Entertainment

What Makes Up A Carlton Banks?

by Aramide Tinubu

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air will remain iconic for many reasons. From the guest stars to Will's wisecracks, and who could forget the memorable theme song, the show has continued its reign as a staple in pop-culture — despite the fact it has been off the air for nearly 20 years. Alfonso Ribeiro's rendition of the Alfonso Ribeiro's Carlton dance on Dancing with the Stars proved just how much we continue to love the show and our favorite Bel-Air nerd, Carlton Banks. You would be lying if you tried to tell me that you've never tried to do Carlton's dance to Tom Jones' "It's Not Unusual." Despite my best efforts, I can't seem to get my hips and arms to shimmy as flawlessly as Ribeiro can. But the dance wasn't the only reason why the nerdiest Banks cousin wiggled his way into our hearts.

Carlton was first introduced to us a sweater-loving, Princeton-bound prep school boy who constantly bumped heads with his street-wise cousin. And yet, despite their differences, Will and Carlton's bond became a focal point of the show. From their interactions with the ladies to their run-ins with the law, the duo stuck together during good times and bad. Carlton showed us all not to judge a book by its cover. He was much more clever and hilarious than we could have ever imagined. From losing his virginity to learning about racial discrimination, Carlton became a friend we could all depend on. As we grew up, he matured with us.

Here’s what makes up a Carlton Banks in a pie chart:

Images: NBC (1); Giphy (1); Dawn Foster/Bustle