Is your watch list feeling empty? Keep reading to find out if The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is worthy to sit on your list or create dust.
Growing up in the late 90s and the early 2000s, most kids my age were able to catch the reruns of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. This show was a huge hit, still gets reruns late at night, and has fans who still watch the show. Though the show is hilarious with its running gags and witty humor, there are more reasons why people come back to watch other than for nostalgia.
“In West Philadelphia born and raised” was Will (Will Smith) after constantly getting in trouble and into fights. His mother made him live with his aunt out of Philly by telling him, “you’re moving with your auntie and uncle in Bel-Air”. Will was sent to live a better life and to have a greater opportunity than living in the hood. After not fitting in at all, Will learns what it is like to become a man and grow to appreciate the family that he has around him.
Each character is significant to Will’s growth and vice versa. Philip Banks (James Avery) is the most significant figure in Will’s life. Like most kids growing up, Will was absent of a father figure throughout his years in Philly. Philip Banks, after finding Will as a nuisance, truly accepted Will as one of his own and shaped him to be the man that he is today. The rest of the Banks family showed Will what having a loving and caring family is really about. Carlton (Alfonso Ribeiro) came a long way when Will first arrived, he was spoiled and it shows in his personality. Carlton thought he deserved everything because his father had money and he went to the best school. Will was able to humble Carlton and be grateful for all that he has, Carlton taught Will what having a brother is like.
Overall, the show is hilarious with Will Smith shining in playing himself. Like most sit-coms, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is episodic television but where the show really shines is the mini-story arcs, where two episodes are connected together. For example, when Will’s father Lou Smith (Ben Vereen) tries to get back into his life. These two episodes are debatably the two best in the entire show. The first episode is about the beautiful reconnection with Will and his father especially since he has not seen his dad since he was a boy. The second episode is absolutely heartbreaking when Will’s father didn’t want to be in Will’s life after reconnecting and decided to leave anyway. The scene of Will talking to Philip about how he doesn’t need his father and he can do it alone. To the next scene of Will crying holding Philip saying, “How come he don’t want me, man?”. This scene is what jump-started Will Smith’s career and is an absolute tearjerker.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is a must-have for your watch list. Why? It keeps fans coming back with the hilarity of the show but also the deep meanings of life. From overlapping themes of family and love, this show is great for all ages to enjoy and sends great messages about life. This show is forever timeless after being on-air for about thirty years, it will always pertain to society and is a staple on television. You can stream it on HBO Max or Amazon Prime Video.
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