The Fresh Prince and The Absent Father

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Fathers Episode called "Papa's got a brand new excuse." Aired originally on Monday May 9, 1994. Will's long-lost father, Lou, breezes into town and promises Will the moon, which angers Phil and Vivian, who give him the cold shoulder for walking out on Will and Vy. When Will was 4 years old, his father went to get a pack of cigarettes and never came back.

Will and Carlton are working at The Peacock. Will notices a man keeps staring at him. He asks if he needs anything, to which the man replies "No, I'm fine son." Will realizes the man is his father, Lou Smith. When Carlton finds put, he rushes over and starts to talk to his uncle, but backs off when he notices Will's look.

After a short conversation, Will invites Lou to come back to his uncle and aunt's house.That night, Vivian is surprised to see Lou with Will and Carlton. Will introduces his father to Geoffrey, and later Hilary comes in and greets her uncle. But everything starts to fall apart when Uncle Phil comes home and finds his despised brother-in-law there. Ashley also greets her uncle. But when Lou explains his job, Philip insults him by asking why he never sent any money back to his abandoned family. After some hostile reception from Will and Vivian, Philip storms out of the family room.Some time later, Will and Lou go to a carnival. While there, Will asks his father why he ran out on him and his mom. Lou says that while he was happy he was a father, he was also scared of being one. He also admits that he is not proud of what he did, and wants to make up for it to him. After this, they start bonding more.

That night, Will announces to Philip and Vivian that he plans to go with his dad on a trip in his truck for the summer tomorrow. Philip bitterly opposes this, and once again insults Lou ("This is a family discussion"). After Lou leaves the kitchen, Will scolds Philip for constantly insulting his father, but than Philip completely blows up at Will, berating him for trusting the man who abandoned him. Their heated argument ends when Will shouts "Who cares what you think? YOU ARE NOT MY FATHER!!!" Will storms out of the kitchen, leaving a very hurt Philip standing there.

The next day, Philip is still moping from what Will said to him. He also begins wondering if he is a good father to his other kids, and unknowingly lets his kids take advantage of him, but this stops when Carlton asks for access to his trust fund. He later comments on Will being selfish and ungrateful for everything he did for him. Vivian responds to this by telling him that Philip is the one who is being selfish. He realizes she is right, and goes to the pool house. He finds Will packing for his trip and Carlton already redecorating the place. Philip and Will both apologize for what they had said to each other, and Philip wishes Will good luck on his trip.

Later that day, Lou comes in and tells Vivian and Philip that he just got a big new job, and can't afford to take Will along with him. Vivian leaves the room, telling Lou not to come back if he leaves Will this time. Philip sits Lou down and both exchange harsh words with each other. Will comes in, and Lou tells him the situation. He than promises to call Will next week and leaves, saying it was great to see him again. Will knows that his father has bailed on him again, and breaks down. Philip embraces him, and Will accepts Philip as the father he never had.