Jump to content

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
m v2.05 - fix links - Blossom (TV series)
 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|American television sitcom (1990–1996)}}
{{Infobox Television
{{other uses|Fresh Prince (disambiguation){{!}}Fresh Prince}}
| show_name = The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
{{distinguish|Prince of Bel Air{{!}}''Prince of Bel Air''}}
| image = [[Image:Freshprincecast.jpg|210px|]]
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2020}}
|caption=The cast of ''The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air'' from 1993 to 1996. Left to right: Vivian Banks, Phillip Banks, Will Smith, Hillary Banks, Ashley Banks and Carlton Banks
{{Infobox television
| format = [[Situation comedy|Sitcom]]
| image = Fresh Prince Bel Aire logo.svg
| runtime = approx. 0:23 (per episode)
| genre = [[Sitcom]]
| creator = [[Andy Borowitz]]<br>& [[Susan Borowitz]],<br>based upon a format by<br>[[Benny Medina]]<br>and [[Jeff Pollack]]
| creator = {{Plainlist|
|executive producer=[[Quincy Jones]], <br>[[Andy Borowitz]]<br>& [[Susan Borowitz]] (Season 1)<br>[[Winifred Hervey]] (Seasons 2-3)<br>Gary H. Miller (Seasons 4-5)<br>Cheryl Gard (Season 5)<br>Jeff Pollack<br>Will Smith (Season 6)
* [[Andy Borowitz]]
|starring='''[[Will Smith]]'''<br>as Will Smith<br>'''[[James L. Avery, Sr.|James Avery]]'''<br>as Phillip Banks<br>'''[[Janet Hubert-Whitten]]'''<br>as Vivian Smith-Banks (seasons 1-3)<br>'''[[Daphne Maxwell Reid]]'''<br>as Vivian Smith-Banks (seasons 4-6)<br>'''[[Alfonso Ribeiro]]'''<br>as Carlton Banks<br>'''[[Karyn Parsons]]'''<br>as Hilary Banks<br>'''[[Tatyana Ali]]'''<br>as Ashley Banks<br>'''[[Joseph Marcell]]'''<br>as Geoffrey Barbara Butler<br>'''[[Ross Bagley]]'''<br>Nicolas "Nicky" Banks<br>'''[[DJ Jazzy Jeff]]'''<br>as Jazz (recurring)<br>
* [[Susan Borowitz]]}}
| country = [[United States|USA]]
| based_on = {{Based on|A format|[[Benny Medina]] & [[Jeff Pollack]]}}
| network = [[NBC]]
| starring = {{Plainlist|
| first_aired = [[September 10]], [[1990]]
* [[Will Smith]]
| last_aired = [[September 9]], [[1996]]
* [[James Avery]]
| num_episodes = [[List of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air episodes|148]]
* [[Janet Hubert|Janet Hubert-Whitten]]
| imdb_id = 0098800
* [[Alfonso Ribeiro]]
| tv_com_id = 475
* [[Karyn Parsons]]
|}}
* [[Tatyana Ali|Tatyana M. Ali]]
* [[Joseph Marcell]]
* [[Daphne Maxwell Reid]]
* [[Ross Bagley]]
* [[DJ Jazzy Jeff]]}}
| theme_music_composer = The Fresh Prince in association with A Touch of Jazz, Inc.
| open_theme = "[[The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (song)|The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air]]" performed by [[DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince]]
| end_theme = "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” (instrumental)
| composer = [[Quincy Jones]]
| country = United States
| language = English
| num_seasons = 6
| num_episodes = 148
| list_episodes = List of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air episodes
| executive_producer = {{Plainlist|
* [[Quincy Jones]]
* [[David Salzman]]
* [[Andy Borowitz]]
* [[Susan Borowitz]]
* Kevin Wendle {{small|(season 1)}}
* Jeff Pollack
* Benny Medina
* [[Winifred Hervey]] {{small|(seasons 2–3)}}
* Gary H. Miller {{small|(seasons 4–5)}}
* Cheryl Gard {{small|(season 5)}}
* Will Smith {{small|(season 6)}}}}
| producer = {{Plainlist|
* Werner Walian
* Lisa Rosenthal
* Joel Madison
* Leilani Downer
* Joanne Curley-Kerner
* Joel Markowitz
}}
| location = {{Plainlist|
* [[Hollywood Center Studios]], [[Hollywood, California|Hollywood]] {{small|(1990–1991)}}
* [[Sunset Gower Studios]], [[Hollywood, California|Hollywood]] {{small|(1991–1993)}}
* [[The Burbank Studios|NBC Studios]], [[Burbank, California|Burbank]] {{small|(1993–1996)}}}}
| camera = [[Videotape]]; [[Multiple-camera setup|Multi-camera]]
| runtime = 21–23 minutes
| company = {{Plainlist|
* The Stuffed Dog Company
* [[Quincy Jones|Quincy Jones Entertainment]] {{small|(1990–1993, seasons 1–3)}}
* Quincy Jones-David Salzman Entertainment {{small|(1993–1996, seasons 4–6)}}
* [[NBC Productions]]
* [[Warner Bros. Television]]
* [[Warner Horizon Television|Warner Horizon Unscripted Television]] {{small|(Reunion special)}}}}
| network = [[NBC]]
| first_aired = {{Start date|1990|9|10}}
| last_aired = {{end date|1996|5|20}}
}}
'''''The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air''''' is an American [[television sitcom]] created by [[Andy Borowitz|Andy]] and [[Susan Borowitz]] that aired on [[NBC]] from September 10, 1990, to May 20, 1996. The series stars [[Will Smith]] as [[Will Smith (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air)|a fictionalized version of himself]], a street-smart teenager born and raised in [[West Philadelphia]] who is sent to live with his wealthy uncle and aunt in [[Bel Air, Los Angeles|Bel-Air, Los Angeles]], where his lifestyle often clashes with that of his [[African-American upper class|upper-class]] relatives.


The series was considered Will Smith's star vehicle into television, and later his film career. ''The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air'' was a top hit for NBC, running for 148 episodes over six seasons.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air |url=http://www.tv.com/shows/the-fresh-prince-of-belair/episodes/ |work=[[TV.com]] |publisher=CBS Interactive |access-date=January 2, 2014 |archive-date=January 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109001523/http://www.tv.com/shows/the-fresh-prince-of-belair/episodes/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Coker |first=Cheo Hodari |title=Good Night, 'Prince' |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-05-20-ca-6351-story.html |access-date=January 2, 2014 |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=May 20, 1996 |archive-date=January 2, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102193101/http://articles.latimes.com/1996-05-20/entertainment/ca-6351_1_fresh-prince |url-status=live }}</ref> A reunion special/retrospective reuniting the surviving cast debuted on [[HBO Max]] in November 2020.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2020/11/18/hbo-max-to-drop-the-fresh-prince-of-bel-air-reunion-early-today-at-5pm-pt-845014/20201118warnermedia05/|title=HBO Max to Drop "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion" Early: Today at 5PM PT|publisher=Futon Critic|date=November 18, 2020|access-date=November 19, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a34672075/will-smith-fresh-prince-of-bel-air-reunion-trailer-air-date/|title=Will Smith releases first trailer for Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reunion as premiere date is revealed|first=Emily|last=Hutchinson|publisher=Digital Spy|date=November 13, 2020|access-date=November 13, 2020|archive-date=November 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113205210/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a34672075/will-smith-fresh-prince-of-bel-air-reunion-trailer-air-date/|url-status=live}}</ref> A more dramatic reimagining of the series, titled ''[[Bel-Air (TV series)|Bel-Air]]'' and based on the fan film [[Bel-Air (film)|of the same name]], was given a two-season order for [[Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock]], and released on February 13, 2022.<ref name="SeriesPremiere">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/12/bel-air-peacock-fresh-prince-drama-reboot-super-bowl-sunday-premiere-1234892177/|title='Bel-Air': Peacock's 'Fresh Prince' Drama Reboot Sets Super Bowl Sunday Premiere|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|first=Denise|last=Petski|date=December 16, 2021|access-date=December 16, 2021}}</ref>
'''''The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air''''' is a popular [[United States|American]] [[situation comedy|sitcom]] that aired on [[NBC]] from [[September 10]], [[1990]] to [[September 9]], [[1996]] featuring [[Will Smith]] in a fish-out-of-water tale of a streetwise [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia]] teenager sent to live with rich relatives in a [[Bel-Air, Los Angeles, California|Bel-Air]] mansion. His ways of living certainly do not fit to the ways that his relatives live in Bel-Air. A total of 148 episodes were produced over 6 seasons. The show is currently seen on many networks such as [[The N]] and [[Nick at Nite]] as well as being syndicated on local channels in many countries.


[[Will Smith]] and [[James Avery]] were the only actors to have appeared in all 148 episodes of the television sitcom.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What the Cast of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Is Up to Now as Bel-Air Debuts |url=https://people.com/tv/fresh-prince-of-bel-air-where-are-they-now/ |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=People.com |language=en}}</ref>
==Theme song and opening sequence==
The theme song was written by Will Smith and performed by [[DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince]]. Its full version was rarely used on the show, although DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince did record it as an unreleased B-side.<ref>[http://www.jazzyjefffreshprince.com/Lyrics/lyrics-willsmith-bsides.htm DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince: B-Side Lyrics]</ref> For the first few episodes of the show, verses one to three and verses six and seven were used; however, beginning with Episode #9 (titled "Someday Your Prince Will Be in Effect (2)"), only the first two and the last two verses of the song were used, so that episodes could be longer.


== Summary ==
The earlier seasons featured an instrumental version of the theme and stills from the episode for the closing credits. Eventually the music and stills were dropped and closing credits would almost always appear over bloopers and outtakes from the episode. The closing theme over episode clips reappeared in the show's fifth season (airing in the reruns, because of NBC's change from traditional credits to the split screen credits currently employed by the network).
<!-- DO NOT POST LYRICS - it is against Wikipedia copyright policy -->
The theme song and opening sequence set the premise of the show. Will Smith is a street-smart [[African-American]] [[teenager]], "born and raised" in [[West Philadelphia]]. While playing [[street basketball]], Will accidentally hits a group of young people with the ball, causing a confrontation that frightens his mother, who sends him to live with his wealthy aunt and uncle in the opulent neighborhood of [[Bel Air, Los Angeles]].


Will's [[working class]] background ends up clashing in various humorous ways with the [[upper class]] world of the Banks family – Will's stern uncle Phil and tough but fair aunt Vivian and their children, Will's cousins: spoiled Hilary, pompous Carlton, impressionable Ashley and baby Nicky (introduced in season 3), as well as their sarcastic [[butler]] Geoffrey.
==Episodes==
See ''[[List of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air episodes]]''


== Cast and characters ==
==Characters==
:<small>{{Color box|#bfd|border=darkgray}} = [[Ensemble cast|Main cast]] (credited) </small>
''See [[List of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air characters]]''
:<small>{{Color box|#ffdddd|border=darkgray}} = [[Recurring character|Recurring cast]] (4+)</small>


==Running gags==
=== Main ===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
In addition to humorous scripts, the show found humor in physical comedy, insults, and [[running gag]]s:
! rowspan="2" scope="col" | Actor
*Carlton frequently bringing up Uncle Phil's will and suggestions for revisions to it.
! rowspan="2" scope="col" | Character
*There have been a few jokes about the size of Will's ears. In one episode, they went to a barber shop and the barber stated "Now you know I'm gonna have to charge you extra for cuttin around these ears?" In another episode, Lisa makes a joke about them being cute.
|-
*Will would frequently make jabs at Carlton's slight stature and virginity, as well as at Uncle Phil's weight and baldness. For Carlton's height, one episode held a small twist. In this episode, Will and Carlton trick Geoffrey into thinking he won the lottery. Humiliated and resentful, Geoffrey quits as the Banks' butler and takes a job as a waiter. At Geoffrey's new restaurant, Will and Carlton pretend to be his sons. Will then jokes that the reason Carlton, his "older brother", "stopped growing" was because they didn't have any money for clothes. Rather than getting upset or angry, Carlton makes fun of himself, saying he wants to grow.
! scope="col" style="width:4em;" | [[The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air season 1|1]]
* A running gag throughout the series was Carlton's enthusiastic love of singer [[Tom Jones (singer)|Tom Jones]] and a gyrating dance he would perform to Jones' tune "It's Not Unusual." Eventually, Tom Jones guest-starred as himself as Carlton's guardian angel, showing Carlton what the Banks family would be like if he had never been born, à la ''[[It's A Wonderful Life]]''.
! scope="col" style="width:4em;" | [[The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air season 2|2]]
*A favorite recurring gag throughout the series involved Will's best friend Jazz flying out the front door after saying something offensive to a member of the Banks family (usually Philip) and being physically thrown out by him or her. The shot of Jazz flying through the front door was only filmed once (for Season 1, Episode #2: "Bang the Drum, Ashley" when Phil told him to turn up a classical music record, and Jazz scratches it like a DJ) and re-used each time. For this reason, in the many later episodes in which he is thrown out the door, he is always wearing the same shirt as he was that first time. In the Season 2 episode "Cased up," there was a small twist on this gag: when Jazz offends Phillip outside on the Banks' driveway, then comments "You can't throw me out because I'm already outside," Phillip proceeds to pick him up and throw him into the house via the kitchen door. Another twist to this is in the Halloween episode in a dream of Will's where Hilary and Jazz fall in love, to which Philip tries to throw him out, but ends up being thrown out himself. Will was once thrown out of the house in the same manner as Jazz. In an episode, Jazz is thrown out together with a life-size cardboard figure of [[Bill Cosby]] - this one had to be redone several times, and such attempts appeared as the blooper sequence for the end of this episode.
! scope="col" style="width:4em;" | [[The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air season 3|3]]
*Another running gag is the frequent reference to the song "Apache" by The SugarHill Gang.
! scope="col" style="width:4em;" | [[The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air season 4|4]]
*One running gag is Uncle Phil often exclaiming about how he and "Vivian" jumped into a lake naked at Woodstock, with Vivian then saying, "I wasn't at Woodstock!"
! scope="col" style="width:4em;" | [[The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air season 5|5]]
! scope="col" style="width:4em;" | [[The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air season 6|6]]
|-
| scope="row" | [[Will Smith]]
| [[Will Smith (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air)|William “Will” Smith]]
| colspan="6" {{CMain}}
|-
| scope="row" | [[James Avery]]
| [[Philip Banks (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air)|Philip Banks]]
| colspan="6" {{CMain}}
|-
| scope="row" | [[Janet Hubert-Whitten]]
| rowspan="2" | Vivian Banks
| colspan="3" {{CMain}}
| colspan="3" {{N/A|}}
|-
| scope="row" | [[Daphne Maxwell Reid]]
| colspan="3" {{N/A|}}
| colspan="3" {{CMain}}
|-
| scope="row" | [[Alfonso Ribeiro]]
| [[Carlton Banks]]
| colspan="6" {{CMain}}
|-
| scope="row" | [[Karyn Parsons]]
| Hilary Violet Banks
| colspan="6" {{CMain}}
|-
| scope="row" | [[Tatyana Ali|Tatyana M. Ali]]
| Ashley Banks
| colspan="6" {{CMain}}
|-
| scope="row" | [[Joseph Marcell]]
| Geoffrey Butler
| colspan="6" {{CMain}}
|-
| scope="row" | [[Ross Bagley]]{{Efn|Various actors portrayed the infant Nicky Banks throughout seasons 3 and 4.}}
| Nicholas Andrew "Nicky" Banks
| colspan="2" {{N/A|}}
| colspan="2" {{CRecurring}}
| colspan="2" {{CMain}}
|-
|}
{{notelist}}


=== Recurring ===
===Breaking of the Fourth Wall===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
The breaking of the [[fourth wall]] was a common gag on the show; some examples include:
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Actor
! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Character
! scope="col" colspan="11" | Seasons
|-
! scope="col" style="width:4em;" | [[The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air season 1|1]]
! scope="col" style="width:4em;" | [[The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air season 2|2]]
! scope="col" style="width:4em;" | [[The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air season 3|3]]
! scope="col" style="width:4em;" | [[The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air season 4|4]]
! scope="col" style="width:4em;" | [[The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air season 5|5]]
! scope="col" style="width:4em;" | [[The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air season 6|6]]
|-
| scope="row" | [[DJ Jazzy Jeff]]
| Jazz
| colspan="6" {{CRecurring}}
|-
| scope="row" | [[Vernee Watson-Johnson]]{{Efn|A different unidentified actress portrayed Will's mother in the opening title sequence.}}
| List of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air characters#Vy Smith-Wilkes | Viola "Vy" Smith
| colspan="6" {{CRecurring}}
|-
| scope="row" | [[Michael Weiner (actor)|Michael Weiner]]
| List of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air characters#Kellogg "Cornflake" Lieberbaum | Kellogg "Cornflake" Lieberbaum
| colspan="2" {{CRecurring}}
| colspan="4" {{N/A|}}
|-
| scope="row" | [[Lisa Fuller]]
| List of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air characters#Toni | Toni
| colspan="1" {{CRecurring}}
| colspan="5" {{N/A|}}
|-
| scope="row" | [[Virginia Capers]]
| List of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air characters#Hattie Banks | Hattie Banks
| colspan="2" {{CRecurring}}
| colspan="3" {{N/A|}}
| colspan="1" {{CRecurring}}
|-
| scope="row" | [[Jenifer Lewis]]
| List of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air characters#Helen Smith | Helen Smith
| colspan="1" {{N/A|}}
| colspan="3" {{CRecurring}}
| colspan="1" {{N/A|}}
| colspan="1" {{CRecurring}}
|-
| scope="row" | [[Charlayne Woodard]]
| List of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air characters#Janice Smith | Janice Smith
| colspan="1" {{N/A|}}
| colspan="2" {{CRecurring}}
| colspan="3" {{N/A|}}
|-
| scope="row" | Perry Moore
| List of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air characters#Tyriq Johnson | Tyriq "Ty" Johnson
| colspan="1" {{N/A|}}
| colspan="1" {{CRecurring}}
| colspan="4" {{N/A|}}
|-
| scope="row" | [[Brian Stokes Mitchell]]
| List of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air characters#Trevor Collins-Newsworthy | Trevor Collins-Newsworthy
| colspan="2" {{N/A|}}
| colspan="1" {{CRecurring}}
| colspan="3" {{N/A|}}
|-
| scope="row" | [[Tyra Banks]]
| List of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air characters#Jackie Ames | Jacqueline "Jackie" Ames
| colspan="3" {{N/A|}}
| colspan="1" {{CRecurring}}
| colspan="2" {{N/A|}}
|-
| scope="row" | [[Nia Long]]{{Efn|Nia Long had a one-off role as Will's talkative prom date Claudia in 2-08 before playing Lisa in season 5.}}
| List of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air characters#Lisa Wilkes | Beullah "Lisa" Wilkes
| colspan="4" {{N/A|}}
| colspan="1" {{CRecurring}}
| colspan="1" {{N/A|}}
|-


| scope="row" | [[Jim Meskimen]]{{Efn|Jim Meskimen had a one-off role as Professor Jeremy Mansfield in 4–03 before returning as Werner in season 6.}}
*Will describing the character Omar as "the dude who be spinning me over his head during the opening credits" in the episode "The Philadelphia Story"
| Werner
*Will voicing his confusion over how Nicky could have aged several years over a period of about three months; in that scene, Jazz breaks the wall as well by first asking if the same person was playing the mother (a reference to the change of actress in the Vivian role), then, upon seeing the older Nicky, says, "Man I'm going back to the street where things make sense."
| colspan="5" {{N/A|}}
*After Uncle Phil proclaims, "We're rich," Will asks the audience, "If we so rich, why we can't afford no ceiling?" while the camera tilts up to show the studio lights and rafters.
| colspan="1" {{CRecurring}}
*In another episode, Will fakes playing the saxophone while [[Branford Marsalis]] plays in the background, causing Will to quip how great it is to be working for [[NBC]].
*The entire blooper episode (the anniversary episode) breaks the fourth wall.
*Philip is complaining until Will takes a television remote and "clicks off" Philip, then asks the studio audience if they wish they could live on television like him, where such things are possible.
*Both Will and Carlton break the [[fourth wall]] in a later episode: Will meets his eventual girlfriend Lisa at ULA, where she poses as a psychopath obsessed with Will. As a practical joke, Will later tells Carlton that Lisa was really insane and that he had to kill her in self-defense. Carlton goes into a frenzied grief, running through all the set pieces (the house, the university, the cabin where Lisa entrapped Will, etc.), eventually meeting Will as the camera pans away from the set and into the audience.
*After Will's decision to stay with his mother in Philadelphia at the end of the episode "The Philadelphia Story", some NBC execs come into his workplace and grab Will with the intention of bringing him back to Bel-Air in the season 5 premiere, explaining that they cast him as the "''Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, not the Fresh Prince of Philadelphia.''" The NBC exec humorously quotes the theme song: "Yo, homes, to Bel-Air" as they throw Will into a truck with the NBC logo and the words "Star Retrieval Unit".
*In another episode, Will is reading in his horoscope that he will become a rap star with his own TV show. Hilary scoffs at this and at her horoscope, that says she will have a great fall. When that comes true, Will wonders what his show should be called and smiles at the audience.
*In the episode where Will gets a starring role in a live soap opera, Uncle Phil says something along the lines of, "Yeah, like they are going to give a rapper with no acting experience what so ever a starring role on a network television show." Will then looks at the camera and replies, "It could happen."
*In one episode, Will adresses a judge with his opening statement (Uncle Phil takes Will and Carlton to mock-court over the rent for the pool-house) "I'm from West Philidelphia, born and raised". He then continued to say "On the playground is where I spent most of my days".
*In one episode Will, Carlton and Ashley are playing a game with a dart gun, Geoffrey gets shot and everybody believes that Will did it, looking for the shooter he goes out to the backyard and not finding anybody he asks the cameraman "you believe me right?" and the camera shakes confirming yes and then shoots him confirming he isn't the shooter.
*In another episode, Will steals Carlton's ex-girlfriend and while trying to convince Carlton that he helped him, he turns around and says "I can't see him, is he buyin' it?" to the audience.
*On one episode, Uncle Phil states to his wife "Vivian, you are so naive. You would believe Will if he told you that he were some big rap star, whose album just went platinum." which in actuality that year he really did.
*In multiple episodes, Will will either talk or just look at the camera. For example, after Will burns down the kitchen in "Burnin' Down the House," he swings his arms while looking at the camera and yelling "Mama, No!"


|-
==Issues addressed==
While the show addressed many serious issues, a few episodes were often lauded as [[very special episode]]s. Many of these did not have bloopers during the credits, to maintain the seriousness of the show.
*While largely a comedy, this show commonly addressed [[African American]] issues. In the very first episode, for instance, Will accuses his uncle of forgetting "who you are and where you came from," or having forgotten that he is black, even going as far by saying he's gone soft. His uncle (himself a former Civil Rights activist) is furious, and points out Will's frequently-mentioned belief in the philosophy of [[Malcolm X]]. "I heard the brother speak, I know where I came from," Phil angrily informs his nephew. Also, Will accuses Geoffrey of "acting like we still on the plantation."
:*The concept of what is acceptable for black self-expression was addressed in an episode where Philip clashes with Will over his attire at a party, which Philip feels make Will look like a hoodlum. Will compares his hoodlum attire to Philip's Afro from when he was a Civil Rights activist, to which Philip angrily explains "I was making a statement. You're just drawing attention to yourself." Will responds by asking how it's possible that a man as large as Philip "with an Afro the size of Philly" is not drawing attention to himself (Philip resolves this by grounding his own children, which turns them against Will and pressures him to change his attire).
:*In another episode, Will and Carlton try to join an all-black fraternity, but Carlton is rejected on the grounds that the "Top Dog" believes that Carlton is not someone he thinks should be part of the fraternity and that he is a "sell-out" (being from a rich family, dresses in "Ralph Lauren Shirts", lives in a big house and has a butler that does things for him). Carlton proceeds to stand up for himself to the "Top Dog," saying that being black isn't what Carlton is trying to be, but what he is, and that Top Dog is the real [[sell-out]] for not knowing what it truly means to "stick together."
:*In one episode Will complains that [[African Americans]] are always shown rapping and dancing whenever they're shown on TV.
:*In another early episode, Will and Carlton are delivering an expensive car to one of Phillip's white colleagues, Henry Firth, but are accused by the police of stealing it only because they are African-Americans. They are jailed, the police refuse to listen to Vivian or Philip in which Firth himself appears and confirms them to be his partner's (Philip) son and nephew. Philip then threatens the department with legal action, forcing the police to release them. At the end of the episode, Phil says that "he wondered the same thing when he had first gotten stopped", after Carlton asked him if he would pull him over for driving slowly.
*In one episode, Will and one of his old school friends, Ice Tray, reminisce about how Ice Tray frequently had to save Will from [[bully|bullies]] who attacked him because he tried to be a good student. When Vivian confronts Will about Ice Tray's lack of drive, and challenges the assumption by Will that he and Ice Tray are alike, Will mentions that Ice Tray never had anyone to stick up for him, and by defending Will he kept Will from spiraling down the wrong path.
*In an episode where Will is shot in the back during an attempted robbery at a bank [[Automatic teller machine|ATM]] and then hospitalized, Carlton finds himself pondering the idea of carrying a gun for self-defense. This leads to an emotional confrontation between the two.
*The issue of absent fathers was touched upon when Will finally meets his father Lou (played by [[Ben Vereen]]) in one of the series' more emotional episodes. While Will was still an infant, his jobless father had one day walked out "to get a pack of smokes" and never came home. Years later he returns, now employed as a trucker, while Will is in college. Philip and Vivian give Lou the cold shoulder, but Will decides that he wants to go on the road with his father and leave Bel-Air for the summer, which Philip at first forbids. Will angrily retorts that Phil was not his father which upsets Phil. However, his father abandons him yet again, and the episode concludes with Will hugging Philip in tears, asking, "How come he don't want me, man?" Symbolically, Will accepts the fact that his Uncle Phil is the closest thing to a true father he has ever had. The series finale includes Phil's proudly declaring to Will "You are my son," after seemingly repudiating him for much of the show's run.
*The issue of teenage pregnancy is brought up in the episode "Be My Baby Tonight", in which Ashley is curious about sex. Will and Carlton, determined to find a way to talk to Ashley about it, go down to the local pregnancy center and find out about the issues.
*The issue of interracial marriage is addressed in an episode in which one of Vivian's sisters, Janice, announces her engagement to a white man, Frank (played by [[Diedrich Bader]]), and Will's mother at first forbids this. Will doesn't have any problem with this, and defies his mother's authority when he goes to the wedding anyway. The episode ends with Will's mother accepting the marriage.
*Drug abuse is addressed in an episode in which Will, busy with finals, basketball, and his girlfriend, is having trouble staying awake. When one of Will's classmates gives him some [[amphetamines]] to help him stay up, Carlton takes 2000 milligrams of [[amphetamines]], which he presumes to be vitamin E pills to get rid of a pimple. After Carlton's near-fatal overdose, Will confesses that although he never used the drugs, he is to blame for Carlton's using them.
*The issue of alcohol abuse and [[drunk driving]] is explored as well. While at a party, Will and a rival drink shots to see who can drink the most. When Will passes out from drinking so much, some bullies drop him off at a graveyard and he meets spirits of the dead, who are stuck playing an eternal game of poker. While the poker sequence is shown humorously, the mood gets somber when a ghost child (who was with the other spirits) tells Will, "I was outside playing ball on the street, then a car came, jumped the sidewalk, and took me out. The driver was drunk."
*The issue of [[divorce]] is also talked about. In a two-part episode in the sixth and final season, Phil and Vivian consider getting a divorce after Phil lies to Vivian about running for superior court judge.


|}
==Crossover Episodes==
{{notelist}}


=== Celebrity guest stars ===
In a nod to the audience that the same actress had roles in both sitcoms (as Hilary and Onslow), there was a crossover episode aired in 1996 between The Fresh Prince and [[Keeping Up Appearances]]. In scenes where both characters were present in the picture [[Kenan Thompson]] from [[Kenan and Kel]] would act as a body double. The famous scene where Uncle Phil sleeps with Hyacinth's sister Rose has been cut out in most Western countries except Portgual, where it's widely regarded as one of the greatest televisual scenes of the 1990's.
The show is notable for having a heavy celebrity guest presence, with more than forty celebrities guest starring throughout the series. Seasons 1 and 6 had the highest celebrity participation, with over 10 celebrity guest stars each.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2012/09/the-complete-history-of-guest-stars-on-the-fresh-prince-of-bel-air/|title=The Complete History of Guest Stars on "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air"|date=September 10, 2012|website=COMPLEX|access-date=September 12, 2018|archive-date=April 6, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406134715/https://www.complex.com/music/2012/09/the-complete-history-of-guest-stars-on-the-fresh-prince-of-bel-air/|url-status=live}}</ref>


{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
==DVD Releases==
|+
'''Season Releases'''
! scope="col" | Celebrity
{| class="wikitable"
! scope="col" | Season–Episode
! scope="col" | Notes
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{abbr|Ref(s)|Reference(s)}}
|-
|-
| [[Richard Roundtree]]
|rowspan="2" bgcolor="#f2f2f2"|<div align="center">'''DVD Name'''</div>||rowspan="2" bgcolor="#f2f2f2"|<div align="center">'''Ep #'''</div>||colspan="3" bgcolor="#f2f2f2"|<div align="center">'''Release dates'''</div>||rowspan="2" bgcolor="#f2f2f2"|<div align="center">'''DVD Extras'''</div>
| 1–03
| Dr. Mumford, father of Will's love interest. Also played Rev. Sims in 6–18.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0582977/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_64|title=The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air "Hare Today..."|website=imdb.com|access-date=September 12, 2018|archive-date=February 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210222073218/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0582977/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_64|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|-
| [[Don Cheadle]]
|bgcolor="#f2f2f2"|<div align="center">Region 1</div>||bgcolor="#f2f2f2"|<div align="center">Region 2</div>||bgcolor="#f2f2f2"|<div align="center">Region 4</div>
| 1–05
| Ice Tray, Will's best friend from Philadelphia.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":2" />
|-
|-

|The Complete 1st</sup> Season|| align="center" | 25||[[February 8]] [[2005]] || [[February 21]] [[2005]] || [[April 13]] [[2005]] || "Back-to-Bel-Air: A Fresh Look" featurette.
| [[Adrienne-Joi Johnson]]
| 1–07
| Christina Johnson, Will's crush from poetry club.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0582962/fullcredits|title="The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" Def Poet's Society (TV Episode 1990) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb|website=imdb.com|access-date=January 23, 2024|archive-date=Dec 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111204040002/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0582962/fullcredits|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|-

|The Complete 2nd</sup> Season||align="center" |24|| [[October 11]] [[2005]] || [[November 21]] [[2005]] || [[March 1]] [[2006]] || Best Bits of Bel Air, and Bloopers from Season 2.
| [[Bo Jackson]]
| rowspan="6" | 1–09
| rowspan="6" | Themselves.
| rowspan="6" style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":2" />
|-
|-
| [[Heavy D]]
|The Complete 3rd</sup> Season||align="center" |24||[[February 14]] [[2006]] || [[June 26]] [[2006]] || [[August 9]] [[2006]] || Best of the Upper Bel-Air Crust (Season 3 highlights), and Bloopers from Season 3.
|-
|-
| [[Malcolm-Jamal Warner]]
|The Complete 4th</sup> Season||align="center" |26|| [[August 8]] [[2006]] ||[[January 22]], [[2007]] || N/A || No Bonus Features.
|-
|-
| [[Quincy Jones]]
|The Complete 5th</sup> Season||align="center" |25|| [[February]], [[2007]] || N/A || N/A || N/A
|-
| [[Al B. Sure!|Al B. Sure]]
|-
| [[Kadeem Hardison]]
|-
| [[Naomi Campbell]]
| 1–10
| Helen, Geoffrey's date.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Citation|title=Kiss My Butler|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0583001/|access-date=2020-05-03|archive-date=March 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313183926/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0583001/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Isiah Thomas]]
| 1–11
| Himself.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":2" />
|-
| [[Evander Holyfield]]
| 1–15
| Himself.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":2" />
|-
| [[Vivica A. Fox]]
| 1–19
| Janet, Jazz's sister and Will's date.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":2" />
|-
| [[Jasmine Guy]]
| 1–21
| Kayla Samuels, Will's girlfriend.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":2" />
|-
| [[Tevin Campbell]]
| 1–24
| Little T, Teen idol.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":2" />
|-
| [[Queen Latifah]]
| 1–25
| Marissa Redman, Hilary's Boss. Also played "Dee Dee" in 2–8.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0583023/|title=The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air "She Ain't That Heavy"|website=imdb.com|access-date=September 12, 2018|archive-date=April 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170414051120/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0583023/|url-status=live}}</ref>

|-
| [[Tisha Campbell]]
| 2–1
| Kathleen, Will's girlfriend in the episode.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0582963/fullcredits|title="The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" Did the Earth Move for You? (TV Episode 1991) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb|website=imdb.com|access-date=May 5, 2023|archive-date=May 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230506002208/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0582963/fullcredits/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Lela Rochon]]
| 2–3
| Cindy, Will's girlfriend in the episode.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0583068/fullcredits|title="The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" Will Gets a Job (TV Episode 1991) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb|website=imdb.com|access-date=September 21, 2023|archive-date=January 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170106164010/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0583068/fullcredits|url-status=live}}</ref>

|-
| [[Malcolm-Jamal Warner]]
| 2–9
| Eric, Hilary's love interest.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Citation|title=Cased Up|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0582954/|access-date=2020-05-03|archive-date=November 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123173854/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0582954/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Zsa Zsa Gabor]]
| 2–10
| Sonya Lamor, Uncle Phil's celebrity client.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":2" />
|-
| [[Bell Biv DeVoe]]
| 2–11
| Themselves.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":2" />
|-
| [[Brandon Adams (actor)|Brandon Quintin]]
| 2–12
| Ramon, Ashley's friend. He returns as Bryan in 4–18.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0583029/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_13|title=The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air "Something For Nothing"|website=imdb.com|access-date=September 12, 2018|archive-date=February 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210222073218/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0583029/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_13|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0583031/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_13|title=The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air "Stop Will! In The Name Of Love"|website=imdb.com|access-date=September 12, 2018|archive-date=February 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210222073217/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0583031/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_13|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Allen Payne]]
| 2–15
| Marcus, Will's basketball rival.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":2" />
|-
| [[Anna Maria Horsford]]
| 2–16
| Karen Caruthers, a woman who Geoffrey is attracted to.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0582972/fullcredits/|title="The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" Geoffrey Cleans Up (TV Episode 1992) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb|website=imdb.com|access-date=September 3, 2023|archive-date=September 3, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903223443/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0582972/fullcredits|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Milton Berle]]
| rowspan="3" | 2–18
| Max Jakey, Will's hospital roommate.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":2" />
|-
| [[Bernie Kopell]]
| Reprising his role as Dr. Adam Bricker from ''[[The Love Boat]]'' in Will's nightmare.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":2" />
|-
| [[John Beradino]]
| Reprising his role as Dr. Steve Harding from ''[[General Hospital]]'' in Will's nightmare.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0582995/fullcredits/|title="The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" Ill Will (TV Episode 1992) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb|website=imdb.com|access-date=March 23, 2023|archive-date=December 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121208081532/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0582995/fullcredits|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Bob Eubanks]]
| 2–19
| Himself, as the host of a game show.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0582965|title="The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" Eyes on the Prize (TV Episode 1992) - IMDb|website=imdb.com|access-date=March 27, 2023|archive-date=July 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726024454/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0582965|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Raven-Symoné]]
| 2–21
| Claudia, the daughter of Robert, who is Vy's boyfriend in the episode.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0583062/fullcredits/|title="The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" Vying for Attention (TV Episode 1992) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb|website=imdb.com|access-date=March 3, 2023|archive-date=April 18, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080418002745/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0583062/fullcredits/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Larenz Tate]]
| rowspan="2" | 3–03
| Kenny, a student at Bel-Air Prep who woos Ashley
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0583036/fullcredits|title="The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" That's No Lady, That's My Cousin (TV Episode 1992) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb|website=imdb.com|access-date=August 29, 2023|archive-date=July 14, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120714020405/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0583036/fullcredits|url-status=live}}</ref>

|-

| [[Garcelle Beauvais]]
| Veronica, a student at Bel-Air prep who Will pursues. Also appears in 5–25 and 6–06.

|-
| [[Lark Voorhies]]
| 3–05
| Cindy, Carlton's ex-girlfriend
|
|-
| [[Sherman Hemsley]]
| 3–06, 3–07, 3–10
| Judge Robertson, Uncle Phil's rival. Also [[George Jefferson]] in 5–17 and 6–24.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3">{{Citation|title="The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" Will Is from Mars... (TV Episode 1995) - IMDb|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0583070/fullcredits|access-date=2020-09-20}}</ref><ref name=":4" />
|-
| [[Oprah Winfrey]]
| 3–9
| Herself.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":2" />
|-
| [[Vanessa Williams]]
| 3–11
| Danny Mitchell, Will's idol.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":2" />
|-

| [[Phil LaMarr]]
| 3–15
| Edward, Uncle Phil's personal assistant.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0583020/fullcredits/|title="The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" Robbing the Banks (TV Episode 1993) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb|website=imdb.com|access-date=June 13, 2023|archive-date=July 9, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709034937/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0583020/fullcredits|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-

| [[Naya Rivera]]
| 3–16
| Cindy, Hilary's imagined ideal baby sister.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|last=Malone|first=Chris|date=September 10, 2020|title=The 10 Most Notable Guest Stars on 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air'|url=https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/the-10-most-notable-guest-stars-on-the-fresh-prince-of-bel-air.html/|access-date=2020-09-10|website=Showbiz Cheat Sheet|archive-date=September 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921200309/https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/the-10-most-notable-guest-stars-on-the-fresh-prince-of-bel-air.html/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Kim Fields]]
| 3–17
| Monique, Will's girlfriend.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":2" />
|-
| [[Tom Jones (singer)|Tom Jones]]
| 3–18
| Himself.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":2" />
|-
| [[Riddick Bowe]]
| 3–21
| A bully that confronts Carlton, but fights Will instead.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":2" />
|-
| [[D. L. Hughley]]
| 3–22
| Keith Campbell, Will's comedian friend from Philly.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":2" />
|-
| [[Hugh Hefner]]
| 4–09
| Himself.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":2" />
|-
| [[Robin Quivers]]
| 4–12
| Judith, one of the ghosts playing cards.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":2" />
|-
| [[Boyz II Men]]
| rowspan="2" | 4–13
| Themselves.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":2" />
|-
| [[Sullivan Walker]]
| Reverend Boyd.
|
|-
| [[Branford Marsalis]]
| 4–14
| Himself. Also plays "Duane" a repair man in 4–18.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0583025/?ref_=nm_flmg_slf_27|title=The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air "Sleepless In Bel-Air"|website=imdb.com|access-date=September 12, 2018|archive-date=February 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210222073218/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0583025/?ref_=nm_flmg_slf_27|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Stacey Dash]]
| 4–17
| Michelle Michaels, a famous singer/celebrity.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":2" />
|-
| [[Robert Guillaume]]
| 4–19
| Pete Fletcher, Will's boss.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":2" />
|-
| [[Cree Summer]]
| rowspan="2" | 4–21
| Lisa Adams, Will's girlfriend.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":2" />
|-
| [[John Witherspoon (actor)|John Witherspoon]]

| Augustus Adams, father of Lisa.

| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0583048/|title="The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" The Harder They Fall (TV Episode 1994) - IMDb|website=imdb.com|access-date=October 3, 2022|archive-date=May 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510175111/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0583048/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Pam Grier]]
| 4–22
| Janice Robertson, a former love interest of Uncle Phil.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0583048/|title="The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" M Is for the Many Things She Gave Me (TV Episode 1994) - IMDb|website=imdb.com|access-date=March 16, 2023|archive-date=September 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220911054723/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0583006/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Ben Vereen]]
| 4–24
| Lou Smith, Will's father.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":2" />
|-
| [[Donald Trump]]
| rowspan="2" | 4–25
| rowspan="2" | Themselves.
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":2" />
|-
| [[Marla Maples]]
|-
| [[Dick Clark]]
| 4–26
| Himself. Returned in 6–20 to co-host bloopers of the show with Will Smith.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":2" />

|-
| [[Leeza Gibbons]]
| 5–03
| Herself.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Citation|title="The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" Reality Bites (TV Episode 1994) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0583019/fullcredits|access-date=2023-04-23|archive-date=January 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150110221534/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0583019/fullcredits|url-status=live}}</ref>

|-
| [[Brad Garrett]]
| 5–05
| John "Fingers" O'Neill.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Citation|last=Jensen|first=Shelley|title=Fresh Prince: The Movie|date=1994-10-10|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0582971/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_134|type=Comedy|others=Will Smith, James Avery, Daphne Reid, Alfonso Ribeiro|publisher=The Stuffed Dog Company, Quincy Jones-David Salzman Entertainment, NBC Productions|access-date=2020-09-22|archive-date=March 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309221716/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0582971/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_134|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar|Kareem Abdul Jabbar]]
| 5–06
| Himself.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":2" />
|-
| [[Don Cornelius]]
| 5–08
| Himself.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":2" />
|-
| [[Ken Griffey Jr.]]
| rowspan="2" | 5–09
| Himself.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":2" />
|-
| [[Pat Morita]]
| Mr. Yoshi, a Martial Arts master who Will comes to learn self-defense from.

| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Citation|title="The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" Love Hurts (TV Episode 1994) - IMDb|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0583003/|access-date=2023-03-27|archive-date=May 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510174925/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0583003|url-status=live}}</ref>

|-
| [[Jay Leno]]
| rowspan="2" | 5–10
| Himself. Also in 6–5 again playing Himself.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Citation|last=Jensen|first=Shelley|title=The Script Formerly Known As...|date=1995-10-16|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0583053/?ref_=ttep_ep5|type=Comedy|others=Will Smith, James Avery, Daphne Reid, Alfonso Ribeiro|publisher=The Stuffed Dog Company, Quincy Jones-David Salzman Entertainment, NBC Productions|access-date=2020-11-13}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Jensen|first=Shelley|title=Will's Up a Dirt Road|date=1994-11-21|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0583073/?ref_=ttep_ep10|type=Comedy|others=Will Smith, James Avery, Daphne Reid, Alfonso Ribeiro|publisher=The Stuffed Dog Company, Quincy Jones-David Salzman Entertainment, NBC Productions|access-date=2020-11-13}}</ref>

|-
| [[John Ridley]]
| Himself.
|-

| [[Susan Powter]]
| 5–11
| Herself.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Citation|last=Jensen|first=Shelley|title=Will Steps Out|date=1994-11-28|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0583071/?ref_=tt_ch|type=Comedy|others=Will Smith, James Avery, Daphne Reid, Alfonso Ribeiro|publisher=The Stuffed Dog Company, Quincy Jones-David Salzman Entertainment, NBC Productions|access-date=2023-03-02}}</ref>
|-

| [[Isabel Sanford]]
| 5–17
| [[Louise Jefferson]], couple's therapy member. Returns in 6–24.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":3" /><ref name=":5" />
|-
| [[Isaac Hayes]]
| 5–18
| The Minister, who happens to be an Isaac Hayes impersonator, assigned to officiate Will's express wedding.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":2" />

|-
| [[Max Maven]]
| 5–21
| The Great Mentos, a magician & mentalist that hypnotizes Will.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Citation|title="The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" Save the Last Trance for Me (TV Episode 1995) |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0583022/|access-date=2023-05-01|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107191814/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0583022/|url-status=live}}</ref>

|-
| [[Charlie Robinson (actor)|Charlie Robinson]]
| 5–22
| Ernest, Uncle Phil's friend and fraternity brother.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Citation|title="The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" To Thine Own Self Be Blue... and Gold (TV Episode 1995) |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0583060/|access-date=2023-04-12|archive-date=February 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170209030511/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0583060/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Robin Givens]]
| 5–23
| Denise, Will's love interest.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":2" />
|-
| [[Chris Rock]]
| 6–02
| Maurice, a famous actor. Also plays Maurice's sister in the same episode.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":2" />
|-
| [[B.B. King|B. B. King]]
| 6–04
| Pappy, the bar's blues player.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":2" />
|-
| [[Jaleel White]]
| 6–07
| Derek, Ashley's boyfriend.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":2" />
|-
| [[Wayne Newton]]
| 6–08
| Fred, the Casino Manager.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Citation|title="The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" Viva Lost Wages (TV Episode 1995) - IMDb|url=https://imdb.com/title/tt0583061/fullcredits/cast/|access-date=2023-03-26|archive-date=January 12, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100112033305/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0583061/fullcredits|url-status=live}}</ref>

|-
| [[Galyn Görg]]
| rowspan="3" | 6–12
| Helena, Nicky's boxing instructor.
| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Citation|title=Boxing Helena|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0582947/|access-date=2023-03-02|archive-date=July 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220724130255/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0582947/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Fredia Gibbs]]
| One of the women who was throwing Will around the gym in his nightmare.
|-

| [[Daniel Riordan]]
| Stan, Carlton's personal trainer.
|-

| [[Regis Philbin]]
| rowspan="2" | 6–21
| Himself.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":2" />
|-
| [[Arthel Neville]]
| Herself.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Citation|title=Eye, Tooth|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0582992/|access-date=2023-05-01|archive-date=February 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170208151111/https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0582992/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[William Shatner]]
| 6–22
| Himself.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Citation|title=Eye, Tooth|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0582964/|access-date=2020-05-03|archive-date=February 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170209081844/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0582964/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Conrad Bain]]
| rowspan="3" | 6–24
| [[Phillip Drummond (character)|Phillip Drummond]], open house attendee.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":1">{{Citation|title="The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" I, Done: Part 2 (TV Episode 1996) - IMDb|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0582990/fullcredits|access-date=2020-05-03|archive-date=April 27, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427080155/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0582990/fullcredits|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Gary Coleman]]
| [[List of Diff'rent Strokes characters|Arnold Jackson-Drummond]], open house attendee.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":1" />
|-
| [[Marla Gibbs]]
| [[Florence Johnston]], open house attendee.
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name=":1" />
|-
|-
|The Complete 6th</sup> Season||align="center" |24|| [[September]], [[2007]] || N/A || N/A || N/A
|}
|}
{{notelist}}


== Episodes ==
The first season has a special features section which features the creators, Tatyana Ali, Joseph Marcell and James Avery in a brief [[Documentary film|documentary]]. Tatyana Ali says the show is funny and she will never experience anything like it again. James Avery mentioned that he enjoyed it a lot and misses it. The second season has a special features section which plays through an archive of the season's [[blooper]]s and the best parts.
{{Main|List of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air episodes}}
{{:List of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air episodes}}


== Development ==
It should be noted that whilst season 1 had excellent special features (cast interview), seasons 2 and 3 have been severely lacking in this department, due to simply running through the bloopers which can be seen at the end of each individual show. Despite the show launching Will Smith's career, he has neglected its DVD releases by not appearing in the 'special features' a single time (up to season 4).
[[File:The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Cast.jpg|thumb|upright|The cast of ''The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air'', seasons 1–3. From top left: [[Karyn Parsons]], [[Joseph Marcell]], [[Janet Hubert|Janet Hubert-Whitten]], [[Alfonso Ribeiro]]. From bottom left: [[Tatyana Ali|Tatyana M. Ali]], [[James Avery]], [[Will Smith]].]]
In 1989, music manager [[Benny Medina]], along with his business partner, real estate mogul [[Jeff Pollack]], decided to market a TV story based on Medina's life. Medina had grown up poor in [[East Los Angeles, California|East Los Angeles]] but his life changed when he befriended a rich white teenager, whose family lived in [[Beverly Hills, California|Beverly Hills]] and allowed Medina to live with them. Medina decided to use this part of his life as the main focus of the show. However, given that by then a black character living with a white family was a concept that had been done multiple times on TV, Medina decided to change the rich white family to a rich black family. "That way we could explore black-on-black prejudice as well as black class differences", Medina said in an interview for ''[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]]'' magazine.<ref name=":0">{{cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0MsDAAAAMBAJ&q=Rozzell+Sykes&pg=PA1 |title=The Real-Life Fresh Prince of Bel-Air|magazine=Ebony Magazine |date=April 1991 |pages=34, 38}}</ref>


Medina pitched the idea to [[Quincy Jones]], who had just signed a development deal with [[Warner Bros. Television]]. Jones was impressed by the idea and arranged a meeting with [[NBC]] chief [[Brandon Tartikoff]]. [[Will Smith]] was well known at the time as one-half of the [[Hip hop music|hip-hop]] duo [[DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince]], which had put him on the mainstream radar, but he had come into debt after failing to pay taxes. At the suggestion of his then-girlfriend, Smith went to a taping of ''[[The Arsenio Hall Show]]'' where he met Medina by chance. Medina pitched the idea to Smith, but Smith was reluctant, having never acted before. Medina invited Smith to meet Jones at a party that Jones was throwing at his house in December 1989. There, Jones handed Smith a script for a failed [[Morris Day]] pilot that he had produced and challenged Smith to audition for Tartikoff on the spot. Smith did so, and the first contract for the show was drawn up that night in a limo outside.<ref>{{cite web |title=Will Smith Says He Became The Fresh Prince of Bel Air After Getting in Trouble with the IRS |url=https://people.com/tv/will-smith-how-became-fresh-prince-bel-air/ |website=people.com |access-date=January 7, 2019 |archive-date=January 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190107232901/https://people.com/tv/will-smith-how-became-fresh-prince-bel-air/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
==Errors==

[[Andy Borowitz]] and his wife, [[Susan Borowitz|Susan]], are credited as the series' creators. Andy Borowitz, who was on a contract with NBC, was selected by Tartikoff to write the pilot. He based Will's cousins on Quincy Jones's daughters, and named Carlton after his friend [[Carlton Cuse]]. In 2015, he remarked that "it was written and taped in about three weeks, start to finish, and somehow it worked. It was just an explosion of really good luck."<ref>{{cite web |title='The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' Writer Andy Borowitz on Rappers and Retiring from TV |url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/fresh-prince-of-bel-air-will-smith-andy-borowitz-1201570488/ |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=August 19, 2015 |access-date=August 15, 2020 |archive-date=November 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109023639/https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/fresh-prince-of-bel-air-will-smith-andy-borowitz-1201570488/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The pilot episode began taping on May 1, 1990.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wolf |first=Matt |title='Fresh Prince' makes Marcell changed man |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=266&dat=19910211&id=HvQrAAAAIBAJ&pg=3893,3722099 |access-date=January 2, 2014 |newspaper=[[Kentucky New Era]] |date=February 11, 1991 |agency=Associated Press}}</ref> Season 1 first aired in September 1990, and ended in May 1991. The series finale was taped on Thursday, March 21, 1996,<ref name="Season 1 Production">{{cite web |last1=Cerone |first1=Daniel |title=Rap's Prince Soon to Be TV Royalty? |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-07-17-ca-139-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |date=July 17, 1990 |access-date=September 20, 2014 |archive-date=May 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150527203332/http://articles.latimes.com/1990-07-17/entertainment/ca-139_1_fresh-prince/2 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Finale Film Date">{{cite web |title=The Hollywood Minute |url=http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/HWMin/9603/03-20/index.html |website=CNN |publisher=Cable News Network Inc. |access-date=September 20, 2014 |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924185728/http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/HWMin/9603/03-20/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and aired on Monday, May 20, 1996.

The theme song "[[The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (song)|Yo Home to Bel Air]]" was written and performed by Smith under his stage name, [[DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince|The Fresh Prince]]. The music was composed by [[Quincy Jones]], who is credited with Smith at the end of each episode. The music often used to bridge scenes together during the show is based on a similar chord structure.

In seasons 1, 5 and 6, the credits would be played over still frames from the episode that aired and was accompanied by an instrumental version of the main theme that played in the background. In seasons 2–4, the music and stills were dropped, and the credits were now played over bloopers from the episode.

== Crossovers and other appearances ==
During the fall 1991–1992 season, NBC gained two hit television shows to anchor their Monday night lineup (''[[Blossom (American TV series)|Blossom]]'' aired immediately after ''The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air''). To gain popularity between the two shows, Will Smith appeared in the ''Blossom'' episode "I'm with the Band" as himself under his rap [[stage name]], The Fresh Prince. That same season, Karyn Parsons appeared in the ''Blossom'' episode "Wake Up Little Suzy" as Hilary Banks. Parsons also appeared in the [[Patti LaBelle]] sitcom ''[[Out All Night (TV series)|Out All Night]]'' as Hilary.

James Avery had a short cameo as "the father from Fresh Prince" on ''[[Family Matters]]'', at the end of the episode "Scenes from a Mall". He appears during the credits in a blooper scene where he surprises [[Reginald VelJohnson]] on set.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Meshulam |first=Yael |date=2020-09-30 |title=Carl Loses When Uncle Phil Crashes "Family Matters" Set|url=https://www.thedad.com/uncle-phil-crashes-family-matters/|access-date=2023-03-23 |website=The Dad |language=en-US}}</ref>

''[[In the House (TV series)|In the House]]'' and ''Fresh Prince'' were both executive-produced by Winifred Hervey (who served as the latter series' showrunner for its second and third seasons), [[David Salzman]] and Quincy Jones. During the second season's first episode, Alfonso Ribeiro and Tatyana Ali appeared as their ''Fresh Prince'' characters (Carlton and Ashley Banks) in the crossover episode "Dog Catchers". Later that season, James Avery (Phillip Banks) appeared as a mediator in the episode "Love on a One-Way Street".

Following ''Fresh Prince''{{'}}s conclusion, Ribeiro joined the principal cast of ''In the House'' for its third season as Dr. Maxwell Stanton, who had personality traits similar to those of Carlton. In the season 4 episode "My Pest Friend's Wedding", Avery and Daphne Maxwell Reid (the second Vivian Banks) guest starred as Stanton's parents. Joseph Marcell, Geoffrey Butler on ''Fresh Prince'', appeared as an officiating minister in the same episode.

== Syndication ==
The series was produced by the Stuffed Dog Company and [[Quincy Jones|Quincy Jones Entertainment]] (later [[Quincy Jones]]-David Salzman Entertainment in 1993) in association with [[NBC Productions]].

In 1994, the series' distribution rights were picked up by [[Warner Bros.]], which continues to hold those rights to this day.<ref>{{Cite web |title=WarnerBros.com {{!}} The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air {{!}} TV |url=https://www.warnerbros.com/tv/fresh-prince-bel-air |access-date=2023-08-20 |website=www.warnerbros.com}}</ref>

== Home media ==
[[Warner Home Video]] has released the complete series, seasons 1 to 6, on DVD in Region 1.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Fresh-Prince-Bel-Air-Season-6/14914 |title=The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air DVD news: Announcement for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air - The Complete 6th Season |publisher=TVShowsOnDVD.com |date=May 25, 2007 |access-date=March 25, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110115065831/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Fresh-Prince-Bel-Air-Season-6/14914 |archive-date=January 15, 2011}}</ref> Seasons 1 to 4 have been released in Regions 2 and 4. Seasons 5 to 6 have been released in Region 2 in Germany, and in the complete series boxset in the United Kingdom.

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|-
! rowspan="2" | DVD name
! rowspan="2" | Ep #
! colspan="3" | Release dates
|-
! Region 1
! Region 2
! Region 4
|-
| The Complete First Season
| style="text-align:center;" | 25
| February 8, 2005<ref name=":5">{{cite web |url=http://www.dvdempire.com/Exec/v4_item.asp?item_id=644879 |title=Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, The: The Complete First Season DVD @ DVD Empire |publisher=Dvdempire.com |date=February 8, 2005 |access-date=March 25, 2011 |archive-date=April 24, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424142444/http://www.dvdempire.com/Exec/v4_item.asp?item_id=644879 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| February 21, 2005<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0006GVK2K |title=The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air - The Complete First Series DVD: Amazon.co.uk: Will Smith, James Avery, Janet Hubert-Whitten, Alfonso Ribeiro, Karyn Parsons, Tatyana M. Ali, Joseph Marcell: DVD |date=February 21, 2005 |publisher=Amazon.co.uk |access-date=March 25, 2011}}</ref>
| April 13, 2005<ref name=":4">{{cite web |url=http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/778036 |title=Buy Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, The - The Complete 1st Season (5 Disc Set) @ EzyDVD |publisher=Ezydvd.com.au |date=April 27, 2005 |access-date=March 25, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110413144413/http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/778036 |archive-date=April 13, 2011}}</ref>
|-
| The Complete Second Season
| style="text-align:center;" | 24
| October 11, 2005<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dvdempire.com/Exec/v4_item.asp?item_id=693863 |title=Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, The: The Complete Second Season DVD @ DVD Empire |publisher=Dvdempire.com |access-date=March 25, 2011 |archive-date=April 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110425045254/http://www.dvdempire.com/Exec/v4_item.asp?item_id=693863 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| November 21, 2005<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000B7KXJK |title=The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air - The Complete Second Series DVD: Amazon.co.uk: Will Smith, James Avery, Janet Hubert-Whitten, Alfonso Ribeiro, Karyn Parsons, Tatyana M. Ali, Joseph Marcell, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Ellen Falcon: DVD |date=November 21, 2005 |publisher=Amazon.co.uk |access-date=March 25, 2011 |archive-date=March 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309221720/https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000B7KXJK |url-status=live }}</ref>
| March 1, 2006<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/785394 |title=Buy Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, The - The Complete 2nd Season (4 Disc Set) @ EzyDVD |publisher=Ezydvd.com.au |access-date=March 25, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110413144618/http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/785394 |archive-date=April 13, 2011}}</ref>
|-
| The Complete Third Season
| style="text-align:center;" | 24
| February 14, 2006<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dvdempire.com/Exec/v4_item.asp?item_id=766692 |title=Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, The: The Complete Third Season DVD @ DVD Empire |publisher=Dvdempire.com |date=February 14, 2006 |access-date=March 25, 2011 |archive-date=April 24, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424144840/http://www.dvdempire.com/Exec/v4_item.asp?item_id=766692 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| June 26, 2006<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000ELIV4W |title=The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air - The Complete Third Season DVD: Amazon.co.uk: Will Smith, James Avery, Karyn Parsons, Alfonso Ribeiro, Tatyana M. Ali, Joseph Marcell: DVD |date=June 26, 2006 |publisher=Amazon.co.uk |access-date=March 25, 2011 |archive-date=March 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309221722/https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000ELIV4W |url-status=live }}</ref>
| August 9, 2006<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/787663 |title=Buy Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, The - The Complete 3rd Season (4 Disc Set) @ EzyDVD |publisher=Ezydvd.com.au |date=August 9, 2006 |access-date=March 25, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100214163225/http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/787663 |archive-date=February 14, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| The Complete Fourth Season
| style="text-align:center;" | 26
| August 8, 2006<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dvdempire.com/Exec/v4_item.asp?item_id=1118025 |title=Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, The: The Complete Fourth Season DVD @ DVD Empire |publisher=Dvdempire.com |date=August 8, 2006 |access-date=March 25, 2011 |archive-date=April 24, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424151048/http://www.dvdempire.com/Exec/v4_item.asp?item_id=1118025 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| January 22, 2007<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000K7JX2Y |title=The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air - Series 4 [DVD&#93;: Amazon.co.uk: Will Smith: DVD |date=January 22, 2007 |publisher=Amazon.co.uk |access-date=March 25, 2011}}</ref>
| December 6, 2006<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/789467 |title=Buy Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, The - The Complete 4th Season (4 Disc Set) @ EzyDVD |publisher=Ezydvd.com.au |date=December 6, 2006 |access-date=March 25, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100214163231/http://www.ezydvd.com.au/item.zml/789467 |archive-date=February 14, 2010}}</ref>
|-
| The Complete Fifth Season
| style="text-align:center;" | 25
| May 11, 2010<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dvdempire.com/Exec/v4_item.asp?item_id=1519467 |title=Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, The: The Complete Fifth Season DVD @ DVD Empire |publisher=Dvdempire.com |date=November 5, 2010 |access-date=March 25, 2011 |archive-date=April 24, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110424145248/http://www.dvdempire.com/Exec/v4_item.asp?item_id=1519467 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| June 18, 2010
| 2018
|-
| The Complete Sixth & Final Season
| style="text-align:center;" | 24
| April 19, 2011
| May 6, 2011
| 2018
|-
| The Complete Series
| style="text-align:center;" | 148
| April 12, 2011
| {{N/A}}
| {{N/A}}
|-
|}

== Awards and nominations ==
{{More citations needed|section|date=December 2019}}
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|-
! Awards
! Outcome
! Recipient(s)
! Year
|-
| colspan="4" style="background:#f2d5a6;" | [[ASCAP Award|ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards]]:
|-
| Top TV
| {{won}}
| [[Quincy Jones]]<br />[[Will Smith]]<br />[[DJ Jazzy Jeff]]
| 1994
|-
| colspan="4" style="background:#f2d5a6;" | [[Emmy Award]]s:
|-
| Outstanding Individual Achievement in Lighting Direction for a Comedy Series
| {{nom}}
| Art Busch
| 1996
|-
| colspan="4" style="background:#f2d5a6;" | [[Golden Globe|Golden Globe Awards]]:
|-
| Best Performance by an Actor in a TV-Series – Comedy/Musical
| {{nom}}
| Will Smith
| 1994
|-
| Best Performance by an Actor in a TV-Series – Comedy/Musical
| {{nom}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098800/awards|title=Awards for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air|publisher=Imdb.com|access-date=August 7, 2008|archive-date=December 11, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211034417/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098800/awards|url-status=live}}</ref>
| Will Smith
| 1993
|-
| colspan="4" style="background:#f2d5a6;" | [[NAACP Image Awards]]:
|-
| Outstanding Comedy Series
| {{nom}}
|
| 1997
|-
| Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
| {{won}}
| [[Alfonso Ribeiro]]
| 1996
|-
| Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
| {{nom}}
| Will Smith
| 1997
|-
| Outstanding Youth Actor/Actress
| {{won}}
| [[Tatyana Ali|Tatyana M. Ali]]
| 1997
|-
| Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
| {{nom}}
| [[Janet Hubert-Whitten]]
| 1991
|-
| Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
| {{nom}}
| [[Nia Long]]
| 1996
|-
| Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
| {{nom}}
| [[Daphne Maxwell Reid]]
| 1996
|-
| colspan="4" style="background:#f2d5a6;" | [[Kids' Choice Awards]]:
|-
| Favorite Television Actor
| {{nom}}
| Will Smith
| 1996
|-
| Favorite Television Show
| {{nom}}
|
| 1996
|-
| Favorite TV Actress
| {{nominated}}
| Tatyana M. Ali
| 1996
|-
| colspan="4" style="background:#f2d5a6;" | [[ALMA Award|NCLR Bravo Awards]]:
|-
| Outstanding Television Series Actor in a Crossover Role
| {{nom}}
| Alfonso Ribeiro
| 1996
|-
| colspan="4" style="background:#f2d5a6;" | [[TP de Oro]]:
|-
| Best Foreign Series (Mejor Serie Extranjera)
| {{nom}}
|
| 1996
|-
| Best Foreign Series (Mejor Serie Extranjera)
| {{won}}
|
| 1994
|-
| colspan="4" style="background:#f2d5a6;" | [[Teen Choice Awards]]:
|-
| Choice TV Show: Throwback
| {{nom}}
|
| 2017
|-
| Choice TV Show: Throwback
| {{nom}}
|
| 2018
|-
| Choice TV Show: Throwback
| {{nom}}
|
| 2019
|-
| colspan="4" style="background:#f2d5a6;" | [[TV Land Awards]]:
|-
| Best Broadcast Butler
| {{nom}}
| [[Joseph Marcell]]
| 2004
|-
| Favorite "Fish Out of Water"
| {{nom}}
| Will Smith
| 2004
|-
| colspan="4" style="background:#f2d5a6;" | [[Young Artist Awards]]:
|-
| Best Performance by an Actor Under Ten – Television
| {{won}}
| [[Ross Bagley]]
| 1996
|-
| Best Performance by an Actor Under Ten in a TV Series
| {{won}}
| Ross Bagley
| 1995
|-
| Best Youth Comedienne
| {{nom}}
| Tatyana M. Ali
| 1994
|-
| Best Young Actor Guest Starring in a Television Series
| {{nom}}
| [[Larenz Tate]]
| 1993
|-
| Best Young Actor Guest Starring or Recurring Role in a TV Series
| {{nom}}
| [[Tevin Campbell]]
| 1992
|-
| Best New Family Television Comedy Series
| {{won}}
|
| 1991
|-
| colspan="4" style="background:#f2d5a6;" | YoungStar Award:
|-
| Best Performance by a Young Actress in a Comedy TV Series
| {{won}}
| Tatyana M. Ali
| 1997
|-
|}


== Cultural impact and legacy ==
*The show contains a few continuity errors, in that some characters seem to age at different rates. In episode #2, "Bang the Drum Ashley," [[List of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air characters#Ashley Banks|Ashley]] says she is 9; later in that season, in "Just Infatuation," [[List of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air characters#Phillip Banks|Phil]] says she is almost 12. Also, in the season 2 premiere, which was a few months after Ashley's 12th birthday, she becomes 13. Will is 17 for the first two seasons, and 18 in season three. [[List of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air characters#Nicky Banks|Nicky Banks]] grows from baby to preschooler between seasons four and five (though this was humorously addressed).
''The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air'''s success is considered to be a watershed moment for [[Hip hop music|hip-hop]] and black television,<ref>{{Cite news |title=The story behind Will Smith's iconic 'hug' scene in 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' |language=en-US |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2020/09/11/fresh-prince-bel-air-hug-father-scene/ |url-status=live |access-date=2022-02-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225095419/https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2020/09/11/fresh-prince-bel-air-hug-father-scene/ |archive-date=February 25, 2022 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Uschan |first=Michael V. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=uVlmDwAAQBAJ&dq=%22will+smith%22+%22fresh+prince%22+%22watershed%22&pg=PT94 |title=Will Smith |date=2009-03-13 |publisher=Greenhaven Publishing LLC |isbn=978-1-4205-0201-5 |language=en |access-date=March 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328111051/https://books.google.com/books?id=uVlmDwAAQBAJ&dq=%22will+smith%22+%22fresh+prince%22+%22watershed%22&pg=PT94 |archive-date=March 28, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> with many publications referring to it as one of the greatest sitcoms of all time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Becoats |first=Kellen |date=2022-02-10 |title=Sitcom or Not, 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' Knew How to Pull Off Drama |url=https://www.theringer.com/tv/2022/2/10/22925520/sitcom-or-not-the-fresh-prince-of-bel-air-knew-how-to-pull-off-drama |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226030749/https://www.theringer.com/tv/2022/2/10/22925520/sitcom-or-not-the-fresh-prince-of-bel-air-knew-how-to-pull-off-drama |archive-date=February 26, 2022 |access-date=2022-02-26 |website=The Ringer |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Fresh Prince GOAT |url=https://www.gq.com.au/entertainment/film-tv/the-fresh-prince-of-belair-is-returningas-a-gritty-drama/news-story/512fe75a6658412fb66f442d0d0dc9bd?amp |website=GQ Australia}}</ref> Professor Andrew Horton stated: "Smith's genre of comedy, popularized on the sitcom ''Fresh Prince of Bel-Air'', translated well into commercial box-office appeal. ''The Fresh Prince'' watered down and capitalized upon the then growing popularity of hip-hop and almost anticipated its dominance on the American scene".<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Horton |first1=Andrew |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NB2zCQAAQBAJ&dq=%22will+smith%22+%22fresh+prince%22+%22significance%22&pg=PA345 |title=A Companion to Film Comedy |last2=Rapf |first2=Joanna E. |date=2015-12-14 |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |isbn=978-1-119-16955-0 |language=en |access-date=March 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328111052/https://books.google.com/books?id=NB2zCQAAQBAJ&dq=%22will+smith%22+%22fresh+prince%22+%22significance%22&pg=PA345 |archive-date=March 28, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>


Author Willie Tolliver noted: "What ''The Fresh Prince'' did accomplish was to put Smith and his character Will into an environment of affluence and possibility, thus changing the terms of his own Black identity. This social and cultural mobility is central to Smith's racial significance, and this will become evident again and again; he moves the image of the Black male into unaccustomed spaces just as Smith himself was in the process of conquering Hollywood."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Tolliver |first=Willie |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dD1ZEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22will+smith%22+%22rapper%22+%22significance%22&pg=PA46 |title=Deconstructing Will Smith: Race, Masculinity and Global Stardom |date=2022-01-06 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-1-4766-7569-5 |language=en |access-date=March 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220328111053/https://books.google.com/books?id=dD1ZEAAAQBAJ&dq=%22will+smith%22+%22rapper%22+%22significance%22&pg=PA46 |archive-date=March 28, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref>
*In one episode in Season Two, the family is going to an awards show and is to be sat next to Arnold Schwarzenegger. Eventually there is a power cut, and Phil and Vivian are trapped in Phil's office. Uncle Phil then turns on the stereo to make things a bit more romantic, even though using a stereo would be impossible during a power cut (This is also mentioned on a montage in the Special Features on the DVD release of the series).


== Reboot series ==
*Another continuity error involves the marriage of [[List of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air characters#Vy Smith|Vy]] to [[List of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air characters#Lisa Wilkes|Lisa's]] father Fred Wilkes. The two are married in the fifth season finale "For Whom the Wedding Bells Toll," but when Vy visits the Banks house in season six's "There's the Rub," she arrives without Fred.
{{main|Bel-Air (TV series)}}


On August 13, 2015, it was reported that a reboot of the show was in development by [[Overbrook Entertainment]], with [[Will Smith]] serving as a producer.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://comicbook.com/2015/08/13/will-smith-producing-a-fresh-prince-of-bel-air-reboot/|title = Will Smith Producing A Fresh Prince Of Bel Air Reboot|publisher = Comicbook.com|last = Lovett|first = Jamie|date = August 13, 2015|access-date = August 13, 2015|archive-date = August 14, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150814161743/http://comicbook.com/2015/08/13/will-smith-producing-a-fresh-prince-of-bel-air-reboot/|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://thenewbenjamin.com/2015/08/13/fresh-prince-of-bel-air-reboot-in-the-works/|title='Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' Reboot in the Works |work=thenewbenjamin|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150814050520/http://thenewbenjamin.com/2015/08/13/fresh-prince-of-bel-air-reboot-in-the-works/|archive-date=August 14, 2015}}</ref> In August 2016, during a promotional interview with the [[E!]] television network for his then upcoming film ''[[Suicide Squad (2016 film)|Suicide Squad]]'', Smith denied that a reboot was in development, saying that it would happen "...pretty close to when Hell freezes over".<ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/will-smith-says-fresh-prince-of-bel-air-reboot-will-happen-when-hell-freezes-over-a7168361.html|title = Will Smith says Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reboot will happen when 'hell freezes over'|newspaper = [[The Independent]]|last = Loughrey|first = Clarisse|date = August 2, 2016|access-date = August 4, 2016|archive-date = August 6, 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160806024417/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/will-smith-says-fresh-prince-of-bel-air-reboot-will-happen-when-hell-freezes-over-a7168361.html|url-status = live}}</ref>
*Another continuity error occurs when Will claims he's never met his father in the episode where Carlton gets depressed and runs away to a blues bar ([[B.B. King]] guest stars as a guitarist at the bar), but earlier, when his father, Lou Smith, meets Will at his job at 'The Peacock' and Will knows who he is because he has a vague memory of him, and claims he hadn't seen him in fourteen years.


In 2019, a mock trailer titled ''[[Bel-Air (film)|Bel-Air]]'' was uploaded on [[YouTube]], written and directed by Morgan Cooper, for a darker, more dramatic re-imagining of the sitcom.<ref name="Rolling Stone">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-news/bel-air-trailer-fresh-prince-will-smith-807707/ |title=Hilarious 'Bel Air' Trailer Reimagines 'The Fresh Prince' as a Dramatic Movie |first=Andy |last=Greene |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=March 13, 2019 |access-date=April 28, 2019 |archive-date=April 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427165139/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-news/bel-air-trailer-fresh-prince-will-smith-807707/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Esquire">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/a26827979/fresh-prince-bel-air-trailer/ |title=The Fresh Prince Gets a Dramatic Reimagining in the Trailer for ''Bel-Air'' |first=Justin |last=Kirkland |magazine=[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]] |date=March 14, 2019 |access-date=April 28, 2019 |archive-date=April 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190427165132/https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/movies/a26827979/fresh-prince-bel-air-trailer/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Will Smith subsequently heavily praised the fan film, commenting that "Morgan did a ridiculous trailer for ''Bel-Air''. Brilliant idea, the dramatic version of ''The Fresh Prince'' for the next generation", expressing interest in expanding the idea beyond the short film into a full ''Bel-Air'' reboot series.<ref name="Will Smith">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dnr0QwHVJpg |title=How I Really Feel About That BEL-AIR Trailer |author-link=Will Smith |first=Will |last=Smith |publisher=[[YouTube]] |date=April 26, 2019 |access-date=April 28, 2019 |archive-date=April 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428001431/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dnr0QwHVJpg |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="THR">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/will-smith-calls-fan-made-bel-air-trailer-brilliant-1205187 |title=Will Smith Calls Dramatic Fan-Made 'Bel-Air' Trailer 'Brilliant' |first=Ryan |last=Parker |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=April 26, 2019 |access-date=April 28, 2019 |archive-date=April 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428015012/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/will-smith-calls-fan-made-bel-air-trailer-brilliant-1205187 |url-status=live }}</ref>
*When Will and Carlton appear on a game show, the announcer states that Carlton was born and raised in Bel-Air. Although in later episodes the Banks family is portrayed as living in a ghetto before Ashely is born.


In August 2020, it was announced that Will Smith and Morgan Cooper would be developing a reboot of the series based on Cooper's ''Bel-Air''. The series had reportedly been in the works for over a year since Cooper posted his ''Bel-Air'' trailer on YouTube, with [[Netflix]], [[Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock]] and [[HBO Max]] all currently bidding for the series.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|title='Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' Drama Reboot in the Works|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/fresh-prince-bel-air-drama-reboot-works-1306799|access-date=2020-08-11|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=August 11, 2020|language=en|archive-date=August 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811180137/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/fresh-prince-bel-air-drama-reboot-works-1306799|url-status=live}}</ref> On September 8, 2020, Peacock gave ''[[Bel-Air (TV series)|Bel-Air]]'' a two-season order, with the series produced by and copyrighted to Universal Television.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NBCUniversal Media Village |url=https://www.nbcumv.com/mediavillage/interactive/2929fed4187b40648b79a9839e70e91fproduct169208/index.html#/show/ec3312db-9a15-420a-b2b2-356ee4f4570e/photos |access-date=2022-04-14 |publisher=www.nbcumv.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/09/bel-air-peacock-2-season-order-take-on-the-fresh-prince-of-bel-air-from-morgan-cooper-westbrook-studios-1234572739/|title='Bel-Air': Peacock Gives 2-Season Order to 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' Drama Reboot from Morgan Cooper & Westbrook Studios|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|date=September 8, 2020|access-date=September 8, 2020|archive-date=September 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200908190946/https://deadline.com/2020/09/bel-air-peacock-2-season-order-take-on-the-fresh-prince-of-bel-air-from-morgan-cooper-westbrook-studios-1234572739/|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2021, the full cast was announced with newcomer Jabari Banks cast as Will Smith, [[Adrian Holmes]] as Philip Banks, Cassandra Freeman as Vivian Banks, [[Olly Sholotan]] as Carlton Banks, [[Coco Jones]] as Hilary Banks, Akira Akbar as Ashley Banks, [[Jimmy Akingbola]] as Geoffrey, Jordan L. Jones as Jazz and Simone Joy Jones as Lisa.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/fresh-prince-of-bel-air-reboot-cast-peacock/|title=Peacock's 'Fresh Prince' Reboot 'Bel-Air' Announces Full Cast |website=Collider |last=Baumtgartner|first=Drew|date=September 14, 2021|access-date=September 14, 2021}}</ref> The series premiered in February 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/12/bel-air-peacock-fresh-prince-drama-reboot-super-bowl-sunday-premiere-1234892177/|title='Bel-Air': Peacock's 'Fresh Prince' Drama Reboot Sets Super Bowl Sunday Premiere|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|first=Denise|last=Petski|date=December 16, 2021|access-date=December 16, 2021}}</ref>
*In the episode in which Will is thrown out of the house by Philip because of his beeper/hat/hair/clothes/etc., Will meets a dog and tells him that he never had a dog before. However, in a later episode, Will says, "I'm responsible! .... I had a puppy!", although he is intoxicated.


==Syndication==
== Reunion ==
Much of the cast virtually reunited over a video call in an episode of Smith's [[Snapchat]] reality series ''Will From Home'' that premiered in April 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1146308/will-smith-has-a-virtual-reunion-with-the-fresh-prince-of-bel-air-cast|title=Will Smith Has a Virtual Reunion With The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Cast|date=April 29, 2020|website=E! Online}}</ref> A reunion of the surviving original cast, ''The Fresh Prince Reunion'', aired on HBO Max in November 2020. Among other reminisces, Janet Hubert appeared, also appearing around this time in a joint radio interview with Smith where the two reconcile.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2020/11/19/936486077/lets-talk-about-that-reconciliation-during-the-fresh-prince-reunion-special|title=Let's Talk About That Reconciliation During The 'Fresh Prince' Reunion Special|website=NPR.org|date=November 19, 2020|access-date=December 7, 2020|archive-date=December 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207062841/https://www.npr.org/2020/11/19/936486077/lets-talk-about-that-reconciliation-during-the-fresh-prince-reunion-special|url-status=live|last1=Harris|first1=Aisha}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.radio.com/wbbm780/news/entertainment-news/will-smith-reconciles-with-aunt-viv-in-fresh-prince-reunion|title=Will Smith 'so happy' to settle decades-long feud with Janet Hubert in 'Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' reunion|date=November 19, 2020|website=www.radio.com|access-date=December 7, 2020|archive-date=March 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309221518/https://www.radio.com/wbbm780/news/entertainment-news/will-smith-reconciles-with-aunt-viv-in-fresh-prince-reunion|url-status=live}}</ref> More information and context were offered regarding the situation between Smith and Hubert and her exit when the two met for their conversation. Hubert discussed the turmoil in her personal life, her abusive marriage and that she had not actually been fired by the show. She was offered what she described as a "bad deal" to return for the fourth season and she turned it down. Smith talked about how grappling with his rapidly increasing fame at such a young age led him to make decisions during that time that he now regrets and wishes he had made differently.<ref name="variety">{{citation|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/the-fresh-prince-of-bel-air-reunion-janet-hubert-exit-bts-secrets-1234834223|date=18 November 2020|work=Variety|title=The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion|access-date=December 7, 2020|archive-date=December 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205120051/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/the-fresh-prince-of-bel-air-reunion-janet-hubert-exit-bts-secrets-1234834223/|url-status=live}}</ref> The reunion show also features a tribute to James Avery, who died in 2013, that was shown to the surviving cast. The tribute brought the entire cast to tears.<ref>{{cite web |title='Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air' Reunion: Cast Talks Sitcom's Trailblazing Impact, Pays Tribute To James Avery; Will Smith And Janet Hubert Settle 27-Year Feud |url=https://deadline.com/2020/11/fresh-prince-of-bel-air-reunion-hbo-max-will-smith-janet-hubert-tatyana-ali-karyn-parsons-joseph-marcell-daphne-maxwell-reid-alfonso-ribeiro-dj-jazzy-jeff-james-avery-1234617974/ |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=November 18, 2020 }}</ref>
The series currently airs seven nights a week on [[Nick at Nite]] and [[The N]]. On [[Nick at Nite]], ''Fresh Prince'' is on at 10:30 PM and 12:30 AM ET. Also on Sunday and Monday nights there is a non-stop marathon from 12:00-4:00 AM/ET.


== Explanatory notes ==
On The N, ([[Noggin (TV channel)|Noggin]]'s nighttime program lineup) broadcast with scenes that were deleted from [[television syndication|syndicated]] and original broadcasts of the series. The series is also syndicated in some U.S. markets, used by some (such as [[KAUT]] 43 in Oklahoma City) as filler programming. It also airs in Canada on [[YTV (Canadian TV channel)|YTV]] nightly and [[CJMT-TV|Omni 2]]. In the UK, it airs on [[Trouble]] and [[Bravo (television channel)|Bravo]]. In Australia, it airs on the [[Nine Network]] (free-to-air) and on Nickelodeon (cable/satellite). In Holland, ''Fresh Prince'' airs Monday through Friday on ''Veronica''. In Brazil airs Monday through Saturday on [[SBT]] with the name "Um Maluco no Pedaço". In [[Norway]], the show is broadcasted by [[TVNorge]] on weekdays with the Norwegian title "Fresh Prince i Bel Air". [http://www.tvnorge.no/index_program_html?expandCategory=247&displayProgram=30371]. In New Zealand, the show screens on weekdays on [[Prime Television New Zealand|Prime]]. The show was a big hit with [[Arabic]] speaking viewers when it became among the early western shows to air on [[MBC]] around the late 90's and early 2000's and was among one of MBC's most reruned shows although it has yet to air on [[MBC 4]] since the network began launching seperate channels.
{{notelist-ua}}


==Trivia==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
*Although Bel-Air is not an independent town, the show treated it as such, with references to the Bel-Air Academy, a "Bank of Bel-Air", and even the theme song's lyric: "I'll tell you how I became the prince of a town called Bel-Air" [http://www.cfhf.net/lyrics/fresh.htm]
*Some viewers thought they saw [[George Burns]] playing a character named Max in the episode in which Will has a fear of surgery. The role was actually played by legendary actor and comedian [[Milton Berle]], who quite resembled Burns at the time.
*Before playing Lisa Wilkes, [[Nia Long]] had previously appeared as Claudia, Will's date to a dance in the first-season episode "She Ain't Heavy." In addition, Long and Smith appeared together in 1992's ''[[Made in America (film)|Made in America]]'' with [[Ted Danson]] and [[Whoopi Goldberg]].
*The show was originally supposed to end in Spring 1994 due to Will Smith's desire to venture off into other projects hence the series finale ending for the season. After the episode was taped in March, Smith told producers after fan reaction he wanted to continue on with the series.
*Queen Latifah once played Will's date to a dance in the second season but in the first was a snobby 40-year-old actor who likes Will.
*Will Smith announced before the sixth season even started taping that it would be his last season on the show as he wanted to focus on his film career and he wanted to record an album and he didn't think he would have enough time to do all three at the same time.
*[[Janet Hubert-Whitten]] left the show over contract issues and creative differences with Will Smith, who by the last season was the executive producer of the show. Daphne Maxwell-Reid was her replacement. Many fans point to this cast change as the moment when the show "[[Jumping the shark|jumped the shark]]."
*In some episodes Will makes a number of Muhammad Ali references. Years later, Smith portrayed Muhammad Ali in a motion picture entitled ''[[Ali (film)|Ali]]''.
*In another episode, Will makes a reference to [[Chicken George]], a character in the miniseries ''[[Roots]]'' who was played by [[Ben Vereen]]. In the episode "Papa's Got a Brand New Excuse," Will's father is played by Vereen.
*In the 1996 film ''[[Independence Day (film)|Independence Day]]'', Will Smith's character has a girlfriend, played by Vivica A. Fox, whose son is portrayed by [[Ross Bagley]]. Fox also played Jazz's sister and Will's date in one episode. Additionally, Bagley played the older version of Will's cousin, Nicky.
*In the 1994-95 season finale episode "For Whom the Wedding Bells Toll", Lisa reveals her real first name is Beulah. The Minister at the wedding says her full name "Beulah Lisa Wilkes."
*Although during earlier seasons Janet Hubert-Whitten (Vivian Banks) played the mother of Karyn Parsons (Hillary Banks) she is only 10 years older than her in real life.
*Every time Jazz gets thrown out of the house, he wears the same shirt. (This is due to the fact that the scene was only filmed once, and reused throughout the series)
*The Banks's apparently had a dog named Fifi, that only appeared in the opening video to one episode. Carlton also mentions another dog, Scruffy, when trying to console Hilary after Trevor died. He mentions that Trevor is "up there, with my old dog Scruffy".
* Since Fred Wilkes, Lisa's dad, married Vi Smith, Will's mom, Will and Lisa are siblings by law. In [[Boyz N The Hood]], Nia Long starred as a girlfriend of [[Cuba Gooding Jr.]]'s character, Tre, named Cindy. In one scene, Tre quotes that his dad has a crush on Cindy's mom and if they get married, Tre and Cindy would be siblings, just like Will and Lisa in that episode.
*The show has been featured in a recent [[internet meme]]. A popular joke on [[message boards]] is to create a thread dealing with something horrific or shocking, but then breaking into the show's theme song near the end to reveal it was all a joke (i.e. "I'm sorry, but I have some bad news for you... you're moving with your Auntie and Uncle in Bel-Air!").


== External links ==
== External links ==
{{sister project links|display=''The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air''|d=Q309063|c=Category:The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air|n=no|b=no|v=no|voy=no|m=no|mw=no|wikt=no|s=no|species=no}}
{{wikiquote}}
* {{epguides|FreshPrinceofBelAir}}
*[http://www.freshprincedvd.com Official US site]
* {{IMDb title|0098800}}
*[http://www.freshprinceofbelair.co.uk Official UK site]
*[http://www.tv.com/the-fresh-prince-of-bel-air/show/475/summary.html ''The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air''] at [[TV.com]]
*{{imdb title|id=0098800|title=The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air}}
*[http://epguides.com/FreshPrinceofBelAir/ Episode guides archive]
*{{fr}} [http://funkyfreshprince.skyblog.com Official Blog]


[[Category:1990 television program debuts|Fresh Prince of Bel Air, The]]
{{The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air|state=expanded}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Comedy Series}}
[[Category:1990s TV shows in the United States|Fresh Prince of Bel Air, The]]
[[Category:Black sitcoms|Fresh Prince of Bel Air, The]]
[[Category:NBC network shows|Fresh Prince of Bel Air, The]]
[[Category:Programs broadcast by YTV|Fresh Prince of Bel Air, The]]
[[Category:The N channel shows|Fresh Prince of Bel Air, The]]
[[Category:Sitcoms|Fresh Prince of Bel Air, The]]
[[Category:Television series by Warner Bros. Television|Fresh Prince of Bel Air, The]]
[[Category:Television shows set in California|Fresh Prince of Bel Air, The]]
[[Category:Television series by NBC Universal Television|Fresh Prince]]


[[bs:The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (serija)]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, The}}
[[de:Der Prinz von Bel Air]]
[[Category:The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air| ]]
[[Category:1990s American black sitcoms]]
[[fr:Le Prince de Bel-Air]]
[[Category:1990s American teen sitcoms]]
[[he:הנסיך המדליק מבל אייר]]
[[Category:1990 American television series debuts]]
[[nl:The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air]]
[[Category:1996 American television series endings]]
[[no:Fresh Prince i Bel-Air]]
[[Category:American English-language television shows]]
[[pt:The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air]]
[[Category:Metafictional television series]]
[[fi:Bel-Airin prinssi]]
[[Category:Television series about families]]
[[sv:The Fresh Prince i Bel Air]]
[[Category:American television series about teenagers]]
[[Category:Television series by Universal Television]]
[[Category:Television series by Warner Bros. Television Studios]]
[[Category:Television shows filmed in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Television shows set in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Television shows set in Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Television series created by Andy Borowitz]]
[[Category:Television series created by Susan Borowitz]]
[[Category:NBC sitcoms]]
[[Category:1990s American multi-camera sitcoms]]

Latest revision as of 22:38, 31 December 2024

For other uses, see Fresh Prince.
Not to be confused with Prince of Bel Air.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
GenreSitcom
Created by
Based onA format
by Benny Medina & Jeff Pollack
Starring
Theme music composerThe Fresh Prince in association with A Touch of Jazz, Inc.
Opening theme"The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" performed by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince
Ending theme"The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” (instrumental)
ComposerQuincy Jones
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons6
No. of episodes148 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Werner Walian
  • Lisa Rosenthal
  • Joel Madison
  • Leilani Downer
  • Joanne Curley-Kerner
  • Joel Markowitz
Production locations
Camera setupVideotape; Multi-camera
Running time21–23 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkNBC
ReleaseSeptember 10, 1990 (1990-09-10) –
May 20, 1996 (1996-05-20)

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is an American television sitcom created by Andy and Susan Borowitz that aired on NBC from September 10, 1990, to May 20, 1996. The series stars Will Smith as a fictionalized version of himself, a street-smart teenager born and raised in West Philadelphia who is sent to live with his wealthy uncle and aunt in Bel-Air, Los Angeles, where his lifestyle often clashes with that of his upper-class relatives.

The series was considered Will Smith's star vehicle into television, and later his film career. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was a top hit for NBC, running for 148 episodes over six seasons.[1][2] A reunion special/retrospective reuniting the surviving cast debuted on HBO Max in November 2020.[3][4] A more dramatic reimagining of the series, titled Bel-Air and based on the fan film of the same name, was given a two-season order for Peacock, and released on February 13, 2022.[5]

Will Smith and James Avery were the only actors to have appeared in all 148 episodes of the television sitcom.[6]

Summary

[edit]

The theme song and opening sequence set the premise of the show. Will Smith is a street-smart African-American teenager, "born and raised" in West Philadelphia. While playing street basketball, Will accidentally hits a group of young people with the ball, causing a confrontation that frightens his mother, who sends him to live with his wealthy aunt and uncle in the opulent neighborhood of Bel Air, Los Angeles.

Will's working class background ends up clashing in various humorous ways with the upper class world of the Banks family – Will's stern uncle Phil and tough but fair aunt Vivian and their children, Will's cousins: spoiled Hilary, pompous Carlton, impressionable Ashley and baby Nicky (introduced in season 3), as well as their sarcastic butler Geoffrey.

Cast and characters

[edit]
  = Main cast (credited)
  = Recurring cast (4+)

Main

[edit]
Actor Character
1 2 3 4 5 6
Will Smith William “Will” Smith Main
James Avery Philip Banks Main
Janet Hubert-Whitten Vivian Banks Main
Daphne Maxwell Reid Main
Alfonso Ribeiro Carlton Banks Main
Karyn Parsons Hilary Violet Banks Main
Tatyana M. Ali Ashley Banks Main
Joseph Marcell Geoffrey Butler Main
Ross Bagley[a] Nicholas Andrew "Nicky" Banks Recurring Main
  1. ^ Various actors portrayed the infant Nicky Banks throughout seasons 3 and 4.

Recurring

[edit]
Actor Character Seasons
1 2 3 4 5 6
DJ Jazzy Jeff Jazz Recurring
Vernee Watson-Johnson[a] Viola "Vy" Smith Recurring
Michael Weiner Kellogg "Cornflake" Lieberbaum Recurring
Lisa Fuller Toni Recurring
Virginia Capers Hattie Banks Recurring Recurring
Jenifer Lewis Helen Smith Recurring Recurring
Charlayne Woodard Janice Smith Recurring
Perry Moore Tyriq "Ty" Johnson Recurring
Brian Stokes Mitchell Trevor Collins-Newsworthy Recurring
Tyra Banks Jacqueline "Jackie" Ames Recurring
Nia Long[b] Beullah "Lisa" Wilkes Recurring
Jim Meskimen[c] Werner Recurring
  1. ^ A different unidentified actress portrayed Will's mother in the opening title sequence.
  2. ^ Nia Long had a one-off role as Will's talkative prom date Claudia in 2-08 before playing Lisa in season 5.
  3. ^ Jim Meskimen had a one-off role as Professor Jeremy Mansfield in 4–03 before returning as Werner in season 6.

Celebrity guest stars

[edit]

The show is notable for having a heavy celebrity guest presence, with more than forty celebrities guest starring throughout the series. Seasons 1 and 6 had the highest celebrity participation, with over 10 celebrity guest stars each.[7]

Celebrity Season–Episode Notes Ref(s)
Richard Roundtree 1–03 Dr. Mumford, father of Will's love interest. Also played Rev. Sims in 6–18. [7][8]
Don Cheadle 1–05 Ice Tray, Will's best friend from Philadelphia. [7]
Adrienne-Joi Johnson 1–07 Christina Johnson, Will's crush from poetry club. [9]
Bo Jackson 1–09 Themselves. [7]
Heavy D
Malcolm-Jamal Warner
Quincy Jones
Al B. Sure
Kadeem Hardison
Naomi Campbell 1–10 Helen, Geoffrey's date. [10]
Isiah Thomas 1–11 Himself. [7]
Evander Holyfield 1–15 Himself. [7]
Vivica A. Fox 1–19 Janet, Jazz's sister and Will's date. [7]
Jasmine Guy 1–21 Kayla Samuels, Will's girlfriend. [7]
Tevin Campbell 1–24 Little T, Teen idol. [7]
Queen Latifah 1–25 Marissa Redman, Hilary's Boss. Also played "Dee Dee" in 2–8. [7][11]
Tisha Campbell 2–1 Kathleen, Will's girlfriend in the episode. [12]
Lela Rochon 2–3 Cindy, Will's girlfriend in the episode. [13]
Malcolm-Jamal Warner 2–9 Eric, Hilary's love interest. [14]
Zsa Zsa Gabor 2–10 Sonya Lamor, Uncle Phil's celebrity client. [7]
Bell Biv DeVoe 2–11 Themselves. [7]
Brandon Quintin 2–12 Ramon, Ashley's friend. He returns as Bryan in 4–18. [15][16]
Allen Payne 2–15 Marcus, Will's basketball rival. [7]
Anna Maria Horsford 2–16 Karen Caruthers, a woman who Geoffrey is attracted to. [17]
Milton Berle 2–18 Max Jakey, Will's hospital roommate. [7]
Bernie Kopell Reprising his role as Dr. Adam Bricker from The Love Boat in Will's nightmare. [7]
John Beradino Reprising his role as Dr. Steve Harding from General Hospital in Will's nightmare. [18]
Bob Eubanks 2–19 Himself, as the host of a game show. [19]
Raven-Symoné 2–21 Claudia, the daughter of Robert, who is Vy's boyfriend in the episode. [20]
Larenz Tate 3–03 Kenny, a student at Bel-Air Prep who woos Ashley [21]
Garcelle Beauvais Veronica, a student at Bel-Air prep who Will pursues. Also appears in 5–25 and 6–06.
Lark Voorhies 3–05 Cindy, Carlton's ex-girlfriend
Sherman Hemsley 3–06, 3–07, 3–10 Judge Robertson, Uncle Phil's rival. Also George Jefferson in 5–17 and 6–24. [7][22][23]
Oprah Winfrey 3–9 Herself. [7]
Vanessa Williams 3–11 Danny Mitchell, Will's idol. [7]
Phil LaMarr 3–15 Edward, Uncle Phil's personal assistant. [24]
Naya Rivera 3–16 Cindy, Hilary's imagined ideal baby sister. [25]
Kim Fields 3–17 Monique, Will's girlfriend. [7]
Tom Jones 3–18 Himself. [7]
Riddick Bowe 3–21 A bully that confronts Carlton, but fights Will instead. [7]
D. L. Hughley 3–22 Keith Campbell, Will's comedian friend from Philly. [7]
Hugh Hefner 4–09 Himself. [7]
Robin Quivers 4–12 Judith, one of the ghosts playing cards. [7]
Boyz II Men 4–13 Themselves. [7]
Sullivan Walker Reverend Boyd.
Branford Marsalis 4–14 Himself. Also plays "Duane" a repair man in 4–18. [7][26]
Stacey Dash 4–17 Michelle Michaels, a famous singer/celebrity. [7]
Robert Guillaume 4–19 Pete Fletcher, Will's boss. [7]
Cree Summer 4–21 Lisa Adams, Will's girlfriend. [7]
John Witherspoon Augustus Adams, father of Lisa. [27]
Pam Grier 4–22 Janice Robertson, a former love interest of Uncle Phil. [28]
Ben Vereen 4–24 Lou Smith, Will's father. [7]
Donald Trump 4–25 Themselves. [7]
Marla Maples
Dick Clark 4–26 Himself. Returned in 6–20 to co-host bloopers of the show with Will Smith. [7]
Leeza Gibbons 5–03 Herself. [29]
Brad Garrett 5–05 John "Fingers" O'Neill. [30]
Kareem Abdul Jabbar 5–06 Himself. [7]
Don Cornelius 5–08 Himself. [7]
Ken Griffey Jr. 5–09 Himself. [7]
Pat Morita Mr. Yoshi, a Martial Arts master who Will comes to learn self-defense from. [31]
Jay Leno 5–10 Himself. Also in 6–5 again playing Himself. [32][33]
John Ridley Himself.
Susan Powter 5–11 Herself. [34]
Isabel Sanford 5–17 Louise Jefferson, couple's therapy member. Returns in 6–24. [22][35]
Isaac Hayes 5–18 The Minister, who happens to be an Isaac Hayes impersonator, assigned to officiate Will's express wedding. [7]
Max Maven 5–21 The Great Mentos, a magician & mentalist that hypnotizes Will. [36]
Charlie Robinson 5–22 Ernest, Uncle Phil's friend and fraternity brother. [37]
Robin Givens 5–23 Denise, Will's love interest. [7]
Chris Rock 6–02 Maurice, a famous actor. Also plays Maurice's sister in the same episode. [7]
B. B. King 6–04 Pappy, the bar's blues player. [7]
Jaleel White 6–07 Derek, Ashley's boyfriend. [7]
Wayne Newton 6–08 Fred, the Casino Manager. [38]
Galyn Görg 6–12 Helena, Nicky's boxing instructor. [39]
Fredia Gibbs One of the women who was throwing Will around the gym in his nightmare.
Daniel Riordan Stan, Carlton's personal trainer.
Regis Philbin 6–21 Himself. [7]
Arthel Neville Herself. [40]
William Shatner 6–22 Himself. [41]
Conrad Bain 6–24 Phillip Drummond, open house attendee. [42]
Gary Coleman Arnold Jackson-Drummond, open house attendee. [42]
Marla Gibbs Florence Johnston, open house attendee. [42]

Episodes

[edit]
Main article: List of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air episodes
SeasonEpisodesOriginally releasedRankRating
First releasedLast released
125September 10, 1990 (1990-09-10)May 6, 1991 (1991-05-06)41[43]12.9[43]
224September 9, 1991 (1991-09-09)May 4, 1992 (1992-05-04)18[44]14.5[44]
324September 14, 1992 (1992-09-14)May 10, 1993 (1993-05-10)1614.6[A]
426September 20, 1993 (1993-09-20)May 23, 1994 (1994-05-23)2113.7[B]
525September 19, 1994 (1994-09-19)May 15, 1995 (1995-05-15)55[45]10.4[45]
624September 18, 1995 (1995-09-18)May 20, 1996 (1996-05-20)55[46]9.6[46]

Development

[edit]
The cast of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, seasons 1–3. From top left: Karyn Parsons, Joseph Marcell, Janet Hubert-Whitten, Alfonso Ribeiro. From bottom left: Tatyana M. Ali, James Avery, Will Smith.

In 1989, music manager Benny Medina, along with his business partner, real estate mogul Jeff Pollack, decided to market a TV story based on Medina's life. Medina had grown up poor in East Los Angeles but his life changed when he befriended a rich white teenager, whose family lived in Beverly Hills and allowed Medina to live with them. Medina decided to use this part of his life as the main focus of the show. However, given that by then a black character living with a white family was a concept that had been done multiple times on TV, Medina decided to change the rich white family to a rich black family. "That way we could explore black-on-black prejudice as well as black class differences", Medina said in an interview for Ebony magazine.[47]

Medina pitched the idea to Quincy Jones, who had just signed a development deal with Warner Bros. Television. Jones was impressed by the idea and arranged a meeting with NBC chief Brandon Tartikoff. Will Smith was well known at the time as one-half of the hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, which had put him on the mainstream radar, but he had come into debt after failing to pay taxes. At the suggestion of his then-girlfriend, Smith went to a taping of The Arsenio Hall Show where he met Medina by chance. Medina pitched the idea to Smith, but Smith was reluctant, having never acted before. Medina invited Smith to meet Jones at a party that Jones was throwing at his house in December 1989. There, Jones handed Smith a script for a failed Morris Day pilot that he had produced and challenged Smith to audition for Tartikoff on the spot. Smith did so, and the first contract for the show was drawn up that night in a limo outside.[48]

Andy Borowitz and his wife, Susan, are credited as the series' creators. Andy Borowitz, who was on a contract with NBC, was selected by Tartikoff to write the pilot. He based Will's cousins on Quincy Jones's daughters, and named Carlton after his friend Carlton Cuse. In 2015, he remarked that "it was written and taped in about three weeks, start to finish, and somehow it worked. It was just an explosion of really good luck."[49]

The pilot episode began taping on May 1, 1990.[50] Season 1 first aired in September 1990, and ended in May 1991. The series finale was taped on Thursday, March 21, 1996,[51][52] and aired on Monday, May 20, 1996.

The theme song "Yo Home to Bel Air" was written and performed by Smith under his stage name, The Fresh Prince. The music was composed by Quincy Jones, who is credited with Smith at the end of each episode. The music often used to bridge scenes together during the show is based on a similar chord structure.

In seasons 1, 5 and 6, the credits would be played over still frames from the episode that aired and was accompanied by an instrumental version of the main theme that played in the background. In seasons 2–4, the music and stills were dropped, and the credits were now played over bloopers from the episode.

Crossovers and other appearances

[edit]

During the fall 1991–1992 season, NBC gained two hit television shows to anchor their Monday night lineup (Blossom aired immediately after The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air). To gain popularity between the two shows, Will Smith appeared in the Blossom episode "I'm with the Band" as himself under his rap stage name, The Fresh Prince. That same season, Karyn Parsons appeared in the Blossom episode "Wake Up Little Suzy" as Hilary Banks. Parsons also appeared in the Patti LaBelle sitcom Out All Night as Hilary.

James Avery had a short cameo as "the father from Fresh Prince" on Family Matters, at the end of the episode "Scenes from a Mall". He appears during the credits in a blooper scene where he surprises Reginald VelJohnson on set.[53]

In the House and Fresh Prince were both executive-produced by Winifred Hervey (who served as the latter series' showrunner for its second and third seasons), David Salzman and Quincy Jones. During the second season's first episode, Alfonso Ribeiro and Tatyana Ali appeared as their Fresh Prince characters (Carlton and Ashley Banks) in the crossover episode "Dog Catchers". Later that season, James Avery (Phillip Banks) appeared as a mediator in the episode "Love on a One-Way Street".

Following Fresh Prince's conclusion, Ribeiro joined the principal cast of In the House for its third season as Dr. Maxwell Stanton, who had personality traits similar to those of Carlton. In the season 4 episode "My Pest Friend's Wedding", Avery and Daphne Maxwell Reid (the second Vivian Banks) guest starred as Stanton's parents. Joseph Marcell, Geoffrey Butler on Fresh Prince, appeared as an officiating minister in the same episode.

Syndication

[edit]

The series was produced by the Stuffed Dog Company and Quincy Jones Entertainment (later Quincy Jones-David Salzman Entertainment in 1993) in association with NBC Productions.

In 1994, the series' distribution rights were picked up by Warner Bros., which continues to hold those rights to this day.[54]

Home media

[edit]

Warner Home Video has released the complete series, seasons 1 to 6, on DVD in Region 1.[55] Seasons 1 to 4 have been released in Regions 2 and 4. Seasons 5 to 6 have been released in Region 2 in Germany, and in the complete series boxset in the United Kingdom.

DVD name Ep # Release dates
Region 1 Region 2 Region 4
The Complete First Season 25 February 8, 2005[35] February 21, 2005[56] April 13, 2005[23]
The Complete Second Season 24 October 11, 2005[57] November 21, 2005[58] March 1, 2006[59]
The Complete Third Season 24 February 14, 2006[60] June 26, 2006[61] August 9, 2006[62]
The Complete Fourth Season 26 August 8, 2006[63] January 22, 2007[64] December 6, 2006[65]
The Complete Fifth Season 25 May 11, 2010[66] June 18, 2010 2018
The Complete Sixth & Final Season 24 April 19, 2011 May 6, 2011 2018
The Complete Series 148 April 12, 2011 — —

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Awards Outcome Recipient(s) Year
ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards:
Top TV Won Quincy Jones
Will Smith
DJ Jazzy Jeff 		1994
Emmy Awards:
Outstanding Individual Achievement in Lighting Direction for a Comedy Series Nominated Art Busch 1996
Golden Globe Awards:
Best Performance by an Actor in a TV-Series – Comedy/Musical Nominated Will Smith 1994
Best Performance by an Actor in a TV-Series – Comedy/Musical Nominated[67] Will Smith 1993
NAACP Image Awards:
Outstanding Comedy Series Nominated 1997
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series Won Alfonso Ribeiro 1996
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series Nominated Will Smith 1997
Outstanding Youth Actor/Actress Won Tatyana M. Ali 1997
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated Janet Hubert-Whitten 1991
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated Nia Long 1996
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated Daphne Maxwell Reid 1996
Kids' Choice Awards:
Favorite Television Actor Nominated Will Smith 1996
Favorite Television Show Nominated 1996
Favorite TV Actress Nominated Tatyana M. Ali 1996
NCLR Bravo Awards:
Outstanding Television Series Actor in a Crossover Role Nominated Alfonso Ribeiro 1996
TP de Oro:
Best Foreign Series (Mejor Serie Extranjera) Nominated 1996
Best Foreign Series (Mejor Serie Extranjera) Won 1994
Teen Choice Awards:
Choice TV Show: Throwback Nominated 2017
Choice TV Show: Throwback Nominated 2018
Choice TV Show: Throwback Nominated 2019
TV Land Awards:
Best Broadcast Butler Nominated Joseph Marcell 2004
Favorite "Fish Out of Water" Nominated Will Smith 2004
Young Artist Awards:
Best Performance by an Actor Under Ten – Television Won Ross Bagley 1996
Best Performance by an Actor Under Ten in a TV Series Won Ross Bagley 1995
Best Youth Comedienne Nominated Tatyana M. Ali 1994
Best Young Actor Guest Starring in a Television Series Nominated Larenz Tate 1993
Best Young Actor Guest Starring or Recurring Role in a TV Series Nominated Tevin Campbell 1992
Best New Family Television Comedy Series Won 1991
YoungStar Award:
Best Performance by a Young Actress in a Comedy TV Series Won Tatyana M. Ali 1997

Cultural impact and legacy

[edit]

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air's success is considered to be a watershed moment for hip-hop and black television,[68][69] with many publications referring to it as one of the greatest sitcoms of all time.[70][71] Professor Andrew Horton stated: "Smith's genre of comedy, popularized on the sitcom Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, translated well into commercial box-office appeal. The Fresh Prince watered down and capitalized upon the then growing popularity of hip-hop and almost anticipated its dominance on the American scene".[72]

Author Willie Tolliver noted: "What The Fresh Prince did accomplish was to put Smith and his character Will into an environment of affluence and possibility, thus changing the terms of his own Black identity. This social and cultural mobility is central to Smith's racial significance, and this will become evident again and again; he moves the image of the Black male into unaccustomed spaces just as Smith himself was in the process of conquering Hollywood."[73]

Reboot series

[edit]
Main article: Bel-Air (TV series)

On August 13, 2015, it was reported that a reboot of the show was in development by Overbrook Entertainment, with Will Smith serving as a producer.[74][75] In August 2016, during a promotional interview with the E! television network for his then upcoming film Suicide Squad, Smith denied that a reboot was in development, saying that it would happen "...pretty close to when Hell freezes over".[76]

In 2019, a mock trailer titled Bel-Air was uploaded on YouTube, written and directed by Morgan Cooper, for a darker, more dramatic re-imagining of the sitcom.[77][78] Will Smith subsequently heavily praised the fan film, commenting that "Morgan did a ridiculous trailer for Bel-Air. Brilliant idea, the dramatic version of The Fresh Prince for the next generation", expressing interest in expanding the idea beyond the short film into a full Bel-Air reboot series.[79][80]

In August 2020, it was announced that Will Smith and Morgan Cooper would be developing a reboot of the series based on Cooper's Bel-Air. The series had reportedly been in the works for over a year since Cooper posted his Bel-Air trailer on YouTube, with Netflix, Peacock and HBO Max all currently bidding for the series.[81] On September 8, 2020, Peacock gave Bel-Air a two-season order, with the series produced by and copyrighted to Universal Television.[82][83] In September 2021, the full cast was announced with newcomer Jabari Banks cast as Will Smith, Adrian Holmes as Philip Banks, Cassandra Freeman as Vivian Banks, Olly Sholotan as Carlton Banks, Coco Jones as Hilary Banks, Akira Akbar as Ashley Banks, Jimmy Akingbola as Geoffrey, Jordan L. Jones as Jazz and Simone Joy Jones as Lisa.[84] The series premiered in February 2022.[85]

Reunion

[edit]

Much of the cast virtually reunited over a video call in an episode of Smith's Snapchat reality series Will From Home that premiered in April 2020.[86] A reunion of the surviving original cast, The Fresh Prince Reunion, aired on HBO Max in November 2020. Among other reminisces, Janet Hubert appeared, also appearing around this time in a joint radio interview with Smith where the two reconcile.[87][88] More information and context were offered regarding the situation between Smith and Hubert and her exit when the two met for their conversation. Hubert discussed the turmoil in her personal life, her abusive marriage and that she had not actually been fired by the show. She was offered what she described as a "bad deal" to return for the fourth season and she turned it down. Smith talked about how grappling with his rapidly increasing fame at such a young age led him to make decisions during that time that he now regrets and wishes he had made differently.[89] The reunion show also features a tribute to James Avery, who died in 2013, that was shown to the surviving cast. The tribute brought the entire cast to tears.[90]

Explanatory notes

[edit]
  1. ^ Tied with Hangin' with Mr. Cooper and The Jackie Thomas Show
  2. ^ Tied with Dave's World

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air". TV.com. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on January 9, 2014. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  2. ^ Coker, Cheo Hodari (May 20, 1996). "Good Night, 'Prince'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on January 2, 2014. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  3. ^ "HBO Max to Drop "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion" Early: Today at 5PM PT". Futon Critic. November 18, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  4. ^ Hutchinson, Emily (November 13, 2020). "Will Smith releases first trailer for Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reunion as premiere date is revealed". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on November 13, 2020. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  5. ^ Petski, Denise (December 16, 2021). "'Bel-Air': Peacock's 'Fresh Prince' Drama Reboot Sets Super Bowl Sunday Premiere". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  6. ^ "What the Cast of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Is Up to Now as Bel-Air Debuts". People.com. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao "The Complete History of Guest Stars on "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air"". COMPLEX. September 10, 2012. Archived from the original on April 6, 2020. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
  8. ^ "The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air "Hare Today..."". imdb.com. Archived from the original on February 22, 2021. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
  9. ^ ""The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" Def Poet's Society (TV Episode 1990) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb". imdb.com. Archived from the original on December 4, 2011. Retrieved January 23, 2024.
  10. ^ Kiss My Butler, archived from the original on March 13, 2017, retrieved May 3, 2020
  11. ^ "The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air "She Ain't That Heavy"". imdb.com. Archived from the original on April 14, 2017. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
  12. ^ ""The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" Did the Earth Move for You? (TV Episode 1991) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb". imdb.com. Archived from the original on May 6, 2023. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  13. ^ ""The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" Will Gets a Job (TV Episode 1991) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb". imdb.com. Archived from the original on January 6, 2017. Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  14. ^ Cased Up, archived from the original on November 23, 2020, retrieved May 3, 2020
  15. ^ "The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air "Something For Nothing"". imdb.com. Archived from the original on February 22, 2021. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
  16. ^ "The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air "Stop Will! In The Name Of Love"". imdb.com. Archived from the original on February 22, 2021. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
  17. ^ ""The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" Geoffrey Cleans Up (TV Episode 1992) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb". imdb.com. Archived from the original on September 3, 2023. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  18. ^ ""The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" Ill Will (TV Episode 1992) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb". imdb.com. Archived from the original on December 8, 2012. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  19. ^ ""The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" Eyes on the Prize (TV Episode 1992) - IMDb". imdb.com. Archived from the original on July 26, 2022. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  20. ^ ""The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" Vying for Attention (TV Episode 1992) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb". imdb.com. Archived from the original on April 18, 2008. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  21. ^ ""The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" That's No Lady, That's My Cousin (TV Episode 1992) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb". imdb.com. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  22. ^ a b "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" Will Is from Mars... (TV Episode 1995) - IMDb, retrieved September 20, 2020
  23. ^ a b "Buy Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, The - The Complete 1st Season (5 Disc Set) @ EzyDVD". Ezydvd.com.au. April 27, 2005. Archived from the original on April 13, 2011. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  24. ^ ""The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" Robbing the Banks (TV Episode 1993) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb". imdb.com. Archived from the original on July 9, 2012. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
  25. ^ Malone, Chris (September 10, 2020). "The 10 Most Notable Guest Stars on 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air'". Showbiz Cheat Sheet. Archived from the original on September 21, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  26. ^ "The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air "Sleepless In Bel-Air"". imdb.com. Archived from the original on February 22, 2021. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
  27. ^ ""The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" The Harder They Fall (TV Episode 1994) - IMDb". imdb.com. Archived from the original on May 10, 2021. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
  28. ^ ""The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" M Is for the Many Things She Gave Me (TV Episode 1994) - IMDb". imdb.com. Archived from the original on September 11, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  29. ^ "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" Reality Bites (TV Episode 1994) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb, archived from the original on January 10, 2015, retrieved April 23, 2023
  30. ^ Jensen, Shelley (October 10, 1994), Fresh Prince: The Movie (Comedy), Will Smith, James Avery, Daphne Reid, Alfonso Ribeiro, The Stuffed Dog Company, Quincy Jones-David Salzman Entertainment, NBC Productions, archived from the original on March 9, 2021, retrieved September 22, 2020
  31. ^ "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" Love Hurts (TV Episode 1994) - IMDb, archived from the original on May 10, 2021, retrieved March 27, 2023
  32. ^ Jensen, Shelley (October 16, 1995), The Script Formerly Known As... (Comedy), Will Smith, James Avery, Daphne Reid, Alfonso Ribeiro, The Stuffed Dog Company, Quincy Jones-David Salzman Entertainment, NBC Productions, retrieved November 13, 2020
  33. ^ Jensen, Shelley (November 21, 1994), Will's Up a Dirt Road (Comedy), Will Smith, James Avery, Daphne Reid, Alfonso Ribeiro, The Stuffed Dog Company, Quincy Jones-David Salzman Entertainment, NBC Productions, retrieved November 13, 2020
  34. ^ Jensen, Shelley (November 28, 1994), Will Steps Out (Comedy), Will Smith, James Avery, Daphne Reid, Alfonso Ribeiro, The Stuffed Dog Company, Quincy Jones-David Salzman Entertainment, NBC Productions, retrieved March 2, 2023
  35. ^ a b "Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, The: The Complete First Season DVD @ DVD Empire". Dvdempire.com. February 8, 2005. Archived from the original on April 24, 2011. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  36. ^ "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" Save the Last Trance for Me (TV Episode 1995), archived from the original on November 7, 2022, retrieved May 1, 2023
  37. ^ "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" To Thine Own Self Be Blue... and Gold (TV Episode 1995), archived from the original on February 9, 2017, retrieved April 12, 2023
  38. ^ "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" Viva Lost Wages (TV Episode 1995) - IMDb, archived from the original on January 12, 2010, retrieved March 26, 2023
  39. ^ Boxing Helena, archived from the original on July 24, 2022, retrieved March 2, 2023
  40. ^ Eye, Tooth, archived from the original on February 8, 2017, retrieved May 1, 2023
  41. ^ Eye, Tooth, archived from the original on February 9, 2017, retrieved May 3, 2020
  42. ^ a b c "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" I, Done: Part 2 (TV Episode 1996) - IMDb, archived from the original on April 27, 2014, retrieved May 3, 2020
  43. ^ a b "1990-91 Nielsen ratings - Sitcoms Online Message Boards - Forums". www.sitcomsonline.com.
  44. ^ a b "The 1991-92 Season Full Nielsen Ratings...and other interesting tidbits - Sitcoms Online Message Boards - Forums". www.sitcomsonline.com.
  45. ^ a b "The TV Ratings Guide: 1994-95 Ratings History".
  46. ^ a b "The TV Ratings Guide: 1995-96 Ratings History".
  47. ^ "The Real-Life Fresh Prince of Bel-Air". Ebony Magazine. April 1991. pp. 34, 38.
  48. ^ "Will Smith Says He Became The Fresh Prince of Bel Air After Getting in Trouble with the IRS". people.com. Archived from the original on January 7, 2019. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
  49. ^ "'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' Writer Andy Borowitz on Rappers and Retiring from TV". Variety. August 19, 2015. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  50. ^ Wolf, Matt (February 11, 1991). "'Fresh Prince' makes Marcell changed man". Kentucky New Era. Associated Press. Retrieved January 2, 2014.
  51. ^ Cerone, Daniel (July 17, 1990). "Rap's Prince Soon to Be TV Royalty?". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 27, 2015. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
  52. ^ "The Hollywood Minute". CNN. Cable News Network Inc. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
  53. ^ Meshulam, Yael (September 30, 2020). "Carl Loses When Uncle Phil Crashes "Family Matters" Set". The Dad. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
  54. ^ "WarnerBros.com | The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air | TV". www.warnerbros.com. Retrieved August 20, 2023.
  55. ^ "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air DVD news: Announcement for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air - The Complete 6th Season". TVShowsOnDVD.com. May 25, 2007. Archived from the original on January 15, 2011. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  56. ^ "The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air - The Complete First Series DVD: Amazon.co.uk: Will Smith, James Avery, Janet Hubert-Whitten, Alfonso Ribeiro, Karyn Parsons, Tatyana M. Ali, Joseph Marcell: DVD". Amazon.co.uk. February 21, 2005. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  57. ^ "Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, The: The Complete Second Season DVD @ DVD Empire". Dvdempire.com. Archived from the original on April 25, 2011. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  58. ^ "The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air - The Complete Second Series DVD: Amazon.co.uk: Will Smith, James Avery, Janet Hubert-Whitten, Alfonso Ribeiro, Karyn Parsons, Tatyana M. Ali, Joseph Marcell, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Ellen Falcon: DVD". Amazon.co.uk. November 21, 2005. Archived from the original on March 9, 2021. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  59. ^ "Buy Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, The - The Complete 2nd Season (4 Disc Set) @ EzyDVD". Ezydvd.com.au. Archived from the original on April 13, 2011. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  60. ^ "Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, The: The Complete Third Season DVD @ DVD Empire". Dvdempire.com. February 14, 2006. Archived from the original on April 24, 2011. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  61. ^ "The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air - The Complete Third Season DVD: Amazon.co.uk: Will Smith, James Avery, Karyn Parsons, Alfonso Ribeiro, Tatyana M. Ali, Joseph Marcell: DVD". Amazon.co.uk. June 26, 2006. Archived from the original on March 9, 2021. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  62. ^ "Buy Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, The - The Complete 3rd Season (4 Disc Set) @ EzyDVD". Ezydvd.com.au. August 9, 2006. Archived from the original on February 14, 2010. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  63. ^ "Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, The: The Complete Fourth Season DVD @ DVD Empire". Dvdempire.com. August 8, 2006. Archived from the original on April 24, 2011. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  64. ^ "The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air - Series 4 [DVD]: Amazon.co.uk: Will Smith: DVD". Amazon.co.uk. January 22, 2007. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  65. ^ "Buy Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, The - The Complete 4th Season (4 Disc Set) @ EzyDVD". Ezydvd.com.au. December 6, 2006. Archived from the original on February 14, 2010. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  66. ^ "Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, The: The Complete Fifth Season DVD @ DVD Empire". Dvdempire.com. November 5, 2010. Archived from the original on April 24, 2011. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  67. ^ "Awards for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air". Imdb.com. Archived from the original on December 11, 2008. Retrieved August 7, 2008.
  68. ^ "The story behind Will Smith's iconic 'hug' scene in 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air'". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on February 25, 2022. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
  69. ^ Uschan, Michael V. (March 13, 2009). Will Smith. Greenhaven Publishing LLC. ISBN 978-1-4205-0201-5. Archived from the original on March 28, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  70. ^ Becoats, Kellen (February 10, 2022). "Sitcom or Not, 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' Knew How to Pull Off Drama". The Ringer. Archived from the original on February 26, 2022. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
  71. ^ "Fresh Prince GOAT". GQ Australia.
  72. ^ Horton, Andrew; Rapf, Joanna E. (December 14, 2015). A Companion to Film Comedy. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-1-119-16955-0. Archived from the original on March 28, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  73. ^ Tolliver, Willie (January 6, 2022). Deconstructing Will Smith: Race, Masculinity and Global Stardom. McFarland. ISBN 978-1-4766-7569-5. Archived from the original on March 28, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
  74. ^ Lovett, Jamie (August 13, 2015). "Will Smith Producing A Fresh Prince Of Bel Air Reboot". Comicbook.com. Archived from the original on August 14, 2015. Retrieved August 13, 2015.
  75. ^ "'Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' Reboot in the Works". thenewbenjamin. Archived from the original on August 14, 2015.
  76. ^ Loughrey, Clarisse (August 2, 2016). "Will Smith says Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reboot will happen when 'hell freezes over'". The Independent. Archived from the original on August 6, 2016. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
  77. ^ Greene, Andy (March 13, 2019). "Hilarious 'Bel Air' Trailer Reimagines 'The Fresh Prince' as a Dramatic Movie". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 27, 2019. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  78. ^ Kirkland, Justin (March 14, 2019). "The Fresh Prince Gets a Dramatic Reimagining in the Trailer for Bel-Air". Esquire. Archived from the original on April 27, 2019. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  79. ^ Smith, Will (April 26, 2019). "How I Really Feel About That BEL-AIR Trailer". YouTube. Archived from the original on April 28, 2019. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  80. ^ Parker, Ryan (April 26, 2019). "Will Smith Calls Dramatic Fan-Made 'Bel-Air' Trailer 'Brilliant'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 28, 2019. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  81. ^ "'Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' Drama Reboot in the Works". The Hollywood Reporter. August 11, 2020. Archived from the original on August 11, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020.
  82. ^ "NBCUniversal Media Village". www.nbcumv.com. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  83. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (September 8, 2020). "'Bel-Air': Peacock Gives 2-Season Order to 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' Drama Reboot from Morgan Cooper & Westbrook Studios". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 8, 2020. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  84. ^ Baumtgartner, Drew (September 14, 2021). "Peacock's 'Fresh Prince' Reboot 'Bel-Air' Announces Full Cast". Collider. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  85. ^ Petski, Denise (December 16, 2021). "'Bel-Air': Peacock's 'Fresh Prince' Drama Reboot Sets Super Bowl Sunday Premiere". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
  86. ^ "Will Smith Has a Virtual Reunion With The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Cast". E! Online. April 29, 2020.
  87. ^ Harris, Aisha (November 19, 2020). "Let's Talk About That Reconciliation During The 'Fresh Prince' Reunion Special". NPR.org. Archived from the original on December 7, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
  88. ^ "Will Smith 'so happy' to settle decades-long feud with Janet Hubert in 'Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' reunion". www.radio.com. November 19, 2020. Archived from the original on March 9, 2021. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
  89. ^ "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion", Variety, November 18, 2020, archived from the original on December 5, 2020, retrieved December 7, 2020
  90. ^ "'Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air' Reunion: Cast Talks Sitcom's Trailblazing Impact, Pays Tribute To James Avery; Will Smith And Janet Hubert Settle 27-Year Feud". Deadline Hollywood. November 18, 2020.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=The_Fresh_Prince_of_Bel-Air&oldid=1266495297"