In fact, the issue with this point of view comes with calling his time a transition in the first place. We tried to make him not a bad guy sympathetic, explained Zuckerman, who wrote Papas Got a Brand New Excuse with veteran TV writer Bill Boulware after an initially disastrous table read of a different script had cast Wills father, Lou (to be played by Broadway alum Ben Vereen), as a pool shark who breezes into town. ButThe Fresh Princemight be the most successful because of what it implies about the future of its characters, and how neatly it closes the arc for Will. 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. And then, Viola enters. He showed up, did this scene in one take, then disappeared again. William 'Will' Smith: No, you know what, Uncle Phil? Will Smith recalls iconic "how come he don't want me" scene + Being She then exits, but not without warning Lou that if he walks out now, he will not be welcome at the Banks mansion again. : 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. 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. Speaking of "Will's father is out of the picture". | He showed up, did this scene in one take, then disappeared again," wrote Reddit user RajanKian, who was at the taping of the show. 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. You know, if there was something that l William 'Will' Smith: You know what, you ain't got to do nothing, Uncle Phil. : When my father got out of the Air Force, he started his own refrigeration business. Geoffrey Butler: If you will follow me, I will show you to your room, Master William. : He loves pizza and the Mortal Kombat movie. And to do so, he has to leave the building one final time. 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. Geoffrey Butler: Master William, walk this way. She thought college was the only way. Damn, I didn't think a scene from "The Fresh Prince" would hit me that hard. WatchMojo: Top 10 "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" Moments, NBC Studios - 3000 W. Alameda Avenue, Burbank, California, USA. And yet. It's a simple trick, perhaps best-known in the final moments ofCheers. : 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). "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" Papa's Got a Brand New Excuse (TV - IMDb The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air is a FANDOM TV Community. The Banks, especially Uncle Phil, see through Lou's. It's a shocking, plainspoken admission of society's privilege, one that gives the character tons of empathy and understanding. But these are all catchy seasonings to a fundamentally kind, responsible, and curious main dish. He said, Now, dont you all ever tell me theres something you cant do. And he walked into the shop. [long pause as Will struggles to regain his composure]. February 24, 2022 armstrong siddeley cars for sale armstrong siddeley cars for sale Explore the latest videos from hashtags: #freshprienceofbelair, #freshprinceofbelairscene, #fresh_prince_of . 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. Atlantic records is now hiring content creators. And Will, in one of the all-time tension diffusers, hypes up his cousin's speech with bravado. Those qualities I assigned Carlton regarding the previous episode? 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. He might be leaving this Bel-Air home for good, but this is still the first half of his new life, his new identity. I'm ready to be part of your life if you'll let me. Man, I'm glad you're here. What millennial doesnt jump to finish the theme songs lyrics when prompted by Innnn West Philadelphia, born and raised? (Via). 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. Philip Banks When Will and Carlton are held up at gunpoint at an ATM, a shot is fired, and Will is the victim. Filming & Production 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. [takes out a small statue of a father sitting with his son on his lap]. CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 23: Will Smith attends the 70th Anniversary during the 70th annual Cannes Film Festival on May 23, 2017 in Cannes, France. 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. 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. It was Avery, always the steady influence, that centered him, giving the rapper turned movie star memorable advice. Smith: Oh, yeah, he was very serious about things being a certain way. It wasnt an easy scene for Smith to film, either. I just wasn't ready to be a father. Will Smith: Check this - "His royal freshness" - that's dope! Home; About. So why did you? Usually, the director would retake the scene, but really, nothing could replace this moment. | Fresh Prince wasnt a show that had done serious moments. However, Philadelphia is a large city and Smith is a common name worldwide. He and Uncle Phil embrace each other crying, as the camera zooms in on Will's present: a statue of an African father holding his young son. Wisely, his apology tends to stay out of the socioeconomic implications of drugs, and more into the personal point of view of "I am a member of this family who has hurt another member of this family." 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. Wake up, Will. I knew it was good, good television and it was really special.. Will Smith: Hey, Uncle Phil! Who cares what you think? But this constant poking at Uncle Phil's weight comes to a serious head in "Home Is Where the Heart Attack Is," an episode that, as you might guess, gives Uncle Phil a weight-induced heart attack to suffer through. I might have been 12 and my brother 9 when one day he decided he wanted a new front wall at his shop. Lauderdale, Florida. He waltzes in here after 15 years? He rages at his cousin about the futility of violence and revenge. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was one of our favorite shows while growing up in the 90s. Lou Smith But before all that, he was a sitcom star, someone who, it would not have been foolhardy to assume, couldnt handle more dramatic material. Actually, this works out better for me, you know. 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's fond of structure, of status, of systems. By Awa | I had *fourteen* great birthdays without him. Phillip understands, and wishes Will the best. William 'Will' Smith 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 actor went off-script and played . 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. 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. He tore the old one down it was probably 16 feet high and 40 feet long. 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). Classic Black sitcoms like Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Living Single are finally streaming. Ashleys first date with R&B princeling Tevin Campbell? Oh yeah, I don't think so. Geoffrey Butler approaches the door and lets Will in. 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. We agreed that I would take a year making music, and if it did not work out, I would go to college. (HBO Max) Will recalled the episode where his character's father resurfaces after 14 years. Instead, he laser-focuses on cleaning the house, taking care of everything except himself, feeling genuinely, scarily haunted. There are around 148 episodes over six seasons, but one episode titled Papa's Got a Brand New Excuse made many fans emotional. : Usually, the director would retake the scene, but really, nothing could replace this moment. Published Feb 2, 2021. So we're gonna have to put our trip on hold. Whatever he needed, whether it was a pat on the head or a kick in the pants, I was there for him. Hey, why should I be mad? "I did not make the rules, but I do know how to play the game. William 'Will' Smith Philip Banks Discover fresh prince of bel air father scene 's popular videos | TikTok Will believes that Uncle Phil is jealous and tells him that hes not his real dad. He resorts to buying a gun himself, ostensibly for protection. [takes out a small statue of a father sitting with his son on his lap]. 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 . 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. However Vivian has previously stated that hers, violas, Helens and Janices maiden name is Smith. : Lou and Phillip get into a heated argument about Lou's responsibilities as a father with Lou again claiming he was scared to be a father, which Phillip rejects, claiming he too was scared to be a father, but unlike Lou, he didn't run out on his family, but rather remained present for his children's lives, as a good and responsible man is supposed to do. Papa's Got a Brand New Excuse - The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air William 'Will' Smith: Hey, why should I be mad? [to Will] 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. 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! I'm sorry. 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". Yeah, whatever. You know the episode, and you definitely know THE scene. Will then begins to cry and asks Phillip why his father doesn't want him. ", you know. I started feeling trapped. The story behind Will Smith's iconic 'hug' scene in 'The Fresh Prince 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. Lou Smith 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. : The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is a 1990s sitcom that stars Will Smith as a fictionalized version of himself. No, he said. Excuse me, bring the horses around would you, ha! He was the model for me of an actor. It killed me when I first saw it, and still gets to me now. (Video: The Washington Post). 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). 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 How you doin'? That year we won the first Grammy given to a rap artist.". Did he actually accomplish anything during this time living with his upper-class relatives? Make connections. Right from the jump, from episode 1,The Fresh Princehad more on its mind than its aesthetics might initially hint. Will Smith: Oh, okay, well uh, cheerio and all that Walter now. Just for a couple of weeks. 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? And it turns out, the reconciliation between father and son was all too good to be true. And Will sets himstraight. 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!" And I'm a different man now. He's my father. Or remember that time Aunt Viv just really wanted to dance? : You are not my father! Well, I hate to break it to you, but that's just not true. Look at me, use me. Who needs him? 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. William 'Will' Smith: Got through my first date without him, right? However, Smith revealed in his 2021 memoir Will that the relationship was occasionally turbulent due to his father's abuse of his mother. The duo was forced to pivot when 'Fresh Prince' came along. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! As such, "Mistaken Identity" served (serves?) Becoming an actor, model, or performer is tough. The latter is a secondary part (Whoopi . I understand. Before this scene, Will Smith disappeared. ', Atlantic Records is Now Hiring Content Creators, Extras Richmond Casting Call for 1770s Types, $4,000 Casting Call for Women with Migraines, SCAD Documentary Casting Call for Church Types, "She Buries Me" Open Casting Call in Philadelphia, $125/Day Fort Lauderdale Music Video Casting Call, Paramount+ Series Casting Call for 2-Year Old Actors, "His Story: The Musical" Open Casting Call, $350/Day Docu-Style Project Casting Call for Blonde Actors, $1,500 Commercial Casting Call for Skiers in Colorado. I had always been interested in shows with fathers, because I grew up with a single parent, he said. Will's father is a deadbeat who left him and his mom flat. I wanted him to want me. William 'Will' Smith Will Smith - Wikipedia Will Smith: Yo yo, G, G, G, let me rap to you for a second man. Just lay one brick, dude. (Via). 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. Transcript The show begins with Will Smith at the door singing and knocking on the door. We're doing alright, huh? Will Smith helped co-write the script for this scene. However, Philadelphia is a large city and Smith is a common name worldwide. Then, the waterworks. I am Geoffrey, your uncle's butler. Im messing up the lines because I wanted it so bad, Smith said in the podcast interview. For four years, I treated that boy like my own son. He never even sent me a damn card! Will tells Uncle Phil (James Avery) that he, straight up, has forgotten where he came from. as a startling wake-up call, albeit one couched in comfort, comedy, and familiar class dynamics. Lou Smith So is he a cop? While Will and Lou bond at a carnival, Lou tells him that the real reason that he abandoned him was because he was scared of having a kid. I worked my ass off trying to keep him in line! Will Smith said he improvised his character's piano moment in the "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" pilot. Smith and his musical partner DJ Jazzy Jeff were already big names on the hip-hop scene when the Fresh Prince opportunity presented itself. Now, let's get to the bottom of this rumor. William 'Will' Smith: How come he don't want me, man? 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. Use me. 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. When we started the series, Will was definitely not there, but he grew as a man and as an actor, he said. Lou Smith His father, who had left him years before, claims he is finally ready to become a part of Will's life, again. I learned how to drive, I learned how to shave, I learned how to fight without him. 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.". Will Smith's on screen evolution, from 'Fresh Prince' to 'King Richard 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. Will is at the Peacock when he sees a man staring at him. Got through my first date without him, right? William 'Will' Smith When Will calls him Lou, oh my God, his whole frame just shrunk because he realized at that point that hed lost his son. | He uses his emotions like an instrument, starting as strong as he can, until it can't help but fracture and fall. Where There's a Will, There's a Way (Part 1), Where There's a Will, There's a Way (Part 2). This version of the character was received poorly by Will Smith at the initial table read, and so Lou was rewritten as a somewhat more sympathetic character, who at least had a legitimate job as a truck driver. Ribeiro plays this sequence like a man on a precipice, a fork in the road for Carlton, a thrillingly unpredictable piece of theater that even speaks to that common theater rule involving guns on stage. Willard Carroll Smith II (born September 25, 1968), also known by his stage name The Fresh Prince, is an American actor and rapper.Known for variety of roles, Smith has received multiple accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award and four Grammy Awards. : This is the same guy who didn't think enough of you to pick up the damn phone! In celebration of its 30th anniversary (the pilot aired September 10, 1990), I wondered why this show continues to play so wonderfully and warmly where so many other '90s sitcoms become forgotten. [Uncle Phil rushes forward to hug Will, and Will breaks down sobbing]. Much of "Not with My Cousin You Don't," as you might guess by the title, is predicated on icky gender-role shenanigans. 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. 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. The most effective and illuminating emotional reaction to this doesn't orient around Will, however at least not directly. 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. Well, one day, I just panicked and ran. So what's the real story behind the tear-jerking scene, you ask? The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air is a FANDOM TV Community. And I got pretty damn good at it too, didn't I, Uncle Phil? Following Avery's words, Smith pulled off the most iconic and emotional scene in the show's history. No, you know what, Uncle Phil? Is Viola's reaction mere prejudice, plainly spoken? You might notice his hat coming off. He made a mistake.