In this precursor to his "I, Robot" collaboration with Smith, Chi McBride plays a reporter documenting Uncle Phil's epic camping fail. I look back at some of those episodes like, "Wow, I really needed to tone down the attitude." Episodes: Season 4 - "Where There's a Will, There's a Way" (Part 1), "Where There's a Will, There's a Way"(Part 2), "All Guts, No Glory," "Father of the Year," "Blood is Thicker Than Mud," "Fresh Prince After Dark," "Take My Cousin Please," "You've Got to Be a Football Hero". Aunt Viv and Uncle Phil start to worry when he takes a liking to Hilary. That was sort of impressive to me. Carrie Fisher was actually one of the writers for Made in America, which Will and I starred in together, and I just remember going: "Thats fuckin Princess Leia." So when we sit down the first day, he says to me: "Were going to do this kissing scene. Fox: I had kind of just started acting and was coming off of soap operas, and graduating to doing nighttime television, sitcoms, and dramas. Elise Neal: We did a prayer. Voorhies plays an old flame of Carlton's and surprises the hell out of everyone when she comes bearing the news that Carlton may be a father. It doesnt even happy every other day, so when I look back on those times, I have more appreciation for certain things now than I did then because I think was so naive. 2023 TV GUIDE, A FANDOM COMPANY. Guy Ritchie hopes to make magic happen a second time: the director has 'ideas' for Aladdin 2. He has natural, raw talent, but he was still learning as an actor, as well. Episode: S04 E17 "When You Hit Upon a Star". [Seeing him] take it to the next level was kind of beautiful, and its always amazing to me who joins you on that journey when your life is about to make a huge change. The fact that it has lasted this long and is iconic, and universally known as "ours," shows that timing is everything. When Will runs into Lisa while wearing a fat suit at a grocery store, the fact that she is with heart throb Harper adds insult to injury in the produce section. I think I had done one of his early videos. One look at this super model, and it's easy to see why after setting Geoffrey up on a blind date with her, Will wants to keep her for himself. You fit in here. In honor of the shows 25th anniversary, we spoke to a few of themNia Long, Jasmine Guy, Lela Rochon, Elise Neal, and Vivica A. Foxabout their memories from the show, the impact it had on their careers, and its lasting influence. I didnt find it intimidating, but I was like, "Wow, hes so confident to be so young." It was already a hit when I auditioned, and when I read that Pam Grier was playing my mother and I was [going to be playing] Will Smiths girlfriend, it was just really a lot of fun. For others, it was a launch pad for their careers. Nia Long: A ritual? 1996-2023, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Fox: I think we would do a prayer before the show, because what youd do is a dry taping, and then youd tape it in front of an audience. l'm the last chance for the whole damn family and you have no idea what that feels like. Episode: S01 E04 "Not With My Pig, You Don't". Vivica A. For me, the pride is in the fact that A. I got the job and B. that I worked side-to-side with Will Smith. He got some muscles!". ", Episode: S06 E19 "I, Whoops, There It Is". I actually have a Polaroid from the episode where Will has on like, tuxedo shorts. JASMINE GUY is an American actress, singer, dancer, and director. I was rollin at the audition, and they called 15 minutes later to tell me I got the part. She has traveled throughout the U.S. and appeared at more than a hundred speaking engagements, addressing diverse audiences at colleges, universities, conventions, corporations, affinity groups, churches, high schools and countless charitable and fund-raising events. At that moment in time, it couldve been anyone on the show, but it really showed me that it was doable. Vivica A. ", Vivica A. You'll love this episode, bet on it! Episode: S04 E09 "Fresh Prince After Dark". Vivica A. Thats reserved for the career boost given to the actors who appeared on the show, from the main players to the ones who only had scenes in one or several of Fresh Prince's 148 episodes. When Carlton is having a crisis over his academic future, he looks to colossal talent Michael Clarke Duncan for validation and gets only an apathetic "Shut up. Absolutely. Jasmine Guy (born March 10, 1962) [2] [3] is an American actress, director, singer and dancer. Does Will make an effort to step up his game? Jasmine Guy: Everyone on that show was talented and gifted, and we have to stick together. Jasmine amassed this wealth via acting in a number of box office successes. Welcome to our website for all Jasmine's Prince ___ Ababwa who is granted a wish by the Genie to become a prince temporarily . When one thinks of "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air," a myriad of memories come to mind: . Her father was a pastor at the historic Friendship Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Its been 24 years, so I dont remember if Will and I had ever met before the show. Fox: You can watch the show to this day, and youll still crack up. Nia Long: I met Will, we talked for a little bit and then I hung out and watched their process, and then I did one episode. There were so many things to love about The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air. To keep it real, I was so nervous at the timeI was still so new to the business of actingI wouldnt have even stepped to Will Smith to say anything. MTV Raps" appears in one of his nightmares. I went on to do Set It Off with his wifeand then I played Willow's mom on True Jackson, VP. Nia Long: Yeah, I think its The Nia Long Effect; I dont know [Laughs]. Episode: S04 E19 "You'd Better Shop Around". Will definitely seemed like he was focused and that he had a plan from day one, and he succeeded in executing that plan. He was like, "Yeah, give me a little sista girl." Zsa Zsa may be the paradigm of glitz and glamor, but that doesn't stop Will and Carlton from becoming convinced that her character, movie star Sonya Lamor, has stolen Aunt Viv's silverware. Vivian Banks: I know what that feels like. Then, all of a sudden, he was the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. I looked at him like, "Oh, thats Will Smith. Elise Neal: I was nervous, and I had what, to me at the time, was a lot of lines, so any free time I got away from the set, I was in my dressing room going over the lines. Kathleen 1 episode, 1991 Lela Rochon . Thats reserved for the career boost given to the actors who appeared on the show, from the main players to the ones who only had scenes in one or several of Fresh Prince's 148 episodes. It all worked together beautifully, and it was Benny Medinas brainchild. Episodes: S06 E09,10 "There's the Rub" (Parts 1 and 2). It eventually took her to New York City. While the show had a huge impact on American style one could not overlook the beautiful women who also made cameos on the show. The fact that it has lasted this long and is iconic, and universally known as "ours," shows that timing is everything. So how old is Jasmine Guy? She was born in Boston but raised in a lovely area of Atlanta, Georgia. Will was nice, Alfonso [Ribeiro] was very nice, and so were Janet [Hubert] and James [Avery], rest his soul. They all seemed really happy and they made me feel really comfortable. Between him and Alfonso, all I could do was laugh. I didnt want to leave. Youre just happy to have a job. Elise Neal: Im not surprised by it. Nia Long: We had so much fun; he was so silly all the time, on camera and off. Jasmine Guy is an American actress, director, singer, and dancer. l told him that l didn't think you two should spend so much time together. I guess that one episode was sort of my audition, and then after that, they invited me back to do most of the following season. It upsets Will that he fails so the next day they have an argument but wind up liking each other. Episode: S05 E18 "The Wedding Show" (Psyche!). It was a fun week. Miss Guy drops in on the Fresh PrinceFire! Ritualistic? Elise Neal (Wendy, Season 4, Episode 22): I was really excited to be part of the show. I knew Alfonso; I knew Tatyana [Ali]; I knew Karyn Parsons, I knew the entire cast by then because I had come up there a couple of times. Eventually, Will wins her over and inadvertently starts taking time away from her studies, so Aunt Viv tells him to cut back on their relationship so Kayla can have a good future. In this star studded episode, Bo was the biggest star at the time. Fields's character Monique gets a crash course in boys and "The Facts of Life" when Will and Jazz devise a hair brained scheme to set up a fake marriage in order to trick her into going all the way with Will. Then afterwards, talking to Tisha Campbell and a couple of other people within the show, I realized that he gave the speech to every girl that did the show. Her other television performances include: 'Melrose Place' (with Heather Locklear); 'NYPD Blue' (with Jimmy Smits); 'Fresh Prince of Bel Air' (with Will Smith) and 'Living Single' (with Queen Latifah). Other actresses spoke about what happened prior to filming an episode. Vivica A. Actor, singer, dancer, songwriter, director, writer. Everyone was aware of the show, and a certain age groupregardless of racecan recite every word of the iconic theme song. In honor of the famous ladies who graced the Banks Mansion, PBH2 has created a gallery of Will Smiths hottest girlfriends on The Fresh Prince. I try not to think beyond the moment in this business because it changes so frequently and so quickly, so I feel like you do yourself a disservice being worried about things you cant control. In honor of the show's 25th anniversary, we spoke to a few of themNia. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. They were like, "Youre on a soap opera, honey." Network. It all worked together beautifully, and it was Benny Medinas brainchild. running down the street with that shirt open. Sherman Hemsley brings all of the charisma and wit that made him a household name to this turn as a judge who defeats Uncle Phil in an election, only to pass away shortly after (which may or may not be related to the fact that Will has strong words with him). I remember I came in and the entire cast was on set having a table read, and a friend of mine who was a writer on the show told me to come down and say hello to everyone. I try not to think beyond the moment in this business because it changes so frequently and so quickly, so I feel like you do yourself a disservice being worried about things you cant control. I started off all nice, and then when we got to dinner, I just turned on him. No tongue. Episode: S06 E04 "Bourgie Sings the Blues". She had signed up to a number of endorsement arrangements, for which she received generous pay. Vivian Banks: lt's not something l'm proud of, but l did it. When Guy plays one of Aunt Viv's opinionated students, Will quickly develops the hots for her and learns that dating college girls means entering a totally different world. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air provied many of these actresses with the exposure they needed to ascend the next plateau. [4] Following a move to California, she appeared in a 1991 episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air as Kayla, one of Will Smith 's girlfriends. The rest is told in his gripping visuals, The Exhibit: Finding the Next Great Artist, the "Carlton" (and it's many incarnations). Elise Neal: I could see the talent from watching the show before I was even on it. Make sure that you stay focused, and youll have a great career in front of you, Viv. She was so cool, and Ill say: she may have played Foxy Brown, but Pam Grier is just a sweet, beautiful soul. 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