Top 10 The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air Moments

Script written by Q.V. Hough

Top 10 The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air Moments

Now this is a story all about how our lives got flipped-turned upside down. Welcome to WatchMojo.com, and today we’re counting down our picks for the top 10 moments from “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.”

For this list, we’re counting down both the most poignant and hilarious scenes that made “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” one of the most memorable sitcoms of the ‘90s.

#10: Uncle Phil the Hustla
“Banks Shot”

Near the end of Season 1, Hilary finds herself in charge of the Banks home, and Will finds himself getting played by a local HUSTLA. As Uncle Phil displays, however, two can play that game. He thoroughly surprises an entire pool hall with his suit-and-tie hustle, including a color-coordinated Will, as snarky butler Geoffrey unveils the secret weapon with its own special name. Corner pocket. Side pocket. Uncle Phil works that table like a soul man should and bounces out of the building in style.

#9: Momma Nooo!
“For Whom the Wedding Bells Toll”

In the season 5 finale, Will has more to worry about than getting cold feet. In fact, his bride-to-be, Lisa, has the same concerns. As the Fresh Prince knocks like a gentleman at his mother’s door during wedding week, he discovers Momma Vy in bed with his fiancée’s pops, and well, it catches him a bit off-guard He needs some personal time to process the information. Soon, the whole damn family shows up, and Will puts together the pieces of what was truly going on.

#8: Beverly Hills Bang
“Bullets over Bel-Air”

While “The Fresh Prince” produced some of the most hilarious scenes in ‘90s television, the sitcom was also never afraid to approach dark issues. Halfway through Season 5, Will and Carlton attempt to withdraw money from an ATM. However, their transaction nearly results in a 187 – as in murder. Even thoughthe street-smart Will manages to find humor in the situation, the innocent Carlton begins to see the world in an entirely new way. In one of the most heart-breaking moments of the series, Carlton sheds his happy-go-lucky demeanor and straps up.

#7: Bell Biv DeVoe
“The Butler Did It”
We all know that Carlton Banks can bust a move, but he’s also capable of pulling a few strings in the music business. In one of his most brilliant moves, he rents out the Banks home to R&B group Bell Biv DeVoe to film a music video. Things get complicated, however, when Ashley and her Girl Scout friends arrive. Things get even more complicated when Will and his buddy cast themselves as extras. However, despite Carlton’s apparent command of the shooting location, he isn’t quite prepared for Mother Nature’s influence on the experience.

#6: Jump On It
“Viva Lost Wages”

Sin City is the ideal spot for 21st birthdays, but Carlton is less interested in getting hammered and more interested in dropping fat stacks of cash at thetable. By that, we mean he gambles away his money and pawns his airline tickets. Fortunately, Will and Carlton devise a scheme to earn back a few bucks. With the Sugarhill Gang’s “Apache (Jump On It)” serving as their soundtrack to success, the two dance it out and prove to be the big winners for this poor man’s version of “Dancing With the Stars.”

#5: This Is Carlton on Speed
“Just Say Yo”

When the stresses of life have Will feeling beat, he ALMOST drops speed to rejuvenate. Thankfully, he doesn’t make that mistake, but unintentionally directs a pimply Carlton to some “vitamins” in his locker. These pills don’t clear up his skin, but they do induce one of Carlton’s most epic, yet disturbing, dance sequences. Carlton never had a chance to “just say no,” but he did say, “Yo, I got this.” In the end, Will tears up and learns his lesson. Then again, Carlton didn’t need any assistance to dance like a complete maniac.

#4: Jailhouse Rock
“Mistaken Identity”

In one of the earlier episodes of the series, Philip and Vivian take a helicopter trip to Palm Springs, while Carlton and Will drive a Mercedes to the same location. But after a case of racial profiling, the two wind up in the clink and share a cell with the Pavarotti of leather-clad inmates. As Carlton tries to process the experience, Will devises an ingenious scheme to draw the attention of Uncle Phil, who proceeds to thoroughly take care of business and set the boys free.

#3: Breath Mints
“Did the Earth Move for You?”

In the Season 2 premiere, the Banks family receives tickets to the Academy Awards. However, an earth-shaking event leaves the entire clan trapped – separately – and unable to get there. Will, for example is feeling delirious in his own basement with his, um, “unique” girlfriend Kathleen – played by Tisha Campbell. Wigs. Press-on nails. Breath mints. Will bit off a little more than he could chew with this piece of work, and his slow descent into madness produces one of the series’ most hilarious moments.

#2: Gone Daddy Gone
“Papa’s Got a Brand New Excuse”

Near the end of Season 4, Will reunites with his runaway father after 14 years, and the two make up for lost time. However, even their renewed relationship isn’t enough to prevent the senior Smith from skipping town. Once the inevitable happens again, a deeply upset Uncle Phil watches in silence as Will moves through the stages of grief, beginning with denial and quickly making his way to anger. Ultimately, Will breaks down as he accepts the truth. But it’s at that moment that another truth is revealed: Uncle Phil is the true father figure, even if Will had yet to realize it.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
- No More Jazz
Various
- Carlton Runs Through the Entire Set
“Will’s Misery”
- Puppet Beat-Boxing
“Breaking Up is Hard to Do: Part 1”
- You Slept with Janis!
“M Is for the Many Things She Gave Me”
- Carlton the Stripper
“Striptease for Two”

#1: The Carlton Dance
Various

The artist? Tom Jones. The song? “It’s Not Unusual.” The shining star of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air?” Carlton Banks. Over the course of six seasons, the Carlton Dance never failed to captivate viewers. Since YouTube didn’t exist in the early-‘90s and we couldn’t re-watch it over and over; it was always a pleasant surprise when Carlton let loose with this fan favorite gag. The dance was originally invented by Alfonso Ribeiro as a combo of Springsteen’s “Dancing in the Dark” moves and Eddie Murphy’s “White Man Dance.” But whatever the dance’s origin, this sitcom might have made Will Smith a star, but it’s “The Carlton Dance” that sticks with us the most all these years later.

Do you agree with our list? What is your favorite moment from “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air?” For more jiggy Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.