Instead, he laser-focuses on cleaning the house, taking care of everything except himself, feeling genuinely, scarily haunted. But much of white America remained (remains?) The Fresh Prince of Bel-Airwas, and continues to be, a breath of fresh air. : It was also so unexpected. The Post's Candace Buckner, David Betancourt and Tramel Raggs explore how current demonstrations against racial inequality are echoing memorable sports movies. 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) . 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. By Awa | Ted's Bio; Fact Sheet; Hoja Informativa Del Ted Fund; Ted Fund Board 2021-22; 2021 Ted Fund Donors; Ted Fund Donors Over the Years. Hes a steady and positive figure in my life. : William 'Will' Smith Although he was a "tough" man, Will told Essence Magazine that he was not "tryannical. And Uncle Phil, in the first of Avery's many perfect performances, sets him straight. Discover short videos related to fresh prince of bel air father scene on TikTok. . So we're gonna have to put our trip on hold. This wasnt the physical comedy at which Smith the rapper excelled. William 'Will' Smith: How come he don't want me, man? He was drawing from personal experience because his dad had left when he was a baby and when he became famous because of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air he turned up like nothing had happened. The episode title is a reference to the James Brown song. Geoffrey Butler: You have the right house. It is Fresh Princes most iconic half-hour the moment in which Will, the goof who plays it cool, became human, and Smith became an actor. Hey, he wasn't there to teach me how to shoot my first basket, but I learned, didn't I? Uncle Phil helps his nephew find a new California apartment on his own, and he'll continue his collegiate studies in the state, too. He never even sent me a damn card! How come he don't want me, man? He's fond of structure, of status, of systems. Even if the performance wasnt real, it was real enough to be remembered 20 years later. After all, given his upbringing, getting threatened by folks packing guns is an unfortunately common part of life. Prior to 'Fresh Prince' both Will Smith and Jazzy Jeff were set on releasing albums. All of these qualities make him one of our great television characters; all of these qualities make him rife for roasts from his cousin Will; all of these qualities add to the interesting playing with and subverting of what kinds of racial depictions we saw on television in the early '90s. They were all pretty the same: the dialogue would get cheesy (well, cheesier) and the music, sappy (sappier). I was actually at the taping. Think back to any emotional scene on Full House. In 1990, when "Mistaken Identity" first aired on NBC, a gurgling of tensions and resentments between the Black community and the police, founded on an entire history's worth of subjugation and explicitly race-based violence, were churning nearly at a breaking point. Behind the scenes, the episode was also meant to showcase Smiths dramatic acting chops. Papas Got a Brand New Excuse was a watershed 23 minutes for the situational comedy, which, until that moment, hadnt fully explored the emotional depths of Smiths character. So why did you? I worked my ass off trying to keep him in line! William 'Will' Smith 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. Geoffrey Butler: Come with me, Master William. Those qualities are all self-weaponized, manifesting in self-destructive ways. Regrettably,The Fresh Prince of Bel-Airis full of fat-shaming jokes, particularly from Will toward Uncle Phil (and in one entire episode, they bring on royal guest starQueen Latifahjust to have her be a learning moment that overweight people have feelings too; Latifah and Smith sell the material, of course, but there's definitely a lack of depth in the exploration, which I guess means Mametwasright). Oh, come on. 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. That he heard Malcolm X, whom Will had deified earlier in the episode, speak in person. 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. This was the first time the show just went there and stayed there and let it resonate, Zuckerman said of the episodes lasting impact. Instead of reading him the riot act, Will is understandably enchanted. Will Smith Explains The "Dad Episode" of Fresh Prince, According to episode co-writer David Zuckerman, this episode was written to showcase Will Smith's dramatic acting talents, following his recent turn in the dramedy, The initial script for this episode cast Lou as a pool shark breezing through town. 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. For survival, please dont marry this man.". Vivian helps Phillip realize that he is being selfish to Will due to his hatred for Lou, and both Phillip and Will apologize for their behavior. Dont act around me, act with me. The advice worked. 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.". HD1080p WILL'S DAD EMOTIONAL SAD SCENE ON THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL AIRNEW 2013 OF. Will and his dad, Willard Carroll Smith, Sr., remained on good terms until he passed away in November 2016. William 'Will' Smith : His father, who had left him years before, claims he is finally ready to become a part of Will's life, again. But these are all catchy seasonings to a fundamentally kind, responsible, and curious main dish. : 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). Philip Banks will smith fresh prince dad scene scriptanson county warrant list. 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.". Not quite. But Viola is ready to boycott the wedding, and forbid her son from going, too. 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. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! The idea was to have Wills father come back and leave again, disappointing his only son for a second time. 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? I had *fourteen* great birthdays without him. Young Ashley Banks (Tatyana Ali) is growing up. Will is thrilled at this news, ready to rekindle his paternal relationship without much skepticism apparent. Lauderdale music video casting call in Fort. Several years after Fresh Prince ended, Will got a chance to really flex his own fatherly skills on the big screen when he starred in The Pursuit of Happyness and After Earth with his son Jaden. And it turns out, the reconciliation between father and son was all too good to be true. We went brick by brick for the entire summer and into winter and then back into spring. However, Lou announces to Vivian and Phillip that he has to leave immediately to make a business shipment, and he's gotta be open for more shipments, so the trip he promised Will isn't going to happen as he planned it. His character was contending with all the things hed never be and Vereen was deep in that moment. : When we started the series, Will was definitely not there, but he grew as a man and as an actor, he said. Smith said that he was originally supposed to sit at the bench and reflect on his uncle's words. Because you're my son and I love you. Geoffrey Butler: Master William, walk this way. It was that specific episode for me as a director [that] I saw him connect and make it work. Philip and Vivian Banks enter the living room to meet Will. William 'Will' Smith: You know what? When Will and Carlton are held up at gunpoint at an ATM, a shot is fired, and Will is the victim. I agree so much . Lou Smith : Company Credits The fatherhood episode was pivotal, Jensen added, because it marked Smiths arrival as a force to be reckoned with. Carlton refuses to see his father after this moment of vulnerability and mortality. Will Smith: Oh, my fault, man. Carlton, however, self-weaponizes and assumes too much responsibility again, and his faith in an inherent sense of decency in the systems of life is shattered again. Sheridan Smith beamed as she left the Duke of York's Theatre in London on Thursday after her West End show, Shirley Valentine. Fresh Prince wasnt a show that had done serious moments. Papa's Got A Brand New Excuse is the 24th episode of Season 4. Emotional and great. Will's very pleased with this. He just had that acting power that I wanted to have.. For six seasons, Will Smith and the rest of the hilarious cast made us laugh week after week with their shenanigans, but they also got our lives flipped-turned upside down whenever they addressed serious topics. 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. : Geoffrey Butler: I am not your Uncle Philip. He uses his emotions like an instrument, starting as strong as he can, until it can't help but fracture and fall. And I got pretty damn good at it too, didn't I, Uncle Phil? The thing I connect to is: I do not have to build a perfect wall today. Will then, becoming a touch of a father figure himself, must set his cousin straight. 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". Will Smith: Hey, Uncle Phil! Published Feb 2, 2021. You are forced to invest your time, family, and even your wallet to make your dream come true. : Or remember that time Aunt Viv just really wanted to dance? You probably remember the goofy dancing scenes and guest appearances from DJ Jazzy Jeff, but every so often, The Fresh Prince would attempt something legitimately poignant. : 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. : Get Discovered! So is he a cop? You too Lou. : Will knows the truth, however that these cops will take any chance they can get to subjugate two young Black men, especially given that they're driving a "stolen car." Before this scene, Will Smith disappeared. Will Smith is, like,sucha good actor. The reviews were solid for the then-25-year-olds first dramatic movie role, so Smith was ready to do something that had a little bite to it, Zuckerman said. During the episodes final scene, Smith was struggling to bring it all home. Both parties have lots to positively learn about each other. Where There's a Will, There's a Way (Part 1), Where There's a Will, There's a Way (Part 2). Philip Banks Philip Banks Well, I hate to break it to you, but that's just not true. Will's father Lou shows up after 14 years and spends a lot of time with Will. : Fresh Prince of Bel-Air - Will's Father leaves Charles Bentley 13.3K subscribers 381K 13M views 7 years ago There wasn't a good quality version of one of the most touching scenes in TV. I'm sorry. You know what, Aunt Viv? Find talent. WatchMojo: Top 10 "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" Moments, NBC Studios - 3000 W. Alameda Avenue, Burbank, California, USA. : : I believe it's because of the show's big, beating, sincere, courageous heart. Who needs him? Because he's not doing this for you, he's doing this for himself and if you think any differently, then you're a fool! (HBO Max) Will recalled the episode where his character's father resurfaces after 14 years. I'll be a better father than he ever was, and I sure as hell don't need him for that, 'cause ain't a damn thing he could ever teach me about how to love my kids! In its six seasons on NBC, the series a grittier version of The Cosby Show that juxtaposed hip-hop culture with Black upper-class ethos tackled everything from racism to sexism to a two-step dubbed the Carlton.. 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 . Geoffrey Butler approaches the door and lets Will in. This leaves Phil and Will alone, and leaves Will the opportunity to spill out all of his feelings about his absent father. The story behind the episode is almost as good as the episode itself. For four years, I treated that boy like my own son. And yet. The Banks, especially Uncle Phil, see through Lou's. But his words, as Uncle Phil's so often do, ring passionate with promise, with ideals, and with familial love. 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. 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!" You know what? Who cares what you think? See production, box office & company info, [after Lou cancels his trip with Will and leaves]. Usually, the director would retake the scene, but really, nothing could replace this moment. Will Smith: What are you, Robo-Butler, man? Will Smith: Oh, okay, well uh, cheerio and all that Walter now. The pair attempt to rebuild their relationship and even plan activities together, but when the time came for them to embark on their trip, Lou bailed. Ain't like I'ma be sitting up every night asking my mom, "When's Daddy coming home? That he knew struggles and overcame them. William 'Will' Smith Uncle Phil, however, is worried that Will's father will simply disappoint Will again and disappoint Will he does. Smith rarely resorts to out-and-out anger in his Fresh Prince performances, but we see it here, and it is warranted. And, thankfully, I don't think it's any big spoiler to reveal that Viola does come around and attend the wedding after all thanks to a wonderful speech delivered by Will to his mother, a representation of the hope of future generations changing established patterns and prejudices for the better. Are you a content creator looking for an opportunity to show your stuff? Maybe a little longer. : Lou Smith Find the latest movie casting calls, TV auditions, Modeling jobs, acting opportunities, acting tips, and entertainment news for the biggest movies and TV shows filming across the world. Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to be part of an upcoming music vid "Dad was tough but not tyrannical," Smith told Essence. Look, why are you telling me this now? 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. I just wish I hadn't wasted my money buying this stupid present. : : He's joyful, performative, and cares not what others think about him. I rarely cried for a sitcom, but this is it. But Carlton is actually, literally Phil's son. Uncle Phil, however, thinks Lou will again disappoint his son. Has this period, reactionary and transitory in intention, ended with an anticlimactic ellipses rather than an emphatic exclamation? 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 . Ben Vereen (Lou) stated in an interview that he broke into tears himself after walking out of the camera shot. 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. 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 am Geoffrey, your uncle's butler. 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. Philip Banks Transcript The show begins with Will Smith at the door singing and knocking on the door. "I did not make the rules, but I do know how to play the game. He showed up, did this scene in one take, then disappeared again," wrote Reddit user RajanKian, who was at the taping of the show. It's purely powerful stuff, the kind of moment that immediately casts the rest of the episode in a better glow. Vivian Banks It's entirely possible that two people named Smith that are completely unrelated could meet, fall in love, and start a family. are heading to New England themselves to be closer to their family. She thought college was the only way. 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. William 'Will' Smith William 'Will' Smith We see this formative piece of growing up reacted to in two different ways a very problematic one, that happens to be driven by two leading men; and an incredibly sensitive, sincere, and real one, that happens to be driven by two leading women. 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. 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). Damn, I didn't think a scene from "The Fresh Prince" would hit me that hard. 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The actor was so convincing in his delivery that the entire audience started crying. And Will, in one of the all-time tension diffusers, hypes up his cousin's speech with bravado. You know, if there was something that l William 'Will' Smith: You know what, you ain't got to do nothing, Uncle Phil. Thing is, hes not really acting here much of Wills speech was ad-libbed and based on his own traumatic childhood. I remember someDavid Mametquote that said it doesn't matter how good an actor is; if the script is good, the final product is good. It's Carlton, Phil's son, whom we see suffer this trauma the most severely, even more so than Phil himself. It's a simple trick, perhaps best-known in the final moments ofCheers. Hilary's response is just a wonderfully stated, expertly performed piece of sisterly advice and love, undercut appropriately by in-character jokes (Parsons knows this character like a craftsman knows their tool). The two were locked in that epic embrace when Avery doled out even more encouragement. 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. Or Hillarys Playboy spread? You know what, you ain't got to do nothing, Uncle Phil. 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. Well, one day, I just panicked and ran. It kinda stinks, is what I'm saying, even when these two male knuckleheads eventually learn their lesson. Will and Carlton are determined to stop their female family member from having sex, using intercoms and interrogation tactics as devices to get in the way, to claim ownership over Ashley's body, to inherently view a young woman's sexual exploration as robbing her of her "purity." Hey, why should I be mad? Tags: fresh prince of bel air, sad, scene, Will Smth, father, The Story Behind The Saddest "Fresh Prince" Scene Is Not What You Think, The Evolution of the Internet: 90s to Now. He resorts to buying a gun himself, ostensibly for protection. But Avery eventually calmed Smith down by telling him, Its already in there, you know what it is. William 'Will' Smith I had always been interested in shows with fathers, because I grew up with a single parent, he said. People were crying for a long time when it was over, doing their best not to make noise before the director said cut.". Hes a steady and positive figure in my life.. The entire show was quiet, even during the funny parts, and I could not figure out why, a Reddit user wrote. 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. Uncle Phil, his characters influential father figure, is concerned and makes his disgust with Lou known. But hes a better parental figure than his actual dad, who lets his son down again. Phillip understands, and wishes Will the best. The duo gets arrested and put in jail, alongside an operatic singing convict ("Any time you see a white guy in jail, you knowhe did something bad!" : Vivian Banks 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. : ", you know. Boulware, who also wrote the episode of 227 in which a characters father pops back into the picture, drew from his own life experience for the script. I learned how to drive, I learned how to shave, I learned how to fight without him. [after Lou cancels his trip with Will and leaves] 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. Speaking of "Will's father is out of the picture". Lou seems hurt by this, but he can't think of anything else to say, and after reflecting for a moment, he quickly walks out without another word. But during filming of this episode, director Jensen likened the mood of the normally wild show to being in church.. 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. All of the Banks are planning on leaving their palatial Bel-Air estate, which we've gotten to know and love over six seasons. Whatever he needed, whether it was a pat on the head or a kick in the pants, I was there for him. Lauderdale, Florida. 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. Frank Schaeffer Jr. (cousin) Reuben (great-uncle) Eleanor (great-aunt) William "Will" Smith (portrayed by Willard "Will" Smith) is a fictionalized version of Smith and main character in the 1990-1996 NBC television sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and the 2022 Peacock streaming television drama Bel-Air, portrayed in the latter series by . The slimmies of summer come to class wearing next to nothing, you know what I'm saying Philip Banks Geoffrey Butler: Master William, tradition dictates that a clean, unbreakable line be drawn between a family and their butler. Ashley asks her if she was nervous, and Hilary responds that she absolutely was, but she "was ready." I might have been 12 and my brother 9 when one day he decided he wanted a new front wall at his shop. However, Smith revealed in his 2021 memoir.