Will Smith: What are you, Robo-Butler, man? : Stream It Or Skip It: 'Love at First Kiss' on Netflix, a Spanish Rom-Com About a Man Gifted with 'Romantic Clairvoyance' Stream It Or Skip It: 'Tonight You're Sleeping With Me' on Netflix, a . James Avery (Uncle Phil) is also visibly in tears. (Via). Will, it's all right to be angry. Geoffrey Butler approaches the door and lets Will in. When the police pull over Will and Carlton (Alfonso Ribeiro) in a borrowed Mercedes, on the way to a Palm Springs vacation with Uncle Phil and Aunt Viv (Janet Hubert-Whitten), Carlton, covered in the security blanket of his class, his rational thinking, and the fact that his father is a judge, assumes they will explain what's going on and drive away no harm done. Those qualities are all self-weaponized, manifesting in self-destructive ways. And Uncle Phil, in the first of Avery's many perfect performances, sets him straight. I'm sorry, Will. I learned how to drive, I learned how to shave, I learned how to fight without him. We were all in the moment. This version of the character was received poorly by Will Smith at the initial table read, and so Lou was rewritten as a somewhat more sympathetic character, who at least had a legitimate job as a truck driver. Look, why are you telling me this now? CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 23: Will Smith attends the 70th Anniversary during the 70th annual Cannes Film Festival on May 23, 2017 in Cannes, France. Look, I'll call you next week and we'll iron out the details. Wills father introduces himself as Lou Smith, which would mean that Violas (Wills mother) married name is smith. This is the same guy who didn't think enough of you to pick up the damn phone! Both parties have lots to positively learn about each other. No, you know what, Uncle Phil? Geoffrey Butler: You have the right house. Classic Black sitcoms like Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Living Single are finally streaming. For more onThe Fresh Prince, here's the latest intel on the upcoming reboot. Philip Banks It is Fresh Princes most iconic half-hour the moment in which Will, the goof who plays it cool, became human, and Smith became an actor. He showed up, did this scene in one take, then disappeared again. Or so the widely-spread legend goes. He loves pizza and the Mortal Kombat movie. He tries to make the exit without Will noticing, but Will does. Lou Smith Where does that leave Will? But the audience sobbing that you can make out in the background? Geoffrey Butler: I am not your Uncle Philip. There is no funny outtake of the cast messing up their lines. Boulware, who also wrote the episode of 227 in which a characters father pops back into the picture, drew from his own life experience for the script. I agree so much . Will Smith: Hey, Uncle Phil! In that final scene, when Lou disappoints Will for the final time, Vereen himself broke down off-camera. William 'Will' Smith That childlike sense of rage, coupled with his newfound maturity, rises into his throat; his final act of defiance is to refuse to call his father "Dad," opting for his name instead. [Uncle Phil rushes forward to hug Will, and Will breaks down sobbing]. The actor went off-script and played . During an average taping, The Fresh Prince set was like a raucous football stadium. William 'Will' Smith: Got through my first date without him, right? Smith and his musical partner DJ Jazzy Jeff were already big names on the hip-hop scene when the Fresh Prince opportunity presented itself. It's entirely possible that two people named Smith that are completely unrelated could meet, fall in love, and start a family. 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. However, Smith revealed in his 2021 memoir. Think back to any emotional scene on Full House. I just wish I hadn't wasted my money buying this stupid present. Who needs him? And I got pretty damn good at it too, didn't I, Uncle Phil? are heading to New England themselves to be closer to their family. [after Lou cancels his trip with Will and leaves] Okay? : Use me. Vivian Banks I'm sorry. In its six seasons on NBC, the series a grittier version of The Cosby Show that juxtaposed hip-hop culture with Black upper-class ethos tackled everything from racism to sexism to a two-step dubbed the Carlton.. When they express how this is going to crush Will, Lou asks Phillip and Vivian to break the news to Will. Geoffrey Butler: Master William, tradition dictates that a clean, unbreakable line be drawn between a family and their butler. Or Hillarys Playboy spread? So the only thing true about this rumor is the emotion conveyed by Will in the scene. 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. After all, given his upbringing, getting threatened by folks packing guns is an unfortunately common part of life. I was actually at the taping. : Will is thrilled at this news, ready to rekindle his paternal relationship without much skepticism apparent. Will Smith helped co-write the script for this scene. The shot frames this moment alongside the sculpture; subtly, but decidedly, communicating that this is the real father-son relationship at the center of Fresh Prince, at the center of Will's life. Hed get this look that said, One more step, Will, and itll get ugly. He was an independent businessman-he set up refrigeration in supermarkets-and he always provided for us. But Viola is ready to boycott the wedding, and forbid her son from going, too. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! Hes a steady and positive figure in my life. The show wasn't afraid to tackle issues like drugs, sex, drunk driving, sexism, racism, and violence to teach us an important lesson or two about life. When the time has come for Top Dog to choose his new candidate, Carlton assumes he'll get picked, and Will's foolishness will not be tolerated. For four years, I treated that boy like my own son. Willard Carroll Smith II (born September 25, 1968), also known by his stage name the Fresh Prince, is an American actor, rapper, and producer.Noted for his work in music, television, and film, Smith has received various accolades, including an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, four Grammy Awards, and William 'Will' Smith: I ain't need him then and I don't need him now. Like, James Avery wouldnt give me a damn inch, the actor recalled on TIDALs Rap Radar podcast series. Philip, for God's sake. You might notice his hat coming off. Make connections. Geoffrey Butler approaches the door and lets Will in. William 'Will' Smith Philip Banks Find the latest movie casting calls, TV auditions, Modeling jobs, acting opportunities, acting tips, and entertainment news for the biggest movies and TV shows filming across the world. When Will was five years old, he was abandoned by his father, Lou, leaving his mother, Viola, to raise him in poverty. Daddy-O! Look at me, use me. Firstly, Will Smith's father was very much present during his childhood. Fresh Prince of Bel-Air - Will's Father leaves Charles Bentley 13.3K subscribers 381K 13M views 7 years ago There wasn't a good quality version of one of the most touching scenes in TV. Ain't like I'ma be sitting up every night asking my mom, "When's Daddy coming home? Smith rarely resorts to out-and-out anger in his Fresh Prince performances, but we see it here, and it is warranted. Usually, the director would retake the scene, but really, nothing could replace this moment. That he has no idea what life on the streets is like. Ain't even nothing to talk about. Youwillcry at the acapella song the family sings over the credits. And, all of these qualities are challenged directly in "Blood Is Thicker Than Mud," a standout episode for Alfonso Ribeiro. I just wish I hadn't wasted my money buying this stupid present. It's a special series to me, and to so many folks. Lou Smith : Will Smith: Oh, my fault, man. Tells him he grew up on the streets of Baltimore. Will then begins to cry and asks Phillip why his father doesn't want him. People were crying for a long time when it was over, doing their best not to make noise before the director said cut. I was ten years old. Up until that point, they were thinking of [Smith] as a TV actor, Vereen said of the young mans burgeoning film career. Insists that if Carlton goes through with this plan, he's just as bad as the guy who put Will in the hospital. [takes out a small statue of a father sitting with his son on his lap]. While Will is forgiving and understanding, Phillip and Vivian not so much. She thought college was the only way. : The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air is a FANDOM TV Community. He's my father. The entire temperature of the room shifts. Will William 'Will' Smith That year we won the first Grammy given to a rap artist.". : The rest of the series includes commentary about Black relationships with the police (think DJ Jazzy Jeffinstinctually putting his hands up when a bailiff asks him to swear to tell the truth in court), but here, it did so explicitly and explosively. He never even sent me a damn card! Will forgives him and is prepared to give him another chance. I wanted him to want me. William 'Will' Smith : : Actually, this works out better for me, you know. I'm sorry that everybody can't be as perfect as you, Uncle Phil, but if I can forgive him, how come you can't? : The first one went extremely well while the second album, not so much. So what's the real story behind the tear-jerking scene, you ask? Will makes it to the hospital, and even has a laissez-faire gallows sense of humor about the whole ordeal. Will is at the Peacock when he sees a man staring at him. Excuse me, bring the horses around would you, ha! Papas Got a Brand New Excuse was a watershed 23 minutes for the situational comedy, which, until that moment, hadnt fully explored the emotional depths of Smiths character. ", you know. William 'Will' Smith | Explore the latest videos from hashtags: #freshprienceofbelair, #freshprinceofbelairscene, #fresh_prince_of . Transcript The show begins with Will Smith at the door singing and knocking on the door. Technical Specs, [after Lou cancels his trip with Will and leaves], [after discovering Will's father unexpectedly]. William 'Will' Smith: No, you know what, Uncle Phil? He's an associate editor for Collider and has written for Shudder, CBS, Paste Magazine, Guff, Smosh, Obsev Studios, and more. Geoffrey Butler: Come with me, Master William. Lou Smith : [to Will] You see, the day you were born was the happiest day of my life. "We agreed that I would take a year making music, and if it did not work out, I would go to college. I'ma get through college without him, I'ma get a great job without him, I'ma marry me a beautiful honey, and I'ma have me a whole bunch of kids. Lou is, indeed, going to walk out of Will's life again, having scammed the Banks family for what he needs. "Before this scene, Will Smith disappeared. While Will and Lou bond at a carnival, Lou tells him that the real reason that he abandoned him was because he was scared of having a kid. The duo gets arrested and put in jail, alongside an operatic singing convict ("Any time you see a white guy in jail, you knowhe did something bad!" I love when classic multi-cam sitcoms feel like excuses to put classic theater on television for the masses, and this episode has a wondrous scene that vaults into this hallowed ground. Is Viola's reaction mere prejudice, plainly spoken? Here's the Tumblr version of events that we've come to believe as the truth: The idea was to have Wills father come back and leave again, disappointing his only son for a second time. Will's very pleased with this. Smith gave his first highlight-reel performance, and it wouldnt have been possible with Uncle Phil, who whispered something in Smiths ear while they were hugging on camera: To read more about the episode, click here. Philip Banks All of these qualities make him one of our great television characters; all of these qualities make him rife for roasts from his cousin Will; all of these qualities add to the interesting playing with and subverting of what kinds of racial depictions we saw on television in the early '90s. | : Wills father introduces himself as Lou Smith, which would mean that Violas (Wills mother) married name is smith. Wills delivery was so perfect it seems like it was in the moment.. William 'Will' Smith Who cares what you think? will smith fresh prince dad scene scriptanson county warrant list. The slimmies of summer come to class wearing next to nothing, you know what I'm saying Philip Banks Geoffrey Butler: Master William, walk this way. Will and Philip subsequently get into a heated argument over this, with Will claiming in anger that he doesn't care what Phillip thinks because Phillip is not his father, leaving Phillip visibly upset and at a loss for words. Uncle Phil, that is not cool, the way you dissing my father like that. Geoffrey Butler: If you will follow me, I will show you to your room, Master William. Avery, a trained Shakespearean actor, represented the strong father figure; Smith, four years into his first acting gig, the young man coming into his own manhood; and Vereen, a theater vet, was a man lost. [shouts] Well, one day, I just panicked and ran. He might be leaving this Bel-Air home for good, but this is still the first half of his new life, his new identity. "He kept me in line. Will's father is out of the picture; Uncle Phil is by all accounts the closest to a dad he has. Vivian and Carlton are excited to see their Uncle Lou, and Ashley (who was a baby when Lou walked out) and baby Nicky get to meet him for the first time. William 'Will' Smith Hey, why should I be mad? A powerful, teachable, simple lesson. Actually, this works out better for me, you know. Hes a steady and positive figure in my life.. : Will assures Phillip he's grateful for everything Phillip has done for him, but he still needs to give his father a chance to be in his life, if he truly has changed. Just for a couple of weeks. That he knew struggles and overcame them. But during filming of this episode, director Jensen likened the mood of the normally wild show to being in church.. Philip Banks : : His father was a question mark, or, as cousin Hillary puts it in the episode, a deadbeat who left him and his mom flat.. [Uncle Phil rushes forward to hug Will, and Will breaks down sobbing]. And when Carlton does buck up and speak to his father, vulnerability and everything, it's simply stunning television. But it means, more than ever, we can't lose faith in people. I had *fourteen* great birthdays without him. 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The Banks, especially Uncle Phil, see through Lous lies, but Will cant; hes so happy to be with his dad that he drops his trademark swagger and acts like an eager child again. (HBO Max) Will recalled the episode where his character's father resurfaces after 14 years. Smith was known for his clean lyrics, and his hits were . How you doin'? Emotional and great. It was great seeing you, son. You know, if there was something that l William 'Will' Smith: You know what, you ain't got to do nothing, Uncle Phil. ", you know. : This remains, by my estimation, the single greatest example of a television sitcom getting real and I wouldn't be surprised if it continues to be for the rest of the medium's history (gritty reboots be damned). But hes a better parental figure than his actual dad, who lets his son down again. In the episode, Wills deadbeat father Lou (played by Broadway legend Ben Vereen) returns after a 14-year absence to spend time with his son. Sometimes, to end an sitcom, you need the main character of your sitcom to look around a now-empty set for the last time, turn off the lights, and leave. But it wasnt until the fourth season, with its characters deeply established, that the show decided to tackle the subject in depth. The thing I connect to is: I do not have to build a perfect wall today. Even if the performance wasnt real, it was real enough to be remembered 20 years later. Everything I said, everything I did for James Avery was like nope, not good enough. Avery demanded absolute committed perfection from his young co-star, so when it came time to shoot the scene together, Im messing up the lines because I want it so bad, Smith recalled. The slimmies of summer come to class wearing next to nothing, you know what I'm saying Philip Banks: Will, it's all right to be angry. Phillip however, makes no effort to be civil towards Lou, showing downright hostility towards him, in questioning him over what possessed him to suddenly return, and why he isn't sending any money to his wife and child that he abandoned, when he's clearly making some with his profession as a truck driver. The show begins with Will Smith at the door singing and knocking on the door. During the first take, he found himself stumbling over words so much that director Shelley Jensen called cut so as not to spoil the final line for the audience, prompting Smith to yell in frustration. Philip Banks The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was one of our favorite shows while growing up in the 90s. 1.3k. Oh yeah, I don't think so. Whatever he needed, whether it was a pat on the head or a kick in the pants, I was there for him. In reality, Smith's parents separated when he was 13 but his father remained a major figure in his life up to his death in 2016. Will Smith: Oh, okay, well uh, cheerio and all that Walter now. When we started the series, Will was definitely not there, but he grew as a man and as an actor, he said. I know my dad had been planning this for a long time. : It was selfish and cowardly, but that's what I did. Avery immediately pulled him aside and gave him a pep talk, telling him to make eye contact with Uncle Phil, which would help guide the performance and get Smith into the emotional state Will needed to be in.
