Laughs, Tears, and OG Aunt Viv: ‘Fresh Prince’ Reunion Review

The Fresh Prince reunion is the happiest tearjerker you’ll ever watch. If the vibe feels like an in memoriam it’s because years of memories and real-life relationships are remembered through laughter and tears. Fresh Prince is of course not dead and gone, the full series can be viewed on HBOMax as we speak, but there is something in the air of this reunion that feels like loss. And as you watch you feel like you are part of the family right along with them. Some things need to be put out on the table, and you can feel it right along with the hilarity of the shenanigans that is Fresh Prince.  In West Philadelphia Born and Raised  The reunion begins with an individual interview with Will Smith as he talks about the magic of the show. We are slowly re-introduced to the set we remember from our childhoods. The living room, the spiral staircase, the walk to the kitchen. Our favorite characters start coming from the woodwork… literally. Karyn Parsons (Hilary Banks) comes front and center wearing an emerald satin gown looking like Diahann Carroll’s Dominique Deveraux in Dynasty.

Image courtesy of HBOMax

Alfonso Ribeiro (Carlton Banks) pops his head out from the stairs as everyone rejoices and Joseph Marcell (Geoffrey) as poised as ever looking overjoyed to be in that space again. The cast sits on the famous couch to talk about their pathways to Bel-Air. Tatiana Ali (Ashley Banks) talks about her audition being nerve wracking, and Karyn echoes the same. Watching Alfonso…