The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

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NBC (ended 1996)
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Show Summary

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A wealthy family living in Bel-Air, California, receives a dubious gift from their poorer relations in Philadelphia when Grammy Award-winner Will Smith arrives as The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air. His mother wants him to learn some good old-fashioned values from his successful relatives. But Will shatters the sophisticated serenity of Bel-Air with his streetwise common sense, much to the dismay of his upper-crust uncle, Philip Banks (James Avery), Aunt Vivian (Janet Hubert-Whitten and Daphne Maxwell Reid) and three conceited cousins, Carlton (Alfonso Ribeiro), Hilary (Karyn Parsons) and Ashley (Tatyana Ali) - and even the butler, Geoffrey (Joseph Marcell). As the Banks family opens their home - and their checkbook - to their needy relative, Will adapts easily to their indulgent lifestyle. Yet, he reminds everyone that the simplest pleasures of family life can't be bought at any price.

Repeats can be seen on Nick at Nite, The N (Noggin's nightime program lineup), and weekday afternoons on TBS.

Nielsen Ratings''(Top 20 or better)

Not in Top 20 in the 1990 - 1991 Season''#18 in the 1991 - 1992 Season''#14 in the 1992 - 1993 Season''Not in Top 20 in the 1993 - 1994 Season''Not in Top 20 in the 1994 - 1995 Season''Not in Top 20 in the 1995 - 1996 Season

Theme Song: "Fresh Prince" Lyrics and music by Will Smith. Produced by Will Smith in association with "A Touch Of Jazz".

Now this is the story all about how My life got flipped, turned upside down And I'd like to take a minute, just sit right there I'll tell you how I became the prince of a town called Bel-Air In West Philadelphia born and raised On the playground where I spent most of my days Chilling out, maxing, relaxing all cool And shootin' some B-ball outside of the school When a couple of guys who were up to no good Started making trouble in my neighbourhood I got in one little fight and my mom got scared She said "you're moving with your auntie and uncle in Bel-Air" I whistled for a cab and when it came near the License plate said "Fresh" and had dice in the mirror If anything I could say that this cab was rare But I thought nah, forget it, yo homes to bel-air I pulled up to a house about seven or eight And I yelled to the cabbie 'Yo homes, smell you later Looked at my kingdom I was finally there To sit on my throne as the prince of Bel-Airmoreless
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Episode Guide

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S 6 :  Ep 24 Aired 5/20/96
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S 6 :  Ep 23 Aired 5/20/96
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S 6 :  Ep 22 Aired 5/13/96
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S 6 :  Ep 21 Aired 5/6/96
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S 6 :  Ep 20 Aired 4/22/96
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The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air News

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  • The Top 15 TV Title Sequences 194

    The Top 15 TV Title Sequences

    By Stefanie Lee, Oct 08, 2009

    Quick! Think of your favorite TV show. Chances are, your memory turns to a favorite character, a favorite episode, or a favorite line. But when it comes to defining the overall feel of the show, the show's opening title sequence… more

  • Blog Spotlight: ‘Fresh Prince’ Co-Star Slams Will Smith In New Tell-All Book 1

    Blog Spotlight: ‘Fresh Prince’ Co-Star Slams Will Smith In New Tell-All Book

    By TV.com Staff, Jun 18, 2009

    Forner Fresh Prince of Bel Air star Janet Hubert, aka Aunt Viv, has penned a tell-all memoir that lashes out at Will Smith for sabotaging her and other actors who worked on the hit comedy. The 53-year-old actress was fired… more

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Fan Reviews (345)

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  • One of the best shows ever.

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By Rei_Fire, Oct 21, 2011 Report Abuse
    The only thing I didn't like about the show as everyone grew older was Ashley. They try to have her act like a little wh*re or some sort of diva instead of the sweet little Ashley we saw on the first episode. Sure kids grow up and mature, but they shouldn't mature in that way. They had the stupid "boyfriend-girlfriend plot" at times, but they made it funny.

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    2 1

  • One of the last great sitcoms of my time!

    8.5
    "Great"
    By jason43224, Oct 21, 2011 Report Abuse
    Remember when they had good sitcoms that you made you laugh and maybe learn something. Yea me neither. If you haven't seen the show it stars Will Smith, you know who he is? He's a big Hollywood actor now but this is where he got his start. He moves from west Philadelphia to Bel Air to live with Aunt and Uncle and their family and i have to say it was one of my favorite show growing up as a kid. I mean i loved this show watched it every day. It ran for 6 years and was funny from beginning to end. If you ever catch it on TV i highly recommend.moreless

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  • We need comedies like Fresh Prince on today!

    10
    "Perfect"
    By ShrinkinViolet, Oct 21, 2011 Report Abuse
    I'd have to say that I think Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was the best show to run in the nineties. I mean even the theme song was great! It was easily the most hilarious show around. I can't even begin to describe how funny it was. It had a unique style of humor, which is probably what made is so well done. Will Smith did a great job at his character, which was obviously based off his real-life self. Sometimes, though, he did such a fantastic performance that it made you forget that he was even acting. I love every character on this show, with the exception of the second Vivian, and Niki who I personally thought was a pointless add-on to the show. There were only a couple of episodes that I didn't like, but there were none that I really hated. Other than that, pretty much every episode was great with a lot of funny jokes. I wish we had shows like Fresh Prince running today. People just don't make stuff like they used to.moreless

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  • Entertainig show, but six seasons are more than enough.

    7.0
    "Good"
    By Rd_Dude, May 24, 2011 Report Abuse
    Watching the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was a part of my childhood. I still watch some episodes on the internet when I have the time to do so and for all it's worth The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is funnier and more entertaining than most other comedies you see on tv today. Will Smith really shines in his role (or maybe he just really is that way)and his funny jokes have kept me laughing for more than a day. But the combination of jokes with him of Carlton, Phill and the rest of the gang is what makes this show so damn funny. However I do think that six seasons is just more than enough for a show like this. I usually don't think a normal show should last more than 4 seasons because (especially with a show like this) it can get a bit repetetive and ruin parts of the show for me when it just draaaags on and on... In the end I thought the finale was a tiny bit rushed too but my overal opinion of the show is still pretty good though. I still like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air after all.moreless

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  • Will Smith stars in this hilarious sitcom

    10
    "Perfect"
    By tigerdude22, May 05, 2011 Report Abuse
    I love this show and I think that it is one of the most hilarious sitcoms that I have ever seen. Will Smith is so hilarious in this sitcom. Everyone in this sitcom is actually hilarious which I love so I can't say that I have favorite characters because they all make me laugh except maybe for Vivian but she is a good character... not the funniest character but a good character. Uncle Phil (James Avery), Carlton (Alfonso Ribeiro), Hilary (Karyn Parsons), Ashley (Tatyanna Ali), and Geoffrey (Joseph Marcell). I love most of the storylines in this sitcom. Some of the episodes aren't that great but most of the episodes just make me laugh so hard. I have seen every single episode of this sitcom and enjoyed ALMOST all of them. I love to watch this show every morning before I get ready to go to school or watch it at nighttime. If you haven't seen this show yet... you must watch this show, it is so hilarious with a bunch of hilarious characters. I wished this show lasted more than six seasons but six season was good enough to make me laugh hard. Overall, a hilarious sitcom starring Will Smith and the rest of the cast. 10/10moreless

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