One day there was a wall there again. But during filming of this episode, director Jensen likened the mood of the normally wild show to being in church.. 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. 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. 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. Some business came up I gotta handle. For four years, I treated that boy like my own son. Will Smith: Hey man, it's cool if you just call me Will, man. Zuckerman described Lou as "a guy that just wasn't cut out to be a father.". Olivia Singh. Philip: Yeah, then why did he say it? Wills father introduces himself as Lou Smith, which would mean that Violas (Wills mother) married name is smith. But it wasnt until the fourth season, with its characters deeply established, that the show decided to tackle the subject in depth. We were standing there thinking, There will never, ever, be a wall here again. You might notice his hat coming off. William 'Will' Smith 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. For more onThe Fresh Prince, here's the latest intel on the upcoming reboot. 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. He said, Now, dont you all ever tell me theres something you cant do. And he walked into the shop. What millennial doesnt jump to finish the theme songs lyrics when prompted by Innnn West Philadelphia, born and raised? Co-writer Bill Boulware based this episode on his own life experiences growing up with a single parent, noting he was always interested in shows about fathers due to his lack of one growing up. 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. After the following perfect take, which made it into the final episode, Avery whispered in Smith's ear during Will and Uncle Phil's hug, "That's fucking acting right there. Is Viola's reaction mere prejudice, plainly spoken? No, you know what, Uncle Phil? 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. Look at me, use me. Insists that if Carlton goes through with this plan, he's just as bad as the guy who put Will in the hospital. [3] Geoffrey Butler approaches the door and lets Will in. "How come he don't want me, man?" Directed by Shelley Jensen with a script from David Zuckerman and Bill Boulware, "Papa's Got a Brand New Excuse" is about Will's father, played by Ben Vereen,. : However, Philadelphia is a large city and Smith is a common name worldwide. Gregory Lawrence (aka Greg Smith) is a writer, director, performer, songwriter, and comedian. 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.". This film was the first movie he ever worked on, and this really helped him make the giant leap from being a TV actor to a film actor. But there is one episode that stands head and shoulders above the rest. Daddy-O! WatchMojo: Top 10 "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" Moments, NBC Studios - 3000 W. Alameda Avenue, Burbank, California, USA. Nov 11, 2021, 12:36 PM. : : Will Smith helped co-write the script for this scene. : 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.". Who needs him? You saw the light bulb go off, he said. You know what? 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. William 'Will' Smith: How come he don't want me, man? "He kept me in line. Ain't even nothing to talk about. How come he dont want me, man? Will asks, lip quivering as he starts to break down and cry. The episode title is a reference to the James Brown song. Okay? William 'Will' Smith He's an associate editor for Collider and has written for Shudder, CBS, Paste Magazine, Guff, Smosh, Obsev Studios, and more. I started feeling trapped. William 'Will' Smith We can talk about this another time. You too Lou. 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. 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 much-acclaimed show recently completed its 30th anniversary. : 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. I am Geoffrey, your uncle's butler. It was great seeing you, son. Phillip understands, and wishes Will the best. Here's the Tumblr version of events that we've come to believe as the truth: "That awful moment when you learn that this wasnt scripted. 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. 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 Smith: Oh, okay, well uh, cheerio and all that Walter now. You know the episode, and you definitely know THE scene. William 'Will' Smith Geoffrey Butler: Come with me, Master William. Every true Fresh Prince of Bel-Air fan knows the most emotional scene in the entire series. Lou Smith 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. All of the Banks are planning on leaving their palatial Bel-Air estate, which we've gotten to know and love over six seasons. Will Smith: Yo yo, G, G, G, let me rap to you for a second man. 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. Will did not like it at all. : He resorts to buying a gun himself, ostensibly for protection. He tries to make the exit without Will noticing, but Will does. So is he a cop? 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. The first one went extremely well while the second album, not so much. I'm Will's father Hilary Banks 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. In that final scene, when Lou disappoints Will for the final time, Vereen himself broke down off-camera. For more, www.smithlgreg.com, The Best Serious Moments in 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air', 'The Last of Us' Made Flashbacks Work, But Episode 7's Doesn't, The 10 Best 'South Park' Episodes of All Time, Ranked According to IMDb, 10 Best Villains from 'Batman: The Animated Series', Ranked. 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. The Fresh Princeis unbelievably silly, no doubt, with its oft-arch performances and willingness to surreally break the fourth wall ("How come we can't afford ceilings?" Revealing that he bought Lou a present a sculpture of a father holding his son he insists that he's made it through his entire life, and all of his formative moments, without his dad, and that he'll just keep going. But the audience sobbing that you can make out in the background? Ashleys first date with R&B princeling Tevin Campbell? That year we won the first Grammy given to a rap artist.". William 'Will' Smith Oh, come on. (Video: The Washington Post). And, all of these qualities are challenged directly in "Blood Is Thicker Than Mud," a standout episode for Alfonso Ribeiro. Ain't like I'm still five years old, you know. Uncle Phil, his characters influential father figure, is concerned and makes his disgust with Lou known. And I got pretty damn good at it too, didn't I, Uncle Phil? People were crying for a long time when it was over, doing their best not to make noise before the director said cut.". No, he said. They were all pretty the same: the dialogue would get cheesy (well, cheesier) and the music, sappy (sappier). (One year later, Rodney King's beating by police will spark a series of protests and clashes in Los Angeles.) Will Smith: Hey, Uncle Phil! When my father got out of the Air Force, he started his own refrigeration business. : She expresses her worries for Janice "as an African-American woman" for whom life has already stacked the deck against. As such, "Mistaken Identity" served (serves?) Lou Smith Behind the scenes, the episode was also meant to showcase Smiths dramatic acting chops. This relationship needs to be attended to, now. Young Ashley Banks (Tatyana Ali) is growing up. Then, the waterworks. ", The Real Story Behind the Most Heartbreaking Scene in 'The Fresh Prince of Bel Air'. Yeah, whatever. Damn, I didn't think a scene from "The Fresh Prince" would hit me that hard. It was also so unexpected. And then, Viola enters. That he has no idea what life on the streets is like. It's Carlton, Phil's son, whom we see suffer this trauma the most severely, even more so than Phil himself. Usually, the director would retake the scene, but really, nothing could replace this moment. How Many Of These 90s One Hit Wonders Can You Name. Will believes that Uncle Phil is jealous and tells him that hes not his real dad. This leaves Phil and Will alone, and leaves Will the opportunity to spill out all of his feelings about his absent father. 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. Im messing up the lines because I wanted it so bad, Smith said in the podcast interview. Smith: Oh, yeah, he was very serious about things being a certain way. 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 . The two awkwardly find themselves talking with Lou claiming he's a self-employed truck driver now, and that he recently spoke to Will's mother, who informed him that Will was now in Bel-Air with his Uncle Phil and Aunt Vivian, so he drove down to see his son. This erroneous claim first appeared in a Tumblr post in the early 2010s with no source given, nor has one emerged beyond the rumor simply being repeated verbatim uncited, including on IMDb. 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. : The duo was forced to pivot when 'Fresh Prince' came along. Will Smith: Check this - "His royal freshness" - that's dope! Look no further than Atlantic Records' $125/Day Fort. [to Will] Fourteen years and acts like nothing has happened. He might be leaving this Bel-Air home for good, but this is still the first half of his new life, his new identity. Vivian Banks He loves dancing, especially to Tom Jonesand theSugarhill Gang. 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. Whew, that was deep, Vereen said. So what's the real story behind the tear-jerking scene, you ask? Youwillcry at the acapella song the family sings over the credits. However, Smith revealed in his 2021 memoir. Release Dates How come he don't want me, man? The fatherhood episode was pivotal, Jensen added, because it marked Smiths arrival as a force to be reckoned with. : After all, given his upbringing, getting threatened by folks packing guns is an unfortunately common part of life. William 'Will' Smith: Got through my first date without him, right? So why did you? Firstly, Will Smith's father was very much present during his childhood. 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. The man turns out to be Will's father, Lou Smith, whom Will hasn't seen in 14 years, since he abandoned the family. It's a shocking, plainspoken admission of society's privilege, one that gives the character tons of empathy and understanding. Adding, "You might notice his hat coming off. And, it lets Will have a "not what he seems" moment, too; when Uncle Phil leaves the room after this chat, he notices Will playing Beethovenon the piano. | Or so the widely-spread legend goes. And Will, in one of the all-time tension diffusers, hypes up his cousin's speech with bravado. However, Smith revealed in his 2021 memoir Will that the relationship was occasionally turbulent due to his father's abuse of his mother. This episode, and especially this scene, tends to prove Mr. Mamet wrong. Will is at the Peacock when he sees a man staring at him. I'm sorry. This wasnt the physical comedy at which Smith the rapper excelled. 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. I just wasn't ready to be a father. Whether youre a lifelong resident of D.C. or you just moved here, weve got you covered. 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. 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. Becoming an actor, model, or performer is tough. Smith said that he was originally supposed to sit at the bench and reflect on his uncle's words. Will reminds us), and Carlton's pristine visions of fairness and equality (not to mention his wealth and status) are shattered in the face of abject racism. [Uncle Phil rushes forward to hug Will, and Will breaks down sobbing]. Hes a steady and positive figure in my life.. 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. Will runs up to him to give him a big hug. They said, Rap? My mother graduated from Carnegie Mellon. The entire show was quiet, even during the funny parts, and I could not figure out why, a Reddit user wrote. 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. [takes out a small statue of a father sitting with his son on his lap]. I might have been 12 and my brother 9 when one day he decided he wanted a new front wall at his shop. The Banks, especially Uncle Phil, see through Lou's. The thing I connect to is: I do not have to build a perfect wall today. Will forgives him and is prepared to give him another chance. See production, box office & company info, [after Lou cancels his trip with Will and leaves]. I ain't need him then and I don't need him now. Director Shelley Jensen describes this episode as a turning point in Smith's performance, noting his acting improved dramatically after it. Actually, this works out better for me, you know. (Via), Smith: My father was in the military, so everything was really regimented.. His father, who had left him years before, claims he is finally ready to become a part of Will's life, again. It's a stunning piece of performance that lays the groundwork for the series' deft juggling of silliness and sincerity perfectly. What is the Spanish language plot outline for Papa's Got a Brand New Excuse (1994)? The hell with your father. But Viola is ready to boycott the wedding, and forbid her son from going, too. 'Bad Boys For Life', which filmed in Atlanta, Georgia. 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". 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. As of 2023, his films have grossed over $9.3 billion globally, making him one of Hollywood's most bankable stars. It originally aired on May 9, 1994. He just had that acting power that I wanted to have.. Usually, the director would retake the scene, but really, nothing could replace this moment. William 'Will' Smith We went brick by brick for the entire summer and into winter and then back into spring. Look at me. Before this scene, Will Smith disappeared. You know what, Aunt Viv? Use me. Geoffrey Butler approaches the door and lets Will in. 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. 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. "Before this scene, Will Smith disappeared. It's a simple trick, perhaps best-known in the final moments ofCheers. Make connections. 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. 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. When Will was five years old, he was abandoned by his father, Lou, leaving his mother, Viola, to raise him in poverty. He uses his emotions like an instrument, starting as strong as he can, until it can't help but fracture and fall. Will is originally from West-Philadelphia but was forced to move soon after participating in a fight with a couple of thugs. Geoffrey Butler: If you will follow me, I will show you to your room, Master William. : I was actually at the taping. 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. Discover short videos related to fresh prince of bel air father scene on TikTok. Lou Smith : My father could kind of see doing something differently. And insists that Carlton leaves the gun behind immediately. R.I.P.James Avery "Uncle Phil" 1948-2014 --ONE OF MY FAV SCENES--THROW BACK! This pages comprises the full verbal transcript of the first episode of Season 1 - The Fresh Prince Project. 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 . Ain't like I'm still five years old, you know. The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air is a FANDOM TV Community. I wanted him to want me. And Uncle Phil, in the first of Avery's many perfect performances, sets him straight. 5 Jun. 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. Well, I hate to break it to you, but that's just not true. 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. William 'Will' Smith In the episode, Wills father shows up unexpectedly after a 14-year absence. William 'Will' Smith Why did it take so long? Well, I hate to break it to you, but that's just not true. 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. It was not one of our best moments, said Zuckerman. | : 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. Will never, ever, forget. Will then begins to cry and asks Phillip why his father doesn't want him. Before this scene, Will Smith disappeared. Who needs him? We agreed that I would take a year making music, and if it did not work out, I would go to college. 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. William 'Will' Smith William 'Will' Smith : He's my father. ", "He kept me in line. 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. 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! Instead, he laser-focuses on cleaning the house, taking care of everything except himself, feeling genuinely, scarily haunted. Will Smith: What are you, Robo-Butler, man? Fresh Prince wasnt a show that had done serious moments. Hilary and Ashley are heading to New York, Carlton is heading to Princeton, and Phil and Viv (and Nicky; remember Nicky?) Now, let's get to the bottom of this rumor. | : The Fresh Prince of Bel-Airwas, and continues to be, a breath of fresh air. Actually, this works out better for me, you know. The two were locked in that epic embrace when Avery doled out even more encouragement. To hell with him! 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. : The true story behind one of the saddest scenes in 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' History has finally been revealed. It's a special series to me, and to so many folks. | However Vivian has previously stated that hers, violas, Helens and Janices maiden name is Smith. Some of the episodes even made us cry. Will's father is a deadbeat who left him and his mom flat. 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. Did he actually accomplish anything during this time living with his upper-class relatives? He never even sent me a damn card! : William 'Will' Smith : Ted's Bio; Fact Sheet; Hoja Informativa Del Ted Fund; Ted Fund Board 2021-22; 2021 Ted Fund Donors; Ted Fund Donors Over the Years. : I rarely cried for a sitcom, but this is it. Uncle Phil, that is not cool, the way you dissing my father like that. Yeah, yeah. Philip Banks 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.