| 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. I just wish I hadn't wasted my money buying this stupid present. (Video: The Washington Post). Make connections. (One year later, Rodney King's beating by police will spark a series of protests and clashes in Los Angeles.) Young Ashley Banks (Tatyana Ali) is growing up. Then, she gives Ashley the agency and compassion he needs to make this decision moving forward: "Only you'll know when the time's right for you." Right from the jump, from episode 1,The Fresh Princehad more on its mind than its aesthetics might initially hint. I had *fourteen* great birthdays without him. William 'Will' Smith It was not one of our best moments, said Zuckerman. Philip, for God's sake. She thought college was the only way. William 'Will' Smith : So why did you? He's fond of structure, of status, of systems. Published Feb 2, 2021. Dont act around me, act with me, Smith recalled Avery saying. Zuckerman described Lou as "a guy that just wasn't cut out to be a father.". 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? William 'Will' Smith He waltzes in here after 15 years? 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. (Via). Smith would even come out himself and hype up the audience. 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. Will Smith: Hey, Uncle Phil! Lou seems hurt by this, but he can't think of anything else to say, and after reflecting for a moment, he quickly walks out without another word. The Post's Candace Buckner, David Betancourt and Tramel Raggs explore how current demonstrations against racial inequality are echoing memorable sports movies. Will Smith recalls iconic "how come he don't want me" scene + Being : 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. The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air is a FANDOM TV Community. 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. : Lou Smith The episode featured the man-hug loved (and memed) around the world as Uncle Phil (James Avery) doesnt so much embrace as completely envelop his nephew, who is coming to grips with the loss of his absentee father for a second time. It's a special series to me, and to so many folks. 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. Will's very pleased with this. Well, one day, I just panicked and ran. We went brick by brick for the entire summer and into winter and then back into spring. : We see this formative piece of growing up reacted to in two different ways a very problematic one, that happens to be driven by two leading men; and an incredibly sensitive, sincere, and real one, that happens to be driven by two leading women. When Will and Carlton are held up at gunpoint at an ATM, a shot is fired, and Will is the victim. Philip: Yeah, then why did he say it? (HBO Max) Will recalled the episode where his character's father resurfaces after 14 years. That happened. Uncle Phil helps his nephew find a new California apartment on his own, and he'll continue his collegiate studies in the state, too. How you doin'? Well, I hate to break it to you, but that's just not true. 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. It's Carlton, Phil's son, whom we see suffer this trauma the most severely, even more so than Phil himself. With Wednesday's press night under her belt and a standing ovation to . Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to be part of an upcoming music vid "Dad was tough but not tyrannical," Smith told Essence. Im messing up the lines because I wanted it so bad, Smith said in the podcast interview. Will makes it to the hospital, and even has a laissez-faire gallows sense of humor about the whole ordeal. On the eve of Janice's wedding, a group of Banks women gather in the kitchen, unable to sleep, to snack on wedding treats and chat. attentiveness vs attention will smith fresh prince dad scene script. The Best Serious Moments in 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' - Collider He's joyful, performative, and cares not what others think about him. Smith rarely resorts to out-and-out anger in his Fresh Prince performances, but we see it here, and it is warranted. Yeah, you did. The young actor would go on to deliver one of the biggest emotional punches in Fresh Prince history. Smith was known for his clean lyrics, and his hits were . The latter is a secondary part (Whoopi . Ain't like I'm still five years old, you know. 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. I rarely cried for a sitcom, but this is it. 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. Olivia Singh. Yeah, that's cool. : That he heard Malcolm X, whom Will had deified earlier in the episode, speak in person. Ashleys first date with R&B princeling Tevin Campbell? Uh, must have the wrong crib. He eradicates the box of one proper Black identity not with force, but with precision. The rest of the family may find this all surprising, and Uncle Phil may at first think Frank (Baker) is a valet (in one of the best-staged act outs I've seen in a TV comedy; not to mention its sneakily provocative racial flip). William 'Will' Smith : Will Smith: Check this - "His royal freshness" - that's dope! 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). Excuse me. That Will Smiths character was actually supposed to brush off the whole thing, but Wills father actually had left him when he was younger and he just fell apart on the set and the hug at the end was from one actor to another, not one character to another. Wisely, his apology tends to stay out of the socioeconomic implications of drugs, and more into the personal point of view of "I am a member of this family who has hurt another member of this family." James Avery (Uncle Phil) is also visibly in tears. How come he dont want me, man? Will asks, lip quivering as he starts to break down and cry. Instead, he laser-focuses on cleaning the house, taking care of everything except himself, feeling genuinely, scarily haunted. Ain't like I'm still five years old, you know. Will Smith Improvised 'Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' Piano Scene - Insider Philip and Vivian Banks enter the living room to meet Will. Will's father is a deadbeat who left him and his mom flat. Those qualities are all self-weaponized, manifesting in self-destructive ways. : At least he said goodbye this time. Man, I'm glad you're here. Who needs him? He resorts to buying a gun himself, ostensibly for protection. 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. Guess what happens next. Youwillcry at the acapella song the family sings over the credits. William 'Will' Smith Carlton Banks Behind the scenes, the episode was also meant to showcase Smiths dramatic acting chops. : It was a formula that clearly worked, considering theres a good chance well be seeing more of the Tanners soon, but it was super-corny, especially when compared to another so-called kids show that was on the same time, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Lou Smith I'll be a better father than he ever was, and I sure as hell don't need him for that, 'cause ain't a damn thing he could ever teach me about how to love my kids! The 'Fresh Prince Of Bel Air' Father Episode Aired 25 Years - UPROXX Carlton refuses to see his father after this moment of vulnerability and mortality. Uncle Phil, however, is worried that Will's father will simply disappoint Will again and disappoint Will he does. His father was a question mark, or, as cousin Hillary puts it in the episode, a deadbeat who left him and his mom flat.. That year we won the first Grammy given to a rap artist.". I worked my ass off trying to keep him in line! Will tells Uncle Phil (James Avery) that he, straight up, has forgotten where he came from. flips the racial dynamics, bringing home a white husband (an atypically suave Diedrich Bader) to upset the extended Banks family. : 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." Recently, a rumor started to circulate that this scene wasn't scripted, and that Will Smith really lost it because his actual father was an absentee. The show begins with Will Smith at the door singing and knocking on the door. And I got pretty damn good at it too, didn't I, Uncle Phil? : We all knew we were having a great time. It's purely powerful stuff, the kind of moment that immediately casts the rest of the episode in a better glow. : [after Lou cancels his trip with Will and leaves] Hes a steady and positive figure in my life.. Discover short videos related to fresh prince of bel air father scene on TikTok. Why did it take so long? February 24, 2022 armstrong siddeley cars for sale armstrong siddeley cars for sale 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. During filming, the studio was completely silent a rarity for a comedy with a live audience. Find talent. How you doin'? Fresh Prince wasnt a show that had done serious moments. In honor ofThe Fresh Prince's 30th anniversary, here are the 10 best times the sitcom got serious throughout its run, in chronological order. William 'Will' Smith His character was contending with all the things hed never be and Vereen was deep in that moment. It's a simple trick, perhaps best-known in the final moments ofCheers. 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. Maybe a little longer. [to Will] Before this scene, Will Smith disappeared. 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. 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. The story behind the episode is almost as good as the episode itself. 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 much-acclaimed show recently completed its 30th anniversary. Will is thrilled at this news, ready to rekindle his paternal relationship without much skepticism apparent. The show retains an important place in pop culture. This wasnt the physical comedy at which Smith the rapper excelled. Instead, it shows slides of the end credits. I told my parents I wanted to rap. At least he said goodbye this time. When my father got out of the Air Force, he started his own refrigeration business. : Will has grown and learned immeasurably from his new circumstances and familial compassions, and these growths came so organically that he didn't even notice them happening. The man turns out to be Will's father, Lou Smith, whom Will hasn't seen in 14 years, since he abandoned the family. 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 . 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. Yeah, whatever. Uncle Phil, his characters influential father figure, is concerned and makes his disgust with Lou known. And, all of these qualities are challenged directly in "Blood Is Thicker Than Mud," a standout episode for Alfonso Ribeiro. Hey, why should I be mad? 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. In another interview with Reader's Digest, he explained that his father actually supported his dreams of pursuing a career in music. What millennial doesnt jump to finish the theme songs lyrics when prompted by Innnn West Philadelphia, born and raised? [3] Geoffrey Butler: Master William, tradition dictates that a clean, unbreakable line be drawn between a family and their butler. I just wasn't ready to be a father. William 'Will' Smith : He's my father. : Lou Smith He never even sent me a damn card! "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" Papa's Got a Brand New Excuse (TV - IMDb Fourteen years and acts like nothing has happened. : I'm Will's father Hilary Banks Did he actually accomplish anything during this time living with his upper-class relatives? Smith, playing a version of himself, lives with his extended family, and everyone lives, learns, laughs, loves, and grows with each other. I'm sorry. It was great seeing you, son. The three of them were like a range of Black manhood, Boulware said. Technical Specs, [after Lou cancels his trip with Will and leaves], [after discovering Will's father unexpectedly]. Will then, becoming a touch of a father figure himself, must set his cousin straight. Ashley asks her if she was nervous, and Hilary responds that she absolutely was, but she "was ready." It originally aired on May 9, 1994. [He] wouldnt give me a damn inch, said Smith in a 2018 interview with podcast Rap Radar. 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. He rages at his cousin about the futility of violence and revenge. Where There's a Will, There's a Way (Part 1), Where There's a Will, There's a Way (Part 2). Look no further than Atlantic Records' $125/Day Fort. William 'Will' Smith Recently, a rumor started to circulate that this scene wasn't scripted, and that Will Smith really lost it because his actual father was an absentee. 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. The hell with your father. Lou Smith The entire temperature of the room shifts. William 'Will' Smith 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. 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. 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. Will Smith recalls iconic "how come he don't want me" scene + Being pushed by James Avery Streaming Black 3.83K subscribers Subscribe 3.3M views 4 years ago Black Press Media Group, July 2018. James Avery was relentless on me to elevate. Classic Black sitcoms like Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Living Single are finally streaming. 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.". I started feeling trapped. : 2019 Ted Fund Donors Willard Carroll Smith II (born September 25, 1968), also known by his stage name The Fresh Prince, is an American actor and rapper.Known for variety of roles, Smith has received multiple accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award and four Grammy Awards. Will Smith, Alfonso Ribeiro, and Aunt Vivs Janet Hubert and Daphne Maxwell Reid return alongside the rest of the cast for HBO Max's unscripted 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion. The thing I connect to is: I do not have to build a perfect wall today. Hey, just cool it. Geoffrey Butler approaches the door and lets Will in. I was honored to be there at the launch.. In the episode, Wills father shows up unexpectedly after a 14-year absence. You are forced to invest your time, family, and even your wallet to make your dream come true. It was Avery, always the steady influence, that centered him, giving the rapper turned movie star memorable advice. The fatherhood episode was pivotal, Jensen added, because it marked Smiths arrival as a force to be reckoned with. Wake up, Will. It was written by David Zuckerman and Bill Boulware, and directed by Shelley Jensen. You saw the light bulb go off, he said. Will Smith on the series premiere of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." NBC. I learned how to drive, I learned how to shave, I learned how to fight without him. Thing is, hes not really acting here much of Wills speech was ad-libbed and based on his own traumatic childhood. The entire show was quiet, even during the funny parts, and I could not figure out why. The first one went extremely well while the second album, not so much. Erase Nothing: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air - The Dad Episode - Blogger But Viola is ready to boycott the wedding, and forbid her son from going, too. Oh, come on. Lauderdale music video casting call in Fort. 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. To hell with him! The Fresh Prince Project/Transcript | The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air | Fandom William 'Will' Smith By the time Phil and Viv show up to bail them out, and for Phil to deliver a typically fiery speech about what justice should look like in this country (delivered to a particularly weaselly-looking Hank Azaria), the damage is done. 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. The two later return to the Banks mansion, where Vivian is less than happy to see Lou, but maintains a civil presence around him for Will's sake. This is the same guy who didn't think enough of you to pick up the damn phone! 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. : ", The Real Story Behind the Most Heartbreaking Scene in 'The Fresh Prince of Bel Air'. William 'Will' Smith However, Smith revealed in his 2021 memoir Will that the relationship was occasionally turbulent due to his father's abuse of his mother. So is he a cop? Washington Post Retrospective on the episode. But Top Dog makes the opposite decision, deciding that WIll is more "authentically Black," calling Carlton a "sellout.". I wanted him to want me. MY FAV WILL SMITH EMOTIONAL DAD'S SCENE [HD]*R.I.P.JAMES - YouTube What is the Spanish language plot outline for Papa's Got a Brand New Excuse (1994)? Following Avery's words, Smith pulled off the most iconic and emotional scene in the show's history. He also played Richard Williams, father of tennis stars Venus and Serena Williams, in King Richard. Got through my first date without him, right? You might notice his hat coming off. As of 2023, his films have grossed over $9.3 billion globally, making him one of Hollywood's most bankable stars. Before he can do so, Will walks in, packed and ready to go. But Avery eventually calmed Smith down by telling him, Its already in there, you know what it is. Will Smith said he improvised his character's piano moment in the "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" pilot. 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. will smith fresh prince dad scene script - caketasviri.com Looking for Disney, Game of Thrones, or Marvel movie casting calls? Fresh Prince of Bel-Air's Saddest Part Was Will's Dad - CBR Lou Smith Wills father introduces himself as Lou Smith, which would mean that Violas (Wills mother) married name is smith. But that specific episode? This was the first time the show just went there and stayed there and let it resonate, Zuckerman said of the episodes lasting impact. During the episode, Will reunites with his father, Lou, who was absent from his life for 14 years. My father could kind of see doing something differently. However, Smith revealed in his 2021 memoir. Just for a couple of weeks. Hes a steady and positive figure in my life. Will Smith: Oh, my fault, man. It's a brilliantly played scene, rife with warmth and gentility even as they discuss tricky stuff. Ain't like I'ma be sitting up every night asking my mom, "When's Daddy coming home? Lou is, indeed, going to walk out of Will's life again, having scammed the Banks family for what he needs. 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. It's a shocking, plainspoken admission of society's privilege, one that gives the character tons of empathy and understanding. That year we won the first Grammy given to a rap artist. : : Lou Smith : [to Will] You see, the day you were born was the happiest day of my life. For more onThe Fresh Prince, here's the latest intel on the upcoming reboot. What's up? Here's What James Avery Secretly Whispered To Will Smith During 'Fresh I just have to lay a perfect brick. 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?" Relax. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was one of our favorite shows while growing up in the 90s. I understand. 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. Its fun to bash on Will Smiths career moves of late (After, ugh, Earth), but when he finds the right role, hes an excellent actor. We didnt realize it had affected that many people until years later., Did any of us know this show would become what it has become in the last 30 years? 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. 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. He's now his own person, living in his new life, that he himself built this whole time.