Family Matters is an America sitcom that was on the air from 1989 to 1998. The series is about The Winslow family, a middle-class African American family living in Chicago, Illinois. With nine seasons and 215 total episodes, Family Matters is the second longest-running American sitcom with a predominantly African-American cast.
The beginning of the series originally focused on the Winslow family, and specifically the character of police officer Carl Winslow (Reginald VelJohnson) and his family that includes wife Harriette Winslow (Jo Marie Payton), “Mother” Estelle Winslow (Rosetta LeNoire), the oldest daughter Laura Winslow (Kellie Shanygne Williams), son Eddie Winslow (Darius McCrary), and the youngest child Judy Winslow (Jaimee Foxworth). The storyline focused on the family normal family life of the Winslow family, however, midway through the first season the Winslows’ nerdy teenage neighbor, suspender clad Steve Urkel, soon became the focus of the show. Steve Urkel (Jaleel White) is both a total nerd and unbelievable klutz and his interest in making weird inventions and unannounced visits simultaneously drives the Winslows nuts.
With his squeaky voice and strange fashion sense, he was the ultimate nerd and was also the key to Family Matters’ popularity. He had a huge crush on the Winslow’s older daughter, Laura, and it was Mayra Monkhouse that had a crush on Steve.
Years into the show, Urkel developed a way to be cooler. He invented a special transformation chamber which allowed him to change into his cooler alter ego, Stefan Urquell. Laura, Steve’s long-time crush, eventually fell in love with him.
Though the show is a sitcom with a focus on the comedic element, it does deal with some actual real-life issues such as gangs, police brutality, teenage drinking, and drugs in school. In this sense, Family Matters truly deals with all matters of a family and the general pains of growing up and living harmoniously under one roof.
In the end, Carl, the head of the household, gets a promotion from sergeant to lieutenant. Urkel eventually moves in with the Winslow’s near the end of the series.
An interesting fact is that the house shown at the beginning and the end of the opening credits is located at 1516 W. Wrightwood Avenue in Chicago, Illinois. Everything else besides the house was filmed in a studio.
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