THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR

THE ULTIMATE TRIVIA AND CURIOUS FACTS COLLECTION

CREATED BY TRIVIA HUB

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is an American television sitcom created by Andy and Susan Borowitz, airing on NBC from 1990 to 1996. The series stars Will Smith as a fictionalized version of himself, a street-smart teen from West Philadelphia who moves in with his wealthy relatives in Bel-Air. The show humorously explores the clash between Will's working-class background and his relatives' upper-class lifestyle. The sitcom was a top hit for NBC, running for 148 episodes over six seasons, and is considered to be a watershed moment for hip-hop and Black television. The series led to a reunion special and a dramatic reboot titled Bel-Air.

CURIOUS FACT SAMPLES:

The show's premise was based on the life of Benny Medina, who grew up poor but then lived with a wealthy family, but the show changed the family to a rich Black family so it could explore black-on-black prejudice and class differences. The series was created by Andy and Susan Borowitz, and they based the cousins on Quincy Jones' daughters.

Will Smith, who was known as one half of the hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, was in debt due to unpaid taxes when he was offered a role in the show. He met Benny Medina by chance and then auditioned for NBC chief Brandon Tartikoff on the spot, securing a contract that night in a limo.

The pilot episode was written and taped in about three weeks. The show's theme song, "Yo Home to Bel Air," was written and performed by Will Smith under his stage name, with music composed by Quincy Jones.