Girl Meets World: An interview with star Dan McNulty
Girl Meets World: An interview with star Dan McNulty
The former star of Boy Meets World and recurring star of Girl Meets World talks about Anti-bullying, the evolution of Harvey “Harley” Keiner and getting to know Dan McNulty.
On May 31, 2014, Lorenzo Dozier attended a public event in New York called Bookcon. Bookcon is the event where storytelling and pop culture collide. At the time, Bookcon took place at the Javits Center. Former star of Boy Meets World and star of Girl Meets World, Danielle Fishel released a book titled “Normally, This Would Be Cause for Concern: Tales of Calamity and Unrelenting Awkwardness.” During the event, Lorenzo Dozier met Danielle Fishel, along with a surprise visit by Dan McNulty. Since then, Lorenzo and Dan McNulty kept in contact. They reunited several months later at a Barnes and Noble signing in the city when Danielle’s book was released to the public.
Fast forward to 2016, Lorenzo and Dan McNulty cross paths to collaborate on the importance of Anti Bullying on February 26.
Lorenzo: Everyone has experienced bullying in their lives. Whether they’re a child or an adult. Have you ever been bullied growing up?
McNulty: I was bullied a lot as a kid. I experienced being bullied in grade school. I was left back twice in school, 2nd and 5th grade. People would make fun of me because of that. Many people don’t know this, but I had dyslexia. Also, bullying can happen in families. When I was younger, I didn’t have the best relationship with a family member. In a way like Eric Matthews (Will Friedle) was to his brother Corey (Ben Savage). At first, he didn't want Corey to even contact him during school hours, but eventually helped him out. Sometimes Eric teases him and gets him all worked up like in 'Fear strikes out'. Being bullied pushed me to becoming an actor. I wanted to show everyone who mistreated me, that “yeah, I made it.” If anything, bullying plays a role in my acting career.
Lorenzo: Do you believe there’s a difference between bullying experiences of girls and boys?
McNulty: I believe girls are a lot more prone and vulnerable to bullying. Guys have it easier. They may have tougher skin. When girls go against girls, for example, former friends, they reveal each other’s secrets. The trust is betrayed, which can lead to many conflicts. Guys will take the situation lightly and in a different way.
Lorenzo: There are three popular forms of bullying, which one has become more common in today’s world?
McNulty: Cyber bullying. That is the easiest one to get away with. You don’t know where it is coming from. Cyber bullying has caused kids and teenagers to harm themselves.
Lorenzo: In the episode of Girl Meets World, Riley (Rowan Blanchard) reveals that she is bullied in school. Is there a reason the writer’s never identified who the bully is?
McNulty: They wanted to directly speak to the bully. The actual bullies out there watching. The ones who are actually being the bully to others. That was the message of the episode.
Lorenzo: ‘Girl Meets Flaws’ covered bullying as well. You made a guest appearance in this episode. How was it like playing the Harvey “Harley” Keiner character again? A character who used to bully Shawn Hunter (Rider Strong) and Corey Matthews (Ben Savage).
McNulty: It was twenty years since my character was revived. It was nice to see the transition the writers went with Harley. He is making up for the wrongs he has done in his life. Harley has come a long way expressing his emotions. He has turned over a new leaf. You can see his relationship with Corey has become closer now that he is a janitor at John Quincy Adams.
Lorenzo: Anything to add on about Cyber Bullying?
McNulty: Cyber Bullying is considered the worse form of bullying. Where the bully is faceless. This can prevent a child from going to school and can inflict self-harm. For example, suicide is a wide spread issue today. We have seen and heard many kids who have taken their own lives because of bullying. My advice to everyone who is experiencing bullying, understand even though you have to deal with it, kids need to know there are people out there who care about them. People are always going to have opinions, but do not let these opinions define who you are.
What I love is being able to have the opportunity to help those who are going through tough times. Instagram has giving me a platform for trying to spread positivity and help others out who are being bullied.
Lorenzo: Alright, final question. What should children do if they are bullied?
McNulty: If they’re being bullied online, screen shot the situation, block the person and report the incident. The best way to handle online bullying isn’t by ignoring it. In real life, you should tell an adult or someone you can trust and have a buddy system. It’s always best to speak up, you will be surprised who will listen.
Lorenzo: Well that wraps up everything, a special thanks to the Girl Meets World writer’s team on bringing back Harley Keiner. We hope to see more of his character in the future on Girl Meets World. It was a pleasure seeing you again. It’s been awhile. We have to catch up some more another time. Until we meet again, thank you Dan McNulty for everything you have done in regards to your character and real life. Hopefully together we can unite as many bullying campaigns together, becoming one unit. Help fight bullying, raise awareness and put an end to bullying. You can watch Dan McNulty and the rest of the Girl Meets World cast on Girl Meets World only on the Disney Channel.
Leave the kind of legacy you want others to remember you…
Girl Meets Legacy aired March 11th. Season 1 is available on Netflix. Season 3 ended January 2017.
