Janet Hubert-Whitten (Vivian #1) or Daphne Maxwell Reid (Vivian #2)??? Vivian #1 was so wooden and looked nothing like her children. On the other hand, Vivian #2, fit the role so much better.

It's always hard for viewers to warm up to a replacement character. I didn't watch Fresh Prince during the original run, so I wasn't bound by loyalty to Vivian #1. I think I first saw the show with the second Vivian.

I know many feel that the second Vivian wasn't good, but I disagree. I think that Daphne Maxwell Reid is a good actress. If she had been the original Vivian, many viewers would like her best. I think she's much prettier too.

I think they're both good in the roles. To answer the question posted on this thread though, I consider Janet Hubert-Whitten to be the REAL Vivian Banks. That's only because she was there first. Like the first Darrin on Bewitched.

I just think, when you look at the kids, they seem to resemble Reid more than Whitten. That's just my opinion.

I thought Vivian # 1 was a lot better. She was funnier, and had something about her that just added to the show. I can't explain it. I thought she was a lot funnier. I liked the second Vivian, but not as much as Vivan # 1. And I agree with Janice...a big part of why Vivian # 1 could be favored more is because she indeed came first.

I hear alot of people bash the second Vivian but for some reason I actually did not mind the second Vivian at all.

The first Vivian was much funnier.

Janet's Vivian was much more fluid and really made the character come to life. In the first season when Carlton stayed in Compton for the weekend and Vivian came to get him, one of the big guys said something out of line to her, and she turned to him and replied "Boy, don't test me!" that was too funny! Also in the episode where the girl was bullying Ashley and her parents came over to talk to the Bankses about it, the bully's mother said "did I use too many big words?" and Vivian said "No, but I've got a few little words for you!" those are priceless moments. They are really funnier than anything Daphne ever did in my opinion.

This has been discussed a million times. Daphne's Vivian was a toned down version. Janet nailed the character. She had more sass and personality. Daphne was like the 2nd Darrin on Bewitched... booooooooring.

#1. i thought #2 was wooden, but #1 had personality IMO. both were good i thought...and the actress switch didnt have a big impact on the show for me.

definitely janet's viv. daphne's lacked the passion and character to janet's. jan made that character her own and put a lot of oomph! into it whilst daphne's vivian was just bland, boring and lacked the enthusiasm and personality janet's one had

Janet's Vivian was much more fluid and really made the character come to life. In the first season when Carlton stayed in Compton for the weekend and Vivian came to get him, one of the big guys said something out of line to her, and she turned to him and replied "Boy, don't test me!" that was too funny! Also in the episode where the girl was bullying Ashley and her parents came over to talk to the Bankses about it, the bully's mother said "did I use too many big words?" and Vivian said "No, but I've got a few little words for you!" those are priceless moments. They are really funnier than anything Daphne ever did in my opinion.

Janet's Vivian had another priceless moment that had the audience going wild when she and Philip was into it while cleaning up the old neighborhood when she walked away from Philip and he said, "I'm not through with you yet woman." And Vivian replied as she was walking away from him with her sass, "I'm through with you man." That was funny. I was practically screaming.

The first Vivan I liked. The second one had one or two lines each episode and was basically out of the picture compared to the rest of the cast.

I'm sorry, Brian Damage, but the second Vivian is the wooden one, not the first. Daphne Maxwell Reid is much more beautiful than Janet Hubert Witten, but Janet is much funnier than Daphne.

Vivian #2 was better fit for the kids and she was fuuny just not as funny as the first one.

I liked Vivian # 2

It's so funny, my sister and I talked about this once. I say Janet Hubert-Whitten's Viv, because she was the original, plus she was very funny, sassy and down to earth. My sister liked Daphne Maxwell Reid better in the role, because she was gentler and calmer. I have nothing against DMR, but I think JHW got the better stories and lines. Vivian was truly the Darrin of the 1990s!!! :lol:

Although for some reason I did not mind the second Vivian, you can clearly see the difference in personality. The first Vivian had this sassiness to her that second one certainly did not have.

I always liked vivian #1 better than #2. I thought #1 owned the role and added passion to it. #2 kinda took a back seat, coz she wasnt too charizmatic.

I Like The Second Vivan Better Then The First.

The first Viv had more attitude and like others said she was more funnier. The second Viv was just bland and boring to me.

one of the worst replacement ever was The second Harriet From Family Matters.
I Rather watch the Second Vivian then The Second Harriet.