Bel-Air

Reimagining one of the wittiest urban comedies of an era as a drama series doesn’t seem like the best business practice. Then again, that’s probably why I don’t dream up content for streaming services. Had I done so, a Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reboot might have been where I focused my energy. Sadly, Morgan Cooper, Malcolm Spellman, TJ Brady, and Rasheed Newson came up with the idea first and knocked it out of the park. All your favorite characters are back: Will, Carlton, Uncle Phil and Aunt Viv. This time around, Hillary isn’t an airhead. If you’re like most and only purchased a subscription to Peacock to watch football, you won’t be disappointed if you give Bel-Air a watch. There are rumors that it may not return for a fourth season. Fingers are crossed, but in the meantime, there are 30 episodes to keep you busy.

Though they vary in their approach to storytelling, the reboot often pays homage to the original. Will’s venture from West Philadelphia is spearheaded by a fight at the playground and Jazz’s ride has “dice in the mirror” Oh, and some of the old cast members have returned to play the roles of new characters. This is a must-watch and a masterclass for revamping a classic.

Many networks eschew dramas led by African-American casts in favor of sitcoms. There are often whispers that Black dramas aren’t fan-friendly. Bel-Air proves that theory to be wrong. Each episode forces you to crave another. The good news is that now you can binge rather than wait a week to see the next one like the rest of us had to.