The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (Nickelodeon, Syndicated, TeenNick)

common sense media says

Good-natured sitcom that the family can enjoy together.


parents & educators say
  • 50% say there are positive role models
  • 38% say sexual content is an issue

What parents need to know

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.

Positive messages: Fairly standard "everything ends well" sitcom messages: The preteen and teenage characters get themselves into sticky situations but correct their mistakes in the end. The importance of family is stressed.
Positive role models: Positive overall, even though some behavior is exaggerated for comic effect. Some of the boys' jokes verge on offensive and sexist, but, when taken in context, aren't too bad.
Violence: Occasional high school fights.
Sex: Two of the characters are teenage boys who begin dating, so there's some talk of kissing and hitting on girls.
Language: Mild: "damn," "jackass," etc.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • 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?

What's the story?

What's the story?

THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR is a feel-good sitcom about a streetwise teenager from Philadelphia who throws the serene life of his well-off relatives for a loop when he goes to live with them in Bel-Air. Will Smith -- back in the days when he was half of DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince rather than a blockbusting action hero -- plays Will, an outspoken inner-city Philly teen whose mother sends him to live with his Aunt Vivian (first played Janet Hubert-Whitten and later by Daphne Maxwell Reid) and Uncle Philip Banks (James Avery) and their three spoiled kids: Carlton (Alfonso Ribeiro), Hilary (Karyn Parsons), and Ashley (Tatyana Ali). As Will assimilates into his new surroundings, he learns about the good life and adapts to the Banks' carefree lifestyle -- and also teaches his rich relatives that life isn't all about how much money you have in the bank.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Fresh Prince originally ran on NBC for six seasons in the mid-'90s and is now available on DVD and in syndication. Parents can feel good about letting older tweens and young teens tune in. Although there's some bawdy humor -- in the episode in which Will and Carlton start high school, for example, it's evident that their hormones have gone into overdrive, and they're not afraid to hit on every girl who walks by -- each episode leaves viewers with a powerful lesson on how to live life with dignity and grace. What's more, the Banks family is intact and portrayed positively.

TV themes & details

TV Details
TV Rating: TV-PG
Network: Nickelodeon
Cast: Alfonso Ribeiro, James Avery, Will Smith
Genre: Comedy
Where to watch: Nickelodeon

This review was written by Lucy Maher
 
 

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What parents & educators say

10
Based on 8 parent & educator reviews:
  • 50% say there are positive role models
  • 38% say sexual content is an issue
  • 38% say there are positive messages

Most useful reviews by all members

jen 1
educator and parent of 12 and 15 year old
 

aamd13
kid, 11 years old
 
Slightly under Preteen ages:8-9 maybe.
this is also my fave comedy.good mom and dad on show.

jeffirwin
teen, 13 years old
 

 
Well i think its a nice show for any kid to watch no i don'tb have any kids but if i did yes ofcourse i would let them watch this show because its a good show its not bad not bad at all i mean yes ofcourse 2 guys hormones are ranging over girls but hey thats just life i think the show is good just like The Jamie Foxx show now thats a really good show well so is The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air

I hate CSM Bit--
kid, 12 years old
 
iffy for 5-6
KIDS CAN WATCH THIS, GOOD BUT TOO MUCH BAD LANGUAGE.

masteralex
kid, 10 years old
 
there's a lot of rocking in will smith style

Plague
parent
 
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
I super funny sitcom the whole family will love.

pie or pie
kid, 12 years old
 
... lol
in one episode cariten wills cousin has sex and tells will that he broke his virginity and they are happy not for ages 6-9

mye mye
parent of 18 year old
 
this show's is awsome
I love this show i'm watching it right now on 67.

 
funny sitcom
this show is great. It's kind of like full house. It got cancelled so they're no new eps :(. There is some sexual content. No violence. There is mild language like "D**n", "hell", "crap", and one ep had the word "ass" in it. There is drinking by adults but there is no issue bcuz there is no drinking and driving or underaged drinking. So yes 11+ is good.

1x1x1x1
kid, 2 years old
 
Great show!
Great for 8+

rebma97
teen, 14 years old
 
A nice family sitcom
I don't remember a lot of episodes, but from the ones I remember they were funny. Will Smith is a really good actor. I don't remember langauge, but I know this show is more mature than some other sitcoms. It should be fine for tweens.

Kel C
teen, 14 years old
 
Great Show!
a great show, will smith is soooooo funny! :) somtimes not appropriate, but most of the time a fabulous show!

jasonlall9
teen, 13 years old
 
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is a really funny show. I now get up everyday (Summer) and watch it. This is where Will Smith first sparked his talent and potential. Though the show is funny, I'm ticked off about Will (the character) as a role model. In the show, Carlton is portrayed as a dork for being intelligent and sensitive. Will is portrayed as the hero for women with disrespect, and slacking off in school. This I believe will give kids ideas.

Mesned
adult
 
This TV Series Is AMAZING Will Smith Rocks, It's Super Funny I Cant Stop Watching It. Fun For The Whole Family.

Sgt-Samson
teen, 16 years old
 
One of the best family comedy since according to Jim.

Sally k.
kid, 13 years old
 
Good for 10 yr olds and up.
Great show. It's really funny. Will Smith is a good actor.

dreweth
teen, 16 years old
 
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.

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

Skullie
teen, 15 years old
 
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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