UrkelNet
HOME
 
Synopsis
 
UrkelNet Features
 
Carl's Cast & Crew
 
Eddie's Episode Guide
 
"Waldoisms"
 
Harriette's F.A.Q.
 The Show
 Cast & Characters
 Episodes
 Song Lyrics
 Rumors
 UrkelNet
 
Urkel Trivia
 
Mother Winslow's Photo Album
 
Rachel's News & Views
 
Greta's Games
 
After Family Matters
 
Laura's List of Links
 
Richie's Webrings
 
 
Also check out...
 
MichelleNet: The Michelle Thomas Appreciation Page
 
KellieNet: The Kellie Williams Appreciation Page
   
The Show

  1. What is Family Matters?
    Family Matters is an African-American sitcom spin-off of Perfect Strangers revolving around Harriette Winslow (JoMarie Payton), the elevator operator, and her family. At the series progressed, it also focused on the interventions of annoying neighbor Steve Urkel (Jaleel White) and his quest to be accepted by the Winslows.

  2. Who created Family Matters?
    The show is a Bickley & Warren Production, a Miller*Boyett Production in association with Warner Brothers Television. Thomas L. Miller, Robert L. Boyett, William Bickley, Michelle Warren and David W. Duclon are the executive producers.

  3. When did Family Matters premiere?
    The first episode of Family Matters aired Friday, Septmeber 22, 1989.

  4. How many episodes of Family Matters are there?
    There are 215 episodes of Family Matters. For detailed descriptions of those episodes, check out     Eddie's Episode Guide. For frequently asked questions about specific episodes, check the Episodes section of Harriette's F.A.Q.

  5. How many seasons was Family Matters on the air?
    Family Matters aired for nine seasons. It had eight seasons on ABC's TGIF line-up and one season on CBS's short-lived Friday Block Party. It is currently the second-longest African-American show in TV history, only beaten by The Jeffersons with eleven seasons.

  6. Why did Family Matters move from ABC to CBS for only one year?
    At the eight season, ABC decided not to renew the series. Actor Reginald VelJohnson, who plays Carl, reported that ABC would not have had a ninth season if CBS did not pick them up. Unfortunately, the move to CBS without many loyal viewers knowing or caring and CBS's 2-11 demographic, the target audience for Family Matters, being the lowest of all the networks, Family Matters's ratings greatly slipped which caused their cancellation. Also, some of the series stars, including Jaleel White, were ready to move to other interests.

  7. What is the theme song to Family Matters? Is there more than one?
    There have been two Family Matters theme songs. The first was the rememorable song, "What A Wonderful World" by Louie Armstrong. But with a greater presence of Urkel and the series being a cartoonish sitcom, the song was changed to "As Days Go By" by Jesse Frederick, Bennet Salvay, and Scott Roeme. You can find the lyrics to "As Days Go By" in the     Song Lyrics section of Harriette's F.A.Q.

  8. Were there any Family Matters merchandise?
    Yes. In 1991, there was a Steve Urkel doll and a talking Steve Urkel doll that said all of his catch phrases. Also in 1991, Milton-Bradley released a Steve Urkel puzzle. Shortly afterwards, there was Urkel-O's. Urkel-O's was a cereal similar to Froot Loops with stawberry and banana flavored "O's" endorsed by Urkel, complete with his picture on the box and a commercial. There was also a set of TGIF trading cards, which featured pictures from Family Matters, Full House, and Perfect Strangers.

  9. Are there plans for a Family Matters reunion movie?
    Not anytime soon, and possibly not at all. Jaleel White has already mentioned in different interviews that he does not want to play the role of Steve Urkel again and that being in a reunion TV movie would just cheapen the series.

  10. Is Family Matters in syndication?
    Yes. Family Matters can be seen on the cable networks TBS and WGN and also on several local stations. Some cities can get multiple episodes of Family Matters a day due to syndication. Check local listings for stations and showtimes.

  11. Are there any episodes of Family Matters for sale on video or DVD?
    Currently, there are no Family Matters episodes available for sale on video or DVD. However, Columbia House has made several collector's edition videos of old sitcoms like Sanford & Son, Good Times, The Jeffersons, Family Ties, etc. so it is quite possible to possibly see some Family Matters video in the future. if you go to the     Columbia House web site, and enter the TV Greats section, there is a survey that allows you to give your requests for future videos. There is a possibility to ask for Family Matters as a future video collection choice.

  12. What was the location for the series?
    On Family Matters, the Winslows and Urkel lived in Chicago, Illinois.

Is your question missing? If you don't see it here, ask it at urkelnet@andremeadows.com

Site maintained by André Meadows.
UrkelNet is a fan site and is no way directly affiliated with Family Matters, its cast, characters, or creators.