So how long do you think the series would have lasted if Urkel was never introduced - Page 2 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Spark Of Spirit · 11-09-2020, 09:20 PM

Two seasons.

You can't look at the series outside its timeframe. The late 1980s/early 1990s had far too much competition in family sitcoms. Urkel is what gave them attention they weren't otherwise getting.

TVSCREEN2015 · 06-19-2022, 07:19 PM

The ratings for the first season were poor, so it was have lasted one season and been another forgotten black sitcom. Urkel saved this show from cancellation.

Furienna · 06-27-2022, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVSCREEN2015

The ratings for the first season were poor, so it was have lasted one season and been another forgotten black sitcom. Urkel saved this show from cancellation.

Yeah, this.
I would say that the first twelve episodes were okay, but they did need Steve to be remembered today.

Lorimar Television · 07-02-2022, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVSCREEN2015

The ratings for the first season were poor, so it was have lasted one season and been another forgotten black sitcom. Urkel saved this show from cancellation.

That's completely untrue, season 1 of Family Matters was already outranking Full House with 22 mil viewers compared to 15.3 mil viewers. Yes the ratings went up for season 2 which may be attributed to him, but the rest of the series was all lower than season 1.

Superswiper · 07-12-2023, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lorimar Television

That's completely untrue, season 1 of Family Matters was already outranking Full House with 22 mil viewers compared to 15.3 mil viewers. Yes the ratings went up for season 2 which may be attributed to him, but the rest of the series was all lower than season 1.

On the contrary, I heard the show was on the verge of cancellation at the time of Steve's introduction. I don't know what to believe at this point.

That being said, I don't think it would have lasted beyond Season 3 or so without him. The ratings after Season 2 would likely be even lower without him.

Janice Johnson · 10-21-2023, 07:38 PM

Fans of Family Matters wondered how Family Matters started off as a normal, loving family, who always tried to stick together to being a Sci-fi Comedy. One Poster said this hilarious post. "When The Winslows and Steve ended up transporting to a pirate ship, that's when I found the show to be too O.O for me!"

king of comedy · 10-21-2023, 07:47 PM

They should be thankful for Urkel saving the show. I say it would have lasted 1 year.

Janice Johnson · 10-22-2023, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by king of comedy

They should be thankful for Urkel saving the show. I say it would have lasted 1 year.

On the old IMDb Messageboards, Posters were like,"Family Matters was a CUTE Show in it's very first episodes, but not really FUNNY. When Steve Urkel was introduced, it made the show FUNNY "

11-09-2020, 09:20 PM	#16
Spark Of Spirit Member Forum Regular Join Date: Nov 20, 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 563	Two seasons. You can't look at the series outside its timeframe. The late 1980s/early 1990s had far too much competition in family sitcoms. Urkel is what gave them attention they weren't otherwise getting.
	__________________ “A thing may be too sad to be believed or too wicked to be believed or too good to be believed; but it cannot be too absurd to be believed in this planet of frogs and elephants, of crocodiles and cuttle-fish.” ― G.K. Chesterton

06-19-2022, 07:19 PM	#17
TVSCREEN2015 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 27, 2015 Posts: 136	The ratings for the first season were poor, so it was have lasted one season and been another forgotten black sitcom. Urkel saved this show from cancellation.

10-21-2023, 07:38 PM	#21
Janice Johnson Commercial Lover Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 30, 2003 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 4,738	Fans of Family Matters wondered how Family Matters started off as a normal, loving family, who always tried to stick together to being a Sci-fi Comedy. One Poster said this hilarious post. "When The Winslows and Steve ended up transporting to a pirate ship, that's when I found the show to be too O.O for me!"

10-21-2023, 07:47 PM	#22
king of comedy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Aug 31, 2012 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,140	They should be thankful for Urkel saving the show. I say it would have lasted 1 year.