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The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 13 Critic Reviews

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59

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 17 Ratings

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7.5

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7.5	Your Score
7.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 17 Ratings

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The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air: Season 5

Now Playing: The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air: Season 5

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Series Details & Credits

NBC | Release Date: September 10, 1990

Starring: Tatyana Ali, Alfonso Ribeiro, Will Smith, Daphne Maxwell Reid, Ross Bagley, Joseph Marcell, Karyn Parsons, James Avery (I)

Summary: A wealthy family living in Bel-Air, California, receives a dubious gift from their poorer relations in Philadelphia when Grammy Award-winner Will Smith arrives as The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air. His mother wants him to learn some good old-fashioned values from his successful relatives. But Will shatters the sophisticated serenity of Bel-AirA wealthy family living in Bel-Air, California, receives a dubious gift from their poorer relations in Philadelphia when Grammy Award-winner Will Smith arrives as The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air. His mother wants him to learn some good old-fashioned values from his successful relatives. But Will shatters the sophisticated serenity of Bel-Air with his streetwise common sense, much to the dismay of his upper-crust uncle, Philip Banks (James Avery), Aunt Vivian (Janet Hubert-Whitten and Daphne Maxwell Reid) and three conceited cousins, Carlton (Alfonso Ribeiro), Hilary (Karyn Parsons) and Ashley (Tatyana Ali) - and even the butler, Geoffrey (Joseph Marcell). As the Banks family opens their home - and their checkbook - to their needy relative, Will adapts easily to their indulgent lifestyle. Yet, he reminds everyone that the simplest pleasures of family life can't be bought at any price.Repeats can be seen on Nick at Nite, The N (Noggin's nightime program lineup), and weekday afternoons on TBS.Nielsen Ratings
(Top 20 or better)Not in Top 20 in the 1990 - 1991 Season
#18 in the 1991 - 1992 Season
#14 in the 1992 - 1993 Season
Not in Top 20 in the 1993 - 1994 Season
Not in Top 20 in the 1994 - 1995 Season
Not in Top 20 in the 1995 - 1996 Season Theme Song: "Fresh Prince" Lyrics and music by Will Smith. Produced by Will Smith in association with "A Touch Of Jazz". Now this is the story all about how My life got flipped, turned upside down And I'd like to take a minute, just sit right there I'll tell you how I became the prince of a town called Bel-Air In West Philadelphia born and raised On the playground where I spent most of my days Chilling out, maxing, relaxing all cool And shootin' some B-ball outside of the school When a couple of guys who were up to no good Started making trouble in my neighbourhood I got in one little fight and my mom got scared She said "you're moving with your auntie and uncle in Bel-Air" I whistled for a cab and when it came near the License plate said "Fresh" and had dice in the mirror If anything I could say that this cab was rare But I thought nah, forget it, yo homes to bel-air I pulled up to a house about seven or eight And I yelled to the cabbie 'Yo homes, smell you later Looked at my kingdom I was finally there To sit on my throne as the prince of Bel-Air… Expand

Genre(s): Comedy

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Recent Episodes

tbd
S6:E24. I, Done (2)
Air Date: May 20, 1996
tbd
S6:E23. I, Done (1)
Air Date: May 20, 1996
tbd
S6:E22. Eye, Tooth
Air Date: May 13, 1996

See all Seasons and Episodes

Metascore

59

Positive:

7

Mixed:

5

Negative:

1

Critic Reviews

90

Chicago Tribune

Rick Kogan

Aug 16, 2013

Season 1 Review: For all of its frolic and delight, its social observations and conflict make it the television progeny of such substantive sitcoms as "All in the Family." [10 Sept 1990, p.1C]

80

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Susan Paynter

Aug 16, 2013

Season 1 Review: While Smith's act is G-rated enough to give rap a good name, the show offers a new and not-so-safe perspective of the so-called "black experience" in America. These are not the Jeffersons. These rich people have their pretentions, but they're no fools. [10 Sept 1990, p.C4]

80

San Diego Union-Tribune

Joe Stein

Aug 16, 2013

Season 1 Review: The guess is that it will have staying power, primarily because of the presence of Will Smith, a rapper who does, indeed, go by the name of "Fresh Prince." Smith, half of the rap duo of D.J. Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, is a natural, so likable and charismatic that he already has drawn parallels to Eddie Murphy from NBC's Brandon Tartikoff. [10 Sept 1990, p.C-1]

63

Miami Herald

Hal Boedeker

Aug 16, 2013

Season 1 Review: Until the confrontation scene, Fresh Prince coasts along on the considerable charm of Smith, who is making his acting debut at 21. Many shows before it have relied on their stars, but that last scene gives an intriguing insight into what Fresh Prince could be. [9 Sept 1990, p.H1]

60

Orlando Sentinel

Greg Dawson

Aug 16, 2013

Season 1 Review: But the writers blow it; they don't keep Fresh Prince in character. When he arrives at the Bel Air mansion and the black butler opens the door, Fresh Prince mistakes him for a relative - a believable lapse for an inner-city kid. But the next thing you know, he's doing a dead-on impression of an English butler...Fresh Prince shows up for a formal dinner in his gaudy street threads and doesn't know which fork to use, yet he's an accomplished classical pianist. None of this adds up, and it drains away most of the fish-out-of-water tension that could have produced a terrific comedy. [10 Sept 1990, p.C1]

50

USA Today

Matt Roush

Aug 16, 2013

Season 1 Review: Whether clinking crystal to a beat or jiving with the crusty butler, Smith is looked upon by even his detractors with condescending "isn't he something" adoration. Tiresome as that is, Smith's breezy and non-combative charm gives this the look of a winner. Even if, in concept, it's more nap time than rap time. [10 Sept 1990, p.3D]

20

Newsday

Marvin Kitman

Jul 12, 2013

Season 1 Review: It's the old school of ridiculous sitcoms at its worst. [10 Sep 1990]

SEE ALL 13 REVIEWS

Write a Review

7.5

Mixed:

0

User Reviews

10

Deadude313

Mar 6, 2021

one of the best tv shows of all time. it was funny and entertaining and all the actors did a phenomenal job.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

9

Diegochbirs

Nov 22, 2019

The show is just awesome, very funny. I really don't know how these critcs can hate one of the best sitcoms from the 90's.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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Seasons & Episodes

59

Series Overview
Season 6

tbd
- Season 6 Overview
  Air Date: September 18, 1995
- tbd
  S6:E24. I, Done (2)
  Air Date: May 20, 1996
- tbd
  S6:E23. I, Done (1)
  Air Date: May 20, 1996
- tbd
  S6:E22. Eye, Tooth
  Air Date: May 13, 1996
- tbd
  S6:E21. I, Stank Hole in One
  Air Date: May 6, 1996
- tbd
  S6:E20. I, Stank Horse
  Air Date: April 22, 1996
- tbd
  S6:E19. I, Whoops, There It Is
  Air Date: April 15, 1996
- tbd
  S6:E18. Hare Today...
  Air Date: April 8, 1996
- tbd
  S6:E17. The Butler's Son Did It
  Air Date: March 18, 1996
- tbd
  S6:E16. I, Bowl Buster
  Air Date: February 26, 1996
- tbd
  S6:E15. Breaking Up is Hard To Do (2)
  Air Date: February 19, 1996
- tbd
  S6:E14. Breaking Up is Hard To Do (1)
  Air Date: February 12, 1996
- tbd
  S6:E13. I, Clownius
  Air Date: January 15, 1996
- tbd
  S6:E12. Boxing Helena
  Air Date: January 8, 1996
- tbd
  S6:E11. I, Ooh, Baby, Baby
  Air Date: December 11, 1995
- tbd
  S6:E10. There's the Rub (2)
  Air Date: November 20, 1995
- tbd
  S6:E9. There's the Rub (1)
  Air Date: November 20, 1995
- tbd
  S6:E8. Viva Lost Wages
  Air Date: November 13, 1995
- tbd
  S6:E7. Not With My Cousin You Don't
  Air Date: November 6, 1995
- tbd
  S6:E6. Not, I Barbecue
  Air Date: October 23, 1995
- tbd
  S6:E5. The Script Formerly Known As
  Air Date: October 16, 1995
- tbd
  S6:E4. Bourgie Sings the Blues
  Air Date: October 9, 1995
- tbd
  S6:E3. Stress Related
  Air Date: October 2, 1995
- tbd
  S6:E2. Get a Job
  Air Date: September 25, 1995
- tbd
  S6:E1. Burnin' Down the House
  Air Date: September 18, 1995
Season 5

tbd
- Season 5 Overview
  Air Date: September 19, 1994
Season 4

tbd
- Season 4 Overview
  Air Date: September 20, 1993
Season 3

tbd
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: September 14, 1992
Season 2

tbd
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: September 9, 1991
Season 1

58
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: September 10, 1990