3 of 8

Write now Article Tools

When I watched new episodes, back in the nineties, the Fresh Prince was fun and entertaining. However back then, I would never have dreamed that I would still be watching it today. I'm guessing I'm not the only parent re-watching this show with my children. Will Smith's style of humor is just as entertaining to children today as it was to us; insults never get old. Something inside of us seems to be drawn to twenty minutes of one-liners. I still occasionally catch myself laughing when Will finds yet another way to call Uncle Phil fat.

The Fresh Prince is a basic fish out of water story. Will, a poor boy from Philly, moves in with his wealthy relatives in Bel-air. Story lines and jokes come from contrasting his upbringing to that of his cousin's, him trying to fit in to the schools and neighborhood, him making fun of Carlton for being 'uncool', him bringing his friends around the house and shocking his aunt and uncle.
Family comedies have a formula that the Fresh Prince follows neatly. There must be a cute younger child. If the series is lucky and runs after the original child starts to age, another child will somehow be brought in. The lead male child must be sharp and witty. One of the girls should like shopping. Somebody in the cast needs to be extremely clueless;a friend is a good choice for this character. The Fresh Prince used all of these conventions and more. My adult brains still balks at such formulaic television writing, but I am entertained when I watch the show, no matter how hard I fight. That is really what counts, the show is still entertaining in syndication. If you haven't watched it in years get on your M.C. Hammer pants, turn your hat around backwards, and give it another try.

Learn more about this author, lynn campbell.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about TV show reviews: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air?
We want to hear your view. Write now!