Family Matters (1989–1998)

Long-running "Perfect Strangers" spin-off series centering on the Winslow family and their pesky next-door neighbor, ultra-nerd Steve Urkel.

Creators:

William Bickley, Robert L. Boyett, Thomas L. Miller, Michael Warren

Stars:

Reginald VelJohnson, Jaleel White, Kellie Shanygne Williams

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 8 wins & 15 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Reginald VelJohnson	...	Carl Otis Winslow / ... (215 episodes, 1989-1998)
Kellie Shanygne Williams	...	Laura Lee Winslow (215 episodes, 1989-1998)
Darius McCrary	...	Edward 'Eddie' James Arthur Winslow / ... (208 episodes, 1989-1998)
Jaleel White	...	Steven Quincy Urkel / ... (204 episodes, 1989-1998)
Jo Marie Payton	...	Harriette Winslow (200 episodes, 1989-1997)
Rosetta LeNoire	...	Estelle 'Mother' Winslow / ... (157 episodes, 1989-1997)
Bryton James	...	Richie Crawford (142 episodes, 1990-1997)
Shawn Harrison	...	Waldo Geraldo Faldo / ... (107 episodes, 1990-1996)
Jaimee Foxworth	...	Judy Winslow (96 episodes, 1989-1995)
Telma Hopkins	...	Rachel Crawford (94 episodes, 1989-1997)

Storyline

The Winslow family is a pretty normal family except for one thing, their neighbor Stephen Urkel. A genius and klutz Steve makes some really weird inventions while driving the Winslow's insane.

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Plot Keywords:

neighbor | friend | spin off | nerd | high pitched voice | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Family

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Certificate:

TV-G

Details

Official Sites:

Warner Bros. Site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 September 1989 (USA)

Also Known As:

La vie de famille

Filming Locations:

Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bickley-Warren Productions, Lorimar Television, Miller/Boyett Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min (215 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the 2015 documentary Misery Loves Comedy, Freddie Prinze Jr. (who was in the documentary to discuss the life, career, and death of his father, legendary comedian Freddie Prinze) said that when he booked his first-ever professional acting job on this show he was so excited that he went directly from the audition location on the Warner Brothers lot to Forest Lawn Cemetery (which was directly behind Warner Brothers) to tell his father the news. Prinze Jr. played the character "Tough Guy" on the season six episode "The Gun," a "message" episode that tacked the issue of gun violence; the elder Freddie Prinze died in 1977 at the age of 22 from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

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Goofs

In the Winslows' home, guests would always walk out the front door and then to the left, but in the picture that is shown as the Winslows' home, there is no walkway to the left. There are a few stairs outside that lead up to the front door, but walking to the left after exiting through the front door would only lead into a wall.

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Quotes

[Stefan did not take his "cool boost" for that week - he wants to turn back into Steve]
Laura: How long do you think it'll be?
Stefan Urkelle: Well, it could be a few days, or weeks, or
[Steve voice]
Stefan Urkelle: any minute now!

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Connections

Referenced in Two Days (2003)

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Soundtracks

As Days Go By
Written by Jesse Frederick & Bennett Salvay
Performed by Jesse Frederick

User Reviews

Good Family Television

Like it or not, "Family Matters" has placed a positive staple on American Television and has created some unforgettable moments that will be talked about from now until eternity. Part of the reason why "Family Matters" was a good show is not because of the topics that it covered during it's lengthy run on prime-time television but because it also was a perfect contrast to another popular African-American show known as "The Cosby Show." Even though the Cosby's were about a upper class African-American family, family matters was about a regular, average family who had average jobs and average lives.

"Family Matters" debuted at a good time in American Television. During this time, "The Cosby Show" was the king of all television and when that show ultimately ended, "Family Matters" began to pick up where "The Cosby Show" left off: that is presenting a good wholesome show that the whole family can watch.

Another part of the reason why this show was a big success, probably have already been mentioned, was because of Steve Urkel, the nerdy next door neighbor that always drove the Winslows' angry. I will go as far as to say that without the Urkel character, this show wouldn't had been as successful as it was.

In regards, "Family Matters" is a very good show. It's good to catch this show on syndication now so I could remember the good times of television.