5 Ways “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” Ruined My Life

Now this is the story all about how my life got flipped turned upside down and I’d like to take a minute, just sit right there and let me tell you how I fell in love with The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

1. I can’t stop singing the theme song

Seriously. If you go up to anyone around my age and start singing the theme song, we’ll not only join you, but continue on until the entire song is completed. It’s a sickness really.

The whole opening and really all the costumes on the show are so ’90s and I love it so much. All I wanted as a kid was to be swaddled in neon colors watching TV so this was the perfect experience for me.

2. It started my love affair with Will Smith

Will Smith stars in two of my most favorite movies.

They are of course, Independence Day and Enemy of the State (and yes, I’ve also seen and love The Conversation but I just really really love Enemy of the State as well).

My love for Will Smith wasn’t something I always realized. It probably took me crying while watching The Pursuit of Happyness to realize how deep my love actually went.

Here’s one of my favorite Threadless tee shirts as proof of my devotion:

3. I want a cousin like Will

I mean, that’s what it all comes down to, right? See, I’m the oldest cousin on both sides of my family so I never had a cousin to watch my back, you know? Also, I never lived with my cousins and definitely never had to leave Philly after getting in a fight, so I mean, Will and I are not similar at all, but still.

Will may tease Carlton but he’s always looking out for him. And Ashley? He definitely looks out for her at school to make sure the guys aren’t getting TOO close.

4. It was the first time I noticed the switching of actors for the same role

Now, around this time I was also watching a ton of Nick at Nite and therefore, watching Bewitched and seeing two different Darrins, so the idea of switching actors wasn’t completely new to me but this was the first time I experienced it firsthand!

All of sudden you’re watching Fresh Prince and Aunt Viv is a new actress! Ah!

5. I check the inside of every jacket to see if it’s as cool as Will’s

Remember when Will is at his new private school and has to wear a uniform, but he’s a fashion genius and realizes the interior is way cooler, so he wears his jacket inside out?

Well, I’ve been looking for such a thing since I first witnessed this amazing idea. WHERE ARE YOU, MAGICAL JACKET?!

(Main image via, jacket image via, new Aunt Viv image via, James Avery pic via)