I mean, the show first started out about The Winslow family, and slowly, season by season progressed into "the Steve Urkel show," it's safe to say. I mean, almost every episode in the later seasons was about Steve and one of his inventions going wrong.
And I know that Jaleel was originally set to be a guest start, right? But the audience liked him so much that he became a regular. He wasn't even in the first couple of episodes...without him, it's a completely different show!!!

Do you think that the cast resented Jaleel or the writers for making him the main character, or giving his character such emphasis when the show seemed to start off on a completely different premise? The show was still about The Winslows, but mostly, it was about Steve and Laura and Steve and Carl and Steve and Eddie and Steve and Estelle. It was still a family show, but it seemed to be more focused on Steve and his relationship with The Winslows.

What do you guys think?

It's definitely a possibility. JoMarie Payton-France ended up leaving the show midway through its last season so we can assume she was upset throughout the show. With the others though, I guess it didn't really matter as long as they were still being paid. However, they might have been upset that their characters were not as popular.

I don't think that they were mad at Jaleel. I think the cast was mad at the writers for completely changing the show to center all around him.

I never thought about them blaming the writers! It's just something that I've always wondered about.
And Jaleel probably got paid more than the other actors, right?
Anyone know of any other backstage controversies of the show, besides the two Harriets? I am always interested in this type of stuff lol!!!

By the way, anyone else think they could've done a better job casting the 2nd Harriet? She was nothing at all like the first!!! She was so much more soft-spoken...it just didn't work for me...

By the way, anyone else think they could've done a better job casting the 2nd Harriet? She was nothing at all like the first!!! She was so much more soft-spoken...it just didn't work for me...

I know it reminds me a lot of how they replaced Vivian on the Fresh Prince of Bel Air. They replaced both moms with a light skin soft spoken woman who wasn't as nearly as good as an actress as the ones before them were..

I never thought about them blaming the writers! It's just something that I've always wondered about.
And Jaleel probably got paid more than the other actors, right?
Anyone know of any other backstage controversies of the show, besides the two Harriets? I am always interested in this type of stuff lol!!!

By the way, anyone else think they could've done a better job casting the 2nd Harriet? She was nothing at all like the first!!! She was so much more soft-spoken...it just didn't work for me...


I read on Urkel.net that Reginald Vel Johnson (Carl) did not like it in the beginining saying he admits his ego was bruised at first but accepted it later on. Also Kellie Shanyae (sp?) Williams (Laura) did not like the focus on Urkel either at first saying her classmates used to ask about Jaleel White (Urkel) but never asking about her character. It did not bother Darius McCary (Eddie) at all, Telma Hopkins (Rachel) accepted it, I don't know how Rosetta LeNoire (Mother Winslow) felt about it, and we all know how JoMarie Payton (Harriette) felt.

And I agree, they did a terrible job casting the second Harriette it is like they did not even try to get a decent replacement, might as well of written her out.

I don't think that they were mad at Jaleel. I think the cast was mad at the writers for completely changing the show to center all around him.
If they were, I don't blame them one bit. I think the writers, producers, AND ABC were much more to blame than Jaleel.

If they were, I don't blame them one bit. I think the writers, producers, AND ABC were much more to blame than Jaleel.
I agree. Jaleel was not at fault.

I read on Urkel.net that Reginald Vel Johnson (Carl) did not like it in the beginining saying he admits his ego was bruised at first but accepted it later on. Also Kellie Shanyae (sp?) Williams (Laura) did not like the focus on Urkel either at first saying her classmates used to ask about Jaleel White (Urkel) but never asking about her character. It did not bother Darius McCary (Eddie) at all, Telma Hopkins (Rachel) accepted it, I don't know how Rosetta LeNoire (Mother Winslow) felt about it, and we all know how JoMarie Payton (Harriette) felt.

And I agree, they did a terrible job casting the second Harriette it is like they did not even try to get a decent replacement, might as well of written her out.
Urkel.net? LOL! I have to check that site out some time!

Now, this was interesting information. I have to point out though, that Thelma Hopkins did leave "Family Matters" for another show, so she might not have been so happy either.

Well if it wasn't for Jaleel, the show might have only been on a couple years if that long. The show was considered another Cosby clone at first and most critics dismissed it. Ratings were not that great. I'm sure that their might have been some resentment but I think they were very lucky that Jaleel guest starred on an episode and saved the show. I watched the show in its original run and during the first season, I didn't even watch it every week. I considered it the weak link on the TGIF lineup. After Jaleel joined the cast, I never missed a show. I do agree though that the show got more outrageous as the years went on.

If they were, I don't blame them one bit. I think the writers, producers, AND ABC were much more to blame than Jaleel.
Actually it was us, the people who watched the show, who were most to blame. Family Matters was struggling with low ratings until Steve Urkel showed up. The ratings increased and the writers, producers, and ABC noticed. So we saw more and more of Urkel. And the stories got more and more Urkelcentric as we continued to watch in large numbers. So if the rest of the cast had a beef it was really with us.

Actually it was us, the people who watched the show, who were most to blame. Family Matters was struggling with low ratings until Steve Urkel showed up. The ratings increased and the writers, producers, and ABC noticed. So we saw more and more of Urkel. And the stories got more and more Urkelcentric as we continued to watch in large numbers. So if the rest of the cast had a beef it was really with us.
That's a very good point, too. As an adult, I much prefer the non-Urkelcentric episodes of FM (in reruns). But as a kid, I was caught up in Urkel's antics. I'm embarrassed about that now. :o :lol:

It was the same thing with HD. The first 2 seasons were not very successful and then as soon as Fonzie became a major character, the ratings took off. Maybe some of the cast should look at the HD cast for inspiration. If anyone had a right to be angry about that change it was Ron Howard and he and Henry Winkler became good friends. Chances are if it wasn't for Jaleel, Jo Marie would today be remembered as the elevator operatort on Perfect Strangers.

I always thought the Urkel character would have been better in smaller doses. Five or six Urkel episodes a year would have been great and I'm sure very funny. Something we would have all been looking forward to. But there is such a thing as too much of a good thing.(I mean I like Pizza but I wouldn't eat it 7 days a week.) In the case of FM and Urkel it was way too much.

Who knows what might have happened, if Steve hadn't come along? But yes, chances are that we wouldn't even remember this show today. Because as much as FM changed from its original premiss over the years, Steve made us watch it and remember it.

Well if it wasn't for Jaleel, the show might have only been on a couple years if that long. The show was considered another Cosby clone at first and most critics dismissed it. Ratings were not that great. I'm sure that their might have been some resentment but I think they were very lucky that Jaleel guest starred on an episode and saved the show. I watched the show in its original run and during the first season, I didn't even watch it every week. I considered it the weak link on the TGIF lineup. After Jaleel joined the cast, I never missed a show. I do agree though that the show got more outrageous as the years went on.

I am the opposite. I liked the first season the best. It was what it was in the title. I do agree that Urkel spiced the show up, but like Marvo301 said, he would have been better in small doses.

As I've said before, I could never appreciate the first season, when I first watched it as a teenager. I missed Steve so much, when I watched those first twelve episodes without him, that I couldn't warm up to them. But nowdays, when I'm in my 20s, I appreciate them a lot more. But I still say, that Steve was a great addition to the show. But they should have kept the show more balanced between the Winslows and Steve, like it was in seasons 2,3,4,5,6 and 7, when most episodes had one plot, that was about Steve, and then another plot, that wasn't about Steve.

I am the opposite. I liked the first season the best. It was what it was in the title. I do agree that Urkel spiced the show up, but like Marvo301 said, he would have been better in small doses.
I agree with you. I've always thought the first season was better from the first time I saw it when I was 12. I thought he would be better in just a few episodes a season, and some couldve had him like episodes of season one where he would just have a few lines.

As I've said before, I could never appreciate the first season, when I first watched it as a teenager. I missed Steve so much, when I watched those first twelve episodes without him, that I couldn't warm up to them. But nowdays, when I'm in my 20s, I appreciate them a lot more. But I still say, that Steve was a great addition to the show. But they should have kept the show more balanced between the Winslows and Steve, like it was in seasons 2,3,4,5,6 and 7, when most episodes had one plot, that was about Steve, and then another plot, that wasn't about Steve.
I don't really like how Steve had a plot every single episode. He should have had maybe four episode plots a season and others just a few lines.

The Urkel episodes were good at least some of them were and I agree that without the introduction of Jaleel White as Urkel the show would have most likely been canceled.

Any Ill feelings the rest of the cast might have had if any are undeserved.
They should have been thinking what has he done? He's kept us from being type cast and in the process is type casting himself.

I don't think Jaleel has been in anything else has he?


Just my opinion

Charles

I don't really like how Steve had a plot every single episode. He should have had maybe four episode plots a season and others just a few lines.
Really now? Awww, I think Steve is great!

The Urkel episodes were good at least some of them were and I agree that without the introduction of Jaleel White as Urkel the show would have most likely been canceled.

Any Ill feelings the rest of the cast might have had if any are undeserved.
They should have been thinking what has he done? He's kept us from being type cast and in the process is type casting himself.

I don't think Jaleel has been in anything else has he?

Nah, Jaleel White hasn't had much luck with getting new roles. He voiced Sonic the Hedgehog, he was one of Ashley's boyfriends on "Fresh Prince of Bel Air", and he also starred in a romantic comedy, that was called "Who brought the potatoe sallad?" or something like that. But that's all I can think of. People haven't really taken him seriously, even though he's a great actor, because he became so famous as Steve Urkel. He did the role only too well.

As I've said before, I could never appreciate the first season, when I first watched it as a teenager. I missed Steve so much, when I watched those first twelve episodes without him, that I couldn't warm up to them. But nowdays, when I'm in my 20s, I appreciate them a lot more. But I still say, that Steve was a great addition to the show. But they should have kept the show more balanced between the Winslows and Steve, like it was in seasons 2,3,4,5,6 and 7, when most episodes had one plot, that was about Steve, and then another plot, that wasn't about Steve.
I do agree about that. I think the later years were the worst as the show centered more around Steve's inventions and became less about the family. The early shows were about the family and how they interracted with Steve and they were the best shows. I don't think they should have recast Harriet either. Once Jo Marie left, the show was over....it was dying anyway by then. It's too bad she couldn't have waited until the end of the season and give the show a proper sendoff.

I do agree about that. I think the later years were the worst as the show centered more around Steve's inventions and became less about the family. The early shows were about the family and how they interracted with Steve and they were the best shows. I don't think they should have recast Harriet either. Once Jo Marie left, the show was over....it was dying anyway by then. It's too bad she couldn't have waited until the end of the season and give the show a proper sendoff.


I tried watching a late season episode last night with Steve working in a Japenese Restarunt and had to turn it off, just too stupid for me

I've never watched season 9 (except for the very last episode, and even that was about ten years ago now). I've only read about it on the internet. But from the sound of it, oh yes, the show was really dying at that point. Suddenly having Steve end up with Laura, when he was better off with Myra, was just plain awful.

JoMarie Payton was tired of the show too, as they didn't focus on the Winslow family anymore (which they had still done even in the 8th season), but only on the Steve/Laura/Myra love triangle (and maybe also the Eddy/Myrthle/Greta love triangle). I even believe, that she wanted to write episodes, that were about the family, but they wouldn't let her. But for a long time, they all still thought, that there was going to be a 10th season. But that never happened in the end, which is why that other Harriette (JudyAnn Elder?) only was there for half a season, when she really should have had one and a half season.

I don't mind Steve's inventions though (even though Stefan became a bit overused). Steve was always a scientist and an inventor, and it wasn't strange at all, that the show took that route, when Steve was their most important character. No, it wasn't like the earlier more realistic seasons, but in my opinion, the changes weren't for the worse, they just made the show a bit different.

People haven't really taken him seriously, even though he's a great actor, because he became so famous as Steve Urkel. He did the role only too well.

I admit, I am one of one of those people who really, it's hard for me to see him as anything else or anyone else as Steve Urkel, because he portrayed that character so well!!! I saw some recent pictures of Jaleel, and man...he looks GOOD!!! LOL!!!! ;) :lol: I don't think I ever saw him that way on FM, even as Stephan, I always saw that little bit of Steve in him. It was actually weird for me to watch him as Stephan, even though that was probably closer to how he was in real life. Just goes to show you how good of an actor he was since he made that character so believable. Even though, it wasn't really believable...does that make sense? LOL! Jaleel made the character is what I'm getting at. I couldn't see anyone else doing the role but him. Urkel was so iconic to the 90's that it's really hard to imagine FM without him!!!!

And I've never heard about the "Potato Salad" movie...when did it come out?

I enjoy reading everyone's opinions on this...keep em' coming!!!

I certainly hope not. Family Matters was an excellent sitcom, and all the actors contributed in making it an outstanding show.

I do agree about that. I think the later years were the worst as the show centered more around Steve's inventions and became less about the family. The early shows were about the family and how they interracted with Steve and they were the best shows. I don't think they should have recast Harriet either. Once Jo Marie left, the show was over....it was dying anyway by then. It's too bad she couldn't have waited until the end of the season and give the show a proper sendoff.
My sentiments exactly!!

And I've never heard about the "Potato Salad" movie...when did it come out?

It's actually called "Who made the potatoe sallad?" (my bad), and it's from 2006.

And this is Jaleel White's IMDB page, by the way: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0924918/

I do agree about that. I think the later years were the worst as the show centered more around Steve's inventions and became less about the family. The early shows were about the family and how they interracted with Steve and they were the best shows. I don't think they should have recast Harriet either. Once Jo Marie left, the show was over....it was dying anyway by then. It's too bad she couldn't have waited until the end of the season and give the show a proper sendoff.


:yeahthat

Urkel.net? LOL! I have to check that site out some time!

Now, this was interesting information. I have to point out though, that Thelma Hopkins did leave "Family Matters" for another show, so she might not have been so happy either.


I think Telma Hopkins may have felt like Reginald VelJohnson, at first did not like it but accepted it later. She commented that Jaleel White did make the show better and that the longer the show stays on the more each cast member gets to display their talents. Also there was a very nice picture of Jaleel and Telma (she had her arm around his shoulder)

As far as Telma leaving FM, she said the decision was very very difficult because she enjoyed her time on the show and everyone on there was truly like family. I think she left because it may have been a better opportunity for her to have her own show. Unfortunately it did not work out that way and the show was cancelled.

I think Telma Hopkins may have felt like Reginald VelJohnson, at first did not like it but accepted it later. She commented that Jaleel White did make the show better and that the longer the show stays on the more each cast member gets to display their talents. Also there was a very nice picture of Jaleel and Telma (she had her arm around his shoulder)

As far as Telma leaving FM, she said the decision was very very difficult because she enjoyed her time on the show and everyone on there was truly like family. I think she left because it may have been a better opportunity for her to have her own show. Unfortunately it did not work out that way and the show was cancelled.
Telma and her Getting By co-star, Cindy Williams, had chemistry but I didn't think the show itself was that great. Still, she did the occasional guest spot on Family Matters after Getting By was cancelled, didn't she?

What was "Getting By" about?

Telma and her Getting By co-star, Cindy Williams, had chemistry but I didn't think the show itself was that great. Still, she did the occasional guest spot on Family Matters after Getting By was cancelled, didn't she?
Yes, she did. It was nice to see her now and then (especially since Richie was still there).

That's a very good point, too. As an adult, I much prefer the non-Urkelcentric episodes of FM (in reruns). But as a kid, I was caught up in Urkel's antics. I'm embarrassed about that now. :o :lol:

Me too. :lol:

Don't be embarressed. Steve is funny.

Me too. :lol:
Glad to know I'm not the only one. :lol:

I have wondered about this too. There probably was resentment towards Jaleel, the writers and producers. Probably the other cast members have moved on. I remember reading somewhere that FM was intended to be a working class version of The Cosby Show because Harriet and Carl had lower paying jobs and could relate better to black families. I thought Cliff and Claire on The Cosby Show were sort of smug and I liked Harriet and Carl better. I think when the Urkel character started getting more airtime the show sort of lost it's original focus.

As I've said before in other threads, I didn't notice how much this show changed over the years, until I saw people complaining about it on the internet. But of course, I'm now surprised, that I could miss it. I don't think the changes were for the worse though. They should have kept Judy on and worked more on her character, no question about that, but other than that, I still like this show in the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th seasons. It might have been less realistic by that point, but that didn't make it all bad, just different.

I admit, I am one of one of those people who really, it's hard for me to see him as anything else or anyone else as Steve Urkel, because he portrayed that character so well!!! I saw some recent pictures of Jaleel, and man...he looks GOOD!!! LOL!!!! ;) :lol: I don't think I ever saw him that way on FM, even as Stephan, I always saw that little bit of Steve in him. It was actually weird for me to watch him as Stephan, even though that was probably closer to how he was in real life. Just goes to show you how good of an actor he was since he made that character so believable. Even though, it wasn't really believable...does that make sense? LOL! Jaleel made the character is what I'm getting at. I couldn't see anyone else doing the role but him. Urkel was so iconic to the 90's that it's really hard to imagine FM without him!!!!

And I've never heard about the "Potato Salad" movie...when did it come out?

I enjoy reading everyone's opinions on this...keep em' coming!!!

He had a show called Grown Ups in 1999 which was pretty good to me. Tammy Townsend (who played Eddie's girlfriend Greta) was Jaleel's love interest on the show.

As I've said before in other threads, I didn't notice how much this show changed over the years, until I saw people complaining about it on the internet. But of course, I'm now surprised, that I could miss it. I don't think the changes were for the worse though. They should have kept Judy on and worked more on her character, no question about that, but other than that, I still like this show in the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th seasons. It might have been less realistic by that point, but that didn't make it all bad, just different.
He did save the show. The show would have been canceled after one or two years without him. Ratings were sagging.