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Family Matters(TV show/series, 1989-1998)

TV-G
| 30min per episode | Genres: Comedy, Kids & Family

Scripted Reality in 9 seasons with 215 episodes

Family MattersRating: 3.4/5 (with 129 votes)
Family Matters is an American television sitcom that debuted on ABC on September 22, 1989, and ended on May 9, 1997. However it moved to CBS, where it was shown from September 19, 1997, to July 17, 1998. A spin-off of Perfect Strangers, the series revolves around the Winslow family, an African-American middle class family living in Chicago, Illinois. Midway through the first season, the show introduced the Winslows' nerdy neighbor Steve Urkel (Jaleel White), who was originally scripted to appear as a one-time character. However, he quickly became the show's breakout character (and eventually the main character), joining the main cast. Running for 215 episodes over nine seasons, Family Matters became the second-longest-running live action U.S. sitcom with a predominantly African-American cast, behind The Jeffersons with 11 seasons and 253 episodes. Both have since been exceeded by Tyler Perry's House of Payne with over 334 episodes as of 2023. Family Matters is the last live-action scripted primetime show that debuted in the 1980s to leave the air; the only scripted show that started in the 1980s and lasts longer in continuous production is The Simpsons. ()
Poster of Family Matters

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About Family Matters

A long-running dramedy centering on the Winslow family, a middle-class African American family living in Chicago, and their pesky next-door neighbor, ultra-nerd Steve Urkel. A spin-off of Perfect Strangers.

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Trailer for Family Matters + Featurettes/Teaser/Clips

Family Matters Season 6 (Theme Song)(Opening Credits, 0:53)

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Family Matters Seasons and Episodes

09/19/1997Season 9 - 22 episodes
#1 | 09/19/1997Out With the Old
4.5/5 (with 1 vote)
Steve undergoes an image makeover in order to take part in a kissing auction hosted by Laura's sorority; Carl feels threatened by Hariette's promotion and raise and decides to moonlight as a parking attendant.
#2 | 09/26/1997They Shoot Ducks, Don't They?
4.0/5 (with 1 vote)
When Commissioner Geiss and Carl go on a duck-hunting excursion, Urkel shows up at the lake with a camera to ""shoot"" the ducks. Urkel is shocked and dismayed to discover that Geiss and Carl are actually trying to slaughter innocent feathered fowl. Meanwhile, Kelly ""borrows"" her mom's diamond earrings for a hot night out at the Sizzle Club and comes home an earring short.
#3 | 10/03/1997Dumb Belle of the Ball
3.5/5 (with 1 vote)
When Myrtle ends up hospitalized after saving Eddie from being hit by an oncoming car, he promises to take her to the debutante ball. Myrtle is thrilled when her Prince Charming, Eddie Winslow - ""the gravy on her biscuits,"" escorts her to the Biloxi Debutante Ball. Meanwhile, Laura disappoints Carl when she goes to the Sizzle Club in a skimpy dress after agreeing to change into something less revealing.
#4 | 10/10/1997Drinking and Jiving
4.0/5 (with 1 vote)
Goody-two-shoes Laura has her first beer---and her second and third---at a fraternity party, where she's later rescued by a gallant Urkel. Meanwhile, Carl and Harriette keep their anniversary plans a secret from each other, but not from Eddie, who finds himself in the middle of their fight. When Urkel arrives at a fraternity party to discover a drunken Laura dancing on tables, he takes her home and she kisses him passionately. The next morning when Urkel proclaims that the kiss ""was the kind that changes things forever,"" Laura protests that she doesn't remember - but does she? Meanwhile, Carl and Harriette's wedding anniversary turns into a bone of contention when they both make elaborate - but very different - plans.
#5 | 10/17/1997Who's Afraid of the Big Black Book?
4.0/5 (with 1 vote)
Unbeknown to Urkel, Laura has given him Eddie's Little Black Book to use as an invitation list to Eddie's 21st birthday party, and all of ex-girlfriends show up. While Eddie isn't having a happy birthday party surrounded by his exes, Carl is promoted to police captain after proving to Commissioner Geiss that he is the one qualified for the job, which Geiss had initially given to his son.
#6 | 10/24/1997A Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Read
Urkel doesn't mind at all when a chemistry experiment allows him to eavesdrop on the thoughts of everyone around him, but being able to hear what people are thinking soon becomes far too overwhelming. Meanwhile, Carol becomes a troop leader for the Junior Woodsmen.
#7 | 10/31/1997Stevil II: This Time He's Not Alone
Stevil, the mischievous ventriloquist dummy, is back to haunt Urkel, but now he's brought along a nightmarish sidekick, Carlsbad. Together Stevil and Carlsbad attempt to take over the souls of Urkel and Carl - wreaking havoc on the whole Winslow household.
#8 | 11/07/1997Trading Places
When Laura seems distant and distracted, a jealous Stefan cooks up an elaborate plan to swap places with Urkel - the ""man"" to whom he suspects Laura is attracted. Laura knows something's up when Stefan (as Urkel) is a miserable tutor and Urkel has a heck of a time filling in for Stefan at a fashion photo shoot. Meanwhile, Eddie decides to follow Carl around on ""the beat"" with a video camera.
#9 | 11/28/1997A Pain in Harassment
Steve gets a chance at a $1 million basketball shot. Will he end up rolling dough, or will he get ""nothing but net""? Harriette's new boss has a reputation for being tough, but his employees are blindsided by his verbal abuse as well. Meanwhile, Urkel tries to win a million dollars with a basketball half-court shot in L.A.
#10 | 12/05/1997Original Gangsta Dawg
Jaleel White dons another persona, that of Urkel's visiting hip-hop cousin, O.G.D. (short for Original Gangsta Dawg), who makes a bad first impression on the Winslows - hitting on Laura, spouting controversial ideas, and influencing 3J in a decidedly negative fashion. Meanwhile, a crooked thug who is owed $4,000 by O.G.D. arrives in town looking to collect on the debt. Singer Missy ""Misdemeanor"" Elliott has a cameo.
#11 | 12/19/1997Deck the Malls
Steve gets all wrapped up in the Christmas spirit when he takes a job as a gift-wrapper, but the new gig leaves him little time to spend with Myra; Carl plays Santa at the mall and appoints Laura to be his elf; a disappointed Richie learns that his mom won't be with him for the holidays.
#12 | 01/09/1998Grill of My Dreams
Everyone duck! Urkel begins training to become a master teppanyaki chef at a Japanese steakhouse a part of his journey along the self-improvement highway. Laura surprises Urkel at the restaurant while he's slicing and dicing, and he lives up to the specialty of the house - The Tsunami Supreme. Meanwhile, Commissioner Geiss goes on vacation and leaves his talking pet parrot, Andre, in Carl's care and the bird learns some new words: ""Geiss is an idiot.""
#13 | 01/16/1998Breaking Up Is Hard to Do
Urkel decides to call it splitsville with Myra, but freaks out when she beats him to the punch. Although he is surprised that Myra broke up with him, Urkel decides that it's all for the best and goes to his true love, Laura. But when Myra turns up at the Winslows claiming that she made a mistake and wants ""her man back,"" she discovers Urkel and Laura in a passionate kiss. Meanwhile, Eddie quits school and decides to become a police officer - just like his dad.
#14 | 01/23/1998Crazy for You (1)
In the first half of this special two-part episode, Myra spies on Urkel's every move with her elaborate ""Stevie-Glasses-cam"". She is shocked to learn of his upcoming Saturday night date with Laura. When she tells Stefan about her rival's pending date with ""her Stevie,"" Stefan agrees to help rain on their parade. Meanwhile, Carl tries to control Eddie's trigger-happy finger during police training. Judyann Elder takes over the role of Harriette.
#15 | 01/30/1998Crazier for You (2)
Urkel is shocked to discover that Myra has been spying on him, but he thinks she's really snapped her cap when she starts dressing like Laura. Meanwhile, Harriette discovers that her wedding ring was originally intended for another woman.
#16 | 06/05/1998Whose Man Is It Anyway?
Cousin Myrtle dukes it out in the boxing ring with Greta to win Eddie for her own. Meanwhile, 3J longs to find his birth mother.
#17 | 06/12/1998Polkapalooza
Eddie gets a new apartment but Carl overstays his welcome. Meanwhile, Laura goes to the biggest polka fest with Steve only to find out he has done a lot in the community through polka, and has become more attracted to him.
#18 | 06/18/1998Throw Urkel From the Train
Laura's not impressed by Maxine's rich new boyfriend D'Andre.
#19 | 06/26/1998Don't Make Me Over
Myrtle Urkel tries for the last time to get Eddie. This time, Laura and Maxine give her a complete and total makeover. Myrtle comes out looking terrific, but Eddie still does not like her. So she decides to stop chasing him.
#20 | 07/03/1998Pop Goes the Question
Urkel asks Carl for Laura's hand in marriage, but Stefan has already given Laura a ring.
#21 | 07/10/1998Lost in Space (1)
The first of a two-part series finale sends Urkel into space, which means he'll have to postpone his marriage to Laura.
#22 | 07/17/1998Lost in Space (2)
In the conclusion of the series finale, astro-nerd Urkel's life hangs in the balance when he takes a dangerous walk in space to patch the damaged spacecraft.
09/20/1996Season 8 - 24 episodes
09/22/1995Season 7 - 24 episodes
09/23/1994Season 6 - 25 episodes
09/24/1993Season 5 - 24 episodes
09/18/1992Season 4 - 24 episodes
09/20/1991Season 3 - 25 episodes
09/21/1990Season 2 - 25 episodes
09/22/1989Season 1 - 22 episodes

Additional Information

Production country: United States of America (USA)
Based on: "Perfect Strangers" (TV show/series, 1986-)
Original language: English (EN)
Spoken languages: English (EN)
Translated into 14 languages: Bulgarian (BG), Bosnian (BS), Czech (CS), Danish (DA), German (DE), Greek (EL), English (EN), Spanish (ES), Persian (FA), French (FR), Hebrew (HE), Italian (IT), Russian (RU), Chinese (Mandarin) (ZH)
Status: Ended
First episode released on: 09/22/1989
Last episode released on: 07/17/1998
Alternative titles in other countries (from previews, ads etc.):
"凡人琐事"
"مسائل خانوادگی"

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WatchPlayStream ID: SHOWS:1673, Added: 05/11/2018, Last updated: 04/05/2024