will smith fresh prince dad scene script will smith fresh prince dad scene script

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. After landing a role on Fresh Prince, Will also snagged a leading role in the 1993 film adaptation of Six Degrees of Separation. Uncle Phil, however, thinks Lou will again disappoint his son. Lou seems hurt by this, but he can't think of anything else to say, and after reflecting for a moment, he quickly walks out without another word. Philip Banks 5 Jun. 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. Why did it take so long? : How come he dont want me, man? Will asks, lip quivering as he starts to break down and cry. The duo was forced to pivot when 'Fresh Prince' came along. Its fun to bash on Will Smiths career moves of late (After, ugh, Earth), but when he finds the right role, hes an excellent actor. He rages at his cousin about the futility of violence and revenge. ", you know. Lou Smith : Will Smith cries remember James Avery during the 'Fresh Prince' reunion special. Papas Got a Brand New Excuse was a watershed 23 minutes for the situational comedy, which, until that moment, hadnt fully explored the emotional depths of Smiths character. Uncle Phil, that is not cool, the way you dissing my father like that. [takes out a small statue of a father sitting with his son on his lap]. Every true Fresh Prince of Bel-Air fan knows the most emotional scene in the entire series. The episode featured the man-hug loved (and memed) around the world as Uncle Phil (James Avery) doesnt so much embrace as completely envelop his nephew, who is coming to grips with the loss of his absentee father for a second time. Class and race issues are at the core of Will's journey from Philadelphia to Bel-Air, and after a series of fish-out-of-water shenanigans where Will's lower-class upbringing clashes with the Banks' upper-class upbringing during a dinner party, these tensions explode explicitly. Lauderdale, Florida. At first Will seems okay with Lou abandoning him, as at least he said goodbye, but Will now wishes he hadn't spent money on a present for Lou. In 1990, when "Mistaken Identity" first aired on NBC, a gurgling of tensions and resentments between the Black community and the police, founded on an entire history's worth of subjugation and explicitly race-based violence, were churning nearly at a breaking point. Well, one day, I just panicked and ran. I learned how to drive, I learned how to shave, I learned how to fight without him. Use me. [3] The pair attempt to rebuild their relationship and even plan activities together, but when the time came for them to embark on their trip, Lou bailed. will smith fresh prince dad scene scriptanson county warrant list. You know what, you ain't got to do nothing, Uncle Phil. Lou Smith : [to Will] You see, the day you were born was the happiest day of my life. William 'Will' Smith: Got through my first date without him, right? I worked my ass off trying to keep him in line! [after discovering Will's father unexpectedly] Smith and his musical partner DJ Jazzy Jeff were already big names on the hip-hop scene when the Fresh Prince opportunity presented itself. She then exits, but not without warning Lou that if he walks out now, he will not be welcome at the Banks mansion again. 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. I just have to lay a perfect brick. Where There's a Will, There's a Way (Part 1), Where There's a Will, There's a Way (Part 2). Will's father Lou shows up after 14 years and spends a lot of time with Will. It was a formula that clearly worked, considering theres a good chance well be seeing more of the Tanners soon, but it was super-corny, especially when compared to another so-called kids show that was on the same time, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Lou awkwardly admits that he's got to take care of some business so the planned trip is going to have to wait a week or two, but most likely longer than that, and he promises to call to work it out. Actually, this works out better for me, you know. ", There is a popular misconception that Smith himself was also abandoned by his biological father in real life when he was young and had "broken character" while delivering the rant which went from being directed towards Lou to being directed towards Smith's own real-life father. Those qualities I assigned Carlton regarding the previous episode? But then, in an all-time line reading, Will simply asks his uncle, "How come he don't want me, man?" Man, I'm glad you're here. On the eve of Janice's wedding, a group of Banks women gather in the kitchen, unable to sleep, to snack on wedding treats and chat. : He showed up, did this scene in one take, then disappeared again. The two were locked in that epic embrace when Avery doled out even more encouragement. The first time I held you, I didn't think I'd ever put you down. Will then begins to cry and asks Phillip why his father doesn't want him. 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. 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). He resorts to buying a gun himself, ostensibly for protection. Yeah, that's cool. During the first take, he found himself stumbling over words so much that director Shelley Jensen called cut so as not to spoil the final line for the audience, prompting Smith to yell in frustration. They plan a cross-country trip together, but Uncle Phil (James Avery) warns Will that he shouldnt get his hopes up; this is the man who abandoned him, after all. Smith was known for his clean lyrics, and his hits were . Will Smith: Oh, okay, well uh, cheerio and all that Walter now. During the episodes final scene, Smith was struggling to bring it all home. So the only thing true about this rumor is the emotion conveyed by Will in the scene. Geoffrey Butler: Come with me, Master William. Think back to any emotional scene on Full House. Ain't like I'm still five years old, you know. The two later return to the Banks mansion, where Vivian is less than happy to see Lou, but maintains a civil presence around him for Will's sake. : "Being Black isn't what I'm trying to be, it's what I am," says Carlton, plainly, making sure Top Dog knows he's the real sellout before leaving. And when it digs into this core, it doesn't need silly jokes. Philip Banks William 'Will' Smith : He's my father. They said, Rap? My mother graduated from Carnegie Mellon. The show wasn't afraid to tackle issues like drugs, sex, drunk driving, sexism, racism, and violence to teach us an important lesson or two about life. : It was that specific episode for me as a director [that] I saw him connect and make it work. This moment feels goodto watch, and feels like a cathartic piece of permission for Black folks who don't fit the typical mold you see on television to be exactly who they are, and be comfortable in that. Fresh Prince wasnt a show that had done serious moments. Some business came up I gotta handle. There is no funny outtake of the cast messing up their lines. Dont act around me, act with me, Smith recalled Avery saying. Geoffrey Butler: You have the right house. Now that the building is done, he gets to live in it. It is Fresh Princes most iconic half-hour the moment in which Will, the goof who plays it cool, became human, and Smith became an actor. William 'Will' Smith Actually, this works out better for me, you know. Grab a hankie, whistle for a cab, and take a trip down memory lane with me. : This episode, and especially this scene, tends to prove Mr. Mamet wrong. Watch popular content from the following creators: Tvseries Clips(@i_cole_world_i), Call_Me_Ville(@callme_ville), LeashRN-BSN(@leash_rn), EpicClips101(@epicclips101official), ciaran w(@rap_editszzz) . However, Smith revealed in his 2021 memoir Will that the relationship was occasionally turbulent due to his father's abuse of his mother. Smith would even come out himself and hype up the audience. as a startling wake-up call, albeit one couched in comfort, comedy, and familiar class dynamics. Firstly, Will Smith's father was very much present during his childhood. Will, it's all right to be angry. His character was contending with all the things hed never be and Vereen was deep in that moment. However Vivian has previously stated that hers, violas, Helens and Janices maiden name is Smith. With Wednesday's press night under her belt and a standing ovation to . William 'Will' Smith Thing is, hes not really acting here much of Wills speech was ad-libbed and based on his own traumatic childhood. So what's the real story behind the tear-jerking scene, you ask? You see, the day you were born was the happiest day of my life. Before this scene, Will Smith disappeared. Daddy-O! William 'Will' Smith At least he said goodbye this time. Kim Kardashian Tackled to the Ground at Paris Fashion Event, Marvel's 'Ant-Man' Casting Call for Kids in Peachtree City, Georgia, NBA YoungBoy and Birdman Hire Director for 'Ballin Blocker 2', 'The Weeknd' To Star in a Movie He Co-Wrote and Produced, Michael B. Jordan Reunites with High School Reporter at 'Creed III' Premiere: 'I Was the Corny Kid, Right? 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When Will and Carlton are held up at gunpoint at an ATM, a shot is fired, and Will is the victim. (Via), Smith: My father was in the military, so everything was really regimented.. Smith said that he was originally supposed to sit at the bench and reflect on his uncle's words. Casting Calls and news is updated daily get the industry news here! And it turns out, the reconciliation between father and son was all too good to be true. Whether youre a lifelong resident of D.C. or you just moved here, weve got you covered. In the episode, Wills deadbeat father Lou (played by Broadway legend Ben Vereen) returns after a 14-year absence to spend time with his son. Carlton's response comes not as a surprise, but as a well-practiced speech, something he's been having to reckon with his entire life. Im messing up the lines because I wanted it so bad, Smith said in the podcast interview. Will Smith described the scene where Will breaks down as one of his most difficult as a young actor, as he was unsure if he was able to properly convey the right emotions. They were all pretty the same: the dialogue would get cheesy (well, cheesier) and the music, sappy (sappier). Geoffrey Butler: Master William, walk this way. The latter is a secondary part (Whoopi . The idea was to have Wills father come back and leave again, disappointing his only son for a second time. In that final scene, when Lou disappoints Will for the final time, Vereen himself broke down off-camera. The shot frames this moment alongside the sculpture; subtly, but decidedly, communicating that this is the real father-son relationship at the center of Fresh Prince, at the center of Will's life. It was Avery, always the steady influence, that centered him, giving the rapper turned movie star memorable advice. 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. Lou Smith ", you know. At least he said goodbye this time. | The man turns out to be Will's father, Lou Smith, whom Will hasn't seen in 14 years, since he abandoned the family. Has this period, reactionary and transitory in intention, ended with an anticlimactic ellipses rather than an emphatic exclamation? The entire show was quiet, even during the funny parts, and I could not figure out why, a Reddit user wrote. : In the episode, Wills father shows up unexpectedly after a 14-year absence. But his words, as Uncle Phil's so often do, ring passionate with promise, with ideals, and with familial love. What's up? We can talk about this another time. I'll be a better father than he ever was, and I sure as hell don't need him for that, 'cause ain't a damn thing he could ever teach me about how to love my kids! Carlton refuses to see his father after this moment of vulnerability and mortality. [pause] : Lou Smith Yeah, yeah. Look no further than Atlantic Records' $125/Day Fort. : That childlike sense of rage, coupled with his newfound maturity, rises into his throat; his final act of defiance is to refuse to call his father "Dad," opting for his name instead. WatchMojo: Top 10 "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" Moments, NBC Studios - 3000 W. Alameda Avenue, Burbank, California, USA. I just wish I hadn't wasted my money buying this stupid present. Hed get this look that said, One more step, Will, and itll get ugly. He was an independent businessman-he set up refrigeration in supermarkets-and he always provided for us. I believe it's because of the show's big, beating, sincere, courageous heart. I'm sorry that everybody can't be as perfect as you, Uncle Phil, but if I can forgive him, how come you can't? And I got pretty damn good at it too, didn't I, Uncle Phil? Smith, playing a version of himself, lives with his extended family, and everyone lives, learns, laughs, loves, and grows with each other. (One year later, Rodney King's beating by police will spark a series of protests and clashes in Los Angeles.) The episode title is a reference to the James Brown song. Avery immediately pulled him aside and gave him a pep talk, telling him to make eye contact with Uncle Phil, which would help guide the performance and get Smith into the emotional state Will needed to be in. Hes a steady and positive figure in my life.. How come he don't want me, man? 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. William 'Will' Smith: Hey, why should I be mad? [takes out a small statue of a father sitting with his son on his lap]. : Will's very pleased with this. For survival, please dont marry this man.". I'm sorry, Will. When we started the series, Will was definitely not there, but he grew as a man and as an actor, he said. Philip and Vivian Banks enter the living room to meet Will. So we're gonna have to put our trip on hold. He reflected that there was an element of his character fully coming to terms with how much he had failed Will after being referred to by his name rather than as "Dad". However, Philadelphia is a large city and Smith is a common name worldwide. His acting from that moment on improved dramatically. It's tricky to reckon with "Just Say Yo" with modern eyes. While Will is forgiving and understanding, Phillip and Vivian not so much. Papa's Got A Brand New Excuse is the 24th episode of Season 4. Will Smith: Yo yo, G, G, G, let me rap to you for a second man. We were standing there thinking, There will never, ever, be a wall here again. The two collapse into an embrace. The story behind the episode is almost as good as the episode itself. While the legend that Smith ad-libbed much of the scene based on his troubled relationship with his actual father is probably false, the sobbing was not. You know, if there was something that l William 'Will' Smith: You know what, you ain't got to do nothing, Uncle Phil. Lou exclaims that Phillip is a better man than himself, thinking that's what Phillip wants to hear, and asks him to break the news to Will, but Phillip refuses to do Lou's "dirty work", and Lou opts to duck out and call from the road. William 'Will' Smith: I ain't need him then and I don't need him now. : I'll be a better father than he ever was, and I sure as hell don't need him for that, 'cause ain't a damn thing he could ever teach me about how to love my kids! Oh, come on. Will Smiths acting in it was flawless, the words and script were so real too. Of course Im talking about Papas Got a Brand New Excuse.. 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. William 'Will' Smith : Here's the Tumblr version of events that we've come to believe as the truth: "That awful moment when you learn that this wasnt scripted. You are forced to invest your time, family, and even your wallet to make your dream come true. Uncle Phil grabs Will and hugs him fiercely, as he wished his father would. . Will Smith, Alfonso Ribeiro, and Aunt Vivs Janet Hubert and Daphne Maxwell Reid return alongside the rest of the cast for HBO Max's unscripted 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion. The duo gets arrested and put in jail, alongside an operatic singing convict ("Any time you see a white guy in jail, you knowhe did something bad!" I wanted him to want me. How you doin'? (HBO Max) Will recalled the episode where his character's father resurfaces after 14 years. Ben Vereen (Lou) stated in an interview that he broke into tears himself after walking out of the camera shot. : HD1080p WILL'S DAD EMOTIONAL SAD SCENE ON THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL AIRNEW 2013 OF. And she thinks she might be ready to enter a sexual relationship with a partner (Jaleel White, of course), despite their relationship being inherently long distance. Will Smith is, like,sucha good actor. This wasnt the physical comedy at which Smith the rapper excelled. Hey, just cool it. It was also so unexpected. 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. Transcript The show begins with Will Smith at the door singing and knocking on the door. Hed get this look that said, One more step, Will, and itll get ugly. He was an independent businessman-he set up refrigeration in supermarkets-and he always provided for us. I agree so much . Wills delivery was so perfect it seems like it was in the moment.. During filming, the studio was completely silent a rarity for a comedy with a live audience. (Via). I'm Will's father Hilary Banks | By the time Phil and Viv show up to bail them out, and for Phil to deliver a typically fiery speech about what justice should look like in this country (delivered to a particularly weaselly-looking Hank Azaria), the damage is done. This version of the character was received poorly by Will Smith at the initial table read, and so Lou was rewritten as a somewhat more sympathetic character, who at least had a legitimate job as a truck driver. Wake up, Will. 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.". We see this formative piece of growing up reacted to in two different ways a very problematic one, that happens to be driven by two leading men; and an incredibly sensitive, sincere, and real one, that happens to be driven by two leading women. You probably remember the goofy dancing scenes and guest appearances from DJ Jazzy Jeff, but every so often, The Fresh Prince would attempt something legitimately poignant. But during filming of this episode, director Jensen likened the mood of the normally wild show to being in church.. William 'Will' Smith : Therefore, it is necessary for the operation of the household that you address me as Geoffrey, and I in turn address you by your proper title, Master William. This was the first time the show just went there and stayed there and let it resonate, Zuckerman said of the episodes lasting impact. William 'Will' Smith: [shouts] To hell with him! Avery, a trained Shakespearean actor, represented the strong father figure; Smith, four years into his first acting gig, the young man coming into his own manhood; and Vereen, a theater vet, was a man lost. Those qualities are all self-weaponized, manifesting in self-destructive ways. Beyond its visceral, gut-punching thrills as a theatrical sequence, this moment is a stark reminder to Carlton, and to everyone watching: We can lose faith in systems that resort to violence, rightly so. In its six seasons on NBC, the series a grittier version of The Cosby Show that juxtaposed hip-hop culture with Black upper-class ethos tackled everything from racism to sexism to a two-step dubbed the Carlton.. [long pause as Will struggles to regain his composure]. : Ribeiro plays this sequence like a man on a precipice, a fork in the road for Carlton, a thrillingly unpredictable piece of theater that even speaks to that common theater rule involving guns on stage. And, all of these qualities are challenged directly in "Blood Is Thicker Than Mud," a standout episode for Alfonso Ribeiro. But in fact, Wills dad was an active participant in his sons life, and even encouraged him. We went brick by brick for the entire summer and into winter and then back into spring. And Uncle Phil, in the first of Avery's many perfect performances, sets him straight. Hilary's response is just a wonderfully stated, expertly performed piece of sisterly advice and love, undercut appropriately by in-character jokes (Parsons knows this character like a craftsman knows their tool). Following Avery's words, Smith pulled off the most iconic and emotional scene in the show's history. Phillip understands, and wishes Will the best. I told my parents I wanted to rap. : : We didnt realize it had affected that many people until years later., Did any of us know this show would become what it has become in the last 30 years? Look at me, use me. Where There's a Will, There's a Way (Part 1), Where There's a Will, There's a Way (Part 2). Make connections. It's a brilliantly played scene, rife with warmth and gentility even as they discuss tricky stuff. Will Smith: Hey, Uncle Phil! Philip Banks Company Credits The Banks, especially Uncle Phil, see through Lous lies, but Will cant; hes so happy to be with his dad that he drops his trademark swagger and acts like an eager child again. William 'Will' Smith Philip Banks But Avery eventually calmed Smith down by telling him, Its already in there, you know what it is. Insists that if Carlton goes through with this plan, he's just as bad as the guy who put Will in the hospital. No, you know what, 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. His father was a question mark, or, as cousin Hillary puts it in the episode, a deadbeat who left him and his mom flat.. His and Boulwares new script recast Lou as a troubled trucker and a guy that just wasnt cut out to be a father., Vereen, who was overjoyed to join the cast for May sweeps week, remembers feeling something special. Technical Specs, [after Lou cancels his trip with Will and leaves], [after discovering Will's father unexpectedly]. Hilary and Ashley are heading to New York, Carlton is heading to Princeton, and Phil and Viv (and Nicky; remember Nicky?) I'm sorry. Will runs up to him to give him a big hug. However, Philadelphia is a large city and Smith is a common name worldwide. 1.3k. It wasnt an easy scene for Smith to film, either. It was 1994, and he had just come off Six Degrees of Separation, a dramedy about a young con man who charms his way into a rich White family.