WhileBel-Airundoubtedly has a different tone toThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, there are still plenty of compelling callbacks to the original show.Bel-Airseason 3, the latest installment in the modern dramatization of the iconic sitcom, has just wrapped up. Throughout the show,there are multiple references, Easter eggs, and various nods to Will Smith’s famous TV series. It can be presumed thatBel-Airseason 4will continue this trend if it happens.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Airis one ofthe best sitcoms of all time, and even thoughBel-Airis far more serious, it references just as many funny instances as it does darker events. While some of these callbacks are more noticeable than others,Bel-Airhas done a great job of celebratingThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’s best momentsso far.
9Will’s Taxi Has Dice In The Mirror
Season 1, Episode 1 - “Dreams And Nightmares”
In the very first episode ofBel-Air, Will is sent to live with his aunt. Of course,The Fresh Prince of Bel-Airviewers are very familiar with this, especially his journey from the airport to the Banks' house. Many knowThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’s iconic theme songby heart, and“Dreams and Nightmares” is quick to slip in a reference to the original show as Will leaves LAX. InThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Will’s cab driver is nobody of interest, but inBel-Air, Jazz befriends him on the drive to his new home.
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It’s a brief moment, but at a closer glance, a pair of dice can be seen hanging from Jazz’s wing mirror. This is, naturally, a nod to the lyrics,“The license plate said fresh, and it had dice in the mirror.” However, Jazz’s car doesn’t appear to have a personalized registration.This nod to the original show and its legendary opening number is subtle yet powerful, as it represents the beginning of Will’s journey to becoming a better man.
8"I Got In One Little Fight And My Mom Got Scared"
Another reference toThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’s introoccurs later on in “Dreams and Nightmares.” When Will reunites with his Aunt Viv, she asks whether he is okay and is met with the response, “I got in one little fight, my mom got scared.”The Fresh Princeis far more relaxed thanBel-Air, and while the original Will Smith’s fight may have been a silly scrap, the newer iteration of the character’s altercation is far more serious.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’s Aunt Vivis always understanding of Will. In season 1,Viv makes references to her own troubled teenage years, which allows her to relate to Willand his struggles in a way that the other characters simply cannot. Although this moment is quite lighthearted on the surface, on a deeper level, it’s also a way forBel-Airto set up the dynamic between Will and Viv early on in the season.
7Will Wears His Blazer Inside Out
Season 1, Episode 3 - “Yamacraw”
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’s totally ‘90s outfitsmake sense for the show, but inBel-Air, they are considered vintage. While Will’s inside-out blazer isn’t necessarily connected to the 1990s, it is a notable look for the character. Will’s first days at the Bel-Air Academy inThe Fresh Princeseason 1 episode “Day Damn One” is quite the culture shock for him, especially as he has to wear a uniform. It’s no secret that he hates the ensemble, butin typical Will fashion, he makes it his own and wears the jacket with the lining facing out.
This moment is paralleled inBel-Airseason 1, episode 3, “Yamacraw.” However,the main difference between these scenes is thatBel-Air’s Will only flips his blazer because Lisa accidentally spills mustard on him, and he is trying to hide the stain. Regardless of the intentions, this is a great link between the two shows — and it still serves as a representation of Will trying to fit in at his new school.
6The Original Viv & Vy Make An Appearance
Season 1, Episode 9 - “Can’t Knock The Hustle”
While there are a feworiginalFresh Princeactors who return inBel-Air,two of the most exciting cameos are from Vernee Watson-Johnson and Daphne Maxwell Reid. Vernee Watson-Johnson notably portrays Will’s mother, Vy, whereas Daphne Maxwell Reid famously playsthe recast Aunt Viv inThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Airafter Janet Hubert departs from the show. The pair pop up in theBel-Airseason 1 episode “Can’t Knock The Hustle,” but not as their original characters.
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Watson-Johnson and Reid star as Helen and Janice, respectively, two of the members of the Art Council Board of Trustees. Interestingly, these character names are also references, asinThe Fresh Prince, Viv and Vy’s sisters are called Helen and Janice. While it’s strange to see Reid interacting with another version of her popular character, Viv’s conversation with Helen and Janice about the fellowship is a brilliant way to tieBel-Airto its source material.
5Will Breaks Down About His Father
Season 1, Episode 10 - “Where To?”
Bel-Air’s season 1 finalerecreates one of the most memorable television moments of all time. Will’s breakdown to Uncle Phil about his father’s abandonment and overall terrible parenting is harrowing and heartbreaking, but it’s so notable because it’s one of the rare occurrences thatThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Airsteps away from its typical lighthearted comedy.Bel-Airmixes things up by having Will rant to Jazz rather than Phil,but the core meaning of the conversation is still very much motivating the scene.
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Will doesn’t get his profound moment with Phil in “Where To?” because he is furious with his uncle and the rest of his family for lying to him about his dad. The iconic line, “How come he don’t want me, man?”is also altered, but the feeling that nobody cares about him still fuels Will’s general anger.ThisFresh Princescene is whyBel-Airexists, and while the reboot doesn’t achieve the same atmosphere that the original has, it’s absolutely an essential moment. It would’ve been strange if the show hadn’t included it.
4Actress Tatyana Ali As Teacher Mrs. Hughes & Her Relationship With Ashley
Season 2
Fresh Prince’s Tatyana Ali joins theBel-Airseason 2 castas Mrs. Hughes, one of Bel-Air Middle’s English teachers. Ali is famous for playing Ashley in the original show, and interestingly,Mrs. Hughes forms quite a connection with Ashley inBel-Air. While Ashley is initially naive and innocent inThe Fresh Prince, she later grows to be quite rebellious and doesn’t hesitate to call out life’s injustices. In many ways, this is paralleled in Ashley’s relationship with Mrs. Hughes inBel-Air.
Hughes encourages Ashley to think on a deeper levelby introducing her to non-curriculum books and suggesting that she write her own stories. Even when Hughes is fired, she tells Ashley not to let anyone change her. Ashley also plays a part in the walk-out protesting Hughes’ dismissal, and her advocacy and passions are an integral part of her character. While there arechanges to Ashley inBel-Air, her interactions with Mrs. Hughes are an amazing way to remind audiences just who the character is.
3Ashley’s Birthday Party
Season 2, Episode 1 - “A Fresh Start”
Ashley’s 13th birthday in theBel-Airseason 2 episode “A Fresh Start” makes an indirect nod to the same eventinThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,and it’s easy to miss.Bel-Airseason 2’sFresh Princereferenceinvolves the musical artist that performs at Ashley’s party, Saweetie. InThe Fresh Princeseason 1 episode, “Just Infatuation,” Hilary organizes for popular teen singer Little T to attend. Real-life R&B star Tevin Campbell plays Little T, which adds some authenticity to his portrayal.
But inBel-Air, Hilary instead invites Saweetie, who plays herself rather than a fictional figure. Although this isn’t a huge reference toThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, it is a brilliantly clever callback.Showrunner Carla Banks Waddles calls this a “little homage” toThe Fresh Prince,and it’s great that the production saw this as an opportunity to either remind viewers of the original storyline or spoil them with a prominent pop star cameo.
2Geoffrey’s Strained Relationship With His Son
Season 2, Episode 7 - “Under Pressure”
One of thebiggest changes inBel-Aircompared toThe Fresh Princeis the backstory of Geoffrey and his son, Frederick. Unlike hisFresh Princecounterpart, Frederick doesn’t have any relationship with his father until they meet for the first time in the season 2 episode “Under Pressure.”Bel-Air’s Geoffrey abandons Frederick as a child, who is later adopted, although their later connection is very different from inThe Fresh Prince.
WhileGeoffrey’s saddestFresh Princestoryis far from the same inBel-Air, it’s still important that the reboot show revisits this. Geoffrey’s past is integral to his character development. However,the fact that Frederick has a good life without his biological father’s input is a fascinating parallelto Will’s attitude towards Lou, too. The knowledge that one parent has checked out of their life is hard, but they also use that to motivate themselves to be better as well.
1Hillary’s Relationship Hangs In The Balance After Her Partner Is Injured
Season 3, Episode 3 - “True Colors”
An intriguing correlation betweenThe Fresh Prince of Bel-AirandBel-Air’s Hilary happens in the reboot’s season 3 episode “True Colors.” After grappling with her guilt, Hilary decides to face up to the consequences and admit her kiss with Jazz to Lamarcus. However, before she is able to do so, Lamarcus collapses on the football field, which is later revealed to be because of an underlying heart condition. This moment produces a strange sense of déjà vu, especially in regard to Hilary’s relationship with Trevor inThe Fresh Prince.
Just as he goes to propose in the season 4 episode “Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way (Part 2),” Trevor hits his head and abruptly dies. While audiences know that Hilary is already engaged at this point in the show and that Lamarcus doesn’t die in “True Colors,”Bel-Air’s season 3 endinghas set up the possibility that it could still happen. It’s unclear whetherBel-Airwill take inspiration fromThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’s storyline or not, but the similarities between the two characters are definitely intriguing.
Bel-Air
Cast
A gritty and more grounded reimagining of the ’90s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Bel-Air stars Jabari Banks as Will Smith. After falling afoul of a drug lord and his gang in his native West Philadelphia, Will Smith moves to a gated community in Bel-Air with his wealthy Aunt Vivian (Cassandra Freeman) and Uncle Phil (Adrian Holmes). Not only must Will adjust to his new environment, but he’s also forced to deal with his past in order to embrace his future.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air follows Will Smith (Will Smith) after he gets himself sent away from the mean streets of his native West Philadelphia to the affluent Bel Air neighborhood. Living with his wealthy Uncle Phil and Aunt Vivian, Will befriends his cousins and adjusts to a life that’s the polar opposite of everything he’s accustomed to. Even with a butler and an expensive education, Will finds that growing up isn’t easy, regardless of circumstance.
