This pages comprises the full verbal transcript of the first episode of Season 1 - The Fresh Prince Project. [Uncle Phil rushes forward to hug Will, and Will breaks down sobbing]. It's a shocking, plainspoken admission of society's privilege, one that gives the character tons of empathy and understanding. Are you a content creator looking for an opportunity to show your stuff? William 'Will' Smith: How come he don't want me, man? Will Smith: Oh, okay, well uh, cheerio and all that Walter now. No, you know what, Uncle Phil? He never even sent me a damn card! Whether youre a lifelong resident of D.C. or you just moved here, weve got you covered. He showed up, did this scene in one take, then disappeared again. Tags: fresh prince of bel air, sad, scene, Will Smth, father, The Story Behind The Saddest "Fresh Prince" Scene Is Not What You Think, The Evolution of the Internet: 90s to Now. Will, it's all right to be angry. You know what, you ain't got to do nothing, Uncle Phil. Ribeiro plays this sequence like a man on a precipice, a fork in the road for Carlton, a thrillingly unpredictable piece of theater that even speaks to that common theater rule involving guns on stage. The first one went extremely well while the second album, not so much. Smith, whose most emotional scenes in the episode are opposite Avery, had to cry on camera for the first time. Baker is the husband-to-be of Janice (Charlayne Woodard), who's set to be married in the Banks' spacious Bel-Air backyard if Will's mother Viola (Verne Watson-Johnson) doesn't blow a gasket first. By Awa | flips the racial dynamics, bringing home a white husband (an atypically suave Diedrich Bader) to upset the extended Banks family. 5 Jun. Filming & Production So why did you? William 'Will' Smith: No, you know what, Uncle Phil? While hes hugging me, he whispers in my ear, 'Thats f---ing acting right there, recalled Smith, who also revealed the motivation behind that performance. The thing I connect to is: I do not have to build a perfect wall today. In celebration of its 30th anniversary (the pilot aired September 10, 1990), I wondered why this show continues to play so wonderfully and warmly where so many other '90s sitcoms become forgotten. Will never, ever, forget. Dont act around me, act with me. The advice worked. Will runs up to him to give him a big hug. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is a 1990s sitcom that stars Will Smith as a fictionalized version of himself. Will Smiths acting in it was flawless, the words and script were so real too. What millennial doesnt jump to finish the theme songs lyrics when prompted by Innnn West Philadelphia, born and raised? Instead, it shows slides of the end credits. Originally airing from 1990 to 1996 for six seasons, the sitcom brokeWill Smiththrough to superstardom in a series of episodes articulating his transition from life on the mean streets of West Philadelphia to life in the palatial mansions of Bel-Air (hmm, if only there was a catchy summary of this inciting incident). This article was published more than2 years ago, This week marks the 30th anniversary of the premiere of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, the classic 1990s sitcom that transformed a buoyant (and broke) young rapper into Will Smith, blockbuster movie star. Ted's Bio; Fact Sheet; Hoja Informativa Del Ted Fund; Ted Fund Board 2021-22; 2021 Ted Fund Donors; Ted Fund Donors Over the Years. : The episode title is a reference to the James Brown song. Then, the waterworks. But it means, more than ever, we can't lose faith in people. They were all pretty the same: the dialogue would get cheesy (well, cheesier) and the music, sappy (sappier). Philip Banks: I'm sorry. : But Carlton is actually, literally Phil's son. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! So we're gonna have to put our trip on hold. Geoffrey Butler approaches the door and lets Will in. [He] wouldnt give me a damn inch, said Smith in a 2018 interview with podcast Rap Radar. Emotional and great. 'Bad Boys For Life', which filmed in Atlanta, Georgia. Who needs him? That he has no idea what life on the streets is like. In another interview with Reader's Digest, he explained that his father actually supported his dreams of pursuing a career in music. Philip Banks Technical Specs, [after Lou cancels his trip with Will and leaves], [after discovering Will's father unexpectedly]. Beyond its visceral, gut-punching thrills as a theatrical sequence, this moment is a stark reminder to Carlton, and to everyone watching: We can lose faith in systems that resort to violence, rightly so. William 'Will' Smith Having three Black male actors in an intensely dramatic scene on a comedic series only added to the power of the moment. I'm sorry. : This relationship needs to be attended to, now. Firstly, Will Smith's father was very much present during his childhood. Will tells Uncle Phil (James Avery) that he, straight up, has forgotten where he came from. Philip Banks His character was contending with all the things hed never be and Vereen was deep in that moment. Published Mar 12, 2022. He resorts to buying a gun himself, ostensibly for protection. James Avery (Uncle Phil) is also visibly in tears. William 'Will' Smith: You know what? If you listen closely, you can hear Karyn Parsons (Hilary) crying backstage. Will's father Lou shows up after 14 years and spends a lot of time with Will. James Avery was relentlessly on me to elevate. And I got pretty damn good at it too, didn't I, Uncle Phil? Because he's not doing this for you, he's doing this for himself and if you think any differently, then you're a fool! Release Dates Directed by Shelley Jensen with a script from David Zuckerman and Bill Boulware, Papas Got a Brand New Excuse is about Wills father, played by Ben Vereen, returning to his sons life after 14 years. Papa's Got A Brand New Excuse is the 24th episode of Season 4. Fearing for his safety his mother sent him out to Bel Air. Carlton's response comes not as a surprise, but as a well-practiced speech, something he's been having to reckon with his entire life. He eradicates the box of one proper Black identity not with force, but with precision. I had always been interested in shows with fathers, because I grew up with a single parent, he said. And, thankfully, I don't think it's any big spoiler to reveal that Viola does come around and attend the wedding after all thanks to a wonderful speech delivered by Will to his mother, a representation of the hope of future generations changing established patterns and prejudices for the better. : Official Sites Lou Smith The two collapse into an embrace. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was, and continues to be, a breath of fresh air.Originally airing from 1990 to 1996 for six seasons, the sitcom broke Will Smith through to superstardom in a series of . Uncle Phil, however, thinks Lou will again disappoint his son. So when he has to break down and confess to the family that the amphetamines Carlton found were meant for him, making him tacitly responsible for Carlton's hospitalization, he commits to it beautifully. Class and race issues are at the core of Will's journey from Philadelphia to Bel-Air, and after a series of fish-out-of-water shenanigans where Will's lower-class upbringing clashes with the Banks' upper-class upbringing during a dinner party, these tensions explode explicitly. The pair attempt to rebuild their relationship and even plan activities together, but when the time came for them to embark on their trip, Lou bailed. Grab a hankie, whistle for a cab, and take a trip down memory lane with me. The duo was forced to pivot when 'Fresh Prince' came along. Will Smith: Hey, Uncle Phil! Ain't like I'ma be sitting up every night asking my mom, "When's Daddy coming home? Will Smith Explains The "Dad Episode" of Fresh Prince, According to episode co-writer David Zuckerman, this episode was written to showcase Will Smith's dramatic acting talents, following his recent turn in the dramedy, The initial script for this episode cast Lou as a pool shark breezing through town. : That awful moment when you learn that this wasnt scripted. Wills delivery was so perfect it seems like it was in the moment.. Really shows how good of an actor Will Smith is. Hey, just cool it. That year we won the first Grammy given to a rap artist. An emotional Will lets his frustration out in a conversation with Uncle Phil, but things got really sad when he finally breaks down in tears. Will forgives him and is prepared to give him another chance. Yeah, that's cool. He was born in 1973 in West Philadelphia. This film was the first movie he ever worked on, and this really helped him make the giant leap from being a TV actor to a film actor. It killed me when I first saw it, and still gets to me now. I believe it's because of the show's big, beating, sincere, courageous heart. He showed up, did this scene in one take, then disappeared again. But Top Dog makes the opposite decision, deciding that WIll is more "authentically Black," calling Carlton a "sellout.". I had *fourteen* great birthdays without him. Where There's a Will, There's a Way (Part 1), Where There's a Will, There's a Way (Part 2). Oct 20, 2017. Geoffrey Butler: If you will follow me, I will show you to your room, Master William. | Vivian Banks At least he said goodbye this time. In the episode, Will's deadbeat father Lou (played by Broadway legend Ben Vereen) returns after a 14-year absence to spend time with his son. Whew, that was deep, Vereen said. Find talent. By Season 4 of The Fresh Prince, Will and Carlton have graduated from high school and are now beginning their college studies. Philip Banks Uncle Phil grabs Will and hugs him fiercely, as he wished his father would. His father, who had left him years before, claims he is finally ready to become a part of Will's life, again. However Vivian has previously stated that hers, violas, Helens and Janices maiden name is Smith. People were crying for a long time when it was over, doing their best not to make noise before the director said cut.". Vivian helps Phillip realize that he is being selfish to Will due to his hatred for Lou, and both Phillip and Will apologize for their behavior. William 'Will' Smith That he knew struggles and overcame them. Philip Banks Actually, this works out better for me, you know. Instead, he laser-focuses on cleaning the house, taking care of everything except himself, feeling genuinely, scarily haunted. William 'Will' Smith | But it wasnt until the fourth season, with its characters deeply established, that the show decided to tackle the subject in depth. Lou Smith : I just wasn't ready to be a father. This pages comprises the full verbal transcript of the first episode of Season 1 - The Fresh Prince Project . Lauderdale, Florida. I just wish I hadn't wasted my money buying this stupid present. You know what, Aunt Viv? He reflected that there was an element of his character fully coming to terms with how much he had failed Will after being referred to by his name rather than as "Dad". And, it lets Will have a "not what he seems" moment, too; when Uncle Phil leaves the room after this chat, he notices Will playing Beethovenon the piano. [pause] At least he said goodbye this time. However, Lou announces to Vivian and Phillip that he has to leave immediately to make a business shipment, and he's gotta be open for more shipments, so the trip he promised Will isn't going to happen as he planned it. The altercation purportedly began when the then neophyte actor felt a scene wasn't working on his sitcom, "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" and unilaterally made some changes to the script . I agree so much . But Avery eventually calmed Smith down by telling him, Its already in there, you know what it is. I started feeling trapped. William 'Will' Smith Wake up, Will. At first Will seems okay with Lou abandoning him, as at least he said goodbye, but Will now wishes he hadn't spent money on a present for Lou. Look at me, use me. : He's my father. : Hey, he wasn't there to teach me how to shoot my first basket, but I learned, didn't I? And Uncle Phil, in the first of Avery's many perfect performances, sets him straight. Following Avery's words, Smith pulled off the most iconic and emotional scene in the show's history. It's a simple trick, perhaps best-known in the final moments ofCheers. Before this scene, Will Smith disappeared. And when Carlton does buck up and speak to his father, vulnerability and everything, it's simply stunning television. Look, I'll call you next week and we'll iron out the details. Kim Kardashian Tackled to the Ground at Paris Fashion Event, Marvel's 'Ant-Man' Casting Call for Kids in Peachtree City, Georgia, NBA YoungBoy and Birdman Hire Director for 'Ballin Blocker 2', 'The Weeknd' To Star in a Movie He Co-Wrote and Produced, Michael B. Jordan Reunites with High School Reporter at 'Creed III' Premiere: 'I Was the Corny Kid, Right? Where There's a Will, There's a Way (Part 1), Where There's a Will, There's a Way (Part 2). Lou and Phillip get into a heated argument about Lou's responsibilities as a father with Lou again claiming he was scared to be a father, which Phillip rejects, claiming he too was scared to be a father, but unlike Lou, he didn't run out on his family, but rather remained present for his children's lives, as a good and responsible man is supposed to do. The story behind Will Smith's iconic 'hug' scene in 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' By Helena Andrews-Dyer September 11, 2020 at 7:00 a.m. EDT Will Smith, seen here in 1990, started "The. You are not my father! Uncle Phil, however, is worried that Will's father will simply disappoint Will again and disappoint Will he does. Thus, the hunt for a fraternity is on, and the two decide to attend a rush event for a Black frat on campus, run by Top Dog (Glenn Plummer). 2019 Ted Fund Donors Lou claims it was great to see Will again, and Will responds "You too Lou" instead of Dad, officially disowning Lou as his father. Lou Smith However Vivian has previously stated that hers, violas, Helens and Janices maiden name is Smith. Now that the building is done, he gets to live in it. But this constant poking at Uncle Phil's weight comes to a serious head in "Home Is Where the Heart Attack Is," an episode that, as you might guess, gives Uncle Phil a weight-induced heart attack to suffer through. You know, if there was something that l William 'Will' Smith Philip Banks: [after Lou cancels his trip with Will and leaves] I'm sorry, Will. William 'Will' Smith : He's my father. I learned how to drive, I learned how to shave, I learned how to fight without him. Borrowing its title fromGuess Who's Coming to Dinner, the 1967 film in whichKatharine Houghtonbrings home fianc Sidney Poitierto her white parents to examine interracial relationships in a lightly comedic purview, "Guess Who's Coming to Marry?" Will says in one episode, while the camera tilts up to literally show the studio lights). But hes a better parental figure than his actual dad, who lets his son down again. They plan a cross-country trip together, but Uncle Phil (James Avery) warns Will that he shouldnt get his hopes up; this is the man who abandoned him, after all. Will then begins to cry and asks Phillip why his father doesn't want him. : Geoffrey Butler approaches the door and lets Will in. Im messing up the lines because I wanted it so bad, Smith said in the podcast interview. But as he reveals to Will in a tense, hospital-set two-hander finale (staged this time, curiously,with a studio audience), he hopes deep down inside that he can meet the man who shot Will, and get his revenge. He also played Richard Williams, father of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams, in King Richard. Will Smith: Oh, my fault, man. : As of 2023, his films have grossed over $9.3 billion globally, making him one of Hollywood's most bankable stars. Hey, why should I be mad? Look, why are you telling me this now? Will did not like it at all. The most extreme (and false) version of this the rumor goes as far to claim that Smith actually ad-libbed the scene and that the episode was meant to end with Will brushing off his father's abandonment. Co-writer Bill Boulware based this episode on his own life experiences growing up with a single parent, noting he was always interested in shows about fathers due to his lack of one growing up. The Post's Candace Buckner, David Betancourt and Tramel Raggs explore how current demonstrations against racial inequality are echoing memorable sports movies.