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It's safe to say that The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air was a huge hit. The NBC series had an enormous impact on pop culture. With perfect casting and strong writing, The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air showed audiences what quality television content is. The show's success has carried on with the 2022 remake, Bel-Air.
Even though The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air is primarily a comedy, the series tied in serious topics and somber moments as well. The show consistently made viewers belly laugh, but some storylines made fans cry.
10 The Famous "How Come He Don't Want Me, Man?" Scene
Will's father, Lou, came back into his life after abandoning him and his mother fourteen years prior. Will forgave his father and wanted to have a relationship with him. Despite the pair making plans, Lou told Will that he had to leave town without knowing when he'd be back. It was déjà vu for Will as Lou left again. Will claimed to feel fine and started listing off the things he did and still could do without his dad.
Following this monologue, Will started crying and asked Uncle Phil, "How come he don't want me, man?" Usually, Will is an upbeat, easy-going, and witty character. This time, he was heartbroken. Will Smith perfectly portrays the young man who never got any love or attention from his father.
9 Hilary Says Goodbye To Trevor
Trevor's death was particularly devastating as, during his time on Fresh Prince, it seemed like he and Hilary were a perfect match. Hilary's boyfriend passed away while attempting a bungee-jump proposal. Although Trevor's death is portrayed in a comedic way, with the live audience laughing at Will's quip, Hilary struggled to recover.
Hilary couldn't stop thinking about how she never had the opportunity to say goodbye. After speaking with Will and finally realizing that it was still possible, she sat alone outside their home and said her farewell. It was a very sad moment but it gave her the closure she needed.
8 Vivian (Temporarily) Moves Out After Fighting With Philip
Vivian and Philip had frequent arguments about him being too busy to spend time with her if he pursues politics. It created such a big rift between them that she temporarily moved out of their house and in with her sister, Helen. Although they have had verbal spars throughout Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, no argument had ever come to something like this. Although Philip always wanted to become a politician, it took a while for Vivian to be on board with it.
7 Geoffrey Learns That His Son Tried To Scam Him
Geoffrey found out he had a son when Frederick came to visit him in Bel-Air. After Frederick told Geoffrey that he wanted to become a butler and needed the same education that his father had, Geoffrey decides to give Frederick money. Unfortunately, Frederick had no intentions of having a relationship with Geoffrey or becoming a butler.
Will discovers his scam and confronts Frederick about it. Although Frederick is forgiven in the end, viewers can see the initial hurt and disappointment on Geoffrey's face when he found out. Geoffrey is a beloved character on The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air and didn't deserve to be exploited.
6 Carlton Is Hospitalized After Taking Drugs From Will's Locker
In Just Say Yo, Carlton takes "vitamins" from Will's locker and ends up in the hospital. After the family finds out that the vitamins were actually amphetamines, Philip and Vivian are furious. Will explains that he had the drugs because of his overwhelming schedule, thinking they would help him stay awake.
Will, overrun with guilt, begins crying. It was one of the most emotional scenes in Fresh Prince. Despite Will and Carlton always (playfully) being at each other's throats, every fan knows how much they care about each other.
5 Will Takes A Bullet For Carlton
When Carlton and Will take money out of an ATM, a robber approaches them and threatens them with a gun in Bullets Over Bel-Air. As Carlton reaches into his pocket to offer the criminal more money, the robber assumes Carlton is trying to access a weapon and fires his gun. Will gets shot when he pushes Carlton out of the line of fire.
Understandably, Carlton is devastated and can't stop replaying the events in his head. His perspective of the world drastically changed, which led to him purchasing a gun. In a heartbreaking scene, Will gets emotional and demands that Carlton hand the weapon over to him.
4 Hattie And Philip Have An Honest Conversation
Hattie, Philip's mother, is staying at the house when Philip notices that she's spending time with another man. He has a hard time processing his mom in a new relationship because he's never seen her with someone other than his father, who passed away a year earlier.
When the two are alone, Hattie expresses how incredibly lonely life has been without her husband around. Philip worries that, because she's dating again, he'll lose her as well. Though it's a sad scene, viewers see a satisfying moment between a mother and son who begin to understand each other.
3 Vy Finds Out Will Doesn't Want To Come Home
When Vivian's side of the family comes to visit, Will discovers that his mom, Vy, wants him to move back to Philadelphia. Excitedly, Vy tries to plan the fun things they can do when he comes home. Will has a difficult time breaking the news to her that he plans on staying in L.A.
When he finally does, she has no choice but to accept his decision. Although Vy is disappointed, it's a breakthrough moment because she realizes that he's grown up and is capable of making his own choices.
2 Ashley Is Punished For Lying
It's A Wonderful Lie sees Will run into his fifteen-year-old cousin, Ashley, at a nightclub. Will attended the nightclub with his girlfriend and was disappointed to find Ashley there with a college football player. Philip and Vivian are upset with Ashley when they discover that she deliberately lied about where she went for the night.
Ashley feels so guilty after being scolded that she weeps in her mother's arms. There's a lot of anger, disbelief, and remorse in this scene. Both parents are utterly beside themselves when learning of their daughter's rebellious behavior.
1 The Very Last Episode
When The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air concludes after six seasons, everyone moves out of the Bel-Air home to start the next chapter of their lives. The finality of it all starts to sink in. During the show's last episode, the house is cleared out and they all stand in the empty living room.
The Banks family says their farewells to one another before they leave and Geoffrey helps Hilary with her belongings for the very last time. It's the end of an era as a beloved sitcom comes to a close.