"Family Matters" (1989) TV series 1989-1998

User Rating:

6.7/10   

Creators:

William Bickley
Michael Warren

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | unknown

Release Date:

22 September 1989 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Family

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Neighbor | Spin Off | Nerd | Sitcom | Police Officer

Awards:

Nominated for Primetime Emmy. Another 8 wins & 15 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Fri. July 10	3:00 AM	NIK	A-Camping We Will Go	#5.21
Fri. July 10	3:30 AM	NIK	Nunsense	#5.22

Cast

Reginald VelJohnson	...	Carl Otis Winslow / ... (215 episodes, 1989-1998)
Kellie Shanygne Williams	...	Laura Lee Winslow (214 episodes, 1989-1998)
Darius McCrary	...	Edward 'Eddie' James Arthur Winslow / ... (207 episodes, 1989-1998)
Jaleel White	...	Steven 'Steve' Quincy Urkel / ... (204 episodes, 1989-1998)
JoMarie Payton	...	Harriette Winslow / ... (201 episodes, 1989-1998)
Rosetta LeNoire	...	Estelle 'Mother' Winslow / ... (121 episodes, 1989-1997)
Bryton McClure	...	Richie Crawford (95 episodes, 1990-1997)
Telma Hopkins	...	Rachel Crawford (94 episodes, 1989-1997)

Runtime:

30 min (215 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:G | USA:TV-G

Filming Locations:

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

Company:

American Broadcasting Company (ABC)

Trivia:

The character of Steve Urkel was so popular, that it spawned a series of merchandise including a talking doll, trading cards, posters, books, lunchboxes and t-shirts. The character even had its own limited edition cereal.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the first episode, outside of the front door is a little hallway leading out side. From the second episode on, the hallway was a porch.

Quotes:

[Steve accidentally set off his A-bomb]
Steve Urkel: Don't panic, my love! If I remember correctly, the safest place to be during a nuclear explosion is in a reinforced basement.
Laura: Not when the bomb is in the basement with you!
Steve Urkel: Good point... PANIC!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "ER: Family Matters (#6.10)" (2000)

Soundtrack:

As Days Go By

Like it or not, Urkel is king

The character Urkel gets a lot of trash thrown his way, but look at what the actor himself did: He stole a sitcom. It doesn't happen often. Now I'm not certain when he was first introduced on the show, but I believe it was during the first season. He was the "wacky neighbor" with a crush on Laura -- nothing more. Within two seasons, the show was his. He owned it. Huge plot lines revolved around him; he got as much if not more screen time and dialogue as anyone else, and in many cases, more than the entire cast. Some may not like him, but he stole the show out from under the original cast through pure energy and originality. He developed a dead-pan 'look' that rivaled Johnny Carson's and one-upped Mr. Roper's. His physical comedy was outrageous, sometimes slightly ridiculous, but ideally suited to a basic family sitcom. Anyone of-age who has watched some TV in their time knows who Urkel was -- because he was dominant. Like him or not, Urkel is a unique, unforgettable character in TV history, and for that massive achievement, he deserves credit.