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. Will then begins to cry and asks Phillip why his father doesn't want him. Instead of reading him the riot act, Will is understandably enchanted. And Uncle Phil, in the first of Avery's many perfect performances, sets him straight. Having three Black male actors in an intensely dramatic scene on a comedic series only added to the power of the moment. William 'Will' Smith William 'Will' Smith | Carlton is confidently, uniquely himself. We're doing alright, huh? 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 . Philip, for God's sake. (HBO Max) Will recalled the episode where his character's father resurfaces after 14 years. The Banks, especially Uncle Phil, see through Lou's. William 'Will' Smith Within Smith's oeuvre, the Fresh Prince mode dominates in other roles like Oscar the fish in the animated film Shark Tale and the 1993 movie Made in America. The first time I held you, I didn't think I'd ever put you down. The two collapse into an embrace. Discover fresh prince of bel air father scene 's popular videos | TikTok Before this scene, Will Smith disappeared. : I wanted him to approve of me., Fans of the show have long believed that Smith improvised that final scene in which his character builds to an emotional crescendo, loudly proclaiming all the milestones he got through without Lou, but every word was written by Bill and I, Zuckerman said. "Being Black isn't what I'm trying to be, it's what I am," says Carlton, plainly, making sure Top Dog knows he's the real sellout before leaving. Will Smith on the series premiere of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." NBC. Usually, the director would retake the scene, but really, nothing could replace this moment. eegyvudluk pootoogook / stacey and dave forsey net worth / will smith fresh prince dad scene script. will smith fresh prince dad scene script - thanhvi.net James Avery was relentless on me to elevate. They were all pretty the same: the dialogue would get cheesy (well, cheesier) and the music, sappy (sappier). But then, in an all-time line reading, Will simply asks his uncle, "How come he don't want me, man?" 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Daddy-O! Ain't like I'ma be sitting up every night asking my mom, "When's Daddy coming home? WatchMojo: Top 10 "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" Moments, NBC Studios - 3000 W. Alameda Avenue, Burbank, California, USA. Who needs him? Excuse me. Both parties have lots to positively learn about each other. 20 Little Facts About Will Smith From His Fresh Prince Days - TheTalko 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. I was actually at the taping. 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. After more than a decade of being absent from his life, Will's father Lou (Ben Vereen) returns, eager to spend time with his son Will here in the fancy hills of Bel-Air. 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. Smith has given all the credit to Avery for helping him get through that moment. You understand. Smith: Oh, yeah, he was very serious about things being a certain way. Not quite. 5 Jun. ", you know. 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. 1.3k. Jensen said Avery, who died in 2013, was a driving force on set. Usually, the director would retake the scene, but really, nothing could replace this moment. But hes a better parental figure than his actual dad, who lets his son down again. Yeah, you did. This moment feels goodto watch, and feels like a cathartic piece of permission for Black folks who don't fit the typical mold you see on television to be exactly who they are, and be comfortable in that. He's joyful, performative, and cares not what others think about him. "He kept me in line. 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. 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. : When they express how this is going to crush Will, Lou asks Phillip and Vivian to break the news to Will. 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. Philip Banks Lou Smith : I just wasn't ready to be a father. Wills delivery was so perfect it seems like it was in the moment.. Uh, must have the wrong crib. William 'Will' Smith We tried to make him not a bad guy sympathetic, explained Zuckerman, who wrote Papas Got a Brand New Excuse with veteran TV writer Bill Boulware after an initially disastrous table read of a different script had cast Wills father, Lou (to be played by Broadway alum Ben Vereen), as a pool shark who breezes into town. February 24, 2022 armstrong siddeley cars for sale armstrong siddeley cars for sale Will Smith described the scene where Will breaks down as one of his most difficult as a young actor, as he was unsure if he was able to properly convey the right emotions. But there is one episode that stands head and shoulders above the rest. Lou claims it was great to see Will again, and Will responds "You too Lou" instead of Dad, officially disowning Lou as his father. Instead, it shows slides of the end credits. Will says in one episode, while the camera tilts up to literally show the studio lights). You know the episode, and you definitely know THE scene. Are you a content creator looking for an opportunity to show your stuff? Therefore, it is necessary for the operation of the household that you address me as Geoffrey, and I in turn address you by your proper title, Master William. Did he actually accomplish anything during this time living with his upper-class relatives? I remember someDavid Mametquote that said it doesn't matter how good an actor is; if the script is good, the final product is good. And she thinks she might be ready to enter a sexual relationship with a partner (Jaleel White, of course), despite their relationship being inherently long distance. [takes out a small statue of a father sitting with his son on his lap]. Youwillcry at the acapella song the family sings over the credits. There had been a lot of interest in an episode about Wills dad, according to Fresh Prince writer David Zuckerman, given that the entire premise of the show was based on Will being sent to live with his rich aunt and uncle because his mother, raising him alone, wants him out of their rough neighborhood. I ain't need him then and I don't need him now. Geoffrey Butler: If you will follow me, I will show you to your room, Master William. Yeah, whatever. That changed with Papas Got a Brand New Excuse, the season four episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air that aired 25 years ago today. Oct 20, 2017. Now that the building is done, he gets to live in it. Will Smith: Oh, my fault, man. The story behind Will Smith's iconic 'hug' scene in 'The Fresh Prince Lou is, indeed, going to walk out of Will's life again, having scammed the Banks family for what he needs. By Season 4 of The Fresh Prince, Will and Carlton have graduated from high school and are now beginning their college studies. Even if the performance wasnt real, it was real enough to be remembered 20 years later. : I rarely cried for a sitcom, but this is it. as a startling wake-up call, albeit one couched in comfort, comedy, and familiar class dynamics. The True Story Behind The Saddest 'Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air' Scene - UPROXX However, Philadelphia is a large city and Smith is a common name worldwide. Who needs him? 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? This relationship needs to be attended to, now. Where There's a Will, There's a Way (Part 1), Where There's a Will, There's a Way (Part 2). 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. 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). The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air is a FANDOM TV Community. Smith was known for his clean lyrics, and his hits were . William 'Will' Smith William 'Will' Smith Will and Carlton are determined to stop their female family member from having sex, using intercoms and interrogation tactics as devices to get in the way, to claim ownership over Ashley's body, to inherently view a young woman's sexual exploration as robbing her of her "purity." are heading to New England themselves to be closer to their family. He and Uncle Phil embrace each other crying, as the camera zooms in on Will's present: a statue of an African father holding his young son. For survival, please dont marry this man.". 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. Before this scene, Will Smith disappeared. It's a stunning piece of performance that lays the groundwork for the series' deft juggling of silliness and sincerity perfectly. 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. The scene is iconic, ingrained in the brains of all who grew up watching "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air": a young Will Smith, eager to jet off on a trip with his biological father, only to be let down when his dad skips out on him once again.Will turns cold at the rejection, calling his dad only "Lou," then later rants to Uncle Phil about life without his dad. [3] Of course Im talking about Papas Got a Brand New Excuse.. After landing a role on Fresh Prince, Will also snagged a leading role in the 1993 film adaptation of Six Degrees of Separation. [takes out a small statue of a father sitting with his son on his lap]. And I'm a different man now. ButThe Fresh Princemight be the most successful because of what it implies about the future of its characters, and how neatly it closes the arc for Will. ", The Real Story Behind the Most Heartbreaking Scene in 'The Fresh Prince of Bel Air'. In 1990, when "Mistaken Identity" first aired on NBC, a gurgling of tensions and resentments between the Black community and the police, founded on an entire history's worth of subjugation and explicitly race-based violence, were churning nearly at a breaking point. 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. Will Smith's on screen evolution, from 'Fresh Prince' to 'King Richard For six seasons, Will Smith and the rest of the hilarious cast made us laugh week after week with their shenanigans, but they also got our lives flipped-turned upside down whenever they addressed serious topics. Geoffrey Butler: Master William, tradition dictates that a clean, unbreakable line be drawn between a family and their butler. Philip Banks 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. So is he a cop? There are around 148 episodes over six seasons, but one episode titled Papa's Got a Brand New Excuse made many fans emotional. While the legend that Smith ad-libbed much of the scene based on his troubled relationship with his actual father is probably false, the sobbing was not. His father was a question mark, or, as cousin Hillary puts it in the episode, a deadbeat who left him and his mom flat.. Plus, the specific choice of drugs amphetamines and the specific effects we see Carlton dancing himself into a frenzy unfortunately brings to mind other campy very special episodes, particularly the infamousSaved by the Bellcaffeine pills debacle. And when Carlton does buck up and speak to his father, vulnerability and everything, it's simply stunning television. Ashley speaks with her sister, the oft-materialistic and flighty Hilary (Karyn Parsons), to ask her, directly, when she knew she was ready for sex. : 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. 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. You know what, Aunt Viv? He rages at his cousin about the futility of violence and revenge. Hilary, this is Lou Smith What millennial doesnt jump to finish the theme songs lyrics when prompted by Innnn West Philadelphia, born and raised? His and Boulwares new script recast Lou as a troubled trucker and a guy that just wasnt cut out to be a father., Vereen, who was overjoyed to join the cast for May sweeps week, remembers feeling something special. When Will was five years old, he was abandoned by his father, Lou, leaving his mother, Viola, to raise him in poverty. Damn, I didn't think a scene from "The Fresh Prince" would hit me that hard. Will runs up to him to give him a big hug. 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. Use me. 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. Lou Smith Come tomorrow, I'm out of here. The entire show was quiet, even during the funny parts, and I could not figure out why, a Reddit user wrote. I might have been 12 and my brother 9 when one day he decided he wanted a new front wall at his shop. 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. However, Philadelphia is a large city and Smith is a common name worldwide. | He also recalls that unusually for a sitcom with a live audience, the audience was entirely silent during filming, comparing the average taping as like a football stadium but this taping like "being in a church.". He's now his own person, living in his new life, that he himself built this whole time. 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. Just cool down. flips the racial dynamics, bringing home a white husband (an atypically suave Diedrich Bader) to upset the extended Banks family. See production, box office & company info, [after Lou cancels his trip with Will and leaves]. Let's refresh our memories: "Papa's Got A Brand New Excuse," the 24th episode of the fourth season, is arguably the saddest moment of the entire series. We were standing there thinking, There will never, ever, be a wall here again. But these are all catchy seasonings to a fundamentally kind, responsible, and curious main dish. She thought college was the only way. Look no further than Atlantic Records' $125/Day Fort. Hilary and Ashley are heading to New York, Carlton is heading to Princeton, and Phil and Viv (and Nicky; remember Nicky?) Lou Smith : [to Will] You see, the day you were born was the happiest day of my life. That he heard Malcolm X, whom Will had deified earlier in the episode, speak in person. Some business came up I gotta handle. But it means, more than ever, we can't lose faith in people. ", There is a popular misconception that Smith himself was also abandoned by his biological father in real life when he was young and had "broken character" while delivering the rant which went from being directed towards Lou to being directed towards Smith's own real-life father. I started feeling trapped. I just wish I hadn't wasted my money buying this stupid present. Will then, becoming a touch of a father figure himself, must set his cousin straight. Reply . (Via). [He] wouldnt give me a damn inch, said Smith in a 2018 interview with podcast Rap Radar. In the episode, Wills father shows up unexpectedly after a 14-year absence. Geoffrey Butler approaches the door and lets Will in. The Post's Candace Buckner, David Betancourt and Tramel Raggs explore how current demonstrations against racial inequality are echoing memorable sports movies. And finally, just like any great play, she tells her sister Janice what's really going on. : [Uncle Phil rushes forward to hug Will, and Will breaks down sobbing]. Sheridan Smith rocks 'Scouse bird' earrings as she leaves the theatre Well, I hate to break it to you, but that's just not true. This was the first time the show just went there and stayed there and let it resonate, Zuckerman said of the episodes lasting impact. William 'Will' Smith: Got through my first date without him, right? No, you know what, Uncle Phil? Lou awkwardly admits that he's got to take care of some business so the planned trip is going to have to wait a week or two, but most likely longer than that, and he promises to call to work it out. Will. Its already in there, you know what it is. You know, if there was something that l William 'Will' Smith But before all that, he was a sitcom star, someone who, it would not have been foolhardy to assume, couldnt handle more dramatic material.