I am Alfonso Ribeiro, the new host of AFV and creator of the Carlton! AMA!

Do you keep regular contact with Will Smith?

If yes, can you deactivate Jaden's twitter account for his own good?

LMAO!

What's not unusual?

To be loved by anyone.

Have you ever walked around with Ritz crackers and called yourself "Ritz-Carlton"?

No, but what a great idea!

Was James Avery really as awesome as I think that he was?

Better than you thought he was. Most people don't know this, but he played my Dad on 3 different TV shows. So he was truly a second dad to me.

Hey Alfonso! What was it like to do this Pepsi commercial with Michael Jackson? How many people auditioned for the part? Thank you for taking the time to do this AMA.

I loved doing the Pepsi commercial with Michael Jackson. To work with the greatest entertainer in history was truly an honor. I don't believe people auditioned for the part. I worked with the director and choreographer before and they asked me to do the commercial.

Hi Alfonso!

Who would win in a no-holds-barred fight to the death amongst AFV hosts? You, Tom, or Bob? (Let's all ignore that Daisy Fuentes and whathisface era).

Standard Thunderdome rules apply.

Clearly, I would win the fight to the Death with Tom and Bob because I'm the youngest. I probably have the most energy. Plus, I do Brazilian Jiu jitsu and I box, so it might give me an edge.

You created the Carlton yourself? Sorry if I've been in a cave too long but I never knew that. The more you know...

The Carlton Dance was created on the show simply as the dance that the character wanted to do. It was inspired by Courtney Cox in the Bruce Springsteen video "Dancing in the Dark" and Eddie Murphy's white man dance in his stand-up video, Raw. I took that inspiration and added my own twist to it.

I can Carlton like nobody's business. Thanks for the education. You're a legend in your own time.

A little more over the top with the arms.

Can you tell us an example of a completely inappropriate time that a stranger has demanded that you dance for them?

See the urinal answer

Hello Alfonso,

Fist just wanted to show that i have one of those shirts with your face on it. It was a weird find but everybody i show it to loves it.

As for a question, did ABC have you prepare for AFV by having you watch videos online like "funny fail complilations" or others videos like that? Or is that something you did on your own to get adjusted to what type of videos you would be looking at for the show. Thanks if you can answer.

ABC didn't have me do anything to prepare. As with any job I prepare for I will do all the research I can to be ready. As for AFV, I watched numerous shows with Tom as the host and many funny packages to know how the voiceovers play into the comedy of the videos.

Hi Alfonso,

I’m a big fan, thanks for doing this AMA! I have three questions.

You once told a story how an excited fan punched you in the face and you then kicked his ass, what other hilarious fan meetings stick out in your mind?

What do you think Carlton Banks greatest moment was in Fresh Prince?

Finally, are you a fan of the HBO series “Game of Thrones” and if so who’s your favorite character?

Thanks!

That one is still the best, but I have been asked to do the Carlton Dance at a urinal before, so yeah... that's pretty good.

Carlton Banks greatest moment was an improv scene where Carlton ran around all the sets and through the studio audience when he thought Will had killed Lisa.

Lastly, I do not watch Game of Thrones, so no favorite characters.

Hi!!! Big fan! Anyway, it's only a matter of time before Disney calls you up and asks you to be a Marvel movie. My question is would you be a hero, sidekick, or villain? And who would play your nemesis?

Disney listen to this question! I'll do ANY of them, but I'm feeling Jonah Hill might be a good nemesis.

Alfonso talked to me. He has shaken hands with Will Smith. I now can say Will Smith and I are best friends.

Two degrees of separation. Wait... since we didn't actually meet, let's add another degree.

Will you answer this question?

No. LOL

The carlton dance has over time become more and more incorporated into pop culture. About a week ago, Bungie the makers of Destiny introduced new emotes in the game, and one is the Carlton dance. Did you have any involvment with that? Do you play Destiny, or any other games for that matter?

I just heard about Destiny, I don't play it. But why don't you send them a message that I'm looking for them so I can get paid.

Wow! I never catch these things in time! First of all: Big fan. I started watching F.P when I was just a little tot. I really love your acting style. So much light you bring to your roles. Awesome your hosting AFV I will definitely start watching again now. Any who enough gushing: My question: You always seem to be in such great shape. As a fellow exerciser I was wondering what your workout routine or diet consists of? Thank you for your time and your contributions to the world of cinema!

*edited

I try to get on the elliptical 4-5 times a week first thing in the morning and will do abs and push-ups.

Hey, Alfonso! Thanks for doing this AMA! What was the hardest part of doing Dancing with the Stars?

The hardest part was in the 14 weeks on the show I only had 2 days off. It is incredibly brutal on your body especially if you didn't come in in great shape.

Hey Alfonso. Thanks for doing this AMA.

From your many episodes on Fresh Prince, any particular episodes that hit close to home? Giving you a special emotional connection through the script that made you connect in ways other scripts did not?

And I remember watching Will Smith on his interview with Graham Norton saying that you suggested to him to keep "Will" as his name for the show so that people wouldn't call him anything otherwise. Do you regret keeping "Carlton" as your name for the show? And would you rather have had another name?

Do you have a favorite "AFV?"

Thanks again. Fresh Prince is easily one of of my favorite shows of all time.

I did tell Will to make sure that he used his name as the character name. But he was pretty much his character so it made sense for him to have that name. Whereas Carlton was so far from who I was that long term it would've hurt me since I didn't identify with the character in my personal life.

Have you kept in touch with Bill Nye since you appeared on an episode of Bill Nye the Science Guy?

No, unfortunately, our paths haven't crossed again. But seriously, how cool is he?!

Hi Alfonso. Thanks for doing. Before I get to my question there is something I'd like to say.

A little while back, I was going through a bad time in my life. For reasons I won't go into now. I remember this one day. It was a Friday. It was the end of a crappy day, at the end of a crappy week, which at that point had been a particularly crappy month. I finished work late that day and couldn't wait to just get home a chill. Like every Friday night, I tune into The Graham Norton show. My decision on whether or not I will continue watching usually depends on the guests. This particular show had Will Smith and Bradley Cooper. So, I thought, this should be good, and continued watching. Then this happened. I was not expecting to see anything like that. It was possibly the greatest thing I had ever seen and it was genuinely the first time I had felt any sense of happiness in a long time. I just wanted to say thank you for doing that. It created a memory I will never ever forget. And on top of that, thank you for just being a huge part of my childhood. I remember coming home from school and tuning into The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. It was on every day and watched it every single time. Thank you for all of the hilarious moments you gave us on the show.

As for my question, I wanted to ask if you know the situation with Will Smith's dad? There is this picture going around on the internet from the scene where Uncle Phil is giving him a hug after his dad walked out on him again. It says that the reason he gave such a convincing performance in that episode was because it mirrors the relationship with his actual father, who walked out on him. Now that seems like the typical sort of thing that gets spread around on Facebook that everyone automatically believes because they are gullible. Is there any truth to that, or does he in fact have a good relationship with his father and the good performance he gave in that episode was simply down to the fact that he is an extremely talented actor?

No, Will Smith has a great relationship with his dad. So, none of this is true. He just did a great job with that scene. Thanks for asking!

What kind of future do you think AFV has in this age of youtube and streaming video?

No matter how many videos you find online, there's nothing better than sitting on the couch with your whole family laughing together. That' why AFV will be around a while.

Hey Alfonso!

Thanks for doing this AMA. My question is, if you had the chance to play any character in a movie which movie character would you want to be? Or what's your dream role?

I wouldn't want to play a character that's already been done. I'd want to create something new, but been thinking about playing a serial killer. Thoughts?

Hello Alfonso, loved your portrayal of Carlton :)

Just curious as to why Tom Bergeron was replaced anyways? He seemed very emotional and shook up about it.

Not really sure he was emotional or shook up being that he decided to step down as the host, but we're going to laugh about this later.

Oh, OK, well then, i'll see myself out.

Congrats on the job :)

Love you brother.

If you got a second chance on DWTS, would you do it again? And if you weren't paired with Witney, who would you want?

I would do an All-Star season of DWTS, but if I didn't have Witney I would probably want Lindsey as they grew up together and dance very much the same. Plus, she was already part of team Witfonso.

Do you miss doing the Fresh prince, and is there any chance it may come back in the future, it wouldn't be the same without Uncle Phil (James Avery) though? :(

I don't miss doing the show, but I do miss being with the cast members and clearly the show would never be the same without James Avery, so it would not come back in the future, at least not with me.

Love you man! Hey, since so many people recognize you by the name of Carlton, what name would you have chosen for your character back then?

Dumbass. (That's the name I would've chosen. I'm not calling you a dumbass.)

Hey Alfonso, thank you for doing this. I know you've been performing for a long time, but is there another celebrity that made you starstruck when you met them?

The first time I met Tom Cruise. It's a great story, but it's too long.

What is your favorite Formula One team?

Mercedes. Wish I was in Austin to watch the race this weekend. I think Lewis will win the title this weekend.

Alfonso, how can I get a copy of your breaking and popping book? I tried to order it and the address and phone number doesn't work.

How can I learn the centipede and rap now so I can be hot with the ladies?

Not sure if I can help you on this one, I don't even have my copy! Go try to find old breakdancing burial grounds, you might be able to dig one up.

I gotta say, I miss seeing you on TV.

Would you agree that AFV will 1000% better now that you're the host?

What do you mean? I'm on TV right now! Watch AFV! Tell a friend! LOL

What is better, winning the Long Beach Grand Prix or Dancing with the Stars?

Winning!

Everybody loves the Carlton dance. We all know the part where you swing your arms back and forth, but less acknowledge the part where you pump your hands to one side and shimmy/slide in the other direction. Man I love that part what's that called?

I would name it after you, but I don't want to deal with the lawsuit every time I use it. It's just part of the dance.

will this season of AFV feature more nut shots?

Ohhh yeahhh! America keep sending! As a matter of fact, can you have your friend kick you in the nuts now and send it?

Edit: AFV

How often do people ask you to dance?

Every day I leave my house! The only time I don't ever get asked to dance is at the house. Oh wait a minute... my son asks me to dance every day. Just not the Carlton.

Will you be dressing up for Halloween this year? If so, what will you be dressing up as?

I'm really liking the Ritz-Carlton idea, but I think I'm going to be a bear.

My two boys are going to be a lion and a tiger, I'm the bear and my wife will have a shirt that says "Oh My!"

Did you think that your character would be a hit long after Fresh Prince ended? What made you embrace that character after all these years? Fans love it!

When a show ends, you think it will just go away but it has become somewhat of a cult classic. I embrace the love I get from fans because I can now connect with how much people love him.

Have you seen the YouTube video "The Fesh Pince of Blair"? I highly recommend you to watch it, it's very funny.

Post a link so we can see it.

Would you rather fight 100 duck sized Geoffrey's or 1 Geoffrey sized duck?

I would fight the 1 Geoffrey sized duck. A hundred duck sized Geoffrey's might be hard to keep track of who is getting knocked out.

Do you ever put on Tom Jones and break out a Carlton when nobody is watching?

Sorry, never.

Do you prefer to improvise or stick to the script?

With the writer in the room with me right now, we like to stick to the scripts. All kidding aside, I really do like to stick to the script and then will add my own personality to it.

Hi Alfonso! Have you ever gone out for a role you REALLY wanted and did not get? If so, which and why were you so interested? thanks!

I went out for plenty of roles I didn't get. As an actor, you spend most of your life dealing with rejection from producers. That's the real job.

hey alfonso, what's the best trini thing you've learned or seen or eaten?

My mother's bake. But Carnival time is always the best! Looooootttt of drunk people on the side of the road.

Hi Alfonso! As the new host of AFV are you planning to keep Bergeron's style of one-liner humor when you narrate the videos? I've always found it alot more hilarious than Bob Saget's impersonations when he was host. Or do you plan on mixing it up and with your own style?

We definitely plan on continuing the style that Tom has made incredibly successful. Tom is my favorite host on TV, so to continue the style that I enjoy is certainly my plan. But of course, we will try to change some of the bits to fit my personality.

Alfonso, one of my most earliest memories was going to a high school in Riverside California where you were supposed to play in a celebrity basketball game against the faculty of the high school. You never showed up and my family and I were disappointed. Do you remember that night, and if so, why couldn't you make it?

Well.... maybe someone lied to you. Just a thought.

Favorite cereal?

Cinnamon Life

Definitely not Trix. Am I right?!

Definitely a great moment on the show! Was one of my favorites early on.

Who do you think would win in a dance off? Bob Saget, or Tom Bergeron?

Tom would win in a dance off. With 21 season of DWTS he's had to pick up something!

Hi Alfonso I'm big fan of yours, and thanks for doing this AMA. My questions are: What is your favorite TV show to watch other than your own shows? and Who do you think is one of the top actors currently (tv or movie)?

My favorite TV shows (other than AFV) are Scandal, DWTS, and I'm loving the new show on Sunday night Quantico.

Hi Alfonso! I love to tap dance, and remember you being The Tap Dance Kid.

Who were your tap teachers? You clearly know your stuff, and I've always wondered.

Danny Daniels and his son, DJ, were my teachers back then. Then I worked with my buddy Rolandas Hendricks for a few more years in the 80s.

how much can you bench?

30-40 pounds.

Happy cakeday!

What do you do to wind down at the end of the day or week? Video games? Booze? Cannabis? Massage parlor happy endings? Do you have a favorite way to chill out?

Clearly the ones you've chosen work for you. I sit on the couch with my family and hug up on my kids.

How's AFV working out? It a fun show to be a host for?

Such a blast to be working on an iconic show that we all loved watching for the last 25+ years!

Why is AFV still a thing?

Because people are still watching and laughing together as families.

If Hollywood didn't exist, what do you think you would be doing?

Trash man. LOL

remember when there was a rumor that you were half dominican?

0% Dominican 100% Trinidadian