Is The Fresh Price of Bel Air the greatest sitcom of all time? [Archive]

Anybody Thrilla

07-05-2007, 02:09 PM

I like how they dealt with some issues that had previously been untouched. Also, Will Smith really is a great actor, and when they had 'serious' scenes, they actually felt serious. Will and Carlton's chemistry was just PERFECT, and Jazz made me laugh almost every time. God, I love that show.

IC Champion

07-05-2007, 02:10 PM

Seinfeld is the great sitcom of all time.

Danny Electric

07-05-2007, 02:21 PM

Awesome show but I can't watch it anymore because they've shown each episode about 20 times on tv.

Anybody Thrilla

07-05-2007, 02:21 PM

Stickman

07-05-2007, 02:42 PM

mitch_h

07-05-2007, 03:15 PM

I dunno, I think Fresh Prince reached a broader audience. For every person that loves Seinfeld (myself included), there seems to be a person who can't stand it. I never hear people say they don't like Fresh Prince.

I dunno, Fresh Prince might have a more "diverse" audience in terms of demographics, but Seinfeld drew much larger ratings. I think Fresh Prince was also kind of limited to our generation, as I don't think many people over the age of say... 40, watched it. Awesome show none the less.

road doggy dogg

07-05-2007, 03:30 PM

Yeah I def love the Fresh Prince. If I had to choose between Seinfeld and Fresh Prince though I'd gotta go with my main man Costanza.

True Brit Grit

07-05-2007, 05:16 PM

I don't count British shows, obviously.

Good, I was getting worried!!

But yeah, didn't realise it had run for quite as long as it did.:y:

Beats Kenan and Kel at least - are they still alive?

Anybody Thrilla

07-05-2007, 06:29 PM

Unfortunately, they are still alive. Keenan is on Saturday Night Live, and I think Kel was in some Pepsi commercial with a fat chick.

ct2k

07-05-2007, 07:07 PM

Yet again I have to mention Hillary, by far the hottest girl on tv in like ever

Anybody Thrilla

07-05-2007, 08:20 PM

Her and Ashley are both crazy hot.

ClockShot

07-05-2007, 08:35 PM

Fresh Prince was really good. You could probably throw it in a top 10. They did touch on some really deep issues, and had some funny moments. But let's not forget some other good shows like Step by Step, Family Matters, Boy Meets World, Seinfeld, etc.

Mr Regal

07-05-2007, 10:49 PM

Ashley + Hillary + Me = Heaven....Crerial!

Blitz

07-05-2007, 11:46 PM

Tremendous show. Might go with Friends for best ever tho. Or maybe Boy Meets World.

YOUR Hero

07-06-2007, 12:28 AM

Veronica's Closet!

Mr Regal

07-06-2007, 12:29 AM

Not counting the massive amount of incredibly fantastic British sitcoms...O B V I O U S L Y

Blitz

07-06-2007, 12:30 AM

I would probably say the UK Office as the best sitcom of all time, but I don't consider it a sitcom.

D Mac

07-06-2007, 05:20 AM

Prince and Seinfeld are my 2 favorite comedies. EVER

Friends sucks IMO

D Mac

07-06-2007, 05:22 AM

D Mac

07-06-2007, 05:27 AM

D Mac

07-06-2007, 05:29 AM

Avenger

07-06-2007, 12:36 PM

Fresh Prince, Friends and Seinfeld are prob my three favourite of all-time. Just amazing.

Anybody Thrilla

07-06-2007, 02:00 PM

Let's go get some barbeque and get busy.

D Mac

07-06-2007, 02:23 PM

Rapheal Del A Ghetto

Fox

07-06-2007, 06:01 PM

Wonder Years

SammyG

07-07-2007, 12:36 AM

Friends was awesome. Full House wasn't bad, but Fresh Prince is probably my favorite ever

Vastardikai

07-07-2007, 01:48 AM

All in the Family :shifty:

07-07-2007, 02:29 AM

tbh. I watch a lot of tv. And Arrested Development was by far the best comedy on TV.

Best show on TV period? 24. Sorry. Jack Bauer> everything no matter how bad season 6 was.

Sickboy

07-07-2007, 02:40 AM

Nope

Anybody Thrilla

07-07-2007, 03:31 AM

Riveting argument, Sickboy.

Nervous Ferret

07-07-2007, 03:51 AM

I'm sorry but Growing Pains does it for me. Not that I don't love Fresh Prince, but they don't have Alan Thicke

Penner

07-07-2007, 11:29 AM

Fresh Prince was awesome. Will Smith is an amazing actor. The serious scenes they had were amazing.

Seinfeld was definitely better, but Fresh Prince is up there.

Xero

07-07-2007, 12:27 PM

Fresh Prince is definitely up there, but I'd put Three's Company above it. Probably a few others if I really think about it.

Anybody Thrilla

07-07-2007, 01:01 PM

Three's Company is definitely not 'up there'.

Silent

07-07-2007, 01:31 PM

Fresh Prince is good, but I think Friends and Roseanne are funnier (usually). Seinfeld is good too.

Xero

07-07-2007, 02:35 PM

Three's Company is definitely not 'up there'.
Is for me.

Just John

07-07-2007, 04:15 PM

Fresh Prince is great, up there with just shoot me, everybody hates chris and will and grace as one of my favorite sitcoms.

road doggy dogg

07-08-2007, 12:46 PM

haha I thought I was the only person ever who liked Just Shoot Me :love:

Just John

07-08-2007, 01:31 PM

haha I thought I was the only person ever who liked Just Shoot Me :love:

Same :kiss:

Blitz

07-08-2007, 04:20 PM

Just Shoot Me was pretty good up until towards the end.

Pinnacle Charisma

07-09-2007, 12:38 AM

The fresh prince was awesome. I remember watching repeats on 4.30 on channel 9 down here in australia which was the first time i saw them because i think i was too young to see them the first time around.

And Hillary at the start of the series and then Ashley near the end where stunning. They have great characters like Carlton, Hillary and Geoffrey and the relationships and chemistry between will and carlton, hillary and will and Geoffrey and Hillary where spot on.

Not best sitcom of all time but def in the top five. I would put arrested development, office uk in front of it.

Anybody Thrilla

07-09-2007, 01:40 AM

Listen guys. Arrested Development was funny, yes. But even considering it in the top five of all time is downright silly.

Arnold HamNegger

07-09-2007, 04:47 PM

Carlton is fantastic. That episode where he accidentally takes speed out of Will's locker and dances until he passes out is classic.

D Mac

07-09-2007, 05:15 PM

Just Shoot Me was funny. And Mya was HAWT :drool:

Arnold HamNegger

07-09-2007, 05:35 PM

Cheers was pretty solid.

FakeLaser

07-09-2007, 05:41 PM

http://www.donandmurph.com/petepeteintropic.jpeg
G.O.A.T.

I don't know if you'd call that a Sitcom though. Regardless, it's the greatest television show of all time.

My favorite sitcoms:
Married With Children (How has this not been mentioned yet?)
Curb Your Enthusiasm (Sitcom?)
Seinfeld
The Wonder Years
It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia
Fresh Prince of Bell Air
All In The Family

Nervous Ferret

07-09-2007, 05:48 PM

Fresh Prince is great, up there with just shoot me, everybody hates chris and will and grace as one of my favorite sitcoms.
Did Just John seriously just say Will & Grace was one of his favorite sitcoms?

Nervous Ferret

07-09-2007, 05:49 PM

Carlton is fantastic. That episode where he accidentally takes speed out of Will's locker and dances until he passes out is classic.
yes

Stickman

07-09-2007, 05:53 PM

How about the one where Will's Dad came back in his life. At the end of the episode Will is crying on Uncle Phil's shoulder. Touching, very touching.

FakeLaser

07-09-2007, 06:03 PM

Did Just John seriously just say Will & Grace was one of his favorite sitcoms?
lol

FakeLaser

07-09-2007, 06:04 PM

My favorite Fresh Prince moment is when Will Smith is wearing short ass shorts, a long ass old black Nike Swoosh tank top and those cheep ass sunglasses you get at like Bar Mitzvahs with the colored part that goes over your ear, and is dancing washing the convertable he just purchased.

Anybody Thrilla

07-09-2007, 08:11 PM

I like when he made up that rap for the periodic table and did that ridiculous dance where he was kicking his leg out to the side.

'L-I lithium, N-A sodium' etc....

KingofOldSchool

07-09-2007, 08:15 PM

Seinfield is one of the most overhyped and overrated shows of all time.

Tb1

07-09-2007, 09:43 PM

Seinfield is one of the most overhyped and overrated shows of all time.

:n:

Jesus Shuttlesworth

07-12-2007, 09:48 PM

Is there seriously no mention of Saved by the Bell in this entire topic? I mean not saying it's #1 but come on

Also, I'd put Seinfeld at the #1 spot. Fresh Prince was good but I dunno it isn't one of my favorites.

Splaya

07-12-2007, 09:54 PM

I remember the scene when Will got shot, and the episode and scenes that followed. Still chokes me up when I see it.

mrslackalack

07-12-2007, 11:18 PM

Fresh Prince was a great show. Prolly not a top 5 greatest sitcom of all-time, but def a top 3 sitcom in the 90's

mrslackalack

07-12-2007, 11:19 PM

Uncle Phil ''Will I am gonna be watching you like a shadow!''

Will '' Do you mean a lunar eclipse Uncle Phil?''

Arnold HamNegger

07-13-2007, 02:09 AM

I'm just gonna say the words "Different Strokes."

Theo Dious

07-13-2007, 08:27 AM

Seinfield is one of the most overhyped and overrated shows of all time.

I agree.

It was still awesome though.

Just not as much as people make it out to be.

A lot of it was the whole "wow I don't get it... I'm going to laugh and talk about how much I love it so that I won't look like the only dork who doesn't get it."

road doggy dogg

07-13-2007, 12:21 PM

What are you talking about, Seinfeld is like the most hilarious thing to ever appear on TV ever. George is undoubtedly the greatest television character ever manifested period.

Stickman

07-13-2007, 12:55 PM

Seinfeld is the best TV show of all time. It stands the test of time as well.

To say the Fresh Prince is better than Cheers or MASH or Seinfeld is bogus. It's a good underrated show, but the masses watched other stuff way more than Fresh Prince....they probably couldn't buy a rich black family as entertaining...

Arnold HamNegger

07-13-2007, 04:59 PM

....they probably couldn't buy a rich black family as entertaining...

The Fresh Prince >>> The Cosby Show

And people loved that shit.

Stickman

07-13-2007, 05:23 PM

ahhhh good point.

Silent

07-14-2007, 11:44 PM

My favorite sitcoms:
Married With Children (How has this not been mentioned yet?)

My sister actually guest starred on that show a couple times, I went to a live taping when I was a little kid but was too young to get any of the jokes. :o

NeanderCarl

07-15-2007, 12:20 AM

Seinfeld is probably the best long-running sitcom of all time. You could make an argument for Friends or The Simpsons too.

Arrested Development and Curb Your Enthusiasm are awesome, but the runs have been too short to really say "best ever" because you can't really judge their consistancy, in comparison to the others.

Fresh Prince was okay... but didn't really break any new ground, make a cultural difference, cross any lines... it was just safe, ordinary TV... good at what it did, but hardly must-see TV.

FakeLaser

07-15-2007, 02:06 PM

I thought only girls liked Friends. Come on.

Anybody Thrilla

07-15-2007, 05:40 PM

Friends is hilarious.

Zen v.W.o.

07-15-2007, 09:37 PM

I dunno man, it's good but Seinfeld is the greatest, Cheers is pretty damn close, Friends is up there, along with Home Improvement and yes even Rosanne (I hated that show but people loved it).

Fresh Prince was the best among "tier 2" sitcoms. IE Family Matters, Full House, Saved by the Bell.

Friends is actually shit. Was popular but the show was cookie cutter. Frasier was better.

But yeah, Seinfeld is pretty much untouchable. I think only Curb Your Enthusiasm can come close, and I wonder why.

Zen v.W.o.

07-15-2007, 09:41 PM

Seinfield is one of the most overhyped and overrated shows of all time.

More like innovative and influential.

Loved the way the shows were scripted and written. Like Larry David had this great talent at making something that seemed to be totally minute and seemingly inconsequential to the story actually end up being an integral laughing point to the show, by the end. Something would always occur to a character and his storyline thanks to something that seemed so insiginificant earlier in the show. He was great at finally weaving all the different angles of the story so that they meshed into each other by the end. The guy was a fucking genius, scripting a fucking genius sitcom.

EDIT:

What I also like about Seinfeld and Curb is that the shows arent telling you when to laugh. On Curb it's obvious as there isnt any laugh track or anything like that, but with Seinfeld the jokes arent prepped up or built to finally hitting that punch line. Seinfeld didnt run like that. With other sitcoms, like Friends, or Will and Grace or whatever, the jokes are seen coming at you from a mile away. It's like a bunch of punch lines, and when they are said, you have to laugh. On top of the shows being generic and cookie cutter.

road doggy dogg

07-16-2007, 01:55 AM

Friends was still a pretty good sitcom. I never really got into it at all when it was new, but during the day now I'd rather watch repeats of Friends on TBS or TVtropolis than most anything else that's on.

Stickman

07-16-2007, 02:30 PM

Friends was not cookie cutter.

Anybody Thrilla

07-17-2007, 10:42 AM

The best Friends episode was when they were all supposed to go to an awards ceremony for Ross and nobody was ready. Either that, or the trivia game with the apartment on the line. I don't see how anybody could watch those and not think something pretty good was going on in the Friends camp.

Linkbowler

07-17-2007, 04:43 PM

This conversation proves that Frasier is the most underrated sitcom ever.

Also the greatest.

DMI

07-17-2007, 10:21 PM

lol threes company

fresh princes was great, def a top 5. also, that 70s show is one of my fav's ever

Heyman

07-21-2007, 09:26 PM

I'm kinda thinking it is. I'm not prepared to make some elaborate, drawn out statement to back up my opinion, but I am prepared to discuss with you good people the finer points of it.

For me, it's a toss up between Seinfield and Fresh Prince.

I love both shows equally.