Random Behind The Scenes History Of 'The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air' Most People Don't Know (12 items)

(#9) The Soundtrack Was Originally Only Released In The Netherlands

Though everyone should know the words to The Fresh Prince's famed theme song, you might have a lot of trouble actually finding the physical album. The soundtrack was only released on CD and vinyl in the Netherlands, where the theme song peaked on the charts at #3 in 1992.

But thanks to the magic of the internet, you can now listen to the track on Amazon.
(#10) Janet Hubert Butted Heads With Alfonso Ribeiro

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A post shared by Alfonso Ribeiro (@therealalfonsoribeiro) on Mar 27, 2017 at 5:27pm PDT

Original Aunt Viv actor Janet Hubert wasn't too fond of either of her onscreen nephews. Hubert recently lashed out at Alfonso Ribeiro (Carlton Banks) after he posted a photo of his reunion with castmates Tatyana Ali (Ashley Banks), Karyn Parson (Hilary Banks), Daphne Reid (the second Aunt Viv), and Joseph Marcell (Geoffrey Butler).

In a now-removed Facebook post, Hubert lambasted Ribeiro for the photo:

Folks keep telling me about it. He was always the [butt] wipe for Will. There will never be a true reunion of the Fresh Prince. I have no interest in seeing any of these people on that kind of level.
(#7) Will Smith Is Embarrassed By His Acting On 'The Fresh Prince'

Previous to The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Smith's only acting credit was as in an ABC afterschool special. Needless to say, he was a total novice when he signed onto the show in order to kick his IRS debt. Though the actor was brimming with raw talent, Smith admits he was a little embarrassed by his earlier performances.

"I was trying so hard," Smith said of the early days of the show, continuing:

I would memorize the entire script, then I'd be lipping everybody's lines while they were talking. When I watch those episodes, it's disgusting. My performances were horrible.
(#11) The Original Aunt Viv Had Major Beef With Will Smith

Janet Hubert, the original Aunt Vivian in NBC's The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, apparently wasn't too crazy about her onscreen nephew, Will Smith. The pair had major beef, which is part of the reason she left in 1993 and was replaced with Daphne Reid. Most pointedly, Hubert slammed the A-lister for not helping his castmates negotiate for higher wages.

In 2016, Hubert called out Smith in an online video:

I seem to remember at option time, coming to you and saying … "With you, maybe we can get a little raise." [We thought] your influence would help us greatly, like they did on Friends.

In turn, Will Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, defended her husband and slammed his costar in a radio interview:

I can say straight up that Janet Hubert wanted the show to be The Aunt Viv of Bel-Air Show, because I know she is going to dog me in the press. She has basically gone from a quarter of a million dollars a year to nothing. She's mad now, but she's been mad all along. She said once, "I've been in the business for 10 years and this snotty-nosed punk comes along and gets a show."
(#1) Will Smith Was Forced To Star In 'The Fresh Prince' Because He Had $2.8 Million In IRS Debt

If Will Smith never got into major financial trouble, we might not have the critically acclaimed movie star version of Will Smith we love today (you know, the one that delivered such blockbuster greatness as Men In Black and Independence Day).

Smith rose to fame with his work in the hip-hop duo DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince. The duo landed Grammy awards for their hits "Parents Just Don't Understand" and "Summertime." And with great fame came lots of money, which Smith poorly managed. After failing to pay sufficient income taxes, Smith owed the government $2.8 million. The IRS seized his belongings and his income.

With bankruptcy looming over his head, Smith had no choice but to star in Benny Medina's semi-autobiographical The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, a role he was picked for by producer Quincy Jones. For the first three years, he paid 70% of his salary from Fresh Prince to the IRS.
(#3) 'Fresh Prince' Was Originally Cancelled During Season 4

Fresh Prince almost didn't have the glorious six-season run for which it's known. NBC wanted to wrap up the show after Season 4. The series ending was supposed to be the Season 4 finale, where Will goes back to Philadelphia and decides to stay there with his mother. Fans were absolutely outraged.

When NBC canceled the sitcom, the network was hit with thousands of angry fan letters. Shockingly, they listened, and the show was renewed for two more seasons.