Just a quick question. I notice that they switch actresses for the role of Harriette later in the series, why do they do this?

well the show was originally suppose to be a spin off for Hariette's character from Perfect Strangers. Then Urkel came into the show and it became all about him so from what I understand this pissed off JoMarie Payton since it was suppose to be her show and then around the 9th season she started trying to suggest family themed episodes to the writers but when they rejected her ideas she had enough of it and quit.

wow, I never knew that. Thats very interesting. Poor her. :(
Urkle rocks though hehe. I wondered why he was never in the beginning episodes but now this explains it.

you know I nervery did know why They Replaced Hattiette

I'm glad somebody already posted about this because i was about to post about her leaving the show. I was watching Family Matters this morning and i noticed the woman who played Tisha Campbell's mom on Martin tv show replaced JoMarie Payton. Now i see why JoMarie left the show after reading what somebody posted about she gave the writers of the show some ideas and they rejected her ideas. That's not right. The actors deserve to have some input to give to the writers and producers. JoMarie and Reginald had good chemistry. I didn't watch the show when JoMarie was replaced.

well the show was originally suppose to be a spin off for Hariette's character from Perfect Strangers. Then Urkel came into the show and it became all about him so from what I understand this pissed off JoMarie Payton since it was suppose to be her show and then around the 9th season she started trying to suggest family themed episodes to the writers but when they rejected her ideas she had enough of it and quit.


Yes this is true. And to add insult to injury while they were turning down JoMarie Payton's ideas they let Jaleel White, and Reginald Vel Johnson write episodes.

Interesting. I've always wondered why. I prefer the original Harriette.

I didn't like the last season anyway. Steve and Laura was NOT meant to be!

I didn't like the last season anyway. Steve and Laura was NOT meant to be!

I totally agree with you on that one.

You know, most people think they weren't right for each other. Almost everyone except the writers.

haha, poor JoMarie. that really sucks, i had no idea.

did this happen on Fresh Prince as well? don't the mothers change in that show as well?

annnnnnnnnnyways, if anyone is as bored as i am at work, you should check out http://video.dotcomedy.com/player/?id=94834 if you're a fan of celeb smut and fat men in weird glasses.

and no, i'm not talking about perez hilton or james lipton.

who was the lady that replaced the first Harriette

who was the lady that replaced the first Harriette

Judyann Elder

thanks is Judy Elder doing any TV Work now

The 2nd Harriette and Carl didn't mesh as well together as the 1st Harriette and Carl did. I always watch that episode where Carl goes to a hot massuesse (spelling) and wonder how JoMarie Payton would've been. With the change, the role of Harriette was different. Would the 1st Harriette be so willing to do Eddie's laundry or to have Eddie's job changed? It just didn't seem like Harriette to me.

Well in the first place, this was originally derived from JoMarie's character, Harriette, on Perfect Strangers, and this was HER spin-off. That was not fair to have replaced the original purpose/star of the show. Many believe this was more Carl's show, but it was really the Harriette character who brought the show to existence.

Also, after JoMarie played Harriette for 10 years (including PS 87-89), and to see Judyann come in and play her was a little unreal. Anyways, the show became more of a soap opera in Season 9 with Steve, Laura, Myra and Stefan. The 1998 episodes seemed that way.

I know, it wasn't fair to Harriette. But still, Steve was this show's gold mine, not Harriette. Many people have called this show "Steve" or "Urkel". Has anyone ever called the show "Harriette"?

I always believed there was only one "Harriette Winslow" JoMarie Payton. JoMarie also went by: JoMarie Payton-France (earlier) & JoMarie Payton-Noble (later)

That's were I thought you were getting confused.I guess I was not paying attention very well.

In the last season JoMarie was not in episodes 194, 196, 198, 200, 201, 205, and 206. JoMarie's last episode of "Family Matters" was ep. 204 " Deck the Malls" Aired December 19 1997. Season 9.

Judyann Elder's first episode was "Crazy for You" January 23 1998. 207-215

Everyone prefer the original Harriette, so do I, but at least she was on the show almost the whole show.

But actually, that's just what makes it silly. There was only half a season left. Why couldn't she just have stayed on for such a short amount of time? But while they were doing that terrible 9th season, they obviously thought, that there was going to be a 10th season, and that probably explains it all.

I think they should've just ignored her character for those last few episodes instead of getting a replacement.

I am glad she got replaced because there needed to be a Harriette. I liked Judyanne Elder in the role. However, JoMarie will always be Harriette Winslow to me for the 10 1/2 years that she played the role.

I am glad she got replaced because there needed to be a Harriette. I liked Judyanne Elder in the role. However, JoMarie will always be Harriette Winslow to me for the 10 1/2 years that she played the role.
Judyann Elder gave a fantastic dramatic performance in a Streets of San Francisco episode from 1973.

But actually, that's just what makes it silly. There was only half a season left. Why couldn't she just have stayed on for such a short amount of time? But while they were doing that terrible 9th season, they obviously thought, that there was going to be a 10th season, and that probably explains it all.

Yeah, you're right, but still, I guess they wanted a Harriette.

Now, if Frank Dungan and Jeff Stein had created and produced the show instead of Thomas L. Miller and Robert L. Boyett, Ms. Payton never would have left, because unlike Miller and Boyett, Dungan and Stein emphasized quality over quantity, as seen with their work on Mr. Belvedere.

Hmm, yeah, true.