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The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

(Rated TV-PG, Comedy, Starring Will Smith, James Avery, Alfonso Ribeiro, Where to watch: Nickelodeon, The N, Syndicated, DVD, Online)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 7, age appropriate for kids over 11; suggested age 11.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Good-natured sitcom the family can enjoy together.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 11 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The preteen and teenage characters get themselves into sticky situations but correct their mistakes in the end. The Banks family welcomes Will into their home. Some of the boys' jokes verge on offensive and sexist, but, when taken in context, aren't too bad.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Occasional high school fights.
  • Sex:

    Two of the characters are teenage boys who begin dating, so there is some talk of kissing and hitting on girls.
  • Language:

    Mild: "damn," "jackass," etc.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Parents need to know that two of the main characters are teenage boys and that some of their jokes can border on offensive and sexist. But taken in context and with a grain of salt, they're nothing worse than what kids hear at school or on the playground.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how to handle situations you're not used to. How does Will deal with being a fish out of water in his new environment? Questions about coping with high school are also relevant. What kind of peer pressure can teens expect to encounter? What should they expect when they start dating?

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Our Members Say

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  • What did you think about The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air?
  •  I think this show is

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See all 28 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 5.0

    this show's is awsome

    I love this show i'm watching it right now on 67.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Show becomes more inappropriate as seasons go on: First season was excellent for younger kids.

    Don't get me wrong: This show is brilliant. Funny, clever, but had good family morals; Like most sitcoms, but better. I must warn you, though, this show was designed to show the family growing up, and growing up they did. When the show got older, the writing was older-themed, if you get my drift. Still, try to catch shows airing during nick-at-night.

  3. I rate this title on for age 5 and give it 5.0

    It's Rated TV-G though there is some mild sexual content and language. Not bad at all.

  4. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in Connecticut
    I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Washington
    I rate this title on for age 7 and give it 5.0

    I love this show!

    Now, this is a story all about how My life got flipped-turned upside down And I liked to take a minute Just sit right there I'll tell you how I became the prince of a town called Bel Air In west Philadelphia born and raised On the playground was where I spent most of my days Chillin' out maxin' relaxin' all cool And all shootin some b-ball outside of the school When a couple of guys Who were up to no good Startin making trouble in my neighborhood I got in one little fight and my mom got scared She said 'You're movin' with your auntie and uncle in Bel Air' I begged and pleaded with her day after day But she packed my suite case and send me on my way She gave me a kiss and then she gave me my ticket. I put my walkman on and said, 'I might as well kick it'. First class, yo this is bad Drinking orange juice out of a champagne glass. Is this what the people of Bel-Air Living like? Hmmmmm this might be alright. But wait I hear there're prissy, wine all that Is Bel-Air the type of place they send this cool cat? I don't think sow I'll see when I get there I hope they're prepared for the prince of Bel-Air Well, the plane landed and when I came out There was a dude who looked like a cop standing there with my name out I ain't trying to get arrested I just got here I sprang with the quickness like lightening, disappeared I whistled for a cab and when it came near The license plate said fresh and it had dice in the mirror If anything I can say this cab is rare But I thought 'Now forget it' - 'Yo homes to Bel Air' I pulled up to the house about 7 or 8 And I yelled to the cabbie 'Yo homes smell ya later' I looked at my kingdom I was finally there To sit on my throne as the Prince of Bel Air (= I love watching this show with ANYONE!!! It is so funny! It CAN be innapropriet but not half as bad as some of the more current things!!!

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