Hey,

This is Justin Waller. I was wondering why Telma Hopkins did not appear in the Fifth season of Family Matter and the seventh season and, the eight season of the show. And I was wondering what happen to Joesph ans Julius Wright who played baby Richie?

Hello, jbwaller. This is hch. I think I can probbaly fill you in on what happeend to Telma Hopkins. Here's what I think:

The reason that Telma left in the fifth season is beacsue she was doing another show at the time called "Getting By". For all of the rest of the seasons, because much of the stories and situations was centered around the younger cast and Carl and Harriette, I guess they couldn't find a use for Rachel's character and I guess they dropped her, reducing her to one-shot guest appearances. I think that did the same thing to Mother Winslow as well. And that's was why Judy disappeared.

This is just my opinion.

Yeah when they added the characters of Urkel, Waldo, Myra, ... They had to get rid of some and those were the ones that went.....(Judy, Mother Winslow, Rachel)

The reason Telma did no appear was of the TV sitcom "Gettting By" during the 4th season of Family Matters. She did not appear in some FM eps that season because of "Getting By" . She came back and appeared in more FM eps(One Sceners to allow her to also do Getting By eps) ABC decided not to pick it up, it was a midseason show anyway. (I was glad about it too) NBC (Grrr) picked up the show and Telma continued in it therefore shw could not do season 5 of FM. She appeared in 6 episodes for season 6. I was thrilled because I was not expecting her back. Season 7 she was gone again but was referred to in the IRS auditing Carl epsode. For 2 years she was not seen nor referred to and then December 1997 she appeared for the Christmas episode suprising Richie. She should have stayed on. Her being there just made the family look more complete.