After watching the reruns off and on on both local syndication and cable, here are my thoughts.

-The show totally veered off from its original premise. I remember back in the day everyone was calling it ABC's version of the Cosby's. Hell, I think every black show with a family was called a Cosby ripoff. I think of it more as ABC's answer to 227. More storylines could have been devoted to family matters such as financial problems (not Good Times extremes), teenage issues, and generally everyone growing up with each other.

-There were too many characters. Estelle could have been used as Carl's mom moving in to save money or to help around the house since she was retired. Rachel and Richie could have been reoccuring characters. There was really no need for them weekly. Judy should have been developed more. I think she would have been the perfect brat being the youngest or they could have made her the rebel. The last thing we needed was another egghead kid too smart for real life.

-Too many episodes came off as very special. Let those storylines be revolving lines for the season or a few episodes.

-Urkel added comic relief but his character should have grown over time. He was still dressing like a 8 year old NERD in high school. Still make him goofy and dingy but at least look his age and give him some better glasses. Look at Myra, she was nerdy but at least she looked her age.

-3J was not needed. It seems like every black family show wants to add a 'hood' element to keep it real. Parent Hood did it, Cosby Show did it, Amen did it and so on. It didn't make since to bring him on as you were phasing out Richie. I agree with the commentary that he acted too old for his age. He came off like a rebel teenager who raised himself mostly.

-The Sci-Fi was just silly and annoying after awhile.

Just some thoughts. Of course, I know many of us was in elementary or middle school during the initial run of the show. But as we have aged and matured, the show just seems corny and lame now. What does everyone else think?

-The show totally veered off from its original premise. I remember back in the day everyone was calling it ABC's version of the Cosby's. Hell, I think every black show with a family was called a Cosby ripoff. I think of it more as ABC's answer to 227. More storylines could have been devoted to family matters such as financial problems (not Good Times extremes), teenage issues, and generally everyone growing up with each other.
This is true. I still liked the show's later seasons too though.

-There were too many characters. Estelle could have been used as Carl's mom moving in to save money or to help around the house since she was retired. Rachel and Richie could have been reoccuring characters. There was really no need for them weekly. Judy should have been developed more. I think she would have been the perfect brat being the youngest or they could have made her the rebel. The last thing we needed was another egghead kid too smart for real life.
I agree with this too, especially about Judy. They should have kept her on and used her as a teenage character.

-Urkel added comic relief but his character should have grown over time. He was still dressing like a 8 year old NERD in high school. Still make him goofy and dingy but at least look his age and give him some better glasses. Look at Myra, she was nerdy but at least she looked her age.
Actually, Michelle Thomas was born in 1969, so her character was years younger than her. So I don't know if we can say "Myra looked her age". And well, Steve was a nerd. Did you really expect him to follow all the trends and "look good"?

-3J was not needed. It seems like every black family show wants to add a 'hood' element to keep it real. Parent Hood did it, Cosby Show did it, Amen did it and so on. It didn't make since to bring him on as you were phasing out Richie. I agree with the commentary that he acted too old for his age. He came off like a rebel teenager who raised himself mostly.
Orlando Brown was a great child actor though.

-The Sci-Fi was just silly and annoying after awhile.
Baaah, as I said earlier, I'm okay with those plots too. They just suited Steve's character.

Just some thoughts. Of course, I know many of us was in elementary or middle school during the initial run of the show. But as we have aged and matured, the show just seems corny and lame now. What does everyone else think?
I was thirteen years old, when I first watched this show, and I still like it.

Urkel added comic relief but his character should have grown over time. He was still dressing like a 8 year old NERD in high school. Still make him goofy and dingy but at least look his age and give him some better glasses. Look at Myra, she was nerdy but at least she looked her age.
Actually, Michelle Thomas was born in 1969, so her character was years younger than her. So I don't know if we can say "Myra looked her age". And well, Steve was a nerd. Did you really expect him to follow all the trends and "look good"?

I agree with Furienna. Steve was a nerd, so of course he worn nerdy clothes.

Judy should have been developed more. I think she would have been the perfect brat being the youngest or they could have made her the rebel. The last thing we needed was another egghead kid too smart for real life.

Indeed, you're right, GSU2004. I sometimes feel that Judy would have been a perfect black female version of Wesley T. Owens.