It was almost like time stood still.. 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. Here's the Tumblr version of events that we've come to believe as the truth:
The True Story Behind The Saddest 'Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air' Scene - UPROXX 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. Will Smith helped co-write the script for this scene. The man turns out to be Will's father, Lou Smith, whom Will hasn't seen in 14 years, since he abandoned the family. I just wish I hadn't wasted my money buying this stupid present. Lou and Phillip get into a heated argument about Lou's responsibilities as a father with Lou again claiming he was scared to be a father, which Phillip rejects, claiming he too was scared to be a father, but unlike Lou, he didn't run out on his family, but rather remained present for his children's lives, as a good and responsible man is supposed to do. [long pause as Will struggles to regain his composure]. Tells him he grew up on the streets of Baltimore. Will William 'Will' Smith Hey, just cool it. Lou Smith : I just wasn't ready to be a father. It originally aired on May 9, 1994. 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 two were locked in that epic embrace when Avery doled out even more encouragement. Vivian Banks | Will Smith: Hey, Uncle Phil! Philip Banks Will knows the truth, however that these cops will take any chance they can get to subjugate two young Black men, especially given that they're driving a "stolen car." You understand. 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. Whatever. You know, if there was something that l William 'Will' Smith (Andrea Raffin / Shutterstock.com), Game Brain Starring Will Smith Open Casting Call, Watch DWTS Alfonso Ribiero Get Jiggy Wit It to Will Smiths Hit Song, Will Smith Quits the Movie Brilliance Weeks Before Production. ', Atlantic Records is Now Hiring Content Creators, Extras Richmond Casting Call for 1770s Types, $4,000 Casting Call for Women with Migraines, SCAD Documentary Casting Call for Church Types, "She Buries Me" Open Casting Call in Philadelphia, $125/Day Fort Lauderdale Music Video Casting Call, Paramount+ Series Casting Call for 2-Year Old Actors, "His Story: The Musical" Open Casting Call, $350/Day Docu-Style Project Casting Call for Blonde Actors, $1,500 Commercial Casting Call for Skiers in Colorado. Speaking of "Will's father is out of the picture". Smith rarely resorts to out-and-out anger in his Fresh Prince performances, but we see it here, and it is warranted. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was one of our favorite shows while growing up in the 90s. Where does that leave Will? While working at the Los Angeles University student restaurant, Will recognizes a customer - his father - whom he has not seen for 14 years. 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. Philip Banks 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. And Uncle Phil, in the first of Avery's many perfect performances, sets him straight. 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? [long pause as Will struggles to regain his composure]. ", "He kept me in line. Let's come up with something better that you can call me. I've been waiting for this for a long time, my whole life and ain't nobody gonna stop me.
Will Smith's on screen evolution, from 'Fresh Prince' to 'King Richard Philip Banks 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. William 'Will' Smith Geoffrey Butler: Come with me, Master William. : 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. James Avery was relentlessly on me to elevate. :
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. Why did it take so long? Transcript The show begins with Will Smith at the door singing and knocking on the door. William 'Will' Smith: You know what? He reflected that there was an element of his character fully coming to terms with how much he had failed Will after being referred to by his name rather than as "Dad". I was actually at the taping. Papa's Got A Brand New Excuse is the 24th episode of Season 4. :
You are forced to invest your time, family, and even your wallet to make your dream come true. Actually, this works out better for me, you know. All this "Master William" stuff, I'm not down with that, make it sound like we back on the plantation or something, we like "Massa William, Massa William!" You know what, you ain't got to do nothing, Uncle Phil. But smack-dab in the middle of this episode lies a beautiful one-on-one conversation, one of the best ever produced duringFresh Prince's run. 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.". ", you know. Hes a steady and positive figure in my life.. Will then launches into an emotional rant about how he learned to do things growing up without Lou and how he will continue to live his life and be successful without Lou, including being a better father than Lou was, and Lou especially can't teach him anything about how to be a father. The story behind Will Smiths iconic hug scene in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Roger Goodell, Muriel Bowser discussed future of RFK site in December call, Kyle Kuzma, Wizards start fast and dont look back in win over Raptors, Corey Dickerson aims to lead and have a bounce-back year with Nats. Make connections. 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. 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. Firstly, Will Smith's father was very much present during his childhood. Olivia Singh. Fresh Prince wasnt a show that had done serious moments. Dont act around me, act with me. The advice worked. William 'Will' Smith Smith has given all the credit to Avery for helping him get through that moment. James Avery was relentless on me to elevate. Phillip understands, and wishes Will the best. Will Smith: Yo yo, G, G, G, let me rap to you for a second man. 5 Jun. But Viola is ready to boycott the wedding, and forbid her son from going, too. : William 'Will' Smith will smith fresh prince dad scene scriptanson county warrant list. As such, "Mistaken Identity" served (serves?) The show retains an important place in pop culture. 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. He eradicates the box of one proper Black identity not with force, but with precision. William 'Will' Smith The altercation purportedly began when the then neophyte actor felt a scene wasn't working on his sitcom, "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" and unilaterally made some changes to the script . The theme, extended in this pilot, summarizes the "pauper to prince" narrative of Will's initial journey with catchy, goofy flavor, but it doesn't stop the inherent complexities of this initial narrative's center from being any less pertinent. Geoffrey Butler: I am not your Uncle Philip. We're doing alright, huh? It's purely powerful stuff, the kind of moment that immediately casts the rest of the episode in a better glow. So there you have it everyone! It's a shocking, plainspoken admission of society's privilege, one that gives the character tons of empathy and understanding. :
Will Smith | The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air | Fandom : A powerful, teachable, simple lesson. Will runs up to him to give him a big hug. And I got pretty damn good at it too, didn't I, Uncle Phil? She thought college was the only way. He loves dancing, especially to Tom Jonesand theSugarhill Gang. William 'Will' Smith: [shouts] To hell with him! | The latter is a secondary part (Whoopi .
Will Smith Improvised 'Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' Piano Scene - Insider Will then, becoming a touch of a father figure himself, must set his cousin straight. Will believes that Uncle Phil is jealous and tells him that hes not his real dad. But there is one episode that stands head and shoulders above the rest. However Vivian has previously stated that hers, violas, Helens and Janices maiden name is Smith. Philip Banks: [after Lou cancels his trip with Will and leaves] I'm sorry, Will. Young Ashley Banks (Tatyana Ali) is growing up. William 'Will' Smith You know, if there was something that l William 'Will' Smith: You know what, you ain't got to do nothing, Uncle Phil. Philip Banks 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." [He] wouldnt give me a damn inch, said Smith in a 2018 interview with podcast Rap Radar. Frank Schaeffer Jr. (cousin) Reuben (great-uncle) Eleanor (great-aunt) William "Will" Smith (portrayed by Willard "Will" Smith) is a fictionalized version of Smith and main character in the 1990-1996 NBC television sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and the 2022 Peacock streaming television drama Bel-Air, portrayed in the latter series by . Instead, he laser-focuses on cleaning the house, taking care of everything except himself, feeling genuinely, scarily haunted. Prior to 'Fresh Prince' both Will Smith and Jazzy Jeff were set on releasing albums. It's a special series to me, and to so many folks. When Will calls him Lou, oh my God, his whole frame just shrunk because he realized at that point that hed lost his son. Will Smith: Check this - "His royal freshness" - that's dope! "I did not make the rules, but I do know how to play the game. [3] Before this scene, Will Smith disappeared. The young actor would go on to deliver one of the biggest emotional punches in Fresh Prince history.
Will forgives him and is prepared to give him another chance. Zuckerman firmly squashed the rumor in a 2020 article, stating the entire episode and that scene in particular were tightly scripted, citing Smith's acting ability as a testament to it seeming spontaneous. I'm sorry, Will. Got through my first date without him, right? Or remember that time Aunt Viv just really wanted to dance? Lou exclaims that Phillip is a better man than himself, thinking that's what Phillip wants to hear, and asks him to break the news to Will, but Phillip refuses to do Lou's "dirty work", and Lou opts to duck out and call from the road. Dont act around me, act with me, Smith recalled Avery saying. Lauderdale, Florida.
The Truth Behind 'Fresh Prince's' Most Emotional Scene - TheThings Carlton Banks 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. 1.3k. I wanted him to want me. Watch popular content from the following creators: Tvseries Clips(@i_cole_world_i), Call_Me_Ville(@callme_ville), LeashRN-BSN(@leash_rn), EpicClips101(@epicclips101official), ciaran w(@rap_editszzz) . The actor was so convincing in his delivery that the entire audience started crying. Ain't even nothing to talk about. Wills father introduces himself as Lou Smith, which would mean that Violas (Wills mother) married name is smith. This pages comprises the full verbal transcript of the first episode of Season 1 - The Fresh Prince Project. Will Smith: Hey, Uncle Phil! It came in the series' fourth season and 24 th episode called "Papa's Got A Brand New Excuse", and it's an amazing example of Will Smith 's acting ability. He uses his emotions like an instrument, starting as strong as he can, until it can't help but fracture and fall. : The hell with your father. At least he said goodbye this time. Excuse me. 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. I understand. When they express how this is going to crush Will, Lou asks Phillip and Vivian to break the news to Will. Posted by ; words for deep love in other languages; At first Will seems okay with Lou abandoning him, as at least he said goodbye, but Will now wishes he hadn't spent money on a present for Lou.
But Avery eventually calmed Smith down by telling him, Its already in there, you know what it is. William 'Will' Smith I started feeling trapped. In the episode, Wills father shows up unexpectedly after a 14-year absence. I ain't need him then and I don't need him now. And Will sets himstraight. 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. (Via). In another interview with Reader's Digest, he explained that his father actually supported his dreams of pursuing a career in music. And it turns out, the reconciliation between father and son was all too good to be true. Several years after Fresh Prince ended, Will got a chance to really flex his own fatherly skills on the big screen when he starred in The Pursuit of Happyness and After Earth with his son Jaden. The two are prepared to take a cross-country trip around the country for the remainder of the summer, but Philip sees that this reunion and trip is in Lou's favor rather than Will's. Where There's a Will, There's a Way (Part 1), Where There's a Will, There's a Way (Part 2). By Season 4 of The Fresh Prince, Will and Carlton have graduated from high school and are now beginning their college studies. William 'Will' Smith: Got through my first date without him, right? 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.
11 Best New Shows on Netflix: March 2023's Top Upcoming Series to Watch ", 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. The idea was to have Wills father come back and leave again, disappointing his only son for a second time. Casting Calls and news is updated daily get the industry news here! : 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. And to do so, he has to leave the building one final time.
Will Smith - Wikipedia Why Will Smith Memorized Every Early 'Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' Script In fact, the issue with this point of view comes with calling his time a transition in the first place. Philip: Yeah, then why did he say it? Just cool down. His father, who had left him years before, claims he is finally ready to become a part of Will's life, again. That year we won the first Grammy given to a rap artist.". William 'Will' 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! Lou is, indeed, going to walk out of Will's life again, having scammed the Banks family for what he needs. I rarely cried for a sitcom, but this is it. William 'Will' Smith Release Dates Ain't like I'ma be sitting up every night asking my mom, "When's Daddy coming home? William 'Will' Smith Geoffrey Butler: If you will follow me, I will show you to your room, Master William. You know what, Aunt Viv?
Discover fresh prince of bel air father scene 's popular videos | TikTok Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to be part of an upcoming music vid "Dad was tough but not tyrannical," Smith told Essence. [shouts] 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. But it means, more than ever, we can't lose faith in people. Where There's a Will, There's a Way (Part 1), Where There's a Will, There's a Way (Part 2). This pages comprises the full verbal transcript of the first episode of Season 1 - The Fresh Prince Project . 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. (HBO Max) Will recalled the episode where his character's father resurfaces after 14 years. He's now his own person, living in his new life, that he himself built this whole time. 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. 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. 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." So why did you? For four years, I treated that boy like my own son. Maybe a little longer. You probably remember the goofy dancing scenes and guest appearances from DJ Jazzy Jeff, but every so often, The Fresh Prince would attempt something legitimately poignant. The first one went extremely well while the second album, not so much. I learned how to drive, I learned how to shave, I learned how to fight without him. He loves pizza and the Mortal Kombat movie. Before this scene, Will Smith disappeared. Washington Post Retrospective on the episode. 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. Sheridan Smith beamed as she left the Duke of York's Theatre in London on Thursday after her West End show, Shirley Valentine. Thus, the hunt for a fraternity is on, and the two decide to attend a rush event for a Black frat on campus, run by Top Dog (Glenn Plummer). That he heard Malcolm X, whom Will had deified earlier in the episode, speak in person. Wake up, Will. Technical Specs, [after Lou cancels his trip with Will and leaves], [after discovering Will's father unexpectedly]. They were all pretty the same: the dialogue would get cheesy (well, cheesier) and the music, sappy (sappier). Ashley asks her if she was nervous, and Hilary responds that she absolutely was, but she "was ready."
Will Smith recalls iconic "how come he don't want me" scene + Being Will Smith: Oh, okay, well uh, cheerio and all that Walter now. (Video: The Washington Post). : Uncle Phil helps his nephew find a new California apartment on his own, and he'll continue his collegiate studies in the state, too. It was not one of our best moments, said Zuckerman. However, Smith revealed in his 2021 memoir Will that the relationship was occasionally turbulent due to his father's abuse of his mother. This is the same guy who didn't think enough of you to pick up the damn phone! And finally, just like any great play, she tells her sister Janice what's really going on. 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.". They plan a cross-country trip together, but Uncle Phil (James Avery) warns Will that he shouldnt get his hopes up; this is the man who abandoned him, after all. What's up? Hey, he wasn't there to teach me how to shoot my first basket, but I learned, didn't I? Becoming an actor, model, or performer is tough. "We agreed that I would take a year making music, and if it did not work out, I would go to college.
20 Little Facts About Will Smith From His Fresh Prince Days - TheTalko