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A spin-off from the classic ABC sitcom "Perfect Strangers," "Family Matters" didn't take long to captivate viewers, showcasing the hilarious day-to-day lives of Chicago cop Carl Winslow (Reginald VelJohnson), his wife Harriette (Jo Marie Payton), and the rest of their family. Along with shows such as "Full House" and "Step by Step," the sitcom was a reliable mainstay of ABC's "Tgif" lineup from 1989 to 1997. By 1998, though, the show had moved to CBS for its final season, and it had clearly seen better days; it had long felt like "the Steve Urkel show," with said breakout character (Jaleel White) pretty much overshadowing the "family" in "Family Matters." And it wasn't quite the same family anymore, as Judyann Elder replaced Payton in the role of Harriette for the show's last nine episodes.

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly in 2017, Payton revealed why she made the decision to leave "Family Matters" after eight seasons and change playing the Winslow matriarch.

Jaleel White played Steve Urkel in the ABC sitcom Family Matters for nine seasons, but don’t expect the actor to revisit the role if it’s just a “cash grab.”

In a new interview, White revealed that he shot down reprising his role of the annoying next-door neighbor in a possible reboot of the sitcom that was part of the Tgif block of programming.

“I embrace the Tgif legacy, but I’m also careful to acknowledge that Tgif was a sinking ship, and you cannot make shows like that right now,” White said on SiriusXM’s Andy Cohen Live. “I feel like [Fuller House] got away with it because they have a schmaltzy, kind of vanilla thing that they do that’s very Hallmarkish to be quite honest and it benefits Candace [Cameron Bure] and that’s wonderful, but I just didn’t feel like we could get away with that same brand of humor.

Many classic sitcoms from years past have been revived with new sequel shows, but don't expect Family Matters to get the same treatment. Jaleel White, who rose to fame as the former child star who played breakout character Steve Urkel, has explained why it's better to leave Family Matters back in the past as a product of its time.

Per People, the actor commented on a possible revival while speaking to fans during his "The Evolution of Jaleel White" panel at 90s Con 2024. He explained that while he loves Family Matters, he's just not confident in a potential revival's prospects of success. Part of that has to do with losing some cast members who've since passed away, including Michelle Thomas in 1998 and Rosetta LeNoire in 2002. White also feels that a show about Urkel as a happily married adult wouldn't be as intriguing as following the character when he was younger and faced more challenges.

Family Matters' cast changed during its final season when Jo Marie Payton left, and Judyann Elder replaced her as Harriette Winslow. The show's ratings declined after the cast change and a timeslot switch, leading CBS to cancel Family Matters after season 9. Other TV shows like Fresh Prince, That '70s Show, Roseanne, and Batwoman also experienced significant cast changes that affected their storylines.

The classic Tgif sitcom Family Matters had a consistent main cast until mom Harriette Winslow changed when Jo Marie Payton left during the final season. The network TV landscape of the 1980s and the 1990s was all about family-oriented sitcoms; one such wholesome sitcom was Family Matters, which debuted in 1989 on ABC and ended in 1998. By the end of its run, Family Matters had fled ABC's Tgif line-up and moved to CBS.

Despite CBS paying big money to acquire the long-running show for season 9 after its Tgif run on ABC,...

Family Matters stars Darius McCrary and Kellie Shanygne Williams are reuniting for a new Christmas movie this year, and once again, the two will be playing siblings. Classic television fans may remember McCrary and Williams very well from their roles as Eddie and Laura Winslow on the popular '90s sitcom, which ran for nine seasons from 1989 to 1998. Over two decades later, the on-screen sitcoms will again be sharing the screen, this time for the holiday movie Christmas in Carolina.

Per the synopsis: "After losing her parents in a car accident, Elle (Joslyn Y. Hall of 'Atlanta'), a career-driven investment banker has given up on finding love and the Christmas spirit until she meets Wesley (David L. Rowell of Com-pli-cat-ed), a former NBA player and CEO of a small marketing firm. Impetuously, Wesley invites Elle home for Christmas in South Carolina with his mother and uncle (Williams and McCrary). Hesitantly,...

Network: Bounce TV. Episodes: Ongoing (half-hour). Seasons: Ongoing. TV show dates: June 18,2 012 — present. Series status: Has not been cancelled. Performers include: Omar Gooding, Angell Conwell, Bentley Kyle Evans Jr., Jayla Calhoun, Clayton Thomas, Tanjareeen Thomas, Paula Jai Parker, Rodney Perry, Judyann Elder, Richard Gant, Chris Williams, and Erica Shaffer. TV show description: A family sitcom, the Family Time TV show was created by Bentley Kyle Evans. When working class couple, Tony (Gooding) and Lisa (Conwell) Stallworth, hit the lottery, the winnings propel these former high school sweethearts into the middle class. Tony and Lisa decide to use the windfall to move to the suburbs with their children, Devin (Evans) and Ebony (Calhoun). Despite the payday, Tony is still a struggling...

Would you like geeky and goofy Steve Urkel to come to your house?

A '90s sitcom, Family Matters began as a spin-off of ABC's popular Perfect Strangers. The adventures of the Winslow family and one very nerdy neighbor lasted for eight seasons.

Carl Winslow (Reginald VelJohnson) is a Chicago policeman and his wife, Harriette (Jo Marie Payton, later Judyann Elder), is the chief of security for the Chicago Chronicle. Their children are Eddie (Darius McCrary), Laura (Kellie Shanygne Williams), and little Judy (Jaimee Foxworth). Also living with them are Harriet's widowed sister (Telma Hopkins), her young son Richie (Bryton McClure), and Carl's feisty mother, Estelle Winslow (Rosetta LeNoire).

In the beginning, stories were slated to center around the Winslow parents and kids. But, when Steve Urkel (Jaleel White) showed up, that all changed. The character became an overnight sensation...

Beginning as a spin-off of ABC's Perfect Strangers, Family Matters revolves around the Winslow family and one very nerdy neighbor.

Carl Winslow (Reginald VelJohnson) is a Chicago policeman and his wife, Harriette (Jo Marie Payton, later Judyann Elder), is the chief of security for the Chicago Chronicle. Their children are Eddie (Darius McCrary), Laura (Kellie Shanygne Williams), and little Judy (Jaimee Foxworth). Also living with them are Harriet's widowed sister (Telma Hopkins), her young son Richie (Bryton McClure), and Carl's feisty mother, Estelle Winslow (Rosetta LeNoire).

The sitcom initially focused on the parents and kids but the success of nerdy neighbor Steve Urkel (Jaleel White) caused the series to shift focus pretty quickly. Other recurring characters were played by Orlando Brown, Michelle Thomas, Cherie Johnson, and Shawn Harrison.

After eight seasons on ABC, Family Matters was cancelled. CBS picked the...