Not Uncle Phil: RIP James Avery

First of all, to everyone reading this, I would like to wish you a HAPPY NEW YEAR from me, Elle Shanice!!!!!

I did not plan to start off my 2014 blog posts on such a somber note, but the man who played a character on one of my favorite shows passed away.

I hoped that it was just another internet hoax but unfortunately James Avery, known as "Uncle Phil" from the iconic show "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" died on December 31st from complications after heart surgery. He was 68 years old.

"The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" is not only one of the best black shows ever, it's one of the best shows PERIOD in my opinion. Avery's character, Uncle Phil, was one of those central characters that transcended the show. My memories of the show and of his character align with those of my own life and with my own father.

Uncle Phil was a no-nonsence father who provided the best for his family; he was strict but open enough for his family to feel comfortable talking to him. He withstood jokes about his weight from Will & Geoffrey, but I loved how he was a lawyer & his wife was a professor. This continued the trend of positive black families and characters in sitcoms of the 90's.

I've seen the Uncle Phil character listed with other great TV dads such as Cliff Huxtable & Mike Brady. I know that he just portrayed the character but it was still hard to hear that he had passed away, especially when it wasn't announced that he was sick or having surgery.

The same thing happened last year when Lou Myers, who played loveable Mr. Gaines on "A Different World" (another one of my favorite shows) passed away.

Rest in peace Mr. James Avery (1948-2013)...You will be missed!

Watch one of my favorite scenes below from an early episode of Fresh Prince when Uncle Phil gets Will & Carlton out of jail:

The World is a Little Less 'Fast & Furious': RIP Paul Walker

 I'm BAAAAAACK!!!!! I've been busy running my magazine Sista's Keeper but I'm back on my blog game...I just wish that it were under better circumstances :-(

The entertainment world unexpectedly lost one of it's brightest stars this past Saturday when Fast and the Furious star Paul Walker died in a fiery car crash in Santa Clarita, CA. He was riding in a Porsche driven by his business partner, Roger Rodas who also died in the crash after the car burst into flames. Sources believe that a mechanical failure may have led to the crash.

Walker was set to film additional scenes for Fast & Furious 7 which was scheduled to be released in the next year or two. Co-stars such as Vin Diesel, Ludacris, Dwayne Johnson & Jordana Brewster all tweeted their shock, sadness. & tributes to him. Tyrese even broke into tears when he visited the crash site days later. 

I think that there is NO WAY that they can continue filming the 7th installment of F&F, especially since Walker was supposed to film key scenes and is a MAIN character in the franchise. Even killing off his character, Brian, would be insensitive especially since he died in a car accident himself. This is not like when Heath Ledger died after filming The Dark Knight and they still released the movie. 

It took me a couple days to write this post because I was truly a fan of Paul Walker & I guess I was in shock. One of my favorite franchises from the past few years is the Fast and the Furious & he was the star alongside Vin Diesel. He also starred in another favorite of mine, which is Takers with Idris Elba & Michael Ealy. 

I'm also sad because he was one of my "white boos"...I only have 3: Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Justin Timberlake & the late Paul Walker. Aside from being a great actor, he was one of the sexiest actors in Hollywood with dreamy blue eyes & a beautiful smile (my weakness). 

In the wake of his death, people overflowed social media with RIP messages & photo tributes, but the most chilling of them all was the meme that was created with an ironic quote from Walker considering the nature of his death: 

"If one day the speed kills me, do not cry because I will be smiling."

My prayers & condolences go out to both families, especially Walker's only child, Meadow. Rest in peace Paul Walker...You will be missed!!!!! 

~Elle Shanice~