TV Series Review: Bel-air (2022)

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Bel-Air

Season 1

No. of episodes: 10

#whatonwhatsgood Express Review (by: Jovin Tardif)

Bel-Air is a dramatic version of the '90s comedy sitcom 'The Fresh Prince of Bel Air'.  It's about a young Will Smith who has to go to L.A. because of some issues happening in Philadelphia.  Just like in the original series, Will (Jabari Banks) has to get used to his new surroundings with his wealthy family in Los Angeles. 

The series is interesting and they made some adjustments to the characters.

Uncle Phil (Adrian Holmes) is slightly different in this show.  He's strict but fair.  He also has a few secrets.

Aunt Vivian (Cassandra Freeman) plays a similar role to the 90's sitcom where she helps everyone try to accomplish their goals and become successful.  The only difference in this show is that she used to paint and she stopped doing it to help Uncle Phil with his political career.

Carlton (Olly Sholotan) was a bit of a shock to me.  I was so used to his fun-loving character from the 90s who loves to do the "Carlton Dance".  This 'Carlton' is evil.  It took me some time to get comfortable with him doing drugs (ie. snorting cocaine) 

Instead of begging daddy for money, Hilary Banks (Coco Jones) is very career-focused.  She is trying to make a name for herself and move out of her parent’s house. 

Geoffrey Thompson (Jimmy Akingbola) is not the sarcastic butler that we are used to. He is close to Uncle Phil and has a dangerous side. 

Ashley Banks (Akira Akbar) was so fascinated by Will in the original series.  In this version, they don't really focus on her too much but she is close to her older sister and is trying to figure things out.

It's probably best to treat this as a new story instead of comparing it to 'The Fresh Prince of Bel Air'. 

Season 1

Dreams and Nightmares S1, Ep1

13 Feb. 2022

My Rating 7/10

#whatonwhatsgood Fan Club Rating 72%

Keep Ya Head Up S1, Ep2

13 Feb. 2022

My Rating 7/10

#whatonwhatsgood Fan Club Rating 74%

Yamacraw S1, Ep3

13 Feb. 2022

My Rating 7/10

#whatonwhatsgood Fan Club Rating 70%

Canvass S1, Ep4

17 Feb. 2022

My Rating 7/10

#whatonwhatsgood Fan Club Rating 68%

PA to LA S1, Ep5

24 Feb. 2022

My Rating 7/10

#whatonwhatsgood Fan Club Rating 70%

The Strength to Smile S1, Ep6

3 Mar. 2022

My Rating 7/10

#whatonwhatsgood Fan Club Rating 71%

Payback's a B*tch S1, Ep7

10 Mar. 2022

My Rating 7/10

#whatonwhatsgood Fan Club Rating 72%

No One Wins When the Family Feuds S1, Ep8

17 Mar. 2022

My Rating 6/10

#whatonwhatsgood Fan Club Rating 74%

Can't Knock the Hustle S1, Ep9

24 Mar. 2022

My Rating 7/10

#whatonwhatsgood Fan Club Rating 77%

Where To? S1, Ep10

31 Mar. 2022

My Rating 7/10

#whatonwhatsgood Fan Club Rating 70%

Bel-Air

Arbolada Roads/Ra Shines Inc./Cooper Films/The 51/Westbrook Studios/Universal Television

Peacock

Genre

Drama

Created by

Andy Borowitz & Susan Borowitz

Based on

On a Story by Andy Borowitz & Susan Borowitz

On a Format by Benny Medina & Jeff Pollack

Developed by

Morgan Cooper & Malcolm Spellman & TJ Brady & Rasheed Newson

Starring

Jabari Banks as Will Smith

Cassandra Freeman as Vivian Banks

Jimmy Akingbola as Geoffrey Thompson

Olly Sholotan as Carlton Banks

Coco Jones as Hilary Banks

Akira Akbar as Ashley Banks

Simone Joy Jones as Lisa Wilkes

Jordan L. Jones as Jazz

Adrian Holmes as Philip Banks

April Parker Jones as Viola 'Vy' Smith

SteVonté Hart as Tray Melbert

Tyler Barnhardt as Connor Satterfield

Joe Holt as Fred Wilkes

Charlie Hall as Tyler Laramy

Jon Beavers as Kylo

Duane Martin as Steven Lewis

Daphne Maxwell Reid as Janice

Vernee Watson-Johnson as Helen

Music by

Terrace Martin and Robert Glasper

Executive producers

TJ Brady & Rasheed Newson, Morgan Cooper, Will Smith, Terence Carter, James Lassiter, Miguel Melendez, Malcolm Spellman, Benny Medina, Quincy Jones, Andy Borowitz & Susan Borowitz

Producers

Debra Lovatelli, Jeff Rafner and Jason B. Harkins

Cinematography

James Hawkinson and Christopher Soos

Editors

Jennifer Barbot, Christopher S. Capp, Angela Latimer, Shoshanah Tanzer and Mark Heiliger

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