The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (TV Series)

Papa's Got a Brand New Excuse (1994)

Ben Vereen: Lou Smith

Photos 

Quotes 

• Philip Banks : [to Lou]  Sit down.

  Lou Smith : I ain't got time for no lecture.

  Philip Banks : I said, sit down, Lou.

  [Lou sits down on the couch] 

  Philip Banks : You know, Will was doing just fine till you showed up, but now that you're back, you have responsibilities to him.

  Lou Smith : Look, we're still gonna take the trip.

  Philip Banks : Oh, bull. Bull! Will is not a coat that you hang in the closet, then pick it up when you're ready to wear it. His life goes on. He's not supposed to be here for you. You're supposed to be here for him.

  Lou Smith : [stands up]  You get off my back! You think I want this? It just happened! Now, when Will was a baby, I was scared...

  Philip Banks : Cut the crap, all right? Cut it, because I've been there, but I didn't run out on my family. I was there every day for them because that's what a man does.

  Lou Smith : Fine, Philip. You win. You the man. You a better man than me. You happy? Now you gonna tell Will or not?

  Philip Banks : I'm not gonna do your dirty work for you.

  Lou Smith : I'll call him.

  Philip Banks : Yeah, do that.

  Lou Smith : Yeah, I'll do that.

• William 'Will' Smith : Hilary, this is...

  Lou Smith : I'm Will's father...

  Hilary Banks : Oh, come on. Will's father is a deadbeat who left him and his mom flat.

• Lou Smith : You know, Will, I used to hold you just like this.

  Philip Banks : Then why'd you run out on him?

• William 'Will' Smith : Daddy-O! What's up?

  Lou Smith : Will. Man, I'm glad you're here. Some business came up I gotta handle. So we're gonna have to put our trip on hold. You understand.

  William 'Will' Smith : [pause]  Yeah, that's cool.

  Lou Smith : Just for a couple of weeks.

  William 'Will' Smith : I understand.

  Lou Smith : Maybe a little longer.

  William 'Will' Smith : Yeah, whatever. Whatever.

  Lou Smith : Look, I'll call you next week and we'll iron out the details. Okay?

  William 'Will' Smith : Yeah, yeah.

  Lou Smith : It was great seeing you, son.

  William 'Will' Smith : You too... Lou.

• Lou Smith : [to Will]  You see, the day you were born was the happiest day of my life. The first time I held you, I didn't think I'd ever put you down.

  William 'Will' Smith : So why did you?

  Lou Smith : I just wasn't ready to be a father. I started feeling trapped. Well, one day, I just panicked and ran. It was selfish and cowardly, but that's what I did. I'm sorry.

  William 'Will' Smith : Look, why are you telling me this now?

  Lou Smith : Because you're my son and I love you. And I'm a different man now. I'm ready to be part of your life if you'll let me.