How The Fresh Prince Created One Of The WEIRDEST Moments In Television History

There are two very different versions of The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. A lot of the best Fresh Prince of Bel Air episodes come from the first three seasons of the shows run, and there might be a reason for that. The writing of the show shifted dramatically after Aunt Viv was fired following the third seasons, and it led to long lasting changes. The Fresh Prince is split in half, and even if you're like me, and still love the show after the firing, its clear that it was different. This is a look at how.
Tracks by the amazing Patrick Perkins, SoHo (also great), and the always on point GC!

[@Nerdstalgic]

What is the best sitcom of all time? Big shout out to Grant Butler for the sounds for intro portion! Amazing producer!

[@mrpizzacat8273]

Nerdstalgic this show

[@juniorlesegoragontse7710]

Boy meets world

[@MidnightClubStillCancelledSoz]

Seinfeld

[@vidswithliam4243]

Arrested Development or Curb Your Enthusiasm

[@ChaosXTheProject]

Community

[@wordplay051]

The first Aunt Viv felt like Will's actual blood. The second aunt Viv felt like his Aunt through marriage.

[@fourthdayofoctober]

Bryan Evans that's true

[@thatdankguy5140]

I feel like they did that on purpose to take attention away from her.

[@blt1235]

Then the aunt and uncle would be inbred

[@mickobee]

Well that wouldn't make sense since the uncle is his blood, no?

[@wordplay051]

@@mickobee naw. Uncle Phil is his uncle through marriage.

[@Alleroc]

I personally feel that Will's lack of acting experience is what made his character so endearing, and the development that he had from the start to the end so genuine feeling.

[@proudtobeme1ashkente]

Exactly. I really felt like I'm watching a kid grow into an adult. I didn't notice any bad acting, but I was also rather young when I watched the show.

[@KillaryKlinton]

I feel the same. We saw his character grow and his acting grow as well. It went hand in hand.

[@MeeMesmo]

Uncle Phil guided him a lot

[@k3n12ock]

Made it more relatable for me

[@jay2thaudy]

Same with Jerry Seinfeld

[@airshow406]

Will: *looks awkwardly at the camera* Jim Halpert: *takes notes*

[@hilol9795]

Woah! Didn't expect an office reference 😂

[@sophiabrown5608]

Also Ryan in 1st series!

[@helicopterk3n708]

🤣🤣🤣

[@thea5744]

the new aunt viv felt more like a step mom

[@user-bn8md1tn3l]

That true aunt viv 2 look like a step mother and she does not look anything like her kids

[@_AZBT_ASHUTOSHKUSHWAHA]

Ashy white mother for 3 black kids. The casting decision was horrendous on a whole new level

[@MAP2023]

@@_AZBT_ASHUTOSHKUSHWAHAHillary is light skin though. Carlton and Ashley are dark skin

[@RamiroBelmaresJr]

It's weird to hear that people thought Will had no talent back then but even on the show, I think he had great comedic timing.

[@chaosdirge4906]

Comedy is a weird thing. Real comedy is something that can't really be taught it feels like. I mean there are schools for it of course but its not people that take inspiration from what they learn that become the best at it. Take Robin Williams for instance. Irony being plenty of Comedians want to get into Drama, again like Robin Williams and they don't do as good at it. That's probably also Why people felt like Will had no talent when it came to his director and cast. they were trained actors so they saw his flaws what they didn't see was the strengths of him not having their training. Plenty of people also have said the same thing about other improvising comedians, Jack Black and Robin Williams included. I remember before his death Robin Williams shared a few stories about how people told him that they though he didn't have talent either. And I can only imagine how much he had to of pissed off his editors when he kept cussing in other languages as mork which got him removed from network time slots in other countries. So it kind of makes sense that Will Smith would have the same issues when all he had was a rap career.

[@EbuCallinav]

In an odd way Will's lack of talent was and still is part of the appeal of the show. There are not many other shows where you get to watch an actor develop throughout it's run time. This helps lends to the feeling that your watching something a little more raw, unscripted and natural. I attribute it to the same type of appeal that early reality shows tapped into.

[@OdaKa]

@@chaosdirge4906 The schools are making money off the untalented hopeful wannabes

[@chaosdirge4906]

​@@OdaKa Plenty of good comedians do come from comedy schools. Weird all being one of them, but he's also basically Ivy league and graduated at the age of 16. So Comedy school rips off everyone as much as regular school in a way. XD

[@MyRegardsToTheDodo]

Nobody said he had no talent. He had no acting experience.

[@rocklee5368]

Aunt vive was so good at acting that we didnt even get that she didnt like will

[@williambrown8695]

the irony is that james avery loved Will and wanted to see him grow whereas his character was the one who "couldn't stand him". While Aunt Viv loved Will but the actor couldn't stand him.

[@CarlosHuiskens]

Its all about acting quality and chemistry. For example its been said that Nathan Fillion and Stana Katic from the show Castle absolutely hated each other. But when you see them acting together you wouldn't notice it at all.

[@marylandgirl9246]

Right! Well that and they were all good. I couldn't tell they didn't get along with her either.

[@spritepine5345]

@ what's colourist tho?

[@badaimez5244]

@@spritepine5345 racism jokes meaning like that dude is black and he is Asian and yadiyada.

[@rubberonasphalt]

I actually remember “missing” the original Aunt Viv. She had attitude that felt charming and I could relate to my own mother. Shame the actress took off-camera antics too far, I liked her version of the character

[@SheriLynNut]

She has a recent interview, you might like it, it explains a lot

[@johnle1535]

​@sher-ilynut804 it's also only her side of the story. I dont trust it all that much. When it's ONLY her of all the casts? You can't say EVERYONE was a yes man to will to that extent. Sounded like she expected and wanted too much.

[@brettvogel8418]

​@@johnle1535you might be right, but I've read some pretty mixed reviews over what it's like to work with Will on the set, and he can be an asshole at times by the sounds of things.

[@VickStarkiller]

Janet Hubert did all that complaining about how the show seemed to be getting more and more focused on Will but it seems like she forgot about the title of the whole show. Also, this show is a light-hearted family-oriented Comedy. It’s really a live-action cartoon, not Shakespeare. She was taking it way too seriously.

[@anarizmoore]

You are absolutely correct! I comment about her ego...she got caught up in her own hype.

[@Lynn17]

So basically she had Robert Reed syndrome.

[@Alexander_Grant]

You’re right about Will, but don’t think being a light hearted show means you can’t be serious about your craft. Watch bloopers of the most comedic actors you know and you’ll see them not break while the ones who aren’t that funny break. Her ego may have been horrible, but don’t discount attention to your craft, even if it’s made to make people laugh.

[@My_Lacrimosa]

She was trained as an actress She was trained to take it seriously

[@anon8740]

@@My_Lacrimosa seriousness is fine, but everything in moderation. It seems that Viv had an excess of seriousness just as much as she claims Will had a deficiency of it.

[@michaelstrong5383]

I didn't hate the second Aunt Vivian like most people did, but the original actress had energy and played off with the rest of the cast, especially James Avery's Uncle Phil, very well.

[@NoSurprisesDrew]

Yeah for sure, but they really reduced second aunt vivs role. 1st ain’t viv was great

[@anarchist_parable]

You cat come to the barbecue but we'll save you a plate

[@bs4e]

When original aunt viv spoke about racism and colourism in america, she sounded like a professor. (Aunt viv is a professor). The new aunt viv felt more like homemaker. I would even forget new aunt viv WAS a Professor. Lol Edit: and new aunt viv was light skinned. Felt like a stab in the back.

[@Sarah-zm8uh]

I feel like didn't include her character in it as much when they switched actresses too

[@arthursdl]

@@Sarah-zm8uh the second aunt viv often was "traveling" or doing some random thing to appear in less episodes

[@ResettisReplicas]

Now this is the story all about how, their show got flip turned upside down.

[@nicolesaylor4027]

😂😂🤣🤣

[@Shortyb1977]

Resetti's Replicas 🙌🏾

[@bakersupreme2010]

Ha Ha! Nicely done!

[@C00kii0]

😂😂🤣🤣

[@BlurryKnight78]

Lmao I just *had* to sing it 😂 🖤✌🏼

[@staringatthesun861]

In the scene where Will's father leaves, the acting by Will Smith is so powerful it gives me goosebumps every time I watch it. To think he could barely act when the show started just displays how far he came as an actor. Incredible.

[@harrytaylorjr2770]

I agree it's one of my favorite episodes as well

[@somalicious3569]

Will credited James Avery for how that scene turned out.

[@ChrisSmith-ec6qp]

He slapped the shit out of that acting

[@psychedelicfright85]

​@@ChrisSmith-ec6qpthat joke is a bit tired

[@johnle1535]

Gave me tears multiple times, even though I've seen it before. It's a weird feeling

[@mccrunchystinkballs5543]

"NOOO you cant goof off on a COMEDY show!" wtf is that logic XD

[@AJR-zg2py]

True, but the set is still a workplace and when the show is on a tight recording schedule, it's easy to understand how there could be tension between those who are more cavalier and those who are more intense. That said, Janet Hubert's conduct was WAY out of line and uncalled for.

[@mccrunchystinkballs5543]

@@AJR-zg2py fair point

[@lrizzard]

that being said i want to add that when i watch sitcoms i usually dont watch for the amazing acting but rather the ridiculous characters, and some of my fav scenes come from when actors go off script and start goofing around

[@jaywawayma7765]

right most comedy shows u know now even have improv where actors throw in their own twist

[@donato8983]

History is divided into two parts: Pre-Aunt Viv, and Post-Aunt Viv

[@johnnyappleseed6889]

Virgin PAV and PAV. Wait.. 😅

[@AdmiralBonetoPick]

Haha.

[@Psychocobrabilly]

Word.

[@MoJoProfessional]

Pre-pre aunt Viv, Pre aunt Viv, post aunt Viv, post-post aunt Viv

[@coltonphillips7781]

@@MoJoProfessional post aunt viv core

[@1984therocker]

Even just seeing Will mouth the words "How come he don't want me, man" is heartbreaking.

[@uchechiblxckgoddess]

I know. Shatters my whole soul😭💔

[@Jeffmetal42]

Yea, that episode hit me hard even as a kid. That was a groundbreaking episode for the show.

[@justicechase9261]

Fr man That episode is Tough to watch

[@KeiosKod]

I saw this comment just as that scene played. Like, reading this text at the same moment he was mouthing those words. I never thought I’d be one of those guys this would happen to. But it did.

[@MOTM1234]

for real though

[@TAJY26]

She had problems with them joking around on set. Did she forget they were shooting a comedy? The general feel on the set should be jovial

[@BL4K_B4BIES]

lol

[@samuelumtiti7328]

she thought they were shooting game of thrones.

[@CalaTec]

I mean, she had a point, but she should've been grateful of how important her character was despite not being the main one, and help Will develop as an actor.

[@TAJY26]

@@CalaTec She didnt realize that Will was gonna become such a huge star and influence within the industry. She basically thought she was larger than he was since she actually was a trained actress. She played her hand but ended up playing herself because the network was quick to get rid of her due to her being difficult onset and alienating herself from Will. By the time she tried to salvage her reputation, it was too late, all the major players in hollywood sided with Will and she got blacklisted

[@Luuute]

It's not uncommon for actors in comedies to want to take things seriously because at the end of the day the episode needs to get finished and if everyone is joking all day nothing will get done Michael Richards used to hate how he would have to wait a good minute or two to start his lines whenever he busted through Jerry's door because the live audience would go ballistic in laughing and cheering. Hes the funniest guy on the show yet he took it the most serious of any in the cast

[@kingque9704]

So basically she was so filled by jealousy she didn’t realize how powerful her role actually was smh 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@gerardmcmillan8591]

@Jim Johnson Exactly. If you see the other story about how the show first started, Will had NO acting experience and at one point he was going to be fired but he had enough star power from being a rapper and influence in that generation in his age group. She has been in the business for a minute and this is her craft. He was young and new to the business. Things were probably fun and games for him at his age then. He was new to this game. And everybody on the show siding with him was his age. I don't recall anyone older on the show commenting about the first Aunt Viv, only Carlton who is Will's buddy and around the same age. Most older people have no tolerance for silliness at work from anyone especially younger people. I also think that Will got caught up in being the lead character off the show especially at that age. No one is perfect. And what is also funny is on a episode of Red Table Talk, Jada had Will at the table and she spoke of how Will had a birthday party back then for her and but he made the party all about him......🤔 I think he got caught up in the spotlight when he was younger as when you hear about actors and music groups especially female groups, they talk about when they first got into the business at a young age, how they got caught up in fame and knowing better once they got older and experienced. So I don't believe it was just on Aunt Viv. I think everybody just tolerated Will's antics with him being the lead character. Older people and younger people don't usually mix socially and are really not suppose too.

[@LuizAlexPhoenix]

Not really, she had a point that she was a co protagonist instead of a side character. She knew it

[@Kxriyami]

Yup basically

[@Reykh24]

She was strong, independent, not just a supporting character to uncle phil, but Janet Hubert was being a bitch

[@djmj1000]

The only obstacle some people have are themselves and cannot reflect their situation. She could have continue having a good input on the series and the viewers by accepting will as the main character.

[@SinErrowGaming]

Long story short This lady hated Will for all the reasons we loved him Neat

[@craigjacobs5858]

That's kind of like saying a teacher hates the constant class clown for all the reasons his classmates enjoy laughing at his antics. His raw comedic timing was helpful to the show but I can imagine trained and seasoned actors not wanting to put up with it when the cameras were off, too.

[@CharlieGoldDirector]

@@craigjacobs5858 she was stuck up.

[@yungneil2669]

Craig Jacobs That’s not the case. It was a simple act of jealousy. He was the star on and off camera, the on set staff loved him and admired him. He was treated like royalty on set, she just didn’t like him and couldn’t handle not being treated like he was.

[@juawannabarron6509]

@@craigjacobs5858 Then...maybe she shouldn't have chosen to work on a comedy. 🤷🏾‍♀️ Those situations are not remotely the same. Will wasn't being disruptive; she was just jealous and basically said this herself. Also, no one else seemed to have a problem with him or how he acted, but very much took issue with her. Her attitude was one of elitism and entitlement. Everyone has to and has the right to start from somewhere, regardless of whether of not they were "trained".

[@wouldanyoneelselikedtobehe676]

She didn’t want to sell her soul

[@islandboy9381]

Extremely ironic how the show's message of "being of a higher status/expertise doesn't give you the excuse for looking down on the underdog/lower class" actually applied to this whole situation

[@sophiamr4008]

OH MY GOD RIGHT?

[@jquiet6487]

@Anoneemus Noename I don't really think that applies. That's just Will not liking the movie so he declines the role. What's wrong with that?

[@andreacole9669]

Anoneemus Noename Django was thrash and not everyone is a fan of Tarantino’s visions. I’m glad he turned it down.

[@SazZe.X]

@Anoneemus Noename Wtf. So if you're an actor and don't like the movie that it's been pitched to you, you still gotta take the role? Tf is that mentality.

[@CarlosHuiskens]

@Anoneemus Noename That's not exactly trying to dictate things above your station. He simply had creative differences with Tarantino and as an actor you've got to stand by your own opinion on certain matters. Just because Tarantino is going to do things his own way doesn't mean Will should have just accepted it and taken the role.

[@marvellousmocha1386]

Gotta say, Viv I was an empowering modern woman and Viv II felt a lot more outdated to me. She was much less capable, which was a shock after Janet Hubert’s portrayal of Aunt Viv, and not only did it make me dislike Vivian’s character, it made me dislike Uncle Phil’s character. Something I always loved about Viv and Phil’s relationship was that despite their spats and occasional “I hate my wife/husband” jokes, they were obviously tight. They would date, they would dance, they would have scenes in the show just dedicated to them talking about each other and the kids, and they were obviously still so into each other. It was something I’d watch and think “when I get married, that’s what I want.” Aunt Viv II felt like a 1950s housewife, cause not only was she less outspoken and independent, she didn’t seem like she loved her husband and he didn’t seem interested in her neither. Much more of their interactions were slights about how they could have chosen someone better, or how they used to find the other more attractive, etc etc etc. This is getting long winded as hell, but you know that episode where Uncle Phil is flirting with his old college girl? That would have never flown with Hubert’s Vivian. Not just cause she wouldn’t have stood for it, but because their relationship was strong and it wouldn’t have made sense.

[@thomasraines1396]

So she feels like an entirely different character?

[@Negrobarker]

@@thomasraines1396 yes

[@stasialii]

I feel kinda sad for the second Aunt Viv cuz she just played her role and didn't do anything wrong :(

[@himx]

I was a child so the last three seasons for me were better than the first 3 since the last three were more about the kids they were more entertaining to me

[@Martin-or4gt]

“First thing first, Rest In Peace Uncle Phil! Fareeel”

[@Five3aaron]

Factd

[@jacobjnamps2516]

you're the only father that I ever knew

[@Za1naa]

@Kel b lit 26 yeet Prophesies that I made way back in the Ville

[@mcgoughlad2505]

Zaina_1124! For Phil!!

[@emmanuelnisan1811]

He the only father I ever new

[@wakawoo12]

Nobody ever talks about how their entire house changed on the inside lmao

[@originalname9313]

Yeah that was so weird, but tbh I like the second house more.

[@DFRNTVIEWSTV]

Pie Chart somehow I don’t recall

[@sabin97]

i never paid much attention to that

[@danilochavarria7348]

Now that you mention it you're right

[@mabusestestament]

It changed for the better, imo.

[@Mentagasm]

She didn't realize that she was the main female lead. Had she rode this out they could have negotiated after they'd reach the 100 episode mark and went into syndication. She had Seinfeld dreams too early. She thought that they could go tell NBC 3 seasons in that this show is deserving of a million an episode because she wants more money. Tried to convince Will and the crew if they stick together and go negotiate that they can get what the white people on Friends/Seinfeld got. She blames will for her firing. Although every one clearly had a hard time working with her. She didn't realize what had.

[@deathwing1901]

You missed the entire point. Her point was that Will was inexperienced and only got the job because he wa sa successful rapper. She made the show but was getting paid like she was a side character.

[@EmperorDxD]

@@deathwing1901 she didn't make the show shut most people didn't care when she got replaced nobody notice the rating didn't even drop this shows you how here Influence was nothing burger

[@EmperorDxD]

@@deathwing1901 she is a side character

[@mariposa9506]

@@deathwing1901 it's not aunt viv of Belair.

[@Treaxvour]

Fun fact, she was on an episode of friends in 2002

[@Jose-se9pu]

Jazz in the first episode of season 5 "ok, who is playing the mother this year?"

[@ReachSkyla]

If only Janet supported will instead of envied him. Imagine how much more he wouldve grown.

[@davidvarnes7708]

Pretty sure he turned out doing okay for himself...

[@pawket._.]

ReachSkyla Do you mean she?

[@cleanseroftheworld]

@@pawket._. no, because Will could've used a senior actor to help mentor him

[@anonymouse692]

Hey maybe he used her hate as motivation 🤷🏾‍♂️

[@andreasbernardi3654]

nah man, she's like entitled aunt, if she teach him, then will'll also going to be entitled people

[@beccabasson4285]

It’s a shame they couldn’t get along. She was a powerful presence.

[@shihoblade]

She was but I think the show benefited by focusing on Will, Carlton, and Uncle Phil. Those three were the main reason I couldnt stop watching the show. The Aunt Viv episodes never gripped me. No doubt she acted well but the background Viv highlighted the more interesting characters IMO.

[@ebrahimmunsif]

Becca Basson I would have loved the first aunt Viv in will dad episode, I feel like she would have brought something special to that episode

[@shihoblade]

@@ebrahimmunsif I can see why you might say that but I would hate to change the way it was. Making Will and Uncle Phil closer. Will already has a mom and didnt need to explore that relationship. But the comparison between Phil and the deadbeat was strong.

[@treefiddytwoo]

i think she was important for black culture in the 90s. showing a strong black woman in that household portrayed correctly by Janet

[@mechajay3358]

@@shihoblade Yeah.

[@jayan7112]

as a kid, i kind of liked the shift of focus from Phil and Vivian to the kids. Aunt Viv also seemed nicer to child me after the switch, but you make some valid points and i feel compelled to rewatch the series entirely as a teen.

[@jezebel324]

Original Vivian was a funny woman, classy, and actually attentive to her children, with her own goals and career…remember that dance class episode? Plus her relationship with Phil felt more like a marriage, the new Viv felt like “sitcom mother”

[@alerobles9459]

I always thought the first aunt Viv was replaced because she was actually pregnant in the last episodes of season 3.

[@scottchaison1001]

@Gold Rose No.

[@itzjusttraz5650]

@@scottchaison1001 yes

[@mysteriouscookiemoustache5839]

Gold Rose That wasn’t part of the actual problem, she claimed that it was part of the reason. She also claimed that Will Smith hates dark skinned people. Basically, you shouldn’t listen to a single thing she says. If you watch her KZbin channel, she still insults Will Smith, insults the show and holds bitterness in her heart for the whole cast.

[@user-jh5fr8lf2b]

Mysteriouscookiemoustache what’s her channel called?

[@aqilhassan1316]

@@user-jh5fr8lf2b Blacktress Janet Hubert. Comment sections are closed on her channel.

[@Filet64]

When I watched this as a kid I assumed that the actress who played the original aunt viv had passed away, because that was the only thing that made sense to me

[@blackguyofthesouth2161]

That's kinda dark

[@phil_zupra_b5880]

Same for me.

[@CommodoreFan64]

Yeah that was the rumor that went around my school that she got cancer, and passed away, but I got dial-up internet by the 5th season, so I did some Yahoo searching, and figured it out.

[@TheJadeFist]

@@blackguyofthesouth2161 Well, that's what happened to Dumbledore between Harry Potter movies. It is odd they'd just replace a character like that, with voice actors you can slide by without too much issues, but to a replace a character in a live action show multiple seasons in is a bit odd. Usually they just write the character off in some way.

[@zzdesolatezz]

I heard she was a bit much to work with.

[@wickedfiend7135]

Not only was aunt viv being played by a different actress, but her personality was different too. The new one was always mad and the original one always had me laughing

[@DoobieV]

Say what you want, but the original Aunt Viv brought the tenacity and dynamics to the character. Her Aunt Viv had a lot of her personality and DNA in it, and she played the part so well that NO actress could replace her!

[@tiffanyi5645]

So unfortunate that she couldn’t overcome her issues because she was the best Aunt Viv, she WAS Aunt Viv. The show would’ve been that much greater had she gotten over herself and focused on what’s important!

[@deanwinchester3356]

Tiffany I Not IMO. I think the second aunt was much better!

[@kosmicfool]

Agreed. Viv 1 was so good; Viv 2 was the worst.

[@thebeststooge]

I watched the show a little after #2 came on board and I just didn't like it nearly as much so I wandered away never to return and to this day I have not watched it since.

[@ANARCHY.050]

Her "issues" wanting more from the cast and crew, its hard to "get over" her profession and work environment.

[@as-ei3sy]

shit if i wasn't getting paid enough for one of the main roles on a show i would quit too. that is what happened with the non adam and jamie mythbusters.

[@-scorpionox-]

The irony is comical. The resentment she felt towards Will and the lack of professionalism on set is what led her to be the most unprofessional actor on the show.

[@Platerpus7]

-Scorpionox - as Will becomes one of the greatest actors of our time

[@tavisjh]

@@SwitchTvAr *Highest paid

[@RamiroBelmaresJr]

@@SwitchTvAr have you Seen The Pursuit of Happiness??

[@johnvarley4561]

The irony goes further. She may have even helped propel Will into the superstardom he enjoys today

[@BrunoAnton]

Will told her 'My deal is my deal and y’alls deal is y’alls deal.' when she wanted to have the cast negotiate together like the one in Friends did. Given the little information given, there's just her word against the studios. It's incredible that you're all automatically believing the studio. Whenever I think of why Americans barely have unions, I realize that they'll stab each other in the back for a shiny nickle and a pat on the back from their boss. I can't believe how many likes you're getting. Such disgusting "screw you I've got mine" behaviour and it's shocking nobody here realizes how gross they sound. Thank goodness I don't have any of you as my co-workers.

[@waterbearer4627]

She is such a great comic actress, her timing and delivery is perfect but she had the rare ability to be serious too. Very rare talent to be both!!

[@timariaans1710]

According to Hubert, during the filming of Season 3, there were a lot of personal matters going on in her life that none of the cast was aware of, including Smith. "There was some friction because I was pregnant," Hubert said, adding, "and home life was not good at all. I was no longer laughing, smiling, joking because there were things that were going on that nobody knew about." Smith, who was just 21 years old at the time, admits he could have handled the dispute between him, Hubert, and the producers better. "During that time of her pregnancy, I wasn’t sensitive, I wasn’t perceptive. And now that I’ve had three kids, I’ve learned some things that I did not know at the time and I would’ve done things very differently. But I can see where I made the set very difficult for Janet." Hubert goes on to explain that she wasn't really fired at all, but instead, decided not to take the deal the producers of the show offered her. "They offered me this really bad deal in the third season," Hubert explained. "They said, ‘you’ve got two months and three weeks of work and you cannot work anywhere else. So that meant my salary was cut. I had a new baby and a husband who was out of work. So I said, ‘no.’ I did not accept their offer. I was never fired. So the misconception was always put out there. I was trapped, what could I do? So they said, ‘OK. We’re gonna recast your role.’ And I said, ‘what can I say?’ I was hurt deeply."

[@MrDefault08]

Shout out to James Avery, aka Uncle Phil, for being the support role that ACTUALLY did what we all feel the first Aunt Viv should have after watching this. An accomplished actor, who showed patience to the new actor and mentored him and the cast through the shows entirety. RIP James!

[@Himanboy]

You have 69 likes

[@freddymeisner]

Himanboy 1 it doubled, but still, *nice*

[@Himanboy]

Nice

[@1bwash]

You can praise somebody without shitting on someone else. The situations are different.

[@vitornunes1515]

@@Himanboy 420 now

[@candiigurl7893]

It's still sad to think about how Uncle Phil is dead...

[@TheHippyProductions]

Dont be sad about their passing, be happy they were alive

[@maskedmoviegoer8013]

Yep. And I feel like if they move forward with that revival series, it will be the elephant in the room the whole time, which is why they probably shouldn't do it.

[@SharpDesign]

Be Happy that he was Shredder.

[@maad1670]

First things first, Rest in Peace Uncle Phil

[@cartooncottage2024]

Agreed.

[@seriousmanner787]

Will Smith gave us some of the best acting moments in TV history with 2 specific scenes-the one where he talks to uncle Phil after his dad leaves him, and the one where he takes the gun from Carlton in the hospital. He’s a legend and his acting comes from a real deep place.

[@jasonschlierman412]

Yes, those were two very good episodes. Fully agreed!

[@sabrina.natalie]

👏🏽 Absolutely agree. Beautifully articulated! Those are my favorites scenes.

[@mar00ned1ts]

Gotta appreciate the fact that even the directors and writers realized how confusing it was for the world by making Jazz point it out and say she looks and seems different tho

[@smac919]

I'll give the second Aunt Viv one thing, she looks wayyyy more like Hillary and Ashley. Hillary legit looked like she could be her daughter.

[@yourneighborhoodfujoshi]

Shinigami With American and South American blacks skin color or features aren’t a helpful sign as one, black Americans, i.e., most the entire collective of black folks in the Americas, as the majority are at least 20% white, with very few being less, and 15-3% native, those percentages rising in Central America and Brazil are multi-ethnic AND multi-racial. Descendants of multitudes of Africans, not just one or 3 like most Africans, on top of European, Native American and in some places, Asian and East Indian. Some are a mix of literally everything. Most black folks have kids with a plethora of skin tones, rarely uniform unless they’re both the same complexion. And even when you have that, at that point it will depend on what ancestry their parents have in common, so if they both had a black mother or a black father that’s the side that’s going to dominate on the kids. And vice versa. With black folks for the most part unless they’re just mating with one type of person consistent in their lineage, anything goes. Hence the title of “most diverse” group, and “no such thing as a mono-ethnic black”. I doubt it with the history of the continent and how well traveled the group has been for the most part. One of my neighbors is very dark and his wife is a dark skinned woman of Cambodian and Mexican Lebanese lineage and their children have hazel and green eyes: Neither parent does. Neither of their grandparents do either, but one of the black man’s great grandparents was Lebanese with green eyes and so is the woman’s maternal grandmother. Their kids look like everything you could think of, but with traces of black. The point is, I believed the old Aunt Viv being her kid’s parents, including Hillary’s. I found her more admirable to see than the potential socialite turned “retired professor” that the New Viv was. She was refined and hard working and extremely wise, not just the pretty little housewife that took a backseat. Those women are cute to see sometimes but hard not to look down on them for being nothing more than “ornaments” if that makes sense.

[@wheresyourscooter1628]

Only because they’re the same skin tone 🙄.

[@tehnemox]

@@yourneighborhoodfujoshi after that essay, I'd like to add my 2 cents and say that skin tone was never the issue. Nose, eyes, hair, etc did in fact look more similar with 2nd aunt viv. Why did you assume right away that original comment meant it in a skin tone kind of way?

[@yourneighborhoodfujoshi]

tehnemo Because Aunt Viv has THREE kids, two which are darker skinned. Not just Hillary. With Uncle Phil, who’s also typical black American skin tone. Often that’s what most folks mean when they refer to the Aunt Viv question disregarding the fact that Uncle Phil with OG Aunt Viv looks just as much like Hillary’s father. Kids don’t usually just take after mom, usually they take after dad. In reality New Aunt Viv and Uncle Phil would have more ambiguous looking kids, with maybe one darker one. I didn’t mean to offend or get defensive I just wanted to illustrate something that other groups of people might not be aware of because they’re not taught, aren’t familiar with others histories, particularly black Americans and African history, and just how varied out appearances are because of the nuanced history. It is ok. Believe me I know we’re not the only ones with a murky history. And a lot of us are not keen on paying attention to the various degrees of what we could look like because of the negative implications of having certain colorings, hair and features, because for a good time of our modern history in the americas, blacks were condemned or alienated amongst each other for it. It’s something that I continually get still, being a black person born out of two very mixed parents with siblings that are very different looking in terms of features and colors: That’s me to your left, a younger sibling that looks like Dominic Purcell, another like Stephen Curry, another one pretty close looking to Wentworth Miller, my eldest brother is colored similarly to Kobe Bryant, the second oldest looks like the Arab guy in the mummy, another is similar in tone to Michael Ealy and my dad has looks and features similar to Terrence Howard. My mom could pass for Ethiopian or East Indian, looks very much like Liya Kebede, only Halle Berry colored. We get it all of the time, especially me and my lighter siblings since I sort of literally came in the middle and two siblings can often pass for white, with one being literally white to most people’s eyes. The two passers barely look like my parents but DNA tests proved otherwise. I get flack for being the only one that has dark eyes, never mind that my mom does. And my eldest brother used to get treated like an alien for being the darkest among us. The second one for looking straight up Arab. And the lighter twins get asked if they’re adopted. We got it so often and still do that when we vacationed for the first time to South America we actually kind of felt relieved. Down there we don’t stick out we’re the norm. Same in many places in Saharan Africa, Mediterranean Europe and the Middle East. It is nothing to get offended about as often what we don’t know could blind us. I didn’t mean to just imply coloring, I meant to imply the features as well. And sorry about the essay. Sometimes it can be hard to condense such a subject.

[@tehnemox]

@@yourneighborhoodfujoshi I am from Panama in central america. I am aware of what you are talking about the difference in shades is a non issue down there. Perhaps that is why it bugs me so much. Northern american culture seems...extreme some times when it comes to skin color. Not saying there is no racism down there, but its a different kind of racism if that makes sense. I acknowledge the issue is more personal to you and I don't mean to be completely dismissive about it or your own experience. I was just trying to point out that your perception may have been colored (no pun intended) by your own bias. I have both Spanish and italian background, so I am fairly white skinned for a latino. But my dad is mulato himself. My half brother has a fairly dark skinned father, but I guess my mom's side is strong with the pigments because he came out not super light black but not super dark either. Its just not something we tend to focus much so the issue being an issue at all still baffles me. Hope you have a great day =)

[@tominiolubo4261]

Personally the second Aunt Viv was never as funny as the first Aunt Viv

[@shanebrady9617]

That's kinda obvious

[@shanebrady9617]

@Zain844 hELLLLLL NO

[@AntBanks4114]

Zain844 he’ll naw

[@shanebrady9617]

@Zain844 have you seen the episode where she trys dancing?

[@shanebrady9617]

And second vivs hair is the most unattractive hair you could have

[@rhsking05]

All past beef aside, and I learned a lot about the back story of the two aunt vivs in this clip, I always liked the first aunt viv more. She had more fire about her and seemed more like family, almost like she was Will’s own mom. Admittedly the second aunt viv paired better with uncle phil. She seemed more like an established woman of wealth and refined taste.

[@Jdawg1234]

That's not how she was supposed to be aunt Viv wawsnt suppose to be a "I'm rich and I don't have to do anything for money "

[@edge3220]

Uncle Phil and Jazz's relationship was consistently my most favorite part of the show.

[@michaelstrong5383]

You'd think that Uncle Phil throwing Jazz out of the house would get old, but it keeps getting funnier every time.

[@tiredox3788]

@@michaelstrong5383 My favorite part was when Phil threw Jazz into the house.

[@sonyabladesbooty3890]

Was jazz the butler

[@blackguyofthesouth2161]

@@sonyabladesbooty3890 what?!

[@Sg190th]

@@sonyabladesbooty3890 ah you have a lot to watch my guy.

[@KenMasters.]

I love the original Aunt Viv, but I had no idea that Janet Hubert was so stuck-up.

[@loafofbread9400]

The word youre looking for is uppity n*****

[@doflash9210]

Loaf of Bread what?

[@gotdffgfygv7876]

Loaf of Bread can you say that word

[@Supertasticisaword]

I have a strong feeling that she wasn’t uptight, just underpaid.

[@zayaanwaggie7223]

@@Supertasticisaword yep. They like painting black women as difficult. This is probably a case of her being grossly underpaid and then they spin it as "angry black woman". Happens all too often in Hollywood.

[@OfficialDamaniScott]

The problem was the dark skinned Viv was extremely jealous of Will because the show revolved around him. A similar situation happened on Good Times where the mother had beef with JJ because he was getting all the attention.

[@Acore-ly9qx]

don't forget when jazz said "who's the mom gonna be this time"

[@Denvr2]

_What’s ironic about her calling him a bad actor, is that he ended up becoming a successful actor_

[@Iarlen]

Not really ironic, people just don't understand that talent isn't real, it's always a craft practiced and repeated, just some do it intuitively and at a young age and others are thrust into it and make the best of it like Will

[@Muro321]

@@Iarlen That is kinda what talent is. Talent makes practice more efficient.

[@Iarlen]

@@Muro321 No that's called the g, it's a general intelligence factor. Anyone who has "talent" in one thing will have talent for close to everything by that standard.

[@venerablepoof]

Its true tho. Everyone can do every thing that requires learning with practise. Saying thats talen just puts down effort people push into it. "Wow you are really talented" or "Wow you've really put your heart into this" which one do you think rings truer?

[@lucasoscar]

Why people mix success with quality? He could become a big star and still be a bad actor or at least a mediocre one. Anyway, the rock was the high payed or selling actor last year IIRC and i dont think him is a great actor. Ok at best

[@sxtorus]

The 1st Aunt Viv was a strong character who stood up for herself. The 2nd Aunt Viv was more like a wife prop, not really included in episodes. :(

[@a.l.zacharia2834]

i feel like the writers coulda written a stronger part for the second aunt viv

[@nicolestewart2274]

@@a.l.zacharia2834 Not really, she couldn't act worth crap.

[@bespinguard9946]

She was included in the story, except she didn’t really talk or do something crazy or funny or whatever

[@etrangray-mane8610]

I mean, in universe, she's given birth again for the first time since Carlton. I'm pretty sure giving birth makes you act different, especially if you're getting up in years.

[@Strobobel]

Prob writers shifting attention from aunt viv overall...was about the family Then became will’s adventures

[@AT-tx7tt]

I actually loved the og aunt viv but i didn't know she was sooo... idk snobish

[@yairort]

watch the reunion this video is not true at all the reunion is on hbomax

[@leilaniforgod]

As I recall from when it first happened, the original aunt viv (in real life) was a cultural elitist who assumed that hip hop wasn't going anywhere so she acted rude and entitled towards her co-stars. Now we all see how that panned out for her. The same people you meet on the way up are the same people you meet on the way down!

[@awacisse2775]

That’s dandy and all but, they could have found someone who at least looked a little like the original

[@iPadStroller]

Why, it wasn't her looks that needed to be replaced

[@thetomasloretta]

You’re correct. I said the same about the Malcolm X and Thurgood Marshall movies. But they killed Aunt Viv because she was strong. There shouldn’t have been a replacement for Aunt Viv, they messed the show up.

[@shanebrady9617]

Naa doesn't matter bout the looks we needed one that acts like the original

[@cdachoppa]

They ain’t even try lol

[@arthurm.358]

@PKD Orion Hillary yes. Ashley, Carlton and little Nicky...no.

[@bunnynjesus4eva]

She did know that the show didn’t revolve around aunt Viv when she auditioned for the show right?

[@airaneon]

She probably did, but with her character holding a strong presence in the show and even being the center of some episodes she saw an oportunity to get more from it and most likely she played the "you can't replace me, I'm too important" card as well. This stuff happens all the time to be honest, even in small productions. I would say that managing the actor's egos are like 50% of the work in big audiovisual productions.

[@iRaven-_-]

Josefina Avila but the funny thing its that aunt viv was one of the main characters and the show did revolve around her. Its her fault for being greedy and envious.

[@TheBashar327]

Actors ego's never read the memo. Haven't you been watching Hollywood being revealed for what it really is? Bunch of fake people who specialize in acting fake trying to pretend they care.

[@Pete-Prolly]

I think that instead of being happy she was on a popular, successful show, she believed "if you work hard, pay your dues, & have seniority then over time you will be rewarded." (That's supposed to be how life works) but people will choose popular trends over talent or craftsmanship everytime. Its the same in movies: When's the last time anyone stuck around after a movie and said: "wait guys, I wanna see the credits!! I really care about the producer & all the people who assisted in making this film for us, especially the key grip, they did such an amazing job," does that ever happen??? 🤷🏻‍♂️ Nah, FANS ONLY CARE ABOUT WHO "STARS" in it. They don't even care if they're talented, AS LONG AS THEY'RE POPULAR WITH TEENS or American culture cuz THAT'S how businesses make the "DONUT$" Yes, Will Smith became a talented actor, (arguably,) but that came later.

[@farahgaston8883]

Josefina Avila clearly not... but it’s the tale as old as time... 😒😒 jealousy always gets the best of people like that... Will was the show... without it would’ve been really bad... 🧐🧐

[@TheOneBlackKidd]

I think the adjustment to the kids shows how growing up of the kids and them maturing too. Just like Will's acting, it slowly becomes more prominent that the younger characters are becoming more aware of the overall message of this show. I was so sad when I saw a different actress for aunt viv but I still think this is the best sitcom EVER.

[@fen4554]

Sounds like the boss who says "You're not here to make friends." Technically correct, but making everything harder than it needs to be.

[@lolrus5555]

I can definitely understand why people say they feel the original Aunt Viv was a better actor than the new one, but given that I've always heard stories about how nasty and toxic Janet Hubert was, I can hardly blame them for cutting her off and getting someone that was much less of a pain in the ass to deal with.

[@nameless592]

Lol cus you know her in real life right 😆

[@danilochavarria7348]

@@nameless592 u think hitler isnt a bad person either since you dont know him in real life?

[@eng3d]

Asking for a raise= toxic

[@rochelle1199]

Personally I don’t think you can tell this was his first acting job!

[@ClaraMercury]

Was it?

[@Mourneblade91]

@@ClaraMercury it was

[@vincentalbanese9443]

Oh, come on...his acting was TERRIBLE at the beginning of this show. We have watched this guy go from terrible to very good. He is no Sidney Poitier...but if I was casting a movie needing a decent actor in his 50s, I would cast Smith. I don't see him as a family man actor, though...he does better when he is single, with the noted exception of Pursuit of Happyness. That, in my mind, is his best work.

[@angelat5554]

in the first season when they were filming will didn’t want to mess up his first acting job, he would study his lines so hard whenever will had dialogue with another character, he would almost mouth what the other person was saying. he’s stated it before in interviews and it’s very noticeable once you see it in the first few episodes. i think the best example is him with don cheadle in season 1.

[@rmenendez]

In the beginning Will would mouth the lines of everyone. Lol it was rough

[@marian3nene45]

This video hits a little different after the HBO reunion...

[@jameshennessy3731]

Oh, and I LOVE the screen you use. Just different and refreshing idea.

[@AnalyticalMenace]

So, did she *not* realize she was starring in a SITCOM??

[@mrcritical6751]

She was the kind of actress who desperately wants to make a difference for the black community but keeps failing due to her own Janet hubris

[@Arctrooper2091]

Some actors are just really serious about their craft. Kramer from Seinfeld was similar. He'd do tons of prep work to make sure he'd get it perfect on the first take and would get irritated when others didn't. However, unlike Aunt Viv, he got along with the rest of the cast and didn't constantly criticize them.

[@Magus12000BC]

@@Arctrooper2091 - Kramer wasn't also being upstaged by someone with no acting chops. Imagine doing this craft for years, and a clueless Will Smith who almost gets fired himself takes the limelight away from you. That had to have stung her pride in a bad way. Some might construe her as entitled and perhaps there is truth to that. But it seems to me thay she just let her pride get in the way.

[@jorge46404]

Magus12000BC even if she was a better actress tan Smith (at that time) she didn’t realize it was a show designed and written for him. She was an employee not the owner nor the creator of the show.

[@SnowyWolborg]

@@jorge46404 Bingo! This is the short and long version of it. Janet didn't realize that the show was about Will. Or was in denial. She wasn't going to be maun focus even if she was the more experienced performer.

[@thesoundofzilla]

Man... I remember watching the episode where aunt viv was suddenly a different lady, was pretty weird at the time. Then we all went back to laughing at wills antics and went on with our lives lol

[@ClaraMercury]

Exactly, me too!

[@mobettadenu1325]

Rite

[@funtimewithfifi1260]

Look at will smith now he is one of the most successful actors ever.

[@TheRealSorav]

He's not that great of an actor. He's kind of hit and miss

[@nawafasmd5146]

Mashallah tbark allah alhamudillah inshallah better AStgfrallah

[@colorphone5154]

@@TheRealSorav its like a bard, if they fail, he will fall over but brush it off, but if he hit it. He HITS it HARD

[@ashleyfromearth]

They cut her pay, she asked for a better reasonable pay, all the while she wasn't getting along with will. In my opinion, it was the worst mistake the casting director or whoever made, but will had the final say which was such a petty thing to do. But yeah, great show, some horrible decision making.

[@bluebay1031]

The only issue I have with her not getting along with Will is that it was mostly based on her opinion of how he should act off-camera, which just feels controlling, and on him being an amateur which, while potentially annoying, isnt a reason to scream at someone. It just makes you come off as vain and demanding. She definitely deserved more pay though.

[@hbluemole6941]

Didn't she get less money than Uncle Phil? Of course she wants more then

[@xEllieRose]

She's known for having people take their videos down about her, so let's hope that doesn't happen

[@CaesarCassius]

Yo, don'obody wants dawk-skeeen Ant Veeeeeev!

[@TheNeXusCore9032]

She's also known for going in bizarre tirades against anyone that she doesn't like. She made videos about her obsession with Will Smith on KZbin a while back even after it's been so long since the show ended. Not a sign of strong mental health.

[@willbrown6298]

@@TheNeXusCore9032 Yeah, she seems bitter and crazy.

[@Sg190th]

I wouldn't blame her. I don't think anyone would want a video about them years ago lol

[@willbrown6298]

@@Sg190th No one wants a video about them thats negative. Doesn't mean they have the right to remove someone's open thoughts about them (as long as if they don't call for harrassment or any sort of violence)

[@eudoraevans3340]

Old Aunt Viv was REAL! The second one just had no voice....🤷🏾‍♀️

[@Michelle-pn9xt]

The first aunt Viv, not the old aunt Viv.

[@OnyHipHopMusic]

tbh thats kinda normal , Janet wanted to stand out more then anything , she wanted to stand out even more then Will , when the second Aunt Viv came on , she followed her role wich wasnt that important in the first place. Ppl say that the first aunt viv felt like the real deal , but thats only because she wasnt doing her job properly , her role wasnt to stand out that much , but she forced it non-theless. Thats the whole reason she was fired in the first place

[@gregjackson9407]

After the hbo reunion this video isn’t accurate at all lol

[@marian3nene45]

Oh my days, I've been looking EVERYWHERE for this comment, thank you!! It is so true!!

[@jp3813]

The reunion may not be so accurate either since Will likely didn't want to say anything that would upset Janet.

[@d.jmooreburner672]

This video is true and they probably got over it like adults do

[@69Kurry69YT]

Yep seen that

[@akashmakkar7187]

Exactly. For decades so much vitriol has been thrown at Janet Hubert. Just look at forum and reddit posts even from a year ago. People call her so many names. Yet now, we know that she wasn't wrong. Will did make it tough for her, and being a black woman, it was already tough for her, even with her immense talent. And what's wrong with asking the cast to band together to get a better pay for all? Will was simply an asshole for not helping everyone else. A spolit kid who was given too much power, and he didn't live up to it. Now that truth is out, the world will be kinder to Janet Hubert and her legacy, coz the woman is super duper talented.

[@jameshennessy3731]

Love these kind of vids man. Your dedication and research answers ALOT of questions we've had for years. Watched the Back to the Future one aswell (not sure if it's your vid) and I found out alot I've always wondered about, but not cared to ACTUALLY find out. So thank you.

[@rageboyRM]

The show was built like this. Will was a fish out of water and couldn’t assimilate. Aunt Viv was supposed to be a bridge between Will’s world and the world of Bel Air. Uncle Phil was supposed to be the resistance to Will’s antics and misbehaviors. Carlton was supposed to be the playful antagonist. And Ashley was supposed to be the influence of Will on the family. The fact that Hubert was (in real life) antithetical to the role of Aunt Viv is what hurt her employment. From everything I’ve heard, James Avery was a benevolent force of support and compassion on set. She could have learned a thing or two from him.

[@needaccount94]

True. She seems to only like to do things her way.

[@BarfyMan_362]

Definitely, it’s a shame she couldn’t see and understand her role the way it was written

[@01hondascott]

and Hilary?

[@rageboyRM]

01hondascott Hillary was the inconsequential dunce. She was there purely for the sake of comedic relief to deliver one liners when a scene got too tense. There were maybe only two episodes about her in the entire series and they were just “filler”.

[@rageboyRM]

Frankie D her entire purpose was to be tension relief. I didn’t feel like she needed to be mentioned because she’s not integral to the cast.

[@Rampageotron]

I don't remember caring at all when they switched Aunt Vivs. For me and most of America, it was the Will and Carlton show: featuring Unca Phil.

[@PressA2Die]

You mean THE SHREDDER

[@babygurll7]

This is actually really true 😂

[@WhereisYunoGasai]

Nawww Aunt Viv was great , her being replaced was horrible

[@koldemperor8474]

Correct, nobody I knew in my hood gave a shit about anyone else but Will and maybe Ashley.

[@gracerodriguez2200]

I cant believe how many likes this has and the lack of dislikes this has...! I just couldn't watch the show after viv left. It was just weird. It just wasn't the same

[@emmanueloshaddai3259]

You make such amazing content.

[@bryannelson2020]

If this show ever made a come back, I would definitely watch it.

[@MrJonathon08]

Yes she was really talented, but the show is about will. She couldn’t handle that and the network had to protect their baby. That’s show biz

[@sailorgallifrey1365]

Unfortunately talent doesn’t matter when you throw a fit every time someone makes a mistake like she did to Will

[@user-xy6ey7fc6f]

She was obviously just a very racist person

[@KtotheG]

She had that classic attitude problem and had no respect for her boss, Will Smith.

[@vibunja3602]

@@sailorgallifrey1365 They said she had complaints, but she wasn't heard, she started to voice them in the second season so she didn't throw a fit every time until the first season was over which had 25 episodes. It wasn't even in the first episode of the second season. It seems Nerdstalgic didn't use the correct word. He said "they don't take it seriously" when he could have used this instead: The cast wasn't professional about their job which seems that they were acting like little children and fooling around, and there were unnecessary bloopers.

[@henriettaparks586]

SCORPIONOX!! RIGHT!!! SHE SHOULD HAVE SHOWN!! MORE!! DIGNITY!! SHES THE ADULT!! SUPPOSEDLY!! NATURARLY!! THEY WOULD BUILD THE SHOW AROUND HIM HES WAS FRESHFACED HOT RAPPER!! MR AVERY HAD SENSE AND DIGNITY!! I KNEW OF HIS PAST WORK!!! NOT HERS!!

[@hanibalking7841]

Omg wills face when he breaks the wall is priceless. Who didn’t like this show when we were young

[@umarb7325]

saturday mornings were never the same

[@oilersridersbluejays]

Even my born in the 1950s Saskatchewan farmer German-descended parents loved this show. I remember watching the new season premier and all of our jaws dropped and my dad was like "who the fuck is she?"

[@marselmusic]

it's a perfect meme of todays standards

[@jimmicrackhead12]

When did he break a wall?

[@oilersridersbluejays]

@@jimmicrackhead12 derp...

[@morel5018]

Until now I didn't knew this was Will's ever first role. Obviously he did it amazingly, but being honest, I can understand how frustrating it could be after being an actor for my whole life. Even so, Will was incredibly talented after some seasons, and I can't imagine how the world would be today if they had actually replaced him at the beginning of the series

[@JordanNHoule]

I recently rewatched all of “Boy Meets World” I’d love to see some Nerdstalgic reviews on that! I’m a 35 year old in Washington state and always thought of myself as a “hopeful Cory” and only now after 2020, counseling and seeing my marriage crumble because of my inability to process my childhood trauma and take it out on my family have I realized I was much more of a “Shawn” than anything else. 🤯

[@twoscoops9132]

Shawn was mad cool tho

[@bobbymccabe2825]

I would love a Nerdstalgic video on “Family Matters”. The sit-com went through some extremely dramatic cast shifts as the series progressed. Central characters disappeared or were recast without any explanation. Urkel wasn’t even a major character until about halfway through the series. What happened?

[@koatam]

Yo, how about Save By the Bell? How the show was originally about the Teachers.

[@pushwiseman4095]

Key and Peele did a good cover on Family Matters behind the scenes.

[@michaelstrong5383]

I read somewhere that Urkel pretty much saved the show from cancellation. He went from a secondary character to becoming the main character overnight. I personally love the show, but it's not flawless, especially around the final season where they replaced the actress who played Harriette with another actress, and the dynamic she had with Carl just wasn't there anymore.

[@betsyab121]

The character of Urkel had a catchphrase that became part of the zeitgeist and ratings went up. So, the writers, knowing a good thing when they see it, shifted the focus from Carl and the family to the annoying neighbor, Urkel, and his love for Laura. The same thing happened with Happy Days when the minor character of Fonzie exploded and he became the second lead right behind Ron Howard. You can never predict these things but they do happen.

[@sonickhable]

man, i went back to rewatch the series and before urkel, the show was just bland. he may have taken monopoly of the show, but he was entertaining nonetheless

[@67spankadelik]

Sounds like she was feeling herself because she had the most experience.

[@personalfunfest]

Will was a rapper back then... rappers weren't big back then or thought of as stars... or even talent. She was mad because the rapper was becoming more of a hit than her stage-trained behind... in a word, jealousy. Look at will now.. hes only known as an actor! Lol

[@cherie0882]

And wasn’t she justified in feeling that way?

[@Waskomsause]

@@cherie0882 No, because she may have been trained, but she was jealous of someone else having a good personality that people enjoyed, not because a bad actor got a better deal out of it then her. Stage plays need good actors, a TV sitcom needs a god personality.

[@DPowered2]

Which nothing should be wrong with but the world is largely unfair and unjust

[@C00kii0]

Same thing I was thinking.

[@John-ct9zs]

Yeah I was 17, 18 in 1993 when the new Aunt Viv showed up. There was no explanation, although it was a wtf moment, anyone who watched a decent amount of TV up to that point understood that roles do get recast sometimes or actors got fired. ie Roseanne and the Becky’s, the show Valerie turned into The Hogan Family after Valerie Harper was fired, or a baby suddenly turns into a 5 year old, which is a recast....so in 1993 we knew the TV world and Wil Smith’s look and Jazz’s comments were enough to let us know the role was recast.

[@illusioNery]

I like to think that Phillip Banks remarried to someone named Vivian as well just so they could keep calling her "Aunt Viv" Hence the dramatic change in character quirks and mannerisms but it's also flawed when Will's mom comes to visit and calls her "sister" and what not

[@edge3220]

I always hated how they changed Ashley's character, but this explains a lot.

[@emilnedev4738]

Eric Thomas A-woman

[@marcatehamburgers5835]

ashley grew up that why

[@cpt-cheese3489]

Eric Thomas did they change Ashley?

[@CookiePieMonster]

When tf did that happen?

[@jayball820]

She was a kid in a 6 year long show, kids change a lot quicker than adults do

[@unuseableb]

Its funny how some actors while hating the rest of the cast or by hating the entire idea of the show/movie often pull the role incredibly well. Alec Guinness is another example, he didnt like star wars at all but played Kenobi to his fullest extent and even mentored the younger actors on set. I think its just professionalism being able to do your job although the circumstances arent ideal

[@DEADPOOL9AND]

I remember reading him staying he didn't really put much effort into the role, and kind of phoned it in, and his dislike came after when that "little" movie ended up eclipsing the rest of his career. He was a great actor and Obi Wan wasn't even close to being his best role, so I can understand his position.

[@HamzaAnsari1425]

Yea, he didn't really take Star Wars seriously... funny how he's still the only actor to have been nominated for an Oscar in a SW film.

[@danielyoung6778]

@@DEADPOOL9AND yeah and having seen his proper films I understand it. I don't like Star Wars so I might be biased but having this long illustrious career only to get known for some dumb sci-fi crap I did for a paycheck would be quite upsetting. Some people call in ungrateful but I think I'd react the same way if it was me.

[@HenshinFanatic]

Personally I've always been more of a Trekkie than a big Star Wars nerd, but they're both formerly great franchises so I find the original Kenobi's thoughts on his role in such an impactful trilogy to be utterly alien. I guess it has to do with the prejudice against genre fiction which used to be very prevalent but the dismissiveness has always been something I could never wrap my head around. How can anyone claim that certain kinds of Literature/Cinema/Music are always and forever lesser than all others unequivocally? It boggles my mind how far the stick must be up such a person's backside.

[@danielyoung6778]

@@HenshinFanatic maybe he did have a bias but I also consider it a personally valid. As someone with no dislike towards genre fiction I can still understand it based on his work. The guy was predominantly in high drama and starred in some of the great films of his time. Remember he's from a period when those genre's were often quite pulpy and simple in the mainstream (I'd argue star wars is still that 100%) . It's not where his interest lied and he did star wars as a paycheck nothing more and it was understandable to be disheartened to be known to the average guy on the street for a film you don't even like. Guinness still showed up three times and did his job as a professional should. It's ok to dislike star wars without it just being a bias against genre fiction as a whole. Might have been equally annoyance at his whole very successful career being ignored for one project and it's simple matter of preference over what he considered more worthwhile work, disliking the franchise for the same reasons someone like me is ambivalent towards it.

[@FieroFats]

The 80's and 90's weren't the "dark ages" of information. We had daily news that covered popular culture, and weekly magazines. When a popular character was changed in a television show we usually knew it was happening far in advance.

[@a.h.2667]

Janet was such a great actress on the show, it's a shame that they couldn't get along behind the scenes. Also, I hated when sitcoms added unnecessary child characters.

[@luketison7305]

I’m sorry Will was joking around on COMENDY show

[@proudtobeme1ashkente]

I could understand it, if it was too much joking around. At the end of the day, making a show is hard work, whether it be drama or comedy and you need to get that work done in a timely manner. But I'm sure many jokes only came to be because the cast were fooling around a bit. That's often how good jokes happen.

[@mr.peanutbutter6969]

*comedy

[@Michelle-pn9xt]

It was a comedy show, not a comendy show. It was still a job.

[@CODmontages110]

“How come he don’t want me.” One of the saddest scenes in all of tv history, which also cemented Will Smith as a great actor.

[@ImmaLittlePip]

What made that scene is that Will used his personal experience to help make that scene one of the realist moments in tv history

[@michaelstrong5383]

That's one of the few episodes in any TV shows where I cry the most. What a beautiful and emotional scene.

[@cristianlopez_8486]

That moment hit me right at home when I saw it due to personal experience. One of the few TV scenes I personally can't watch without choking up.

[@HolweckStage89]

So true, it still gets me every time. Shows how much he grew into his role during the filming of the series for sure!

[@Parasopher]

Honestly one of the most real scenes ever caught on film

[@StewartFletcher]

I grew up on re-runs of this show during the late 90s, early 2000s and didn't realize until I was older that the two women were supposed to be the same character. Of course, when you watch a show out of order, out of time, sparsely over the course of years, you miss a thing or two. But they never even tried to make them similar

[@izure]

Watching this show as a kid, I remember preferring the second actress, because she felt less abrasive, less prone to angry outbursts. As an adult, I understand and respect the intent in the writing for the first actress. However, one of the most affectionate and teaching relationships in this show, to me, was that of Will and uncle Phil. We might not have had that without the change. Either way, I'm glad the show survived the transition and for as long as it did.

[@dr.zoidberg4313]

They could've at least found someone the same shade.

[@mikaelj3760]

the michael jackson effect

[@cheery-hex]

or even the same character. new Aunt Viv had no spice. It was a different person.

[@DPowered2]

Lol the went lighter and so did the type of character change. Yeah change was going to happen but it wasn't the same as a strong black women that we needed more of at the time.

[@animateddepression]

New baby sucked the black right out of her.

[@markc266]

My wife and kids did the same thing 😄

[@ether9163]

thats a lesson for basically everyone with a passion. it doesn’t matter how good you are at what you do. resentment and malice makes you bad at it, unprofessional, and unwanted. make peace with your surroundings before you project energy otherwise you’ll be as annoying as she was

[@Parasopher]

So very true. Well said.

[@pearlofthedarkage]

This is sage advice for anyone in any job.

[@thisguy6490]

Indeed.

[@al201103]

I've been guilty of this and although I learned and changed, your phrasing really rang true for me. Thank you.

[@kilgoretrout321]

You can be right but if you don't act right you come off wrong.

[@2buxaslice]

Head of the Class was another show that actually recast it's lead character and was still really good after. But also very different. I'd love to see a video on that. Great job.

[@AhmedKhan-yb1bn]

Despite Janet leaving, season 4, 5 n 6 proved it was awesome. All had their own moments

[@Goldjade14]

She may have been a great actress as aunt Vivian but she wasn’t someone that people want to be around off camera .

[@gracerodriguez2200]

I really want to know what really happened. People can say stuff but idk if they are just making their own assumptions or if that actually happened

[@moonstonevenom1543]

I think Alfonso Ribeiro (Carlton) said she was crazy.

[@joses5292]

Imagine how the first aunt viv feels now, seeing Will the guy who can't act, become one of the biggest actors in the world lol. I'm sure she had her point at that time, but the show was created with him in mind, not her. She should have aimed for a spinoff, like the one Carlton and Ashley got with LL Cool J.

[@crazyanimeloveable]

Which one is that?? 🤔

[@yoda301]

She ruined it for herself

[@sjackie1]

@@crazyanimeloveable 'In the House' but only Carlton was in it. Ashley wasn't. Uncle Phil, Aunt Viv and Geoffrey made an appearance in the series finale.

[@crazyanimeloveable]

@@sjackie1 ooh I've never heard of it thanks! Il check it out

[@crazyanimeloveable]

@Antoine Wright didnt knew that il have to check it out even if the cast is incomplete

[@dyamantizaal6355]

I personality think the first aunt Viv, was getting to be the most popular character of the show. I think that is why the second aunt Viv, did not had so much screentime and lines.

[@zchaniqie98]

If she wasn't jealous and salty, she'd still be there. If she wanted a more serious role, she should have went for that. Will thought she really hated him. I'm glad they got a chance to fix the problem during the reunion. Just hate it took too long.

[@mjcdog80]

I agree

[@Gemishell25]

I'm just confused as to why they chose that particular woman. Why not choose someone who looked similar to the previous actress?

[@paddyret7968]

Time I suppose

[@breadfan_85]

I could maybe get behind that if they didn't completely rewrite the character too.

[@cheery-hex]

right?! old Aunt Viv was hot and spicy, tall and lean. new Viv was a little plump and frumpy and not that attractive. who cast her, honestly.

[@flaetsbnort]

She didn't even need to be similar, she just needed to play a similar role

[@JediRouge]

I always wondered that as well, but while watching this I feel like the original Aunt Viv might have caused more hell. Idk

[@gabriellabello1906]

Ice town cost ice clown his town crown

[@iarionnereine9880]

Zach Morris was doing it on Save By the Bell 🤣🤣🤣

[@mahed5807]

Breaking the fourth wall has been a thing since ancient Greek.

[@niranjankedambadi]

Indian actors did it in the 50's!!

[@edumalafaia11]

For actors not look to the camera is a sacred rule, since Will was not a really actor but a rapper he didnt give a sh*t and that Is why the show was so good

[@ClaraMercury]

YES I LOVE THEM EYE GLANCES HAHA

[@IsmaelAngelus]

I really love that show and now I'm very happy cause they're gonna do a new (dramatic) version

[@suzannethomas1164]

I watched the episode when it aired with the new aunt Viv. I remember thinking, “whatttt?” And then “I like her better” and I just accepted it. She was softer and more nurturing.