El príncipe del rap en Bel Air

If you grew up in the 90's then you were a fan of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air! Even if you didn't, you are still probably a fan because it's just a flat out funny show. This is where Will Smith started his career, no one knew at the time he would become the actor he is today but most saw a bright future. Now, he lost his mind at the Oscars when he slapped Chris Rock and he will always be remembered for that but that still doesn't take away from the fact that he's had a great career and this was the start. I still laugh when I watch the reruns on tv just as much as I did when I was a kid watching it.

I like to think of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" as a memorable rap song from a time when it wasn't afraid to be creative or witty. Think of a song by Public Enemy, De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, or hell, even The Fresh Prince's duo with DJ Jazzy Jeff (who guest stars frequently as Jazz), as the two were known back in rap's Golden Age as DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince.

Of course, this show flourished during a time when rap was still good, and I can't help but make comparisons to the hip-hop community. There is no question that Will Smith is a born entertainer, and he got his break in stardom outside of hip-hop with "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." In it, Will Smith pretty much plays Will Smith (I bet creators Andy and Susan Borowitz had a lot of difficulty thinking up that name), a Philadelphia ghetto youth who gets shipped out by his mother to the posh excess of Bel-Air to live with relatives - The Banks.

Once out there, he finds rivalry with cousins - the preppy Carlton and airheaded would-be blonde Hilary Banks (Alfonso Ribiero and Karyn Parsons), young cousin Ashley (Tatyana M. Ali) emulates Will's hip-hop attitude, and Aunt Vivian (alternately played by actresses Janet Hubert-Whitten and Daphne Maxwell Reid) keeps husband and successful lawyer Uncle Phil's (James Avery) head cool when Will gets into trouble. To keep everything tidy and in order, their loyal, sarcastic British butler Geoffrey (Joseph Marcell) is there too.

It's still fresh after all these years. It never fails to stir up careful, thoughtful, moving, and intelligent laughs from the viewer and I'm surprised I avoided it for so long. (Why do I do this to myself all the time?)

The acting is cool and fresh by all, especially from Smith, and the ladies of the house, Karyn and Tatyana, are both pretty cute to look at too.

I grew up watching The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and still love it to this day. Everyone knows by now what it's about, it's about a street kid from Philadelphia that moves to Bel-Air to live with his rich Uncle, Aunt, cousins and their butler. I watched it so much that I still know every line of the theme song. Is a classic sitcom from the 90's. I even still watch it when it's on now. I know they just did a reboot of the series but you can't reboot a classic like this and expect it to even be half as good. The entire cast is hilarious which is led by a very young Will Smith. It's easily one of the best sitcoms from the 90's. It's one of those shows where you can watch it as much as you want and it's still funny. I'll always love this show!

Inner-city rap met upscale Beverly Hills society in this black sitcom. Philadelphia homeboy Will Smith was off to Beverly Hills to live with his rich, pretentious relatives the Banks. Only you had differences occur Will brought a little soul to the strict Beverly Hills mansion, only to be taught a few things by the Banks as well. The Banks family had the uncle of Will that was Philip (James Avery) a successful attorney who knew all about the problems a black man faced in a white society. The Banks had two daughters who I describe both as being just as sexy and beautiful as ever first the oldest and spoiled Hillary (Karyn Parsons) and the youngest the pretty Ashley (Tatyana Ali). The Banks family always had to deal with problems in life and had fun of it in the process. The theme song by Smith and partner Jeff Townes "Parents Just Don't Understand" said it all. You can now catch the reruns of the famous Will Smith on both cable channels TBS and WGN this popular black sitcom is still well enjoyed.

Say what you will about this show. And don't get me wrong, the cast was so good together. But much like Don Knotts during the Andy Griffith show, Alfonso Ribiero was way underrated, and I'm not sure why. The writers put Carlton on paper, but it was Alfonso Ribiero who breathed life into the little geek. I had never watched Fresh Prince until about five years ago and then it was on Nick at Night. Now I always make sure to watch.

I can remember the first time I saw the "Carlton Dance".....it was hysterical. And there was on episode where Will actually danced with Carlton. I was rolling on the floor. Tonight Tom Jones actually made a guest appearance as Carltons Guardian Angel....loved it, absolutely loved it.

So next time you are flipping thru the channels, stop on Fresh Prince and check out Carlton. And remember what I said about Alfonso. The writers may have envisioned Carlton, but it took Alfonso to make me, a forty two year old mother of one, in the mid-west, a fan of this show. Carlton Rocks!!