the fresh prince of bel air season 1 episode 4

After depleting their funds, the two find that the only way to scrape up some cash is to enter a dance contest. Things start off smoothly, but Carlton’s gambling addiction (first seen in Season 3’s “You Bet Your Life”) gets the better of him. For Carlton’s 21st birthday, Uncle Phil sends him and Will to Las Vegas. Viewers knew that Carlton could become obsessive long before seeing this episode, but it’s on full display here. All in all, this episode is a pure classic.

And from a narrative standpoint, Carlton’s Princeton rejection ultimately sets him up to attend ULA with Will in the latter half of the series. It’s a funny moment that, of course, ends with Carlton and Jones dancing and performing “It’s Not Unusual.” While the It’s A Wonderful Life approach has been done on TV shows countless times, the Carlton-esque spin makes it fun.

Carlton, depressed and in a funk, is visited by his idol and guardian angel, singer Tom Jones, who shows him what his family’s life would be like if he were never born. In an attempt to get in, Carlton emulates his cousin, yet he only earns a rejection and a suspension for making a desperate death threat towards the rep. When a rep from Princeton arrives at Bel-Air prep, Carlton can’t wait to interview but is shaken when the school accepts Will.

You really can’t get anymore Carlton-centric than this installment.

The fresh prince of bel air season 1 episode 4