: He eradicates the box of one proper Black identity not with force, but with precision. Ashley asks her if she was nervous, and Hilary responds that she absolutely was, but she "was ready." Will Smith, Alfonso Ribeiro, and Aunt Vivs Janet Hubert and Daphne Maxwell Reid return alongside the rest of the cast for HBO Max's unscripted 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion. Will's very pleased with this. 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. He's my father. Directed by Shelley Jensen with a script from David Zuckerman and Bill Boulware, Papas Got a Brand New Excuse is about Wills father, played by Ben Vereen, returning to his sons life after 14 years. 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. Wills delivery was so perfect it seems like it was in the moment.. 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. 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. And he told us that this was going to be our gig over the summer. Smith said that he was originally supposed to sit at the bench and reflect on his uncle's words. William 'Will' Smith You might notice his hat coming off. By Season 4 of The Fresh Prince, Will and Carlton have graduated from high school and are now beginning their college studies. Philip Banks It was also so unexpected. Fresh Prince wasnt a show that had done serious moments. He made a mistake. Then, the waterworks. And Uncle Phil, in the first of Avery's many perfect performances, sets him straight. Hey, why should I be mad? 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. I love when classic multi-cam sitcoms feel like excuses to put classic theater on television for the masses, and this episode has a wondrous scene that vaults into this hallowed ground. Phillip however, makes no effort to be civil towards Lou, showing downright hostility towards him, in questioning him over what possessed him to suddenly return, and why he isn't sending any money to his wife and child that he abandoned, when he's clearly making some with his profession as a truck driver. Excuse me, bring the horses around would you, ha! Hes a steady and positive figure in my life. : William 'Will' Smith: You know what? [after discovering Will's father unexpectedly] 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 . 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. Olivia Singh. Make connections. 2019 Ted Fund Donors (Via). Insists that if Carlton goes through with this plan, he's just as bad as the guy who put Will in the hospital. : Guess what happens next. Will did not like it at all. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Airwas, and continues to be, a breath of fresh air. Everything I said, everything I did for James Avery was like nope, not good enough. Avery demanded absolute committed perfection from his young co-star, so when it came time to shoot the scene together, Im messing up the lines because I want it so bad, Smith recalled. And to do so, he has to leave the building one final time. Damn, I didn't think a scene from "The Fresh Prince" would hit me that hard. The show begins with Will Smith at the door singing and knocking on the door. It was not one of our best moments, said Zuckerman. And, all of these qualities are challenged directly in "Blood Is Thicker Than Mud," a standout episode for Alfonso Ribeiro. Episode director Shelley Jensen worked on the series for all six seasons and watched Smith, who started the show at 21, go from novice to supernova. Whew, that was deep, Vereen said. Look, I'll call you next week and we'll iron out the details. Not quite. Uncle Phil helps his nephew find a new California apartment on his own, and he'll continue his collegiate studies in the state, too. All this "Master William" stuff, I'm not down with that, make it sound like we back on the plantation or something, we like "Massa William, Massa William!" So what's the real story behind the tear-jerking scene, you ask? Use me. The story behind the episode is almost as good as the episode itself. I agree so much . You are not my father! Avery immediately pulled him aside and gave him a pep talk, telling him to make eye contact with Uncle Phil, which would help guide the performance and get Smith into the emotional state Will needed to be in. Director Shelley Jensen describes this episode as a turning point in Smith's performance, noting his acting improved dramatically after it. When the police pull over Will and Carlton (Alfonso Ribeiro) in a borrowed Mercedes, on the way to a Palm Springs vacation with Uncle Phil and Aunt Viv (Janet Hubert-Whitten), Carlton, covered in the security blanket of his class, his rational thinking, and the fact that his father is a judge, assumes they will explain what's going on and drive away no harm done. The thing I connect to is: I do not have to build a perfect wall today. You might notice his hat coming off. William 'Will' Smith Will reminds us), and Carlton's pristine visions of fairness and equality (not to mention his wealth and status) are shattered in the face of abject racism. Smith was known for his clean lyrics, and his hits were . You understand. I just have to lay a perfect brick. When they express how this is going to crush Will, Lou asks Phillip and Vivian to break the news to Will. Think back to any emotional scene on Full House. Now that the building is done, he gets to live in it. He's now his own person, living in his new life, that he himself built this whole time. But the audience sobbing that you can make out in the background? Will then, becoming a touch of a father figure himself, must set his cousin straight. Right from the jump, from episode 1,The Fresh Princehad more on its mind than its aesthetics might initially hint. Ashleys first date with R&B princeling Tevin Campbell? Co-writer Bill Boulware based this episode on his own life experiences growing up with a single parent, noting he was always interested in shows about fathers due to his lack of one growing up. Some of the episodes even made us cry. Okay? Will believes that Uncle Phil is jealous and tells him that hes not his real dad. : Here's the Tumblr version of events that we've come to believe as the truth: During the episode, Will reunites with his father, Lou, who was absent from his life for 14 years. I just wish I hadn't wasted my money buying this stupid present. : Geoffrey Butler: If you will follow me, I will show you to your room, Master William. How come he don't want me, man? Will says in one episode, while the camera tilts up to literally show the studio lights). William 'Will' Smith William 'Will' Smith : ignorant of such targeted frissons. Company Credits He resorts to buying a gun himself, ostensibly for protection. Smith gave his first highlight-reel performance, and it wouldnt have been possible with Uncle Phil, who whispered something in Smiths ear while they were hugging on camera: To read more about the episode, click here. You too Lou. Uncle Phil, his characters influential father figure, is concerned and makes his disgust with Lou known. I started feeling trapped. : Carlton refuses to see his father after this moment of vulnerability and mortality. ", you know. Some business came up I gotta handle. Get Discovered! He might be leaving this Bel-Air home for good, but this is still the first half of his new life, his new identity. : By the time Phil and Viv show up to bail them out, and for Phil to deliver a typically fiery speech about what justice should look like in this country (delivered to a particularly weaselly-looking Hank Azaria), the damage is done. You see, the day you were born was the happiest day of my life. ", "He kept me in line. Hilary, this is Lou Smith So why did you? How you doin'? I wanted him to approve of me., Fans of the show have long believed that Smith improvised that final scene in which his character builds to an emotional crescendo, loudly proclaiming all the milestones he got through without Lou, but every word was written by Bill and I, Zuckerman said. The true story behind one of the saddest scenes in 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' History has finally been revealed. Will Smith is, like,sucha good actor. In honor ofThe Fresh Prince's 30th anniversary, here are the 10 best times the sitcom got serious throughout its run, in chronological order. He's an associate editor for Collider and has written for Shudder, CBS, Paste Magazine, Guff, Smosh, Obsev Studios, and more. 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. Smith has given all the credit to Avery for helping him get through that moment. But then, in an all-time line reading, Will simply asks his uncle, "How come he don't want me, man?" Lou Smith And insists that Carlton leaves the gun behind immediately. 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). 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. Will's father Lou shows up after 14 years and spends a lot of time with Will. The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air is a FANDOM TV Community. That Will Smiths character was actually supposed to brush off the whole thing, but Wills father actually had left him when he was younger and he just fell apart on the set and the hug at the end was from one actor to another, not one character to another. The entire temperature of the room shifts. It's tricky to reckon with "Just Say Yo" with modern eyes. While working at the Los Angeles University student restaurant, Will recognizes a customer - his father - whom he has not seen for 14 years. Will Smith said he improvised his character's piano moment in the "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" pilot. 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. In reality, Smith's parents separated when he was 13 but his father remained a major figure in his life up to his death in 2016. Will is originally from West-Philadelphia but was forced to move soon after participating in a fight with a couple of thugs. Will forgives him and is prepared to give him another chance. (Andrea Raffin / Shutterstock.com), Game Brain Starring Will Smith Open Casting Call, Watch DWTS Alfonso Ribiero Get Jiggy Wit It to Will Smiths Hit Song, Will Smith Quits the Movie Brilliance Weeks Before Production. And she thinks she might be ready to enter a sexual relationship with a partner (Jaleel White, of course), despite their relationship being inherently long distance. The entire show was quiet, even during the funny parts, and I could not figure out why, a Reddit user wrote. When my father got out of the Air Force, he started his own refrigeration business. Now, let's get to the bottom of this rumor. That Will Smiths character was actually supposed to brush off the whole thing, but Wills father actually had left him when he was younger and he just fell apart on the set and the hug at the end was from one actor to another, not one character to another.". And it turns out, the reconciliation between father and son was all too good to be true. 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". Philip Banks: I'm sorry. It was Avery, always the steady influence, that centered him, giving the rapper turned movie star memorable advice. Philip, for God's sake. : : I told my parents I wanted to rap. Look at me, use me. : Classic Black sitcoms like Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Living Single are finally streaming. WatchMojo: Top 10 "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" Moments, NBC Studios - 3000 W. Alameda Avenue, Burbank, California, USA. Will and Philip subsequently get into a heated argument over this, with Will claiming in anger that he doesn't care what Phillip thinks because Phillip is not his father, leaving Phillip visibly upset and at a loss for words. "I did not make the rules, but I do know how to play the game. 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. You saw the light bulb go off, he said. Hed get this look that said, One more step, Will, and itll get ugly. He was an independent businessman-he set up refrigeration in supermarkets-and he always provided for us. Philip Banks It kinda stinks, is what I'm saying, even when these two male knuckleheads eventually learn their lesson. For four years, I treated that boy like my own son. He never even sent me a damn card! That happened. I'm sorry that everybody can't be as perfect as you, Uncle Phil, but if I can forgive him, how come you can't? Because you're my son and I love you. Let's refresh our memories: "Papa's Got A Brand New Excuse," the 24th episode of the fourth season, is arguably the saddest moment of the entire series. During an average taping, The Fresh Prince set was like a raucous football stadium. 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. However, Smith revealed in his 2021 memoir. By Awa | 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. Release Dates But that specific episode? Uncle Phil, however, is worried that Will's father will simply disappoint Will again and disappoint Will he does. Will is at the Peacock when he sees a man staring at him. : In the episode, Wills deadbeat father Lou (played by Broadway legend Ben Vereen) returns after a 14-year absence to spend time with his son. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! Will Smith: What are you, Robo-Butler, man? Geoffrey Butler: Master William, tradition dictates that a clean, unbreakable line be drawn between a family and their butler. We didnt realize it had affected that many people until years later., Did any of us know this show would become what it has become in the last 30 years? William 'Will' Smith Excuse me. You know what, you ain't got to do nothing, Uncle Phil. But hes a better parental figure than his actual dad, who lets his son down again. William 'Will' Smith A powerful, teachable, simple lesson. | He just had that acting power that I wanted to have.. Will never, ever, forget.. Looking for Disney, Game of Thrones, or Marvel movie casting calls? Hes a steady and positive figure in my life.. But during filming of this episode, director Jensen likened the mood of the normally wild show to being in church.. We all knew we were having a great time. Yeah, yeah. People were crying for a long time when it was over, doing their best not to make noise before the director said cut.". Daddy-O! 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. I understand. In the episode, Wills father shows up unexpectedly after a 14-year absence. He loves dancing, especially to Tom Jonesand theSugarhill Gang. Sometimes, to end an sitcom, you need the main character of your sitcom to look around a now-empty set for the last time, turn off the lights, and leave. William 'Will' Smith : He's my father. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! I'm ready to be part of your life if you'll let me. He's joyful, performative, and cares not what others think about him. Where There's a Will, There's a Way (Part 1), Where There's a Will, There's a Way (Part 2). This leaves Phil and Will alone, and leaves Will the opportunity to spill out all of his feelings about his absent father. Will's father is out of the picture; Uncle Phil is by all accounts the closest to a dad he has. Philip Banks TIL that during Will Smith's monologue about his father on Fresh Prince, it was so heart-wrenching that audience members can be heard crying after it is over. What's up? So is he a cop? Lauderdale, Florida. The story behind Will Smiths iconic hug scene in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Roger Goodell, Muriel Bowser discussed future of RFK site in December call, Kyle Kuzma, Wizards start fast and dont look back in win over Raptors, Corey Dickerson aims to lead and have a bounce-back year with Nats. They were all pretty the same: the dialogue would get cheesy (well, cheesier) and the music, sappy (sappier). She expresses her worries for Janice "as an African-American woman" for whom life has already stacked the deck against. Actually, this works out better for me, you know. Will tells Uncle Phil (James Avery) that he, straight up, has forgotten where he came from. The rest of the series includes commentary about Black relationships with the police (think DJ Jazzy Jeffinstinctually putting his hands up when a bailiff asks him to swear to tell the truth in court), but here, it did so explicitly and explosively. Youwillcry at the acapella song the family sings over the credits. Are you a content creator looking for an opportunity to show your stuff? He also recalls that unusually for a sitcom with a live audience, the audience was entirely silent during filming, comparing the average taping as like a football stadium but this taping like "being in a church.". Oct 20, 2017. 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. 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. This moment feels goodto watch, and feels like a cathartic piece of permission for Black folks who don't fit the typical mold you see on television to be exactly who they are, and be comfortable in that. 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. Just cool down. If you listen closely, you can hear Karyn Parsons (Hilary) crying backstage. For survival, please dont marry this man.". Firstly, Will Smith's father was very much present during his childhood.
Giovanni Agnelli Los Angeles,
Wisconsin Technical College Salaries 2020,
What Color Eyeshadow For Green Shirt,
Root Insurance Grace Period,
Articles W