The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (TV Series)

Papa's Got a Brand New Excuse (1994)

James Avery: Philip Banks

Photos 

Quotes 

• Philip Banks : [after Lou cancels his trip with Will and leaves]  I'm sorry, Will.

  William 'Will' Smith : You know what? Actually, this works out better for me, you know. The slimmies of summer come to class wearing next to nothing, you know what I'm saying...

  Philip Banks : Will, it's all right to be angry.

  William 'Will' Smith : Hey, why should I be mad? I'm saying at least he said goodbye this time. I just wish I hadn't wasted my money buying this stupid present.

  [takes out a small statue of a father sitting with his son on his lap] 

  Philip Banks : I'm sorry. You know, if there was something that l...

  William 'Will' Smith : You know what, you ain't got to do nothing, Uncle Phil. Ain't like I'm still five years old, you know. Ain't like I'ma be sitting up every night asking my mom, "When's Daddy coming home?", you know. Who needs him? Hey, he wasn't there to teach me how to shoot my first basket, but I learned, didn't I? And I got pretty damn good at it too, didn't I, Uncle Phil?

  Philip Banks : Yeah, you did.

  William 'Will' Smith : Got through my first date without him, right? I learned how to drive, I learned how to shave, I learned how to fight without him. I had *fourteen* great birthdays without him. He never even sent me a damn card!

  [turns toward the front door] 

  William 'Will' Smith : [shouts]  To hell with him!

  [long pause as Will struggles to regain his composure] 

  William 'Will' Smith : I ain't need him then and I don't need him now.

  Philip Banks : Will...

  William 'Will' Smith : No, you know what, Uncle Phil? I'ma get through college without him, I'ma get a great job without him, I'ma marry me a beautiful honey, and I'ma have me a whole bunch of kids. I'll be a better father than he ever was, and I sure as hell don't need him for that, 'cause ain't a damn thing he could ever teach me about how to love my kids!

  [long pause; Will starts to cry] 

  William 'Will' Smith : How come he don't want me, man?

  [Uncle Phil rushes forward to hug Will, and Will breaks down sobbing] 

• Philip Banks : Look, if you'll excuse me, I think I'll skip dinner. I don't have much of an appetite.

  Geoffrey : Shall I call 911?

• 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 : Uncle Phil, that is not cool, the way you dissing my father like that.

  Philip Banks : The hell with your father.

  Vivian Banks : Philip, for God's sake.

  Philip Banks : He waltzes in here after 15 years?

  William 'Will' Smith : Fourteen.

  Philip Banks : Excuse me. Fourteen years and acts like nothing has happened. Wake up, Will. This is the same guy who didn't think enough of you to pick up the damn phone!

  William 'Will' Smith : He made a mistake. I'm sorry that everybody can't be as perfect as you, Uncle Phil, but if I can forgive him, how come you can't?

  Philip Banks : Because he's not doing this for you, he's doing this for himself and if you think any differently, then you're a fool!

  Vivian Banks : Hey, just cool it. Just cool down. We can talk about this another time.

  William 'Will' Smith : You know what, Aunt Viv? Ain't even nothing to talk about. I've been waiting for this for a long time, my whole life and ain't nobody gonna stop me. Come tomorrow, I'm out of here.

  Philip Banks : Oh yeah, I don't think so.

  William 'Will' Smith : Who cares what you think? You are not my father!

  [storms off] 

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

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

• Carlton Banks : [to Phillip]  Say, big guy...

  Philip Banks : Carlton, am I a good father?

  Carlton Banks : Are you kidding? You're the best.

  Philip Banks : Oh, thank you, son.

  Carlton Banks : Can I have access to my trust fund?

  Philip Banks : Not a chance.

  Carlton Banks : I hate you!

  [storms off] 

  Philip Banks : Oh, yeah? Well, take a number!

• Vivian Banks : Philip, stop moping. You know Will didn't mean what he said.

  Philip Banks : Well, why'd he say it? For four years, I treated that boy like my own son. Whether he needed a pat on the head or a kick in the pants, I was there for him. I worked my ass off trying to keep him in line.

  Geoffrey : And yet, it's come back with a vengeance.

• Philip Banks : I have done everything for Will. Suddenly, it's like none of that matters. I can't believe he could be so selfish.

  Vivian Banks : Philip, listen to yourself. Somebody's being selfish all right, but it isn't Will.