Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Never realised before how horribly sexist the Fresh Prince was.

19 replies

HalliweenMalloween · 08/09/2019 21:13

Loved this show when I was a kid. Decided to watch reruns of it and have watched a few seasons of it.

Apart from Will letching at every girl he sees in every single episode, I was surprised at some of the misogynistic comments from some characters, and the blatent sexist stereotypes. Here's a few examples I've picked up:

-The episode where Carlton thinks he has fathered a baby. The baby throws a toy at him from out of the pram and he said "if I had an arm like that they wouldn't have to put me on the girls' team"

-Jackie gets a basket ball scholarship and Will says "What they're actually giving scholarships to girls now?"

-When Will is taking Lisa on a date and another man tries to hit on her. Lisa ends up beating the shit out of the other man and Will gets upset about it. Lisa explains to him that her being strong doesn't make him weak and they are both equal. Will hits back with "yea but if we were both doing the same job I'd still get paid more" Hmm

I know the show was made in the 90s and its of its time, and a lot of you will tell me that you knew it was sexist even back then, but I guess as a child/teen it went over my head. Watching it through an adult's eyes, it has sort of lost its appeal.

OP posts:
FredaFrogspawn · 08/09/2019 21:16

I think the last example is a comment on what is sadly the truth rather than saying it is right. We are meant to see Fresh Prince as an unreconstructed man who is learning from the strong female as well as male characters in the programme.

LivingDeadGirlUK · 08/09/2019 21:18

I think you are missing the point a bit with those examples. Its funny because its true, and if you don't laugh you would cry...

Moominfan · 08/09/2019 21:18

I think Freda's nailed it. He was far from perfect. But there were some strong female characters there as well

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

TV
DariaMorgendorffer · 08/09/2019 21:22

Also agree that Freda has it. I still love that show, I think it's great. It's of its time, but it's also through the lens of Will, who is an immature teen.

Bitchfeatures · 08/09/2019 21:23

Fresh Prince always pointed out inequalities with humor, I'd say that's what they are doing with your exmples.
I haven't watched many re-runs but I loved it as a teen, they did the same with the differences between the way black and white people were treated, made a joke out of it, but really they was pointing out the reality of it.

Original poster
HalliweenMalloween · 08/09/2019 21:27

The point about Will not being perfect and learning how to respect women does make sense.

I guess I'm comparing it to today's societal norms when it was a different time. Like comparing the 60s to the 90s.

Perhaps I need to unclench Grin

OP posts:
misspiggy19 · 08/09/2019 21:27

Always hated that show

Strawberrypancakes · 08/09/2019 21:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Makegoodchoices · 08/09/2019 21:32

Same when I rewatched Scrubs. Disappointing to lose a favourite but good because it shows attitudes moving on I suppose.

Original poster
HalliweenMalloween · 08/09/2019 21:38

Point taken Smile I realise lots of shows were like this too back then, perhaps I am being unreasonable.

make yes it does show progression, which can only be a good thing.

OP posts:
Original poster
HalliweenMalloween · 08/09/2019 21:43

Just remembered too that Will had a 'chicktionary' and put grades beside the girls names. When I was a child I thought it was funny but as an adult it makes me feel uncomfortable 😅

OP posts:
EmmiJay · 08/09/2019 21:50

Leave The Fresh Prince alone please✋🏽

GoodBoyGhost · 08/09/2019 21:59

There's load of shows I used to love but after re watching I've realised they haven't aged well. Scrubs has to be the most devastating because I LOVE it.

terriblyangryattimes · 08/09/2019 22:08

I watched friends through last year and this same thought struck me. Sexist and also at times a few more eye raising moments you'd not hear in a sitcom these days- weight, gender, sexuality etc.

FredaFrogspawn · 08/09/2019 22:10

Programmes will date - try watching that We Love Lucy or whatever it was show from the 50s/early 60s. Her husband was always threatening to hit her and boy it was seen as funny.

Trufflegirl · 08/09/2019 22:22

I agree, and have found similar with many older shows. As the mother of girls, I don't like to let them watch older programmes, given the levels of misogyny. Nothing can make you feminist, more than having daughters.

EnidButton · 08/09/2019 22:25

I watched a few episodes of Men Behaving Badly the other night. The first series with Harry Enfield in it. 1992 so I was too young to watch it at the time though I saw the later ones. Now that is sexist. I think we knew that at the time and Tony/Dermot and Gary are shown to be idiots, but still, it wouldn't be made today.

I don't mind though. It is of it's time.

BlockedAndDeleted · 08/09/2019 22:26

Reflects the social mores of the 90s but look at it this way, Jackie DID get a scholarship.

Lisa DID make that point to Will (and young males and females in the audience), and his response was very fresh social commentary that has only just made headlines two decades later.

Sittinonthefloor · 08/09/2019 22:58

I’ve been rewatching fpoba & Will is meant to be a bit of an idiot, and imo we are meant to see those comments as stupid- it’s a commentary on those attitudes. My dd loves the show, it raises some great discussions “in those days people used to think....”

New posts on this thread. Refresh page