Why didn't the Fresh Prince last more seasons than it did?

Did viewers leave because Will and Lisa didn't get married?

Will Smith wanted to pursue his movie career, which has proved successful for him. To be honest I think the show had run its course anyway.

....Will Smith would have been "persuaded" to return for another season of the series, with more "incentives" {bigger salary, part-ownership of the show, a firm commitment for his own production company to produce at least one pilot for consideration as a weekly series, etc.}...as the cast of "FRIENDS" were several years later, when the network was running out of "successful" series on its schedule- so that's why they were on for ten years. If Will hadn't turned to theatrical films, he would have made the same mistake the cast of "FRIENDS" did, and "overstayed his welcome" by about three or four additional seasons.

:tv:

....Will Smith would have been "persuaded" to return for another season of the series, with more "incentives" {bigger salary, part-ownership of the show, a firm commitment for his own production company to produce at least one pilot for consideration as a weekly series, etc.}...as the cast of "FRIENDS" were several years later, when the network was running out of "successful" series on its schedule- so that's why they were on for ten years. If Will hadn't turned to theatrical films, he would have made the same mistake the cast of "FRIENDS" did, and "overstayed his welcome" by about three or four additional seasons.

:tv:

How do you know that?

....Will Smith would have been "persuaded" to return for another season of the series, with more "incentives" {bigger salary, part-ownership of the show, a firm commitment for his own production company to produce at least one pilot for consideration as a weekly series, etc.}...as the cast of "FRIENDS" were several years later, when the network was running out of "successful" series on its schedule- so that's why they were on for ten years. If Will hadn't turned to theatrical films, he would have made the same mistake the cast of "FRIENDS" did, and "overstayed his welcome" by about three or four additional seasons.

:tv:


NBC wasn't going to do all that when the show wasn't among the Top 30 for that season.

Will Smith wanted to pursue his movie career, which has proved successful for him. To be honest I think the show had run its course anyway.

I agree 100%, on both counts.

Will Smith wanted to pursue his movie career, which has proved successful for him. To be honest I think the show had run its course anyway.

I remember reading that James Avery said the ratings in the last season warranted a renewal but Will was ready to move on. I have to see what interview that was and post it. I thought after season 4, the show got bland, especially how they handled the cliffhanger in the season finale in 1994. They shrugged it off and moved on. A major jump the shark moment. Then other shark biting moments came when Nicki was aged, the shotgun wedding in season five finale, the kitchen fire in season six and I could go on.

I remember reading that James Avery said the ratings in the last season warranted a renewal but Will was ready to move on. I have to see what interview that was and post it. I thought after season 4, the show got bland, especially how they handled the cliffhanger in the season finale in 1994. They shrugged it off and moved on. A major jump the shark moment. Then other shark biting moments came when Nicki was aged, the shotgun wedding in season five finale, the kitchen fire in season six and I could go on.


I actually enjoyed the Kitchen Fire episode-lol

I actually enjoyed the Kitchen Fire episode-lol

I don't even remember that one. :eek: :lol:

i enjoyed the first 4 seasons but the last 2 were bland. didn't like the grown up nicky and the second vivian was in most cases, awful compared to the first one.

I remember reading that James Avery said the ratings in the last season warranted a renewal but Will was ready to move on. I have to see what interview that was and post it. I thought after season 4, the show got bland, especially how they handled the cliffhanger in the season finale in 1994. They shrugged it off and moved on. A major jump the shark moment. Then other shark biting moments came when Nicki was aged, the shotgun wedding in season five finale, the kitchen fire in season six and I could go on.

Don't forget the episode with the clown lol and also the hypnotist (although I loved that one!)

Definitely had many jump the shark opportunities. Especially agreed with the cliffhanger in 1994: "The Fresh Prince of Philadelphia?" OMG

As much as I like this show, it probably was best to end it when they did.

Will Smith wanted to pursue a movie career. And even still, the show ran its course. It wasn't that funny anymore, the new Vivian was horrible, and it wasn't even a top show anymore. They said it probably would have continued for another 2-3 seasons if Will didn't want to move on, but had it ended in 1998/9 instead of 1996, it probably would have ruined Will's potential movie career.

It lasted its course. It was a good show and went off the air before your lasting impression was why is it still on. It's one of those you love and wish it was on longer than it was and if it was you would wish it wasn't

I was in high school during season five. My friend, an actor had a talk with Will and as told that season six would be the last season. So, it was decided that Will would do one more year and then call it quits. So, this was already being planned out. For what it's worth, I loved the second Vivian. I loved DM-R in the role. I'm disappointed that she was reduced to being set dressing and propping. She didn't complain it seems. I'm sure she was like "I already know what happened with Janet. My hubby is already making a killing doing "Sister, Sister". So just give me my paycheck so I can go home". LOL.

DMR actually made a guest appearance on her hubby's show not long after FP went off the air. :cool:

wasn't a huge fan of the first season but all the seasons after that were great

DMR actually made a guest appearance on her hubby's show not long after FP went off the air. :cool:
Really? Can you give us more details about that?

She guested in a fourth season Sister, Sister called "Double Exposure", which originally aired on November 20, 1996. She plays a woman who has eyes for Ray, which makes Lisa jealous.

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Thank you, Monica! I remember that episode now.

My pleasure. :D

season 6 had some AMAZING episodes

the thanksgiving whorehouse/massage parlor
william schatner
jeffreys jon



awesome episodes

will smith was 28 years old by this time he was tooo old to be playing a 20 year old black kid in college he also wanted more in life so he started to do more movies in 1997 and 1998 plus the show went on for a long 6 years thats a long time and rating were getting low because people were getting bored mostly the people who were watching the show for 6 years new the show had chanced alot from the first 4 seasons will was like a different person and was gaining weight he even seemed taller

will smith was 28 years old by this time he was tooo old to be playing a 20 year old black kid in college he also wanted more in life so he started to do more movies in 1997 and 1998 plus the show went on for a long 6 years thats a long time and rating were getting low because people were getting bored mostly the people who were watching the show for 6 years new the show had chanced alot from the first 4 seasons will was like a different person and was gaining weight he even seemed taller
i would've gave up my left nut for a 7th season

BLACKout805 i agree with you dude millions of people would have loved to see a 7th season i myself would be overjoyed, but by the 6th season everybody seemed alot different ashly was the typical stuck up teenage girl who blamed will for every little thing its like will was trying to help her with her problems then she would hurt his feelings lol, carlton became a player who seemed to get all the hot women and he seemed more mature, will seemed to be less funny and was it me are did he have a thing with older women i lost little respect for him when he slept with his girlfriends mother behind her back was it me are was that episode creepy to watch lol

Thats a good question because nobody wants to see a 30 year old man like will smith still acting like a 13 year old and screaming in a loud voice in the 7th and 8th season of the show,plus the show was getting stale by the last season it was all about ashly and her boyfriends and her blaming will for almost everything that happens to her that got annoying at times.

Back in high school, it was the 94-95 season. My friend knew Will Smith and he told my friend that the next season would be the last. So, it was already decided that the next season (sixth) would be the last already.

Yeah i heard all kinds of rumors from people back in 1996 that will smith got tired doing the show and wanted a change in life by doing some big screen movies like MIB,will smith better do a fresh prince of bel air tv movie before he hits 50 years of age because nobody wants to see a guy 50 pretending to be 30 lol