Since the premiere of Peacock’s “Bel Air,” we’ve gotten a lot of throwbacks to “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” However, Thursday’s celebration of the Season 3 premiere may have provided the best crossover of the classic sitcom and dramatic reboot.
According to People, as the cast and crew gathered for a summer barbecue on the Universal Studios Backlot in Universal City, Calif., “Bel Air” executive producer Will Smith joined series star Coco Jones on stage for a surprise performance of his classic hit “Summertime.”
While Grammy winner Jones sang the hook, Will went into Fresh Prince mode, exciting the crowd as he launched into the familiar lyrics of the cookout favorite. She also performed her new single, “Here We Go.”
The rap legend has recently returned to music with a big performance of his new song, “You Can Make It,” at the 2024 BET Awards. He’s also signed with independent music label SLANG. Considering how musically talented the young cast of “Bel Air” is, it feels like at some point we need a showcase concert or even a short tour with Will headlining.
Premiering Aug. 15, “Bel Air” Season 3 follows Will (Jabari Banks) and the Banks kids as they try to leave the emotional chaos behind during summer vacation. We also find Phil and Viv (Adrian Holmes and Cassandra Freeman) working on their relationship, as Geoffrey’s (Jimmy Akingbola) mysterious past in London pops back up in his life.
The series is a fascinating dramatic retelling of a classic comedy. The stories are brilliantly updated to a more modern vibe. But the unrelenting drama we’ve seen the family deal with has eliminated some of the fun of the show. We really want everyone to have the space to enjoy their lives without experiencing pain at every turn.
Seasons 1 and 2 of “Bel Air” are available on Peacock, with season 3 premiering Thursday, Aug. 15.
