DJ Jazzy Jeff with Will Smith in Dubai on New Year's Eve in 2013. Jeff is in Abu Dhabi for The Galleria's Block Party. Handout photo
DJ Jazzy Jeff with Will Smith in Dubai on New Year's Eve in 2013. Jeff is in Abu Dhabi for The Galleria's Block Party. Handout photo
DJ Jazzy Jeff with Will Smith in Dubai on New Year's Eve in 2013. Jeff is in Abu Dhabi for The Galleria's Block Party. Handout photo
DJ Jazzy Jeff with Will Smith in Dubai on New Year's Eve in 2013. Jeff is in Abu Dhabi for The Galleria's Block Party. Handout photo

We ask DJ Jazzy Jeff if the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is being rebooted


Saeed Saeed
  • English
  • Arabic

When it comes to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, the question on every one's lips is will he or won't he?

Rumours of the much loved sitcom returning to the small screen spread occasionally, particularly when pictures emerge of cast members reuniting for Hollywood events.

The most recent high profile catch up was when two of Will Smith's co-stars, Alfonso Ribeiro (Carlton Banks) and Tatyana Ali (Ashley Banks) came to the Hollywood premiere of Aladdin along with their children.

And only last week, Smith's on-screen and musical sidekick DJ Jazzy Jeff posted a heart-warming picture of his meet up with Karyn Parsons, who played his love interest Hillary on the show.

With all that genuine affection between cast members, surely it seems only natural that a rebooted Fresh Prince of Bel-Air could be on the works.

Not so fast, says Jeff.

Speaking to The National before tonight's performance at the Block Party at The Galleria, he says the final decision lies on the show's star.

“I don’t know,” he says. “It is funny because Will says no, then he says yes. I mean, listen, if they call, it’s not that I am not going to do it.”

Jeff says he is not surprised, or even annoyed, about the incessant rumours. He says he is immensely proud that the show has managed to resonate with people 23 years after its last episode was screened.

With the show regionally trending on Netflix, Jeff says the streaming giant gave it another lease on life for a new generation of viewers.

“It is just really cool to realise how long the show has been going on and the generations that it kind of covered,” he says.

“So you don’t want to say that it is over because somehow the show always gets back to people’s mind. Like when Netflix put the show back on, it almost became like this almost new thing. It is like catching up with friends, only for a long time.”

Tank warfare

Lt Gen Erik Petersen, deputy chief of programs, US Army, has argued it took a “three decade holiday” on modernising tanks. 

“There clearly remains a significant armoured heavy ground manoeuvre threat in this world and maintaining a world class armoured force is absolutely vital,” the general said in London last week.

“We are developing next generation capabilities to compete with and deter adversaries to prevent opportunism or miscalculation, and, if necessary, defeat any foe decisively.”

Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202-litre%204-cylinder%20turbo%20and%203.6-litre%20V6%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESeven-speed%20automatic%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20235hp%20and%20310hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E258Nm%20and%20271Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh185%2C100%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPowertrain%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle%20electric%20motor%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E201hp%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E310Nm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESingle-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E53kWh%20lithium-ion%20battery%20pack%20(GS%20base%20model)%3B%2070kWh%20battery%20pack%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETouring%20range%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E350km%20(GS)%3B%20480km%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C900%20(GS)%3B%20Dh149%2C000%20(GF)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Now%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut

Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”

Skewed figures

In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458. 

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE SPECS

Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine 

Power: 420kW

Torque: 780Nm

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

Price: From Dh1,350,000

On sale: Available for preorder now

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets