The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990–1996)

The Banks family, a respectable Californian family, take in a relative - Will Smith, a street-smart teenager from Philadelphia. The idea is to make him respectable, responsible and mature, but Will has got other plans...

Creators:

Andy Borowitz, Susan Stevenson

Stars:

Will Smith, Alfonso Ribeiro, James Avery

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 13 wins & 21 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Will Smith	...	William 'Will' Smith (148 episodes, 1990-1996)
Alfonso Ribeiro	...	Carlton Banks (146 episodes, 1990-1996)
James Avery	...	Philip Banks (145 episodes, 1990-1996)
Karyn Parsons	...	Hilary Banks (139 episodes, 1990-1996)
Tatyana Ali	...	Ashley Banks (139 episodes, 1990-1996)
Joseph Marcell	...	Geoffrey Butler (133 episodes, 1990-1996)
Janet Hubert	...	Vivian Banks (72 episodes, 1990-1993)
Daphne Reid	...	Vivian Banks (61 episodes, 1993-1996)

Storyline

When Will, an inner-city teenager from Philly is sent by his mother to live with his relatives (the Banks') in Bel-Air, everybody is in for a surprise. It is funny how influence can go both ways...

---

Plot Keywords:

teenager | teenage girl | crested blazer | sitcom | cap worn sideways | 

---

Genres:

Comedy | Family

---

Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

10 September 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

El príncipe del rap

Filming Locations:

251 N. Bristol Ave., Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

NBC Productions, Quincy Jones Entertainment, Quincy Jones-David Salzman Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

24 min 24 min (148 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

The part of Aunt Vivian Banks was portrayed by two different actresses during the series run. 'Janet Hubert-Whitten' portrayed the original Vivian during seasons 1-3, but growing problems between Will Smith, the producers, and Hubert-Whitten caused her to depart in 1994. The producers offered Hubert-Whitten a 12/25 contract for season four, but she declined. Daphne Maxwell Reid replaced her in the role from 1994-1996, seasons 4-6.

---

Goofs

In the beginning of the episode where Aunt Viv and Uncle Phil go to Palm Springs for the weekend and Will can't go, he is wearing an inner tube that is under the left arm. In the next shot it is under the right and keeps moving back and forth.

---

Quotes

Will: Carlton, I misjudged you. You're a lot cooler than I thought. Hey, you wanna go to the club with us tonight?
Carlton: I don't have a date.
Will: Carlton, never bring a sandwich to a buffet.

---

Crazy Credits

Bloopers are often shown during the closing credits.

---

Connections

Referenced in American Dad!: Best Little Horror House in Langley Falls (2010)

User Reviews

My all-time favourite TV series

Of all the shows, I believe that "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" is the one with which I can most identify with, since I have surely seen every single episode at least a dozen times - and yet it STILL never gets tired! I cannot get sick of this show, and it's making me a bit disturbed! Just what is it that makes this show so continually appealing, even around seven years since its final episode? I'm not sure...it's certainly not just one element. Every part of this show is magic: the wonderful acting from all involved; the witty (and often painfully hysterical) one-liners and banter between characters; the hip, cool atmosphere; the music...it all perfectly fits into what has to be one of the most remarkable and well-made sitcoms of the '90s.

I find myself shocked sometimes at the number of people who have totally forgotten about this show. Granted, it DID end in 1996, and obviously a lot has happened since then (most notably the skyrocketing music & film career of a certain lead star), but I mean, come on! This show is an undisputed classic! Who can forget the wild, crazy, and just plain amusing adventures we've had with Will Smith and the Banks family?

There were times when I was just addicted to this show, I remember...it was a while back when the episodes were running in syndication every evening on TBS SuperStation...I can't believe how this show can always manage to crack me up. It's incredible. I've grown to love all these characters so much, and even now, I still wouldn't pass up an opportunity to watch yet another priceless rerun.

I agree, though, that yes, a lot of the late, LATE episodes (around the second-last and final season) had their fair share of groans, and showed some glaring signs of tedium, but thankfully, the overwhelming positive qualities of the series tower over such minor flaws - including the mysterious re-casting of Aunt Vivian's role from Janet Hubert-Whitten to Daphne Maxwell Reid; the increasingly old-hat shtick of using the same stock footage whenever Jazz gets thrown out of the Banks residence for the umpteenth time; the cursed addition of a new cast member - little Nicky Banks (Ross Bagley), etc....

It's not an entirely perfect show, certainly (but then - what show is?), and it has had its fair share of ups and downs in its moderately impressive run of six years. However, when all is said and done, in the end, this show can proudly stand on its own as a pop culture treasure. It has evolved from what seemed initially to be an awkward, cheesy, quaint little '80s/'90s Cosby rip-off to a mature, slick, and fabulously written/produced/directed program. Pure gold is what this show is.

A truly underrated, and always entertaining, gem. "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" is one for the ages.