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. 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. | The show wasn't afraid to tackle issues like drugs, sex, drunk driving, sexism, racism, and violence to teach us an important lesson or two about life. : But then, in an all-time line reading, Will simply asks his uncle, "How come he don't want me, man?" And when it digs into this core, it doesn't need silly jokes. Will runs up to him to give him a big hug. Emotional and great. Lou Smith Just lay one brick, dude. (Via). 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.. Geoffrey Butler: If you will follow me, I will show you to your room, Master William. Lou Smith We can talk about this another time. Ben Vereen (Lou) stated in an interview that he broke into tears himself after walking out of the camera shot. But in fact, Wills dad was an active participant in his sons life, and even encouraged him. Up until that point, they were thinking of [Smith] as a TV actor, Vereen said of the young mans burgeoning film career. I had always been interested in shows with fathers, because I grew up with a single parent, he said. Will's father is out of the picture; Uncle Phil is by all accounts the closest to a dad he has. (HBO Max) Will recalled the episode where his character's father resurfaces after 14 years. Explore the latest videos from hashtags: #freshprienceofbelair, #freshprinceofbelairscene, #fresh_prince_of . : And, it lets Will have a "not what he seems" moment, too; when Uncle Phil leaves the room after this chat, he notices Will playing Beethovenon the piano. And finally, just like any great play, she tells her sister Janice what's really going on. The two awkwardly find themselves talking with Lou claiming he's a self-employed truck driver now, and that he recently spoke to Will's mother, who informed him that Will was now in Bel-Air with his Uncle Phil and Aunt Vivian, so he drove down to see his son. I've been waiting for this for a long time, my whole life and ain't nobody gonna stop me. Lauderdale, Florida. : Did he actually accomplish anything during this time living with his upper-class relatives? Philip Banks [pause] 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. William 'Will' Smith The first time I held you, I didn't think I'd ever put you down. Smith rarely resorts to out-and-out anger in his Fresh Prince performances, but we see it here, and it is warranted. Washington Post Retrospective on the episode. Hey, just cool it. The rest of the family may find this all surprising, and Uncle Phil may at first think Frank (Baker) is a valet (in one of the best-staged act outs I've seen in a TV comedy; not to mention its sneakily provocative racial flip). Technical Specs, [after Lou cancels his trip with Will and leaves], [after discovering Will's father unexpectedly]. (Via). Geoffrey Butler: You have the right house. It's Carlton, Phil's son, whom we see suffer this trauma the most severely, even more so than Phil himself. Plus, the specific choice of drugs amphetamines and the specific effects we see Carlton dancing himself into a frenzy unfortunately brings to mind other campy very special episodes, particularly the infamousSaved by the Bellcaffeine pills debacle. Before he can do so, Will walks in, packed and ready to go. 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. : She expresses her worries for Janice "as an African-American woman" for whom life has already stacked the deck against. 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 says in one episode, while the camera tilts up to literally show the studio lights). Geoffrey Butler: Master William, tradition dictates that a clean, unbreakable line be drawn between a family and their butler. Hes a steady and positive figure in my life.. 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. 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. Will Smith: Hey, Uncle Phil! Whew, that was deep, Vereen said. The first one went extremely well while the second album, not so much. Geoffrey Butler approaches the door and lets Will in. Where There's a Will, There's a Way (Part 1), Where There's a Will, There's a Way (Part 2). 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. : Before this scene, Will Smith disappeared. Will Smith: Hey, Uncle Phil! Hey, he wasn't there to teach me how to shoot my first basket, but I learned, didn't I? Therefore, it is necessary for the operation of the household that you address me as Geoffrey, and I in turn address you by your proper title, Master William. 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. Will forgives him and is prepared to give him another chance. 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. To hell with him! Get Discovered! In that final scene, when Lou disappoints Will for the final time, Vereen himself broke down off-camera. as a startling wake-up call, albeit one couched in comfort, comedy, and familiar class dynamics. Why did it take so long? 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. 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. William 'Will' Smith Actually, this works out better for me, you know. Look at me, use me. But there is one episode that stands head and shoulders above the rest. So we're gonna have to put our trip on hold. 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 . Although he was a "tough" man, Will told Essence Magazine that he was not "tryannical. 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? WatchMojo: Top 10 "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" Moments, NBC Studios - 3000 W. Alameda Avenue, Burbank, California, USA. They said, Rap? My mother graduated from Carnegie Mellon. 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. Filming & Production 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. He loves dancing, especially to Tom Jonesand theSugarhill Gang. When we started the series, Will was definitely not there, but he grew as a man and as an actor, he said. Will said that. How come he don't want me, man? Look, I'll call you next week and we'll iron out the details. Find talent. will smith fresh prince dad scene scriptanson county warrant list. He resorts to buying a gun himself, ostensibly for protection. As of 2023, his films have grossed over $9.3 billion globally, making him one of Hollywood's most bankable stars. : When my father got out of the Air Force, he started his own refrigeration business. William 'Will' Smith 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. Lou claims it was great to see Will again, and Will responds "You too Lou" instead of Dad, officially disowning Lou as his father. ", The Real Story Behind the Most Heartbreaking Scene in 'The Fresh Prince of Bel Air'. 1 His First Major Movie Role Was In Six Degrees Of Separation. Uncle Phil helps his nephew find a new California apartment on his own, and he'll continue his collegiate studies in the state, too. And then, Viola enters. Will then begins to cry and asks Phillip why his father doesn't want him. And to do so, he has to leave the building one final time. The two are prepared to take a cross-country trip around the country for the remainder of the summer, but Philip sees that this reunion and trip is in Lou's favor rather than Will's. Not quite. : He's fond of structure, of status, of systems. Make connections. Will Smith described the scene where Will breaks down as one of his most difficult as a young actor, as he was unsure if he was able to properly convey the right emotions. 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. 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 . Revealing that he bought Lou a present a sculpture of a father holding his son he insists that he's made it through his entire life, and all of his formative moments, without his dad, and that he'll just keep going. Maybe a little longer. Will William 'Will' Smith Usually, the director would retake the scene, but really, nothing could replace this moment. For survival, please dont marry this man.". 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. James Avery was relentless on me to elevate. During the episode, Will reunites with his father, Lou, who was absent from his life for 14 years. 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. William 'Will' Smith: You know what? The latter is a secondary part (Whoopi . Uncle Phil, however, thinks Lou will again disappoint his son. Ain't like I'm still five years old, you know. Those qualities are all self-weaponized, manifesting in self-destructive ways. However Vivian has previously stated that hers, violas, Helens and Janices maiden name is Smith. We were standing there thinking, There will never, ever, be a wall here again. 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. Actually, this works out better for me, you know. I was actually at the taping. Okay? The young actor would go on to deliver one of the biggest emotional punches in Fresh Prince history. His acting from that moment on improved dramatically. However, Smith revealed in his 2021 memoir Will that the relationship was occasionally turbulent due to his father's abuse of his mother. Speaking of "Will's father is out of the picture". 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. His father was a question mark, or, as cousin Hillary puts it in the episode, a deadbeat who left him and his mom flat.. Insists that if Carlton goes through with this plan, he's just as bad as the guy who put Will in the hospital. William 'Will' Smith: No, you know what, Uncle Phil? 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. We went brick by brick for the entire summer and into winter and then back into spring. Lou Smith 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. However, Smith revealed in his 2021 memoir. Will. During an average taping, The Fresh Prince set was like a raucous football stadium. : Yeah, whatever. You know what? Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! Or Hillarys Playboy spread? In the episode "Papa's Got a Brand New Excuse", Will Smith demonstrated his true acting abilities and showed the world when he is given the right role, he can do an amazing job. Vivian Banks 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. When Will calls him Lou, oh my God, his whole frame just shrunk because he realized at that point that hed lost his son. : Carlton refuses to see his father after this moment of vulnerability and mortality. The Banks, especially Uncle Phil, see through Lous lies, but Will cant; hes so happy to be with his dad that he drops his trademark swagger and acts like an eager child again. [He] wouldnt give me a damn inch, said Smith in a 2018 interview with podcast Rap Radar. William 'Will' Smith Phillip understands, and wishes Will the best. 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. She then exits, but not without warning Lou that if he walks out now, he will not be welcome at the Banks mansion again. 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. 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. In honor ofThe Fresh Prince's 30th anniversary, here are the 10 best times the sitcom got serious throughout its run, in chronological order. : Gregory Lawrence (aka Greg Smith) is a writer, director, performer, songwriter, and comedian. Olivia Singh. With Wednesday's press night under her belt and a standing ovation to . Having three Black male actors in an intensely dramatic scene on a comedic series only added to the power of the moment. 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. And he told us that this was going to be our gig over the summer. Man, I'm glad you're here. : 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. 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 . While working at the Los Angeles University student restaurant, Will recognizes a customer - his father - whom he has not seen for 14 years. 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. ignorant of such targeted frissons. Will Smith: Oh, okay, well uh, cheerio and all that Walter now. 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. 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. (One year later, Rodney King's beating by police will spark a series of protests and clashes in Los Angeles.) We were all in the moment. Or remember that time Aunt Viv just really wanted to dance? I didn't know there was so many brothers living in the neighborhood. Much of "Not with My Cousin You Don't," as you might guess by the title, is predicated on icky gender-role shenanigans. Uncle Phil, his characters influential father figure, is concerned and makes his disgust with Lou known. As such, "Mistaken Identity" served (serves?) Oct 20, 2017. Will Smith on the series premiere of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." NBC. Well, one day, I just panicked and ran. How you doin'? : 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. Lou is, indeed, going to walk out of Will's life again, having scammed the Banks family for what he needs. I started feeling trapped. 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. Some of the episodes even made us cry. During the episodes final scene, Smith was struggling to bring it all home. She thought college was the only way. But it means, more than ever, we can't lose faith in people. And Will, in one of the all-time tension diffusers, hypes up his cousin's speech with bravado. Looking for Disney, Game of Thrones, or Marvel movie casting calls? It was also so unexpected. Will Smith: Oh, my fault, man. He's my father. 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. 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. So the only thing true about this rumor is the emotion conveyed by Will in the scene. : William 'Will' Smith 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. Like, James Avery wouldnt give me a damn inch, the actor recalled on TIDALs Rap Radar podcast series. 5 Jun. But much of white America remained (remains?) | Atlantic records is now hiring content creators. It's a special series to me, and to so many folks. In another interview with Reader's Digest, he explained that his father actually supported his dreams of pursuing a career in music. I learned how to drive, I learned how to shave, I learned how to fight without him. I just wish I hadn't wasted my money buying this stupid present. Carlton Banks You are not my father! The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air is a FANDOM TV Community. Will did not like it at all. | Young Ashley Banks (Tatyana Ali) is growing up. William 'Will' Smith Will Smith cries remember James Avery during the 'Fresh Prince' reunion special. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! Will, it's all right to be angry. It's purely powerful stuff, the kind of moment that immediately casts the rest of the episode in a better glow. Yeah, that's cool. I was actually at the taping. At least he said goodbye this time. I rarely cried for a sitcom, but this is it. That awful moment when you learn that this wasnt scripted. I am Geoffrey, your uncle's butler. Will has grown and learned immeasurably from his new circumstances and familial compassions, and these growths came so organically that he didn't even notice them happening. : The Post's Candace Buckner, David Betancourt and Tramel Raggs explore how current demonstrations against racial inequality are echoing memorable sports movies. Lou awkwardly admits that he's got to take care of some business so the planned trip is going to have to wait a week or two, but most likely longer than that, and he promises to call to work it out. Excuse me. Will never, ever, forget.. 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. But that specific episode? Here's the Tumblr version of events that we've come to believe as the truth: Lou Smith No, he said. Will Smith: Check this - "His royal freshness" - that's dope! The entire show was quiet, even during the funny parts, and I could not figure out why. He showed up, did this scene in one take, then disappeared again. 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. Smith was known for his clean lyrics, and his hits were . A powerful, teachable, simple lesson. Smith, whose most emotional scenes in the episode are opposite Avery, had to cry on camera for the first time. The entire temperature of the room shifts. Carlton is confidently, uniquely himself. : You see, the day you were born was the happiest day of my life. : It's a scene even the most casual ofFresh Prince fans have committed to memory, effectively staged and played without a studio audience to give us any emotional relief. Even if the performance wasnt real, it was real enough to be remembered 20 years later. Company Credits I agree so much . How you doin'? I'm sorry, Will. Transcript The show begins with Will Smith at the door singing and knocking on the door. William 'Will' Smith 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. Director Shelley Jensen describes this episode as a turning point in Smith's performance, noting his acting improved dramatically after it. Geoffrey Butler: Master William, walk this way. The slimmies of summer come to class wearing next to nothing, you know what I'm saying Philip Banks Grab a hankie, whistle for a cab, and take a trip down memory lane with me. 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! The first time I held you, I didn't think I'd ever put you down. Oh, come on. This episode, and especially this scene, tends to prove Mr. Mamet wrong. : Hes a steady and positive figure in my life. Fourteen years and acts like nothing has happened. Philip Banks At first Will seems okay with Lou abandoning him, as at least he said goodbye, but Will now wishes he hadn't spent money on a present for Lou. 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. Right from the jump, from episode 1,The Fresh Princehad more on its mind than its aesthetics might initially hint. In fact, the issue with this point of view comes with calling his time a transition in the first place. "Before this scene, Will Smith disappeared. And insists that Carlton leaves the gun behind immediately. Willard Carroll Smith II (born September 25, 1968), also known by his stage name the Fresh Prince, is an American actor, rapper, and producer.Noted for his work in music, television, and film, Smith has received various accolades, including an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, four Grammy Awards, and

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