By Ana Perez
The Banks family is back! Will Smith, who played the “Fresh Prince,” released a glimpse of the trailer of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reunion on social media, just in time to give fans some pre-Thanksgiving cheer.
The reunion features the cast gathered in the Banks’ living room to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the show. Smith is joined by series regulars Tatyana Ali, Karyn Parsons, Joseph Marcell, Daphne Maxwell Reid, Alfonso Ribeiro, and DJ Jazzy Jeff as they talk about the show and how it affected both them and their viewers.
Marcus Raboy (Laugh Aid, Whitney Cummings: Can I Touch It?) directs the special, which is executive produced by Rikki Hughes, who also serves as showrunner, as well as Miguel Melendez (Hawthorne, The Human Factor), Lukas Kaiser, James Lassiter, and Brad Haugen for Westbrook Media, according to a press release from HBO Max, the cable channel where the reunion show will air.
The NBC sitcom ran from 1990 to 1996 and was the epitome of black excellence with a Black family at the center of attention.
Many Latinos grew up watching The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. A few Latinos worked in the show. Actress Ali, who played cousin Ashley, is of Panamanian descent. Knowing that Latinos were represented matters, even if it is after the fact.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is said to be loosely based on Benny Medina‘s life, now producing partner to Jennifer Lopez and her manager for many years prior. Born in East Los Angeles, Medina befriended Kerryn Gordy, son of Motown founder Berry Gordy. Medina was co-executive producer for 146 episodes. Mara Lopez, another Latin talent, also served as associate producer for 123 episodes.
So you can say that The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was practicing diversity before it was even a thing.
The word is that Smith has plans beyond the reunion for a revival of the show. It is said that he has signed on as executive producer which is currently being shopped around to the streaming networks. The reunion isn’t the only Fresh Prince revival in the works. Smith is said to be on board for a dramatic reboot as executive producer along with Medina and Melendez which is being shopped around.
The reunion is set to release Nov. 19 on HBO Max.
