Fresh Prince wasnt a show that had done serious moments. I had *fourteen* great birthdays without him. Smith and his musical partner DJ Jazzy Jeff were already big names on the hip-hop scene when the Fresh Prince opportunity presented itself. Company Credits Where There's a Will, There's a Way (Part 1), Where There's a Will, There's a Way (Part 2). I worked my ass off trying to keep him in line! Hey, he wasn't there to teach me how to shoot my first basket, but I learned, didn't I? No, you know what, Uncle Phil? Those qualities I assigned Carlton regarding the previous episode? Will Smith helped co-write the script for this scene. Philip Banks Avery, a trained Shakespearean actor, represented the strong father figure; Smith, four years into his first acting gig, the young man coming into his own manhood; and Vereen, a theater vet, was a man lost. There is no funny outtake of the cast messing up their lines. Beyond its visceral, gut-punching thrills as a theatrical sequence, this moment is a stark reminder to Carlton, and to everyone watching: We can lose faith in systems that resort to violence, rightly so. He eradicates the box of one proper Black identity not with force, but with precision. Smith said that he was originally supposed to sit at the bench and reflect on his uncle's words. Uncle Phil helps his nephew find a new California apartment on his own, and he'll continue his collegiate studies in the state, too. But his words, as Uncle Phil's so often do, ring passionate with promise, with ideals, and with familial love. What millennial doesnt jump to finish the theme songs lyrics when prompted by Innnn West Philadelphia, born and raised? William 'Will' Smith: I ain't need him then and I don't need him now. Or so the widely-spread legend goes. And then, Viola enters. Having three Black male actors in an intensely dramatic scene on a comedic series only added to the power of the moment. Well, one day, I just panicked and ran. That happened. If you listen closely, you can hear Karyn Parsons (Hilary) crying backstage. Will Smith: Hey man, it's cool if you just call me Will, man. He uses his emotions like an instrument, starting as strong as he can, until it can't help but fracture and fall. This wasnt the physical comedy at which Smith the rapper excelled. The actor was so convincing in his delivery that the entire audience started crying. Originally airing from 1990 to 1996 for six seasons, the sitcom brokeWill Smiththrough to superstardom in a series of episodes articulating his transition from life on the mean streets of West Philadelphia to life in the palatial mansions of Bel-Air (hmm, if only there was a catchy summary of this inciting incident). After all, given his upbringing, getting threatened by folks packing guns is an unfortunately common part of life. The entire show was quiet, even during the funny parts, and I could not figure out why. The fatherhood episode was pivotal, Jensen added, because it marked Smiths arrival as a force to be reckoned with. Will Smith recalls iconic "how come he don't want me" scene + Being pushed by James Avery Streaming Black 3.83K subscribers Subscribe 3.3M views 4 years ago Black Press Media Group, July 2018. Lou Smith : [to Will] You see, the day you were born was the happiest day of my life. Both parties have lots to positively learn about each other. He might be leaving this Bel-Air home for good, but this is still the first half of his new life, his new identity. : The scene is iconic, ingrained in the brains of all who grew up watching "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air": a young Will Smith, eager to jet off on a trip with his biological father, only to be let down when his dad skips out on him once again.Will turns cold at the rejection, calling his dad only "Lou," then later rants to Uncle Phil about life without his dad. 1 His First Major Movie Role Was In Six Degrees Of Separation. : But hes a better parental figure than his actual dad, who lets his son down again. 5 Jun. I was honored to be there at the launch.. It was a formula that clearly worked, considering theres a good chance well be seeing more of the Tanners soon, but it was super-corny, especially when compared to another so-called kids show that was on the same time, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. We were all in the moment. After landing a role on Fresh Prince, Will also snagged a leading role in the 1993 film adaptation of Six Degrees of Separation. That childlike sense of rage, coupled with his newfound maturity, rises into his throat; his final act of defiance is to refuse to call his father "Dad," opting for his name instead. I had always been interested in shows with fathers, because I grew up with a single parent, he said. The Banks, especially Uncle Phil, see through Lou's. Ain't even nothing to talk about. His acting from that moment on improved dramatically. Will Smith: Yo yo, G, G, G, let me rap to you for a second man. Hey, just cool it. Or remember that time Aunt Viv just really wanted to dance? Smith would even come out himself and hype up the audience. are heading to New England themselves to be closer to their family. It's tricky to reckon with "Just Say Yo" with modern eyes. "Being Black isn't what I'm trying to be, it's what I am," says Carlton, plainly, making sure Top Dog knows he's the real sellout before leaving. You know what? Following Avery's words, Smith pulled off the most iconic and emotional scene in the show's history. The first time I held you, I didn't think I'd ever put you down. He showed up, did this scene in one take, then disappeared again. Much of "Not with My Cousin You Don't," as you might guess by the title, is predicated on icky gender-role shenanigans. How Many Of These 90s One Hit Wonders Can You Name. But smack-dab in the middle of this episode lies a beautiful one-on-one conversation, one of the best ever produced duringFresh Prince's run. Actually, this works out better for me, you know. And when it digs into this core, it doesn't need silly jokes. I ain't need him then and I don't need him now. He's now his own person, living in his new life, that he himself built this whole time. After the following perfect take, which made it into the final episode, Avery whispered in Smith's ear during Will and Uncle Phil's hug, "That's fucking acting right there. 1.3k. As of 2023, his films have grossed over $9.3 billion globally, making him one of Hollywood's most bankable stars. Class and race issues are at the core of Will's journey from Philadelphia to Bel-Air, and after a series of fish-out-of-water shenanigans where Will's lower-class upbringing clashes with the Banks' upper-class upbringing during a dinner party, these tensions explode explicitly. : Before this scene, Will Smith disappeared. "I did not make the rules, but I do know how to play the game. Like, James Avery wouldnt give me a damn inch, the actor recalled on TIDALs Rap Radar podcast series. William 'Will' Smith Youwillcry at the acapella song the family sings over the credits. The show begins with Will Smith at the door singing and knocking on the door. That he heard Malcolm X, whom Will had deified earlier in the episode, speak in person. Vivian Banks And Will, in one of the all-time tension diffusers, hypes up his cousin's speech with bravado. But it means, more than ever, we can't lose faith in people. William 'Will' Smith Insists that if Carlton goes through with this plan, he's just as bad as the guy who put Will in the hospital. Well, one day, I just panicked and ran. Is Viola's reaction mere prejudice, plainly spoken? Zuckerman firmly squashed the rumor in a 2020 article, stating the entire episode and that scene in particular were tightly scripted, citing Smith's acting ability as a testament to it seeming spontaneous. In the episode, Wills father shows up unexpectedly after a 14-year absence. And I got pretty damn good at it too, didn't I, Uncle Phil? Will Smith: Hey, Uncle Phil! Wills father introduces himself as Lou Smith, which would mean that Violas (Wills mother) married name is smith. For more onThe Fresh Prince, here's the latest intel on the upcoming reboot. An emotional Will lets his frustration out in a conversation with Uncle Phil, but things got really sad when he finally breaks down in tears. He reflected that there was an element of his character fully coming to terms with how much he had failed Will after being referred to by his name rather than as "Dad". 'Bad Boys For Life', which filmed in Atlanta, Georgia. will smith fresh prince dad scene scriptanson county warrant list. [long pause as Will struggles to regain his composure]. I understand. But it wasnt until the fourth season, with its characters deeply established, that the show decided to tackle the subject in depth. That he knew struggles and overcame them. He showed up, did this scene in one take, then disappeared again," wrote Reddit user RajanKian, who was at the taping of the show. 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The first one went extremely well while the second album, not so much. While hes hugging me, he whispers in my ear, 'Thats f---ing acting right there, recalled Smith, who also revealed the motivation behind that performance. Kim Kardashian Tackled to the Ground at Paris Fashion Event, Marvel's 'Ant-Man' Casting Call for Kids in Peachtree City, Georgia, NBA YoungBoy and Birdman Hire Director for 'Ballin Blocker 2', 'The Weeknd' To Star in a Movie He Co-Wrote and Produced, Michael B. Jordan Reunites with High School Reporter at 'Creed III' Premiere: 'I Was the Corny Kid, Right? Will then launches into an emotional rant about how he learned to do things growing up without Lou and how he will continue to live his life and be successful without Lou, including being a better father than Lou was, and Lou especially can't teach him anything about how to be a father. Excuse me, bring the horses around would you, ha! The true story behind one of the saddest scenes in 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' History has finally been revealed. In fact, the issue with this point of view comes with calling his time a transition in the first place. ignorant of such targeted frissons. Up until that point, they were thinking of [Smith] as a TV actor, Vereen said of the young mans burgeoning film career. Within Smith's oeuvre, the Fresh Prince mode dominates in other roles like Oscar the fish in the animated film Shark Tale and the 1993 movie Made in America. Grab a hankie, whistle for a cab, and take a trip down memory lane with me. Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to be part of an upcoming music vid "Dad was tough but not tyrannical," Smith told Essence. Home; About. This remains, by my estimation, the single greatest example of a television sitcom getting real and I wouldn't be surprised if it continues to be for the rest of the medium's history (gritty reboots be damned). The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is a 1990s sitcom that stars Will Smith as a fictionalized version of himself. This relationship needs to be attended to, now. Smith, whose most emotional scenes in the episode are opposite Avery, had to cry on camera for the first time. Papa's Got A Brand New Excuse is the 24th episode of Season 4. After more than a decade of being absent from his life, Will's father Lou (Ben Vereen) returns, eager to spend time with his son Will here in the fancy hills of Bel-Air. And finally, just like any great play, she tells her sister Janice what's really going on. But in fact, Wills dad was an active participant in his sons life, and even encouraged him. The hell with your father. She then exits, but not without warning Lou that if he walks out now, he will not be welcome at the Banks mansion again. Will's father Lou shows up after 14 years and spends a lot of time with Will. . I agree so much . The two later return to the Banks mansion, where Vivian is less than happy to see Lou, but maintains a civil presence around him for Will's sake. Yeah, whatever. : : It's entirely possible that two people named Smith that are completely unrelated could meet, fall in love, and start a family. Damn, I didn't think a scene from "The Fresh Prince" would hit me that hard. Ben Vereen (Lou) stated in an interview that he broke into tears himself after walking out of the camera shot. Baker is the husband-to-be of Janice (Charlayne Woodard), who's set to be married in the Banks' spacious Bel-Air backyard if Will's mother Viola (Verne Watson-Johnson) doesn't blow a gasket first. Geoffrey Butler: Master William, tradition dictates that a clean, unbreakable line be drawn between a family and their butler. Thing is, hes not really acting here much of Wills speech was ad-libbed and based on his own traumatic childhood. The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air is a FANDOM TV Community. : At least he said goodbye this time. Hes a steady and positive figure in my life.. I'm sorry. Thus, the hunt for a fraternity is on, and the two decide to attend a rush event for a Black frat on campus, run by Top Dog (Glenn Plummer). The altercation purportedly began when the then neophyte actor felt a scene wasn't working on his sitcom, "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" and unilaterally made some changes to the script . Looking for Disney, Game of Thrones, or Marvel movie casting calls? The theme, extended in this pilot, summarizes the "pauper to prince" narrative of Will's initial journey with catchy, goofy flavor, but it doesn't stop the inherent complexities of this initial narrative's center from being any less pertinent. The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air is a FANDOM TV Community. Well, I hate to break it to you, but that's just not true. He loves dancing, especially to Tom Jonesand theSugarhill Gang. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was, and continues to be, a breath of fresh air.Originally airing from 1990 to 1996 for six seasons, the sitcom broke Will Smith through to superstardom in a series of . Because you're my son and I love you. Young Ashley Banks (Tatyana Ali) is growing up. How come he dont want me, man? Will asks, lip quivering as he starts to break down and cry. So when he has to break down and confess to the family that the amphetamines Carlton found were meant for him, making him tacitly responsible for Carlton's hospitalization, he commits to it beautifully. Make connections. Will seemingly understands, but he realizes that Lou's just trying to weasel his way out of the situation, and their trip isn't going to happen at all. Will, as he is wont to do, acts a fool; and Carlton, as he is wont to do, hops over every task with a double front-flip, cleaning up the joint while he's at it. : Filled with investments. Ashley asks her if she was nervous, and Hilary responds that she absolutely was, but she "was ready." And it turns out, the reconciliation between father and son was all too good to be true. That changed with Papas Got a Brand New Excuse, the season four episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air that aired 25 years ago today. Emotional and great. Its fun to bash on Will Smiths career moves of late (After, ugh, Earth), but when he finds the right role, hes an excellent actor. Instead, he laser-focuses on cleaning the house, taking care of everything except himself, feeling genuinely, scarily haunted. This film was the first movie he ever worked on, and this really helped him make the giant leap from being a TV actor to a film actor. Smith was known for his clean lyrics, and his hits were . : William 'Will' Smith: Got through my first date without him, right? It was almost like time stood still.. William 'Will' Smith To hell with him! No, he said. It's purely powerful stuff, the kind of moment that immediately casts the rest of the episode in a better glow. Will is at the Peacock when he sees a man staring at him. Look at me. Ashleys first date with R&B princeling Tevin Campbell? Lou is, indeed, going to walk out of Will's life again, having scammed the Banks family for what he needs. For more, www.smithlgreg.com, The Best Serious Moments in 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air', 'The Last of Us' Made Flashbacks Work, But Episode 7's Doesn't, The 10 Best 'South Park' Episodes of All Time, Ranked According to IMDb, 10 Best Villains from 'Batman: The Animated Series', Ranked. You are forced to invest your time, family, and even your wallet to make your dream come true. Vivian and Carlton are excited to see their Uncle Lou, and Ashley (who was a baby when Lou walked out) and baby Nicky get to meet him for the first time. It was 1994, and he had just come off Six Degrees of Separation, a dramedy about a young con man who charms his way into a rich White family. The slimmies of summer come to class wearing next to nothing, you know what I'm saying Philip Banks: Will, it's all right to be angry. He showed up, did this scene in one take, then disappeared again. : : : But Carlton is actually, literally Phil's son. Find talent. William 'Will' Smith The most effective and illuminating emotional reaction to this doesn't orient around Will, however at least not directly. Will Smith on the series premiere of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." NBC. The shot frames this moment alongside the sculpture; subtly, but decidedly, communicating that this is the real father-son relationship at the center of Fresh Prince, at the center of Will's life. Who cares what you think? In honor ofThe Fresh Prince's 30th anniversary, here are the 10 best times the sitcom got serious throughout its run, in chronological order. Im messing up the lines because I wanted it so bad, Smith said in the podcast interview. So why did you? : Philip Banks The trend of very special anti-drug family sitcom episodes was inspired explicitly byNancy Reagan, to the point where she literally appeared in an episode ofDiff'rent Strokesto deliver her anti-drug screed, and the relationship between the Reagan administration, drugs, and the Black community is a vile one to study (making the interpolation of "Just Say No" as "Just Say Yo" feel particularly gross). He also played Richard Williams, father of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams, in King Richard. Did he actually accomplish anything during this time living with his upper-class relatives? Okay? It was written by David Zuckerman and Bill Boulware, and directed by Shelley Jensen. : : Uh, must have the wrong crib. Just cool down. : However, Philadelphia is a large city and Smith is a common name worldwide. Well, I hate to break it to you, but that's just not true. I was actually at the taping. Atlantic records is now hiring content creators. : [takes out a small statue of a father sitting with his son on his lap]. And Will sets himstraight. His father was a question mark, or, as cousin Hillary puts it in the episode, a deadbeat who left him and his mom flat.. They plan a cross-country trip together, but Uncle Phil (James Avery) warns Will that he shouldnt get his hopes up; this is the man who abandoned him, after all. Philip Banks Will forgives him and is prepared to give him another chance. So there you have it everyone! Stream It Or Skip It: 'Love at First Kiss' on Netflix, a Spanish Rom-Com About a Man Gifted with 'Romantic Clairvoyance' Stream It Or Skip It: 'Tonight You're Sleeping With Me' on Netflix, a . The Fresh Prince of Bel-Airwas, and continues to be, a breath of fresh air. I'ma get through college without him, I'ma get a great job without him, I'ma marry me a beautiful honey, and I'ma have me a whole bunch of kids. There had been a lot of interest in an episode about Wills dad, according to Fresh Prince writer David Zuckerman, given that the entire premise of the show was based on Will being sent to live with his rich aunt and uncle because his mother, raising him alone, wants him out of their rough neighborhood. It's a brilliantly played scene, rife with warmth and gentility even as they discuss tricky stuff. Philip Banks Lou Smith Will never, ever, forget. : "Before this scene, Will Smith disappeared. The two were locked in that epic embrace when Avery doled out even more encouragement. Yeah, yeah. Recently, a rumor started to circulate that this scene wasn't scripted, and that Will Smith really lost it because his actual father was an absentee. You know what, Aunt Viv? See production, box office & company info, [after Lou cancels his trip with Will and leaves]. Ashley speaks with her sister, the oft-materialistic and flighty Hilary (Karyn Parsons), to ask her, directly, when she knew she was ready for sex. It was not one of our best moments, said Zuckerman. Whew, that was deep, Vereen said. Will's father is out of the picture; Uncle Phil is by all accounts the closest to a dad he has. Philip Banks: [after Lou cancels his trip with Will and leaves] I'm sorry, Will. (Video: The Washington Post). I believe it's because of the show's big, beating, sincere, courageous heart. It came in the series' fourth season and 24 th episode called "Papa's Got A Brand New Excuse", and it's an amazing example of Will Smith 's acting ability. When the time has come for Top Dog to choose his new candidate, Carlton assumes he'll get picked, and Will's foolishness will not be tolerated. William 'Will' Smith In another interview with Reader's Digest, he explained that his father actually supported his dreams of pursuing a career in music. Watch popular content from the following creators: Tvseries Clips(@i_cole_world_i), Call_Me_Ville(@callme_ville), LeashRN-BSN(@leash_rn), EpicClips101(@epicclips101official), ciaran w(@rap_editszzz) . While the legend that Smith ad-libbed much of the scene based on his troubled relationship with his actual father is probably false, the sobbing was not. R.I.P.James Avery "Uncle Phil" 1948-2014 --ONE OF MY FAV SCENES--THROW BACK! Will Smith: Oh, my fault, man. The most extreme (and false) version of this the rumor goes as far to claim that Smith actually ad-libbed the scene and that the episode was meant to end with Will brushing off his father's abandonment. Although he was a "tough" man, Will told Essence Magazine that he was not "tryannical. In the episode, Will's deadbeat father Lou (played by Broadway legend Ben Vereen) returns after a 14-year absence to spend time with his son. Really shows how good of an actor Will Smith is. Speaking of "Will's father is out of the picture". 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