I like how y’all didn’t say “dark skin Aunt Viv” or “light skin Aunt Viv”. OG Aunt Viv was definitely more memorable. I can’t think of a moment that the new Viv stands out. I’ll never forget that dance scene from the OG
Janet Hubert _is_ Aunt Viv. No disrespect to Daphne Reid who brought her own interpretation, Ms. Hubert _embodied_ that role down to a T. The same goes for JoMarie Payton. JoMarie _is_ Harriet Winslow. When both of their roles were recast, the show took a different turn, although _FM_ was already over by the time Harriet's character was replaced.
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There was this strong independent black woman vibe I got from Janet Hubert’s aunt Viv that seem to not transition when changed. Same thing for Harriet. I maybe bias in my observation because I love to see strong independent intelligent black women represented.
I just figured out that Harriet was replaced a few years ago. I stopped watching FM long before she got replaced. That show was on for way too long after it's prime. Urkel was like damn near 30 lookin dumb af in that outgrown role😆
"Strong, independent, black woman" !?!? She was meant to play a humble housewife and a school teacher roll, just remember that before we go around giving the casting director a hard time ua-cam.com/video/NPk9id99KgE/v-deo.html
agreed, growing up in a household with a super strong moms i could relate to her character being there...part of me think thats a bigger part of why they felt she had to go. i was talking about it uptop about how i kinda felt she played the Jame amos role in goodtimes. I dont think NBC wanted her taking up too much shine and if she did then where would james avery stand....i woulda loved to see them both stay i think they could have only made 4 better chemistry (with both having a theater background). I think they felt that she was just too much to balance the overall cast
Right, like there's no chemistry what so ever between. With the og Vivian she look at Phil like he was an sexy big teddy bear. And the other one she look like he ain't her type what so ever. She won't look his way PERIOD😅
@@thefactsaccordingtogabbie149 so true. I watched an interview with Harriet Winslow and she said she and Carl did have chemistry and attraction and she loved doing the kissing scenes with him because she got to be sexy and intimate with a strong Black positive man on tv
@@thefactsaccordingtogabbie149 Neither did Janet Hubert's Aunt Viv... She didn't even have any closeness with her kids.. Will was more nurturing to Ashley than Hubert's Aunt Viv m
@Juanita Wright that's right, she was a grown woman and a legend and she wasn't bout kiss Will's ass. She told them " if you wanted me to kiss Will's ass, you should have put it in my contract".
Let me save y’all the 7 minutes : she was a better actor and was a stronger figure and was motherly but had some attitude and give you the real black mom feeling
She was just a better actor with charisma, personality and the other was bland, less appealing. Has nothing to do with being in the ghetto, in that case we wouldn't love Jeffrey or Carlton. SMH
CJ504 Fba Nothing to do with black people relating better. I loved the original aunt viv especially how she was a strong women and young girls black or not need a role model like that.
Janet Hubert.. ORIGINAL GANGTA AUNT VIV... OG Aunt Vivian was AWESOME. Her chemistry was on point with the characters and she ruled that home with an iron fist (like my grandmother).. She stood up for herself and her family. OG Aunt Viv was more stylish and more motherly as in being more of a strict mother who didn’t play with her children being out of hand. She stood up for herself and was just .... HER CHEMISTRY WAS ON POINT WITH UNCLE PHIL...
@@cgogetit I literally heard it in my head. But that could be the writing. They probably didn’t want that character as lively anymore. Janet was reading scripts, that was writing. She executed it well but my point is, it all boils down to writing. So someone in the writers room decided they wanted a more tone down in the background Vivian, not the lively vivacious one they started with
You know the sad part? Daphne Maxwell Reid is an absolute legend in real life. She blazed trails that black people still walk on and show business today. I honestly think the writers didn't believe in her ability to portray Vivian's strength and fierceness the way Janet did. But I have no doubt in my mind that she could have.
There are a LOT of things that happened in Season 4 onwards that wouldn’t have happened had she stayed through the series, ie that seance episode, the Playboy episode etc.
I think the original Aunt Viv and original Harriet Winslow are the best. Their personalities and style is the most realistic. They embodied the strong matriarch character that are our grandmother, mother and aunties. I see my own mother in both of them that's why they're the best.
Most people don't remember that Family Matters was supposed to be focused on Harriet Winslow. It was a spinoff of Perfect Strangers, and Jo Marie Peyton was supposed to be the star. That all sort of changed when Steve Urkel became a breakout character and things began to focus more on him, Laura, Carl and Eddie.
I loved Janet Hubert! She brought so much life, style, and black excellence to the role. Reid seemed to stay in the background too much. Hubert also wasn't afraid to challenge anyone when needed.
The new one did still work, it just wasn’t shown or talked about much. I remember an episode where Phil was jealous that she was spending long evenings working on a book with a student. There’s also a seen where Phil tries to butter her up and she’s grading papers
Vivian actually retired from her professor job to spend more time at home with the kids (it was an episode where everyone was annoyed at her always being home, "That woman must be stopped"). Phil was climbing up the ladder in his profession so they decided that Viv can be a stay-at-home mom. This was the first Vivian as well. The second Vivian merely continued being a stay-at-home especially with baby Nicki being born. So yea, the second Viv had very little to do and the writers didnt bother to write anything interesting for her to do either
Could be that Reid didn’t speak up for her portrayal and screen time like Janet would and most likely did from what I remember. That could have been understood when Reid took the role over and/or she wasn’t going to risk being fired. Janet was the real deal & saved face. You need strong actors to make it work. They didn’t have to write Janet’s pregnancy into the show either. Just put her in bigger clothes.
Before Janet Hubert was fired she was my favorite character on the show not Will. She was rich but still down to earth and remembered where she came from. 🗣”Everybody DANCE NOW!” 💃🏽
The first season I think the very first episode were Will let Ashely drop her violin lessons, Uncle Phil went on about her loved classical music as a child and aunt Viv called him out and said you listened to James Brown and had an afro.
That’s kinda perpetuating a negative stereotype that deep skin women are more aggressive and can fight, while light skin women are less aggressive and calm
The original Aunt Viv was incredibly talented, portrayed several memorable moments that have gone down in history, presented a character with love and respect that the fans loved and the show was never the same after her departure.
Aunt Viv To Carlton:Carlton you are not going MacArthur Park tonight...in fact none of you are going to MacArthur Park Tonight.... Tiny Lister:Wait A Minute.... Aunt Viv:boy do not test me... Tiny Lister: Yes ma'am....that scene was classic and the original aunt viv didn't play no games....rip tiny lister....
The masculine black woman emasculating the black man trope... that's one of the reasons why I didn't like her portayal. Daphne Maxell-Reid didn't do that nor did she possess that same energy.
@@KtotheG No, her portrayal was of a beautiful, intelligent, sophisticated, eloquent and no nonsense yet fun mother who actually set boundaries and morals for her kids to follow. A mother actually being a mother to her kids doesn't make her masculine it just makes her ready for anything that life has to offer!!! Oh and the head of the household is both the mother and father !
@@ericjackson7632 We're American... and men are the heads of functional families, not women... abuse and usurping male authority are never ingredients for success... don't believe me? Look at the condition of blk America today and tell me I'm lying.
Rewatching fresh prince the og viv felt important she had big roles in the early episodes and was a force to be felt with watching seasons 4-6 the new viv she cool but she just there like she honestly serves no purpose they could have written her out and there would be no change tbh the early season had will and the og viv bonding more than the later seasons after the new aunt viv came it was more about will and uncle Phil so having her written off was the best solution in my opinion because she was literally just there just a housewife no personality like the og viv had
This was one of the best commentaries you all have ever done I love that you all brought out that she was great at dressing and very fashionable as well as an intelligent well-spoken and powerful force especially in the black community always bringing that to light you all did a really great job on this and I hope she's able to see it cuz it is a tribute and honor to her
I like the episode where Will and Carlton were put in jail and uncle Phil and aunt Viv came to bail them out. She took off her earrings and was ready to get busy with that cop behind her boys!
@@JayBelafonte we know you went to watch a dude in a pair of Jordans ...we get it guy ...fellas watched it for the honeys OG Aunt Viv her oldest daughter Ashley Jada Pickett Tyra shit niomi cambell every bad black woman on the show... Wtf you talking about??? Who don't check for intelligent strong educated women🤔
I agree! The second Aunt Vivian was passive and the presence was not as strong. My favorite scene was in the first season when Will and Carlton got locked up and she came in the police station taking off her earrings ready to fight.
That episode and the one where she was the black studies teacher at Will and Carlton's school cemented her presence on the show for me.... I remember they watered her character down after the first few seasons though...
That episode, the one where she taught Black History, the one with Ice Tray, the first Thanksgiving episode, the one with her 40th bday (everybody dance now!), and the one where she gets Carlton from the hood.
As much as I like Will Smith, it’s obvious to me that his people didn’t want him to be out shadowed on his own show. Hubert was clearly going to be a standout and they knew where they wanted Wills career to go. Crazy part is, I think it could have been even bigger if they kept to OG Aunt Viv
FINALLY SOMEONE SAID IT! I've been saying this for the LONGEST that it seemed like Hubert had a much more powerful presence than Will despite being a supporting actress.
@@darnellmajor9016 agreed. I think he still could have been successful. It’s sad that they were so afraid. That’s why they replaced her with a less noticeable actress
Loved this commentary. They just didn't want to see a beautiful, intelligent, WOKE, black woman confident in herself and loving her family on screen for the world to see. Says a lot about what going on now.
@@theTruthSeekerishere I mean I think it's pretty obvious she didn't get on with the majority of the cast, not just Will. She's a great actress and my fave aunt Viv but you know she burned all those bridges, Uncle Phil didn't even mention her before he died, he posted a pic of the whole cast BUT her and that says a lot about the situation to me tbh. she attacks small UA-camrs and content makers who mention anything about her being difficult to be around/to work with, with quotes from people who were her friends/coworkers, starting arguments with normal people who mention it. She's a great and talented person and was very underrated imo, but it was her bad behaviour that turned all those people around her, away.
Janet’s wardrobe was sharp as a tack. I loved that hair and the outfits with the wrap on her shoulder. Her body was gorgeous, her skin tone, she was beautiful.
I prefer the OG Janet Hubert Whitten version because she was fiery. She was passionate. She was brilliant AND brilliance. Stylish. Commanding yet not overbearing. She wasn’t just a teacher or professor, she was an educator. She was vibrant. And she knew when to take off the earrings and throw down for her family. “Vivian, put your earrings back on” will never NOT make me laugh! Seeing her NAIL that dance routine at the age of 36 and show them stiffs how it’s done will never NOT inspire and motivate me to keep dancing. Her lesson on African American History in Will’s class at the preparatory HS will never NOT give me shivers. She made us feel LOVED, disciplined, and yet she ALWAYS had fun and wanted to dance with her family and sing and laugh. Her chemistry with James Avery was unmatched. That scene where she came back from the dance and he just wrapped himself around her and made her look not only at her own reflection but how he as her husband sees her will never NOT bring tears to my eyes. You cannot replicate what OG Aunt Vivian brought to the role and to the ensemble as a whole and I am glad the real story came out and that she and Will made up and she’s on the road to getting her career and reputation back. We need her.
Janet Hebert, a beautiful elegant black women a Force to be reckoned.💖I had the honor of witnessing Janets amazing talent on the Fresh Prince sitcom. I worked as an extra on the show off and on then I eventually landed a featured in a scene with Will Smith and another supporting actor, Perry Moore a friend to Wills character in the show. I was very taken by Janet on the set, she was professional down to earth and funny too! I didn’t work on the show when she performed the famous dancing💃but it is one of my all-time favorites🌟scene/show episodes! I’m so glad Janet and Will made amends, they are both good people🤎✊🏽🤎✊🏽.
I had heard that “viv 2.0” was specifically written to take away a lot of the power and focus that “OG Viv” had. If I remember correctly the idea was that after the personality struggles that led to Hubert being let go, they didn’t want to give anyone else the same attention or power in the show.
@@a.k.a.theruggedmanchild9685 You're absolutely right. When I worked in Hollywood it was well known that "jewish peolpe" didn't like you if you were "To Black"..........like me, I guess that I was to sour for them. LMBAO
The 2nd Aunt Vi was just a babysitter. She was definitely beautiful but brought nothing to the table. Edit: Damn scrolling thru the comments, we sure do got some colorism going on. I mean I thought we were judging by the skills and personality not skin tones 🤦🏾
You thought wrong. The conversation about this always becomes an excuse for colorism, which is why I'm suspicious about why this channel made ANOTHER video about the same topic.
It is about skill and performance but some people are taking it wrong. Same for Family Matters, both Harriets were closer in complexion but hands down many would agree the first Harriet was better
I think if it was in reverse, people would have felt the same way. If Daphne came in soft spoken and then Janet came in tough as nails, people wouldn't like it either. The problem was that it was two different characters. It was like Uncle Phil happened to marry two different women who happened to be named Vivian.
No joke, when I was a little kid I literally thought the second Aunt Viv was a completely new character. I thought the first aunt viv died while giving birth and uncle Phil remarried another woman who just happened to also be named Vivian. Which makes no sense but it makes way more sense than to believe this was the same character!
Yes, there's no debate about. Janet Hubert's Aunt Vivian was amazing! However, judging by her current behavior, I can completely see her being very moody and bossy on set. She does seem bitter towards Will, and I do think that she thought she deserved more because she was a classically trained actress and Will was just "some" rapper. However, Hollywood doesn't give a shit about your training. They care about how many seats you can fill and how much money you can make them. Will was the fresh young star. Being young, I'm sure Will had his immature moments; however, you never see the rest of the cast complain about him. No one. In fact, they seem like they really love him. So, I do think Janet was the problem.
Um, of course the rest of the cast wouldn't complain, they didn't get "replaced". Just bc someone gets fired or replaced doesn't mean they were the problem.
@@whatscbg4875 that may have been true but after all these years the story is the same The cast didn't like her and most importantly Will didn't like her. It is what it is
Well said. I agree with everything you just said. Couldn't have said it better. She was the best Aunt Viv, but she wasn't easy to work with behind the scenes, that's why there was a problem. The new Aunt Viv was just the opposite. She was easier to work with behind the scenes, but in front of the camera she wasn't as good.
My favorite Aunt Viv moments are her UA-cam rants about Will, Jada, Alfonso, and being fired from the show...she does not mince words, and has a very colorful vocabulary.....😂
Exactly, everyone knows that the original Aunt Vivian was the best..Hands down..There is no denying that. Janet Hubert won that ..They never should have tried to replace her. They should have worked those issues out between her in Will years ago..
I wonder if Daphne Reid was picked partly because she , & "Hillary", look a lot alike. While I like Daphne Reid in other roles (she & husband Tim ["Sister, Sister"] Reid had a good show), her playing Aunt Viv wasn't her best. Jenifer Lewis would've been an excellent Aunt Viv if she wasn't portraying one of Viv's sassy sisters. IMO.
It seems the writers deliberately wrote Aunt Viv to be more passive after the recast (probably out of resentment or wanting to avoid a repeat of whatever happened between Janet & Will with Daphne) which was such a detriment to the character in general
love the scene when will and carlton get arrested. And see aunt viv take her earrings off telling the officer we about to get real busy up in here after tell her and uncle phil they were busy.
I always loved Janet Hubert in that role. I was furious when she was fired. It destroyed her career. As a dark skinned Black woman myself I felt keenly what she was going through at the time.
Janet Hubert’s portrayal of Aunt Viv is classic. You can tell that she had lots of involvement in that character and it truly depicted a positive light in a woman being multifaceted
My favorite is OG Aunt Viv and I love the episode where she gave birth to baby Nicky. She left a trail of injured hands in her path that day. I thought that was so funny...lol
But she did get replaced tho 🤣🤣...both done a phenomenal job. Everyone may have their preferences but both Black Women did a great job. Both are great talents. They should work together on a future film or show..true or correct?
I enjoyed both Aunt Vivians. But, I preferred Janet Hubert's character playing Aunt Vivian 1000+% - I too wondered why she was no longer in the show when the change was made to her character. She was so missed...the show was no longer the same without Janet Hubert's style, flare and sophistication. Her character was changed with Daphen Reid's character, although she is a great artist too; her's appeared to be one dimensional or limited and docile. Seldom a defining moment that stood out. It is true in her relationship with her tv husband and Will and her children. Janet Hubert's character had so many fasinated sides to her. She was smart, talented, stylish, professional - educated, and the strong matriach of the family. She was absolutely funny while doing it all!
She couldn't be replaced because her acting and chemistry was the best!
yeah they might as well have pulled a James Evans on her character.
Indeed.
Her and Uncle Phil was just great chemistry. He knew when to back down.
Lioness...she was fire
@Truth Johs yep! I agree completely.
@@1talldaddy Right. I think that would have been a huge shocker to everyone watching the show but it would have been a better option.
Exactly”
I like how y’all didn’t say “dark skin Aunt Viv” or “light skin Aunt Viv”. OG Aunt Viv was definitely more memorable. I can’t think of a moment that the new Viv stands out. I’ll never forget that dance scene from the OG
So they didn't mention it but you just did.
That dance scene is a legend and her snap at the end. well, everybody stole that snap.
Janet Hubert-Whitten her acting was so on point on the show. She was a good actress!
Brian Pullin great*
She's a strong black woman
ua-cam.com/video/NPk9id99KgE/v-deo.html
And she is a great dancer. 💃
It felt more sincere with OG Aunt viv than the other one...to me tho
Janet é maravilhosa. Loved
We need more Aunt Vivs and Harriet Winslows on TV to represent black women in a positive light.
BADAZZTHANG ikr that’s my favorite episode ever
Nikki Parker’s too. She represented the single working mom who had a baby young and went back to college in her late 30’s
Don't forget Claire Huxtable!!!!
Ps: Love OG Aunt Viv too!!!!
Period
Janet Hubert _is_ Aunt Viv. No disrespect to Daphne Reid who brought her own interpretation, Ms. Hubert _embodied_ that role down to a T. The same goes for JoMarie Payton. JoMarie _is_ Harriet Winslow. When both of their roles were recast, the show took a different turn, although _FM_ was already over by the time Harriet's character was replaced.
There was this strong independent black woman vibe I got from Janet Hubert’s aunt Viv that seem to not transition when changed. Same thing for Harriet. I maybe bias in my observation because I love to see strong independent intelligent black women represented.
@Juanita Wright but not till just recently... You weren't woke back then.. Lol
I just figured out that Harriet was replaced a few years ago. I stopped watching FM long before she got replaced. That show was on for way too long after it's prime. Urkel was like damn near 30 lookin dumb af in that outgrown role😆
"Strong, independent, black woman" !?!?
She was meant to play a humble housewife and a school teacher roll, just remember that before we go around giving the casting director a hard time
ua-cam.com/video/NPk9id99KgE/v-deo.html
What if the original Aunt Viv returns to Bel Air? (Horror Parody)
ua-cam.com/video/xBRluaTucmg/v-deo.html
She brought more life to the character. The second one was kinda dull.
...kinda? She WAS dull!
@@motherofthreeb6337 not even close
@@motherofthreeb6337 The 2nd one was actually GOOD but just in a different tone. 1st Viv was in your face funny and the 2nd was ''quiet funny''.
OG Aunti Viv is the mother most of us had, and that's why we like her! Also Yo she was chocolate, and FINE!
The episode when she wanted to dance again is probably my FAVORITE! I love her!🖤
agreed, growing up in a household with a super strong moms i could relate to her character being there...part of me think thats a bigger part of why they felt she had to go. i was talking about it uptop about how i kinda felt she played the Jame amos role in goodtimes. I dont think NBC wanted her taking up too much shine and if she did then where would james avery stand....i woulda loved to see them both stay i think they could have only made 4 better chemistry (with both having a theater background). I think they felt that she was just too much to balance the overall cast
@@alwaysblessed5243 she was so sexy in ballet clothes
ua-cam.com/video/NPk9id99KgE/v-deo.html
They should never replace her.
Yup
Reid's character of aunt Vivian didn't even seem like she had any sexual attraction or chemistry with Uncle Phil character 😒
Right, like there's no chemistry what so ever between. With the og Vivian she look at Phil like he was an sexy big teddy bear. And the other one she look like he ain't her type what so ever. She won't look his way PERIOD😅
@@thefactsaccordingtogabbie149 exactly Yup 😀
@* yeah but his character wasn't 😒
@@thefactsaccordingtogabbie149 so true. I watched an interview with Harriet Winslow and she said she and Carl did have chemistry and attraction and she loved doing the kissing scenes with him because she got to be sexy and intimate with a strong Black positive man on tv
@@thefactsaccordingtogabbie149 Neither did Janet Hubert's Aunt Viv... She didn't even have any closeness with her kids.. Will was more nurturing to Ashley than Hubert's Aunt Viv m
She was a well trained stage actress and dancer before Fresh Prince
u dead right i do remember hearing or seeing something about that.
I remember the episode when she went back to take ballet classes, she was sexy
ua-cam.com/video/NPk9id99KgE/v-deo.html
@Juanita Wright that's right, she was a grown woman and a legend and she wasn't bout kiss Will's ass. She told them " if you wanted me to kiss Will's ass, you should have put it in my contract".
you can definitely tell she was more seasoned.
Yes. She’s Broadway trained
Let me save y’all the 7 minutes : she was a better actor and was a stronger figure and was motherly but had some attitude and give you the real black mom feeling
Thank you...
When OG aunt Viv was in the dance sequence she took my breath away. Like damn!!! She can be in ballet. She's a jack of all trades
I was young but new I saw something amazing.
YESSS she new her stuff
She murdered that scene 💪🏾
well Janet Hurbert was a trained dancer on Broadway.
That’s my fav episode. Then when she passed out in the hallway I lost it 😂😂
Black people just related to the original Aunt Viv plain and simple.
She was just a better actor with charisma, personality and the other was bland, less appealing. Has nothing to do with being in the ghetto, in that case we wouldn't love Jeffrey or Carlton. SMH
TheBrotherFromAnotherPlanet ! They never said anything was ghetto though
How so?
CJ504 Fba
Nothing to do with black people relating better. I loved the original aunt viv especially how she was a strong women and young girls black or not need a role model like that.
Janet Hubert.. ORIGINAL GANGTA AUNT VIV... OG Aunt Vivian was AWESOME. Her chemistry was on point with the characters and she ruled that home with an iron fist (like my grandmother).. She stood up for herself and her family. OG Aunt Viv was more stylish and more motherly as in being more of a strict mother who didn’t play with her children being out of hand. She stood up for herself and was just .... HER CHEMISTRY WAS ON POINT WITH UNCLE PHIL...
Once I saw an interview where James Avery said the same thing about their chemistry with more depth... It was so heartwarming 😭 😍
"I got the power!" Janet Hubert and that dance scene child! Can't be beat.
Neverrrrrrrrr
@sarah simpkins it sure was! Where'd I got the power come from?🤔🤣
@@BayouBarbie504 😆😅😅😅😅
Yes I liked Janet better.
I like the OG aunt Vivian, especially when her sisters came to town.
Diva!!!!!
Jenifer Lewis would set it off!
The way she talked about her ex! 🤣😂😅😭
Yea the old Aunt Viv was easily the better one...the new one was always sent away to go do something lol
No lies told. All I remember of her was her always saying "Philip." She had no personality.
"That go and do something " comment 😂😂😂
Lol so true
I really don't remember her much 😕
@@cgogetit I literally heard it in my head. But that could be the writing. They probably didn’t want that character as lively anymore. Janet was reading scripts, that was writing. She executed it well but my point is, it all boils down to writing. So someone in the writers room decided they wanted a more tone down in the background Vivian, not the lively vivacious one they started with
You know the sad part? Daphne Maxwell Reid is an absolute legend in real life. She blazed trails that black people still walk on and show business today. I honestly think the writers didn't believe in her ability to portray Vivian's strength and fierceness the way Janet did. But I have no doubt in my mind that she could have.
She was the first black woman to be on the cover of Glamour magazine.
Facts! People act like she's not a legend and she was famous first.
If they were going to waste her talent, they should've casted someone else
I don't know her from anything else. Only FP
Yup. Daphne and Tim Reid (Ray from Sister Sister) are the original Tyler Perry’s with having their own studio producing Black content.
Imagine if dark skin Aunt Viv was around when Will's father came back
Bruh‼️‼️ that episode would've been beyond legendary
That episode would’ve been even more 🔥!!
There are a LOT of things that happened in Season 4 onwards that wouldn’t have happened had she stayed through the series, ie that seance episode, the Playboy episode etc.
She would have called Uncle Phil that second to hurry up and get off work early
She would have turnt TF up 🔥
The first Viv was battle tested. You can picture her as a survivor of a struggle she and Phil shared to get where they got.
I think the original Aunt Viv and original Harriet Winslow are the best. Their personalities and style is the most realistic. They embodied the strong matriarch character that are our grandmother, mother and aunties. I see my own mother in both of them that's why they're the best.
Most people don't remember that Family Matters was supposed to be focused on Harriet Winslow. It was a spinoff of Perfect Strangers, and Jo Marie Peyton was supposed to be the star. That all sort of changed when Steve Urkel became a breakout character and things began to focus more on him, Laura, Carl and Eddie.
@@SavageGreywolf Right
Really dnt remember there being a second Harriet. Must have stopped watching by then. Even the re runs dont show that
@@missdee7045 the replacement was more so in the last few episodes ( I was shocked when I saw the last episode and was like who dis woman)
Short answer: first Aunt Viv had character and spunk; the second had the character of a pillow
I loved Janet Hubert! She brought so much life, style, and black excellence to the role. Reid seemed to stay in the background too much. Hubert also wasn't afraid to challenge anyone when needed.
The new Aunt Viv didn’t even have a job did she? I like that the OG one was a professor and still chose to work even though she didn’t really need to
The new one did still work, it just wasn’t shown or talked about much. I remember an episode where Phil was jealous that she was spending long evenings working on a book with a student. There’s also a seen where Phil tries to butter her up and she’s grading papers
Vivian actually retired from her professor job to spend more time at home with the kids (it was an episode where everyone was annoyed at her always being home, "That woman must be stopped"). Phil was climbing up the ladder in his profession so they decided that Viv can be a stay-at-home mom. This was the first Vivian as well. The second Vivian merely continued being a stay-at-home especially with baby Nicki being born. So yea, the second Viv had very little to do and the writers didnt bother to write anything interesting for her to do either
I think the writing for Aunt Viv changed once the role was recast. The writers watered the character down
Yea I guess that was intentional...they no longer wanted aunt viv to be the focal point
True
Could be that Reid didn’t speak up for her portrayal and screen time like Janet would and most likely did from what I remember. That could have been understood when Reid took the role over and/or she wasn’t going to risk being fired. Janet was the real deal & saved face. You need strong actors to make it work. They didn’t have to write Janet’s pregnancy into the show either. Just put her in bigger clothes.
Yes, maybe the OG aunt was too good at her role, and that it probably was taking the attention off of Will who was the star of the show.
True
Janet-Hubert-whitten is the *ONLY and I do mean ONLY* Aunt Viv, PERIODT🤨🤨
Nope. Stop being ignorant
Before Janet Hubert was fired she was my favorite character on the show not Will. She was rich but still down to earth and remembered where she came from. 🗣”Everybody DANCE NOW!” 💃🏽
me too
The first season I think the very first episode were Will let Ashely drop her violin lessons, Uncle Phil went on about her loved classical music as a child and aunt Viv called him out and said you listened to James Brown and had an afro.
@@gingerhowe5247 That was a great moment! They gave Janet so many great and memorable lines.
Still to this day I cheer on aunt Viv in that dance audition...😂😂😂I still can’t get enough of that scene
Your favorite character 😂😂😂😂 out of all the cast.. tf is wrong with u
The LightSkin Aunt Viv would’ve never survived in the Hood how the Black Aunt Viv ran that scene. We all remember that episode because of her.
Right. Even the chemistry with the sisters was undeniable.
That's a bunch of BS. Light skin aunt Vivs survive in the hood everyday! We as a people need to end this colorism s$@t!
That is a classic episode. MCARTHUR PARK!
That’s kinda perpetuating a negative stereotype that deep skin women are more aggressive and can fight, while light skin women are less aggressive and calm
Second Aunt Viv, replacement Aunt Viv, 2.0 Aunt Viv.
She's a strong beautiful black Queen!
You won’t say that when you realized what she did to Phil from the African Diaspora and Lovely Ti
The original Aunt Viv was incredibly talented, portrayed several memorable moments that have gone down in history, presented a character with love and respect that the fans loved and the show was never the same after her departure.
Its Not even a real question to ask who's the best aunt Viv
Agreed.
Juanita Wright omg she did seem slow 😩😂
@Juanita Wright I agree
Juanita Wright right she was the dumbest mom Character ever she was useless
@Juanita Wright Why so color-struck, though?
Janet was better. And her dance episode was one of the y favorites. She did the damn thing!
Aunt Viv To Carlton:Carlton you are not going MacArthur Park tonight...in fact none of you are going to MacArthur Park Tonight....
Tiny Lister:Wait A Minute....
Aunt Viv:boy do not test me...
Tiny Lister: Yes ma'am....that scene was classic and the original aunt viv didn't play no games....rip tiny lister....
The masculine black woman emasculating the black man trope... that's one of the reasons why I didn't like her portayal. Daphne Maxell-Reid didn't do that nor did she possess that same energy.
@@KtotheG No, her portrayal was of a beautiful, intelligent, sophisticated, eloquent and no nonsense yet fun mother who actually set boundaries and morals for her kids to follow. A mother actually being a mother to her kids doesn't make her masculine it just makes her ready for anything that life has to offer!!! Oh and the head of the household is both the mother and father !
@@andrepickergills4588 Exactly
That scene is the furthest thing from emasculating. Its truly Afrikan in the sense of all of the adults being responsible for all pf the children.
@@ericjackson7632 We're American... and men are the heads of functional families, not women... abuse and usurping male authority are never ingredients for success... don't believe me? Look at the condition of blk America today and tell me I'm lying.
Rewatching fresh prince the og viv felt important she had big roles in the early episodes and was a force to be felt with watching seasons 4-6 the new viv she cool but she just there like she honestly serves no purpose they could have written her out and there would be no change tbh the early season had will and the og viv bonding more than the later seasons after the new aunt viv came it was more about will and uncle Phil so having her written off was the best solution in my opinion because she was literally just there just a housewife no personality like the og viv had
No disrespect to Daphne Maxwell Reid but Janet Hubert has always been my favorite aunt Viv
This was one of the best commentaries you all have ever done I love that you all brought out that she was great at dressing and very fashionable as well as an intelligent well-spoken and powerful force especially in the black community always bringing that to light you all did a really great job on this and I hope she's able to see it cuz it is a tribute and honor to her
"You better sleep with one eye open."
- Vivian Banks
@Juanita Wright yes it was Hillary
I like the episode where Will and Carlton were put in jail and uncle Phil and aunt Viv came to bail them out. She took off her earrings and was ready to get busy with that cop behind her boys!
U mean every black mom ever
The original Aunt Viv is my favourite. I didn’t get into the show, when she was replaced.
Janet Hubert's Vivian Banks was better
Wyndell Lee how and why?
@@alboog5902 she was educated and acted more freely. Her character was more of a role model. She did not play when Will and her kids were in trouble.
Facts 💯
She really made the show that much more dynamic.
@@SpammytheHedgehog tell em
She didn't take no mess she was a real one and I guess that was why she and will clashed
Bingo!
Auntie Viv CANNOT be replaced!
Right
she was tho
I stopped watching when the switch up happened.... So, SHE WASN'T REPLACED (speaking for myself!) 🙄🙄🙄🤷
@Crystal Taylor Sorry but I’d didn’t watch Fresh Prince for Aunt Viv.
@@JayBelafonte we know you went to watch a dude in a pair of Jordans ...we get it guy ...fellas watched it for the honeys OG Aunt Viv her oldest daughter Ashley Jada Pickett Tyra shit niomi cambell every bad black woman on the show... Wtf you talking about??? Who don't check for intelligent strong educated women🤔
The first one was a strong educated black woman, a great role model. She wasn't a sugar piece to stare at like the second one.
You're color struck, there equally beautiful.
Dark skin ain’t Viv was sexier
No she wasn't a sugar piece, she was the whole sugar cane and still is, you blind Mr. 🤓Magoo.
I wish Aunt Vivian stayed around.
Juanita Wright and she didn’t want to dance and shit with will playing around
Thank you!!!👍 I'm SOOO thankful somebody spoke on THIS!! STAY BLESSED BROTHA😇😇
I agree! The second Aunt Vivian was passive and the presence was not as strong. My favorite scene was in the first season when Will and Carlton got locked up and she came in the police station taking off her earrings ready to fight.
Yesss also like when the sisters would visit and they would yell Diva!!!!
Oh we about to get busy
@ishaboo87 agreed 💯💯💯 the 2nd Aunt Viv just didn't do it for me . Chemistry was way off and her personality was boring compared to the original.
That episode and the one where she was the black studies teacher at Will
and Carlton's school cemented her presence on the show for me.... I remember they watered her character down after the first few seasons though...
That episode, the one where she taught Black History, the one with Ice Tray, the first Thanksgiving episode, the one with her 40th bday (everybody dance now!), and the one where she gets Carlton from the hood.
As much as I like Will Smith, it’s obvious to me that his people didn’t want him to be out shadowed on his own show. Hubert was clearly going to be a standout and they knew where they wanted Wills career to go. Crazy part is, I think it could have been even bigger if they kept to OG Aunt Viv
FINALLY SOMEONE SAID IT! I've been saying this for the LONGEST that it seemed like Hubert had a much more powerful presence than Will despite being a supporting actress.
@@darnellmajor9016 agreed. I think he still could have been successful. It’s sad that they were so afraid. That’s why they replaced her with a less noticeable actress
I felt that Will was quite self-centered himself and wanted to be the star of every scene where he could
Loved this commentary. They just didn't want to see a beautiful, intelligent, WOKE, black woman confident in herself and loving her family on screen for the world to see. Says a lot about what going on now.
Right, Gicanda Thomas?
It was an obvious sabotage and politics. Just like with Jazz Raycole on My Wife And Kids And Brianne Gould on Meet The Browns.
So they had her on the show all those years lol..they obviously wanted to see that. Her and Will just didn't get along. It's that's simple
From what I've gathered Will wasn't the only one who she didn't get along with on set. Who knows what really happened on set..
@@theTruthSeekerishere I mean I think it's pretty obvious she didn't get on with the majority of the cast, not just Will. She's a great actress and my fave aunt Viv but you know she burned all those bridges, Uncle Phil didn't even mention her before he died, he posted a pic of the whole cast BUT her and that says a lot about the situation to me tbh. she attacks small UA-camrs and content makers who mention anything about her being difficult to be around/to work with, with quotes from people who were her friends/coworkers, starting arguments with normal people who mention it.
She's a great and talented person and was very underrated imo, but it was her bad behaviour that turned all those people around her, away.
@@darlingblue people are doing mental gymnastics to keep from acknowledging her role in getting fired haha it's not always some big conspiracy
Daphne wasn't a bad actress. But her Aunt Viv just seemed like a completely different character
She gave more of an in-house grandmother.
Strange that I remember more the things the first aunt Viv did, Janet all the way
"Sensible shoes" Almost took me out 😂😂🤣🤣
Janet’s wardrobe was sharp as a tack. I loved that hair and the outfits with the wrap on her shoulder. Her body was gorgeous, her skin tone, she was beautiful.
@@SLa-pb1gg Yes! Classy and put together always.
@@SLa-pb1gg She ALWAYS gave me Claire Huxtable vibes with the Hairstyles,Jewelry & Clothes.
I prefer the OG Janet Hubert Whitten version because she was fiery. She was passionate. She was brilliant AND brilliance. Stylish. Commanding yet not overbearing. She wasn’t just a teacher or professor, she was an educator. She was vibrant. And she knew when to take off the earrings and throw down for her family. “Vivian, put your earrings back on” will never NOT make me laugh! Seeing her NAIL that dance routine at the age of 36 and show them stiffs how it’s done will never NOT inspire and motivate me to keep dancing. Her lesson on African American History in Will’s class at the preparatory HS will never NOT give me shivers. She made us feel LOVED, disciplined, and yet she ALWAYS had fun and wanted to dance with her family and sing and laugh. Her chemistry with James Avery was unmatched. That scene where she came back from the dance and he just wrapped himself around her and made her look not only at her own reflection but how he as her husband sees her will never NOT bring tears to my eyes. You cannot replicate what OG Aunt Vivian brought to the role and to the ensemble as a whole and I am glad the real story came out and that she and Will made up and she’s on the road to getting her career and reputation back. We need her.
O.G Aunt Viv still gets Love over here, I just wish things could have all worked out for her and everybody on the show all together though 💯
She looked so damn good she was one of my first tv crushes as a child
No disrespect to the second aunt Viv, but I’m with THT GIRL JANET! 🤗🤩... Thts Mama right Thur! 😂🤣
Janet Hebert, a beautiful elegant black women a Force to be reckoned.💖I had the honor of witnessing Janets amazing talent on the Fresh Prince sitcom. I worked as an extra on the show off and on then I eventually landed a featured in a scene with Will Smith and another supporting actor, Perry Moore a friend to Wills character in the show. I was very taken by Janet on the set, she was professional down to earth and funny too! I didn’t work on the show when she performed the famous dancing💃but it is one of my all-time favorites🌟scene/show episodes! I’m so glad Janet and Will made amends, they are both good people🤎✊🏽🤎✊🏽.
The first aunt viv was much better same with the original Harriet Winslow and I watch very little black television nowadays
Right! Most Black centered shows today are some garbage
I had heard that “viv 2.0” was specifically written to take away a lot of the power and focus that “OG Viv” had.
If I remember correctly the idea was that after the personality struggles that led to Hubert being let go, they didn’t want to give anyone else the same attention or power in the show.
The blacker the berry.........ya'll know the rest, hands down.
So when you have darker skin...what? lol
Naki- "FINISH IIIIIIIT!" In the Green Goblin's voice.
@@devondale8479 ...The sweeter the juice!
but sometimes the juice is sour when it comes to things taking place behind the scenes.
@@a.k.a.theruggedmanchild9685 You're absolutely right. When I worked in Hollywood it was well known that "jewish peolpe" didn't like you if you were "To Black"..........like me, I guess that I was to sour for them. LMBAO
Janet Hubert was Aunt VIV! My favorite is when her sisters came to town . Those ladies had chemistry
The 2nd Aunt Vi was just a babysitter. She was definitely beautiful but brought nothing to the table.
Edit: Damn scrolling thru the comments, we sure do got some colorism going on. I mean I thought we were judging by the skills and personality not skin tones 🤦🏾
You thought wrong. The conversation about this always becomes an excuse for colorism, which is why I'm suspicious about why this channel made ANOTHER video about the same topic.
It is about skill and performance but some people are taking it wrong. Same for Family Matters, both Harriets were closer in complexion but hands down many would agree the first Harriet was better
@@meatymatmart To diss the light skin woman as always. Next week will be dissing Tisha Campbell
I think if it was in reverse, people would have felt the same way. If Daphne came in soft spoken and then Janet came in tough as nails, people wouldn't like it either. The problem was that it was two different characters. It was like Uncle Phil happened to marry two different women who happened to be named Vivian.
No joke, when I was a little kid I literally thought the second Aunt Viv was a completely new character. I thought the first aunt viv died while giving birth and uncle Phil remarried another woman who just happened to also be named Vivian. Which makes no sense but it makes way more sense than to believe this was the same character!
@@krystalgates OMG your innocent mind thought Aunt Viv One died from birth? 😂😂😂
The crazy part is I'm watch "The Fresh Prince" when I got this notification
Stopped watching fresh prince after OG Aunt Viv was no longer there.
Stop lying... peoples lies be so dramatic 🤣
Me too
Me too
Yes, there's no debate about. Janet Hubert's Aunt Vivian was amazing! However, judging by her current behavior, I can completely see her being very moody and bossy on set. She does seem bitter towards Will, and I do think that she thought she deserved more because she was a classically trained actress and Will was just "some" rapper. However, Hollywood doesn't give a shit about your training. They care about how many seats you can fill and how much money you can make them. Will was the fresh young star. Being young, I'm sure Will had his immature moments; however, you never see the rest of the cast complain about him. No one. In fact, they seem like they really love him. So, I do think Janet was the problem.
Um, of course the rest of the cast wouldn't complain, they didn't get "replaced". Just bc someone gets fired or replaced doesn't mean they were the problem.
@@whatscbg4875 it also doesn't automatically make them a victim
What's CBG? She was the problem this has already been discussed do some research she gave them an ultimatum saying will goes or she goes
@@whatscbg4875 that may have been true but after all these years the story is the same
The cast didn't like her and most importantly Will didn't like her. It is what it is
Well said. I agree with everything you just said. Couldn't have said it better. She was the best Aunt Viv, but she wasn't easy to work with behind the scenes, that's why there was a problem. The new Aunt Viv was just the opposite. She was easier to work with behind the scenes, but in front of the camera she wasn't as good.
Every woman I’ve known named “Janet” is not to be crossed or get on their bad side they are fearless 😂
That must be true because I’m Janice and I can relate!
@@Twinkles5927 How is this possible tho? Oh it dont just stop at that name either? Names and people seem to be scary accurate....lol
Remember when Aunt Vivian said that she dropped out and ran away with some guy?
Because she made the show hands down with class, sass, and attitude
PERIOD.
My favorite Aunt Viv moments are her UA-cam rants about Will, Jada, Alfonso, and being fired from the show...she does not mince words, and has a very colorful vocabulary.....😂
I love both actresses. Could you imagine how hard it was for all? Both were fantastic.
Janet was Hot, when they replaced her I was pissed off, she needed her own show.
She was mad hot. Her eyes.
Exactly, everyone knows that the original Aunt Vivian was the best..Hands down..There is no denying that. Janet Hubert won that ..They never should have tried to replace her. They should have worked those issues out between her in Will years ago..
The original Aunt Vivian was so beautiful!
I wonder if Daphne Reid was picked partly because she , & "Hillary", look a lot alike.
While I like Daphne Reid in other roles (she & husband Tim ["Sister, Sister"] Reid had a good show), her playing Aunt Viv wasn't her best.
Jenifer Lewis would've been an excellent Aunt Viv if she wasn't portraying one of Viv's sassy sisters. IMO.
Daphne Maxwell-Reed wasn’t hitting right
F5 Noobie No. Thanks. Steven. Cta. Hi. Thanks
They were both amazing. ..Let's celebrate out beautiful Black Women.
It seems the writers deliberately wrote Aunt Viv to be more passive after the recast (probably out of resentment or wanting to avoid a repeat of whatever happened between Janet & Will with Daphne) which was such a detriment to the character in general
JANET HUBERT OF COURSE 🙄 SHE WAS EVERYONE’S FAVORITE 🥰😍😘 I AM READY TO ARGUE! #FIRSTAUNTVIVGANG
love the scene when will and carlton get arrested. And see aunt viv take her earrings off telling the officer we about to get real busy up in here after tell her and uncle phil they were busy.
Her passion for the role is unmatched 🤲🏽
I always loved Janet Hubert in that role. I was furious when she was fired. It destroyed her career. As a dark skinned Black woman myself I felt keenly what she was going through at the time.
OG Aunt Viv was beautiful, intellectual and successful. A triple threat😍 I love to see it
Yeah i looked up to her when she was on TV. I like how she thinks.
Janet Hubert’s portrayal of Aunt Viv is classic. You can tell that she had lots of involvement in that character and it truly depicted a positive light in a woman being multifaceted
Light skin Aunt Viv wasn’t even that bad, it just wasn’t the same. She caught a lot of flak but she did okay
With all due respect, coming after Janet Hubert she was absolutely that bad. 😂
The second Aunt Viv way better than the second Harriet from family matters.
Janet Hubert is was and will always be the BEST Aunt Viv 🌹 That dance scene is LIFE!!
Janet Hubert was the best Aunt Viv. One of my favorite scenes was when she schooled Will on the Civil Rights movement.
Janet Hubert brought so much grace to the portrayal of the aunt Viv character, with such a sheer elegance and excellent talent, aced it!!!
OG Aunt Viv, the dance scene🔥
Loved the that one
My favorite is OG Aunt Viv and I love the episode where she gave birth to baby Nicky. She left a trail of injured hands in her path that day. I thought that was so funny...lol
My favorite Aunt Viv moment was when she was singing in the mall.
Me too!! I liked that one even better than the dance scene ( loved that too) but Aunt Viv was on fire in that mall! Something I would do!
The OG Aunt VIV has sooo many memorable scenes. Her performances could never be replaced.
Jane Hubert will always be the REAL Aunt Viv! Y'all should get an interview with her, would be dope!
I love first Aunt Viv, they should never have replaced her. That dance scene was lit!
Ms Hubert is a WHOLE GEM AND BREATH OF FRESH AIR AND TRULY NECESSARY IJS
I just remember this was my favorite show growing up. I was soo confused with the lighter model. Something about the original aunt viv was familiar.
The OG Aunt Bib was the GREATEST
I love em both. I love all my people.
But she did get replaced tho 🤣🤣...both done a phenomenal job. Everyone may have their preferences but both Black Women did a great job. Both are great talents. They should work together on a future film or show..true or correct?
I enjoyed both Aunt Vivians. But, I preferred Janet Hubert's character playing Aunt Vivian 1000+% - I too wondered why she was no longer in the show when the change was made to her character. She was so missed...the show was no longer the same without Janet Hubert's style, flare and sophistication. Her character was changed with Daphen Reid's character, although she is a great artist too; her's appeared to be one dimensional or limited and docile. Seldom a defining moment that stood out. It is true in her relationship with her tv husband and Will and her children. Janet Hubert's character had so many fasinated sides to her. She was smart, talented, stylish, professional - educated, and the strong matriach of the family. She was absolutely funny while doing it all!
Aunt viv was from the hood but not of the hood and Janet portrayed that and was believable. 2nd viv was just another real house wife
That dance sequence was EVERYTHING!