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Student #:
English 114
Lab

Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Throughout history, some TV shows has been denounced for perpetuating
stereotypes about different races and cultures. More specifically, comedy shows
seemed to draw an enormous amount of criticism and disapproval for stereotyping.
The character, Will smith in the TV show fresh prince of Bel-Air had an
enormous impact in changing Black-American stereotypes. This incredible
character broke through all racial barriers and stereotypes in the early 90s and
introduced pure comedy. He demonstrated that the problem money can bring were
not confined to certain race. He also made a good moral decision to better not only
himself, but also the family around him .Unlike some of the earlier Black-

American characters, Will Smith illustrated a favourable Black-American

stereotypes, such as unbreakable family values, humour and passionate love.

also this is a story all about how my life got flipped, turned upside down, and Id
like to take a minute, just sit right there, Ill tell you how I became the prince of a
town called Bel-air. These are the opening lines to the intro song of the television
comedy The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, that me and every 90s kids with a TV has
had memorized since the day we first heard it. Even as you read that first
sentence, you cant help but to rap the words, and hum the tune as you envision a
young Will Smith spinning on his royal chair with the graffiti background. The
effect of the lyrics and the music video to this intro song goes way beyond pure
entertainment value. The music video and lyrics spread happiness, smiles, and
even helped to usher in a new generation of kids with the carefree fresh prince
mindset. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was a show that comes around once every
generation. This show broke through all racial barriers and stereotypes and
introduced pure comedy and valued life lessons through a televisions set.
Through the success of the show, naturally the popularity of the music video and
theme song grew as well. The intro music video serves as a prologue that sets up
the narrative of the show. The music video illustrates how the main character

Will Smith, who lives in an economically poor neighborhood, arrives at a high

class town known as Bel-Air. The music video plays up to traditional African
American stereotypes by showing Will spraying graffiti and playing basketball.
This stereotype connects to the viewers and helps to contribute to certain appeals
One of the appeals that the stereotype contributes to is that of ethical appeal. By
showing the young teenage Will Smith participating in illegal activities like spray
painting, and recreational activities such as playing basketball; It helps Wills
credibility to connect to the target audience. The target audience consisting primarily of
teenage viewers.

additionaly ,Tone and diction can be found in any piece of literature.

Whether its a theme song from a popular TV from the 1990s or a collegeapplication essay, it can be found. Authors often use these two literary
techniques to appeal to their audiences. Tone is most often used to
encompass a specific attitude on a subject or topic implied to a set audience.
Authors create this literary ambiance with the aid of diction. Diction is the
authors word choice that creates imagery and enhances vivid appeals to the
senses.
In the first selection Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (Theme Song) the sentences

are set up into stanzas, in song-lyric form. The speaker, Wil Smith, vocalizes
his ideas to an audience of a younger demographic. In a casual, laid-back,
and playful tone Wil shares his life story about how his life got flipped
turned upside down when he moved to California and became the prince of
a town called Bel-Air. Wil uses a lot of slang, abbreviations, and casual
diction such as chillin, maxin, relaxin, b-ball, movin, yo, drinkin, hmmm,
uh, aint, tryin, and yo homes. The chosen words and phrases influence the
overall laid-back tenor of the selection as they assist in appealing his ideas
to the audience. The words also create a strong visual of what is taking
place.