Top 10 Times The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Tackled Serious Issues

Long before "Bel-Air," "Fresh Prince" also tackled some serious issues. For this list, we’ll be looking at moments and episodes in this sitcom that addressed heavy topics. Our countdown includes class disparity, your first time, substance use, and more! Which serious issue do YOU think "Fresh Prince" tackled the best? Let us know in the comments!

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[trinaq]

Fun Fact: Ben Vereen, who played Will's deadbeat dad Lou, stated in an interview that he burst into tears himself after leaving the camera shot. Since Vereen is a father himself, he couldn't imagine doing that to his own children. 😭💔

[trinaq]

"How come he don't want me, man?" The scene that emotionally broke EVERYONE, and proved that Will Smith is a phenomenal actor. Apparently, James Avery even whispered "Now, THAT'S acting!" in Will's ear during the final scene. 😭🎭💔

[crem-crem]

The frat house moment hit me hard because growing up I was also called an Oreo and told I wasn’t black enough because of my interests and music taste.
“I’m running the same race and jumping the same hurdles as you so why are you tripping me up” these words give me a sense of confidence in my blackness that I didn’t know I needed

[gfear]

The "Driving while black" episode, the "How come he don't want me, man?" episode and the "Carlton's got a gun" episode, for me, were the 3 most powerful episodes of the series.

[harveyquezada]

I swear this show really knew how to address serious issues😭😭 Just a fantastic show all around

[CelebrityGamerTV]

I’m surprised “How Come He Don’t Want Me, Man” didn’t make number 1.

That scene was heartbreaking. For a funny show, they had deep moments.

[TheSilverphoenix]

Philip Banks: the father figure of the 90s. A hard ass but with a heart of gold

And Vivian (mostly Janet Hubert) is the mother figure of the 90s

[jamieguneraamador]

I've always loved this show, and the fact that they address these topics makes me love it even more

[jeanaerowley]

I’ll never forget the episode where Will’s father abandoned him again. Will’s performance was soul shattering! Even just watching this clip gets me choked up again. When Uncle Phil grabs him for a hug……omigosh 🥺

[mikeprewittmovieandbookreviews]

This show easily became one of my favorite sitcoms. It is hilarious and emotional at times. The two main reasons that sitcoms can be great television.

[sarahsatyr]

When Will cries/asks why his dad didn't want him. I still LOSE IT at that scene.

[curiouslymavismade]

This is why this is one of the greatest shows ever, I'm privileged to have lived during the time this show originally aired. RIP James Avery, the father alot of us wish we had.

[jennyneon]

“How come he donʼt want me man...” is the best quote of The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, one of the best shows in television.

[guillermosierracuellar]

The interracial marriage was so good but the ones with will getting shot and his dad leaving again were epic

[pygmiegoatsheepbeat]

The thing that resonated with me the most was Will's dad walking out on him. My dad never walked out on me, but he had HUNDREDS of chances to spend time with me and whenever he did, it was never one-on-one time, it was always with someone else or if it WAS it was at the movies where we didn't talk. The few times he did spend time with just us, he always lectured me about my life and my choices and sometimes in public! I spoke to him about it several times and he always ALWAYS made me feel worse than if I'd never brought it up. He'd get irritated that his daughter would cry and get emotional. Just this last Christmas he made feel like he didn't want me around. It hurts but I've cut him out of my life for my own sake.

[shannenspence]

The episode between Will and his father makes me cry every time because that was my mom with me. My mom didn't want me, didn't act like she did. That episode hits me everytime. There is no worse feeling than knowing/or feeling a parent doesn't want you.... :'(

[Trix]

I still see that scene when Will comes to terms with his father abandoning him again, and I reflect on my experience. I don't know what's worse: having a parent walk out of your life physically as well as emotionally, or having a parent abandon you emotionally, but still share a roof with you. My experience when I was growing up was the latter, and it destroyed my life for decades to come. It was only when I disconnected from my parents while living 3, 000 miles away at the age of 50 that I've been able to start healing and rebuild my life.

[sunnygirl]

R.I.p. James Avery u’ll always be our uncle Phil and u’ll always be in our hearts 🥺

[CreativeMedicine]

An eighties baby, that grew up in the 90s. I watched EVERY episode of this show. Learned many life lessons. Exposed my children to this show. Television needs to get back to this kind of entertainment. That tackles real life...every day issues.

[art.of.verser]

You cannot deny such powerful and emotional performances on The Fresh Prince of Bel Air when serious issues are the subject of these episodes! Especially the episode "Mistaken Identity, " when racial profiling was the topic (as well as my favorite episode). Unfortunate as that issue is, even in the present day, it was also sobering, intense and thought-provoking.