FRESH PRINCE OF BEL

FRESH PRINCE OF BEL- AIR
By: Tiauna Walker, Da’Quan Lee and Greg Babikian
Opening theme song
What is the Fresh Prince of Bel Air
Fresh Prince of Bel Air is a comedy tv show series about The
Banks, a wealthy African American family in North California.
Family member, Will from urban West Philadelphia is sent to
live with the Banks with hopes that he would learn about
good old-fashioned morals from his successful relatives.
This early 1990s comedy takes you through on a journey of
difference: different cultural backgrounds, upbringings,
morals and values, different perspective - but through the
same race.
Main Characters in the Show
The main characters of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air are the following:
Will Smith
as Will
Tatyana Ali as
Ashley
James Avery as
Uncle Phil
Alfonso Ribeiro as
Carlton
Joseph Marcell
as Jeffrey
Janet Hubert as
Vivian
Karyn Parsons as
Hilary
Jenifer Lewis
as aunt Helen
Who
watched
the show?
Fresh Prince of Bel Air’s
targeted audience were
teenagers and young
adults.
Typically, High school
students related more to
the show because they
were closer in age to the
actors.
Things happening in the 1990s at the
time
During the early 1990s African
Americans were gaining more career
opportunities > which meant they
were able to make more money.
Actors started receiving larger money
opportunities > resulting in the start
of successful and wealthier African
American tv stars.
American’s were also just now
somewhat getting past racism going
on throughout the country.
Influence the show had at the time
The show had a great success airing:
The typical everyday problems
made it easy for the show to be
relatable for everyone.
It well addressed serious issues in
the show that America was facing at
the time.
It helped build careers and
popularity of African Americans
sitcoms.
Breaking Barriers with
the Banks
The Fresh Prince of Bel Air not only
incited laughter, but also educated
people and addressed serious
societal issues that were prominent
during the early 1990’s such as:
● Stereotypes
● Interracial Dating
● Education
● Family Values
“You Can’t Control Who Love”
The Fresh Prince of Bel Air
addresses Interracial
Relationships
Guess who’s getting married?
When the Classes
Clash
“Stereotypical” urban at the
dinner table with
“stereotypical” suburbans.
Impact Fresh Prince of Bel Air left on television:
Crippling of Stereotypes
Introduced the African American family in a positive light
Dispel the myth of the dysfunctional Black family
Emphasized that Black families were not exempt from economics,
social class, education, wealth, etc.
● The Fresh Prince of Bel Air displayed how society was slowly evolving
for the better and becoming more understanding and accepting to
difference(s)
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CITATIONS
Batchelor, Bob. "Television Comedy in the 1990s." Pop Culture Universe: Icons, Idols, Ideas. ABC-CLIO, 2015.
Web. 6 Nov. 2015.
Maghbouleh, Neda. "Television Shows and American Culture." Pop Culture Universe: Icons, Idols, Ideas. ABCCLIO,2015. Web. 6 Nov. 2015.
Evans, Elizabeth. "Will Smith." Pop Culture Universe: Icons, Idols, Ideas. ABC-CLIO, 2015. Web. 6 Nov. 2015.
"The Impact of African-American Sitcoms on America's Culture." 123HelpMe.com. 14 Nov 2015