At long last the popular ‘90s sitcom Family Matters is now on to DVD! Warner Home Video has released the complete first season on DVD (streets June 8, 2010) with all 22 episodes on a nice three-disc set! Family Matters aired from 1989-1998 on ABC’s popular TGIF block on Friday nights. The sitcom is a spin-off of the ABC series Perfect Strangers (1986-1993), which had Harriette as the elevator operator at the Chicago Chronicle (where Larry and Balki worked). This spin-off focuses on her family, the Winslow’s. The Winslow family consists of Harriette’s husband Carl, who is a police officer, and their kids Eddie, Laura and Judy. Also living with them are Harriette’s sister Rachel and her infant son Richie. But what will happen when Carol invites his mother to move in with them?

Then midway through the first season, Jaleel White made a one-shot appearance as neighborhood nerd Steve Urkel. With oversized glasses, undersized body, screechy voice and indomitable self-confidence, Urkel proved irresistibly funny, turning White into an overnight sensation and a new star of the show as his role grew more and more by the end of the season.

Family Matters stars Reginald VelJohnson as Carl Winslow, JoMarie Payton-France as Harriette Winslow, Rosetta LeNoire as Estelle Winslow, Darius McCrary as Eddie Winslow, Kellie Shanygne as Laura Winslow, Jamiee Foxworth as Judy Winslow, Joseph Julius Wright as little Richie, and Telma Hopkins as Rachel. Jaleel White recurs as Steve Urkel. Note: Valerie Jones played Judy Winslow in the first episode.

Read our review by Pavan here:
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/familymattersseason1dvdreview.html

Please post any questions or comments about this set.

At long last the popular ‘90s sitcom Family Matters is now on to DVD! Warner Home Video has released the complete first season on DVD (streets June 8, 2010) with all 22 episodes on a nice three-disc set! Family Matters aired from 1989-1998 on ABC’s popular TGIF block on Friday nights. The sitcom is a spin-off of the ABC series Perfect Strangers (1986-1993), which had Harriette as the elevator operator at the Chicago Chronicle (where Larry and Balki worked). This spin-off focuses on her family, the Winslow’s. The Winslow family consists of Harriette’s husband Carl, who is a police officer, and their kids Eddie, Laura and Judy. Also living with them are Harriette’s sister Rachel and her infant son Richie. But what will happen when Carol invites his mother to move in with them?

Then midway through the first season, Jaleel White made a one-shot appearance as neighborhood nerd Steve Urkel. With oversized glasses, undersized body, screechy voice and indomitable self-confidence, Urkel proved irresistibly funny, turning White into an overnight sensation and a new star of the show as his role grew more and more by the end of the season.

Family Matters stars Reginald VelJohnson as Carl Winslow, JoMarie Payton-France as Harriette Winslow, Rosetta LeNoire as Estelle Winslow, Darius McCrary as Eddie Winslow, Kellie Shanygne as Laura Winslow, Jamiee Foxworth as Judy Winslow, Joseph Julius Wright as little Richie, and Telma Hopkins as Rachel. Jaleel White recurs as Steve Urkel. Note: Valerie Jones played Judy Winslow in the first episode.

Read our review by Pavan here:
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/familymattersseason1dvdreview.html

Please post any questions or comments about this set.


I don't even remeber the opening teasers from 1989 so I don't think it's that big of deal. Like you said teasers have nothing to do with the extended ep so it's not too bad

Right. Still, I wish Rachel's First Date had the original opening teaser, instead of the added Urkel one. Not a big deal, though, as the other 3 are the original opening teasers.

Right. Still, I wish Rachel's First Date had the original opening teaser, instead of the added Urkel one. Not a big deal, though, as the other 3 are the original opening teasers.

I think I will be purchasing the DVD set as soon as it comes out. Any word on if it will also be released June 8 in Canada as well?

I agree about the cold open issues. If they put it for 3 out of 4 it doesn't really make sense why they would do that. Also, shouldn't they have used the syndicated open for the 10th as opposed to the 4th episode? Sort of strange.

Too bad they couldn't use the original opening theme song but at least they are using the full version of "As Days Go By."

Seems to be a pretty good release. I'd really like to see a special feature from the producers or something explaining all of the complicated issues like the changing of theme song, Urkel's addition to the show and how they remade certain scenes of the show, and other similar issues. It stills seems to be a gray area even for the biggest fans of the show.

This has to be one of the more complicated releases a season of a show has ever had. Maybe that's why it took so long to release. Maybe if it sells well the remaining seasons will see quicker releases.

On a semi-related note, Pav, do you think it would be a good time to release the next season of Diff'rent Strokes? Everybody has been talking about Gary Coleman's death the last few days. Maybe that would help drum up sales for the show.

What do you mean use the syndicated opening on the 10th episode? All of them have the full "As Days Go By" theme that runs like 1:20. I would assume it is out June 8 in Canada as well and I hope Sony does continue Diff'rent Strokes, but even if they announce it now...it wouldn't be out until late summer/early fall.

What do you mean use the syndicated opening on the 10th episode? All of them have the full "As Days Go By" theme that runs like 1:20. I would assume it is out June 8 in Canada as well and I hope Sony does continue Diff'rent Strokes, but even if they announce it now...it wouldn't be out until late summer/early fall.

What I meant to say was the cold open. Sorry for the confusion. Saying why they would choose to use only one with Urkel and, at that, at one of the earlier ones when they used the original cold opens on episodes 7, etc like you mentioned in the review.

This sounds like a good release. Very disappointed about Rachel's First Date being the Urkel cold open, but at least the others are original. Episode eight's cold open features a scene in the extended theme song. The one of Laura, Eddie, and Judy playing pictionary, so it's good we get that back.
I have a few questions though:

1. Is Jaleel White credited during the end credits of Rachel's First Date ?

2. Was What a Wonderful World used in the first episode on the dvd? If not, does it have Jaimee Foxworth in the credits or Valerie Jones?

3. You said, "We get a nice cast photo of the Winslow family, but not Judy for some reason. Show credits are on the right side." Is "show credits" mentioning the cast? If so does it at least say Jaimee Foxworth plays Judy?

4.You also said, "We start off the menu with the closing theme music (instrumental version of “As Days Goes By”)", is it the end theme like this:
http://www.retrojunk.com/tv/videos/210-family-matters/2719/#intro or is it something different?

5. Are the end credits the original, without Reginald VelJohnson's voice over?

6. Is Jaimee Foxworth featured at all in the episode guide booklet?

Ok, so I just did a little research by watching both versions of the Urkel added cold opens. It seems that in the three episodes the originals are used, they run the exact same time as the the ones with Urkel added. But Rachel's First Date's original cold open is 25 seconds and the Urkel added is 46 seconds. Maybe they wanted to use the longer one? Or maybe they couldnt find the original in decent quality?

rebafan1, see answers to your questions below:

1. Is Jaleel White credited during the end credits of Rachel's First Date ?
A: Yes, he is.

2. Was What a Wonderful World used in the first episode on the dvd? If not, does it have Jaimee Foxworth in the credits or Valerie Jones?
A: No, as stated in the review "What a Wonderful World" is not on the DVD at all. I'll check if Foxworth was credited in this theme, but I don't think she was. Jones was I think.

3. You said, "We get a nice cast photo of the Winslow family, but not Judy for some reason. Show credits are on the right side." Is "show credits" mentioning the cast? If so does it at least say Jaimee Foxworth plays Judy?
A: Yes, the names of the cast. Foxworth is listed and Jones. Jones says: pilot episode only.

4.You also said, "We start off the menu with the closing theme music (instrumental version of “As Days Goes By”)", is it the end theme like this:
http://www.retrojunk.com/tv/videos/2...rs/2719/#intro or is it something different?
A: Yes, exactly.

5. Are the end credits the original, without Reginald VelJohnson's voice over?
A: No voiceover. That is only for syndication.

6. Is Jaimee Foxworth featured at all in the episode guide booklet?
A:. Nope, only a picture of Valerie.

Thanks for the answers. Please tell me when you get a chance about the pilot opening, and if Valerie is credited, do they have different scenes when they show clips from episodes, or do they still have Jaimee, like when she and Laura are feeding the birds, or when she and Mother Winslow high five, or singing stop in the name of love? And during the bridge scene when the family's riding bikes, does it say "Producer Paula A. Roth"? Because that was only used in the pilot. Is it like this version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqjU-98TW4A Is Valerie's credit longer than that version, like do you see her putting the doll in the dollhouse, or does she just sit down?


6. Is Jaimee Foxworth featured at all in the episode guide booklet?
A:. Yes, as indicated in a previous question.

Are there any pics of her in the guide? Thanks again for answering all these, and I'm sorry if I'm bugging you with all of the questions.

1. Please tell me when you get a chance about the pilot opening, and if Valerie is credited, do they have different scenes when they show clips from episodes, or do they still have Jaimee, like when she and Laura are feeding the birds, or when she and Mother Winslow high five, or singing stop in the name of love?
A: Valerie is indeed credited. They have different scenes when they show clips from episodes. Valerie and Kellie are feeding the birds.

2. And during the bridge scene when the family's riding bikes, does it say "Producer Paula A. Roth"? Because that was only used in the pilot. Is it like this version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqjU-98TW4A Is Valerie's credit longer than that version, like do you see her putting the doll in the dollhouse, or does she just sit down?
A: Paula A. Roth is indeed credited when the bridge is shown. The theme is longer than the one you linked. It runs about 1:20. Valerie just sits down.

No pictures of Jamiee in the guide. There is a cast photo with Valerie Jones, though. And by the way, the credits are on the case, not the guide.

Thanks so much! Is Valerie's scene playing with her dollhouse longer than the one I linked? And do you know what scenes are shown in the opening credits, are they from the Wonderful World version?

Her credit is the same length. The scenes from episodes at the end make the opening longer. As for those scenes during the opening credits for the pilot opening, you'll have to watch on the DVD. You need something of a surprise for yourself :) It's unedited at about 1:20, so you can be assured of that in advance.

rebafan1 I thought I was picky about new dvd releases but you have me beat-lol Some questions for you

1. Did you watch the show on ABC in 1989?

2. If Not where were you able to see Uncut Openings?

3. Do you have Origina Airings of Family Matters in your own collection?

No, to all your questions. I wasn't even born in 1989 lol. I've seen the uncut cold openings on youtube in German if that's what you meant. And thanks Pavan, you're right I do need a surprise, I just wanted to know what to expect so i wont be too disappointed, but this sounds like a great release.

No, to all your questions. I wasn't even born in 1989 lol. I've seen the uncut cold openings on youtube in German if that's what you meant. And thanks Pavan, you're right I do need a surprise, I just wanted to know what to expect so i wont be too disappointed, but this sounds like a great release.


Ok, well try and get your money's worth and be surprised so the DVD will be more enjoyable

I'm sure I'll like it, plus it's not like he told me every scene in all the episodes so I still have a few surprises lol. :)

I remember watching the show on ABC in its original run (I stopped regularly by like 1996 though). I loved TGIF. I remember watching the pilots for Step by Step, Hangin' with Mr. Cooper and Boy Meets World on their original airings. I can't remember Family Matters, but I am sure I watched it when it premiered. I know I watched that first season as I remember some nights vividly. I was a huge fan of Perfect Strangers!

I remember watching the show on ABC in its original run (I stopped regularly by like 1996 though). I loved TGIF. I remember watching the pilots for Step by Step, Hangin' with Mr. Cooper and Boy Meets World on their original airings. I can't remember Family Matters, but I am sure I watched it when it premiered. I know I watched that first season as I remember some nights vividly. I was a huge fan of Perfect Strangers!
That's cool, I love most of the shows you mentioned still today. There's an original airing of the season 2 premiere of Family Matters on youtube I know. It has a whole scene that's cut out of both Nick and abc family reruns where Steve talks to Rachel about buying Leroys.

I remember watching the show on ABC in its original run (I stopped regularly by like 1996 though). I loved TGIF. I remember watching the pilots for Step by Step, Hangin' with Mr. Cooper and Boy Meets World on their original airings. I can't remember Family Matters, but I am sure I watched it when it premiered. I know I watched that first season as I remember some nights vividly. I was a huge fan of Perfect Strangers!


I'm confident you didn't watch family matters on ABC in 1989

Why do you say that? I remember watching the "Bakers Dozen" episode when it premiered quite vividly.

Why do you say that? I remember watching the "Bakers Dozen" episode when it premiered quite vividly.

At the age of 5?

5? I was 7 when "Baker's Dozen" aired in season one.

5? I was 7 when "Baker's Dozen" aired in season one.

Pav, 7 is not much different from 5-lol I don't remember watching anything on Network tv at the age of 7

I do because TV shows were always a big part of my life. I tended to watch more sitcoms than cartoons even in Kindergarten.

In 1989 I was in second grade and I remember tuning into the very first episode. I remember lots of TV from when I was that young.

What I don't remember is What a Wonderful World being the original theme song. So I don't care much about that not being on the DVD.

I do because TV shows were always a big part of my life. I tended to watch more sitcoms than cartoons even in Kindergarten.

Same with me. People think I'm crazy for remembering the lineup of my local FOX affiliate from 1997, for example. Most of the sitcoms that I love, though, I only watched in syndication - I didn't stay up that late when I was little.

Does anybody know if the theme song used on the pilot episode was ever shown in reruns, Because abc family showed the What A Wonderful World version and nick at nite uses the short intro. So I'm wondering if they ever used that on tv or if they just made it specifically for the dvds...

I'm sure ABC aired that theme during summer reruns or any network rerun after that season.

My question is: if ABC Family, as recently as 2007, could air the original What a Wonderful World theme song, why can't it be included on the DVD? I know it has to do with the rights to the music but it wouldn't it be more expensive for ABC Family to pay for it than the entire Warner Bros. company. I'm sort of confused about that.

This is similar to the issues regarding Wonder Years and why it has not yet been released. Can somebody please explain to me why there is no problem for the music to be included in syndication on TV but there IS a problem when it comes to the DVD releases?

THANKS SO MUCH!

It is cheaper to play it on TV since it originally was on television in the first place. Home entertainment is an entire different licensing. I don't think the omission is a big deal. Now if the theme song was used for the ENTIRE first season, then it would be a big deal.

That's true, idk if i like having a theme song that was never used originally for the pilot. Valerie's credit is cut up so you can't even see she's playing with a dollhouse. Plus idk what scenes they show, but if they show some scenes without Jaimee from the regular theme song they'll be showing the house with a completely different set. You wouldn't think it would be that hard to use it for one episode, I have a show on dvd that used that song at the end of the episode and it was included. But oh well, atleast it's not the syndicated version.

Well I got my set, it's great so far. If anyone's interested this is how the intro for The Mama Who Came To Dinner looks on the DVD.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IL2La5GeeI0