The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990-1996)

Born and raised West Philadelphian Will Smith is sent to live with his wealthy auntie and uncle in Bel-Air, CA after getting into one little fight shootin' some b-ball outside of his school.  The streetwise Will often clashes with the rules of the upperclass Banks Household.  Throw in a sardonic British butler and you've got NBC's long-running comedy The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.  

Clashes were no stranger behind the scenes.  Tension between Will Smith and Janet Hubert contributed to her departure at the end of the third season.  Audiences were introduced to a now bland and boring Aunt Viv for what was originally going to be one more season.  NBC cancelled the show in 1994, but outraged fans engaged in the lost art of letter writing and told its star and NBC they wanted more.  The series skyrocketed Will Smith to fame.  Soon the big screen beckoned he finally abdicated his thrown two years later.  Just after the series finale, Smith would star in the blockbuster Independence Day (1996).  My favorite episode is from the first season when Will & Carlton blackmail Hillary after learning she dropped out of school.  And almost thirty years later, I think I've finally perfected The Carlton Dance.


Location: Opening Credits Basketball Court
Address: 1800 Wallace Street, Philadelphia, PA  Roberto Clemente Playground

Location Visited: January 2020

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