Family Matters (1989–1998): Season 1, Episode 6 - Basketball Blues - full transcript

- Thanks, Grandma.
- You're welcome.

Mommy is just so proud of
her little fat chipmunk cheeks...

because you made all gone,
just like a big boy. Yes, you did.

So we're gonna take your
little fat legs up the stairs...

so you can say nightie-night
to everybody. There you are.

Say, "Nightie-night, everybody.
Nightie-nightie, everybody."

I love you, honey. I love you.

I can't believe it.

You bring a baby in the room, and
adults start talking like Roger Rabbit.

- Hey, sugar.
- Hi, Carl.

- How was your day?
- It was exhausting.



I'm not even sure if I've got
the strength to kiss you hello.

Well, it's your loss.

I'll push myself.

Carl, look at all these school
handouts I found in Eddie's trash.

No wonder we never know
what's going on at school.

Mm-hm. PTA Monday.
Science fair last month.

Oh, no. I can't believe this.

I knew you'd be upset about
missing the school bake sale.

I'm talking about
the basketball tryouts.

They're just three weeks away, and
Edward hasn't even started training.

Three weeks sounds
like plenty of time.

Not if you want to be a star.

You're acting like it's
your sacred fatherly

duty to prepare
Eddie for basketball.



Harriette, if he doesn't
make the basketball

team, it could
affect his whole life.

He'll lose his self-esteem.

He might end up alone,
Harriette. No wife, no kids...

eating cold soup out of a can.

And all because he
didn't make the team.

Does this stuff just come to
you, or do you have a manual?

- Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad.
- Hi, baby.

Edward, did you know the
basketball tryouts were in three weeks?

Yeah. I think I saw a handout
about that somewhere.

Well, you've got to get ready.
You're in high school now, son.

That means a lot tougher
competition than last year.

Put on your sweats. I'm
taking you over to the school...

- to work you out.
- School?

Dad, I just came from school.

Edward, your father has spoken.

Fine, Dad.

What do you know? It worked.

[WHISTLE BLOWS]

Great news, sports fans.

Edward just completed
his first basketball workout...

and he is already looking sharp.

Well, that's the
highlight of my day.

- So where is Air Winslow?
- Oh, he'll be just a minute.

I made him dribble
home behind the car.

Carl, is there any chance
you're pushing Eddie too hard?

Of course not.

Harriette, I'm just helping him
to take advantage of his talents.

He's got a great touch,
Harriette, and he's got the height.

I wasn't blessed with height.

That's okay, Dad.
You've got width.

Thank you, sweetheart.

You know my rule about no
ball-bouncing in this house.

Harriette, there is
a new rule in effect.

Edward is to now eat, sleep
and live with that basketball.

He's even gonna give it
a name like the pros do.

By the way, son, have you
thought about a name for it yet?

Dad, I don't wanna
name my basketball.

- That's stupid.
- Edward, name your basketball.

Your father has spoken.

Okay.

I'll call it Fred.

Okay. Fred. Now, why don't
you two go up and change?

After you do your
homework and finish dinner...

me, you and Fred will
watch some highlight videos.

Why don't you and Fred watch
them while I go play Nintendo?

Edward.

Okay.

Ah-ah-ah. Is that the way
we take Fred for a walk?

Sorry, Dad.

This is gonna be a long season.

Come on. Come on. Keep dribbling.
Come on. Keep dribbling. Keep dribbling.

Come on. That's it. Ah-ah.
You're traveling. You're traveling.

Okay, rest period.

Dad, it's 5:00 in the morning.

I know. I let you sack out an extra
half-hour because it's Saturday.

Now, Edward, the most important
meal of the day is breakfast.

- What's going on in here?
- Oh, good morning, sugar.

You didn't have to get
up just to see us off.

I always get up this early in
the morning to milk the cows.

Carl, this is ridiculous. You have
got to stop working Eddie so hard.

Oh, nonsense. I'm only
thinking of his future.

And I would never do
anything to hurt him.

Here, drink this.

He's not eating raw eggs.

What's the matter?
Is somebody sick?

Yeah. Carl.

He's lost his mind.
Here, cook these.

Eggs.

Eggs.

Carl, I've had it.

You're obsessed with Eddie's playing
basketball, and you've got to stop.

Look, woman.

Sports are my
domain in this family.

You are in charge of homework,
manners, and I'll even give you vacations.

But I handle sports.

Why? Because you're the man?

Well, the fact that
your face grows hair

and your head loses
it doesn't prove diddly.

Do we have any goat cheese?

What are you doing?

I'm trying to make
eggs San Moritz.

Just make eggs.

Throw them in a pan and heat
them up until they stop moving.

Forget the eggs. We'll pick
up something on the way.

Come on, Edward. We're
losing the day. Come on. That's it.

One, two. One, two. One, two.

- Come on. One, two. One, two. One, two.
- Dad, can I ride in the car this time?

One, two. One, two. One, two.

Oh.

Come on, son. You
are not pushing yourself.

Dad, I need to take a rest.

A rest? You just had a
water break an hour ago.

Yeah, but you made me run
in place while I was drinking.

Okay, something
easy: defensive skills.

Dad, I need to catch my breath.

Okay. While you're slacking off,
some other kid is busting his tail...

- to be better than you.
- Oh, but it's Saturday.

I wanted to go
hang out at the mall.

Look, I'm not unreasonable.
From noon till 2, you're on your own.

Then it's back here, and you
and I work until suppertime.

What do you say? Okay, good.

- Fine, Dad. That's it.
- I knew you'd see it my way, son.

No, I mean that's it. I quit.

Well, you can't knock off yet. I just told
you how much more work we have to do.

No, I'm not quitting the workout,
Dad. I'm quitting basketball, for good.

Edward.

Edward, come back here.

Your father has spoken.

You know, the other morning got me
all fired up about gourmet cooking again.

I can't wait for you two
to taste these brioche.

Brioche, huh?

They look just like
big muffins to me.

No, Harriette. Brioche
are much lighter and flakier.

They have this wonderful
sort of airy texture about them.

ESTELLE: Uh-huh.

Girl, it seems like you've been
working in the kitchen all day.

Oh, no, Mother Winslow.
It's only been four hours.

Four hours for muffins?

I could've cooked a Thanksgiving dinner for
16, and that includes catching the bird.

Now, don't these look delicious?

I just hope they don't
float right up to the ceiling.

Yeah, that was close, Rachel.

Couple of them
almost floated away.

I think they get
lighter once they cool.

Anyway, I bet they
taste wonderful.

Mother Winslow,
would you like to go first?

Why not? I'll probably
go first anyway.

Well?

They're everything I
expected them to be.

RACHEL: Oh.

Eddie? Edward.

- Hi, Mama. You seen
Eddie? ESTELLE: No.

Here, hold this.

CARL: Harriette, where's Eddie?

I have arranged for him to
meet Will "The Thrill" Morgan.

- The basketball player?
- That's right. He's due here any minute.

I went down to Chicago Stadium today
to pick up the tickets for the Bulls game.

What do you know? I met
him. We started talking...

I told him about Edward, and
he said he'd speak with him.

Whoa.

What is this?

- Rachel made them.
- Shouldn't that be written on here?

[DOORBELL RINGING]

That's Will.

Hi, Will. Nice to see you again.

- How you doing, Carl?
- Okay.

Will, this is my
wife, Harriette.

Harriette, this is Will
"The Thrill" Morgan.

- Nice to meet you, Harriette.
- Nice to meet you too.

Harriette, I'm sure that Will
would enjoy some refreshments.

Me too. What are you fixing?

Harriette.

Okay, but I'll be right back.

Come on in, Will.

So if you're still interested in buying
my Porsche, I've decided to ask 45,000.

Buy? A Porsche?

Oh, no. Did I ruin the surprise?

Well, yeah, in a way.

- Carl, I think we better talk.
- Uh-huh. Ahem.

Excuse us, Will, won't you?
Sit down. Make yourself at home.

Put your feet
up. Don't eat that.

Carl, I can't believe you told that
man that you would buy his car.

Well, that was the only way I
could be sure he'd come over.

You mean you lied to the man?

Look, Harriette, the most
important thing here...

is to get Edward playing
basketball again now.

And I just couldn't
pass up this opportunity.

Carl, you've dribbled
one ball too many.

Excuse me. I'll
just clean up later.

Now, I don't care what
you say, it just ain't right.

Whoa.

Pbbt, whoo!

[GIGGLING]

Will "The Thrill" Morgan
is in the living room.

- He's here to see Carl.
- Oh, I always wanted to meet him.

HARRIETTE: So go say hello.

I can't meet a star
looking like this.

No, honey, I gotta
go fix myself up.

Now, Harriette, you are my wife, and
I want you to stand behind me on this.

Carl, I'll be standing so far
behind you, you won't even see me.

Sorry, Will. My wife and I had a
difference of opinion about cars.

She's holding out
for a Rolls-Royce.

Speaking of rolls, is
Rachel out of the kitchen yet?

Mama, we have company.

Will, this is Estelle Winslow, my mother.
Mama, meet Will "The Thrill" Morgan.

This man needs no introduction.

- Will "The Thrill" Morgan.
- It's nice to meet you, Mrs. Winslow.

Now, if you really meant
that, you'd plant one right here.

Gladly.

[GIGGLING]

I'm gonna call all my
girlfriends in the canasta group.

They're gonna die.
They're gonna...

[LAUGHING]

So ready to see the car?

Uh, sure, yeah.

But, you know, Will, I really
wanna take my time going over it.

Hey, whose red
Porsche is that out there?

Oh, sweat.

You're Will Morgan.

- Will, this is our son Eddie.
- It's nice to meet you, Eddie.

And that's my Porsche outside.
But your dad might buy it.

Oh, we're gonna get a Porsche?

Uh, maybe. Heh-heh.

Say, Will, ahem...

you know what really clears
my head before a big decision?

- Basketball.
- Basketball?

Yeah, sure. It'll be fun. We'll
go over to the high school.

You wouldn't mind shooting around
with a real pro, now, would you, Edward?

- No.
- Go up and get Fred.

Is Fred Eddie's brother?

No, it's his basketball.

He named it, just
like the pros do.

- Where'd he get a dumb idea like that?
- I don't know.

You know, Carl, it's funny...

but I'm getting the feeling the car
isn't the reason you asked me here.

"Isn't the real reason."

[LAUGHING]

Okay, I lied.

Look, Will, you see,
Edward quit basketball...

and I was hoping maybe you
could talk him into playing again.

No pressure.

It would just
change his whole life.

- Okay, I'll talk to him.
- Oh, gee, thanks.

- All set.
- Oh, let's do it.

Well, Will Morgan,
what a surpri...

The Thrill is gone.

- Nice form, huh?
- Not bad. Not bad.

Say, Will, you know,
as good as Eddie is...

he could use a few pointers from a
pro. Would you show him your first step?

- No problem.
- Hey, Edward, come here.

Will's gonna show you something.

I'll play defense.

Oh, of course, I
should mention...

that I used to be a pretty
fierce defender back in my day.

- Thanks for the warning.
- Okay. Go ahead.

Toe cramp. Ooh. Aah.

Listen, Carl, why don't you let
me talk to Eddie alone, okay?

- You don't need me for anything?
- No. We'll be okay just the two of us.

Oh. Oh, okay, fine.

Well, I guess I'll see you
two back at the house.

Oh, hi.

[GRUNTS]

He's good, Eddie.

Harriette, this is great. They
have been gone for over an hour.

When you got a hunch about
something and it pays off...

you just feel so good.
Am I a great dad or what?

Careful you don't pull a muscle
patting yourself on the back.

CARL: Look who's back.
Did you two have fun?

Yes, we did.

Eddie's a great kid
and a good ball player.

Oh. I coached him.

WILL: Well, folks, I better be going.
- Wait a minute. What about the Porsche?

Oh, um, ahem.

Will, I don't think I want a red car.
Cops are always on the lookout for them.

Tell me about it. Nice meeting
you all. Eddie, good luck.

It was nice to meet
you, Mr. Morgan.

- Thanks, Thrill.
- Bye-bye.

So, son, did you two talk
about anything in particular?

- Well, mainly basketball.
- Oh, basketball.

Well, did Will say anything about
how much he loves the game...

and all that it's done for
him, that sort of thing?

Oh, yeah. I mean, Will said
basketball was the greatest thing...

- that's ever happened to him.
- Oh.

What say you and I get
back on the court tomorrow...

and pick up where we
left off? What do you say?

- Dad, I'm still not playing.
- What?

Will also told me to make up my own
mind and to do what makes me happy.

So I've decided I'm happy
not playing basketball.

You know, Dad, I was that
close to going back to basketball.

Then you had me talk to Will.

Thanks, Dad.

I would play you a
little one-on-one...

except kicking your butt
would only add to your misery.

Harriette, Eddie had
everything going for him.

How could he just throw it away?

Oh, maybe he
didn't throw it away.

Maybe he just put it aside for a
while. But he doesn't wanna play now.

- There's nothing you can do to change him.
- But I wasn't trying to change him. I...

I just wanted to inspire him.

Do you know what I could've
done with that boy's talent?

Carl, I've been thinking...

maybe you're trying to live
your own fantasy through Eddie.

Well, maybe I was, a little.

Honey, it's just that when
you do well in sports...

it can just make you feel so
great. I just wanted that for Eddie.

Well, I'll tell you
one thing, Carl.

He's a lot happier now than
he was during your workouts.

[CARL CHUCKLES]

- You noticed that too, huh?
- Mm-hm.

The only person who's
not happy now is you.

Yeah.

You better not let your mother
catch you eating out the carton.

Don't worry, Dad.
I'm gonna finish it all.

You know, son, I
owe you an apology.

For what, Dad?

Well, for pushing
you about basketball.

It's all right, Dad.

- Hey, maybe I'll play next year.
- Fair enough.

I guess your old dad
went a little crazy, huh?

Well, yeah.

You know, son...

I've always had this dream...

that you'd be a professional
basketball player.

But I guess that was
my dream and not yours.

I shouldn't have forced it
on you, son, and I'm sorry.

Dad, if I don't have my own dream
yet, is there something wrong with me?

No. Not at all.

You will someday.

What's on your mind now?
What do you like to think about?

Girls, mostly.

- Well, that's normal. What else?
- Well, I think about the movies a lot.

Hey, maybe you'll be a
famous movie director.

Win the Academy Award.

No, I mean I like to think about
taking girls to the movies a lot.

CARL: Oh.

Heh, of course.

But anyway, son, the most
important thing about a dream...

isn't when you find it.

It's once that you do,
you never give up on it.

You understand?

Yeah, Dad.

And, son...

whenever you find that dream...

if you ever need any
help, I'll always be there.

Thanks, Dad.

Uh, Eddie...

Hey, this is pretty good.

[ENGLISH SDH]