“Now this is a story all about how…” I remember when The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air first came on television. There were always so few black television shows on during that time (even though it seems like there were more back then than we have now) so the anticipation was high. Thankfully, we were not disappointed because that show gave us everything we needed. We’ve come up with a list of our favorite episodes
– did yours make it? Check it out!
Aunt Viv Turns 40
So after years of being an English professor, Vivian decided that with her 40th birthday approaching, she wanted to follow her dreams of being a dancer. She entered the dance studio for an audition and realized that she was surrounded by 20-somethings who thought they were way better than her. By the final audition, she turned it out so hard, that the other dancers were put to shame and was offered a slot in the dance production. She turned it down to return to the life she’d been living but getting to that result was hilarious. Here’s the thing about the show: none of the viewers knew she had it going on like that. We ended up finding out that Janet Hubert actually has a dance background.
Earthquake!
The actual episode was about Uncle Phil getting tickets to the Peoples’ Choice Awards but everyone having trouble making it there because an earthquake hits. However, the highlights of the episode were those with Will and his girlfriend (played by Tisha Campbell) who were stuck in the basement after Will forgets something (they were locked in once the earthquake happened). He thought she was the perfect girl for him but while they were stuck, she takes out her weave, her contacts and hops off her fake nails. After awhile, he came up with a song as he sat on a tricycle: “I’m stuck in the basement sitting on a tricycle, girlfriend getting on my nerves. Going outta my mind, I thought she was fine, don’t know if her body is hers.” Classic!
Daddy’s home
On a personal note, this is my absolute favorite episode. After years of abandonment, Will’s dad creeps back into Will’s life and turns the entire family upside down. Lou (Will’s dad, played by Ben Vereen) invites him to join him on the road as his passenger in his trouck route. However, at the last minute, he decided that he needed another driver and was going to just skip out on Will. Uncle Phil confronts him about how he’d left Will for the last 15 years and it was continuing to happen. In the end, it was Phil who had to console Will after he was told his dad left and was left wondering why his father never wanted him. In all of the seasons, it was one of the most poignant episodes.
Screaming Girls and Bell Biv DeVoe!
You may not be able to tell by the picture, but this is the episode where Hilary rented out the Banks’ home for a Bell Biv DeVoe video shoot while Phil and Vivian were away. Everyone was excited about it, including Ashley’s Girl Scouts troop and Will’s friend Ty (who only lasted that first season) and they ended up making money from it. However, it all went down the drain when it rained while all the furniture was outside. They had to spend it all replacing everything and doing it with a limited amount of time because Phil and Vivian came home early.
Pull Your Pants Up!
After Will wins Susan Powter in an auction thinking she would have been Michael Jordan, the goal is to get the family in shape. But Will has told one too many fat jokes in front of Susan, so she makes him wear a fat suit. At the same time, he is having problems with his girlfriend Lisa (played by Nia Long) because of her close friendship in a man. While walking around the grocery store trying to explain his frustration with the other guy, Will fails to realize that his pants are slowly lowering on the fat suit. By the time he boldly and loudly tells Lisa he loves her in the middle of the store, his pants are all the way down to his ankle. So funny!
The Moment It All changed
After three exciting seasons, season four opened with a huge shocker: they changed Aunt Vivian. Viewers were outraged and could not understand why Janet Hubert was no longer on the show. While Daphne Maxwell-Reid was a “nice” replacement, she had none of the sass or flavor that Janet Hubert brought to the show. From seasons four through six, that was the main thing the show lacked.
Jump on it!
Will decided to take Carlton to LAs Vegas for his 21st birthday to bring him some “excitement” to his life. But they get a little too excited and lose all their money gambling with no way home. To get it back, they enter a dance contest and this was complete with fringes, midriff tops and a classic song by Sugarhill Gang, “Apache.” They took it so seriously and we were given the laugh of the night!
Lady O
Leave it to Auntie Oprah to send the family into a tizzy. The Banks family were invited onto the show as a replacement family and the point was to help Phil’s chances as he fought to become the newest judge. However, he didn’t get a ticket for Will and while the show was going on, Will showed out in the audience, telling some of the family business just to get on the stage (and give a shout out to his girl). Highlight of the show? Carlton doing “The Carlton” when the Oprah theme song played.
via MadameNoire.com
