Although it’s been more than 15 years since The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air first premiered, it still remains relevant. It’s one of the funniest, most quoteable shows out there. Will hitting on any girl was the highlight of every episode and the amount of times we busted a gut laughing at the jokes made at Uncle Phil’s expense made Fresh Prince a show to watch over and over again, because the episodes never got old. But then there were a few moments where it wasn’t just a happy-go-lucky show, and the viewers learned some life lessons along the way. Below are the top 12 times Fresh Prince got really real.
1. When Will’s deadbeat dad returned after 14 years
Yep, we went there. That scene. Hands down the most emotional episode of Fresh Prince was “Papa’s Got A Brand New Excuse”. In the episode, Will’s dad comes back into the picture for a heart-wrenching thirty minutes and it ends with Will yelling at Uncle Phil, until before you know it, they’re hugging and crying and we’re hugging and crying our TVs.
2. When Jazz told it like it was
In the wake of the recent shootings of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown and every other nation-wide racial gun-related case, this scene hits home in a new way.
3. That time Aunt Viv educated will
Will’s character in Fresh Prince showed his love for Malcolm X and his movement a lot throughout the series. But no one forgets that one time Aunt Viv explained to Will that you can hang as many posters as you want, but until you’re educated about something, you can never truly say you’re behind it. Well done, Aunt Viv. *insert clapping emoji*
4. When they addressed interracial couples
When everyone noticed Frank was…. “tall” (A.K.A. white) the show addressed how interracial couples were more surprising and (mostly) unaccepted in the 90’s.
5. When Uncle Phil explained his real job
Will not having a father is a reoccurring theme of the show. Everyone took a moment of silence after Uncle Phil said: “I’m your father. It is my job to protect you. It’s a job I refuse to quit, and at which I can’t afford to fail. You are my son, Will. End of story.” *sobs*
6. When Carlton figured out an important life lesson
Oh, Carlton! We’ll be your (real) friend!
7. That gun episode
When Will gets shot because of Carlton, no one could keep the tears in when Will demanded Carlton hand over the gun because this “just isn’t him. It’s them.”
8. When Carlton got accused of being a “sell out” and stood his ground
The short jokes on this show never disappointed, but Carlton stood tall that day he told off someone who told him he was a “sell out” because he was a privileged black man.
9. When Uncle Phil taught us how to be better people (multiple times)
Preach on, Uncle Phil!
10. That time Geoffrey had a son
Who doesn’t love the cynical butler? But everyone felt for Geoffrey when his son came into town just to con him out of his hard earned money, making fun of his butler career in the process. You’re a good man, G.
11. That time a girl told off Will
Watching Will “pick up honeys” is probably one of the highlights of each episode, but that one time he tried joking around and a girl did not take it lightly calls for a moment of silence for all men out there who degrade women while trying to ask them out.
12. When Ashley grew up
Ashley was always the baby, so when she started dating, everyone had a hard time letting go. Multiple people shelled out love advice for the youngest member of the family, but when she told Will she could (basically) do whatever she wanted, it was then the fans knew little Ashley was gone forever.
Every character on that show brought something special to the show (even Jazz!). No matter how many times we watched Will get told off, shut down and/or made fun of, the boy from West Philadelphia always had the last word and will always be in our hearts. Now, to leave you with a little Will Smith humor: