matter how much pressure, no matter what the network was doing or how badly we were behaving on set, David just always, always came to lighten the mood, solve the problem, smile, laugh about it, make a joke about it, like really, really heartful to Joy kind of guy. I just can't believe he's gone so soon. I just saw him like he was in Nashville a few years ago directing one of Mario Lopez's movies and we met up on set and like he just was, I mean we did five years of Melissa and Joey together and I mean the man, he really listened to you. Like one of my favorite stories is that first of all, I don't like compliments. I think in this business we get like smoke blown up our, you know, what's. And I, he recognized that in me that he would give me compliments and I'd blow it off. And so he started coming to me and saying, I'm not giving you a compliment right now. And I went, wow, thank you. Like I really noticed that, like that he, he reversed it on me and it meant something. But not only that, when we were ending the show, none of my other shows I ever knew were ending. But Melissa and Joey, we knew we were at the end, we had a few more episodes left and I started getting really upset about it. I was really mourning my character, this fun character, Mel, that I was never gonna get. Like, by the way, it's my favorite character I've ever played. And I was like mourning that I wasn't gonna get to play her anymore. And I started kind of crying on set a few times. I was like you know, my kids don't tell me, like, oh, thanks, mom, for remembering to pack my football gear. Thanks, mom, for the best Mac and cheese ever. Thanks, mom, for making my bed. You know, there were. There was no thanks at home. I was going through, like, the kid years and. And just felt, like, totally unseen, right? And here I am at work, and I give one good laugh, and everyone's like, oh, you're so talented. You're so funny. Oh, you look so pretty. Look at that dress on you. You know, all these compliments, and then you go home and it's like, nothing. And I was like, who's gonna tell me that I'm funny and pretty? So no joke. For the last, I don't know, 12 years that we haven't been on that show since the show ended, he will text me most Thursday nights and say, you're funny and you're pretty. God bless the funny people. And so I always. When someone passes away, that was in the comedy world, I always hashtag it, God bless the funny people. And that's because of David. So to you, David, rest in peace, and God bless the funny people.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

Elisa Donovan worked with David a few times, first on an episode of Clueless, and she sent in her thoughts.

[Elisa Donovan]

So what I remember most is the first time that I met David, and he directed an episode of the TV show of Clueless. And in this particular episode, it was about our senior prom. And he's the first person that really said, like, he. He appreciated what I was doing on. On a level that was like, he just was so supportive of me, and he made me laugh. Like, I made him laugh out loud. And we have so much footage of, you know, on our gag reels of that particular episode because we just were in hysterics. But then also, it was one of the only moments in the entire series for me where my character got to, like, emote. She revealed this part of herself that she was sad that she felt like an outsider. And he was just, like. He just was so supportive of me and made sure that I had everything I needed. He just took the work that we were doing kind of as seriously as I did. And I felt like he really saw me as an artist. And I felt like, oh, God, I hope that he comes back again, you know, and that we get to work together again. And then he didn't come back to Clueless. We only had another few episodes, but then over the years, we worked together several times. And the other was he was doing Melissa and Joey, and the actress that they hired did not work out. And it was like a real problem and they had to fire her. And he said, where's Elisa Donovan? Get Elisa Donovan.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

Can you get her over here?

[Elisa Donovan]

Can she come down here? I know she could do this. You can give her anything. She can do it. At the last minute, she just. I know that she can do it. And I was living in San Francisco, I still am, and they called my agent and I was like, sure, I can come down. So I came into sort of the middle of this episode where they had already begun. And I just felt so appreciated by him where I walked in and he just gave me this giant hug and he's like, she's here to save the day, you know, and he just really championed everyone like that. Like he was so enthusiastic about the work he was doing. And I know I'm not the only person that he made feel this way, but he did make me feel really special. And those sorts of people, you just don't come across them all the time. And certainly not in, you know, network television in the 90s and early 2000s. So he just was one of the good ones, you know, and he, he. He made an imprint. And when people made an imprint on him, he stuck with them. And I just, he. He was one of the best. And I'm so sorry for his. His family. And he's just. He's just too soon.

[Will Friedle]

And Doug, there's nowhere I wouldn't go to help someone customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual. Even if it means sitting front row at a comedy show.

[Podcast Announcer]

Hey, everyone, check out this guy and his bird.

[Barbie Block]

What is this, your first date?

[Will Friedle]

Oh, no. We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual together. We're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

[Will Friedle]

Anyways, get a [e-mail] or with your local agent. Liberty, Liberty, Liberty, Liberty. Summertime is here. And you know what that means.

[Danielle Fishel]

Beach trips, family vacations?

[Will Friedle]

Nope. It means it's time to find your next obsession on Prime Video.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

Oh, yes, we do love a good obsession here. Especially when you could talk about for years and suggest to everyone you know,

[Danielle Fishel]

Steamy romance, addictive love stories and the book to screen favorites you've already read twice.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

Because when a story hits, it really hits off campus.

[Will Friedle]

Elle, the Love Hypothesis and much, much more.

[Danielle Fishel]

Slow burns, second chances chemistry. You can feel through the screen the

[David Kendall / Narrator]

type of binge worthy shows and can't miss movies where you're fully invested. Staying up all night just to finish It Just one more. Ooh. All right, one more. You know the feeling.

[Will Friedle]

The kind of stories that pull you in and don't let go in the best way.

[Danielle Fishel]

Your next obsession is waiting.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

Watch only on Prime.

[Will Friedle]

Hey, it's Will Friedle from POD Meets World. It's hard to believe that the first phone call ever happened over 150 years ago. Just think about that. Over the last 150 years, so many special moments have happened with a phone call. I think back to the phone call I had to make on Hollywood Boulevard, back to my agents in New York who told me that I booked the role of Eric Matthews on Boy Meets World. And it's one of the greatest phone calls I ever had in my life. I mean, hey, I even remember the phone call with Danielle and Ryder when we decided to start a podcast. That one wasn't as good. Almost four years later, here we are. And you know, over all these years and phone calls, AT&T has been there, connecting people in meaningful ways. This is more than a story of technological innovation. It's a story of human connection.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

Connecting changes everything.

[Podcast Announcer]

AT&T.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

We've all been there. You just need 10 minutes of peace and quiet to calm your overstimulation while finishing a peanut butter cup and hiding behind the refrigerator door. Just me. Oh, okay. Well, you want to give your kids something to do, but you want it to be good content, not something that sends them into an endless loop of clips that you have to worry about 24 7. That's where LingoKids comes in. It's an app for kids 2 to 8 that focuses on pure, interactive joy. It turns their screen time into an adventure where they're exploring and playing in a safe space built just for them. You get a moment to breathe, and they get an experience they're actually excited about. It's the kind of win win every parent needs. Lingokids. Everything kids love. Give your kids the play they love. And hand me that peanut butter cup. Download the LingoKids app now on your phone or tablet, and it's free. We reached out to a legend from the Boy Meets World writers room, Ed Dector, a friend of David's since basically childhood, and he wrote this for us. We all knew David as a brilliant director, writer, and showrunner. We also knew him as the consummate father, husband, son, brother, uncle, and friend. But since my friendship with David went back 50 years, I thought I'd tell you a few fun facts your listeners didn't know about him. By the time David was in high school, he had become A professional juggler and had performed on the White House lawn for President Gerald Ford. What?

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah. I didn't know that.

[Will Friedle]

You never seen that photo? Yeah, he's got a great photo of him talking to the President. Yeah.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

Unbelievable.

[Danielle Fishel]

Yeah, I love that.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

He collected US political pins and also had an extensive collection of 1939 World Series memorabilia. He was an award winning independent filmmaker whose feature Luggage of the Gods won the Houston Film Festival. He was a lifelong Philadelphia Phillies fan. With all the heartbreak that could bring, David wrote only one spec episode of a sitcom and was immediately hired on Growing Pains. He rose from staff writer to executive producer in six years. David was a feature writer. He wrote the Sony comedy the New Guy as well as the independently produced comedy Dirty Deeds. David wrote and directed television movies, both Christmas and romantic comedies. He either wrote, directed, or produced over a thousand episodes of television. David was a very poor driver, and when he could no longer drive due to his illness, he was the first to admit the roads were safer places. Most importantly to David, he he believed in teaching and mentorship. The former writers on his shows have gone on to become successful EPs and showrunners themselves. He encouraged his staff to wear ties on show night. During this past year, David and his son Jack watched hundreds of hours of classic films together. He passed on his love for the craft of filmmaking to his son. So far, Jack has only worked on films that have grossed over $100 million. David's favorite lunch order was a turkey sandwich, no cheese and no onions. It was the honor of my lifetime to be David's friend. I know I'm not alone in feeling that way. And now we have a message from William Rusty Russ, also known as Alan Matthews, from Boy Meets World.

[William Rusty Russ]

The main thing I remember about David Kendall was how much joy he seemed to bring. Whether he was directing or he's writing a joke or just running around playing with props or talking to the grips, he was just a joy to be around. And he brought it to the set. And God knows we all need a joy. We had a great time, but boy, he added to it, the world will be a less joyful place because he's not in it. Peace out, David.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

Love on you Staying in the Boy Meets World family, here is a message from our friend Matthew Lawrence.

[Matthew Lawrence]

David Kendall. I had the privilege of working alongside him on Boy Meets World, among some other projects. And he's not only an incredible, talented human being, but also kind, generous, and deeply respected by everyone around him. He played a meaningful role in shaping stories that meant so much to so many of Us. And he will truly be missed by everyone. He was genuinely one of the funny people. I'll never forget the way he communicated the story and the comedy to me. Whenever he'd give me notes, he always did it in such a way that made you feel empowered to give the best performance that you possibly could. What an amazing man. I'll never forget, even recently, about six months ago, my brothers and I were trying to write something and we just couldn't get the funny there. And the first person we called was David. I'll miss you so much, man. Really will. And I hope you are resting in beautiful peace.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

And keep in mind, David worked for decades in television. It wasn't just 90s sitcoms. He was directing as recently as 2023 on shows like Aaron and Aaron side Hustle and Sydney to the Max, which is where he met young actor Christian J. Simon. And here is a message he sent in.

[Christian J. Simon]

I'm Christian J. Simon and I had the pleasure of working with David Kendall on Sydney to the Max. What I remember most about David is his passion. He moved quickly, he knew what he wanted and he challenged you to rise to it. He really gave everything to what he did. He was a good man and it's clear how much he was loved. I feel lucky to have work with him.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

On that same show. He worked with a young Jackson Dollinger who sent in his thoughts as well.

[Jackson Dollinger]

Hey, pod meets world. Hey Danielle, thank you so much for having me on. My name is Jackson. I worked with David on the pilot of Sydney to the Max. I'm absolutely heartbroken to hear about his passing. When I first walked onto the set of Sydney to the Max, I was completely green, had no idea what I was doing. And David genuinely gave me the best habits when it comes to blocking and stage direction. He seriously took me from zero to just completely sufficient on a multi cam set. And I, because of that, I will forever feel confident walking onto a multicam set. And he obviously the pilot determines if the show gets picked up. And because of his work on that, you know, we were able to run so long and just that whole experience changed my life beyond belief. And I owe so much of it to David and his work. We used to, he used to lay down on the, on the floor and demonstrate 5050 to me when I had absolutely no idea what that meant. And it became a running joke between us. We would do this like slow motion high five and you know when, when he was in work mode, he was just dialed in, but you catch him on lunch and you sit down with him and just have a conversation. Like, he was genuinely like the sweetest guy. Just nothing but life and. And positivity. I cannot thank you, David, enough for everything he taught me and am just incredibly heartbroken. And, yeah, I hope his family's doing okay. Yeah, I'm very grateful for the time me and David shared.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

And on that same show, he worked with another busy actor, a friend of mine, Ian Reed Kessler, who also sent over a memo.

[Jeff McCracken]

Over the years, I got to work

[Matthew Lawrence]

with David Kendall many times, and it was always something special.

[Jeff McCracken]

He just loved the people around him. He loved what he did.

[Matthew Lawrence]

He always had a smile on his face.

[Jeff McCracken]

He was one of the good ones.

[Matthew Lawrence]

And he's going to be missed.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

And yet another person from Sydney to the Max. But for those of you who watched Girl Meets World, you may know her better as Ava Morgenstern. Ms. Ava Kolker sent us a message.

[Ava Kolker]

David Kendall was such an influential and inspirational man who just brought such an infectious energy to set. He was always making jokes and he was always doing his best to make everybody smile and lighten the mood. He was kind of just like the dad on set. He always brought the dad jokes and the puns, and it was just such a refreshing spirit to have around. And I'm so blessed to have learned so much from him and the fact that he did our pilot and like our very first episode of Sydney to the Maximum. He, like, set the tone for the series. And I just feel so fortunate to have worked with him and to have learned from him at such a young age. And he's just taught me things that I will keep with me forever. And I hope that he rests in peace. And I am sending so much love and prayers to his family and his children. And I feel very fortunate to have spent the time with him that I did.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

And another more recent show where he left his mark was Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide. He's credited with nine episodes over there. So we reached out to Devin Werkheiser for his thoughts.

[Devin Werkheiser]

What's up, Pod meets world crew. I hope you're doing good. This is Devin Werkiser. And man, I am so sad to hear of David Kendall's passing. What a great guy to know, what a great director and just man to have worked with. He feels like family in a lot of ways. I mean, I know he was a big part of your guys show and he was for us too. He directed the very first episode of Ned's, which was a very memorable time, and he was one of the directors that came back most often. So when I think of Ned's I feel like David was one of our main directors and creative forces. But what I remember about him most was in the years since Neds 20 years is whenever there was something to reach out about, he did. I mean he was so encouraging and supporting throughout the years. He would always send a message when I had anything going on and I really appreciate that. And when we started our podcast a few years ago, he reached out with support and came on, did an episode, talked with us and was even helping us develop and pitch reboot in the last few years. And you know, in an industry and a world full of such egos and self serving people, David Kendall was kind and generous of spirit and generous of heart and generous of humor. He was encouraging, he was supportive,

[Danielle Fishel]

he

[Devin Werkheiser]

was funny and I'll remember his laugh, I'll remember his voice and I'm really grateful to have gotten to work with him and to know him over the years and I will miss him a lot. So yeah, love you guys. Hope you're doing well. And yeah, rest in peace, David.

[Will Friedle]

Summertime is here. And you know what that means.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

Beach trips?

[Danielle Fishel]

Family vacations?

[Will Friedle]

Nope. It means it's time to find your next obsession on Prime Video.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

Oh yes, we do love a good obsession here. Especially when you could talk about for years and suggest to everyone.

[Danielle Fishel]

You know, steamy romance, addictive love stories and the book to screen favorites you've already read twice.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

Because when a story hits, it really hits off campus.

[Will Friedle]

L the love hypothesis and much, much more.

[Danielle Fishel]

Slow burns, second chances chemistry. You can feel through the screen the

[David Kendall / Narrator]

type of binge worthy shows and can't miss movies where you're fully invested, staying up all night just to finish it. Just one more. Oh, all right, one more. You know the feeling, the kind of

[Will Friedle]

stories that pull you in and don't let go in the best way.

[Danielle Fishel]

Your next obsession is waiting.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

Watch only on Prime. With my mom and dad living in Orange county, when we bring my five and seven year old to visit, we are sometimes in for a two hour drive that could feel like 10.

[Danielle Fishel]

Oh, as an avid camper, I know all about this. We'll pack up the RV and know this is either going to be the trip of a lifetime or a complete disaster.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

Which is why we load up the iPads with lingokids before we even pull out of the driveway.

[Danielle Fishel]

It's what dreams are made of. Lingokids keeps kids engaged and quiet with over 4000 interactive games, songs and shows that kids simply cannot get enough of.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

You can pack whatever you think you'll need, but Lingokids is the only entertainment you'll need for a stress free car ride.

[Danielle Fishel]

Or really any ride. Plane, train, hovercraft, whatever.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

Download Lingokids for free today or unlock

[Danielle Fishel]

even more amazing content with LingoKids.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

Plus choose the yearly plan and save up to 60%. Search LingoKids in the App Store or

[Danielle Fishel]

Google Play Lingokids Everything kids love Can

[David Kendall / Narrator]

I come clean about something?

[Danielle Fishel]

This feels like a trap, but go ahead.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

I absolutely cut corners doing laundry.

[Will Friedle]

Oh yeah, same. I don't sort by color, I sort by vibes.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

Right there's could wear again probably fine and legally biohazard.

[Danielle Fishel]

My gym clothes straight in with my delicates, survival of the fittest and jeans.

[Will Friedle]

I mean, are we sure they even need washing?

[David Kendall / Narrator]

Meanwhile, I've got a pile of kids clothes that's been sitting near the washer for so long it's basically a science project.

[Danielle Fishel]

And this is why we need Arm and Hammer Deep Clean.

[Will Friedle]

It's the powerful shortcut that forgives all your, well, questionable laundry decisions.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

Even if you forget a load or your kids find a mud puddle that just needed a belly flop, Deep Clean is strong enough to handle it, made

[Danielle Fishel]

for real life stinks and stains because, let's be honest, there's no way to avoid them.

[Will Friedle]

It's just laundry. You shouldn't stress over it.

[Danielle Fishel]

And now you don't have to.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

From the number one liquid detergent brand that tackles more loads than any other. Come clean with Arm and Hammer Deep

[Will Friedle]

Clean Number one claim based on total wash load Sold.

[Danielle Fishel]

All right, important question. If you saw a sandwich on a deli menu called the Feeney, what's on it?

[David Kendall / Narrator]

Obviously something wise. I'm thinking Dietz and Watson Oven Classic Turkey because it's classic, dependable and it makes you feel like you should have studied harder before lunch.

[Will Friedle]

I'm adding the Black Forest Uncured ham smoked the Old World way with cracked pepper and sea salt and. And when the sandwich arrives, it has to yell Mr. Matthews at the table.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

And Dietz and Watson does not cut corners. They've been handcrafting premium deli meats and artisan cheeses for over 85 years, just like Feeney had been with us since sixth grade.

[Will Friedle]

They're family owned, always doing things the right way, even when it's the hard way.

[Danielle Fishel]

They actually sent us some of their stuff and I've been loving the flavored cheddar cheeses. Real New York State Cheddar small batch, super creamy. It's dangerous how fast it disappears in My house.

[Will Friedle]

I've been making breakfast with their chicken sausage. No antibiotics ever. No nitrates or nitrites added. It is so good. I'm thinking of opening a diner or something to just eat them there.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

That's the whole point. They know good taste doesn't need a long list of ingredients.

[Danielle Fishel]

Simply made.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

Simple as that.

[Will Friedle]

Visit dietzandwatson.com the right way to learn more about the dietz difference.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

That concludes our memos and. And letters. So we. The floor is now open to us.

[Danielle Fishel]

I really, you know, I feel like I'm going to end up repeating a lot of what's already been said. But I just. From a personal perspective, Dave, David took me and my brother on to let us shadow him on a show that he was directing called Stuck in the Middle, which was a very overwhelming show to direct because they had very little money and a lot of big set pieces involving stunts and special effects. And so it was a very stressful thing to direct. And he was incredible. And all the things that people have said just never. Just undaunted and positive. And also not only taking all the energy that it takes to direct an episode of this show, we. But also constantly talking to me and my brother about how he's doing it and guiding us through how he gets through his day and how he plans these scenes and just taught us, you know, how to do what he was doing. And that for me, it was so awesome because that was in my 30s to, you know, you have memories of people from when you were a kid working with them on something like Boy Meets World. But then to see them as an adult and, you know, just to be able to see this other side of him and to have more honest conversations about our time on Boy Meets World and to realize that David has always been the same and has always been just a true mensch. It's just the best man. Just. Yeah, so that was. Getting to know him as an adult was really fulfilling and, like, made me feel so good about, you know, all the positive memories I already had about him. It was like, oh, yeah, no, he really is just that cool of a guy.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

Yeah. I remember after I got to direct those four episodes of Girl Meets World over the three seasons, and then the show ended and I had decided, that's it. I'm gonna be a director. I wanna do this. And nobody really wanted to take me seriously. They brushed off the four episodes I had directed as just being home games. And I went and just went into every meeting I could possibly take with showrunners and the Meetings always went the same way. It was always somebody saying, like, oh, you know, no, I believe in you. I believe you can do it. I'm not gonna let you direct in the first 13, because I just. I really need somebody who I, you know, has been doing this for a long time. And. And then that would inevitably mean the show wouldn't get picked up after 13 or whatever. And I was just. I felt like I was never gonna get my chance. And then I went and met with the showrunner, Mark Reisman, who had just been given the show Sidney to the Max. And in the meeting, I had like a two hour meeting with Mark, he said, well, you know, if it were up to me, the guy who directed my pilot would direct all my episodes. But Disney won't let me do that. They're making me hire a bunch of people, which is why I'm meeting with you. And I said, well, who directed your pilot? And he said, david Kendall. And I went, I've known David Kendall since I was, you know, 13, 14 years old. I've known David Kendall forever. And he. Mark just lit up. You know David Kendall. Yes. Well, David Kendall is great. Would you be willing to shadow David Kendall? I was like, of course. If David's willing. Would. If that would make you more comfortable, I'd be willing to do. Of course I'd be willing to do that. And sure enough, Mark ended up giving me an opportunity to direct Sydney to the max. And I went and shadowed David for the first week, and he was so generous with sharing with me every single thing he had done to make the show stand out, to make the show special, to make the show different, and then also, knowing different is always good in theory, but do networks really want to do something different? Maybe not. So what's my plan B and what's my plan C for if I shoot this and then they end up seeing it in there and they don't like it? So we also shot this, and we also did this. And he had pages and pages of information that he handed over to me. These are your copies. You look at what I did and talk about this. And it made sure I had good relationships with the crew members and the associate directors and the camera operators, and was just so generous with his time and with his energy and asking me questions and getting to know me now as an adult. And, you know, it was the thing that made the difference in me then having a good impression on Mark Reisman. And I ended up going on to direct many episodes of that show. And David and I kept in touch. And when I was up to direct my first ever pilot and David Kendall was one of the first people I called, I said, I've never even been in one of these meetings. I don't even know what they're going to ask of me. What are they going to ask? And he once again shared with me and educated me on what I could expect and was just always such a good friend. And as we mentioned and you guys have heard on this podcast, the amount of times we mentioned we should text Kendall, Kendall will know he was just a wealth of information. He had a wonderful memory. He had whip smart comedic abilities. And you know, Will and I were able to go and see him quite a bit over this last year and spending time with him around his table, him and Wendy eating food and talking and, you know, his memories of his life, his career and his most importantly, his family. His family meant more to him than anything. He loved his job, he loved his career, but his number one passion was his family. And getting to see him in that element was really beautiful over this last year.

[Will Friedle]

Yeah, he's a special guy to me.

[Melissa Joan Hart]

Yeah.

[Will Friedle]

I can count on one hand the number of people that from the time boy ended till now, I was in touch with the whole time.

[Devin Werkheiser]

And he was one of them.

[Will Friedle]

You know, he, we called each other fake dad and fake son for 35 years. You know, he's. Yeah, he was very special to me.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

Yeah. David, we love you. You are going to be missed. We're so thankful to all of you who listen who have sent in such nice messages about how much you learning about him. He no doubt was a crowd favorite to have on the show and we're so happy that he was able to be on as many times as he was with us. And I think we will always continue to say, I bet Kendall will know. We should text Kendall. So yeah. Thank you all for joining us for this episode. Hot Mes World is an Iheart podcast produced and hosted by Danielle Fishel, Wilfred Linda and writer Strong executive producers Jensen Karp and Amy Sugarman, executive in charge of production, Danielle Romo, producer and editor, Tara Sudbaksh, producer Matty Moore, engineer and Boy Meets World superfan Easton Allen. Our theme song is by Kyle Morton of Typhoon. Follow us on Instagram odmeatsworldshow or email us at podmeatsworldshowmail.com Dry eyes still feel

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[David Kendall / Narrator]

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[Ava Kolker]

O yeah.

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[David Kendall / Narrator]

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[Will Friedle]

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[Will Friedle]

Okay, quick question. How long is too long to leave laundry in the washer?

[David Kendall / Narrator]

If it smells like a haunted swamp, you've crossed the line.

[Danielle Fishel]

Relax. That's what Arm and Hammer Deep Clean is for.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

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[Will Friedle]

Forgot a load? Mixed your sweaty gym clothes with everything you own. No judgment.

[Danielle Fishel]

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[Will Friedle]

You shouldn't stress over it.

[David Kendall / Narrator]

From the number one liquid detergent brand that tackles more loads than any other. Come clean with Arm and Hammer Deep

[Will Friedle]

Clean Number one claim based on total wash loads sold.

[Podcast Announcer]

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