The 5 Key Differences Between "Bel-Air" and "The Fresh Prince"!

Earlier this week, the controversial reboot of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" premiered on the streaming platform Peacock. The new series, simply titled "Bel-Air", more deeply explores Will's origin story and why he moved from West Philadelphia to live with his uncle's family in Bel-Air, taking the once-beloved sitcom to new dramatic heights. The reboot is inspired by a fan-made trailer of what the classic '90s Will Smith show would look like if it were made today. The trailer, created by Morgan Cooper, went viral, leading to producers picking up the idea — with Cooper serving as director, co-writer, and executive producer on the reboot. 

While many netizens argued that a reboot was unnecessary for one of the most iconic sitcoms in existence, the release of the first few episodes have made viewers begin to realize that this take is very different from the original. In the words of "Bel-Air"'s predecessor: Now, this is a story all about how "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" got flipped, turned upside-down. And I'd like to take a minute—just sit right there—I'll tell you all about the differences in the reboot called "Bel-Air"!

1. The '90s Are Out, 2022 Is In!

One of the most controversial things about the reboot is its modern-day setting. Gone are the funky fresh styles that Will Smith sported each episode, and instead the cast is dressed in the preppiest styles that 2021 has to offer. Although the look is a bit different, it definitely suits the dramatic tone of the reboot. 

2. The Stakes Are HIGH

In the sitcom, viewers never really explored Will's life back in Philadelphia. However, in the reboot, Will is outrunning some serious demons back home. "Bel-Air" gives us a serious reason for Will coming all the way to California in the form of an altercation on a basketball court that leads to a gunfight and "evil men" threatening Will. The whole origin story puts a critical life-or-death spin on Will's adjustment to Bel-Air! 

3. The Mansion Is a MANSION 

While the set of "Fresh Prince" was bougie, "Bel-Air" takes the Banks' home to a whole new level. Marble floors, a foyer the size of a small house… It's definitely a Kardashian-approved take on upscale California living. Not only is the grandiose mansion fun to look at, but it also helps represent the culture shock that Will is going through after growing up in working-class Philly. 

4.Uncle Phil Is Hot Now 

In the original, Uncle Phil was a well-meaning father figure to Will that kept his personal life and work-life as a lawyer separate. However, in the remake, Phil is running for the DA position and is very concerned about how Will's presence might affect his chances. While reboot-Phil, played by Adrian Holmes, definitely has dazzling on-screen charisma, he hasn't shown much warmth to Will like his predecessor in the original. However, with only 3 episodes out so far, there's still time for Will to grow on him! 

5. Carlton Is a Villain Now? 

Yes, THAT Carlton, the nerdy sidekick to Will Smith played (and danced) by Alfonso Ribeiro, is now his antagonist. While Carlton was a harmless character in the original, in "Bel-Air", he's the most popular guy at Bel-Air Academy and doesn't want Will getting in the way of that. In the first few episodes, Carlton fights with Will, embarrasses him in front of the whole school, and develops deep-rooted jealousy towards the character. He also may have a drug problem.  

You can watch the first 3 episodes of the reboot on Peacock right now and see for yourself what the key differences are, and catch new episodes every Thursday!