When The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air aired from 1990 to 1996, there were very few people out there who would have guessed that Will Smith was going to become one of the largest and most bankable stars in the world. A moderately successful rapper in the late 80s, he was almost bankrupt after underpaying his taxes and owing the IRS $2.8 million when he hastily took an offer from NBC to create a sitcom around him. The show, of course, was a success, nabbed Smith two Golden Globes nods and led a natural transition into his Hollywood career, when in the matter of three years, he starred in the huge box office hits, Bad Boys, Independence Day, and Men in Black, almost immediately turning him into one of the biggest stars in Hollywood.

And it all started with this show. I loved the show and probably watched most of the 148 episodes during my childhood, but like most 90s sitcoms, it suffered from being, well, a 90s sitcom. Most have not aged well (I mean Full House? It’s painful). Still, there is a moment in Fresh Prince that has always stuck out that I always remember. In one of the last episodes of the fourth season, Will’s father Lou suddenly shows up. Absent for most of his life, Will is elated when his father seems to take an interest in actually being his father and making amends for the pain he has caused his son. Ever protective of his nephew who he now thinks of as a son, Will’s Uncle Phil is weary of Lou, but despite his caution, says nothing as Lou offers to spend the summer with Will, as Phil knows that this is what Will wants. The episode ends with one of the most heart-wrenching moments in any 90s sitcom that I can think of – which, you know, is a rarity to begin with, given the nature of television at the time. The acting is actually very effective from Will, who shows shades of the big-time actor that he eventually becomes, as well as James Avery, who played Uncle Phil. Watching this classic moment reminds me why I liked this show so much as a kid.