The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is a 90s television show on NBC about Will Smith, who shares the name of the actor who played him, and his new life when he is sent from a rough neighborhood in West Philadelphia to live with his aunt Vivian (Janet Hubert) and uncle Phil Banks (James Avery) at their mansion in Bel-Air, California, along with their children Carlton (Alfonso Ribeiro), Hilary (Karyn Parsons), and Ashley (Tatyana Ali) after living in poverty with his mother Viola (Vernee Watson-Johnson). Aunt Viv, as Will calls her, is Viola's sister, initially portrayed by Janet Hubert- Whitten and by Daphne Maxweel Reid from season 4 onward, and her personality changed along with the switch in actresses as well. At first she was more of a no-nonsense career woman, and later shown as more of a homemaker. Uncle Phil is a gruff and miserly man, whose weight is often the topic of Will's jokes, but despite his labeling of Will as a goof-off, Phil cares as much for Will as he does for his own children, and frequently shows his softer side. Hilary is the oldest child, attractive, but portrayed as unintelligent and spoiled, which uncle Phil does nothing to encourage. Hilary's co-dependence is seen in her reliance on the Banks' butler Geoffrey, a proper and gentlemanly but cynical British man. Carlton is preppy and intelligent, but very dorky and often the butt of Will's jokes, especially targeting his small stature. Ashley, the youngest, is Phil's baby girl, often subject to being overprotected by her parents, but Will treats her with respect and they grow close as a result. Will has nicknames for everyone in the family, which is his way of showing how much he cares for them despite their differences in backgrounds and personalities, and wacky hijinks ensue with Will's transplant into their home. MORE