Was there any productional reason for the set change in The Fresh Prince?
In the first episode of the second season of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, we can see an almost completely redesigned set when compared to the first season.
S01E01 - The Fresh Prince Project (1990)
Still from episode
S02E01 - Did The Earth Move For You? (1991)
Still from episode
Father Phillip Banks (actor James Avery) even mentions the changes during the episode and speaks out to his wife Vivian Banks (actress Janet Hubert-Whitten).
Vivian Banks: [walking downstairs] I'm Ready.
Phillip Banks: Ah, finally. What took you so long?
Vivian Banks: Oh I just spent an hour chasing my outfit on the new rotating dressrack.
Phillip Banks: Why didn't you set the variable speed adjustment?
Vivian Banks: Phillip, these gadgets are making my life miserable.
Phillip Banks: Well honey, you're the one who said we should redecorate.
Vivian Banks: Well yeah! I said we should keep up with the Joneses, honey, not the Jetsons!
IMDb Quotes, Did The Earth Move For You? (1991)
They mention that it was done to keep up with their neighbours, but was there any productional reason (e.g. better camera angles, more light) for this change in set? Did the producers give any reason for these changes?
Best Answer
It is very common for first episodes or seasons to be shot on a smaller budget (pilot) in order to sell the show to executives or networks. Once a show is picked up, the budget is typically increased and the writers/showrunners/etc often also re-tool the show.
For example in the pilot episode of Psych, Lucinda Barry (played by Anne Dudek) is replaced by Juliet (played by Maggie Lawson) due to notes from test audiences (https://screenrant.com/psych-anne-dudek-replaced-juliet-reason-why/).
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Why did they change the set on Fresh Prince?
Probably a bigger budget after the success of season 1 was the reason.When did they change The Fresh Prince set?
They changed scenery in season 2.Why did Lisa leave Fresh Prince?
Nia Long's characterization of Lisa remained a staple throughout the program's fifth season. Her and Will parted ways because of the possibility of becoming step siblings due to Will's mother and Lisa's father going forward with plans to marry. For the 2022 reboot, Simone Joy Jones takes on the role of Lisa Wilkes.Why does Will Smith move in on Fresh Prince of Bel-Air?
The series stars Will Smith as a fictionalized version of himself, a street-smart teenager born and raised in West Philadelphia who is sent to move in with his wealthy uncle and aunt in their Bel-Air mansion after getting bullied at the local playground in his neighborhood.Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
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