Tag Archives: Will Smith

Pop Culture Reflection: The Tonight Show

19 Feb
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My welcome poster to Fallon

I think Jimmy Fallon delivered a stellar debut in New York on Monday as Tonight Show host with his first guests Will Smith and U2.

His opening remark kicked things off in the right direction:

“I’m Jimmy Fallon and I’ll be your host … for now!”

The joke was a light-hearted reference to his predecessor Jay Leno leaving then coming back to host The Tonight Show after the clash between the network and Conan O’Brien four years ago.

I’ll miss Jay Leno but he had a good 22 year run on the show and I’m looking forward to Fallon taking the reigns.

I was a fan of Fallon’s comedy from his Saturday Night Live days and I especially like when he does his ‘Late Night Superlatives’.

Some of my favorite highlights was seeing celebrities like Rudy Guliani, Mike Tyson, Lady Gaga and many more walking up to drop money onto Fallon’s desk for losing the bet that he would become The Tonight Show host.

His evolution of hip-hop dancing with Smith was the best part for me because I remember actually doing those dances in middle school like The Running Man and Kid ‘N Play. My two favorites that had me laughing the most was The Stanky Legg and The Steal The Face Then Swallow It And Throw It Back Up. (I included the You Tube clip below because it’s too hilarious to miss)

Now, I have not listened to U2 since they released Zooropa in 1993 but I did think the live performance on top of the Rockefeller Center was cool and I also liked the acoustic performance of Ordinary Love.

I have always related to Fallon because he appreciates the same 90’s era sitcoms and alternative bands that I like, such as Pearl Jam and shows like Saved By The Bell.

I look forward to his future with The Tonight Show.

This is the link from The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon You Tube channel for the hip-hop dancing clip.

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Pop Culture Reflection: 90s Hit Sitcom Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

8 Jan
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I took this pic in 2008 because I saw the Fresh Prince on side of The Detroit People Mover

Paying tribute this week to 90s hit sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, after hearing that James Avery who played Uncle Phil on the show passed away December 31, 2013.

According to an article from CNN, Avery was 68 years old and suffered complications from an open-heart surgery.

Will Smith who gained his stardom playing Avery’s street smart nephew, posted a recent photo of the last time he was with Avery on his Facebook page and included this statement:

“Some of my greatest lessons in Acting, Living and being a respectable human being came through James Avery. Every young man needs an Uncle Phil. Rest In Peace.”

Alfonso Ribeiro who played Avery’s son Carlton on the show also included photos and tribute posts on his Facebook page stating:

 “Here’s another photo of James from our wedding. It is still hard to believe he is no longer with us. It feels like yesterday when I would drop by his dressing room and learn about some of the great Jazz music he would listen to. Such a warm, inspiring, wonderful man.”

I loved Avery’s memorable role as a stern but caring uncle who kept Smith’s wild character in place.

I remember at the time the show aired Will Smith was more known for being a rapper with his hip-hop duo as DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince but after the first season The Fresh Prince blew up in popularity and the rest is history.

I also recall that at my school If you didn’t watch the show then you lived under a rock. The kids in my class would always talk about the show and repeat the jokes.

One of my favorite episodes with Avery is when Will gets himself in debt with a pool hustler and Avery has to come to the rescue. At first Avery acts like he can’t shoot pool to raise the ante on the bet before going into shark mode and getting even with the pool hall hustler.

The Fresh Prince ran from 1990 to 1996 and the show carries memories of an awesome cast filled with memorable scenes, catch phrases and of course one signature dance number by Ribeiro!

I am glad that I grew up watching it and carrying the memories of the 90s era.

Below is a link to my favorite clip of the pool scene from nub2sauce You Tube channel.

 

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