Current Events > I finally finished Fresh Prince (Spoilers)

(+) Yeah! (+)

Overall, it was a really fun show.

I started back in February and it's taken me half a year to get through all six seasons.

1. Favorite episode for drama: Papa's Got a Brand New Excuse (Will's father briefly reenters his life)
2. Favorite episode for fun: Banks Shot (Will gets hustled while playing pool)
3. Least favorite episode: Save the Last Trance for Me (Will gets hypnotized into thinking he's four years old)
4. Favorite Guest Stars: Isaac Hayes and Evander Holyfield for being so unexpected
5. Least Favorite Guest Star: Donald Trump for being Donald Trump

My ranking:
Season 2 > Season 1 > Season 3 > the fake Aunt Viv seasons

From what I've read, the original Vivian actress was crazy behind the scenes. That's a shame.

I don't begrudge the actors getting more work, but Season 6 was pointless. If Will Smith and Nia Long had gotten married in the final episode of Season 5, that would have been an ideal wrap for the series. I'm watching that scene and I'm thinking to myself,

"They've cleared all hurdles. They've won over their parents. Will's come to terms with commitment. They're overcome their nervousness. But I know for a fact Will dates a Latina boxer in the last season. What's going to happen?"
As if summoned, the status quo gods arrived with an ill-timed breakup. But wait! Will's mother, who we'll only see once more, is marrying Nia's father who we'll never see again. That's something. Right, right?

With the benefit of hindsight, their approach to politics was the strangest part of the show. They don't dislike Ronald Reagan because of his policies, his contras, etc. They don't want him around because Nancy and Vivian don't get along. That kind of passive-aggressive attitude toward politics is consistent throughout the series and I'd like to say more in another post.

Also, it has to be said, I'm disappointed that he never smelled the cabbie again. Omar, the dude that be spinnin' Will over his head in the open credits, made a return. But they outright told us that Will would smell the cabbie again and it never happened. Maybe that guy was in the reunion? I love that cabbie and his hammy overacting. Yeah, BIG THUMBS UP.

The cabbie was Quincy Jones IIRC

Didn't Lisa disappear in S6?

Now time to watch the reunion special. Will Smith and the oriignal Aunt Viv hash out some of their issues on it

"Fun" is how I'd describe it too. I have no idea how critics rated it but it was always fun to watch.

Congrats!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVWon7vfiwE

Skip to 1:15.

brestugo posted...

"Fun" is how I'd describe it too. I have no idea how critics rated it but it was always fun to watch.

At the time it was considered a fun family show... critics were sort of neutral on it. I don't remember it getting a lot of hate or high praise. I may be wrong or mis-remembering.

Torgo posted...

At the time it was considered a fun family show... critics were sort of neutral on it. I don't remember it getting a lot of hate or high praise. I may be wrong or mis-remembering.

From what i remember back in the day it was well received but not as big as other ones like full house, family matters, or the Cosby show.

ArtiRock posted...

From what i remember back in the day it was well received but not as big as other ones like full house, family matters, or the Cosby show.

Oh yeah, those were the "big shows".

Ashley got real pretty as an adult

AlCalavicci posted...

The cabbie was Quincy Jones IIRC

Thanks. I didn't know it was Quincy Jones himself. had a feeling the cabbie was someone. He was mugging to the camera too much to be some random extra.

ArtiRock posted...

From what i remember back in the day it was well received but not as big as other ones like full house, family matters, or the Cosby show.

I was super surprised when Jaleel White showed up on final season episode as Ashley's ex-boyfriend. He did the Urkel voice for one line at the very beginning as if to say, "Yes, it's me," then he spoke and acted normal the rest of the episode without any of the nerd schtick.

I watched a random episode last night, the one where they go on the game show and Will and Jazz "fight" in the booth.

bigtiggie23 posted...

I watched a random episode last night, the one where they go on the game show and Will and Jazz "fight" in the booth.

If I remember correctly, that was the last episode with Will's other best friend. I can't even remember his name. They were feuding over who Will's best friend was. I guess Jazz must've won.

The one with will shatner was a hoot

Every time I even see the name of that show, I immediately hear: Geoffrey, break out Lucille.

FortuneCookie posted...

If I remember correctly, that was the last episode with Will's other best friend. I can't even remember his name. They were feuding over who Will's best friend was. I guess Jazz must've won.

His name was Tyriq.

PraetorXyn posted...

Every time I even see the name of that show, I immediately hear: Geoffrey, break out Lucille.

How is that not a meme? That was such a great line!

bigtiggie23 posted...

His name was Tyriq.

Thanks.

FortuneCookie posted...

3. Least favorite episode: Save the Last Trance for Me (Will gets hypnotized into thinking he's four years old)

how do I have no memory of this??

SMAP- posted...

how do I have no memory of this??

I dont remember it either. It may have been one of those episodes they refused to air on TV during its original run, but was included in later releases?

PraetorXyn posted...

I dont remember it either. It may have been one of those episodes they refused to air on TV during its original run, but was included in later releases?

Nah, the episode was on TV during its original run. Will and Carlton go to a magic show and Uncle Phil's got an important dinner which I forget why it was important. Every time Will hears a bell he turns into a kid again and Carlton is doing his best so Will doesn't ruin the dinner while looking for a bell.

FortuneCookie posted...

Thanks. I didn't know it was Quincy Jones himself. had a feeling the cabbie was someone. He was mugging to the camera too much to be some random extra.

I was super surprised when Jaleel White showed up on final season episode as Ashley's ex-boyfriend. He did the Urkel voice for one line at the very beginning as if to say, "Yes, it's me," then he spoke and acted normal the rest of the episode without any of the nerd schtick.

I've seen him in some Disney Channel shows recently. It's funny to see him acting like a normal person.

Holy_Cloud105 posted...

Nah, the episode was on TV during its original run. Will and Carlton go to a show which leads to Will being hypnotized. Uncle Phil's got an important dinner which I forget why it was important. Every time Will hears a bell he turns into a kid again and Carlton is doing his best so Will doesn't ruin the dinner while looking for a bell to change him back.

Ah. I was like 5, so maybe I just missed it.

John Witterspoon as a drunk pilot was funny as fuck

Shortly before I started the series, someone made a topic stating it was odd that Carlton never dated a White woman. Going into the series with that in mind, I noticed the series was in full "Don't offend the White folks" mode when it came to dating.

Anytime Will flirted with a White woman, he came on too strong and chased her away a la Pepe Le Pew. He only dated Black women until the final season in which he dated a Latina who was a boxing instructor. Carlton only dated or flirted with Black women. In the episode where Ashley stuffs her bra, she flirts with a White student before flirting with three Black students. She had a crush on Ruffio from Hook in one episode, but he turned out to be a total dork in her eyes. Other than that, she only dated Black men. Hilary only ever flirted with or dated Black men.

The only Black/White couple in the series was when one of Will's aunts married a guy who was... tall.

"why don't he want me man?"

The fake Aunt Viv was such a bad recasting. They didn't even try to find someone who looked similar in the slightest.

Spiderman23J posted...

The fake Aunt Viv was such a bad recasting. They didn't even try to find someone who looked similar in the slightest.

It was like replacing Elvis Presley with an Elvis impersonator.

FortuneCookie posted...

Thanks. I didn't know it was Quincy Jones himself. had a feeling the cabbie was someone. He was mugging to the camera too much to be some random extra.

I was super surprised when Jaleel White showed up on final season episode as Ashley's ex-boyfriend. He did the Urkel voice for one line at the very beginning as if to say, "Yes, it's me," then he spoke and acted normal the rest of the episode without any of the nerd schtick.

Fun fact, Jaleel White was my neighbor until the show took off.

Spiderman23J posted...

The fake Aunt Viv was such a bad recasting. They didn't even try to find someone who looked similar in the slightest.

The one they recast was the one they actually wanted to do it in the first place. She turned the role down because she thought working with a rapper might negatively impact her career. Of course she fell in love with the show like most everyone else and regretted that decision, so she jumped at the chance when they asked a second time.