12 TV Moments Made Unintentionally Depressing By Real Life Events
6. The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air: Uncle Phil's Heart Attack
What's not to love about Uncle Phil from The Fresh Prince of Bel Air? He's the uptight but charming father figure on the show, and so Home Is Where The Heart Attack Is was already jarring. It opens with Uncle Phil's doctor telling him he needs to take better care of himself, and so he's forced to go on a diet.
About halfway through the episode, after scarfing down a cheeseburger that Will Smith snuck him, Uncle Phil suffers a massive heart attack and is rushed to the hospital.
Will holds his uncle's hands as he lies in an ambulance and, while barely being able to breathe, tells Will to make sure Carlton takes care of the family. Despite the drama of the situation, there are still moments played up for comedy and it's all relatively lighthearted, but today this isn't even remotely amusing.
In 2013, actor James Avery died at 68 due to complications from open heart surgery. The actor had suffered from heart disease for years partly due to his weight issues.
Throughout the series in general but especially in this episode, Uncle Phil is constantly made fun of for his weight and his desire for sweet foods. Now, given the actor's real fate, it's difficult to laugh at those jokes.