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"Courting Disaster" is the 11th episode of Season 1 of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. In it, Will joins the school Basketball team in order to get into a college, but success goes to his head and causes a rift between him and Carlton.
Synopsis[]
Success goes to Will's head when he becomes the superstar of Carlton's high school basketball team.
Plot[]
Will joins the school basketball team, which Carlton is already on. Will becomes the star of the team, causing Carlton to become jealous and the two become competitive with another.
In the peak of his jealousy, Carlton decides to steal the ball from Will and take the game's winning shot, ultimately costing the team the game.
Back at home, the two argue until it is broken up by Uncle Phil. Uncle Phil chastises Will for his showboating at the game and Carlton for stealing the ball from his own teammate to look like the hero.
Carlton tells his father that he was trying to get the same support for being the hero like Will as Uncle Phil didn't start coming to the games until Will joined and was proud of him the first game. Uncle Phil explains that he always shows up to Carlton's events as a supporter in his corner all the time and he was showing up for Will's games because his mother is so far away and he needs the support more than anyone.
Cast[]
Main Cast[]
- Will Smith as Will Smith
- James Avery as Philip Banks
- Janet Hubert as Vivian Banks
- Alfonso Ribeiro as Carlton Banks
- Karyn Parsons as Hilary Banks
- Tatyana Ali as Ashley Banks
- Joseph Marcell as Geoffrey Butler
Recurring Cast[]
Guest Cast[]
- Isiah Thomas as himself
- Bill Cort as Headmaster Wallace Thorvald
- Dave Florek as Coach Smiley
- Ron Perkins as O'Donnell
- Keith Bogart as Jonathan Cartwell
- Michael Landes as Chadney Hunt
- Michael Weiner as Kellogg Lieberbaum
Trivia[]
- Syndication cuts the scene where Geoffrey is paying Jazz his money.
- U Can't Touch This by MC Hammer is used as the score for a scene.
- This is the first episode where Jazz has appeared in the Banks' household and not been thrown out by Uncle Phil.
Goofs/Inconsistencies[]
- The circle Carlton draws on the chalkboard changes between shots. The same thing happens with the heads he and Will draw.
- When Carlton, Will, and Ashley start throwing chalk in the living room, Hilary comes and says she's trying to study, but in a later episode, Knowledge is Power, it is revealed that she dropped out of school three months ago However she could be trying to cover that up.
- Near the start of the second basketball game, you can get a glimpse of stage lights at the top of the gymnasium. Also, this is clearly shown when Carlton shoots the three-pointer.
Quotes[]
Vivian: Will, don't play inside. You might break something. [glancing at Uncle Phil] Or something might break you. |
Philip: Will, how many times do I have to tell you that this is our living room? How'd you like it if I went into your room and started throwing chalk around? Will: I'd be devastated. Philip: Out. Vivian: Why did you do that? Philip: What? Vivian: You singled Will out. They were all goofing around. Philip: He was the mastermind. Trust me. Vivian: I just wish you'd be nicer to Will. |
Cartwell: I was under the assumption... Coach Smiley: Ah, we don't make assumptions... because you'll be an 'ass'... and the 'ump' will 'shun' you. |
Vivian: Hilary, I appreciate you coming tonight. I know you're not a big sports fan. Hilary: Mother, please, it's Will's first game with the team. I'm proud of him. If I didn't show up to support him, what kind of cousin would I be? |
Hilary: Hi, Carlton. Carlton: Hi, Hilary. Hilary, can I ask you something? Hilary: Sure. Carlton: How was I in the basketball game last Friday? Hilary: You were great. You didn't make any baskets or anything, but you looked cute in your uniform. I think it's great how you don't get it too sweaty. I guess it's 'cause you don't run too fast. Smart move. Carlton: Did... Dad mention me during the game? Hilary: He did turn around to the guy behind him once and say "Shut up. That's my son you're talking about." It's Will, isn't it? Carlton: No. It's not. Hilary: Talk to me. Look, it's ridiculous to compare yourself to Will. You're captain of the debate team, a straight "A" student, you're leader of the glee club. So what if Will's good at basketball? Carlton: Thanks, Hilary. That means a lot to me. Hilary: Besides, if that basket were two feet lower you'd be just as good as he is. |
Coach Herb Smiley: I see a lot of new faces out here tonight faces I didn't see when we were losing. People who did not support this team in its darkest hour. All I can say is, I don't blame you one bit. Half the time, I didn't want to be there. And quite frankly, I usually ducked out a little early. |
Carlton: I was trying to win the game. Will: No, you were trying to be the hero. Carlton: Somebody else can be the hero besides you all the time. Will: Let's get something straight. I been here for two months. I been getting yelled at... at hom, screamed at... at school, I been sent to detention, grounded, threatened with expulsion on almost a daily basis. I finally do something I get credit for, and you can't take it. Man, I got news for you. I ain't about to sell myself short just to make you feel better. |
Carlton: If I'd made that last shot, I'd be the hero right now. Philip: Carlton, the fact that you missed the shot wasn't a disgrace. You stole the ball from a member of your own team. Will: Yeah, and if you'd passed it to me, we would've won. Philip: You would? Will: Of course, I can make that shot with my eyes closed and one hand tied behind my back. Philip: Was that gonna be your next trick? 'Cause you were like a one-man circus out there. Will: Uncle Phil, the coach told the team to pass the ball to me. Philip: Did he tell you to woof at the crowd, kiss the cheerleader between plays, and shoot the ball backwards? Will: No, I came up with all that fly stuff myself. Philip: That wasn't fly, Will. A real star plays with the team. Maybe you should think about that. |
Carlton: I guess I was just thinking of the first game Will won and how you ran out on the court and you were so proud of him. I guess I thought it would be cool if it happened to me. Philip: Carlton, you don't have to be a hero. I'm proud that you're out there giving it all you got. Carlton: You started coming to games when Will joined the team. Philip: I wanted to support him. Carlton: You wouldn't come when it was just me. Philip: I'd like to come to everything you do. I always come to your tennis games, to your debate matches, your glee club concerts. Frankly, keeping up with your extracurricular activities is a 24-hour-a-day job. Carlton: Did I mention I was elected editor of the yearbook? Philip: I didn't mean to slight you. But I can't slight Will, either. His mother is 3,000 miles away. He needs a cheering section as much as you do. Maybe more. |