Top 5 Reasons The Fresh Prince was Awesome
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TV sucks now. I know this because I watch TV all the time. I am a reliable source. I probably spend more time watching TV than I do sleeping, and I can tell you that Fresh Prince re-runs are the best thing on the air. I'll admit, The Office comes close. And Stargate: Atlantis? Almost. But even the best shows pale in comparison to the mighty Fresh Prince. Why? Well, I've compiled a list of reasons. Originally, I was going to write a list about why I love living in Canada, but a lot of it had to do with food. I got depressed and did this instead.
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Will
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The Writing
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The Opening Credits
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The "Very Special" Episodes
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Carlton
If you hate Will Smith, I understand. He doesn't have too much going for him. He was in I, Robot, he married Jada Pinkett, and he hangs out backstage at Ozzfest, presumably enjoying himself. That's okay, because he was a part of my childhood. He still makes me laugh, approximately two or three times per episode. His "Uncle Phil is fat" jokes were rivaled only by his comic attempts to get with honeys. And he had impeccable taste in headwear. Yes, I love Will Smith. Even if Will Smith loves Bury Your Dead.
Don't get me wrong. Nobody writing for this show deserved an award, but Fresh Prince gets points for being snappier than the average early 90's after-school sitcom. The show was constantly peppered with grown-up themes like sex, inebriation, and racial issues. And most of it was presented with enough wit to totally annihilate Saved By the Bell and Full House. Fuck those shows.
Next time you're sitting on your futon in your undies watching TV at 2 AM and Fresh Prince comes on, take the time to actually listen to the theme song. First, that beat is sick. Who made that beat? Did he ever make an album? Where can I purchase that album? Second, nobody sings their own theme song anymore. And if they did, it would sound ridiculous. Can you imagine if CSI Miami's David Caruso rapped his own show's theme song? "This is... a story all about how... I solve murder... mysteries." That would be dumb, guy.
There's this one episode (you already know what I'm talking about if you have a soul) where Will is reunited with his truck-driving father. They form a quasi-bond, and his father promises to take Will out on the road for a few months. At the last minute, "something comes up" and the jerk splits, leaving Will to embrace the father figure that is already present in Uncle Phil. The last minute or so of this episode is the only part of any TV show to ever make me cry. YouTube that shit.
Alfonso Ribeiro recently defeated Lucy Lawless to win Celebrity Duets and I, for one, couldn't have been happier for him. As Carlton Banks, Ribeiro warmed our hearts, made us laugh, and indeed, gave us a reason to live. I'm not exaggerating. Who could forget the episode where Carlton sings a duet with Tom Jones? Or the one where he runs into a "sticky situation" at the mall? Or the one where he loses his virginity? Classic TV moments.
(Giles)
Editor's Note: While I can't deny the brilliance of Giles' list, our esteemed contributor must have neglected to watch "Heroes" at any point during 2006. The show is a welcome addition to the world of TV and has knocked "Lost" out of number one spot for "Must Watch TV" on my TV viewing schedule.(Michael)
