Alle unter einem Dach

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.

I know many are trashing the show because of Steve. But I agree with many of the those who say that Steve made the show what it was.

Granted Steve could be annoying at times. But thats what Steve was all about. Granted it got a little silly as the years past, but I'd watch Family Matters any time over The Nanny.

Family Matters was the perfect show for the family. It wasn't sappy or annoying like most of the other family shows on tv. Carl and Steve Urkel were the best characters and the funniest. The show, like others, began to lose quality over the years and met cancellation. In my opinion, the show was better than all the other TGIF shows ever.

I have always been disappointed at how networks often cancel shows before allowing them to take their natural progression. If CBS was going to pick up the show, they should've committed to a final season. I understand that the ratings may not have been the same as the first few seasons, but I'm sure they would've picked up with a little promotion "Urkel and Laura, this is the season." Family Matters was an excellent show that deserved its final season; it was a staple of Friday nights on ABC, that if you compare, put its current Friday night line up to shame.

Laura and Steve were engaged, but we never get to see them finally marry (the last episode I saw was when Urkel was in space, kinda lost track when the show switched networks). Or at least, cancel the show, but allow for one or two final episodes to be made, to allow the show the conclude adequately.

A similar thing happened with the show "Quantum Leap," where the crew got last minute notice the show wasn't going to be renewed, and they had to do post production work to add black screens adding two sentences, one of which the most unsatisfactory "Sam NEVER leaped home." I'm pretty sure that same thing happened with "Perfect Strangers" too. I can understand canceling floundering shows abruptly, but not one that has been on for 9 years. At least that's what I think.

Family Matters started out as a rather ordinary Cosby Show-like sitcom about an everyday African American family living in suburban Chicago. But then something happened. Next door neighbor Steve Urkel was introduced. And just like that, ABC's TGIF line-up would never be the same.

I'll agree with most and say that the first six seasons were very funny. Classic episodes included Steve playing the role of Laura's husband for a school project, Carl teaching Steve how to drive, the introduction of Stefan, and the obligatory trip to Disneyland. Unfortunately, after Season Six (ie. when Steve finally moved in with the Winslows) it was pretty obvious the series was starting to wear thin. The writers seemed to be running out of ideas, often having to rely on Steve Urkel himself and his inventions for all the comedy, his cousin Myrtle was re-introduced for no reason, and even Steve's own character cooled down to the point where by the last season, he no longer seemed like the clumsy, nerdy Steve Urkel we all knew and loved.

Essentially, Family Matters was a very funny show for a while, but also one that should have stopped while it was still at its prime, rather than being forced to end after two or so seasons of lousy ratings.