This is something of a golden age for the reboot. Numerous streaming services and networks are scouring their back catalog to find properties that can be updated for the present. One of the most notable of these recent efforts is The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Of course, given that the creators wanted to make the original series appealing for new audiences, they made several significant changes to the original series, so it is worth taking an in-depth look at just how the sitcom has been transformed.
It’s A Drama
There’s no question that Fresh Prince is one of the most iconic sitcoms of the 1990s, and it remains remarkably funny even now. However, the new version of the story is much more dramatic in orientation.
While there are moments when it encourages the viewer to laugh, for the most part, it wants to make it clear that Will’s transition from the world of Philadelphia to the wealthy Bel-Air is going to deal with weighty subjects. This especially includes his fraught relationships with the of his extended family.
It’s A Single-Camera
Given that the original series was a traditional sitcom, it makes sense that it was shot in the three-camera format. However, the new series is very much a single camera production. This allows it to give viewers a more in-depth look at just how glamorous the life of Bel-Air is.
From the very first episode, the series makes it clear that this is a very glossy series, and the mansion that belongs to Uncle Phil, to take just one example, is an enjoyable place to be.
Carlton Is Much Cooler
There have been many very funny ing characters in the history of the sitcom, and Will’s cousin Carlton is one of those. In the original, he’s a bit of a doofus, despite all of his pretentiousness. In the reboot, however, he’s a very different character. Among other things, he’s a successful athlete, and he has worked very hard to be seen as one of the cool kids at school.
This reinforces his belief that he is Will’s superior in almost every way.
Will Is A Basketball Star
While the Will of the original sitcom was a bit of a goof-off (hence his many conflicts with Uncle Phil), in the 2022 version he is a very successful basketball player on his high school team. He has already begun to plan for his future as a player in college.
However, once he gets embroiled in a violent brawl, all of his plans seem to go up in smoke. The sacrifice of his career is one of the things that angers him the most about the cross-country move.
It’s Much Grimmer In Tone
From the very first episode of this new series, it’s clear that this is going to be a much grimmer sort of story than its predecessor. Among other things, it shows that Will isn’t quite the nice guy that he was in his previous iteration.
Instead, he carries around a lot of anger, and he struggles to find a way to express it that isn’t violent or doesn’t cause even more trouble. Among other things, very soon after he arrives he gets into a violent altercation with Carlton.
Hilary Has More Depth
Most of the great sitcoms in television history succeeded because of the strength of their casts, and Fresh Prince was no exception. However, it has to be said that Hilary was a bit of a blank slate, with a shallow personality that only occasionally showed signs of more depth.
That isn’t true in the new version, in which Hilary is a very different character. Here, she's someone who does want to prove, to both herself and her family, that she has what it takes to be a success on her .
Uncle Phil Is Less Sympathetic
There have been many great TV families, but the Banks are truly something special, at least in the original sitcom. Uncle Phil in particular was a blustering giant of a man, but he loved Will and wanted what was best for him. His counterpart in the reboot, however, is a much more sinister and at times cynical character.
He has a great deal of reluctance about helping his nephew and, just as importantly, has political ambitions that he is not willing to sacrifice, even for a member of his wife’s family.
It’s More Violent
In addition to its grimmer tone, this new version of Will’s story is significantly more violent than the original. Given that this is a drama rather than a sitcom this makes sense, but it is still a rather jarring shift. Especially, if audiences compare it to its much more light-hearted humor was in its predecessor.
At the same time, this increased violence–including the shooting of Will’s friend–allows it to explore some darker thematic material as well.
Will’s Mother Is More Directly Involved With His Life
Even though Will’s mother was an important figure in the original series–ing the ranks of great TV mom—for the most part, she was on the periphery. From the beginning of Bel-Air, however, she is a much more important figure.
She makes it clear that she is going to do whatever she has to do to keep her son safe, even if he resents her for it. However, she makes sure to keep tabs on him and encourage him, largely by calling him on the phone.
Carlton And Will Are Much More Aggressive Toward One Another
The original Will/Carlton relationship was very much that of siblings, to such an extent that they can be seen as one of the better TV sibling rivalries. However, in this new version, their dislike toward one another is taken to new levels.
It’s immediately clear that Carlton resents and looks down on Will, just as Will is jealous of and angry toward Carlton. Matters are only made worse when Will dares to show interest in Carlton’s ex-girlfriend. The stage is set for an ongoing feud between the two.