When The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Died…And It’s Not When You Think

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was a revolutionary ‘90s sitcom. But like most sitcoms things happened along the way that ruined the show for me before it went off the air. And if you’re a fan of the series, it’s not when you think it is.

Time Stamps:
00:00 - This is A Story…
1:23 - The Fresh Prince Arrives
5:47 - Two Steps Forward, One Step Back
8:57 - On Top of the World
11:54 - Breaking The Foundation
13:20 - Trouble in the Neighborhood
15:41 - “Very Special Episodes”
19:23 - Will (Almost) Gets Committed
23:24 - “I, Done”

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[CABNoLimit]

Carlton running through the studio might be the funniest scene of the series

[fergalstackstreams]

That scene where Carlton and Will are in jail and they start singing Go Down Moses, and their thug cellmate joins in after being silent the whole time never fails to crack me up.

[turdferguson]

the "how come he dont want me" truly was one of the most emotional things i can remember seeing on tv, ever. that scene still gets me.

[jaeoen]

While you made extremely valid points, we have to keep in mind, that in real time, in the 90s, it was a different era. Shows weren’t being binge watched the way they are now, so a sitcom didn’t have to have continuity the way shows do today.

[bizzyb]

Although the show started with issues on racism and class. I’m glad the show branched out and took on other topics because as a black person ( I can’t speak for all) I don’t wanna see issues of race on every show. It’s exhausting. I just want to see a funny show for entertainment.

[josephclegg]

Good Times, Family Matters, and A Different World did the same thing like Fresh Prince of Belair with Wills mom, Vy, and Lisa dad, Fred. On Good Times, at the end of the 4th season, although it wasn't shown, but it was established that Carl and Florida had gotten married and moved to Arizona for Carl's health issues, and both were absent throughout the 5th season. When Florida returned during the 6th season, she mentioned Carl once, and after then, he wasn't mentioned or seen again. On Family Matters, Mother Winslow and Fletcher got married during the 4th season. Fletcher was seen a few more seasons after that and he mysteriously disappeared with Mother Winslow ever hardly mentioning him when she visits. On A Different World, Colonel Taylor and Jaleesa were married during season 5, and at the end of season 5, they had a baby, but in the beginning of season 6, Jaleesa and the baby disappeared along with Colonel Taylor's son, Terrance and they weren't mentioned by him again.

[frostyfreezyfreeze]

You made some great points with this video. I never liked the season five finale's ending because it invalidated everything that had been leading up to that point. And it was for something that didn't even matter (Will's mother marrying Lisa's father).

Since the show was going to end after season six anyway, having Will married wouldn't have had a negative impact on his character. It would have given him more of a direction. Instead, he spends the last season becoming some annoying manchild that's seen as irresponsible and stupid by everyone around him. In the series finale, they make it a point to mention that everyone is moving on in their lives except for Will. Even Ashley points this out, and Will was one of her best friends in the early seasons. Taking away all of Will's progression in the last season was pointless when he was originally in a position to move on more than anybody.

[jaycomplexkidrandle]

One thing I wish they would have kept in was Will playing basketball. He was a star player, and he was even looking to be scouted and recruited when he had a match-up against Marcus Stokes (played by Allen Payne). Why couldn't they have kept him hooping when he went to ULA?

[sincityquinn]

I never looked at any episodes from this show this critically. They were always great for me.

[Jaheartsjonas]

Will's GF in the Earthquake episode is played by Tisha Campbell who would go on to play Gina in Martin (also played Jay in My Wife and Kids). I know she is not too well-known and the show is not acknowledged much outside of the Black community unlike Fresh Prince (only a few black sitcoms have "crossed over") so I get why it might've been overlooked but it should be noted.

[leroyhudson]

Queen Latifah also played Hillary’s horrible boss!

[ZenMonkeyGod]

For me, it had three phases to its death: 1.) The set change, 2.) Changing Aunt Viv's actress, and lastly 3.) When Nicki was born and immediately grew up. The comedic element just died a bit more with each phase.

EDIT: I do not have a problem with the set change itself; all I'm saying is that once it happens, the show begins to get less funny to me. I know the other two I said were kind of unavoidable, and the producers did what they could, but it still didn't make the show any better.

[KenyanScorpio]

"Papa's got a brand new excuse" killed me.. even today! that whole monologue brings me to tears

[michellesakura]

James had such a better connection on screen with the first actress that played Vivian, I don't think anyone liked seeing her replaced.

[mistahrobb]

What gets me...Carlton studied hard and sacrificed everything in hopes of getting into Princeton....just to go to the same college as Will.

[spms]

Can we talk about how empowering Aunt Vivian is in Season 1 only for the writers/producers to make her a laughing joke in Seasons 2-3?

[garycollins]

My understanding was that the show was supposed to end after season 4, with the Banks and Will visiting Philadelphia, the Banks return to Bel-Air and Will telling Phil he wasn’t returning.

Will Smith only took the job to payoff his debts, but in 1994 it was announced that 1995-1996 would be the last so the storylines were usually single episodes and not season long story arcs.

Tyra Banks left the show so the character was dropped.

[dlbutters]

As a one of the millions of sons of single mothers, that Will and his father's episode still makes me cry to this day...

[ftbeast]

I cant get thru "how come he don't want me" without crying- every single time

[rickyrichreacts]

Anybody remember the one where Will boxes a female boxer and gets whooped? Will was so hilarious in that scene😂😂😂