I loved the Lisa Bonet season as well as seasons 2-5, but the bonus episode on the season 1 DVD from season 6 shows exactly why the ratings tumbled so dramatically in the final season.

I'd compare it to watching a latter episode of Happy Days or Cousin Pam-era Cosby Show, so much screentime is devoted to new characters you don't care about while the ones still there that you cared for were reduced to minimal screen time. A lot of people disliked the first season, but at least it was loaded with characters you're familiar with, be it Denise from Cosby, or Jaleesa (who had defected to Hanging With Mr. Cooper by 92), or Whitley and Dwayne having more than a line per episode, etc..

Watching the episode on the bonus disc, it wasn't A Different World, but "A Different Show" IMO. Season 5 was such a high point for the show that I bet if Debbie Allen had decided they should've ended the show with Whitley and Dwayne's wedding, I think it would've went out on top.

No. It would have been an unsatisfying end to the series if it ended with the season five finale. I remember watching that episode when it originally aired and was so happy and excited and shocked when Dwayne interrupted the Byron/Whitley wedding and ran off with Whitley and couldn't wait for it to come back that fall to see the fallout from what happened. As a fan of the show, I invested too much into Dwayne and Whitley's relationship to not have the show continue in season 6 and see them together like they should be. It was good that they were able to explore their life as a married couple.

Also, for me a main reason why I love ADW is that they deal with worthy topics and wasn't a typical lame sitcom. If there were no season 6 there'd be no "Somebody Say Ho," no "The Little Mister," no "Great X-pectations," all great episodes that dealt with thoughtful topics. As far as the characters, I think they did a good job of letting the veterans age and move on while bringing in the younger cast. I was as interested in the newer characters in season 6 as I was the ones who'd been around for a while, especially Gina and Charmaine (along with Lena). They gave the show spark.

So basically I'm saying it was still a high quality series in season 6 despite the changes from previous years.