It's a special series to me, and to so many folks. 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. I didn't know there was so many brothers living in the neighborhood. At least he said goodbye this time. Published Mar 12, 2022. 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. "We agreed that I would take a year making music, and if it did not work out, I would go to college. Will's father is out of the picture; Uncle Phil is by all accounts the closest to a dad he has. I wanted him to want me. Zuckerman described Lou as "a guy that just wasn't cut out to be a father.". (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. Regrettably,The Fresh Prince of Bel-Airis full of fat-shaming jokes, particularly from Will toward Uncle Phil (and in one entire episode, they bring on royal guest starQueen Latifahjust to have her be a learning moment that overweight people have feelings too; Latifah and Smith sell the material, of course, but there's definitely a lack of depth in the exploration, which I guess means Mametwasright). 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. You understand. : : CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 23: Will Smith attends the 70th Anniversary during the 70th annual Cannes Film Festival on May 23, 2017 in Cannes, France. But there is one episode that stands head and shoulders above the rest. 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. For four years, I treated that boy like my own son. [after discovering Will's father unexpectedly] Is Viola's reaction mere prejudice, plainly spoken? Lou Smith His acting from that moment on improved dramatically. Actually, this works out better for me, you know. (Video: The Washington Post). However Vivian has previously stated that hers, violas, Helens and Janices maiden name is Smith. Both parties have lots to positively learn about each other. Yeah, yeah. Casting Calls and news is updated daily get the industry news here! 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. Whatever he needed, whether it was a pat on the head or a kick in the pants, I was there for him. 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. Let's refresh our memories: "Papa's Got A Brand New Excuse," the 24th episode of the fourth season, is arguably the saddest moment of the entire series. Adding, "You might notice his hat coming off. 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. Those qualities I assigned Carlton regarding the previous episode? Then, the waterworks. William 'Will' Smith: You know what? : 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. [shouts] 1.3k. Philip Banks Fearing for his safety his mother sent him out to Bel Air. : Its already in there, you know what it is. You know what, you ain't got to do nothing, Uncle Phil. 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. Hey, just cool it. She thought college was the only way. 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. Lou Smith : I just wasn't ready to be a father. : Make connections. Carlton is confidently, uniquely himself. As of 2023, his films have grossed over $9.3 billion globally, making him one of Hollywood's most bankable stars. 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." Look at me, use me. Whether youre a lifelong resident of D.C. or you just moved here, weve got you covered. [Uncle Phil rushes forward to hug Will, and Will breaks down sobbing]. Geoffrey Butler: I am not your Uncle Philip. 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). Posted by ; words for deep love in other languages; The slimmies of summer come to class wearing next to nothing, you know what I'm saying Philip Banks: Will, it's all right to be angry. To hell with him! Ashley asks her if she was nervous, and Hilary responds that she absolutely was, but she "was ready." The young actor would go on to deliver one of the biggest emotional punches in Fresh Prince history. It was selfish and cowardly, but that's what I did. : I believe it's because of the show's big, beating, sincere, courageous heart. But hes a better parental figure than his actual dad, who lets his son down again. Why did it take so long? During the episode, Will reunites with his father, Lou, who was absent from his life for 14 years. The latter is a secondary part (Whoopi . Uncle Phil helps his nephew find a new California apartment on his own, and he'll continue his collegiate studies in the state, too. Explore the latest videos from hashtags: #freshprienceofbelair, #freshprinceofbelairscene, #fresh_prince_of . The slimmies of summer come to class wearing next to nothing, you know what I'm saying Philip Banks And I'm a different man now. Actually, this works out better for me, you know. [Uncle Phil rushes forward to hug Will, and Will breaks down sobbing]. 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. He's now his own person, living in his new life, that he himself built this whole time. But Viola is ready to boycott the wedding, and forbid her son from going, too. (Via). : While Will and Lou bond at a carnival, Lou tells him that the real reason that he abandoned him was because he was scared of having a kid. Will Smith: Check this - "His royal freshness" - that's dope! 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. He might be leaving this Bel-Air home for good, but this is still the first half of his new life, his new identity. 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). (One year later, Rodney King's beating by police will spark a series of protests and clashes in Los Angeles.) : 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 first one went extremely well while the second album, not so much. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! 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. The thing I connect to is: I do not have to build a perfect wall today. But that specific episode? 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. [to Will] He was drawing from personal experience because his dad had left when he was a baby and when he became famous because of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air he turned up like nothing had happened. 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. Wills father introduces himself as Lou Smith, which would mean that Violas (Wills mother) married name is smith. William 'Will' Smith